#put it to my temple shock me FOREVER

[afterglowkatie]

pair of pests: tattoo ˏˋ°•*⁀ kyra x catley!reader, short fic/blurb

kyra cooney-cross x reader | 1.2k | based off of this ask

‘Kyra, Kyra!’ A fan in the stands shouted out to try and get Kyra’s attention since she was walking by quite close. Kyra looked towards where she heard her name being called out, lifting her hand up to wave while smiling at the fans. Until one of them, the one that had tried to get Kyra’s attention, looked quite familiar to her.

Kyra made her way over to the girl, though she couldn’t exactly pinpoint why she felt so familiar to Kyra. She didn’t try that hard to figure it out, putting it down to probably having seen the supporter at multiple matches, ‘Hi,’ Kyra smiled at the girl, greeting her and leaning slightly on the barrier.

‘Kyra, could you get Tiny please. I want to show her this,’ The girl lifted her arm and that's when it all clicked for her. 

You and Kyra were going around to all the Arsenal fans after one of your matches at home. Laughing, messing around and taking what time you had to spend it with all of the fans that came to support you. You were signing jerseys and taking photos until you had come across this one girl who’d asked you to sign her arm instead of her jersey.

‘Are you sure that’s what you want?’ You laughed, not used to being asked to sign a part of someone’s body. It was the first time you could recall where someone wanted your signature on their body, ‘I’ll sign your jersey too if you want,’ 

‘I’m going to get your signature tattooed,’ The girl told you right before you went to sign her arm. Your face dropped in shock before a little smile formed. You didn’t know what to say. You were flattered that you could mean that much to someone you didn’t know personally enough that they wanted a tattoo dedicated to you, ‘Wow,’ was all you could speak, almost freezing in place for a minute, ‘Are you sure?’ Your voice wasn’t your usual confident self that you normally had while you were with fans.

‘Definitely, you’re my favourite player. I love watching you play, you’re amazing and one of my biggest inspirations,’ Your smile kept getting bigger, listening to how one of your supporters was talking to you. 

‘Keep talking like that and she’s gonna get a big head,’ Kyra laughed next to you, shaking your head slightly before placing a little kiss to your temple when she noticed the small pout directed at her, ‘No pressure babe,’

‘Yeah,’ You breathed out before grabbing the marker from the girl and steadying yourself before signing her arm, making sure you did your best version of your signature, writing your jersey number underneath. You gave the marker back and leant forward bringing the girl into a hug, ‘Thank you so much, you’re the first person who’s asked me for something like this. If you post it make sure to tag me, I want to see it when it’s done,’ You pulled back, looking at where you just signed. You were still in awe at the entire situation.

‘Yeah I’ll go get her for you,’ Kyra stared at the tattoo, she felt a sense of pride wash over her. Kyra would forever be proud of you, a little bit more when things like this happened. It’s just a reminder of how far you’ve come in your life and career. The way you can connect with others through the sport you chose to pursue when you were just a kid. 

Kyra loves your interactions with fans, the way she knows that you help people so much. She made her way over to where you were, you were never too far away from each other so it was quite easy to spot you. You were on your way back to the tunnel when you’d stopped for a group of fans that had gotten your attention and you being who you are, just couldn’t not stop for people.

‘I’m sorry but I’m gonna have to steal her away,’ Kyra made sure to wait for a break in you signing jersey’s and taking photos before she slid her arms around your waist pulling you into her a little. You turned your head and smiled towards Kyra, leaning into her touch. Fans loved seeing the two of you interact, being quite carefree whenever you were in places where you were the most comfortable.

‘What’s up Ky?’ You gave the supporters you were talking to one last smile and a little wave before following where Kyra was leading you towards.

‘Tattoo girl is here,’ Kyra beamed at you. Your eyebrows shot up in surprise, you knew exactly who she was talking about.

‘Ky, baby, look,’ You and Kyra were just laying on the couch, cuddled up watching a movie and scrolling through your phones. Your head laying on Kyra’s chest, her fingers playing with your hair. Kyra gave you all her attention when you’d looked up at her while holding your phone up so she could see, ‘That girl from the match that day, she actually got it tattooed,’ You couldn’t stop looking at the photo. 

You thought it was crazy that someone had actually gone through with something like that. Still in disbelief that it even happened, it’d all felt like a dream. Some days you still felt like that same little kid that used to just kick the ball in the backyard with her older sister, not feeling like you were grown up enough or good enough for something like that to happen. 

You were just a girl who liked to play football, who was good enough to make a career out of it. But you had to remember, and things like this reminded you, that you were a girl who was inspiring others, someone who was good enough for people to look up to and to be someone’s favourite. You don’t think you could ever get used to it.

‘Wow, that’s so cool,’ Kyra took your phone to have a closer look at it. She looked down at you, smiling softly, her eyes holding so much love for you, ‘I’m so proud of you,’ Kyra kissed your lips gently first, then placed little kisses all over your face, making you laugh a little.

‘Stop, I didn’t do anything,’ You felt your cheeks heat up, hiding your face in Kyra’s neck.

‘You do so much more than you’ll ever realise,’ 

‘I still can’t believe this,’ You smiled so wide when you’d gently reached out holding the girl's arm while you looked closely at the tattoo, ‘I love that I get to see it in person,’ You gently ran your finger over the lines of your signature on the girl's arm. The more you looked at it, the more it was beginning to feel real and sink in, ‘Thank you,’

‘No, thank you for everything you do. On and off the pitch you’re incredible,’ You were never one to accept compliments all that well, so you stumbled over a response. The only thing you thought that could ever say ‘thank you for choosing me to be your favourite’ enough was giving your jersey.

So you quickly pulled back and slipped off your jersey, borrowing a marker so you could sign it before giving it to the fan and one last hug before having to go. When Kyra could tell when the thought of giving away your jersey ran through your head, she had already slipped off her jacket and held it up ready to wrap you up in it before you’d even taken your jersey off.

You had no idea that this would lead into others asking for similar things from you, opening the realm of possibilities and to many more tattoos in your honour being done.

[daisiescomelate]

Bad bad wolf

Prompt: Gojo accidentally scared you during a mission and now he's begging you to open the bathroom door and let him talk to you.

Content: Gojo/Reader, angst, cursing, ooc.

div. plutism - masterlist

It was an accident. You knew that. A curse got too close to harm you and he snapped for a second, letting go of his goofy attitude and showing you a side of him that you had yet to meet. He checked in with you, he double checked, and then he triple checked, worried about you being injured or scared of the situation or... him.

You told him you were fine, that it was all good, you were just in shock still —about the curse, of course. You just needed a shower. So he cared your cheek and kissed your palm and drove you home so you could take your bath.

But now you couldn't bring yourself to open the bathroom door.

You rubbed your face and tried to stop your mind from derailing.

I mean, c'mon!

Gojo Satoru was a prophecy made flesh, he was the most powerful sorcerer in Japan, maybe the world. Of course that meant he was dangerous, that he was lethal. I mean hell, you were lethal and your curse technique wasn't even that good.

And you knew Satoru was an asshole with a loose moral compass, and that his silliness was more of a tool of provocation and manipulation than anything else.

But it was different— to actually see it.

Raw power.

Cold blood murder in his eyes and a maniac smile.

A snap of his fingers and life just... vanished as far as the eye could see.

The joy he got from it.

But for God’s sake! It was Satoru. Kisses on your forehead Satoru. Fart jokes Satoru. Pouty lips for cuddles Satoru.

The meaner thing he had ever done to you was putting salt on your coffee as a prank because you weren't the first person to wish him happy birthday! He had never lifted a finger against you. Then why were you so scared?!

The doorbell rang and you heard the front door opening and closing. Satoru began singing some made up lyrics about chinese food that included a falsetto. You heard him walk up to the bathroom door and knock on it, a smile on his voice.

"Babe, food is here!" he said.

You were wrapped on a towel, damped, looking straight into the mirror and trying to calm yourself down. Satoru, it's just Satoru. What's your problem?

His voice echoed on the tile of the room and on your temples. You were suddenly too aware of the water drops falling from the shower head and the cold, wet floor under your feet.

"You have been there forever, babe. Everything alright?"

I'm not ready.

Just breath.

You walked to the door, counting to ten in your head. Just go and open it, you will be fine. He will hug you and everything will be fine.

I want Satoru.

As you extended your hand to the handle, it shaked slightly, catching you off guard. You inhaled sharply and quickly moved to hold it in place.

"I'm alright", you said quickly, a little bit too aggressive even— maybe? Shit, it was an accident, I’m sorry. "I'm fine," you added, trying to be softer this time, "just give me a minute, love. I'll be right out."

"Mmm? Of course, baby."

You heard his footsteps getting away from the door and the clatter of the dishes as he probably set the table for you two. He continued to talk to you through the door.

“Ijichi is already messaging me about another assignment.” He sighed dramatically. “I never get a break, what would these people do without me?”

You heard him turn on the TV and lower the volume to keep it in the background as you liked it.

“One of these days we should ditch them and go on a vacation. What do you think? Fall off the map for a month or two, that would do wonders for my back! We could go to the beach~” Satoru kept walking around, you heard the rustling of clothes as he took off his uniform and put on something clean. “Drink cocktails under the sunset~”, he continued, his voice fading as he left to another room and increasing back again when he returned to the living room area.

“I’ll ask Nanamin to take care of my assignments, he still owes me a favor or two.” You heard the sound of Satoru opening one of his wine bottles.

His voice, that you often found so silly and even sweet, suddenly felt as if it carried a layer of an uncovered threat.

You noticed that you were shaking slightly.

You tried to repress it, sing to yourself, and tell yourself a joke, but nothing had any effect and your legs became weak; you sat on the toilet to prevent yourself from falling.

Time passed, maybe ten minutes, maybe an hour. Satoru had run out of conversation and had fallen into silence. The wait must have been long enough, since the next thing you heard was Satoru right behind the door again.

“Pumpkin pie, I don’t mean to hurry you but dinner is going to get cold!”

You stayed still, hugging yourself to try and find some comfort. Your whole body felt like freezing, and you pinched your skin in a nervous tic without realizing.

"Do you need help with anything? Is it your hair? Do you want me to help you dry it, love?"

Your breathing picked up, an anxious feeling kept bubbling under your skin, making your body suddenly uncomfortable. There was a hint of something in his voice but because of your now rising panic it was hard for you to decipher what it was.

Wasn't the bathroom a little bit too small? Is there really no other way out of here other than that stupid door? Do people hate proper windows on bathrooms that much?

"Love?"

You turned around and glanced at the mirror.

Why are you freaking out?

"Babe?"

You heard the doorknob again and the bathroom door unlocking.

Out of reflex, you slammed it close again.

Silence.

The longest minute.

"Do you need a towel?” Satoru’s voice was oddly cheerful in an awkward attempt to ignore what you just did. “Is that why you don't want me to come in?", he asked, even if he had walked on you naked several times already and that had never been a problem between you two.

Your tongue was too heavy to speak.

"I'm going to go fetch you a towel, okay baby? Be right back."

You felt like crap. You felt like shit. You felt like you couldn't breathe.

Were you really making that big of a deal out of this?

You were embarrassed. You were scared. You wanted to leave. Open the door, push Satoru to one side and bolt. Leave this house.

"I'm back with the towel!" Satoru sang.

It was hard for you to stay quiet, it was hard for you to keep your lungs filled with air, your breathing should be audible now even at the other side of the door.

"Love?"

Your eyes were tearing up.

Satoru paused waiting for an answer but you couldn't mutter any.

"Baby, I'm going in." His tone deeper, not wanting to play his usual façade anymore. He tried pushing the door open again. You pushed your whole weight against it to keep it close.

A hiccup.

No.

No, no, no. Be quiet.

You bit your lip.

Love, please just give me a moment. You prayed to yourself.

A ruffling sound, then he knocked twice.

"Baby, what's wrong, would you let me in, please?", he asked softly.

Please, just wait. Why can’t you wait until I’m ready?

"I'm okay!" You repeated. "Just give me a second."

On the other side Satoru heard your voice tremble.

Fuck.

He buried his hands on his hair and pulled.

Fuck.

He knew he should have kept bothering you about it. You still looked like you were in shock, you were still clearly processing what had happened.

Earlier that day he was told about a case he had to look into. It was a silly little curse, they said, but because there was no one else available they asked Satoru to go, and because he wanted to take you out on a whim, he called you to come along with him.

He was so busy playing around with the weird looking thing, putting on a show for you, that he didn’t notice anything odd about it until later on.

It had the general shape of a human except with longer arms and legs. It moved slowly so as not to lose its balance because of its long limbs. In a rush of excitement as your eyes were glued to him, he moved around it and used his flashiest kicks and punches. He was usually childish for the fun of it, but knowing how much it made you laugh, sometimes it got to his head and turned him actually stupid.

He was more aware of where you were and where you were looking at than he was aware of the curse. He noticed that something was about to go wrong from your expression first rather than by seeing it by himself.

When he turned his head around to look back at the curse it had doubled in size. He was in a jump midair and trying to process what was happening, it took him a second longer to realize that it had suddenly launched at you two with greater strength. At that moment, he was in an awkward position to stop it and whatever move he made would be delayed by a fraction.

He saw it as it happened in slow motion.

It was something outside of your league.

It was suddenly so much faster and wilder, nothing like the slow guy he had been dancing around a second ago.

It noticed the difference in power and you being the most vulnerable of the two.

You and Satoru were separated by a considerable distance. Its form morphed once again. It moved forward, opening a mouth full of raiser teeth, and splitted into two. One half moved in Satoru’s direction and tried to corner him, and the other— jumped aiming at your throat.

Satoru saw red.

When he came back to himself, the woods burned and there was a gaping hole on the earth where the curse had been. He turned around to ask you if you were okay, and as soon as he did his blood went cold. Your eyes were wide open, one hand covering your mouth, the other holding your stomach. Horror.

He was no stranger to that look. Many people looked at him as if he were a monster after they realized what he could do with so little effort. He enjoyed it, sometimes. He didn’t care most of the time. But now he realized he had made a terrible mistake.

Truth be told, when you came about he started to be a little wary of it. He wasn’t hiding it, his reputation preceded him, you were meant to find out about it sooner or later. He was just more cautious. He tried to not overdo it anymore, especially in front of you; he would make up excuses so you couldn’t come with him to certain missions and he would keep a close eye on the noisiest pair of elders so they wouldn’t run their mouths in front of you.

After you came into his life, the title of the strongest was more annoying than ever. Hunting, even. It caught your interest, it always caught everyone’s interest, but how many could look at him the same before and after witnessing what it actually meant?

His heart beated heavily on his chest.

He untangled his fingers from his hair, clearing the lump on his throat, making sure to keep his tone non-threatening.

“I’m not going to open it, baby. You can come out when you’re ready. I will sit right here, yeah?”

Nothing.

Satoru pressed his eyes closed, thinking full speed what he should do next. He was surprised by the rush of adrenaline that embedded his system. His body was instinctively ready to kick the door open but he held himself back. He had to keep a cool head, he needed to avoid scaring you further.

Think.

A sob came out from the bathroom.

No. No, please, don’t cry.

“Love, please. Let me give you a hug. Open the door for me.”

He had been too careless. He needed to apologize properly. He needed to see you and reassure you that he loved you more than anything and he would never hurt you. But at the same time –he realized– he was scared to see that same expression on your face again.

He held both hands to each side of the door frame, letting his head fall. What you two had was still fragile, it was still too early for a problem this size.

He was scared.

He had no right to try to hold you back just yet when this didn't even have a name. He was sure he wanted to keep you with him, he had known for a long time before he approached you to ask for a first date.

It was delicate.

Gojo Satoru was a god, they named him that and so stripped him away from his humanity; like so, he grew up empty. He was scared you could see that, how far away he was from human.

It was dangerous, for you and for him since no matter how many people talked about the lengths of his powers he came to know by experience that there were many things he could still not reach nor control. So many people wanted so much from him, and he attracted so many others with ill intents. On his darkest night he felt the strings that picked at his skin, holding to his limbs. An all powerful puppet.

But he met you and he was fool enough to think he could try.

He placed his hand against the door and called your name in a whisper.

“Please, please, open the door, love.”

But could he really let you go without giving a fight if you rejected him?

“I'm sorry. Please give me another chance. Please talk to me.”

Could he fight this greed that grew on his chest everytime he was around you?

“I would never, ever hurt you–”

His voice cracked.

He felt pathetic.

The reporter talking on TV warned the public of intense rains to come, and the most powerful sorcerer felt his eyes prickling and gritted his teeth.

Around you he didn't feel like the titan that people talked about and recoiled from. He was the Satoru that had been lost along the halls of the Gojo estate as a little kid, and the Satoru that was healed and held before he lost half of his soul later on. He felt complete again. Person again.

But what if he lost all of it. Again. Because of all his power. Again.

His head fell forward as the door opened, just an inch, taking him by surprise. Your eye picked through the crack, your cheek was covered in tears.

He blinked and stared, feeling his heart break by seeing you like this.

“Hello.” He said, a lame attempt to break the silence.

“I'm fine, I promise.” Your voice trembled on every word.

He sighed painfully.

Satoru straightened his posture and held a hand to the door. You visibly trembled and gave a step back, you looked like you wanted to protest but didn't say anything.

He opened the door completely and stepped into the bathroom. You followed his every move with your eyes, you tried to fight back the worst of your instincts, the ones that told you that this man could always do as he wished with you and you wouldn't be able to escape it.

He moved his arms up and you guessed he was going to go for a hug. It was hard for you to reciprocate just now, so instead you closed your eyes and nodded, to let him know it was okay.

But you didn't expect to be hugged by the waist, his head on your stomach.

You opened your eyes with confusion. Satoru was kneeling over the bathroom floor, hugging your legs with his head buried on your towel.

“I swear” he said in all seriousness, “I will never hurt you.”

He squished a little bit more, almost making you fall out of balance.

“I swear”, he repeated.

You felt his desperate grip, and as his fear sinked in, your's wavered, and you could finally feel how truly wrong you were about fearing this man.

“Satoru…” you called.

“Mhmm?” He said but didn't look up the way you wanted to so you could see his dazzling eyes.

You buried one hand in his silk hair and carefully ran your fingers through it. “Love, look at me.”

He refused, pressing his face harder against you.

You kneeled instead. There were you, with your face covered in tears with nothing but a towel, and Satoru with wet sweatpants on the damped floor and refusing to let you see him. You hugged him and felt his heart beating fast against his chest matching your's.

“I am the one who is sorry.” You whispered.

He held you with all his strength, almost leaving you out of air.

“I believe you. I don't know why I reacted that way. But I promise I believe you and that won't happen again.”

His breath shook against the skin of your neck. You run your fingers along his nape, reassuring him. He nodded and kissed your neck before ultimately raising his head and looking at you.

There were no tears but his eyes shined brighter. You held his face with both hands and brought him down so your noses would touch. The way he looked at you with those eyes, as if you were the most precious thing he had ever seen. You saw it clear as day, you had nothing to fear.

You moved closer so your lips would touch just slightly, “I love you, Satoru”, you said.

“I love you too”, he whispered.

[marksmelodies]

Haiiiii

I luv ur blog sm! 💕💕🙈🙈

Can you do dreamies reactions to accidentally getting you pregnant?

PLZ IM BEGGING YOU

hiii thank you so much 😽 i had so many requests for this so i hope you all enjoy 💓

mark

he would be shocked.. in total disbelief but still supportive

“IM HOME BABE” mark yells through your apartment, your loud sobs lead him to the bathroom that you are in, mark walks through the door seeing you sitting on the toilet seat with your head in your hands “ what’s wrong sweetheart” mark kneels down to see your face “ im pregnant” you say muffled “you’re what?” mark says moving your hands away from your face “im pregnant” you say hesitantly repeating yourself looking to the ground, mark stays silent for a moment, processing everything that he just heard before speaking again “i love you” he blurts out, you look down at him a little confused at his random confession “ i love you so much, at the end of the day its your decision on what you want to do, i’ll support you no matter what you decide” he moves closer engulfing you into a big hug

renjun

he would be so down to earth & serious about it, he wouldn’t hold back asking the hard questions

“we’re going to be parents?” he asks, his voice low and stern “yes jun” you say coming to terms with it yourself “and you’re sure want to keep it?” you answer again “yes i do” he smiles at you placing a kiss to your temple “are you ready to be a mom, im not saying that you aren’t i just want you to know that is isn’t just something temporary, from this point forward our lives are going to change forever, are you ready for that?” he asks “yes renjun im ready, are you?” you ask he takes a second to reply “i’ve always wanted a life with you, i always wanted a family and you to be the mother of my children” he says kissing you “im still in shock but im ready to become a dad, ill try and be the best person i can be for you and our child, i love you so much” you giggle at him “i love you more junnie”

jeno

he wouldn’t have much to say in the moment, he would immediately make sure you understand how much he loves you and supports you

coming home from a long practice, jeno walks through the front door and straight to your shared bedroom, he finds you folding laundry on the bed “hey babe” he says putting his belongings down and walking over to you placing a kiss to your forehead, he walks into the attached bathroom as he takes off his belt and begins to discard his clothes, you finally get the courage to speak “jeno i need to talk to you when you’re done showering” you say “alright” he replies as he closes the door separating you from him as he gets in the shower, your stomach drops as you hear the water turn off and your boyfriend exiting the bathroom in nothing but a towel around his waist “what did you need to talk about” he asks standing in the bathroom doorway, you stare at him on the bed “get dressed first” you say as he begins to put shorts and a shirt on before walking over to you on the bed, he sits down on the edge “ jeno” you whisper before tears stream down your face “im pregnant” you say as tears being to spring from your eyes, jeno doesn’t say anything he just puts you on his lap and rubs your back until you calm down “look at me” jeno says “we will figure this out together, you’re not alone in this” he says placing a kiss to yours lips

haechan

his immediate instinct is to check on you, completely disregarding the information you just laid on him

“i’m pregnant donghyuck” as the words leave your tongue haechans heart drops, he rushes over to you “are you okay? are you in pain? do you feel sick? can i do anything to help?” you found this gesture cute, “yes babe i’m fine but did you hear me? i’m pregnant” you say questioning him “yes i heard you love, do you want to keep it?” he asks fiddling with the hem of his shirt “yeah i do, this is our baby hyuck” you say looking at your belly. hyuck smiles bending down to your tummy “hi baby it’s your daddy, i know you’re so small but soon you’ll grow so big, i’ll make sure mommy is super healthy so that you can be too!” he says rubbing your belly “i can’t wait to see you as a dad, it’s already so hot, it’s making me want to get pregnant again and i just found out about this one” haechan lets out a laugh “wow slow it down baby you’re not even a month in, let’s see if you say the same thing after giving birth” your eyes shoot open as a gasp leaves your mouth “oh my god, i’m going to have to give birth, i forgot about that part, wait now im scared” you say panicking “don’t worry baby, ill be there with you every step of the way” haechan pulls you into another hug kissing the top of your head

jaemin

he would hold back tears

“i’m gonna be a dad” jaemin says looking at you, you expected him to be scared shitless but to your surprise his face is plastered with a smile from ear to ear “oh baby, we’re gonna be a mommy and daddy” he pulls you into a hug before looking at you again “wait, you want this right, you want the baby?” jaemin questions, “yes jaemin, i’ve always wanted to be a mom, even though this wasn’t planned i’m happy, reallly happy, especially since you’re the dad, i wouldn’t want to have anyone else’s baby” you smile at him “well i would hope not, oh y/n you’re gonna look so pretty all pregnant. i can’t wait to see them grow inside you, i can’t wait to meet them” you kiss his lips “you’re gonna be a great dad jaemin” “not as good as you mama”

chenle

surprisingly good at not freaking out given the situation at least on the outside

it all started with morning sickness

“jesus babe” chenle jumps out of bed rushing to the bathroom after hearing you begin to throw up, quickly he kneels down next to you holding your hair up and rubbing your back “this is the third time this week you’ve thrown up” chenle says worried “i think i have a stomach bug or something” you say wiping your mouth with a wet washcloth

you began to notice how every little thing made you nauseous, especially the smell of certain foods

“babe come here and try this” your boyfriend yells as you approached him, walking to the pot of food on the stove you take a deep breath before being completely disgusted, not that the food smelled bad, not at all, it was one of your favorite dishes but for some reason, all of the sudden you felt like you could puke at any moment “chenle i can’t i feel sick” you say making gagging sounds “wow okay you could’ve just told me the food looks awful” chenle rolls his eyes “what has gotten into you all of a sudden the smell of food makes you nauseous?” chenle asks laying with you on the couch as he rakes his hands through your hair “im telling you lele i think im sick or something” you brush him off

the eye opener was when you missed your period

“chenle i don’t want to go im supposed to get my period” you say as your boyfriend tries to convince you to go out with his friends, “please baby just go have a good time with your friends” you say laying in bed “no y/n i’m not going without you, if you don’t want to go then neither do i”

that was almost a week ago and yet your period was no where to be found

sitting on the bed you begin to put all the pieces together 1. morning sickness 2. weak stomach 3. missing your period and not to mention the excessive peeing

your stomach dropped at the realization “CHENLE” you scream as your boyfriend runs into the room “yes babe” he says frantically, you stare at him for a second before speaking “i think im pregnant” you say as your face drains, chenles eyes go wide “ you think you’re what?…pregnant?” he asks shocked “okay hold on i’ll be right back” he says grabbing his jacket and walking to the door “where are you going” you grab his arm causing him to turn to you “i’m getting a test, just wait here and drink a lot of water” he said before walking out the door

the minutes went by rather slowly, looking at the clock ticking on the wall, finally the front door opened and chenle appeared with a box in his hand “go pee on this” he hands you the pregnancy test and you make your way to the bathroom, chenle follows you into the tiny room as you sit on the toilet “could you look away” you scoff to your boyfriend as he stares at you “when it comes to you i’ve seen all there is, just piss already” he rolls his eyes

silence fills the air as you finish you place the stick onto the counter upside down waiting for it to process, you sit next to chenle on the edge of the bathroom, looking to your boyfriend as he grabs your hand lacing his fingers with yours rubbing his thumb on the top of your hand

the five minutes are up as chenle looks to you “do you want to look first or me?” he asks, you take a deep breath walking over to the counter, hand shaking you pick up the stick turning it over as your eyes meet the word “pregnant” plastered across it, immediately chenle can tell the result by the look on your face “it’s not right, we need to buy another one, this is false” you begin to sob as you leave the bathroom in attempt to go buy more tests but before you could walk out the front door chenle grabs your arm and pulls you into a big hug “the test isn’t wrong y/n, you’re pregnant baby” he says looking down at you “all the signs were there we just looked right past them” he squeezes you a little bit as he rubs your back, your sobs begin to calm, chenle leads you over to the couch “look at me” he says lifting your chin to face him “don’t worry about anything other than this baby, i promise i will handle it all, i love you, i won’t let anything happen to you” he says looking into your eyes as he leans into a kiss

jisung

he would freak out at first

“no wait this isn’t happening” jisung says pacing the room back and forth, “im gonna die, my mother will kill me” he continues walking around the room slightly pulling on his hair as he whispers to himself about how stupid he is for getting into this situation, jisung got so caught up with himself he completely forgot about you, his heart dropped thinking about how scared you must be and his reaction isn’t helping, jisung walks over to the bed where you are sat against the headboard staring into space as a single tear rolls down your cheek“im sorry” jisung sighs “i want you to know this isn’t your fault, im not upset with you” you look to him with a blank expression “i don’t know where to go from here jisung” you say as your voice trembles “im scared” you whisper almost ashamed to admit, jisung pulls you into a hug “i’ll be right by your side with whatever you decide. i’ll support you no matter what baby”

akauahahhsja the chenle stans (me) are lucky today because i could not stop on his part, the words just kept coming it may also be because im absolutely obsessed with dad chenle

[swayziiwriter]

Yours | Jude Bellingham

summary: heart racing, Jude was fresh off his EURO qualifying eager to make his girlfriend sweat and plead for his body

WARNING: 18+, sexual content

NOTE: a little something until I get my more detailed chapters out

Jude was in an outright wild state. The main sounds bouncing off the walls of your bedroom were his hips snapping into yours in a fierce speed and noisy constant cries pouring from your slobbering mouth. iIt was excessively suggestive, so salacious, and grimy that he wishes he can consume right now in his cerebrum to store and replay.

For the absence of better words, he was unable to get enough of it, so focused on how his cock fits so cozily in your throbbing walls, it seemed like he was beyond happy exclusively due to the hold your drenched pussy has on him. He was unable to try and pull away from you in the event that he needed to, just being sucked in at whatever point his hips move back. Jude was wanting to endeavor from ever eliminating himself from you in any case, he could become mixed up in this sensation forever and that is precisely the exact thing he wanted.

That wasn't even the main thing that had him in this strangle hold, his eyes couldn't quit focusing in on your lovely highlights responding to each haul of his cock, eyes screwed shut and temples scrunching in pleasure. You looked frantically entrancing under him, completely destroyed and unfit to contain your despicable groans with your nails diving into his arms. There was sweat that began to dot onto every last trace of your delicate skin hosing the sheets, that as well as your mind getting away from the truth was quite noticeable and he was going haywire from everything.

His eyes blurred over with desire at the sight and his eagerness defeated him. It lighted something so licentious in his very being that his pushes became more earnestly, sloppier, battering your inner parts determined to spill a heap to paint your walls white.

"I’m gonna-fuck!" You cry. He snorts out, blood humming when you press around him so immovably, "Jude-Jude please give it to me” you begged, arms grabbing at anything. “is that right? you'd like that wouldn’t you?” He teased, hand’s coming up to squeeze your breasts. “Make you mine huh? I think you’d like if I’d fill that pretty pussy up with my cum. He's proclaiming careless words, gasping shakily from the responsiveness, balls going tight.

"All mine." He groans, you both apparently couldn't regulate a solitary reasonable idea. just focusing on attempting to arrive at your climaxes. "yes--ah, all yours Jude only you” that was enough for him to overturn the edge, spilling his cum within you with a short of breath heave. It was so quick and abrupt that it left him stunned and puzzled.

You accomplished your own climax upon the sensation of the warm fluid spraying somewhere down in your center, you clasp down and writhe around him, draining him for everything he has. A clear white ring paints the foundation of his length when he bucks gradually to quiet down both of your highs.

Yet again he shivers at the consequential convulsions in weariness yet when he sees you totally screwed out-his cock blends, jerking and turning out to be hard once more. He flickers once. twice. Taking into account over his best course of action. You were unable to try and answer when your body moves no sweat, as though you weighed only a quill. His solid veiny hands takes tightly to your waist to put you on all fours preceding pushing your head down onto the messy bed, holding your scruff with one palm to keep you set up.

With your butt in the air, the cum begins to leak out of your pussy-spilling down to your clit. Quickly, he gets the liquid with his tip and hauls it to your opening once more, diving his full length into you to screw the cum back inside, making you kick your feet in shock. The rich pillows impeccably quieting your shouts.

"Can't waste any of it baby, need to give you more. make you brimming with it." He's not even irritated by the overstimulation consuming the fat top of his dick, you had him at your mercy without a doubt, and he was unable to be more satisfied.

[devotedlykoneshots]

BANGCHAN DRABBLE

Genre: 🔞, minors DNI, hyunjins little sister plot, nothing too wild

Word count: 1025

---------

"There was a spider in my room and yes, you rescued it by putting it outside, but I still won’t sleep in that room tonight"you say as you stand your ground and the older male raises an eyebrow at you, leaning against his doorway.

"So can I sleep in your room?" You asked sheepishly and he's even more shocked now, first at your boldness and then at your shyness.

Second at the question.

"I don't think your brother will like that"bangchan says and you groan softly, rubbing your temples.

"Well, I'm too tired to care, so scoot over"you tell him as you barge into his room and pulled his covers back, prepared to kick his ass over if you had to.

He scoots over and you crawl into the bed, getting under the cover and letting out a sigh.

"Better?"he asked still watching you and you nodded, secretly sniffing his covers and you were right.

It smelled like him.

"Goodnight"he called out to you and turned off the light, the next time he turns it on is later in the night.

Your sleeping frame cuddled up to his larger one.

"Y/n"he shakes you awake and you jumped back from him upon seeing how close you were.

"Oh my god"you placed a hand on your heart and tried to calm down.

"Sorry, I cuddle in my sleep"you frown and apologize.

"It's okay, I was just shocked"he said, grabbing your waist and pulling you closer again.

You hesitantly place your hand on his chest and close your eyes again, you both falling asleep.

You wake up the next time, it's now morning and arms are wrapped around your waist, chan is cuddling you from behind.

You can also feel something poking your back and you turn onto your back, looking over at him as his arms pull you closer and the poking is now touching your thigh.

He sucks in a breath as your movement grazes his boner and you bite your bottom lip.

"Don't move"he whispers and your eyes lift to see his staring back at you.

"Do you have a boner?"you whispered and he immediately denies said allegations.

"Definitely not"he said and you raised your eyebrows at him.

"I'm serious"you tell him and he huffs, biting his bottom lip before admitting the truth.

"Yes, I do"he said.

"Oh my god"you cover your face and he rolls his eyes, you're definitely hyunjins sister.

"Don't be dramatic, it doesn't mean I was having a wet dream or anything" he starts and you remove your hands as you look at him.

"It just happens and I don't have control over it"he continues, yeah this wasn't how he expected his night to go.

"How do you usually get rid of it?"you asked and you can feel it twitch against your side, you bite your bottom lip.

"I jerk off but I'm usually alone when that happens"he said and you look at him in the eyes , getting up wasn't an option.

"I'll turn around and you can do it in peace"you said and he nodded in agreement.

"Okay"he said and you turned around , trying not to pay attention to the sound of his cock hitting his stomach and definitely not the sound of him fucking into his fist.

"Fuck"he whispered and you squeezed your legs closed , biting your bottom lip and trying to ignore the sounds he was trying to keep inside but unfortunately couldn't.

"What?"you sit up after he gasps and look at him , about to tell him you couldn't do it but you caught a glimpse of his cock before he covers himself up.

"Oh my god"

"Y/n" he whisper/shouts as he saw you sitting up and covering himself with his hands.

"What are you doing?"he hissed and you sit up on your hands and knees.

"Let me help you, you're taking forever" you offer and he gulps, you bite your bottom lip waiting for him to answer.

"Hurry"is all he said before he moved his hands, you take his cock in your hands and stroke his cock slowly.

"I had no idea you were this big"you're still amazed and he chuckles, watching you lean down and kitten lick his tip as his hips buck into your hand.

"Fuck , oh shit"you take his cock into your mouth and start to bobb your head as he moans softly, he immediately throws the cover over your head as he hears the door knob twist and you bobb your head faster.

His head is thrown back as hyunjin enters.

"Hey chan-" he's instantly met with the image of chan getting blowed by an unknown figure.

"Fuck"Chan cries out weakly as you hallow your cheeks and take more of him in your mouth, gagging around his thick length but you don't mind.

"I'll come back later"your brother is quick to exit as soon as he arrived.

"Oh my god, that was hyunjin"you pull yourself off of Chan and the covers from over your head.

"He didn't notice, open up for me"he taps his cock against your lips and you do as he says, getting back to work as you stroke what couldn't fit in your mouth.

"Fucking hell"he groans softly and throws his head back as he lets you suck on his cock, cheeks hallowing around his length and  your free hand squeezing at his balls.

"I'm gonna cum baby"you're not sure if he even realizes what he just said but nonetheless it urges you to move onto your knees , taking him deeper in your mouth as you deepthroat his cock.

"Fuck , that's it. So fucking good"you hum softly at his words and bobb your head faster, his hips starting to buck into your mouth as he got closer to his climax.

"I'm cumming"he groans deeply and grips your hair, holding you down onto his cock as he thrusts into your mouth faster, a strained whimper leaving his lips as he cums into your mouth.

[queerprayers]

Hello! I'm a genderfluid Christian and I'm currently trying to discern whether going on HRT would be a good idea, both in terms of whether it would be worth the inconvenience and whether it would be glorifying to God. Do you have any recommendations?

(For a long time, I was comfortable in my gender without it, but a few months ago something shifted and now I can't stop thinking about it. I would ask a pastor, but I'm between churches at the moment; the Baptist church I went to for many years, despite its many good qualities, is not at all affirming, and I'm still in the process of finding a better spiritual home, which is further complicated by the fact that I am nocturnal.)

Thank you for running this blog, by the way. It means a lot to me.

Hello, beloved! I will do my best and I'm so glad you're here.

I hope you've heard this quote from Daniel M. Lavery, but just in case you haven't: "As my friend Julian puts it, only half winkingly: 'God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason God made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine, so that humanity might share in the act of creation.'"

Another quote from that book (Something That May Shock and Discredit You, which I highly recommend) that comes to mind is “Trying not to transition was the hardest work in the world. The nicest thing about transition was letting go.” I believe you that you're unsure, and I'm not trying to make your decision for you, but on the off chance that any of your discerning has taken the form of trying to convince yourself not to transition in this way, or downplaying your current discomfort, or not trusting yourself out of fear, I'd say that being trans in this world is hard enough without being on your own side.

Ultimately, you know yourself and your experience, and I'd hazard a guess that you've already decided more than you think. Often by the time I'm reaching out about a life change, I'm asking permission more than advice. If that rings true, here's your permission (not that you need it from me).

I hope you don't mind, but I checked in with my partner (a certified Transgender) while answering this, and I'll paraphrase what they had to say about HRT and inconvenience: Is the travel time to see a loved one worth the inconvenience? Ultimately, you are worth dealing with inconvenience. The happiness you could have is worth the inconvenience. Being trans is hard with or without medical transition. But sharing in the act of creation is worth it. We are all worth doing hard things for, and for some that includes fighting to get on HRT and being visibly trans in public.

You can't know until you begin a journey if it will be "worth it"—but I would imagine answering this for yourself, giving this instinct inside you a chance, would be worth it even if it's not forever. There are people who start HRT and decide it's not for them—and their lives aren't ruined. Their lives are fuller for honoring what they wanted at that point in time. Obviously regret happens—but we cannot refrain from living because of that. Your gender identity and your relationship with your body may change and grow, and all parts of that change are worth of honoring.

As to whether this would glorify God—are you honoring the person God created? If (to paraphrase St. Teresa of Ávila) Christ has no body now on earth but yours, if yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world, the feet with which he walks to do good, the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world —what body are you moving through this world with, and how will you care for it? What will enable you to live out Christ? Jesus calls us to meet every stranger as himself—what would happen if you met yourself as such, too? If everything we do to another is what we do to Christ—feed, clothe, honor—why would you be any less? Why would your body not be worthy of existence, of shelter?

If our bodies are temples to God, are they not places of worship? Of course my journey with accepting my body has shown me that we can be faithful Christians before accepting ourselves, and as we learn to care for ourselves. I don't mean to imply we cannot. But our peaceful existence in these places of worship takes work, and just as we work to make our churches more accessible and accepting, so must we work to care for our bodies and fully inhabit them as prayer. My work of love to my body was accepting it as it is, welcoming its change and faults, and also taking psychiatric medication so that I could function better. It was prayer for me, the journey to find a medication that worked and paying attention to how it was changing me, how it enabled me to better serve as a child of God.

Every trans person I know has been more fully able to love when they live as themselves—when they've had access to transition care, when they've been respected and affirmed. These were not selfish choices, they were self-honoring choices which have shone outward ever since. We can look to the Bible to see name changes at moments of God-glorifying change, and we can also see physical change—the shining face of Moses, the woman who only seeks to grasp the hem of Jesus's clothing to be healed, Paul going temporarily blind, Jesus himself at his transfiguration. We cannot serve God and stay the same.

Romans 12 tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice—living. Yes, we are called to be willing to die for love, but also to live for it. Preventing your flourishing because it would be scary, or inconvenient, or misunderstood, or because it may not be where your flourishing lies forever, is not a sacrifice for love. Transition, the way I've seen it in the people around me, is.

I also want to point out that you've done the work—you introduced yourself as a genderfluid Christian. I don't know your story, but I know the years of reconciling saying those words can take. You have the language for yourself. You know who you are. HRT can be a huge first step for some, but it can also be just the next part of that work. It doesn't have to be huge. For some it is simply bringing things more in line with the self they've known all along. Make it a big deal if that feels true (and it is a big deal in terms of bravery and access), but it may become just one of many ways you care for yourself. You don't have to cater to those who see it as drastic or an emergency, those who fearmonger or want you to prove you need it. You've done the work, so trust that you are capable of making this decision.

It is your God-given right to make decisions about your body. As Christians, we believe we are called to serve God with those decisions. But God gave us the reins. God gave us all different skills and stories and paths. It is not easy or obvious and sometimes we circle back or regret or repent. God gave us the capacity for those kinds of stories, too. Be human with God—our God who entered into time and space, who participated in our having-a-body-ness, who reconciled the ways his body held him back and the ways he could serve with it. Jesus's relationship with his gender/body/health is not something we're privy to but from other parts of his life we can assume it was a participation in his time and place—a 1st century Jewish man. In the communities you're a part of, with the resources you have, with the identities you have welcomed, how will you be human with him?

I don't know what healthcare is available to you where you are, but a good doctor can tell you the side effects, refer you to counseling as you make choices, give you dose and timeline options. Even if you don't end up going on HRT, seeking out trans-inclusive healthcare and community is a good choice, and I would recommend learning your options. If you can't stop thinking about this, trust that it's worth taking seriously.

I wish you all the best in finding a church/community—there are people equipped to love all of you, and you deserve to find them. I relate with the nocturnal bit—I know Catholics usually have a Saturday night service, and every so often another kind of church will. Online community can fill gaps and give us other ways of connection as we look for physical communion. I wish I could promise affirming religious spaces in every place, but I can only pray and work for that to someday be the case.

So, to answer my lover's question, the travel time to see a loved one is worth it. The journey to the you more full of love is worth it, and the journey to find a spiritual home is worth it. If we are pilgrims on this earth, may the things in our control be done with love, may our journeys be faithful, may our bodies be Christ's body, trusting in the Love greater than anything we can do. How you will be a steward of God's creation is not something I can answer for you, but I believe in your ability to sow the seeds within you. HRT may be the next part of your creation—you can give yourself some time, talk to some people, sit with the idea, consider how you would handle regret, and don't let me tell you what to do, but ultimately there is only one way to know, and waiting until we're sure is stagnation if it is not an active waiting.

To quote my Easter/TDOV post: Come to life, beloved. God sees you. The first steps out of the tomb may be stumbling, the dawn too bright, but we will meet you in the garden, where you were first created. Bring with you whatever is still bleeding—Jesus believes in you, touches the ache in your ribs. Mistake him for a gardener; let him plant you anew. Look to the wound in his side, see how it births the Church, and continues to until there is room for you. Look through the holes in his hands and see the world you were redeemed for, the self that you have already found or may only imagine. God made the grapes, and Christ stands in the winepress with you. Trample out your wine.

And lastly, to turn the patron saint of receiving sacraments presenting as God calls, even unto death, Joan of Arc's affirmation into a command (and purposely quoting an angel in the process): Be not afraid. You were born to do this.

<3 Johanna

[x0x0josephinex0x0]

could you do a seventeen reaction to the “my bf told me to slow down on my spending” tiktok prank/trend

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNkkMHsq/

ok that is absolutely hysterical yes i can!! hope u like it :) let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see! this is allllllll gonna be fluff so i think we're ok on the warnings...let me know tho!

scoups: "what are you doing, baby?" he calls across the room as you walk at a snail's pace toward your wallet on the counter.

"just following your advice to slow down on my spending," you say with a grin. a less-practiced eye would have failed to notice the corners of cheol's mouth twitch upward before he looks at you with a straight face.

"you know that's not what i meant," he says.

"yeah, well," you continue, finally reaching your wallet and picking it up, "I need to pay rent."

he can't help himself from cracking a smile at you as he watches your stupidly slow movements. rolling his eyes, he comes into the kitchen and grabs your wallet from you gently and puts it back on the counter. "move in with me," he says.

you're so shocked you freeze. "what did you just say to me?"

"don't pay rent. move in with me. you'll save money on rent, and gas money from driving here all the time, and most of your stuff is here anyway so it won't be that bad to move. move in with me."

"wait, wait. you want me to move in to save money? and for convenience?" this kind of hurts to hear.

he kisses your forehead. "i want you to move in because i love you and i want to be with you forever. but that'll free up a big part of your income, too, so you can save for other things."

he pulls you in by the waist. "and if you want to buy things, spend my money, not yours," he says, and his low, quiet voice makes you blush. "i get using your own money for gas and car payments and things like that, and i appreciate you wanting to be responsible for those things, but if you want a new outfit or you want to eat something, i'll get it for you. save your money for the essentials, and use mine for whatever else."

"you're ridiculous," you say, grinning, brushing his hair off his forehead. "all of that for little old me?"

he shrugs, smiling his lovestruck smile at you. "it'll all be yours one day anyway."

jeonghan: the first time you did it, he laughed. but now, at time number 4, he's starting to get confused.

"i didn't mean literally slow down, honey."

"i know," you say, still moving comically slow.

"can you stop for a minute and come over here?" he asks you quietly, a soft smile on his face. He pats his lap.

you give up on the theatrics and take a seat on his thigh.

"i want you to listen very closely, love. i don't want you to spend more money because there are things coming in the future that we should be saving for."

you smile at him. "i know," you say. "i'm sorry for being sassy about it. i just didn't like the way you said it."

"i'm sorry that i wasn't more clear about my reasons for asking you to be more careful." he holds you close and presses a kiss to your temple. "i know you wanted to pay for that wedding dress yourself, but you can always reconsider. i'm happy to pay for it."

"you already bought the ring," you remind him.

"and i also make a lot more money than you," he reminds you with a grin.

joshua: "why do you do that every time you go to pay for something?" he asks.

"because you told me to slow down on my spending," you reply with a grin, slowly tapping your card to pay for your coffee.

he laughs. "i appreciate how committed you are to following my advice," he says, "but that wasn't what i said."

you pause halfway between sliding your card into your wallet. "it wasn't?"

"no," joshua said, gratefully accepting the coffee from the barista and spinning on his heel to find you a seat.

you follow him, dumbstruck. "what did you say, then?"

he laughs. "i said you should stop spending money on me," he reminds you.

your mouth falls open. "i don't remember that part," you admit quickly.

he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. "i know it's hard for you to receive any kind of criticism, constructive included," he says gently. "so next time i say anything like that, i'll try to frame it in a more positive way so the message is easier to digest. is that okay?"

you narrow your eyes at him. "are you trying to apologize for triggering my rejection-sensitive dysphoria?" you ask.

"yeah, that's exactly what i'm doing," he says with a smile.

you lean over and kiss him. "it's okay, josh. i can also work on managing my reactions better."

he catches your hand in his and brings it to his lips before the two of you pull out your laptops to begin working.

junhui: "what are you doing?" jun says, amused.

"i'm slowing down on my spending," you say, grabbing your keys with all the urgency of a sedated sloth and making your way to the door.

he giggles. "i can see that. what are you going to spend money on?"

"i need new shoes," you tell him.

"are you going to drive slow too?" he asks you with a laugh, watching you from the doorway.

"honestly, my plan was to start running the minute i make it out the door," you say.

"you're such a goober," he says, and when you turn over your shoulder to look at him reproachfully, you see the warm fondness in his eyes. it makes you pause for a minute, because he just looks so yummy leaning his shoulder against the doorframe, watching you with his half-smile and that feeling in his gaze that makes your knees weak.

"do you have time right now?" you ask him suddenly.

"why? did you want me to come?" he asks.

"well, yes, there's that," you say, "but i think there's something i need more than new shoes right now."

you grin as his eyes light up in realization about what you mean.

soonyoung: for awhile he was bemused when you would use your wallet like a car running out of gas, and his cute confused face would make you chuckle.

then, he was a little frustrated. "aw, come on," he'd say. "you know i didn't mean this." and when you'd just grin, he'd start laughing exasperatedly. "you're so stubborn!"

then he became a little worried. "how long are you going to do this?" he'd ask you, his eyes wide. he looked so precious like that that it almost convinced you to stop doing it so he stopped being worried.

almost.

and now, at the end of it all, he has given up. instead of fighting, now he's joined in your slow-motion option when paying for things. it has now become an inside joke. everyone around you is baffled when you approach registers at the grocery store like two tortoises, giggling like kids.

and you're reminded why you fell in love with him in the first place, which erases any indignation you may have felt about him asking you to "slow down" on your spending.

because everything is fun with him.

wonwoo: he is entirely unbothered by your ridiculous slowness when paying for anything these days. he just watches you with his steady gaze, sometimes grinning, always patiently waiting for you to finish.

finally, one day, he says, "you know, i only told you to slow down because you told me you were saving up to go on vacation. is that still the plan?"

you deflate a little bit. "my friends all bailed on the trip, so i don't think it's going to happen anymore."

wonwoo shrugs. "then i'll go with you."

"really?" you ask, surprised. "i didn't really take you for an amusement park guy."

"i'm not, really," he admits. "but i am your guy. plus anything with you is fun for me."

"i'd love that," you say, "but i was really looking forward to it being a girls' trip. we were gonna have a spa night and paint nails and do face masks, we were gonna go shopping..." you trail off as wonwoo's eyebrow raises.

"who says i cannot participate in a spa day?" he says. "or take you shopping?"

"i mean, i guess you can," you say. "but do you want to?"

"of course! i'm a huge proponent of self-care." he grins. "so when do we leave?"

jihoon: it had just slipped out one day when you were at the market. you had handed him a fifth gourd he didn't recognize, and he had said, "whoa, slow down on the spending!"

but now, because you are a menace, you had done exactly as he asked. every time you went to pay, you met his eyes with a mischievousness that for all his attempts to be serious never failed to make him crack a smile. it had become a kind of game between you -- how long could he last with your intense eye contact as you pulled out your money to pay at a speed that would make turtles look fast?

the answer often was "not very long" -- the longest he lasted was probably a generous four seconds. the shortest was the time a dog had actually collided with your legs and nearly knocked you over while you were doing it. you were fine, and his reflexive giggles after he steadied you made you giggle, too.

it was this incident that made him address it. "i didn't mean it," he said. "i'm sorry. that was a dumb thing to say."

because the two of you were in public, you knew better than to do what you felt like doing, which was kiss him all over his adorable face. instead, you settled for a quick kiss on his cheek, which still made his face pink. "it's okay," you reassured him.

seokmin: ever the sucker for a good bit, you were not at all surprised when seokmin joined in your "slowing down" prank. it didn't take him long, either -- by the second time, he was giggling along with you, blocking your card from the slot at the counter and inserting his own in slow motion.

"nooooooooo," you intone in horror, using a lower register than usual, mimicking a slow-motion movie voice, and seokmin can't handle it. he collapses in a fit of laughter, and you join in.

"i don't know why i told you to slow down on spending," he admits later through giggles. "i spend way more money than you."

"well, you also usually pay for my things, and you make more than i do," you reason. "it wasn't bad advice. i can always use a reminder."

he slings an arm over your shoulder. "maybe, but you also deserve reminders of how well you're doing, too."

you laugh. "seokmin, you give me those all the time."

"i can do more!" he insists.

"well, i'll never say no to that," you say as he kisses your forehead.

mingyu: he watches you with one eye twitching as, for the third time today, you reach your card slowly toward the slot.

"why are you doing this?" he says once you've left the store, sounding both frustrated and amused.

"you don't remember?" you realize. "oh, well, that makes this way less funny."

"please explain," he requests.

you sigh. "you told me to 'slow down' on my spending."

he giggles, and you give him a fond smile. "oh!" he says. "well, i don't even remember why i said that, but you can move at your normal pace. i don't actually mind if you spend money."

"thanks," you say, grabbing his offered hand. "you know, i was a little frustrated when you said that."

"why?" he asks, his eyes wide with surprise at this twist.

"because you were looking at the receipt from all the things i bought for a party we held at my place for your friends. it was your idea." you give him a sheepish smile. "sorry for trying to prank you as payback."

"damn. i wasn't even thinking when i said that," he says, looking thoughtful. "I'm sorry, babe."

you smile up at him. "it's okay. i know you had good intentions."

his eyes crinkle at the corners in that way that you love as he leans down to kiss the crown of your head.

minghao: he shouldn't find this cute. he should be encouraging you to stick to your goals. and he should be setting a good example, too. but here he is, grinning when he should be straight-faced, as you slowly approach the register.

"you don't have to do that, love," he says, his voice mild, trying to avoid laughing at your ridiculousness.

"you said to slow down," you remind him.

"i'm trying to help you meet your savings goal for this month," he groans. "and you are making it very difficult."

"well, it does actually help to do this," you say. "while i'm moving in slow motion, i have time to think to myself if the purchase is something i really need or is worth it. so your advice has actually been helping me make smarter money decisions!" you wiggle your eyebrows at him as you continue your painstaking trek to the register.

he watches you struggle for a brief second before giving up. quickly, he pays for the meal, and then drags you into a chair, giving you a kiss on the cheek that is much more aggressive than you're used to.

you look at him quizzically as he sits in the seat across from you. "are you that mad?" you ask him.

"no," he says softly. "you're just too cute. you're weakening my resolve."

you raise your eyebrow over your coffee cup. "i think you need to meditate more, minghao."

seungkwan: you started the prank months ago, as a sassy response to your boyfriend's observation that since you started dating, your bills have almost doubled. and even after you talked about it and set a budget that made you feel more comfortable, you continued it.

so why do you keep up the "slowing down on your spending" prank?

because seungkwan laughs. every single time.

you don't do it all the time. just in very particular moments -- usually if there's tension or low energy. you'll begin moving like the air is made of jelly, and he'll perk up immediately, laughing harder the slower you go. you milk it as hard as you can so he'll keep laughing, enjoying the sound like it's music.

inevitably, every time, he will look at you like you invented happiness. "i love you," he always says, sometimes in relief, sometimes in contentment, and sometimes in exasperation, but he always says it.

and by golly, if that's all it takes, you'll make a fool out of yourself a thousand more times just to hear it.

vernon: he literally doesn't notice. he just goes about like it's business as usual as you literally crawl toward your wallet. typical unbothered vernon. but this time, it's unacceptable. because you're doing your darndest to make him laugh, and he's not even picking up on anything being outside of the ordinary.

so you clear your throat, and vernon's eyes follow the noise to the literal floor. "yeah, babe?" he says casually.

"you're not going to ask?" you say, gesturing to yourself.

"about what?" he asks.

"why i'm doing this?"

he chuckles. "i just kind of figured you'd explain it to me."

you purse your lips. "you told me to slow down on spending."

"oooooooh," he says, amused.

"you need to spend less time around the guys," you huff, standing up. "it makes all my efforts a lot less exciting to you."

he brings you into a hug after brushing off your clothes, which are dusty from the floor. "well, firstly, i thought it would be good if we set a savings goal together, so that's a little different than just telling you to slow down," he points out. "and secondly, you're plenty exciting."

chan: the poor man is confused, but he rolls with it, matching your pace as you approach your wallet.

you absolutely know he has no idea why you're doing this, so you pause. "do you get it?" you say, your hand hovering over the leather case.

"not at all," he admits.

"i'm slowing down on spending."

he laughs. "oh!" he says. "i never would've gotten that." and then in a quick move, he grabs the wallet before you can.

"i only told you to do that because you were on the verge of buying something that i was planning on getting you for your birthday," he says. "but now that you mention it, i think i want to make it a rule that i get to pay for everything for you from now on."

"what? why?" you say, shocked.

"there are a few reasons. the best one is that i love you," he says, dodging as you snatch at the wallet in his grip. "but some other ones are: because i can, and because i want to give you the world."

as you swipe for the wallet again, chan wraps an arm around your waist. you freeze at the sight of his eyes smiling into yours, barely having a second to think about it before he presses a light kiss to your lips.

"you don't really need to slow down," he says, handing your wallet back to you as you try not to be too flustered. "it really was just the birthday thing. you can spend your money however you want."

"thank you, my love."

[superblysubpar]

potentially very silly thought that’s been on my mind for forever so feel free to ignore! but stevie has glasses right? but he never wears them bc he doesn’t like how they look/doesn’t believe he really needs them (spoiler: he does). imagine dad!steve’s little baby comin back from the doctor and needing specs :( and his kid is all sad bc they think they’ll get bullied and that they look silly, but dad!steve puts on his like “see? glasses are cool, bud!” and they wear them together <3

dad!steve harrington x mom!fem! reader

a How Sweet It Is story

summary: steve's kiddo doesn't want to get glasses | even if a fic is not marked 18+, my blog is

1.7kwords

Spring, 1993:

Steve rubbed at his forehead as he stirred the spaghetti sauce on the stove. Grace had fought him for hours, screaming and crying and throwing toys at him. He knew that all she needed was a nap but she refused, insisted that she wasn’t tired and wailed with a set of lungs that gave her Uncle Eddie a run for their money. He’s used to headaches by now though - too many hits to the head over the years and what felt like a constant squint to see things clearer, toddler tantrums were nothing when it came to the things that caused him headaches. 

But that didn’t mean he wanted her to wake up anytime soon. So when the loud crack of the front door handle hitting the wall pulled him from his thoughts he rushed out of the kitchen, hushing loudly. Whisper-shouting to you and your oldest, “Hey, hey, Grace is finally asleep!”

Nora kicked the wall as she tried to take off her shoes and coat at the same time, a flourish and frenzy of tiny grunts and zippers clicking together. Yellow dots on her sneakers lighting up and the yellow of her rain coat a fast moving blur - yellow was the color, or so he’s been told repeatedly by her in the last two weeks. He looked past his yellow blob of movement to see you slowly following her up the steps, rubbing your temple. 

Oh boy.

Nora was six. Opinionated and strong and curious. Sometimes she shocked them with her big ideas and her logic-searching questions, but every once in a while they were reminded she was in fact, a kid. A tiny human with too big of feelings and not always the right words to describe them. Right now, he’d bet money on some very large feelings bubbling up inside of her, and he just didn’t know if he could handle another tantrum. Her brown curls a mess like she’d run her hands through them too many times (a habit you’ve pointed out she picked up from him before she could walk), her face flushed and her jaw clenched, tiny hands trying to get her coat off too quickly and a furrow between her brows when it wouldn’t cooperate. 

Steve bent down to her level, hands reaching out towards her, "Hey cutie, slow down. Let me help-"

"No! I can do it myself!" tiny hands forming fists and a fury behind her eyes that would be alarming if she wasn't so small and cute. This was another new development - dad yellow is the color of the moment and oh by the way I’m a big girl now. It’s a lot for a dad to wrap his head around. 

Steve raised his hands up in surrender, "Okay, sure."

As you closed the door softly, Steve looked up and mouthed, "What happened?"

You gestured to your eyes, forming glasses with your fingers as you mouthed the word at the same time. 

His brow furrowed because why in the world would she be so upset about glasses? Heart breaking that she’s obviously incredibly worked up about something that isn’t really an argument if she needs them. 

As she flung her coat to the ground and went to stomp around it he snaked his arm around her waist, "Oh no you don't,” she huffed and crossed her arms as he squeezed her waist, “Nora, what's wrong?"

"I don't want them!" she cried out, stomping her foot against his thigh as he stood up holding her.

Steve pushed a stray curl from her forehead, faking obliviousness, "Don't want what? You gotta catch dad up here."

Her chin wobbled as she looked anywhere but at his face and his heart shattered into a thousand pieces. How can she hate glasses so much? She’s six! 

Nora clings to his neck as he goes back to the kitchen, the heat turned down and stirring it once more as they sat in silence, her little huffs of frustration mixing with the bubbling sauce. He’d wait patiently until she wanted to tell him. You followed wordlessly behind, pulling down a cup for water and setting it across from him. Steve’s arm supported under her butt and he leaned against the counter to face you. 

Nora spoke finally, quietly and forced out of her pouting lips, "Glasses."

Steve rubbed her back with one hand, cheek resting on top of her head and sighed. She was way too big to hold like this anymore, and he missed it. 

"Baby, why don't you want glasses, huh? Lots of people wear glasses,” you questioned softly from your spot at the otherside of the counter. 

Nora mumbled into his neck, "Daddy doesn’t like them. People make fun of glasses."

Steve made eye contact with you over the top of her head, swallowing harshly and blinking away tears. A small and sad smile rested on your lips. You leaned your chin into your palm and sighed, raising your eyebrows at him. 

His heart dropped into his stomach as he set her down on the counter and cleared his throat, “I love my glasses, what are you talking about?”

Nora shook her head quickly, curls flying everywhere, a deep breath as crocodile tears fell down her cheeks. Voice wobbly and on the cusp of some big sobs ready to break as she spoke rushed and loudly, “No. No you do-n’t. Mommy, you, y-you told Mommy that…that…” she hiccuped but pushed on, “Losers wear glasses. And, and Jacob…hims said…he…people who wear glasses are weird and, and…”

As Nora kept going Steve clenched his fists against the counter. He’d take back any and every thought he’d had about glasses if he could. He could throw up from the guilt swirling in his stomach, that he was somehow a part of the reason his little girl was so worked up about something she needed. Something so tiny and materialistic. He’d fix this. He had to fix this. 

“Woah, woah, who’s this Jacob kid and what does he know, huh?” He kissed the top of her head, pushing curls from her face that clung to her wet cheeks.

“Jacob, daddy,” she sighed his name out, bored and exasperated like Steve should know while she hiccuped again.

Steve nodded, face serious as he snapped his fingers and you smiled from behind her, “Right, that Jacob. Okay, but babe, Jacob doesn’t know what he's talking about. He doesn't know the super special secret."

Nora's hands swiped at her cheeks, "Secret?"

Nodding he chucked the side of his knuckle under her chin and handed her the glass of water, "Super special secret."

Nora's eyes went wide above the rim of the cup and you bit the inside of your cheek as Steve nodded and leaned in, "Only people who wear glasses get to know the super special secret," he glanced at you, “Oh, and mommy’s.” 

"Tell me," Nora whined, fidgeting and tugging at his shirt.

"Well, the secret is, is that people who wear glasses are super duper crazy awesome. They can see better, like superhero vision,” the small white lies building as her smile grew and he spoke with his hands, “And because they can see better they can read faster and get smarter. They can see so good with their glasses that they can sneak into the kitchen in the dark for late night snacks and-"

You made a disgruntled noise from the back of your throat and shook your head, mouthing the word no, but tried to hide your smile. 

Steve grinned wider at you but Nora frowned, not buying it. Too smart for her own good as she countered, "But, daddy, you don't wear your glasses. And you said lose-"

"You're right, I did say that,” he bit the inside of his cheek and ran his hand through his hair before waving them around, “But that's because I didn't want anyone to know how cool the super special secret is. But now," he leaned in and kissed her forehead, "I can wear mine all the time because I'm not alone! We can be crazy awesome together."

"Really?" Nora looked up at him, wide eyed and hopeful and he had to blink back tears again. 

"Really, really," he brushed the last stray tear slipping down her cheek, "Go grab mine for me and we can head to the store and pick out yours together."

He lifted her and set her down and she raced away. Steve fell forward onto the counter, moaning as he pressed his forehead to the cold tile. 

He listened as you stood, holding his breath until he felt your arms wrapping around his waist. A kiss between his shoulder blades before he spun to face you. 

He pressed his nose into your cheek as you whispered, “Good job, dad.”

He huffed, not unsimilar to his daughter and mumbled, "I hate my glasses."

You hummed, running your hands up his back before speaking, "I love your glasses,” you laughed and kissed his jaw, voice laced with fake shock and wonder, “And why would you hate them? Didn't you hear the super special secret, Steve?"

Moved to your neck, he grumbled, "Ugh, I'm gonna punch that Jacob in the face."

A laugh bubbled out of you as you squeezed his waist, a kiss to his temple as you reminded him, "He's six, Steve."

"Right. Well. Maybe his dad then," he kissed your neck and removed himself as tiny feet raced back down the hall.

"Woah! You're right daddy! I can see crazy awesome!"

He stood up fully to see Nora zooming around the corner with his glasses on her face too big and dangerously close to falling completely off and you covered your smile with your hand.

He swiped the glasses from Nora and slid them up his own nose. Picking her up he smiled and asked, "Should we go pick out yours now?"

Nora nodded excitedly and bounced up and down once her feet were back on the floor, energy radiating off of her as he tied her shoes and zipped her coat. 

When they returned home, she nearly broke his arm, she was tugging so hard, "Mommy! Mommy! Look, look, look!"

You came around the corner holding his sleepy toddler and grinned, "Woah! Yellow! Crazy awesome!"

As he turned to close the door Nora beamed and shouted, "Daddy said the yellow was even more super special because yellow would help me see the cookies waay on the top shelf better."

Steve bit his lip as he spun to face you shaking your head, a smile twitching on your lips. He shrugged and stole Grace out of your arms with a kiss to your cheek as he mumbled, “Yellow is the best color, mom.”

Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you thought, and I hope you consider reblogging my work to get it circulated to new readers - thanks for being here 💛

[fourthwingfan]

Madness - Chapter 11

It is a grave offense against Malek to keep the belongings of a dead loved one. They belong in the beyond with the god of death and the departed. In the absence of a proper temple, any fire will do. He who does not burn for Malek will be burned by Malek.

—Major Rorilee’s Guide to Appeasing the Gods, Second Edition

The next practice session of the Gauntlet is the same as the first. Liam and I are the first ones who made it to the top today. I stand on his left side as we watch the others so that he can’t see the cut on my face. The bruises on my neck are mostly hidden under the jacket. It’s autumn so the uniforms are warmer and covers more skin than the summer ones. Lucky me.

“Aelin? Is something wrong?” Liam turns to me. “You avoid looking into my eyes since morning. Did I do something yesterday?”

“No. You, didn’t do anything wrong.” I say while the guilt suffocates me. I can’t tell him that I’m supposed to spy on him, and his friends. He’s my best friend and he would tell Xaden. Xaden… I don’t know what is this between us but maybe…I like him? He’s protective over his people. And strangely… I don’t want to disappoint him.

“Then what’s wrong?” He steps closer. “Why don’t you look at me?”

Shit. I knew that I can’t keep this from him forever. I need to come up with something believable. But… I don’t want to lie to him.

I brace myself then for the first time today I fully look at him.

“What the hell?” He whispers as he sees the cut on my cheek. It’s not that bad, it’s a clean cut. “What happened to you?”

“It’s…nothing.” I force a smile. I can’t lie to him. “I’m fine.”

“Fine? Damn, there’s a fucking cut on your cheek, Aelin.” He glares at me.

“But I’m fine, really. It’s not that bad.” I try to calm him.

“Who did this to you?” He looks into my eyes as if he can find the answer there.

“I can’t tell you. I’m so sorry.” I glance sideways.

“What? Why?” He asks in a shocked voice. “You won every challenge, there are only a few cadets here, who is stronger than you. But I know that they wouldn’t do it. Neither Xaden nor Garrick. Obviously neither do I.”

“It wasn’t one of your friends who did this.” I try to reassure him. “And do you think you’re stronger than me?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Then who?” He crosses his arms and he completely ignores my question. “Someone who isn’t a cadet. Someone who doesn’t belong to the quadrant?”

“Liam. Stop it, please.” I plead. He will be in danger if he finds out.

“Why? Why don’t you want to tell me?” He takes my hand and squeezes it.

“It’s just… I can’t. You have to believe me that I can handle it, and you would be in danger if you knew everything.” I try to convince him. “Please, believe me!”

Silence.

“You do not trust me?” He looks hurt.

“No! I trust you, Liam! More than anyone!” I feel like shit. He’s such a good person. “You’re my best friend. I just want to protect you and the others.”

“Me? And the others?” He raizes an eyebrow. “It’s about the marked-ones?”

Shit. I’m such a fool.

“Tell me, Aelin! I have to know if it’s about me.”

“It’s not about you, and it never will be. I’ll take care of it.” I say firmly.

“Aelin. If you trust me, then tell me. I want to help you. No matter what it is.” His look softens. “I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

Liam… my eyes are teary.

What if I tell him? What if we can come up with stories that will be acceptable for the General?

“If I tell you something which is related to you and the other marked-ones, but I swear it won’t put you in danger, then would you keep it a secret from everyone? Even from Xaden?” I know it’s risky. He said that Xaden is like a brother to him. But I can’t tell everyone. And if Xaden knew…I don’t want him to look at me with hatred in his eyes again.

“Aelin, I…” he looks at me with conflicted eyes.

“You don’t have to answer me now.” I interrupt him. “I know it’s not fair to ask you this. I know you’re close with Xaden, I understand it. But…I have my reasons. If you can’t do it, that’s fine. I’ll still be your friend.”

“Okay.” He nods. “I need to think about it.”

***

After Gauntlet we have classes. We are still sitting next to each other. It’s just… Liam is quiet. He carves figures out of wood, as always. But we don’t talk like we used to.

I hope we’ll still be friends after this.

I shouldn’t have asked him to keep secrets from Xaden. I have to deal with it alone.

After this class is over I’ll tell him to forget it. It will be the best.

The bell rings.

We stand up and gather our things.

“Liam?” I turn to him. “You can forget about my request. It wasn’t fair.” I whisper, hoping no one can hear us.

“No. I will do it.” He shakes his head.

“What?” I glance at him.

“You promised that it wouldn’t effect the others. I trust you.” He turns to me with his bag in his hands. “I want to know what’s going on with you. I told you before, I will help you whenever I can.”

“Thank you.” I smile at him with relief in my eyes. “I’ll meet you after curfew. At the trees by the river.”

“Okay.” He nods.

***

I pace back and forth in front of the trees as I wait for Liam. Will he come? What if he changed his mind? Do I want him to change his mind?

A million thoughts. And no answers.

I hear silent footsteps and I jerk my head in the direction of the sound. It’s Liam. He came.

„I’m here. Now tell me what is this all about?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.

„It’s just…It’s a long story.” I sigh. „Do you mind if we sit down? I’ll be nervous is we just stand here.”

He nods and we sit down under the tree with the fonilee berries. It seems like we were here ages ago with Violet.

„I will tell you everything, but I totally understand if you don’t want to be my friend after it.” I stare at the river, instead of Liam. „The only one who knows this is Violet, but even she doesn’t know everything.”

„Aelin, it’s okay.” He grabs my hand and squeezes it. „It couldn’t be that bad.”

 „You’re right. It’s worse.” I laugh bitterly. „Just…listen, okay?”

He nods.

„You know that my father is General Melgren. We don’t have a good relationship. I think the only person he loved in his life was my mother.” I sigh still looking at the river. „He didn’t leave me another choice, I had to cross the Parapet. It didn’t matter him if I survived it or not. I have to be here. I have to become a rider.”

„After we crossed the Parapet, Dain found us. He helped Violet and told Rhi and I that we should search for the woman with a scroll and tell her to place us in his squad.”

„What?” He asks. „But you’re in another squad with me.”

„Yes.” I nod. „The woman told us that she already had orders regarding me. Then I was placed in the Fourth Wing.”

„In Xaden’s chain of command.” Liam look at me with understanding. „It was you father’s doing?”

„I found out that evening.” I wrap my arms around my knees. „Remember that I said after Battle Brief that the General wanted to see me? That was when everything went wrong.”

„What happened?”

„He told me that he gave the order regarding me. Then showed me a strane a dagger, with runes. And…” My voice is cracking.

„You can tell me, Aelin.” He places his hand on my shoulder. „Trust me.”

„He told me to report him weekly about…Xaden and the marked-ones.” I don’t dare to look at him. „I think the relics on your arms somehow block you from him. It’s like he can’t use his signet on the marked-ones.”

„And…what did you tell him?” He asks slowly. „I know you wouldn’t put us in danger. Never.”

I jerk my head toward him. He believes me?

„You…Do you believe me?” I ask with teary eyes.

„Of course. I told you I trust you!” He says firmly.

„You’re a way better person than anyone I know.” I smile at him. „I didn’t tell him anything. After that conversation he had to go to the front, and he didn’t come back until yesterday.”

„Yesterday? Then the cut on your cheek…” He mutter softly.

„He summoned me last night. He wanted my report.” I look at the river again. „But… I didn’t know what to tell him. I didn’t want to get you and…Xaden into trouble. And neither do the others. It was my father who killed your parents and forced you to watch it. All of you suffered because of him.”

„It’s not your fault, Aelin. It was your father’s actions. Not yours.” He says softly.

„But I am here and he isn’t. I have to bear to consequences.” I say darkly. „So I didn’t say anything and he was…angry.”

„So he just cut your cheek? That’s insane.” He says sharply.

„Technically he threw a dagger at me and I wasn’t fast enough.” I shrug.

„Aelin, that’s even worse!” He almost shouts. „Do you have any other injuries?”

I pull back my sleeve and show him my arms. There’s a distinctly hand-shaped bruise on it.

Then I grab the neck of my jacket and show him my throat. There’s an even uglier bruise.

„Fuck” he curses. „He did all of this?”

„Yes.” I nod and rearrange my clothes.

„Why don’t you fought back?” He asks.

„It would have been much worse. Believe me.” I chuckle bitterly.

„I won’t tell your secret to Xaden. It’s not your fault you’re in this situation.” He says. „But he could help us, you know.”

„I don’t want him to know. I don’t want him to…look at me with hatred again.” I mutter.

„Aelin. Do you actually like him?” He asks with a smirk.

„It’s complicated.” I evade the question.

„Sure. But we will talk about it some other time.” He nods. „Now back on the topic. What will you tell the General next time?”

„Actually I want to ask for your help. Can you tell me some things that he can’t use against you?” I look at him. „If you can’t, that’s okay I can come up with stories on my own.”

„Aelin. It seems you forgot what I said. Again.” He looks at me with disapproval. „Let me remind you. I will help you.”

„Thank you, Liam.” I smile at him a moment later. „You’re really my best friend.”

„That’s official?” He laughs at me.

„What do you want? Should I shout it out in the morning formation?” I mock him.

„That would be spectacular.” He grins. „Now come, it’s late. We should go back.” He extends a hand and pulls me up.

„Liam.” I look in his eyes. „I’m really grateful. For your help. And you being my friend.”

„I know. I’m a fantastic friend.” He laughs and pulls me into a hug. „I think you’re so much more than what you let others see. You have a big heart. Maybe too big. But I say with you and help you protect it.”

I squeeze him tightly and let my tears flow. I don’t know what I would do without him.

***

After that night we sit down once a week, and come up with believable stories, that would satisfy the General. So far it’s working.

The next practice sessions of the Gauntlet are the same as the first two. Liam and I are improving our times. Now we’re faster than anyone in our squad. The others? It another story. At least we don’t lose another squadmate. Vila has quit running her mouth, since she can’t seem to make it up fully.

The shaking rods are her downfall.

By the ninth—and next-to-last—session, I’m ready to set the entire obstacle course on fire. How many times do we have to do it before Presentation? The only thing still challenging at this point is Liam. He’s wicked fast. Faster than me. I try to beat his time, but I rarely succeed.

***

“Doria Merrill,” Captain Fitzgibbons says from the dais. Every one of his features is crystal clear, not only because the sun is behind the shade of the clouds but because I’m closer. Our formation gets tighter with every cadet who falls.

According to statistics, today will be one of the deadliest for first-years. It’s Presentation Day, and in order to get to the flight field, we’ll have to climb the Gauntlet first. Everything about the Riders Quadrant is designed to weed out the weak, and today is no exception.

“Kamryn Dyre.” Captain Fitzgibbons continues to read from the roll.

 “Arvel Pelipa.” A second-year? Firstyears aren’t the only ones at risk; we’re just the most likely to die.

“Michel Iverem.” Captain Fitzgibbons closes the roll. “We commend their souls to Malek.” And with that final word, formation breaks.

“Second- and third-years, unless you’re on Gauntlet duty, head to class. Firstyears, it’s time to show us what you’ve got.” Theo smirkes as he looks at our squad. „I heard you’re decent on the Gauntlet. Then show us what you’ve got.”

“Now back into formation,” he orders.

“Are you going with us?” I ask.

He nods. The five of us fall into lines, the same as the other squads around us.

“We’re the smallest squad,” Rio notes, behind us as the squads farthest left —from First Wing—file out through the western gate in the courtyard.

“What are we down to?” Ethan asks. “Hundred and eighty?”

“Hundred and seventy-one,” Theo answers.

Squads from Second Wing begin to move, led by their wingleader, which means Xaden is somewhere ahead of us. My nerves are reserved for the obstacle course, but I can’t help but wonder which way his scales will tip today.

“For a hundred dragons? But what will we…” Vila asks, nerves cutting off her words.

No one bothers to answer her.

“Nervous?” I ask Liam, knowing we’re about to be called next.

“Not at all. We’ve got this.” He grins.

“Oh, I meant about the history test tomorrow,” I tease. “There’s nothing going on today to panic about.”

“Now that you mention it, the whole Treaty of Arif might just be the death of me.” He grins.

“Fourth Wing!” Xaden calls out from somewhere in the distance. I don’t even need to see to know that it’s him who gave the order and not his executive officer. “Move out!”

We file off in order, Flame Section, then Claw, and finally Tail.

There’s a bit of a bottleneck at the gate, but then we’re through, walking into the mage-lit dimness of the tunnel that we take every morning to reach the Gauntlet. Shadows blanket the edges of the rocky floor along our path.

What are the limits of Xaden’s power anyway? Could he use shadows to choke out every squad in here? Would he need to rest or recharge after? Does such a vast power come with any sort of checks or balances?

Light appears ahead and grows into an archway that’s ten feet high, leading us to the base of the Gauntlet.

The view is spectacular as always. We’re still high on the mountain, thousands of feet above the valley, and the greenery seems to stretch endlessly to the south, with random clusters of squat trees among colorful slopes of wildflowers. My gaze turns to the Gauntlet carved into the face of the cliff, and I can’t help but follow each obstacle higher and higher until I’m staring at the top of the ridgeline that the maps I’ve studied show leads into a box canyon—the flight field. I bite my lip as I stare at the break in the tree line.

Normally, only riders are allowed on the flight field—except for Presentation.

***

An hour later I watch as Violet makes her way through the Gauntlet. We had come up with some ideas yesterday how to make the chimney and the last obstacle easier. I hope she can do it.

I grin as I watch her grab onf of the ropes and drag it horizontally across the surface of the cliff, to get the bottom portion onto the chimney structure.

„Can she do that?” someone snaps.

Hell, yes!

„Yes! She did it!” I grin at Liam.

He squeezes my hand as we watch her in front of the ramp.

The obstacle is meant to test a cadet’s ability to scale a dragon’s foreleg and reach its saddle. And she’s too short.

But Xaden’s words that the right way wasn’t the only way have played over and over in my head all night long as we planned.

She unseathes her largest dagger and she charges.

She slams the dagger into the slick wood and she uses it to fling herself the last foot upward. She throws her elbow over the top to gain more leverage and pull herself up and over, using the handle of her dagger as a final step. After it she yanks her dagger free. And she did it.

„She did it!” I shout. „She did it! She fucking did it!” I laugh a bit histerically.

„Yeah, she did it.” Liam smiles back at me.

“Cheating!”

I turn toward the voice. It’s Amber Mavis, the strawberry-blond wingleader from Third Wing who was Dain’s close friend last year, according to Violet, and there’s nothing but fury on her face as she charges toward Xaden, who’s only a couple of feet away from Violet with the roll, recording times with a stopwatch and looking rather bored with it all.

“Back the hell up, Mavis,” Garrick threatens, the sun flashing off the two swords the curly-haired section leader keeps strapped to his back as he puts his body between Amber and Xaden.

“The cheater clearly used foreign materials not once but twice,” Amber yells. “It’s not to be tolerated! We live by the rules or we die by them!”

No wonder she and Dain are so close—they’re both in love with the Codex.

“I don’t take kindly to calling anyone in my section a cheater,” Garrick warns, his massive shoulders blocking her from view as he turns. “And my wingleader will handle any rule-breaking in his own wing.” He moves to the side.

“Sorrengail?” Xaden asks, arching an eyebrow in obvious challenge, a pen poised over the book. I notice not for the first time that other than his Fourth Wing and wingleader emblems, he doesn’t wear the patches others are so fond of displaying.

“I expect the thirty-second penalty for using the rope,” she answers.

“And the knife?” Amber’s gaze narrows. “She’s disqualified.”

When Xaden doesn’t answer, she turns that glare on him.

“Surely she’s out! You can’t tolerate lawlessness within your own wing, Riorson!”

But Xaden’s gaze never leaves Violet’s eyes as he silently waits for her to respond.

“A rider may only bring to the quadrant the items they can carry—” she starts.

“Are you quoting the Codex to me?” Amber shouts.

“—and they shall not be separated from those items no matter what they may be,” She continues. “For once carried across the parapet, they are considered part of their person. Article Three, Section Six, Addendum B.”

Her blue eyes flare wide as I glance at her. “That addendum was written to make thievery an executional offense.”

“Correct.” She nods. “But in doing so, it gave any item carried across the parapet the status of being a part of the rider.” she unsheathes the chipped and battered blade. “This isn’t a challenge blade. It’s one I carried across and therefore considered part of myself.”

Xaden’s eyes flare, and I don’t miss the hint of a smirk on that infuriatingly decadent mouth of his. It should be against the Codex to look that good and be so ruthless.

“The right way isn’t the only way.” she uses his own words that I told her against him.

“She has you, Amber.” Xaden shrugs.

“On a technicality!”

“She still has you.” He turns slightly and delivers a look that I never want directed at me.

“You think like a scribe,” she barks at Violet.

It’s intended as an insult, but she just nods. “I know.”

***

After that we moved on, and soon Liam makes his way through the Gauntlet.

He’s fast. His technic is incredible. And in the blink of an eye he’s on the top.

I shake my head and smile. He was faster than ever.

I’m the next.

My feet fly over the obstacles as if I was born for this. I can do it.

I easily made my way through on the first obstacles. It’s easy after all the practice we’ve done.

I arrive at the chimney and I laugh and shake my head as I remember Violet’s trick. It was a clever move.

I fling myself upward, grabbing onto the sides by forming an X with my body, then I start hopping up until I reach the end.

The final obstacle.

I sprint toward the ramp, using my speed and momentum to carry me two-thirds of the way up the ramp. Just before I start to fall, I reach up with one arm and grasp the lip of the ramp and haul myself over the edge.

I’m up. It’s over.

„You were faster now.” Liam comes toward me and laughs at me. „Maybe you were faster than me. At least once.” He winks.

„Hey! Not everybody is as „perfect” as you.” I cross my arms and mock him with a forced serious expression on my face.

I can’t keep up long and starts laughing. He laughs too and tugs me toward Xaden and Garrick.

„Who was the faster?” He grins at them.

Xaden looks at the roll then us.

„It seems you have to be faster, Sunshine to beat Liam.” He looks at me with a smirk and a glint in his eyes.

„Hmpf. It’s not that I expected to be faster than him.” I smile at him with a genuine smile. Maybe the first one I ever gave him. „You taught him well.”

He stares at me with a silent intenstity, his pupils dilate. „Maybe I’m a good teacher.” He smiles back at me.

With a smile I’ve never seen before. It was small but somehow it feel so real. He looks more handsome than ever. It’s breathtaking.

I just stare. I can feel my cheeks heating up a little.

„Oh, man it’s almost Presentation. You can stare at each other all you want, after it. Or do something about this tension between you. Maybe a good workout would help.” Liam winks at us and drags me over where our squad wait.

I can feel my face reddening. „Liam!” I shout.

Garrick laughs behind us and smack Xaden on his back as I glance back.

„You’re the worst.” I hiss at Liam.

„Oh, come on. I just want to help you two.” He puts his arm around my shoulders.

„Sure.” I sigh.

I can see our squad, and all of us made it. We didn’t lose anyone.

„Let’s see those dragons.” I grin at Liam.

[yutaholic]

codename: viper (M)

PAIRING: Yuta (NCT) + reader (female)

SUMMARY: ten years ago, Yuta walked away from a life of villainy to be a husband and father, but when an enemy comes lurking, he is ready to protect his family by any vicious means necessary...

WARNINGS: mild language; violent scenarios with mentions of blood; dialogue related to pregnancy and childbirth; explicit sexual content

NOTES: 17k words; this is part of my villain series, beast mode

There was nothing like the view of your house after a brutal day at the office. The sun had long set over the neighborhood as you drove down a street of identical houses. Hiding in plain sight, your husband called it.

Parking in the driveway, you gathered your bag and your high heels, which you had kicked off the moment you got into the car. It had been a grueling twelve hours, the majority spent in court. You walked up the path through the yard, the cold pavement soothing on your bare feet, and opened the front door quietly.

Your babies would be in bed by now, unfortunately. And you didn’t want to wake them.

The moment you stepped into the house, the savory smell of hot food wafted into your nose and your stomach growled, hitting you with hunger pains. “Yum,” you muttered to yourself, dropping your high heels beside the row of shoes by the front door. The sight of two small pairs of sneakers always made you smile.

Yuta was in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove, and at the sound of your approaching footsteps, he turned and greeted, “Hello, District Attorney Nakamoto.”

You grinned, marching right over to your husband and slumping into his chest.

Yuta hugged you tight, kissed your temple, and asked, “Put away a lot of bad men today?”

“A few,” you replied, your energy running on empty, but with every second spent in his arms, you could feel yourself refueling. “Some bad women too.”

Yuta rubbed your back as you broke reluctantly from his hug, though you still clung to his waist, and teased, “I remember when you used to threaten to lock me up forever.”

You gave him a wry smirk. “That was just my way of flirting.”

“Or the times you grilled me in interrogation for hours. Handcuffs included.”

“That was foreplay.”

Yuta snickered. Then, he turned serious for a moment to say, “It’s been a pleasure watching you climb your way to the throne.”

You flushed a little, taken aback by the compliment. “Do you think I’m worthy to sit on it?”

Yuta was stern, as to be expected. “There’s no one more worthy than you.”

You sighed, all the tension breaking in your chest.

Yuta pressed a tender kiss to your lips, which you returned, overlapping your arms on his shoulders and deepening the kiss. It took the loud popping of food over the fire to draw your husband away from you.

“How are the babies?” you asked as Yuta prepared you a plate.

Your husband grinned from ear to ear and gushed, “They’re amazing. Together, they’re smarter than both of us combined.”

You pretended to wince. “Oh, dear. Make sure they never hear you say that.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“And no sign of any…”

Powers.

Yuta shook his head. It was around this age his abilities had fully surfaced. He studied the twins intently, painstakingly, every day. They were his children; it was likely he passed the gene to them, but there was a chance your genes could have defeated his.

You dropped the subject. It was no secret Yuta hoped his children hadn’t inherited his gift. And given they were five years old now, there was a strong chance he’d gotten his wish. It was bittersweet, to say the least.

“I hate when you work late,” Yuta mumbled, walking over to the dining table with your plate in hand.

“I know, but we’re spread so thin right now,” you told him tiredly as you took the seat he pulled out for you.

Yuta sat beside you, keeping you company while you ate your dinner. Propping his head on his hand, he smarted, “No one wants to work for the justice system? I’m shocked.”

You chuckled as you chewed your food, but sadness seeped into your voice when you said, “We get some really good people, especially the younger ones, but the system breaks them eventually. It’s stacked against all of us.”

“No wonder villains choose to play by their own rules,” Yuta said snidely under his breath.

You gave him a look. It wasn’t the first time he’d made that kind of comment and it wouldn’t be the last. Yuta fully supported the work you did, but a life of villainy had shaped him in ways you would never understand.

“Humanity has to have laws that separate us from the animals.”

Yuta whispered darkly, “Some of us are animals, my love.”

You cocked your head and flirted, “Not you, Viper.”

Yuta smirked. Then, his expression shifted and he caught himself staring at you with admiration. You were the only woman that had ever embraced his darkness. You never punished him for his past, but you pushed him toward a healthier future.

“I want a better world for our babies too,” he whispered, reaching over to tuck some of your hair behind your ear. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

That meant everything to you. If Yuta was in your corner, believing in you, you knew you could do anything. You leaned toward your husband and kissed his cheek, which made Yuta blush. He was a sucker for affection.

“This is delicious, babe,” you said a moment later, dabbing at your lips with the napkin. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

Yuta retorted, “The spawn have been begging for steak for days. Daddy is getting pretty good with the grill.”

You snorted back a laugh. You still remembered the days Yuta could barely cook noodles without setting the house on fire. Not to mention the time he put both of you in the hospital with food poisoning for accidentally cooking well-expired ham. To this day, you and your husband still gave sideward glances toward ham.

Yuta made it a point to prepare home cooked meals for you and the kids. And after many, many classes (which you were forbidden from telling any of his friends about because he had a ruthless reputation to protect), he had gotten pretty good at it. Your husband’s newest favorite method was the grill on the back porch that you bought him for his birthday. He had grilled almost everything that could be grilled at this point, much to the delight of your children.

Speaking of the precious spawn, your twins came running out of their room, Suki practically sprinting and dragging Yuma by the hand behind her.

“Big news,” your daughter announced loudly.

Yuta shot them a glance and said, “The two of you are supposed to be sleeping.”

“Daddy, this is important,” Suki countered without missing a beat. She gave her brother a little push in your direction and said, “Tell them, Yuma.”

Yuma shifted nervously, his eyes on the floor. Holding eye contact was very hard for him. Your son was painfully shy. “I, um, I was thinking,” he started.

You and Yuta waited patiently, always prepared to give him the time he needed to put his thoughts into words.

Suki rubbed his arm in comfort. “It’s okay, Yuma. You can tell them.”

Yuma sucked in a breath and said, “I… want to be an artist.”

You exchanged looks with Yuta, both of you fighting back delighted smiles.

“That’s great,” Yuta said brightly.

You nodded emphatically. “I would love to see your art, baby.”

Yuma made a noise. “It’s not ready yet.”

“Oh.”

“Yuma wants to do art,” Suki said with excitement. “But he thinks people will say it’s stupid.”

Yuta snorted. “If anyone says your art is stupid, Yuma, then they are idiots with no taste.”

“Exactly,” you agreed.

Your son smiled, relieved. With the three of you on his team, he was ready to try.

Yuta lowered his tone to something mischievous and asked, “Now, be honest, did the two of you stay up waiting for Mommy to come home?”

“Yes,” the twins answered in perfect sync.

You quickly rose to your feet and exclaimed, “Then, you better get over here and hug me before Daddy takes you back to bed!”

Suki and Yuma rushed toward you, colliding into your chest and you enveloped them in your arms. Yuta let out a fake growl and held up his hands, chanting, “I’m coming to get you!”

The twins squealed and laughed as you raced through the living room with them in your arms, keeping them out of their father’s clutches.

Not long after, you met Yuta’s eyes and smiled contentedly. Suki and Yuma were nestled between you and their father, sound asleep. Yuta traced his thumb over your cheek as you drifted off.

Everything was right in the little world you shared with your family.

Only a few years ago you’d wondered if you would ever be where you were now.

“It’s killing me, Yuta,” you cried, on the verge of tears. “I wanna get pregnant. I want to have a baby with you.”

“I know,” Yuta sighed, level. He was reluctant to show you just how distressed he was, because Yuta was an empath where you were concerned. He tended to reflect your emotions. Especially when they were running high.

You paced in front of your husband, who was leaning against the doorway of the bedroom. Little by little, you’d stripped out of your clothes from work and Yuta had tossed you one of his shirts to wear over your naked body.

This was less of an argument and more of an unresolved conflict. And if there was one staple in your relationship with Yuta, it was that the two of you could talk through anything.

“But the work I do is important,” you continued, voice breaking with sadness and longing. How you could miss a baby you’d never met was beyond your understanding. “I can’t give up my job, but I’ll be damned if I let a stranger raise our kid.”

Yuta finally approached you, crooning, “Babe, calm down for a second.”

“It’s eating me up,” you whimpered, spinning your wedding band on your finger the way you always did when you were stressed.

You and Yuta had recently celebrated your second anniversary of marriage. The discussion of babies was coming up more often. You both wanted kids. It was something you talked about together even before you got married.

But everything in your career was falling into place. Your dedication did not go unnoticed by Hel’s brutal justice system. You were a fierce prosecutor, sorely needed in a city rife with both lawless villains and corrupt heroes.

You found yourself at a crossroads of your dreams - being Hel’s hammer of consequences and making your hometown safer or being a mom and having a baby with the love of your life.

Yuta called your name and said, “I’ll raise the baby.”

You stopped dead in your tracks, eyes wide. “What?”

Yuta nodded and said it again, “I will raise the baby. You can keep your career. It’s okay.”

You gawked, like your brain had short-circuited. “You’re okay with me being the breadwinner?”

“As long as there’s bread to eat, I really don’t give a fuck who wins it,” Yuta quipped.

“God, Yuta,” you groaned as he gathered you in his arms. “You keep setting the bar too fucking high.”

Yuta laughed at that.

You melted into him, stars in your eyes. He had the most beautiful laugh and smile you had ever seen. The sight still made butterflies dance in your stomach, even after all the years spent together. Your body was already on fire. It was taking all of your restraint not to pounce on him.

Yuta could tell and the corner of his mouth lifted in that trademark smirk of his. It was going to be a very long night of baby making, Yuta sensed, and he had a feeling you’d be calling out of work in the morning. Kneading at your hips, your husband asked, “What do you say? You bring home the bacon and I’ll cook it.”

Your heart was so full you thought it would burst at any second. “You’re gonna raise our baby?”

Yuta stole a quick kiss and said, “Gladly. It would be my honor to raise our children.”

You bit your lip, shivering as his hands ran up and down your back. Then, without another word, you walked over to the dresser and grabbed the packet of birth control pills, holding them up dramatically before dropping them in the trash bin.

Yuta kept his promise. After your babies were born, you went back to work, determined to make Hel a safer place.

Raising the twins was Yuta’s greatest pride. He loved watching them grow, enjoyed teaching them everything they needed to know about life. Every day, he would catch himself staring at Yuma and Suki in wonder.

How such beautiful, pure creatures came from him was a goddamn mystery.

It was early in the afternoon when Yuta returned with the twins after a few hours of kindergarten. Schools in Hel were a little different. The affluent could afford to send their kids to very secure private schools and you didn’t mind shelling out the extra money for that.

Regardless, Yuta tended to hover near the school until it was time to pick the kids up. Just in case. He had no idea how he was going to cope with the following year when they would be at school all day. Yuta was seriously considering getting a job at the damn school, but Suki would be opposed. She often called him out on his hovering, much to Yuta’s amusement.

Yuta drove home with the twins in the backseat, all three of them singing along to the radio. Suki belted her little lungs out while Yuma mumbled the words he knew here and there. Yuta constantly caught himself smiling until his cheeks ached.

Back at home, he set out snacks for the kids and Yuma made himself comfortable at the coffee table in the living room to work on his drawings. Since he told you and Yuta about his passion for art, Yuma’s pictures were beginning to collect on the walls. It was the boost his confidence needed.

Yuta’s hand shook with the urge to chuck the calculator against the wall. God, he hated balancing the fucking checkbook. One of these days he was going to hire one of his friends to do it. Someone good at math. Probably Jungwoo.

Suki finished her snack and walked over to the dining table where her father was slowly but surely losing the will to live and called, “Daddy?”

Yuta looked over his shoulder. “Yes, Suki?”

“I have a problem.”

Well, that was Yuta’s least favorite phrase. Nothing unnerved him quite like it. Setting down his pencil and turning to her, he asked, “Okay, do you want to talk about it or is it something I need to fix?”

Suki replied flatly, “I would like to talk to you about it.”

Yuta patted the seat next to him and said, “Alright. I’m all yours, baby girl.”

Suki clambered into the chair and began, “There’s a girl in my class.”

Yuta waited patiently.

“We held hands today.”

Yuta breathed a little easier, having expected something a bit more dire. “That’s nice,” Yuta said with a smile. “Did you want to do that?”

Suki nodded happily. “Yes, I liked it.”

Yuta fought a laugh. “Good. Okay.”

“I want to marry her,” she announced, very matter of fact.

“Oh. I see.”

“Is that okay?”

Yuta chewed over his words carefully before answering, “Well, I think it’s sweet you found someone you like, but Suki, marriage is a very big step.”

“Hm.”

“Do you think you’re ready for that?”

Suki’s face was filled with determination. Yuta’s daughter feared nothing and felt the world was hers for the conquering, and he’d be damned if anyone ever told her otherwise. “Yes. I love her,” she told him.

Yuta was grinning, trying desperately not to giggle. Judging by the look in her eyes, Suki had no idea the gravity of what she was asking. She was only five years old, after all. “And while I appreciate that, do you have money for a wedding?”

Suki thought about it, tallying up her allowance money in her head, and replied, “I have a little bit.”

“And a house? Do you have money for a place to live with the person you marry?”

His daughter grimaced. “I didn’t think about that.”

Yuta reached over to take her tiny hand and gave it a squeeze, explaining delicately, “That is why it’s important to go to school so you can get a good job one day and have a nice house for you and your partner. Because marriage is a partnership.”

“Like you and Mommy?”

Yuta smiled warmly at the thought of you and said, “Yes. Mommy works very hard to give us this nice house.”

Suki sighed and her eyes sparkled. “I love Mommy.”

“I do too.”

A thought struck Suki. She looked to her father expectantly and asked, “Did you want to marry Mommy when you held hands?”

Yuta bobbed his head. “Absolutely. Holding hands with a pretty girl triggers all the happy feelings in your brain.”’

Suki giggled.

Yuta peered down at his daughter with joy. She was the cutest thing in the world with her sweet smile and bouncy pigtails. She looked a lot like you while Yuma looked more like him, but Yuta could see himself in Suki when she was up to no good. She had his mischievous grin and his penchant for trouble.

Suki seemed content with the conversation and gave her father a grateful kiss on the cheek before sliding off the chair.

Yuta stopped her to ask, “One question, Suki. Did anyone say anything to you about holding hands with a girl?”

She seemed puzzled by that, brows furrowed. “No.”

“Good,” Yuta said. He would not hesitate to march into that school and give them a piece of his mind if necessary. Yuta was always in fight mode when it came to his babies. Fortunately, the school knew you were Hel’s biggest lawyer and went out of their way not to piss either of you off.

“Did I miss anything today?” you asked that night after finishing your dinner, following Yuta over to the sofa in the living room.

Yuta poured you a glass of wine and took the empty spot beside you, putting his own glass to his lips and replying, “Your daughter wants to get married.”

You lurched, almost choking on your drink.

Yuta was beaming, sidling closer to you as he added, “To a pretty girl in her class.”

“I’ll be damned,” you said, shaking your head with a laugh. “What did you tell her?”

“I told her that while marriage is admirable, it’s also very expensive,” Yuta quipped, draping his arm around your shoulders.

You downed another mouthful of wine and groaned, “God, why are they growing up so fast?”

“We’re gonna blink and they’ll be our age.”

“Don’t say that. I swear, I just birthed them yesterday.”

Yuta snorted.

You mulled it over and spoke like you were presenting closing arguments for a case, “Tell them they can’t get married until at least thirty. They’re ours. We don’t want to share them with anyone else for a long time.”

Yuta clinked his glass against yours. “I’ll be sure to tell them.”

You lowered your head, breathing out a sigh. Blinking rapidly, because your eyes had begun to burn, a tear escaped and rolled down your cheek. You did your best to quickly wipe it away with your hand, hiding the evidence as it were, but Yuta saw. He could feel your body tensing up.

“Baby, don’t do that to yourself,” your husband whispered. He knew you too well, better than anyone else on earth.

You sniffled and more tears followed when you cried, “I feel like I’m missing out on so much. What if I look back and I’ve missed everything, Yuta?”

“Come here,” Yuta crooned, tugging you close.

You buried your face in his chest and closed your eyes, dampening his shirt with your tears.

Yuta rubbed your arm, trying to warm you because he knew a cruel chill was working its way through your body. You were exhausted and burnt out, and for every criminal you put away, three more took its place. You were a warrior locked in an endless war with a hydra.

You hated working late, hated that the sweet beautiful moments with your children were few and far between, but you were determined to fix the system before they had to live under it.

There were days you wished you could live somewhere else, but the rest of the world had designated Hel the only sanctuary for those with powers. If they ventured anywhere else, they were hunted to the death. Regardless of Yuta’s abilities, you would never ask him to run forever.

Once you were spent of your tears, Yuta slipped his fingers into your hair and tugged your head back so he could search your face. You weren’t surprised when he kissed your wet lips, tasting the salt on his tongue.

The two unfinished glasses of wine were left behind on the coffee table as Yuta popped your legs around his waist and carried you into the bedroom. You disappeared with him into a haze of kisses and touches, lust and passion.

Yuta wasn’t satisfied until he broke you. Until your body was as exhausted as your heart and mind had been. Seconds blurred into minutes and minutes blurred into hours. You were covered in sweat, tangled in damp sheets. Tears of sadness became tears of pleasure as he took you again and again.

You screamed into his hand clamped over your mouth, because Yuta dared not let the sounds you made travel outside of the bedroom. You shook with orgasm, your body an unhinged livewire, and darkness rolled over your eyes like a blackout.

It was times like these you were convinced you and your husband were made only of ecstasy. And only for each other.

“Look at me,” your husband growled, clasping your jaw. He was propped over you, rocking his cock in and out of your core at a lazy pace.

You were sore and overstimulated, shivering each time he bottomed out inside. The slow strokes of his cock were too much and yet not enough. You held onto his arms for dear life and stared into his eyes, lips parted as you panted for breath.

“You’re a good mom,” Yuta told you gently, his voice low and husky. “They love you so much. Almost as much as I do.”

Fresh tears spilled from your eyes and you whimpered just as Yuta smashed his lips on yours, silencing all of your doubts and fears with his words and with a kiss.

You were lingering in that place between awake and asleep as Yuta lowered you into the hot bath he’d prepared. With your head on his shoulder, you closed your eyes, letting the heat seep into your bones while Yuta hummed along to a familiar tune. You barely remembered him drying you off and tucking you into bed.

“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered, leaving one last kiss on the corner of your mouth.

In the morning, you roused out of bed, careful to be quiet as Yuta still slept. You always envied him a little extra on Saturdays. Not only did he get to sleep in, he got to spend the day with the babies.

You showered and dressed, and walked over to the bed, propping yourself over your husband and kissing his cheek. “I love you so much,” you murmured, leaving one more kiss near the corner of his mouth.

Yuta garbled a vague “love you” in his mother tongue, still asleep.

You grinned that even in his dreams he could hear you and tiptoed away to another long day of putting down Hel’s worst criminals.

Sunday was the only day of the week you had off and they were without contest your favorite day of the week. You and your husband were reluctant to leave the bed at a reasonable hour, catching up on much-needed rest, and eventually the twins crawled in to cuddle. Rather than get up, Yuta put on a movie for them, the latest Pixar release, which they happily watched in the comfort of your bed while you and Yuta dozed a bit more.

The next time you woke up, your daughter was pushing on your shoulder. She jumped up and down on the mattress, chanting, “Wake up, Mommy. Wake up!”

You stirred, blinking to clear your vision, and snatched your daughter, bringing her in close for a hug. Suki was all giggles, hugging you back.

“Daddy made pancakes,” she told you hurriedly, trying to roll you off the mattress.

“I’m coming, baby,” you rasped, staggering out of bed. You wobbled over to the dresser, putting on some sweatpants to go with Yuta’s tee you were wearing, and followed your daughter out to the living room.

Yuta was holding your son over the counter and you watched as Yuma scattered chocolate chips onto the pancakes. Your husband glanced up and flashed you a grin. “Hey, Mama. Finally out of hibernation, are you?”

“And whose fault is that?” you shot back playfully.

Yuta stuck out his tongue. The images of you howling his name into the pillow and scraping your nails down his back were still fresh in his mind.

“I’ll get my revenge tonight,” you murmured under your breath, stealing a chocolate chip from the bag and popping it into your mouth.

“Mommy,” Suki whispered quietly, tugging on your shirt.

Discreet, you handed her a few chocolate chips which she crammed into her mouth with a victorious grin.

The four of you sat at the table and ate your pancakes. Laughter echoed through the house. You couldn’t put into words how much you enjoyed eating with your family. After a week of solitary dinners, nothing warmed your heart than when the four of you were together.

Suki was a riot of personality. You and your daughter went back and forth, arguing facetiously over the most mundane things. Yuta was already making jokes about her following in your footsteps as a vicious lawyer.

Yuma was just like his father. In the tiny lulls between you and Suki’s fast-paced conversation, he let monotonous comments pass. The epitome of Yuta’s dry humor. Your son was hilarious without trying. Yuta would throw his head back and laugh, chiming in as well. It was only when with his family that Yuma defeated his shyness.

Where Suki had Yuta’s mischief, Yuma had your balance. While Suki had your snark, Yuma had his father’s wit. Yuta often said the twins inherited the best parts of you and him.

With breakfast finished, you gathered the plates and took them into the kitchen to clean. You had to chase Yuta away more than once, insisting he relax on the couch. It wasn’t often you got to actually wash something. Yuma and Suki came to help you, but more or less ended up just keeping you company.

In keeping with Sunday tradition, the four of you went to the park not far from your neighborhood. It was a nice, breezy walk, your fingers intertwined with Yuta’s. Suki led the way, not surprising, and Yuma was a step behind her.

Once the playground was in sight, Suki took off running, rushing over to join her friends. Yuma stopped and turned to look at you, and you encouraged him forward. Your son meandered over to the swings, watching his sister who was gabbing away with the other kids as if she’d never left.

You sat comfortably on one of the benches, returning the waves of familiar parents nearby. Yuta traced senseless patterns on your shoulder, leaning his head against yours. The two of you were content to watch your kids play.

What was mundane to others was paradise to Yuta. His life had been chaos; absolute, utter chaos, but now, it was beautiful and calm. He wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

“Yuta?”

“Hm?”

You nestled deeper into his embrace and said, “I need to take a step back.”

Yuta made a tiny noise, as if in agreement, but without saying it outright.

“I miss them so much,” you whispered, then turned to him. “I miss you.”

“I’m right here, babe. We’re not going anywhere.”

You chewed on your lip. “I want to be home more. The kids will be in school full days next year. At the very least, I can try to stop working until night. That way I can see them in the evenings.”

“What will that mean for justice?”

“I won’t be able to pack in as many cases in a day as I usually do, but maybe that’s a price Hel will have to pay.”

Yuta was gleaming. “I support whatever you want to do.”

You smiled, happy, and turned your eyes back to your children. Their smiles warmed you down to your very soul.

By the time you returned to the house, Yuma was sound asleep in your arms and Suki was drooling on Yuta’s shoulder. You tucked them both into their beds and turned off the light, closing the door as quietly as possible.

“One minute past their nap time and they are out,” you joked, tying up your hair into a bun on your head.

“They don’t even realize they’ve worn themselves out until it’s too late,” Yuta added, standing before the television with the weather report on. His phone was in hand and Yuta viewed his unread messages. He liked to be kept up to date on the state of the criminal underground and the dangers on the city’s surface, but he never told you that.

You were better off not knowing that Yuta kept his fingers on the pulse of Hel.

Plopping down on the sofa, you let two whole seconds of quiet pass before whining, “Ugh, go wake them up. I miss them.”

Yuta chuckled and turned off the television. Setting down his phone, he made a beeline for you and you cried out in surprise when Yuta steered you onto your back on the couch and crawled over you, leaving playful kisses across your neck.

Your giggles shifted into moans. Yuta pinned you under his weight and stroked his clothed cock on your thigh, his hand down your pants. You sighed his name into his ear and arched your body into his, the two of you writhing together and getting each other off.

Yuta made you feel like a teenager again, sneaking off to hook up in the car or stealing a quickie in the bathroom. There was no end to his desire for you. You were his other half and the mother of his children. Every day, he fell more deeply in love with you.

And you with him.

Yuta’s breath was hot on your neck as he let out one final moan. Your husband clambered off of you and slumped back against the couch, both of you disheveled and panting. And buzzing with that post-coital surge of dopamine.

“Fuck,” you groaned, eyes fixated on your husband. His cheeks were red and sweat glistened across his collarbones. With your legs still around his hips, you flexed your thighs, intentionally trying to get a reaction out of him.

Yuta swallowed to wet his dry throat and smoothed his hand over the lowest plane of your stomach possessively. “Woman, you’re insatiable,” he growled, feigning annoyance.

“You satiate me just fine,” you purred, grabbing his hand and dragging it underneath your shirt until he landed on your breast.

Yuta instinctively squeezed your mound, teasing his fingers over your nipple, and asked lowly, “Think you can wait until tonight for more?”

“Yes,” you said, but the fire in your eyes betrayed your words.

Yuta bit his lip, raking his eyes down your body. Knowing your warm, wet cunt was right there, inches from his cock, made him start to heat up again. Your husband shifted, draping himself over you once more, and teased, “It would be just like the babies to come running out here as soon as I get it in.”

You laughed. “Like the six-week mark?”

Yuta dropped his head to the crook of your shoulder with a groan and his reply was mumbled against your skin, “How could I forget?”

Six weeks after you gave birth was the imposed limit for intercourse your doctor had given you. And god knew you were counting down the days. Yuta pretended to have far more patience than you did, acting unaffected by the lack of intimacy. Honestly, having two newborn babies was distraction enough.

But as the clock winded down, you and Yuta were doing a mating dance of frustration and downright insanity. It was endless flirting and touching and the most obscene sexts you’d ever seen. Or sent. On more than one occasion you messily dry humped each other to the finish line over the nearest surface. Not your proudest moment, but you had to take what you could get.

When six weeks came and Yuta called your doctor to make sure it would absolutely be okay for him to touch you again, the two of you nearly destroyed the house on the way to the bedroom.

And just before Yuta was about to cautiously sink inside you, the baby monitor burst with cries.

This pattern continued for two weeks. Every time you were about to get railed by your husband, your beloved twins let their feelings be known on the other side of the house, screaming for milk or a diaper change or just to be held. Which effectively ended the mood.

It wasn’t until Yuta’s saint of a mother offered to take care of the twins for a day that you and Yuta enjoyed twenty minutes of fucking around and then, hilariously, spent the remaining ten hours catching up on sleep.

“How was your nap?” Yuta asked your son as he dragged his feet out to the living room. You and your husband were sitting on the couch, cleaned up, and had been talking quietly amongst yourselves.

Yuma rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Good,” he finally said, remembering his father had asked him, and climbed into your lap, using your chest as a pillow.

Yuta smiled fondly and reached over, smoothing down Yuma’s fluffy dark hair.

Suki joined not long after, her face puffy and her eyes squinting. Unlike her brother, she was too tired to speak and merely collapsed into Yuta’s lap in the most dramatic fashion.

The debate was soon on for dinner. Yuta always ordered something rather than cooked, since it was the day of rest and all. Traditionally your husband and kids would play rock-paper-scissors to decide. You never played, because you rather sucked at it and always lost so why bother.

When Yuma emerged the victor, Yuta and Suki threw up their hands and whined over their defeat, much to you and Yuma’s amusement. Your son excitedly declared, “Pizza!”

Fresh, hot pizza was delivered to the door in twenty minutes. Yuta carried the big box to the dining table and called, “Come and get it, spawn!”

Your twins were already tripping over themselves to take their place at the table and you were a few steps behind. As Suki impatiently grabbed at the slice her father had put on a plate before her, Yuta made a disapproving sound and chided, “Wait a second, silly girl.”

Suki lifted her chin as Yuta tucked a large napkin into the collar of her shirt, protecting her clothes from the mess she was undoubtedly about to make. You did the same for Yuma, who rarely ever spilled, but he never wanted Suki to feel like she was the only one that had to wear a bib. Yuma was all about sibling solidarity.

The evening was defined by full bellies and endless laughter, much like the rest of your day. Suki decided to stand on her chair and regale the rest of you with a recap of the latest episode of Sailor Moon she’d watched. Yuma would calmly chime in here and there with major plot details she missed and Suki was ever appreciative. He was the only one allowed to interrupt her, on account of them sharing a womb and all.

As night fell, Yuta snuck away to prepare a bath and once it was ready, the twins followed you eagerly in. They played in the bubbles while you washed their hair and made sure to splash you right in the face. Yuma pretended he was a sea turtle, while Suki decided she was a walrus.

Everyone brushed their teeth and washed their faces. Suki treated both as if they were Olympic events and Yuma was content to watch you in the mirror the whole time, trying to imitate you. The twins dressed in their pajamas without much fuss, but Yuta knew better.

“I don’t wanna go to sleep,” Suki cried loudly, racing into the living room. “I wanna stay with Mommy!”

Yuta reminded, “Suki, you get grouchy if you stay up past ten.”

Yuma turned to you and asked, “Why is the weekend over?”

You snorted. “I ask myself that every Sunday, baby.”

Suki darted between Yuta’s legs, escaping his intentionally slow attempts to catch her, all the while yelling that she wasn’t tired.

Sensing both of your kids on the verge of a meltdown, you spoke firmly, “Suki and Yuma, come here to me. Now.”

No one dared contend with that tone.

The twins did as told, flocking to your outstretched arms. You hauled them up with you onto the sofa and steered your babies to lay their heads on your chest, as you’d always done since the day they were born. Pressing a kiss to each of their heads, you started to hum.

Yuma and Suki held each other’s hands in your midst and smiled at each other before closing their eyes. Listening to your heartbeat reminded them of the warmth and safety of your womb. You rocked back and forth a little, humming that familiar tune. Yuta braced his hands on the back of the couch, watching over you and your babies.

When you were pregnant, Yuta made a habit of talking and singing to your growing belly. It was hard for you not to join in even though you didn’t have a beautiful singing voice like he did. Yuta would beg to differ, but that was an argument for another day.

Around your eighth month, you were put on bedrest which almost made you lose your mind with boredom. As someone who was perpetually busy, laying around was the quickest and most effective way for you to go insane. Yuta was forever brainstorming ways to keep you occupied.

It also lent itself to fear. You had nothing to do but think and your brain decided to fixate on all the things that could go wrong with a twin pregnancy. Add hormones to that and you were a messy ball of nerves wound up so tight you thought you would snap.

Yuta cradled your face and pressed his lips to your brow, humming softly. Telling you to calm down would only frustrate you more, so he treated you like a fussy baby. And it worked. You sniffed back the tears and closed your eyes, letting him rock you back and forth with his hand on your big belly as he hummed that little tune he’d come up with for the babies inside you.

And here you were, five years later, soothing the twins with those same low notes. They had no meaning outside of your house, but for your little family, they were everything. Yuma let out a soft sigh and you knew he was dozing off. Suki fought sleep for the sake of her pride, but her little lashes batted heavier and heavier.

You kept humming as Yuta took your son carefully from your arms and you continued humming as you carried Suki into the bedroom behind him. You gave each of them a kiss on their foreheads and whispered, “Goodnight, my darlings. Sweet dreams only.”

Then, Yuta turned on their night light that shone a galaxy on the ceiling and closed the door behind you.

Yuta took you by the hand and led you with him to the bedroom. Just shy of the bed, he gave you a little spin, twirling you like at the start of a dance, before pulling you into his arms. You giggled, meeting his oncoming kiss.

“I wish every day was like this,” you sighed longingly.

Yuta hummed an agreement against your mouth, slipping his tongue between your lips. Seeing you hold those babies made Yuta out of his mind with love for you.

You kissed him hotly, running your hands beneath his shirt to palm at his warm skin, feeling the taut lines of his abs. When the kisses grew out of control, you braced your hands on his chest, cocked your head toward the bed and said, “Lay down.”

Yuta smirked at you and did as told, taking off his shirt and laying on his stomach over the mattress.

You climbed on top of him, straddling his hips and sitting squarely on his butt. Then, you started running your hands up and down his naked back.

Yuta let out a little moan. You could break every knot in his muscles until he was mush in your hands.

“No matter how hard I work, I know you work twice as hard,” you told him, massaging his shoulders. “You’re doing an amazing job with our babies.”

“I’m doing my best.”

You put forward more pressure, working away the tension in his muscles. Every now and then, Yuta grunted or moaned and you knew you were on the right track.

There were lines in his back. Battle scars, he called them. You often wondered how much evil Yuta had seen in his lifetime, but he never told you. He kept those secrets buried deep within. You knew your husband was a force to be reckoned with and that was part of the reason you slept so soundly in his arms.

You dragged your lips down his spine, kissing across his scars, making Yuta shiver beneath you. You pressed wet, open-mouthed kisses over his broad shoulders and tongued your way along the ridges of his muscles.

Yuta shifted, all the blood rushing to his cock. Your every touch was enough to drag him to the edge of ruin.

“You feel like getting pegged tonight?” you teased, licking your lips a bit hungrily.

“I’m not in the mood,” Yuta said, nonchalant.

“Oh?”

Yuta glanced at you over his shoulder and growled, “I’d rather fuck the shit out of you.”

You snickered. “You already did last night. Tonight, I wanna make you feel good.”

“You always make me feel good, baby.”

“Well, I’m ready when you are.”

Yuta turned over beneath you, grabbing your hips. He peered up at you in reverence and whispered, “I love you so much it hurts sometimes.”

“Babe, don’t talk like that,” you purred, running your thumb over his perfect lips. “I’ll suck the soul out of you and then there won’t be anything for me to ride.”

Yuta brought your hips down, grinding his hard cock into your clothed folds. The presence of pants between your bodies irritated him. “I’d get it back up for you in a heartbeat.”

“I know,” you said, bending down and kissing him.

You stripped each other naked between kisses. Slowly. Intimately. Like you had all the time in the world to explore and pleasure each other’s bodies with a familiarity belonging only to lovers that had been through heaven and hell together.

And not until you were begging him to take you did Yuta guide you further up his body to sit on his face.

“Mm, fuck,” you groaned when Yuta raked his tongue through your slit, teasing around your bundle of nerves. You were already throbbing with want and the lightest of touches made your body spasm.

Yuta looped his arms around your thighs, making you lower even more. He knew you were hesitant to put too much weight on him, no matter how many times he’d told you otherwise, but he was determined to have his way with you.

Your arched your hips slowly, almost barely at all, tentatively thrusting your sex closer to his mouth. Yuta worked you with his tongue, tasting your arousal and grunting lowly in the back of his throat at the taste of you.

“B-baby,” you stammered, threading your fingers through his hair. You dared not look down, because the sight of him sucking at your clit like his last meal would end you on the spot.

Yuta reached up to squeeze your breasts roughly before caressing his fingertips over your nipples until they were stiff to the touch. God, he loved your body so much he couldn't stand it.

You bit your lip to quiet yourself, but between his hands and his mouth there was no hope for you. You whimpered and whined, riding his face at a languid speed, just enough to keep his lips from getting ahold of your engorged clit.

Yuta knew that and he brought his palms to your ass. Then, he started tapping and drumming his fingers on your skin. It was a warning.

You picked up the pace, arching your cunt closer to his mouth. Gathering your bouncing breasts in your hands, you pressed them together and pinched your nipples.

That still wasn’t enough for Yuta. He reeled a hand back and landed a hard smack on your ass, making you jolt and squeal.

You sped up a little, feeling him tickling his fingers over your ass again. Reminding you how easily he could give you another spank. “Yuta,” you pleaded.

He parted from your dripping cunt to growl, “I know you can ride better than that. Just ask my dick.”

Your stomach clenched as you let him suck more intensely at your clit. The stimulation was almost too much. Your body began to shudder involuntarily.

Yuta let a hand slip from your ass, holding it at the ready, and he smirked against your lower lips as you rolled your hips frantically in response. The moment you shied away from his tongue, he brought his hand down on your ass, sending a loud slap through the room.

“I can’t, baby,” you choked out, craning your body back and bracing your hands on opposite sides of his waist.

Yuta pinched your hips in his hands and lifted his head, flicking his tongue mercilessly on your clit. You can and you will, he thought to himself, chuckling against your folds.

You fisted the blanket and panted, your breaths loud and downright pathetic. Eyes winched closed, you bucked your pussy into your husband’s face, seeking the wet warmth of his tongue while everything in your body tried to escape it.

Yuta tightened his hold on your hips as you came, grinning smugly at the lecherous sounds leaving your mouth. He could feel his fingers sinking into your flesh to the point of bruising, but he knew how much you loved that. All his energy was on his tongue, rubbing your sensitive clit until you begged him to stop.

Your legs were like jelly and your head was stuck in a fog. Yuta steered you back into position over his hips, rutting his hard cock against your soaked folds. You swallowed to wet your dry throat and ran a hand through your hair, peering down at your husband and shaking your head. “You’re a fucking god. I hope you know that.”

Yuta chuckled, draping his hands lazily on your thighs while he kept grinding into you, waiting. Your pussy coated his length in your juices, evidence of how hard he’d made you come.

Part of you, when things became serious in your relationship with Yuta, wondered if the fires between you would ever die down. Years of dating passed, then marriage, culminating with the arrival of your children and the answer was still no. Yuta still drowned you in his passion like it was the first time.

“You’re mine,” Yuta had hissed into your skin on your wedding night, crushing you in his arms as he buried his cock inside you. “Every inch of you is mine. Every breath you take is mine.”

With that memory fresh in your mind, you grabbed one of his hands and brought it to your neck to hold. Lifting your hips, you wrapped your fingers around his hard cock and guided him into your entrance, sinking down on him. You were so slick from orgasm, he pressed right in without resistance. But you still moaned at the girth of him stretching you.

Yuta squeezed your throat, clenching his jaws at the tight heat of you enveloping him. “Fuck,” he staggered out, abs flexing as he fought the urge to pound his cock into your perfect pussy.

Adjusted, you braced your hands on Yuta’s chest and started to ride him, moving in a way that he stroked deep inside you. You locked eyes with your husband, watching the pleasure on his face, and purred, “You’re mine.”

“All yours,” Yuta said, breathless.

You bounced on his cock until Yuta lost the last of his restraint. That was when he wrapped his arms around you, trapping you to him, and began to thrust up into you, hips slapping into your ass at inhuman speed. You held onto his shoulders and moaned desperately into his neck, enduring his brutal pace until another orgasm ripped through you.

The echo of your cries and the clamping of your cunt around his length made Yuta burst, stuffing his cock into you as deep as he could go and filling you with his load. He shuddered and groaned, fisting a hand into your hair and biting down on the base of your neck.

Utterly spent, the two of you slumped limply into the bed and held each other tight like no force on earth could ever tear you apart.

In the morning, you couldn’t bring yourself to get up for work after the third night in a row spent tangled with your husband. You called to let them know you would be coming in late and since you were technically the boss, no one could tell you otherwise.

Funny enough, your secretary applauded you for finally taking a little break.

The moment you tossed your phone back onto the nightstand and folded the pillow under your head, Yuta was on you. You hummed when he settled his weight on your back, trailing kisses over your cheek.

If you thought you would be getting extra sleep after presenting a rare opportunity of morning sex to your husband, you were mistaken.

Yuta glanced up at the clock and mumbled, “The babies won’t be up for a while.”

You smirked, closing your eyes and feigning indifference, but you lifted your hips, making your ass bounce into his stiff cock. Like intimacy with Yuta was all your body was capable of craving. Still naked from the night before, you arched your back into his body, moaning softly when his dick rubbed against your folds.

Yuta whispered filth in your ear as he pushed the blankets and pillows away from you. You held the edge of the mattress and cried out when Yuta steered you into position roughly, bending your leg up and pressing a hand into your lower back.

You wiggled your ass, enticing him to take you, and sucked in a breath when two fingers slipped into your hole.

“You’re still wet,” Yuta hissed, biting down on the bridge of your shoulder and pumping his digits between your folds to prepare you.

You taunted, “I stay wet for you. You know that.”

Yuta gathered a handful of your hair in his fist, yanking your head back to kiss and tongue at your throat while he withdrew his fingers from your pussy and guided his cock in, impaling you on every last inch.

“Yuta,” you moaned, your eyes rolling back. You gripped the edge of the mattress harder, your mouth gaping.

Yuta let out a noise of pleasure as he coaxed his cock deep into your cunt, the kind of sound that made you clench on him. “So fucking tight and swollen, baby,” he crooned in a tone meant to rile you up. “Does it hurt?”

You shook your head, biting your lip. His hands roamed over you, playing with your breasts and nipples, whilst Yuta sank his hard dick into you slowly, moaning in your ear at the warmth of you around his cock.

“I love you,” he sighed, stealing a kiss.

Rather than answer, you decided to goad him. You glanced at Yuta over your shoulder, arching your hips to meet his languid pace, and whispered, “I know you can fuck harder than that. Just ask my pussy.”

Your husband could and gladly would fuck you for an hour, but you were too sore for that. You wanted a quickie. Hard and fast.

Yuta chuckled, remembering his words from the night before, and used his grip on your hair to shove you face first into the mattress. You would definitely need to stifle the noises you were about to make.

You winched your eyes closed and held the mattress for dear life, eventually biting on the edge too as Yuta smacked his hips into your ass, throttling his cock into your pussy.

“Don’t wake them up,” your husband warned, pinning his hand to the nape of your neck. He had you whimpering and moaning like he’d fucked all the goddamn sense out of you.

“I’m coming,” you told him in a matter of minutes, squirming in his hold, trying to get yourself the rest of the way.

Yuta thrust into you faster and faster, at an almost inhuman speed. Almost. Sensing you at the edge, Yuta bore down on you with his weight, whispering dirty praises in your ear, and rammed his cock into your sweet spot until you came with a cry.

“I love you,” you chanted, because it was much less embarrassing than saying thank you over and over again for the mind-shattering orgasm he’d just ripped out of you.

Feeling your pussy try to push out his cock with the intensity of your climax, Yuta got a punishing grip on your hips and plunged his length into you, releasing with a mangled groan, finishing with one hard thrust after another.

You gasped to catch your breath, bouncing ever so slightly to milk his cock. Being fucked full of his cum made you arch your back and moan, wanting every last drop he had to give.

Yuta gave your ass an appreciative slap when he reluctantly drew his soft length from you, and said, “Atta girl.”

You lay there, your entire body thrumming and satisfied, and dozed off the moment Yuta finished cleaning you with a cloth from the bathroom.

Your husband dragged the blanket over your naked body and left the room quietly, knowing that if he stayed in bed with you, it would undoubtedly result in another round.

So instead, Yuta made himself comfortable on the couch and waited for the kids to wake up. He shook his head, thinking of you and your beautiful body. Fuck, he wanted to march back in there and drill you to another toe-curling orgasm.

Yuta fixed a pot of hot coffee, knowing you would want some when you woke, and blew the steam billowing from his mug as he watched the TV. The news was reporting a steady decline in city violence; a result of the new district attorney’s efforts to put away bad men and corrupt cops.

Seeing your picture on the screen unnerved Yuta. He didn’t want your face to be so widely known. Fortunately for you, however, Yuta still had friends in low places. They would keep it known that you belonged to someone that was not to be crossed. A venomous serpent slumbering in its den, as it were.

It was half past ten when you dragged yourself out of the bedroom, forcing yourself to get ready for work. To your surprise, you found both of your children waiting for you.

“Mommy, you look beautiful today,” Yuma greeted, smiling widely at you when you emerged from the bedroom.

“Thank you, darling,” you told your son, pressing a kiss to his brow. Then, you checked the time and remembered what day it was. “No school today?”

“Teacher work day,” Suki replied. She was seated at the counter and Yuta stood beside her, jotting things down on a list.

“Anything you need from the store, Mama?” Yuta asked, spinning the pen between his fingers.

“I can’t think of anything,” you said, looking between your son and daughter. “Are you going with Daddy to the store?”

“We always do,” Suki replied excitedly.

Sadness washed over you, but you hid it quite well on your face like any seasoned lawyer. You wanted to spend some time with the babies.

Yuta saw right through you, as only he could. Turning to the twins, he started speaking rapid fire Japanese, to which they giggled because they understood perfectly.

You scowled, though it was insincere, and whined, “That’s not fair. You know Mama is still working on her Japanese.”

“You’ve been working on it for ten years, my love,” Yuta teased under his breath, then he changed his tone. “I was just telling them how smart you are.”

“Bull… poop,” you started, quickly correcting yourself before using profanity in front of your children. Yuta grinned with amusement at irritating you.

At the word poop, Yuma and Suki giggled again.

A very loud bang sent a reverberating shudder through the house, making picture frames rattle on the walls. No one flinched. Undoubtedly a villain and a hero were duking it out in the center of the city again.

One moment Yuta was beside Suki, in the next he had crossed the room, caught a falling vase and set it back, and returned to her side in the time it took you to blink.

You mumbled, “I saw that.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Yuta said blithely.

“Daddy says he’s not fast,” Suki announced. “Everyone else is just really slow.”

You snorted back a laugh.

“Alright, Suki, let’s hit the market,” Yuta said a moment later, tucking the shopping list into his pocket.

You blinked in surprise. “You’re not taking Yuma with you?”

Yuta shook his head, a tiny smile on his face. “He wants to stay with you.”

You looked back at your son on the sofa, who was beaming at you warmly.

Yuta and Suki gave you and Yuma parting kisses and left.

Yuma sat beside you, watching a movie intently. He held onto your hand, absentmindedly playing with your fingers, and leaned against your side like he couldn’t quite get close enough to you. While Suki could talk a mile a minute, Yuma was rather quiet. She was the one to always drag him out of his shell, while you preferred a more gentle approach.

You reached over and brushed his hair from his brow before running a finger over his cheek. It was wonderful getting to spend time with him and you wanted to catch up on things you’d missed. “Anything you wanna talk to me about?” you asked sweetly.

Yuma shrugged.

“No pressure. Whenever you want.”

Yuma nodded and flitted his eyes between you and the television, pensive. He shifted a little and after a long pause, he said, “I want to make friends.”

You turned toward him, giving your son your undivided attention, and asked, “Do you have friends at school?”

Yuma couldn’t meet your eyes and shook his head, mumbling under his breath as if he were embarrassed, “Suki has lots of friends.”

You chuckled a bit. “Suki is very… assertive.”

Yuma peered up at you with furrowed brows. “What does that mean?”

You pinched your lips, thinking of the best way to explain. “It means she goes after things very strongly.”

Your son was staring at you, admiring. He was looking at you like you were the whole world. The same way you looked at him. “She’s like you,” he said, sweet as could be. No anger or jealousy to be found.

You snorted. “I suppose so.”

“Is Daddy like that?” Yuma asked curiously.

“A bit.”

“Why not me?”

You took his hand and gave it a squeeze, saying, “You’re a little different, Yuma. But different doesn’t mean wrong. You’re just you and that’s more than enough.”

Yuma relaxed. “Okay.”

“Do you want to be more assertive? Because I could teach you.”

“I don’t.”

“See? It’s just who you are. You’re perfect.”

Yuma was comforted by that. “But I want to make friends.”

You slipped a finger under his chin, tipping his head up. “Then, you make friends that are more like you. Does that make sense?”

He nodded. “It does.”

“I never had many friends,” you told him. Once upon a time, you would never have been able to verbalize that. A large part of your life had been spent with a lonely heart.

It was something you and Yuta had in common.

That caught Yuma by surprise. He looked up at you with wide eyes and nestled closer to you, putting his little hand on your arm as if to comfort you. “You didn’t?”

“No. People thought I was weird. I was obsessed with doing good in school and becoming a lawyer.”

“What about Daddy?”

Your face lit up at the mere mention of the love of your life. “Your father is my best friend in the whole world.”

“What made you be his friend?” Yuma pressed. He was suddenly an endless well of curiosity. He liked hearing about you and Yuta before he was born. Yuta told you that Yuma asked the most questions about how the two of you met and fell in love.

Suki, on the other hand, was more inclined to hear that she came out of your tummy first and was therefore, the oldest of your twins. By nine whole minutes.

“He told me I was perfect the way I was,” you replied, smoothing back Yuma’s hair. God, he really was Yuta’s spitting image. It was like looking into his eyes even though he was miles away from you. “And that there was nothing that could ever stand in my way if I wanted to do something.”

Yuma bounced and exclaimed, “He told me the same thing!”

“Your father is very wise.”

“He is.”

You pretended to wince and put a finger over your lips, whispering, “Don’t tell him I said that. It will go straight to his head.”

Yuma covered his mouth with his hand, playing along with your little joke. “I won’t.”

You wrapped your arm around your son and pressed a kiss to his nose, cooing, “You’ll be a great friend, Yuma. I promise.”

Your son hopped into your lap, hugging you tightly.

A quiet thud made you turn your head sharply toward the front door, every hair on the back of your neck standing up.

Yuta spoke to his daughter in his mother tongue as they walked through the farmer’s market. Suki loved looking at everything there was to see and the vendors always let her taste test things because her reactions were dramatic, but very genuine.

And because Yuta was generous with his money.

“Much better,” Suki declared after eating a grape.

“Yes, Miss Suki. They were a bit watery last time, weren’t they?”

She nodded.

Yuta chuckled, then told the seller, “Two bags please.”

Gripping her father’s hand tightly as they meandered, Suki asked, “Daddy, when are we getting takoyaki?”

“Soon, princess.”

“I’m being very patient.”

Yuta’s face tensed with the threat of laughter. “Yes, you are and I appreciate it.”

Suki suddenly went rigidly still, her hand slipping from around Yuta’s fingers as she stopped dead in her tracks. The smile vanished from her face in an instant and her eyes went out of focus.

Yuta jolted, all of his attention centering on his child. Crouching down before her and holding her arms, he asked frantically, “Suki, are you okay?”

His little girl trembled, tears filling her eyes. She looked like she’d seen a ghost. For the first time in her life, she was terrified. “Daddy, something’s wrong,” she whimpered, reaching for him.

Yuta lifted her into his arms, adrenaline tickling up his spine. “What is it, baby? Do you feel sick to your stomach?”

“No, it’s Yuma. And Mommy. Something’s wrong!”

That was all Yuta needed to hear. He dropped the basket of food and cradled Suki to his chest, feeling her cling to him. “Take a deep breath and hold it, Suki.”

She did as told and in a flash, they were gone.

But he was too late.

Yuta walked slowly through the house. His hands were shaking.

The front door was splintered into pieces. The living room was destroyed like a goddamn tornado had swept through. You put up a hell of a fight. Yuta knew you would. A mother’s instinct to protect her baby was formidable even against the strongest of enemies.

Yuta stepped over the broken coffee table, analyzing everything. He could safely assume there were a number of attackers. You were no match. Hell, even in his prime he would have struggled.

There was blood smeared on the wall, but Yuta breathed a little in relief when he didn’t recognize the scent. He had been right beside you when you gave birth. He was the one that put bandaids on all of your clumsy little cuts.

He knew the scent of you intimately.

This blood was not yours. It belonged to someone that foolishly tried to separate you from your child and learned you would die or kill before that happened.

“Suki, you can come out,” Yuta said lowly. “It’s clear.”

A panel above in the ceiling moved and Suki jumped down, landing in Yuta’s arms. He held her snugly to him, feeling her shaking with emotion, and coaxed, “I know this is hard, baby, but I need you. I know you can sense your brother.”

Suki nodded.

“Is Yuma hurt? Is your mother hurt?”

Suki paused, tapping into the connection she shared with her twin. “Yuma is okay. Mama is okay,” she told him, lips quivering. “Yuma is really scared, Daddy.”

Yuta took a steadying breath. He would rend this goddamn city inside out to get back what was his. “Can you find them, Suki? Can you lead me to them?”

His daughter nodded. “I think so.”

Yuta set her down on the floor and pulled out his phone. “I need to make a call. Go grab your panic bag, okay?”

Suki trundled to her bedroom. It went without saying Yuta taught his children extensively what to do in situations like these.

He was very aware of the dangers in Hel. But he never thought someone would dare enter the Viper's nest.

Pressing the phone to his ear, Yuta paced and after two rings, a familiar voice answered. “Someone took my wife and son,” Yuta said, skipping any greetings. He didn’t have time.

“I know,” Mark replied gravely. “It’s already spreading underground.”

Yuta grit his teeth and hissed, “Who did this?”

“I'm already looking into it. Give me fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you. Call me the second you have anything.”

“Done.”

Yuta hung up just as Suki returned with a little purple backpack. He gave her a proud smile and lifted her into his arms. “Ready, baby?”

She grabbed his face, staring into her father’s eyes, and asked, “We’re gonna find Mommy and Yuma. Right?”

Yuta gave a single nod. “Yes, Suki. We’re going to find them. I promise.”

By his tone, Suki knew her father would move mountains. She found her courage again and took a deep breath.

Despite the blindfold over your eyes and the cords wrapped tightly around your wrists, binding them together, your son was curled on your chest and you had managed to mold your entire body protectively around him.

You spoke softly and soothingly to him, but Yuma had whispered in your ear, “Daddy’s coming.”

Part of you already knew that. In your heart you knew Yuta would stop at nothing to bring you and your baby home. All you had to do was buy enough time. You kissed Yuma’s head, holding him even tighter.

Cradling your son, feeling his terror, knowing danger was closing in, was another kind of hell.

You closed your eyes and thought of Yuta. The one thing that could distract you from the suffocating grip of fear on your throat. You thought back to the moment you met, at the police station of all places. As a junior district attorney, you had been brought in to consult on whether a case could be made against him.

The Viper.

Sitting in a dimly lit room, Yuta was handcuffed to the table, but you knew you were the one in a cage with a lion. He was not captured. On the contrary, he was rather entertained.

“Everything you have on me is circumstantial,” Yuta stated plainly.

You took the seat across from him and said, “I know.”

Yuta narrowed his eyes, assuming you were manipulating him, and asked, “Then, why are you here?”

You shrugged. “Just following orders.”

“You don’t seem like the type.”

“The type of what?”

“To just do what you’re told.”

You stared into his eyes. Yuta’s gaze was hypnotic. You couldn’t look away. He was drawing you in slowly.

So began a dance of Yuta intentionally getting himself caught, prompting you to be summoned to the station to question him. Questions ended up ranging more toward you, the things you liked, the things you hated. The things you were interested in.

Who you were interested in.

As Yuta was led out of custody, free to go once again, he made sure to stop by you and whisper, “I would love to take you out to dinner.”

It took every ounce of your restraint not to smile. It was about goddamn time, to be honest. He was the most attractive man you’d ever seen. Not just his face, but his mind. Nothing about him was simple and that thrilled you.

“I can get a reservation at the Blood Raven tomorrow night. Interested?”

The Blood Raven, one of Hel’s most illustrious, high-end establishments. Known to be frequented by villains on the regular. “I’m interested,” you murmured softly.

It wasn’t like you to flirt with danger, but when danger flirted back, you kinda liked the rush it sent through you.

Yuta grinned victoriously. “Seven o’clock then. I’d offer to pick you up from work, but I’m sure that would be frowned upon, considering your profession.”

“I’ll see you then.”

Yuta sauntered out with an extra swagger to his step while you were screaming internally.

You snapped out of your reverie when the van jerked to a stop. Your son jostled on your chest, but you secured your hold on him as the men grabbed your arms and dragged you out.

Though they made no attempt to separate you from Yuma again.

Yuta folded his arms and glanced around the back alley. There was an overturned trash bin and tire marks on the ground.

Suki ambled along the alley, searching with her wide eyes. Your beautiful eyes. Yuta smiled at her fondly, hiding the ice cold fist of terror wrapped around his heart.

His daughter turned to him anxiously, but Yuta was quick to assure her, “Take your time, baby girl. You’re doing great.”

Suki nodded and kept looking for traces of her brother to follow.

Finally, she pointed and said, “That way.”

Yuta scooped her up and bolted.

He came to a sharp stop, mid-sprint, when he felt a vibration in his pocket. Holding his daughter, Yuta answered the phone, “Yes?”

“Your wife recently put away three upper-rank members of the Cyrus Gang, including the second-in-command.”

“Mm,” was all Yuta said. He knew exactly where this was going.

The Cyrus Gang had popped up after Yuta went into retirement. From what he knew via his friends, their leader was a villain with unknown powers and he ruled with an iron fist. They were organized, ruthless and known for their brutality.

No wonder you had made it your mission to put them behind bars.

“Camera footage on the street shows thirteen of their known members breaching your house,” Mark continued.

Yuta seethed. “Keep going.”

“Additional footage shows them dragging your wife and son into a different unmarked van two alleys over. Premeditated counter measures, obviously.”

Yuta assumed that was the alley he and Suki had just left. “Anything else?”

Mark’s voice filled with disappointment. “Footage shows evidence of tampering. We lost sight of them after that. I’ve got guys working on it.”

“Thank you. In the meantime, I have a very reliable source leading me to them,” Yuta said, looking to Suki.

She smiled at him, emboldened by his words.

“Good luck, brother,” Mark said.

Yuta hung up.

Suki put a hand on Yuta’s chest, subconsciously searching for his heart rhythm to settle her own, and asked, “Did they find Mommy and Yuma?”

“No, baby,” Yuta told her levelly. “It’s up to us to find them.”

Suki nodded. She was ready.

You giggled as Yuta kissed his way up your big pregnant belly. Both of your babies were stretching and kicking, and Yuta thought it was the most delightful thing he’d ever seen. He tickled his fingers near a foot and laughed when that foot sent a retaliatory kick in his direction.

“I can’t possibly get any bigger,” you groaned, though you didn’t mean it. All you wanted was two healthy, happy babies, and you were prepared to get as big as necessary for them.

“Don’t jinx it,” Yuta joked. He glanced up at you, his long hair falling into his eyes. “Are you hungry?”

“I’m always hungry. They’re always hungry.”

Yuta smoothed his hand over the crest of your belly, marveling. “They’re strong. I can feel it.”

You placed your hand over his and said, “Me, too. I can’t explain it, but… I can feel their bond.”

“They’re inside you. Of course, you can feel it.” His voice was soft, reverent, like he was holding all the answers to the universe between his hands.

“It’s something magical.”

Yuta turned somber, a frown tugging at his lips. “I hope they get all of your magic and none of mine,” he huffed under his breath.

“I don’t have any powers,” you reminded him, ready to scold if any self-deprecation chose to rear its ugly head. You’d become somewhat of a master at making it crawl back inside its dark hole.

“It’s a heavy burden.”

You sighed and carded your fingers into his hair. “We’ll help them carry it.”

Yuta finally turned away from your belly and propped himself over you, losing himself in your eyes. “Just like you help me carry mine,” he whispered.

You drew your husband close until you could press your lips to his.

“You have a magic all your own,” Yuta said, kissing the corner of your mouth.

Your son’s voice brought you back to the present. Peeking down at him worriedly, you asked, “What is it, baby?”

“Suki,” he said distantly, feeling his sister’s emotions. “She’s sad.”

Your eyes welled with tears. You were tucked in a corner of a rundown warehouse. There were locks on all the doors. With you secured, the captors removed your blindfold and restraints. Which was surprisingly considerate of them. And yet all it did was unnerve you more. “We’re gonna see them again, Yuma,” you told your son firmly.

He believed you, nodding before tucking his head beneath your chin and hugging you tight.

You wiped at your tears with a clenched fist and cried, “I should have sent you to the store with Daddy and Suki. It was selfish of me. I wanted to spend time with you.”

Yuma didn’t seem bothered by that admission. He merely said, “That’s okay, Mommy. It’s better this way.”

You blinked in surprise.

“I’m here with you. You’re not alone.”

You devolved into sobs, curling inward with your son hidden in your embrace. You kissed his sweet face and he kissed your cheek, looping his arms around your neck.

Suki had never seen the city at the speed of light. She was getting better at holding her breath, but keeping her eyes wide open. No matter how much it stung. She didn’t want to miss a thing.

She could feel Yuma. He was far away and no matter how much her father ran, they didn’t feel closer.

Yuta sprinted between cars, between buildings, between people. No one saw him. They would feel a wisp of wind that was gone as quickly as it came.

A killer in the night; that had been Yuta’s reputation in the not so distant past. No enemy could see him coming. No defense could be prepared. No lawman could pin a single shred of evidence on him. He was a silent blade in the darkness. Uncatchable and unstoppable.

Never had Yuta killed with anger. He was a cold and calculating villain. It was all business. This time would be different. The Viper would have its vengeance.

Suki tugged on Yuta’s collar and he grinded to a halt, the atmosphere shifting around them. Suki’s eyes were full of tears and she was trembling.

“What is it, Suki?”

“Hurry, Daddy,” she cried, choking on a sob. “They’re trying to take Yuma from Mommy!”

Yuta had never known rage and madness like what unfurled inside of him at that moment. He knew you would fight. He knew you would kill. But who would they keep alive?

They were running out of time. The men that took you knew who Yuta was and what he was capable of. And that he was coming. They would have to be quick.

Suki turned her head this way and that. Light shone in her eyes as she fought back her tears to focus on the task at hand.

Yuta recognized her determination and stroked a thumb over her cheek. “You’re very brave, my Suki. Find them and I will take care of the rest.”

Yuma was screaming. Suki could hear it as if she were in the room. Though he was miles away, his increasing emotions made his signal to her stronger. Suki pointed. “That way!”

Yuta didn’t need to remind her to take a breath. The moment she’d told him, Suki inhaled a big gulp of air and they were gone again.

You tapped into a reservoir of strength you’d forgotten you had. It was the same bottomless pit you’d fallen into when you gave birth. It didn’t matter that these men were inherently stronger than you. You could rip them apart with your bare hands every time they reached for your baby.

Yuma, though he was only a child, tried to push the men away as they pinned you to the concrete ground and shoved a phone against your ear. Your son didn’t understand. They screamed in your face, threatened unspeakable things against your children, if you didn’t orchestrate the release of some very bad men.

You relented, because of course you did. No criminal was worth the life of your son. Bloodied and bruised and choking on your own tears, you gave the order to release the Cyrus Gang’s second-in-command.

Satisfied, the men hung up the phone and warned they would keep you a little longer to make sure he was free and clear.

Then, your fate would be decided.

Yuma bolted to you the moment his captor let go of his arm and curled his small body around your head, trying to shield you from them. Every inch of you was trembling and you were breathing hard and fast, tasting the metallic sting of blood in your mouth. Adrenaline had seized ahold of you and torn its way through your system.

Your life flashed before your eyes. You saw yourself sigh tiredly as Yuta held you in his arms, two newborn babies sleeping soundly on your breasts. Only moments after birth, they had reached across your heart to hold each other’s hands and didn’t let go.

Yuta had never run so hard in his life. He was trying to outrun his emotions and his memories. He was thinking of the day you married him, when the two of you promised your lives to each other with the sea and the mountains as witnesses. Yuta had sworn to love you and only you for as long as he lived.

It was an easy vow to make. Yuta knew he’d found his soulmate. No woman on earth would ever get to hold his heart like you. It was yours.

He thought of your gentle smile when you kissed his brow and held him to your chest, lulling him to sleep after another nightmare. He thought of your grin when you showed him that positive pregnancy test. Yuta picked you up off the ground and spun you around. He could hear your laugh in his head. It was his favorite sound.

Then, he thought of all the times you told him, “I love you.”

Even before you had carried and birthed his children, you had given Yuta what he always wanted, but never had - a family.

This was life and death. If Yuta lost you, he would lose himself. He would raze the city to the ground and then throw himself into the ashes.

Because he would never be able to live with the monster he became if he lost you.

Your eyes snapped open when the door creaked. A lone man walked toward you and your son, his steps heavy and ominous.

“You have served your purpose,” was all he said.

You ignored the pain in your bones. Those words ignited a spark inside your chest like no other. This man should have known by the bloodstains coating your fingernails that you were a caged mother bear. Steering Yuma behind you, you crawled backwards until he was nestled against the wall. You guarded him with your body and got your legs underneath you.

Suki let out a scream of agony that knocked the wind out of Yuta. He was at full momentum and stumbled, instantly curling around her as they toppled into the dirt, rolling and spinning in a heap.

“Suki,” he shouted, searching her frantically for injury, but finding his daughter unscathed.

She wailed, “He’s killing Mommy!”

Yuta couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. He sat there in the barren wilderness outside the city with his daughter in his lap, the last tie to you that was about to be severed forever.

Yuma wasn’t brave. He never had been. Suki had courage. She always protected him. He wished she was there. She could destroy this man with her power.

Power. Yuma looked at his hands.

The man threw you to the ground and each time he stalked in Yuma’s direction, you charged him again. You knew he was toying with you, drawing it out for his own sadistic pleasure. You couldn’t beat him; you could only buy time.

“Yuma, run,” you screamed at your son, over and over, but he wouldn’t leave you. He refused to leave you.

Suki gripped Yuta tight, breaths staggering in and out. The tears streamed down her cheeks. “Yuma’s too scared to do it.”

“Do what, Suki?”

“Use his power.”

Yuta gawked. “Yuma has powers?”

“He hides them,” she said shakily. “They scare him. He doesn’t want to be bad. He doesn’t want to be a monster!”

Yuta knew that feeling all too well and it broke his heart. But his only concern in that moment was you. You needed a monster. Yuta cradled Suki’s cheeks in his hands and whispered lowly, “Tell him to protect his mother. Tell him to do whatever he has to do.”

Suki nodded.

The man braced his hands on his knees, winded, and chuckled. “You’re strong for a bitch.”

You were an unhinged creature, reduced to your most primal form. You had cut him with your nails, sank your teeth into his flesh. Anything you could manage to deter him from your child. Your own life meant nothing to you as long as your son could live.

The man grabbed you by the throat and lifted you off the ground, cutting off your oxygen. Darkness seeped into the edges of your vision. You clawed at his hands and kicked at his torso, but to no avail.

Yuma rushed over and wrapped his arms around the man’s leg.

In an instant, the monster choking the life out of you screeched and dropped to his knees, staggering back as thousands of volts of electricity coursed through him.

But not you. You coughed and choked, scrambling to get your bearings and reaching for your son. The tiniest shock pricked your hands and then it was gone. Yuma shuddered, jumping into your arms as fast as he could.

You looked at the man and knew he was dead. And you didn’t question it for a second. Hiding yourself in the corner with your son, you kept his head turned away.

Suki exhaled loudly, wiping at her tears.

Yuta asked, “Is it done?”

She nodded.

“Let’s go, baby,” he said, getting to his feet again.

There was a rhythmic drop from a leaky pipe above. It echoed in the silence of the warehouse. You knew it was only a matter of time before the others came to finish you off.

You peered up at your son as he held your face, your head in his lap. Your injuries were dire, you could feel it. Part of you wondered if you were bleeding into your own body. That was kind of a relief. Your son wouldn’t have to see you die in a pool of your own blood.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” you asked him gently.

Yuma frowned. “I don’t want to be bad.”

You simpered. “You could never be a villain, my Yuma. You have a good heart.”

Yuma looked at his hands currently cradling your face and said, “But my power hurts people.”

“Then, use it to protect us from bad people. Like you did for me.”

Yuma smiled, comforted by that. After a pause, he asked, “Are you okay, Mommy?”

“I’m okay,” you lied. Under no circumstances would you tell your son any different. You would hide your pain until the very end.

Yuma studied you. “I can’t feel your heart as good anymore.”

You steered one of his little hands to your chest and asked, “How about now?”

“Your heart sounds tired.”

You fought back the tears and rasped, “It is, a little. But if I need to protect you, it will beat hard again.”

“For me?”

“For you.”

Yuma leaned down to press a tender kiss to your forehead and said, “I will protect you too, Mommy.”

“I know you will,” you said with a smile, thinking of your husband. “You are your father’s son.”

“I want to be brave like Suki,” Yuma murmured, evoking the bond with his sister. He wanted to tap into her courage.

Reaching for his hand, you let your eyes flutter closed, running out of strength. “You are very brave, Yuma. No matter what happens, never forget that you are a dragonslayer living in a city of dragons.”

Yuma raised his chin a little higher. It was what he needed to hear.

Suki urged Yuta to stop and told him, “Yuma says Mommy’s heart is slowing down.”

Yuta tensed. His world was coming to an end. It had been beautiful while it lasted. Looking into Suki’s face intently, seeing you in every feature, he said, “Tell Mommy that I love her.”

“I love you too, Yuta,” you sighed, eyes still closed.

“And tell her to remember what she promised me.”

The faintest smile tugged at your lips. “I remember.”

You fell into that memory. You were young and reckless and in love. So in love it honestly terrified you.

“Yuta, I know we’ve been… avoiding this conversation,” you told your boyfriend, wringing your hands nervously. “But I didn’t know you felt this way and I’m sorry.”

Yuta waited. He had just confessed his love to you. Neither you or him had vocalized your feelings yet. There was a silent fence between your hearts, because you were on opposite sides of the law. And Hel.

You found your courage, risking your heart, and began, “I’ve never felt like this before. When I go to bed at night, I think about whether you got enough to eat. When I wake up in the morning, I wonder if you had nightmares or good dreams.”

Yuta swallowed the lump in his throat. He could feel the emotion rushing up his chest and heating his cheeks.

“When you kiss me, I feel like I can do anything. When I think about the future, I picture marrying you on a beach somewhere. I imagine spending days in bed with you. I want to have beautiful, happy babies with you.”

Yuta smiled. No one had ever wanted that life with him and little did you know, it was his most precious dream. One he had long convinced himself was unattainable. Until he fell in love with you.

You continued, voice trembling, “I want to get through all the decades of our lives together. Hand in hand. I want to watch the world change with you. Or burn. Whatever the fuck it decides to do.”

Yuta snorted, fighting back a laugh. Yeah, he could picture sitting beside you, watching the world burn.

He would never let the fire touch you. He’d probably be the one to light the match.

You walked toward him, confident. The twinkle in his eyes drew you closer. “I wanna grow old with you and tell our grandchildren about how things were in our day,” you quipped, then your tone shifted. “I wanna die in your arms and be buried beside you. Because next to you is where I belong. In life and death and whatever comes next.”

Yuta closed the rest of the distance and swept you up in his arms, kissing you with abandon and tangling his fingers in your hair. “I love you,” he said over and over between kisses. “I love you.” He seared those three words into every inch of your skin that night.

You had never known such all-consuming love before. You kissed him like you’d never kissed anyone else.

It was that moment Yuta knew he had to give it up. He was ready to leave the life of a villain behind. He would give you everything.

If you were going to die today, then so was he.

Yuta would not watch the world burn alone.

Suki eyed the warehouse. Her father was perched low to the ground, moving her behind him, but Suki wanted to see. The building was miles outside the city limits, rundown and abandoned. There was a strange aura about it.

Someone had cast a field around the perimeter. Though Suki couldn’t fully wrap her head around it, she knew that had been affecting her bond with Yuma. It was why they had felt so far away no matter how much her father ran.

“Suki, stay here,” Yuta told his daughter sternly, sweat dampening his hair. He’d sprinted to the point of exhaustion. “If anyone comes near you, do whatever you need to survive. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Suki knew her secret was out then. She gave him a solemn nod. “Yes, Daddy.”

Without his daughter in his arms, Yuta was free to break the sound barrier at last. Her little body couldn’t sustain his true speed. And so, the Viper coiled and struck. He vanished inside the building in the time it took to blink, kicking up dirt in his wake.

But Suki had no intention of staying put. She would not ignore her brother’s frantic calls, telling her their mother was drifting further and further away, and headed right for him.

Yuma’s fingers touched your cheek and you woke yourself up again. It was getting harder to stay conscious no matter how much you tried.

“Daddy’s here,” Yuma whispered under his breath.

You heaved a sigh. The weight lifted from your chest. You could finally let yourself slip away. Yuma was safe. Knowing your son would be alright, you had done what you needed to do and you could finally succumb to the darkness dragging you into its warm embrace.

Shouts began to reverberate through the corridors. Bullets fired made Yuma jolt in place. Something was happening on the other side of the wall.

A shadow was picking men off, one by one, before some of them could even draw their weapons. There was a tiny flicker of movement followed by the spatter and spray of blood.

Men wailed in horror. Their comrades fell to the ground, limbs ripped clean off their bodies or gaping holes left in their chests like a fist had punched through with the force of a fucking machine.

A few screams were cut short, belonging to those who had their heads taken clean off their shoulders.

“Suki,” Yuma exclaimed at the sight of his sister rushing toward him. Tears poured down his cheeks in relief.

Suki hugged her brother, but he kept his arms around your head, as if letting go of you would cause the last of you to part from him.

Yuta could feel himself slipping into that darkness, like an old friend he had cut out of his life because they brought out the worst in him. He could see you in his mind, telling him to stop. This isn’t you, Yuta, you pleaded.

But this was him, wasn’t it? Bloodlust. It was as potent a venom as any. The Viper was exacting his revenge. He was killing in the most evil ways possible.

Without a word, Suki lifted her tiny hand. The pipes groaned and burst. Water began to rain down in every corner, flooding the warehouse. She kept her arm outstretched and the water didn’t dare touch you or her brother.

“Yuma,” was all she said.

He carefully drew away from you, laying your head gently on the ground, and stood, reaching out toward the water.

You heard the crack of lightning in your dreams and then an endless collision of screams. Electricity surged through the water, amplified and lethal. Anyone touched by Suki’s water was consumed in Yuma’s sparks. Death was instantaneous.

Yuta could hardly believe his eyes as he ran. The water was up to his calves now, but it didn’t touch him. It coursed around him like a river around a rock. The water cleansed the blood from the walls and the ground, and swept away the remains of what he had done.

And now, there was no one left to kill. Yuta felt a tear slip down his cheek.

His babies had saved him from himself.

When he sprinted into the last room, breaking the locked door off its hinges with the force of his speed, his daughter and son looked toward him innocently. Yuma was once again holding your head, while Suki had her hand over your heart. The waters receded until disappearing completely, obedient to their masters.

Yuta spoke to the twins in his mother tongue, words they would remember for as long as they lived. His children weren’t dragon slayers, after all. They were dragons, just like him.

He hurried over and gathered you in his arms, surveying your bloodied, swollen face. For a moment, Yuta wished he had powers of resurrection. So he could kill those men again and again. But then he remembered what you had told him and let it go. For now. “Hang on for me, baby,” he whispered for your ears alone, knowing you could hear him. Wherever you were.

Still crouched, Yuta instructed his children to clamber onto his back. They clung to his shoulders and arms, and Yuta walked away, carrying his family with him.

You held Yuta’s hand tightly as you walked down the path between trees. Your eyes were on your children, the two of them rushing a few feet ahead of you. Every now and then, they would turn back to smile at you and their father.

It had been three months since that day; three long, grueling months of recovery. This was the first time you could walk freely with your husband and kids without needing to sit and rest every few steps as your body healed.

Yuta found an empty bench and you got comfortable, watching your babies rush to the playground to join the other children. Yuta looked with caution briefly, doing a quick scan of all the nearby parents before taking his spot beside you.

You patted his thigh and teased, “Everyone pass the villain check?”

“Mm,” was all he said.

You chuckled and leaned into his side, Yuta’s arm around your shoulders.

The two of you watched Yuma and Suki on the playground. Naturally, Suki was surrounded by other kids, giggling and running about. To your delight, Yuma had made a friend recently. The two were off in the sandbox together building castles.

“A little birdie told me that word of our kids’ powers has spread through the underground,” Yuta said a moment later.

You arched a brow. “Oh?”

“No one will be breaking into our house ever again,” your husband murmured.

“That’s not why.”

Yuta’s brows stitched as he turned to you. “What do you mean?”

You kept your eyes on your babies, watching them play, and replied, “I got a call last week.”

“From?”

“The force,” you said calmly. “They said the entire Cyrus Gang was wiped out.”

Yuta was oddly quiet.

“A silent killer. Gone without a trace. There’s no hard evidence, of course, but every last member in the gang was killed execution style. Except the leader, who was dramatically beheaded.”

Yuta shrugged, but his jaw was clenched with anger. “Good riddance.”

You faced your husband and whispered, “I know it was you.”

Frankly, you were surprised he’d waited this long.

Yuta stared you down, his eyes filling with that familiar darkness, and snarled, “I sent a message.”

“I’m glad you did.”

He was a little stunned by that. It wasn’t like you to sanction his violence. Yuta had a feeling this would be the one instance such retribution would be allowed. “No one would have ever dared hurt you back then. They thought I went soft. They’ll never think that again.”

Warmth filled your chest. This had been a reckoning not only for Yuta and your twins, but for you as well. “If you come in the viper’s den, you’re gonna get bit,” you joked, but there was definitely an edge to your words devoid of humor.

Yuta rubbed your arm. “The viper, the mama bear,” he said with a chuckle, then looked to Yuma and Suki, his face and voice filling with pride. “Tsunami and Lightning.”

You leaned your head on his shoulder and closed your eyes contentedly.

Copyright 2020-2024 © yutaholic (formerly zenyukhei) All rights reserved do not copy or translate without my permission!

[liminalpebble]

Stray: Part 4

Masterlink

Stray: Part 4

After the poor human cried herself to sleep, she fidgeted restlessly as she napped. Somewhere in the fog of your stress dreams you heard the most beautiful voice; deep and silky and soothing. It said, “Oh darling, how dare he make you feel this way! You're so clever and unique and kind....and beautiful. Sweet mortal, I think you're the most beautiful creature I've ever met. Sweet dreams, little mortal. Just rest. We'll find a way.”

Loki was shocked when you said “thank you” as if you had heard him. He was certain his words only came out as a purr. Realizing this potential for communication, the great schemer of Asgard began to hatch plans as you rested; a plan to know you better and a plan to help you. But for now the little cat just grabbed the throw blanket (a difficult task when done with teeth rather than hands), dragging it up around you to keep you warm in the autumn chill. He summoned his magic with a green glow of his paw and rested it on your temple. Loki decided it was time for you to meet his true form; even if it would only be in dreams.

You had never had a lucid dream before, and the novelty of it stunned you. The storm clouds of your nightmares parted, giving way to a bright scene. An ornate bed cradled you in some kind of ancient palace. Everything felt so real; the sensation of your bare feet on the chilly marble floor, the warm sunshine and spring breeze fluttering in from the balcony doors, the shuffling of silk sheets as you rose to observe your surrounding. You walked gingerly towards the balcony and saw a lovely statuesque man with sleek black hair standing there, looking out over the landscape. His long green cloak billowed in the wind as he turned his broad shoulders to face you with a fond knowing smirk.

You had the vague sense that this man could be very dangerous if he wanted to be, and yet you didn't feel fear, especially when he smiled with a kindness that reached his large aquamarine eyes. Those preternatural eyes...they seemed so familiar but in your dreamy state of mind, you couldn't quiet place them.

“Hello, darling mortal,” he said in that alluring baritone.

“Your...your voice. I just heard it before. Didn't I?” you said, drowsily, not in full control of you mental capacities.

“Yes,” he said with an amused smile, and you could swear his paper-pale skin was blushing. This man who looked like a prince from a fantasy novel seemed nervous around you. You thought to yourself that that absolutely must be some dream logic at work.

You glanced around in disbelief, “I know this is a dream, but damn...my brain is really doing something strange here, conjuring you up, Prince Charming.” You reached up to touch his cheek as if not quite sure such a beautiful man could exist, even in a dream. Exploring, you stroked your fingers over the contours of his face, eyes wide with awe. He looked utterly shocked by your touch on his skin. Loki didn't expect that schoolboy giddiness to bubble up within him. You had stroked his fur so many times, but never his true face and the intimacy of it was overwhelming. He never wanted you to stop. He wanted that small hand warming his cold cheek forever.

You, however, saw the shock in his eyes and jumped back, putting your hands up in surrender. “Sorry! Sorry! That was rude. I didn't mean to scare you...” Then you huffed out a breath and put your hands on your hips, mumbling, “I'm going crazy. I'm apologizing to a gorgeous figment of my imagination.”

Loki smiled his most stunning broad smile and chuckled a deep velvety laugh of pure amusement. He stepped closer saying, “Oh you are even more delightful this way...but, pardon me, where are my manners? I am Loki, Prince of Asgard,” he said kissing your hand. Those exquisite eyes never lost contact with your own as if, of all the beauty in this room, you were the most fascinating thing.

“L...Loki...Loki as in, the Norse god of mischief...”

“Brother of Thor, son of Odin and Frigga. The very same, dear lady.”

“Wow...” you said in an awed whisper, “Look at you! You're...gorgeous. You're like a sculpture.”

He laughed at that. “Thank you, darling. You are so adorable when you're in a state of abject wonder. This is a new side of you and I quite like it,” he declared as he stroked his long cool fingers through your sleep tousled hair.

Just that small touch felt so pleasant that it nearly derailed your entire train of thought, and his. “Wait...wait...a new side? Do we know each other, uh...Your Highness. Is that what I should call you?”

“You, my dear, should just use my name. I love the sound of it from your lips. In a sense, we do know each other, but that will all become clear in time. Please, trust me.”

“The God of Lies is asking me to trust him?,” you said with a skeptical arch of your eyebrow.

He laughed. “I assure you, darling, the irony isn't lost on me.”

“This...this is too much...I feel so foggy. What is this? This is a dream, right? You're not real. Why does it feel so real? What...”

Hearing the mounting distress in your voice, he placed the pad of his finger lightly against your lips, and whispered, “Shhh, shhhh, Shhh, darling, all in good time. There's nothing to worry about. Come here.”

He gestured his lovely hand for you to come closer, close enough to hold. You hesitated. You'd never been a hugger, but perhaps the buffer of dreaming allowed you to feel comfortable with and hungry for touch..especially from him. He wrapped an arm around you and urged you to put your tired head on his shoulder as a deeper haze enveloped you. As he enchanted you into a deeper restful state you could smell his alluring scent of mint and pine, feel the swell of his breathing and the strength of his muscle supporting you, the rumble of his voice as he spoke. It all felt so real.

Loki loved the feeling of holding you up as you drifted. As your eyes closed you mumbled in your sleep, “You know, I named my cat after you.”

The god laughed a full breathy musical laugh and the memory of the sound lingered with you as you awoke on your own couch and stretched, rubbing your bleary eyes. Once reality settled back in, you noticed Loki (the feline) was watching you intently from the arm of the sofa. You stroked him softly saying, “Hey, lovie. I just had the strangest dream about your namesake. I think I feel a little better now. Let's fix us some dinner, huh? You hungry?”

“Meow.”

“I thought so,” you said scooping him into your arms as you went to the kitchen. “Chicken or fish today?”

Chicken “Mrowow.”

“Chicken it is, friend,” you said, then stopped in your tracks, wondering how you knew. Finally, you just shrugged your shoulders, assuming it was your imagination as you reached for the can opener.

----

A/N: Oh my gosh, everyone, thank you for all the love for this work. I'm trying to tag all of you who have asked and doing my best to thank you all individually for your engagement but as the numbers increase I'm losing track of that a bit...so anyway, I'll say it here. Thank you. I see it. I love you. It means the world to me. You're all so lovely.

@averagetmblrusser @primroseposts @fruityfuckerr @arunabrak @mischief2sarawr @ladyofthestayingpower @acidcasualties @unlucky-number-13 @goblingirlsarah @gigglingtiggerv2 @lokihiddleston @chokeanddagger @lokischambermaid @lokisgoodgirl @marcotheflychair @smolvenger @alexakeyloveloki @littlespaceyelf @little-wormwood @loopsisloops @joyful-enchantress @eleniblue @loz-3 @the-haven-of-fiction @sweetsigyn @muddyorbs @icytrickster17 @holdmytesseract @thenerdyoldersister @thedistractedagglomeration @sailorholly @coldnique @sarahscribbles @peaches1958 @infinitystoner @peachyjinx @mischiefmaker615 @jennyggggrrr @tripleyeeet @itsybitchylittlewitchy @mochie85 @huntress-artemiss @madi0987 @buttercupcookies-blog @annoyingsweetsstranger @primrosesposts

[zoropookie]

Scara and Y/N having the couples bracelet(Look it up if you don't know) and beeping it when they miss each other🤭

"I swear, I'm going through withdrawals." You complained, sitting back, toying with the bracelet on your hand impulsively.

"You don't even have to do too much, you can turn me on with just a touch," Hu Tao sang in response.

"Hilarious," You groaned, rubbing your temples in mild grief. The trinket on your hand became a source of comfort for you in the days that you were an even longer distance from your boyfriend.

Annual TwitchCon happened — and this time, you actually were a featured guest. Furina managed to nudge you a spot at the panel happening in a few hours, so you were sat here, in writing mental agony over not being able to see Kuni for the remainder of the time.

For now, you were in the meet and greet session, consistently taking photos and signing autographs of people you were surprised even look like fans. Pretty sure you saw someone who looked like Satoru Gojo at one point in line. Was it on brand to cosplay here, or...?

The convention was a kaleidoscope of blended colors and disco-ball like brightness. There was a mild hum of mild chatter filling the air within the line, and your table was adorned with merchandise that you were pretty excited about. It made you realize how little you decorate your things in your house.

Each fan that approached you brought a different kind of joy with them, sweaty and all, which brought you joy too. Often not doing too well in public scenarios, you and Hu Tao were handling it well without the (fatherly) arms of Thoma helping you two out.

"I mean, why didn't they want to go with us anyway?" You huffed, sitting back in your chair, accepting the small interval. "It would have helped having more than one person being beside my hip at any given moment."

"You're as dependent as they come," Hu Tao shook her head. "You'll be aight."

"And what if I'm not?" You turned your head to her. "Huh? What if I keel over and die today just because everyone decided to ditch us? Decided to stop at the gate of the lion enclosure just because they were too scared? Kuni isn't even here. He said he'd be here."

Your friend sighed, closing her eyes in mild annoyance. "Listen, dumbass. You can't depend on him for everything, I mean, you were the same person who was making snide comments on him a few months ago, even you knew. He's got a life now, just text him or something and leave it at that until we're done." She murmured.

You puffed your lip into a pout, eyes narrowing towards your bracelet again. He hasn't even made it known that he missed you at all today, and you were forced to believe he was busy because of it. "You're right, I guess."

"I always am, now start putting in the work putting in the hours. We got a quota to fill before lunch and I want that shoyu ramen they're selling up front." Hu Tao said, immediately being pleasant and nice to the fans approaching her.

You rolled your eyes, getting ready to shift your persona back into a more public one away from your sullen mood. The line stretched on forever, and each person you were met with carried uniqueness to them. From their stories or their special connections they felt with you despite the drama.

You adjusted your posture, and even though the lingering thoughts of Kuni plagued your head, you still signed every single item you were given on that table with a special message.

As you were about to sign the next autograph, you felt your bracelet vibrate, sending an initial shock to you before the jolt sent you in a more cheerful mood than expected. The moon on your bracelet showed a soft aura of blue around it, which gave you the signal that he missed you.

"Ah!" You yelled, startling the fan in front of you.

Hu Tao narrowed her eyes towards you without directly turning her head. You were toying with your bracelet, tapping on it very aggressively in response, sending multiple tremors to your boyfriend's end. "What are you doing?"

"Sending him vibrations."

Hu Tao slowly looked towards the confused fan in front of you, before giving her an apologetic look. "...Did he stick the bracelet up his ass, or what?"

[gravity-what]

More art to go with story blurbs I may or may not actually write.

This piece is definitely one of my biggest as far as number of characters is concerned but I am actually pretty happy with how it came out! Shout out to @grasshopperdoingdogpaddle for being very kind and finding screenshots of the temple dinning room for me to reference!

Anyway: blurb under the cut that explains context!

“Okay thats it! I am tired of pretending everything is fine and okay with all of this and if Dashi isn’t going to do anything then maybe Guan will!” Rai yelled across the dining table, his hands pressed against the table and his breaths coming hard in anger. “Chase is going to turn Heylin and become an evil dragon monster!”

An awkward silence fell over the table only broken by Dashi himself as he let out a cough that sounded suspiciously like it was supposed to hide a laugh. The silence stretched until Dashi finally seemed to get ahold of himself and spoke up.

“Sorry kid,” he said with an air of nonchalance, “guess I should have told you when we were chatting earlier: you are about thirty years late on that information.” he said slowly, indicating to Chase who was looking away and drinking tea to try to hide a physical wince. “already happened.”

There was another long pause as Guan rolled his eyes and the Dragons in training looked at their time traveling guests in various expressions of shock. They all seemed to recover at once and a collective “IT WHAT!?” Filled the room, including Omi who was looking at Chase with something like shocked sadness. ‘Poor kid’ Dashi thought, chuckling under his breath ‘spent the whole day with the guy and had no idea’.

“I don’t see what is so funny about this situation.” Guan cut in with a glare, making it obvious that Dashi wasn’t doing as good a job as he thought in hiding his laughter, “we are wasting time continuing to stay here, and the longer we wait-”

“What? What’s going to happen?” Dashi asked, reclining back against some air, “Come on buddy, we are in the future! We can get back to the past at any point we want. Hell, we could even go back to before we left! Although that, uh…might complicate things…”

“I hate to agree with Guan, Dashi, but I am with him on this one.” Chase cut in. “As good as it has been to see Omi once more and to be…somewhat myself again, we really should not put off taking care of Hannibal longer than necessary. I do not wish to think about what could be happening in our absence.”

“Hey, hey hey!” Dashi said, waving his hand again at his two companions, as temporary as they might be, “look at it this way, both of you! We are in the future and it’s looking pretty bright to me so obviously we did something right! Right?”

“I’m sorry,” the future Dragon of Fire cut in, “can we uh…go back to the whole ‘Chase is already an evil monster’ thing?” She said, indicating a little frantically to said ‘evil monster’, “because he doesn’t exactly look like it right now.”

Chase sighed and looked away again, though really he had been avoiding eye contact this whole time, “The monstrous half of me, or, I suppose more accurately, the Yin side of me, has been trapped in the yin-yang world thanks to Dashi’s little toy.”

“Hold up!” Dashi argued, sitting back up again, “They aren’t toys! They are powerful magical devices!”

“It was a yo-yo.” Chase deadpanned.

“A Yo-yo that opened a portal to another dimension that we managed to trick you into and back out of!” he added in a teasing voice. The exasperated look that Chase sent Dashi was mirrored by Guan.

“So…this is your Yang self?” Omi asked, sounding a little bit too enthusiastic about the realization.

“Ah-ah kid! I can see those wheels turning,” Dashi waved a finger at him, “and, let me tell you, this isn’t a very good solution to the overall problem you are trying to fix. No one can go around as only half themselves forever. It just doesn’t work like that.”

“Even if Chases other half is a mindless beast.” Guan added in, sounding bitter.

“I am working on that!” Chase insisted with a hiss, obviously only meant for Guan to hear even though the room and table were really too small for them to talk just between themselves. “Do you think I enjoy having no control over myself and my actions?!”

“You certainly seemed to be enjoying ravaging that village before we tricked you into that portal-“

“Guys, Guys! No fighting it front of the kids alright?” Dashi quickly cut in. He was pretty sure those kinds of gory details weren’t kid-appropriate, even if these kids were the future Xiaolin Dragons. “besides, we’re here to relax, recuperate, and come up with a plan right? No fighting allowed.”

Both Guan and Chase let out a groan and an eye roll but did get back to their meals once more as Dashi reclined back on his gust of air. It really was nice to have the gang back together, even if it was going to no-doubt be short lived.

[lavendertales]

Sweet lies: Chapter 2

pairing: Frankie Morales x f!reader

summary: when Frankie shows up unexpectedly at the reunion dinner, things get uncomfortable and awkward for everyone.

word count: 2.5k

SERIES WARNINGS: former friends who were in love with each other, angst, mutual pining, tension, eventual smut, jealousy, infidelity, wrong choices, kind of arranged marriage too I guess.

A/N: I NO LONGER USE A TAGLIST! If you want to be updated on my works, click “Get notifications” on this blog! Comments & reblogs are forever appreciated 💕

gif: @conveniently-available​ 

series masterlist | AO3

The coarse whisper of your name manages to awaken sentiments in you that you long thought of as dead and buried. You’re staring, too, but that you just cannot help.

It’s been an excruciatingly long and hard decade without that face. Time’s been kind to him, much to your dismay. Once a scrawny teenager, now he’s standing before you as a man: stubbled cheeks, moustache, eyes chocolatey and tired from time’s rough passage. He has the same kindness about him, the same warmth, and it only makes your heart ache more.

This would’ve been infinitely easier had he turned out into some kind of ogre.

But of course he hasn’t. Why would the universe make this any easy for you?

He’s just a person, you remind yourself with unsteady breaths. Just a person. An old acquaintance and nothing more. He means nothing more.

“What—what are you doing here?” he gets the courage to ask, visibly shaken by your presence. “How are you here?”

“Same way I left. Got on a plane. And I’m having dinner with the guys.”

You barely recognize your own voice as you flatly reply to him. It’s the voice of a woman who’s been disappointed and hurt far too many times, squashed of any hope.

Frankie hums, piecing everything together. He inches closer to you, and you pull away from him in an instant. Being too close means more heartache, and you refuse to put yourself through it again.

Be polite, nothing else. Keep him out.

“When did you come back?” he asks.

“A couple of weeks ago.”

“How long are you staying?”

“I’m back for good.”

He nods, hating how robotic and distant he sounds. Truth is, he is far too shocked to even smile at you or hug you or tell you how much he missed you. How much he’s thought of you over the years.

It hurts to even acknowledge that.

“What are you doing here?” you retort. “Santi said you were busy tonight.”

“Finished earlier, so I thought I’d join in.”

Heads turn back at the table, eyes widened in shock and panicked whispers exchanged.

“Uh oh,” Benny exclaims. “I thought you said he was busy.”

“He was,” Santiago admits, standing up swiftly and practically racing to you and Frankie. “Hey man, you made it!”

The look Frankie gives his best friend is hollow and accusatory, and Santiago knows why, but guilt isn’t on the list of things he’s worried about right now.

“I was… going to the restroom, excuse me,” you say, and make bigger steps to the ladies’ room.

Now alone, Frankie grabs Santiago’s arm as they approach the table. The grip is tight and firm, exuding nothing but sheer anger and betrayal.

“You knew she was back in town and you didn’t bother to tell me?!” Frankie groans.

“We wanted to tell you about it tonight, but when you said you were busy, we figured we didn’t have to yet,” Santiago says, breaking the touch.

“A warning would’ve been fucking nice.”

“Yeah, well, a call or text from you saying you were on your way would’ve been nice too.”

Frankie huffs, sitting down and rubbing his temples. The waiter returns, asking if he wants anything, and he immediately orders a glass of bourbon.

“We’re glad you could make it,” Mia says with a polite smile.

“I’m sure it won’t be that awkward,” Emily fortifies.

“Of course not, why would it be?”

“How about you sit way over there, buddy?” Will intervenes, gently guiding his friend to the end of the table, opposite of where your seat is. And just in time, too; you return from the bathroom, sneaking a single glance at Frankie, then avoiding him altogether.

You order another glass of wine, though that’s probably not the wisest decision given the effect wine has on you, particularly in the presence of someone you were once undeniably attracted to.

“How come you’re back in town?” Frankie asks, voice a little shallow and grave.

“I got a job here.”

“That sounds great.”

There is no follow up after that, and everyone at the table is feeling the tension running high. The only way to cope with it, since communication seems to come uneasy to both you and Frankie, is to drink. Everyone orders a second one, and soon a third one. By the fourth one, Benny takes it upon himself to lighten the mood, in spite of Will’s repeated insistence that he shouldn’t.

“What about my one year anniversary with Emily, huh?” he chuckles, cheeks flushed with the crimson burn of alcohol and love. “Who would’ve thought?”

“None of us did,” Santiago teases.

“Hey! I always wanted to settle down.”

“Benny, sweetheart, I love you, but even I know you were a huge ladies’ man before you met me.”

“It takes a special kind of woman to tame a lion.”

Will shakes his head, amused by his little brother’s antics.

“Oh, and Will and Mia got their half year anniversary coming up!” Benny continues. “Things are lookin’ bright for the Millers.”

Santiago exchanges a glare with Will, sensing where things are headed, and neither likes it.

“Alright, how about we talk about something more exciting?” Will suggests. “How about we hear more about our friend’s new job, huh?”

Will smiles at you, but Benny’s too tipsy to pick up on social cues in his pursuit to make the gang feel comfortable and happy.

“But we haven’t properly celebrated Frankie’s engagement,” he pouts.

The table goes silent as fearful glares are being exchanged. After a while, everyone’s gaze seems fixated solely on you, anticipating your reaction—except For Frankie. He keeps his head down, like a dog that’s been scolded for a mishap. You are fully aware of the fact that you are on a massive display, completely exposed, but you will not give into the moment and renounce your integrity.

Though it remains undeniable that on the inside, you are simply falling apart.

You expected this; you absolutely anticipated such a situation, even something more complicated. But no matter how much you would’ve prepared for any possible scenario, the reality still kicks you in the gut.

You stare blankly, only now gathering sufficient strength to search for Frankie’s face. When you find it, it’s riddled with guilt and sorrow, facts which you cannot fully comprehend. Why does he get to feel guilty? And for what?

“Oh,” you say at long last, your voice hollow. “You’re—engaged.”

You draw in a sharp breath that eventually gets stuck in your chest, and you make a mental note to yourself to sound pleasantly surprised instead of bitter and devastated.

“Yeah. Her name is Andrea. We’re getting married in June.”

You gulp, forcing a wide smile that’s meant to be polite and cordial at best. “Congratulations,” you whisper with the same happy mask on your face.

“Thank you.”

Frankie downs his drink and risks staring at you, but you’re back to ignoring him. He understands, of course; it would be foolish of him to pretend otherwise, no matter how much it would hurt to face the consequences of his actions.

He wishes he could tell you the truth, why he did what he did, but he knows you are far too stubborn and independent to believe him, especially after all that time. When he decided he was done, years ago, he closed every window and door there was to ensure his connection with you was truly severed. Too much time had passed without any form of contact, and it sent only one message: that Frankie did not care.

If only he would open his mouth now and confess that it was a lie, a ruse to help you and make you happy…

“I probably shouldn’t have dropped the news like that,” Benny whispers to Emily.

“You really shouldn’t have, you big blabber mouth.”

“As I recall, you don’t have a problem with my big mouth.”

Emily slaps him over the shoulder, audibly, and looks around the table. The tension is thick, palpable, and it makes everyone present disarmed in front of it.

“How did you two meet?”

All eyes are on you again, probably because nobody was expecting you, of all those present, to initiate a conversation about Frankie’s fiancé. But there you are, looking right at him, as friendly as you could possibly be. Even Frankie is taken aback, but he clears his throat and eventually speaks up.

“Uh, it was like... eight years ago. We met after one of Benny’s first matches, when we went out to eat. She worked there temporarily as a waitress to get through medical school. I asked for a bag of peanuts, she misunderstood, we had a laugh and became friends, and… here we are.”

Frankie realizes he’s oversharing and that you certainly didn’t want to know every little detail of his encounter with his now-fiancé, but it’s too late to stop it now.

“What about you, what are you doing back here?” he asks instead.

“I, uh—I got a job as an editor at a publication here in Boston.”

“That’s great. You always loved to write.”

Stunned, you look up at him, irritably fond of the fact that he remembers your favorite pastime. But you cannot go soft now, not when you have the man who stole your heart right there at the very table, stealing glances at you with big, soft puppy eyes. He needs to know, to understand, just how hurt you still are, how unyielding you are on the decision to remain simply cordial with him.

“Yes,” you reply cynically.

“Guys, I’m sorry I spoiled the news like that,” Benny says apologetically. “It wasn’t my news to begin with.”

“It’s okay, Ben” you smile.

“Yeah, she would’ve found out eventually.”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“Well, you’re pretty good at keeping people in the dark about your intentions. Maybe I would’ve found out when I saw you driving your kids to college.”

Will clears his throat, as if to put an end to the bickering that’s barely beginning to boil between you and Frankie. But the latter only feels worse looking at you, being in such close proximity to you after all that time. He’s perfectly aware that a mere apology won’t cut it, but he has to try now that you have re-entered their lives.

He has to, doesn’t he? Otherwise he would be exactly what you already think he is: a heartless, cruel man.

“I’m sorry,” he says with a lump in your throat, though enunciating your name in a sweet, careful manner. “If I knew you’d be here tonight,” he adds, side-eyeing the guys in an accusing way, “I wouldn’t have come.”

“Then what?” you demand.

The table goes mute once again, no one daring open their mouths now. The thing is, they all realize just how uncomfortable this situation is for both you and Frankie; they also know that this kind of confrontation is long overdue, except—well. Maybe now isn’t the most opportune moment.

But you feel anger boiling underneath your veins, spreading throughout your entire body like a poison that needs to be released immediately, or else you’d die with it in your system, damaged from inside out.

“You wouldn’t have come tonight if you’d known,” you resume. “Okay. What was your plan after you’d find out? Go on with your life as usual, avoid me like the plague?”

Frankie coos your name again, in an almost begging manner. “I would’ve found out that you’re back sooner or later, so—“

“So what? We’d just never speak to each other again? Like we’re just two random strangers?”

“No—“

You search in your purse for your wallet, taking out a few bills to cover your share of dinner. You take a deep breath in, trying your best to keep your composure and not lose all of your sense right then and there with everyone watching you.

“It was nice seeing you guys tonight,” you say with a forced smile. “I really did have a good time. Think I’ll call it a night.”

“Are you sure?” Mia asks you, genuinely concerned. “We were thinking of going to a bar or a club after.”

“I’m sure. If you want to go, please, do. Have fun.”

“I should go, too,” you hear Frankie say.

The two of you stand up at the same time, locking eyes. Your heart instantly goes in your throat, dreading the idea that you might have to actually confront him outside of the restaurant, one on one. You falter, desperately looking around for some sort of help that fails to come.

“How about I take you home?” Santiago proposes, standing up.

You exhale with immense relief. Gratitude for Santiago was never bigger or more welcome than it is right now.

“Thank you,” you say, and you take one last look at Frankie, noticing how wrecked he seems in that moment.

But you still don’t cave in. You can’t.

“Congratulations on your engagement again,” you tell him, flashing another smile.

It’s a hollow one, and Frankie sees right through it. It might’ve been a while since he’s last seen you, but he is very much still capable of deciphering your every little tell, anything that your body language cleverly conceals from the rest of the world except him.

He doesn’t reply. He remains locked in the same position, standing up, and watches you leave with Santiago. He sees his hand on your waist guiding you gently through the restaurant, and then walking right out. His mind spins with endless possibilities that just about tear him into pieces. He’s never felt so tiny, so cruel and horrible.

“I’m really sorry, man,” Benny mutters at him.

“It’s fine. She would’ve found out sooner or later. This way… the bandaid is ripped off. It hurt, and now—“

It still does. So much more than before.

“—it’s done,” he lies.

He vaguely hears Will’s voice in the background, asking him not to leave, but rather to join them at a bar or something, but he doesn’t fully comprehend or listen. He pays for his drink and rushes straight home. His freshly renovated apartment that’s supposed to be part of the new chapter in his life. His and Andrea’s life, together. But right now, in this frozen moment, it all feels like a lie. A big, fat joke he’s been telling himself to make himself sleep better at night.

He’s always known he hurt you and fucked up everything, yet tonight, seeing the look on your face, nearly falling apart with sadness and anger alike, he knows the damage is irreparable. He knows you’ll never forgive him for the way he hurt you.

He won’t forgive himself, either.

previous | next

[offbrandkyoya]

91 win or lose

previous | masterlist | next

Heizou takes Kazuha outside and he immediately pushes the man into the wall. Kazuha looks at him in shock with a red face. He can feel Heizous breath come onto his face.

Kazuha gulps once Heizou blows into his ear. “Are you ready?” Heizou asks with lust. Kazuha nods and wraps his arms around his neck. He closes his eyes, puckering his lips and he feels Heizous nose boop his own. Yet, nothing happened.

Kazuha opens one eye and Heizou just stares with a frown. “Heizou?” He pulls away leaving Kazuha is extreme confusion. “Heizou-“ “Is that all you see me, Kazuha?” He finally said. “What?” Heizou rubs his temples. “Never mind.”

Heizou begins to walk away but Kazuha grabs his hand. “Wait, Heizou! If it’s about what happened last time-“ “Of course it’s about what happened last time!” He shouts causing Kazuha to let go. “Kazuha, I’m in love with you and you take it for granted! If you can’t handle it then just say it!” Kazuha bites his lip. “I’ve told you, I just need time!” “But I can’t wait any longer! I don’t want to keep doing this Kazuha!”

Kazuha doesn’t respond which frustrates Heizou even more. “You never know what to say and I’ve had enough. Sometimes I wish we never met.” Kazuha gasps, “Heizou, I’m sorry…” “I’m tired of your sorry’s. Do you even love me?” “I-I do!” “Then say it! Say that you love me!”

Kazuha opens his mouth but nothing comes out. Heizou feels tears well up. “It’s so easy for me to say I love you but so hard for me to say I hate you.” He wipes his eyes quickly.

Kazuha grips onto his shirt. “Heizou, please, don’t leave me. I’m sorry, I really am but I’m not ready! You don’t understand, I can’t lose you. If you leave me, I don’t know what’d I do to myself…” Heizou feels tears form even more. “Kazuha-“ “Heizou, I can’t say it because if I do then…” Tears fall from Kazuha’s eyes. “…there’s a chance we won’t last.”

Heizou walks to him and cups his face. “Why do you say that?” Kazuha sniffles, “I’m scared. I don’t want you to…” He looks down. “Heizou, he was the one I loved and spent my whole life with and now he’s gone. I don’t know if I can handle the same pain again. I care for you so much and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

Heizou sighs, “Nothing will happen to me. I’m going to be okay. I’m okay right now.” Kazuha shakes his head, “T-There’s still a chance and-“ Heizou kisses him to stop the man from talking. He pulls away with a sad smile. “Kazuha, let’s end this.”

Kazuha’s eyes widen. “Weren’t you paying attention?” “I was.” Heizou nods. “But Kazuha, I think we should take some time apart. It’s clear that we aren’t ready.” Kazuhas eyes water and he covers his face, letting the tears flow while his body shakes. “I’m sorry.”

Heizou chuckles. “Stop saying sorry.” “I can’t!” Kazuha cries as he hiccups uncontrollably. Heizou flicks his forehead. “Kazuha, everything’s going to be okay. I can’t promise you I’ll be single forever but if we somehow don’t get together again, I want you to know that you were everything to me.” His words only made Kazuha cry even more.

He wanted to apologize but he knew Heizou would still continue to smile. Kazuha said not a word and Heizou stayed with him until he finished crying.

The men hear giggling and Heizou sees a little girl run inside the building. ‘How odd.’

“Albedooooooo!” Albedo hears his name from the stand then grins upon seeing who it is. “Klee!” The little girl runs even faster and jumps into his arms. “Albedo, I made it!” “You did!” He twirls her around and puts her back down. “Good to see you too, Klee.” Kaeya joins in and Klee gasps. “Kaeya!” She hides behind her brothers legs. “What’s he doing here..”

Albedo pats her head. “It’s okay, Klee. Kaeya and I made up.” “For real?!” He nods and Klee eyes him with uncertainty. Kaeya pouts with a hand on his chest. “I’m hurt, Klee! I love your brother so much! Honest!” Klee puffs her cheeks. “Hmmm okay but my eyes are on you!” She points directly at him and Albedo sighs, “Who taught you that?” “Mama!”

You notice Klee and immediately run to Albedo. “Oh my gosh is this Klee?!” The little girl blinks then grins with a nod. “I’m Klee! Albedos little sister!” She waves and you wave too. “You’re so cute!” “Thank you!” Scaramouche makes his way to you and stands behind you. You turn to him filled with excitement. “Scaramouche, it’s Klee!” “Why are you making her sound like a celebrity?”

You roll your eyes. “I always wanted a sibling. It feels so lonely sometimes.” Scaramouche looks up then at you. “I’m an only child I think.” “You think?” You raise a brow. He shrugs in response. “Who knows if my mom got knocked up again.” You pat his cheek. “Let’s not think about that then.” He nods and kisses you.

Klee screams and covers her eyes. “They just kissed!” Kaeya chuckles, “Yes that’s what couples do. You didn’t act like this when I kissed your brother.” “I guess that’s true…I’ve seen worse from you and Albedo.” The four of you look at each other then at Klee. “What’s that supposed to mean?” You ask. Klee giggles, covering her mouth. “If you know you know.” Scaramouche snickers then crosses his arms. “I like this kid.”

Albedo immediately turns red. “Let’s…stop talking now…” Klee laughs and runs around her brother’s legs cheering, “Albedo and Kaeya! Albedo and Kaeya!” You giggle, “It seems nice to have a sibling.” “It’s a nightmare.” Diluc has joined the conversation and he stands by Kaeya. “Diluc!” It’s diluc!” Klee chirps, running to him and hugs his legs.

Diluc smiles and picks her up. “You’ve gotten bigger.” She giggles even more. “Did you hear?” She loudly whispers to the redhead. “Kaeya and Albedo are together!” “I saw.” He mimics her tone. Kaeya rolls his eyes. “Yn, thank god you don’t have an annoying brother like him.” Kaeya points and Diluc scoffs, “You’re more annoying than me.”

You hum, “Still, having a sibling can be the greatest thing ever.” Scaramouche glances at you. “I love Albedo.” Klee says, hugging Dilucs neck. “You say that but cuddle with Diluc.” The blonde sighs. “Dilucs lonely!” Klee pouts and Diluc frowns.

Suddenly, the instructor calls everyone’s attention. She stands in the center where she can observe every single person in the room. “I’m sure you all waited long enough as you’re anticipating the winner of it all.” You instantly grip Scaramouche’s hand tightly.

“Thank you to everyone’s feedback and critiques to each artwork. It was helpful for me to nominate a winner. But first, let’s applaud to the constants who all shined bright today.” Everyone begins to clap and cheer after that. Kaeya kisses Albedos cheek while Scaramouche kisses yours. He whispers in your ear, “Winner or not, I’m proud of you.” You look right into his eyes and smile. “Thank you.”

The instructor pulls out an envelope from her pocket. “And now, to see who will win the grand prize.” Everyone in the room grows dead silent as she slowly takes out the card in the envelope. She stares at it longingly with her smile growing bigger. “Y/N L/N.” She says, looking straight at you with a motherly aura.

Your eyes widen and jaw drop. “I…I won?” Everyone stares at you until you suddenly jump up and down, screaming. “OH MY GOD I WON!!” Your reaction causes everyone to clap and congratulate you. Your friends huddle around you, even Heizou and Kazuha made it. “Congratulations Yn!” Albedo says and you hug him tight. “I’m so glad i got to do this with you!” He smiles and hugs back. “Me too.”

You let go and the twins tackle you in a hug. “OH MY GOD YN THIS IS AMAZING!” Lumine says and pulls you away. You notice both of them had tears falling down their faces. “Yn, I’m so happy for you!” Aether tells you and you hug him separately. “Thank you so much, Aether!” Each one congratulates you with Scaramouche being the last one.

“Yn,” He starts and you look at him, thinking he was going to hug you next. Well, he did, but he picks you up and twirls you around. You gasp in surprise as your hands are placed on his shoulders. “Scara!” He doesn’t put you down but kisses you. “I’m so happy.” He tells you, “I love you, Yn and you deserve this win. I hope to see you paint even more throughout our life together.” You felt the tears come and you laugh, kissing him again. “I love you too Scara! I promise I’ll paint for you forever and ever!”

He twirls you around again which makes you laugh even more. Scaramouche finally puts you down and hugs you once more. He kisses your neck before whispering, “I promise I’ll make you happy and give you a big family.” Your face turns bright red as he pulls away with a smirk. You stutter and squish your cheeks. “Y-You’re thinking about that already? But w-we’re not even engaged!” You mumble but Scaramouche shows you the ring you gifted him.

That only makes you heat up even more. “No way you guys are thinking about marriage!“ Childe points since he overheard your comment. “You’re getting married?!” The twins shout at the same time. “N-No!” You stutter still. Scaramouche says nothing but smile at everyone.

“Aether, why don’t we get married?” Xiao asks seriously, causing Aether to choke. “X-Xiao we just got together! That’s too fast!” “Really?” “Yes really!” You all continue to chat with the tension in the air vanishing and filling with relaxation. Your instructor walks to you all. “Yn,” She says, “Congratulations.” You grin and bow, “Thank you so much for choosing me!” She laughs quietly then shifts her gaze to Albedo. “You did great as well.” He nods, “Thank you very much.”

She goes back to looking at you. “You may proceed to make out with your boyfriend now.” You gasp dramatically, “I-ITS NOT LIKE THAT!” She laughs again but louder this time. “It’s all coming to an end so you may leave whenever you like. Please put away your artwork though as id like to see them one last time.” “Yes ma’am.” You and Albedo say and she walks off.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Scaramouche asks you and you look at Albedo for approval. He chuckles, “You can go, Yn. I still want to show Klee around.” You nod, “If you want Albedo, I can keep my painting up so she can see.” “It’s alright. You can put it away.” “Okay.” Albedo looks up at Kaeya. “Is it okay if we stay longer?” “Of course.” He wraps an arm around his waist. “Gay.” Klee and Diluc say together. “Shut up!” Kaeya kicks his brothers behind.

“If you’re leaving, Yn, then we should get going too.” Lumine states and looks at his brother. “Sure. Do you want to come over at my place, Xiao?” Xiao thinks for a moment. He quietly stares at Zhongli who is a bit shocked that he wants his okay.

Zhongli chuckles. “Xiao, you’re old enough to make your own decisions.” Xiao pouts a little. “I haven’t seen you in forever so I don’t know.” “Are you guys related?” Kazuha asks. “No. Zhongli was just nice enough to take me in when I was a kid because of my situation.” “Interesting.” Venti replies and him and Zhongli stare at each other.

“I’ll get going then.” You say before the two older men start fighting. “Me too.” The twins say. “Ah, Kazuha, Heizou, where were you guys? We were looking for you.” You ask. Heizou shrugs, “Fresh air. It’s stuffy in here.” You nod, “That’s true.” “You’re so naive.” Scaramouche says and you growl. “What the hell?!”

“Yn,” Thoma speaks up. You’ve never realized he’s been basically silent this whole time. “I have to go too. B-Because of work…” “Oh okay. Do you have enough for the train?” “Yes, I’ll be okay.” Diluc looks at the ground. “Bye Yn, Albedo. Congratulations on your win.” He fakes a small smile before rushing out the door. You frown but didn’t want to push him for answers.

“Let’s put away my painting.” You say and you and your boyfriend go to your area. The twins, along with Xiao, bid farewell and left. “I’ll leave too.” Kazuha yawns. “It’d be nice if someone walks me home though.” Heizou blushes then smiles. “Alright. Just one last thing for you.” Kazuha laughs. The boys leave too, feeling more comfortable than ever.

Klee takes a look at Dilucs sad face and frowns. “Diluc what’s wrong? Why’re you so sad?” “Because he lost his chance.” Kaeya speaks for him. Diluc furrows his brows. “What? Don’t look at me like that. You know I’m right.” Diluc puts Klee down so she goes to Childe for him to carry her. He does which flutters Zhonglis heart. “It’s too late, okay? There’s no saving what we had.” “Diluc, you can’t say that if you don’t try.” Kaeya places a hand on his shoulder.

Diluc huffs, “Not everyone has it good like you and Albedo.” “Yeah Kaeya.” Childe spat out and Kaeya pouts. “Kay…well…” He sighs, “Diluc, I love you, but you’re stupid like seriously.” “Wha-“ “I mean, you literally broke up with him because of paparazzi like…have you not watched ANY romance movies?”

Diluc rolls his eyes, “What does that have to do with anything?” “Everything! Diluc, my dearest brother,” Kaeya stands right in front of him, both hands on his shoulders. “You’re terrible.” Diluc furrows his brows. “If all you’re going to do is insult me then-“ “Yes actually! When you told me you broke up with Thoma, I thought you were insane, like, literally. Thoma is the nicest guy I have ever met, no offense babe, and you just let him go because you’re scared of what others will say?!”

Diluc shoves his hands away. “You don’t get it, Kaeya. I didn’t want Thoma to deal with the pressure. He deserves better than dating a celebrity…” Kaeya crosses his arms and opens his mouth to argue once more but Diluc continues to talk. “I didn’t want to keep hiding our relationship anymore. I didn’t want to keep sneaking him into the building or not give him any pda. I want to be able to say I love you in front of people.” He sighs, “I just…wanted us to be normal.”

Kaeya frowns, feeling a bit bad. Suddenly, Childe begins to speak, “No relationship is ‘normal’. Everyone is different. It’s clear thoma didn’t care about all that stuff because he loved you so much. I think what matters most is the bond you both have. Thomas really nice and kind. He’s always understanding and is a good friend.” He glances at Zhongli and catches him staring, which makes Zhongli look away immediately. Childe shakes it off and looks back at Diluc.

“Being in a relationship is hard, believe me, even though I’ve been single since forever but still! It’s hard. But if you’re just going to give up after some…fiasco…then you don’t deserve him.”

“I didn’t give up on him…” “Sounds like it.” Kaeya jumps in. “Diluc,” Childe eyes him, “You let him run off right now. You didn’t bother to talk to him and when you did, you guys just argued. You’re telling us that you didn’t give up on him when you let all of that happened? Will you be happy if he finds someone else? If he moves on? You fight for him. Who gives a shit about what others say! If you get fired then you get fired! You got the guy and that’s what you want! You can become a singer all over again in a later time. Don’t make the same mistake again.”

Hearing that, Diluc breathes in, “Okay. I’m going to win Thoma over.” “Okay buddy we didn’t mean that.” Kaeya says and Diluc frowns. “Then what the hell did you mean?!” “Uh, have a normal adult conversation duh!” “I really despise you.”

Klee, who was still in Childes arms, looks at the men in extreme confusion. “I feel like I shouldn’t have heard all that.” “You shouldn’t.” Albedo states and glared at Kaeya. “It’s a grown up conversation.” “So, I’m a grown up!” Klee cheers but Albedo shakes his head. “Come on, Klee. Let’s go see all the artworks before we go home.” “Yay!!” Childe puts Klee down and she rushes to her brother.

Diluc gulps and begins to head out, hopefully, Thoma didn’t leave yet.

- SO SORRY I HAVENT IPDATED IN A MONTH…

- pretty busy with clinicals and i had to work on this stupid video project 😓

- but we’re near the end…

🏷️ @sakiimeo @coquettemaiden @rmiyuki @kur44pika @theblueblub @jxxji0309 @dreamsofminnie @ohmyfinggod @redactedhimbo @kunisbeloved @akagism2 @sketcheeee @thefandomcrow @beriiov @thenightsflower @yukiipc @scaraapologist @scarletttcroww @samyayaya @crucnhice @monaypo1 @feiherp @myaaones @warcelia @hangecanweholdhands @yuminako @valiryyz @screechingxiaolover @tiddieshakeshownu @ilovechuuyaa @d4y-dr3am3r @dazaisfavgf @swivy123 @ganyusbrideee @sagegreenthinks @the-left-glove @wonderland-fan @kylexzz @kaoyamamegami @whycantscarabereal @rvoulte @eunchaeluvr @lxkeeeee @silvermah @baby-bread-in @yelleloww @magica-ren @itzblazekun @im-inlovewithy0u @featuredtofu @anastaxiah @ask-aph-tanzania @drmyday @what-just-happened-huh @xtobefreex @v4lerixxq @duckyyyx @hannoahs-third-eyelash @brain-r0tt @iota1111 @accio-fandom @kaitfae @tikitsune @salmonieea

[thelazybard]

Instead I Pour the Milk. (Alejandro Vargas x fem!reader) Chapter 13: The Calm.

read here on ao3

Previous chapter

tags: NSFW mentions, anxiety, defamation of character

That following morning, the neighborhood surrounding the coffee shop seemed to reflect the tranquility that emanated from your bedroom. The sun lounged behind thick clouds, and hardly any townspeople were out on the street. Even the local birds were silent this morning.

Alejandro woke up first. Despite being away from his alarm he found himself waking up at 6:03 after years of doing so for the military. He sat up slowly to not disturb you and wiped the drowsiness from his face. From his view out your window he could see dark storm clouds looming in the distance. That explained the calmness of the morning. Finally he turned to you.

You were still sound asleep, though verging on the edge of consciousness. Your hands were tucked under your head as you laid on your side, back facing him and shoulders rising up and down just barely with every shallow breath you took. There was a serene aura pouring from your sleeping body that Alejandro didn't want to be away from.

He could watch you forever. And as much as he wanted to, he knew you had a shop to run, and he had places to be as well.

After a while you let forth a contented sigh to let him know you were awake, and that's when he planted a kiss to your temple. "Good morning." He whispered, voice still gravelly from sleep.

"G'morning. What time is it?" You asked, moving your head so his next kiss could land on your cheek.

"A little after six." He answered.

You let forth a groggy sigh. "I have to open up shop soon."

"Can't you stay in bed a little while longer?" He pleaded in a low, raspy voice.

You rolled over to your back and opened your eyes to finally look at him. He was sitting up on his forearm, staring down at you with a tired smile. His hair was wild, and you couldn't help but grin at the contrast between now and how usually put together he is when he enters the shop. You were elated to finally be seeing this candid side of him. It seemed like you've waited your whole life to do so.

"For you? Yes." You answered, earning a kiss on the lips. He was so close, the heat from his body practically radiating off of him and onto you.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

"Like I could fly." You replied.

Alejandro studied the contours of your face absent-mindedly, though there was a whisper of anxiety to his tone of voice. "I take it you don't regret last night then."

"Never."

"Good, because there was something I wanted to talk to you about." He began.

"Oh?" You asked, hoping he was in search of seconds between your thighs.

He moved hair out of your face. "There's a military ball coming up soon, and I wanted to know if you would accompany me."

Oh. Well, that's nice too. You'd never been to a Military ball before. Your parents have, but they never said much about them to you so you didn't quite know what to expect. It sounded like a glorified prom for soldiers. Still, the thought of the Sergeant in a three-piece suit excited you.

You sat up slightly and rubbed your eye with the hand not supporting your weight. The sheet you laid under hadn't slid off of your chest just yet, but it was getting dangerously close to exposing your breasts, and Alejandro's gaze kept flickering from the hem of the sheet to your eyes.

"Of course I'll be your date. It sounds like fun." You said with a smile that broke upon yawning.

A moment passed so he could regain the fleeting courage he woke up with, and you would have taken it as a comfortable silence if he hadn't said what he did next.

"As my girlfriend."

Did you hear that right? Yes, you definitely did.

Your eyes practically shot out of your head as you turned to look at him. "Really?" You asked.

"I meant to ask you last night, before things got so... heated." Alejandro whispered, beginning to grow worried about your answer. You seemed shocked, and not in a good way. But maybe that was how he was choosing to perceive it. He wouldn't blame you. Alejandro was in the Mexican Special Forces, kept secrets from you, and couldn't promise you a life away from danger. While he knew you were strong and confident, you were also delicate in some ways. Like a porcelain doll that has stood the test of time but couldn't endure being bumped into.

You on the other hand knew this would come, you just didn't know when. Alejandro didn't strike you as the type of man to lead you on or not seek commitment. But compared to your other relationships, he was taking it very slow. He wanted to cherish every single moment, savor the quest that was courting you. Earn your affection. It seems like now he was finally ready for that next step.

Your heart fluttered in your chest, and a bright smile pulled at your lips. "Of course, Alejandro. You don't know how long I've waited for you to ask that."

With that confirmation of your feelings, Alejandro grabbed your face and peppered it with warm, loving kisses, prompting a giggle from you. He was overjoyed to say the least, his dream girl finally his. Nothing else mattered in this moment, nothing existed past the four walls of your bedroom. Just you and him, happy and warm and safe. What more could he ask for?

He stared at you thoughtfully for a few moments, then cupped your cheek, "You're so beautiful like this."

"Like what?"

He leaned down past your chin, planting a kiss on the pulse in your neck. "Sleepy."

Another kiss on the column of your throat. "Hair a mess."

A final one on your collarbone. "Naked."

You giggled as he kissed his way back up to your temple. "Want breakfast?" You asked.

"Only if I can help."

The two of you reluctantly rolled out of bed and Alejandro watched you as you slipped on your bathrobe.

"You think David is home?" He asked.

"Definitely not. He wouldn't wake up this early just to come home."

With a nod, Alejandro left his clothes on the bed and followed you out of the room in just his boxer briefs.

You turned on your portable radio that you kept on top the bread cabinet and grabbed the carton of eggs out the fridge. After pulling any stray locks of hair out of your face, you got to work pulling utensils and dishes out to use.

"How do you like your eggs?" You asked.

Alejandro leaned his hip on the counter and watched you carefully. "Doesn't matter to me. However you do yours." Thunder rumbling in the distance made him turn to look out your kitchen window. "We might get quite the storm today."

"I should bring the lavender box in." You glanced at him before doing a double take to admire how good he looked leaning candidly, with a strong, veiny arm holding his weight up on your counter.

"Like what you see?" He asked, and you realized you had been full on ogling.

You decided to own up to it, and smirked as you cracked an egg into a bowl. "I do."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I must say, my view is pretty good too, although I'd make just a few miniscule adjustments."

You cocked your head to the side. "Like what?"

He motioned to your robe, and you rolled your eyes. "The robe stays on, vaquero. Cooking naked is a major safety hazard."

"Maybe so. Bet you'd look amazing doing it, though."

"Yeah, yeah. Can you fetch me a whisk from the drawer you're leaning on?"

The two of you didn't waste any more time chatting after breakfast was on the table, scarfing the eggs and toast down quickly so the two of you could make it on time to your respected careers.

Alejandro kissed you goodbye and jumped in his truck to make it on base relatively on-time. "I'll come see you tonight," He promised as he went out the door. You waved at him through the window from where you stood behind the counter, and waited for his truck to get down the street to spin in a circle, your apron twirling awkwardly like a makeshift princess gown.

Life felt right. Life was right. You made the right choice settling down here, and your friends and lover made that ever so clear with each visit. Now you too were official. You couldn't wait to tell your friends.

The storm clouds Alejandro pointed out that morning loomed overhead throughout the day, threatening to pour at any moment. Some people visited the shop to take their siesta after lunch, ordering London fog teas and resting on one of the many couches in the lounge. Furniture had been often donated to the shop. Couches, coffee tables, all in good condition or purposefully restored before being given to you. It was a way for the community to give back to you for all you've done.

Around midday, David returned from Eva's, trudging into the café while holding something tight in his fist. You were happy to see him and eager to give the good news, but the look on his face made you frown.

"David, hey. What's the matter?" You asked.

He slid something to you across the counter. "Look at this shit."

You rotated the newspaper to face you and read from the article David's freshly manicured nail was pointing at.

New Café Owner and Her Quarrel with the Cartel, read the article.

Color from your face drained as you swallowed and kept reading. You knew word of your incident would get out, but not like this. This was negative publicity.

The article goes on to list many conspiracies as to why you were attacked that night, none of them being even close to the truth. One theory is that you were late with a payment, another is they're threatening you into becoming a business they can launder money through. Regardless of what people choose to believe from this anonymous writer, it was making your shop look bad. They even had the audacity to accuse David of being involved.

"Can you believe this shit? Why can't everyone just leave us alone?" David fumed.

"I don't know," You whispered, flipping the paper over and rubbing the tension out of your temples. "Where did you get this paper from?"

"The nail salon this morning. If people stop coming to the shop because of this we aren't going to afford being open. We'll have to find other jobs."

You nodded at his words. "This– this is libel, plain and simple."

"Who can we talk to? We're doing fine at the moment but we still can't afford an attorney."

"It's not like it will do us any good. The reporter is anonymous. If anything, we may get a financial settlement from the paper's editor for allowing libel to be published. But who knows how long it will take? Libel is published all the time, and we're just some shop owners. Besides, the damage has already been done."

"This is such bullshit." David growled.

"We'll talk more about it later. Maybe Alejandro knows someone that can help. Until then, we keep working like nothing's happening."

You didn't feel right telling your cousin about you and Alejandro anymore, so you decided to wait until he had the capacity to be happy about it.

For the remainder of the day you served people with the same pep as always, regardless of the pit in your stomach. But by this time in your life you were used to maintaining a façade for extended periods of time. That didn't mean that some indications of your anxiety didn't slip through the cracks. Alejandro picked it up immediately when he arrived at the shop that night.

"What happened here?" He asked, taking hold of your chin softly and running his thumb over your raw bottom lip. You hadn't even realized you were biting your lip until he pointed it out.

"I sometimes chew my lip when I'm... worried."

"Ay, mami no." He cooed, shaking his head. "Worried about what?"

"I'll show you."

~~~

Alejandro read over the paper a good few times before setting it down on your diningroom table and sighing.

Finally he faced you and caressed your cheek with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry this is happening."

You noticed how hopeless he sounded when he said it. "Is there nothing we can do?"

"The best thing we can do is nothing at all. If we get with the press to revoke the article it will only handle said article, but three new ones would easily sprout from that."

"So, what? If we try to get blatant lies removed it makes us look guilty?"

"I'm afraid so. People are going to talk, and speculate, and slander. But it's all like a fire. Don't feed it and soon it will die."

"And if it doesn't?"

He stared at you for a few moments, then a smirk curled along his lips. "Baby, I think you're underestimating just how much support you have in this city. The people think highly of you. Who do you think they'll trust? The kind, beautiful coffee shop owner who gives back to the community or some anonymous poster?"

Alejandro could visibly see the worry drain out of your face, and a sweet soft smile take its place.

"Oh Ale, you always know what to say." You cooed, moving to wrap your arms around his neck.

His hands found your hips as he beamed down at you. "Anything for my girl."

"Are you hungry? I can make you dinner."

"As long as you are dessert." He said as he kissed the shell of your ear.

"Gross." A detatched voice said.

The two of you snapped your heads to see David standing there with a juice box in one hand and Momo in the other.

"Uhh–" Alejandro started.

"Go away!" You shouted.

"Go away?! It's my house too! And you're literally in the kitchen! Stick to the bedroom or pay for my therapy sessions, assholes." David muttered as him and Guillermo made the journey to get more spray cheese and crackers. When he walked past the two of you again he turned to Alejandro. "You make it official yet?"

"Just this morning."

"That's a good boy."

Alejandro laughed and lightly shoved David playfully, and you couldn't help but smile and shake your head.

The rain finally fell as you and Alejandro whipped up a quick stir-fry dinner.

You looked out the window to see an inky dark sky and fat raindrops hitting the glass with loud pitter patters. "I'd hate for you to have to drive all the way home in the rain..." You began, blinking up at him sweetly.

Alejandro played along. "You're right. So dangerous, so scary."

"You're more than welcome to stay the night." You offered.

"Oh, why how generous of you." Alejandro said while bowing to you.

The two of you laughed, and after dinner you washed up and found yourselves tangled in each other's arms. The two of you were sound asleep before long, but you remember thinking about how everything was going to be okay so long as you had Alejandro by your side.

How badly you'd soon wish that were true.