#same bag same boots same watch lol

[maddygoesthemiles]

Hike #9

Devil’s Bridge, 3.9 mi, 528 ft. elevation gain

This was my last hike with Adventure Club! We had so much fun on this one. I’m going to miss these trips so much next year.

This spot is iconic for a good reason. We had to wait about 40 minutes at the bridge to get pictures, but it was worth it! I’m glad I have our group picture.

It’s also a great workout! Most of the elevation gain is at the end of the trail. It was so green and gorgeous, but very windy.

Throwback to the last time I did this trail in 2017! It was much less popular and I didn’t have to wait at the top at all.

[gothgoblinbabe]

Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You

(chapter 1/2)

(Logan Howlett x afab reader)

A/N: Yeah, the brain rot has reached a maximum and I've completely disregarded the consequences of a digital footprint! there's a couple descriptions of style of clothing/jewelry but you can imagine that as you please, also absolutely based off of "Babe Im Gonna Leave You" by Led Zeppelin bc idk somewhere in my delusions I think Logans a Zeppelin kinda guy and its what I've been listening to. For the sake of the plot, stick with me, you've got an imaginary ex bf and his random name I picked is gonna be Danny and he suuuucks real hard okay? okay and I need you to pretend dear lovely reader that you like led zeppelin if you don't 💔[holding your face ever so gently and smooching ur forehead] and I've seen only xmen origins, x-men, X2, and Deadpool x wolverine so pls pls forgive me if some stuff doesn't canonically fit. This is kind of cringe but I wrote too much of it to get rid of it just bare with me I beg of u and it was so long I had to split it into two parts

Summary: Meeting the infamous Wolverine got you roped into a liiiitle more than what you bargained for

Warnings: swearing, you have telekinesis and telepathy (cause that's cool, c'mon), mild angst, suggestive stuff kinda, mentions of cheating (Logan does not cheat on u I pinkie promise), Logan calls you kid but you're not actually a child lol, you're a good bit younger than him but also so is anyone else who isn't borderline immortal

Word Count: 4K

Pt 2!

[credit for text post dividers here and here]

There had been muttering here and there between the students at the academy that Wolverine was coming back after a few years on his own, confirmed when Marie recognized the motorcycle now parked in the driveway of the mansion.

"Logan!"

He was immediately wrapped into a hug by Marie at the door, dropping his bags to the floor.

"Hey, kid, miss me?"

"Maybe," she smiled sweetly, tucking the white strands of hair behind her ears.

"Long time no see, huh?" Ororo's voice interrupted from behind her, earning a hug from Logan.

"Any one else around?" he questioned, hoisting his bag up over his shoulder again.

"Scott and Jean are around here somewhere, Charles as well. Oh, and there's a couple new faces you haven't met," she responded, smiling at the way Marie's eyes lit up at the chance to mention what she had been meaning to tell Logan.

Marie gasped and said your name, grabbing Logan's arm in excitement, "you have got to meet her. She joined us a couple of months ago, I think you'll really like her. She's kind of been like...our you, when you've been gone."

He quirked an eyebrow at that, looking between the both of them for an explanation as to what that was supposed to mean.

"You'll see," Ororo chuckled lightly, "oh, you will see."

"She's here now, I think, you should go introduce yourself to her!"

Logan had swiftly caught onto Marie's adorable attempt to play cupid and gave her a nod, "maybe when I settle in, okay, kid?"

She nodded in agreement and both her and Ororo watched him walk off further down the corridor.

"How do you think it will go when they meet?" the later of the two asked earnestly once he was out of sight.

"Well," Marie paused for a moment, thinking, "they'll be inseparable or absolutely hate each other."

Ororo nodded in agreement almost immediately, holding in a small laugh.

Much later in the evening, Logan had been beckoned into the study along with Ororo, Marie, Bobby, you, Jean and Scott by Charles.

He had been the last to enter, eyes immediately settling on your unfamiliar frame stood next to Marie with your back against the wall. You had plenty of rings adorning your fingers and necklaces dangling in front of your chest in the same kind of fashion he'd seen in those magazines with the Harley biker girls. You looked a little like one of them too, in well fitting jeans adorned with a belt, a band shirt and some chunky boots, except you were very much real and not on glossy paper.

"Oh! Logan!" Marie exclaimed upon noticing his arrival, beckoning him over with her hand. That turned your attention to him and he felt like the wind may have been knocked out of him when your eyes met his. You were far prettier than any of the girls he'd seen in any magazine.

"This is her," Marie whispered to Logan when he approached and nudged his arm, referring to when she had told him about you earlier.

"This is Logan," Marie said to you, gesturing towards him and leaning a little closer to you to whisper something he wouldn't catch, "and he's single, by the way."

A grin was plastered on her face when she pulled away and you rolled your eyes, "Marie - "

"I know, I know, too soon, but I just thought that was very good information for you to know," she raised her hands and stepped away a little, still intent on watching how the two of you interact for the first time.

Logan extended a hand for you to shake and you did the same. Your hands were small in his and your skin soft to the touch. It was almost hard for him to drop your grip when he did, nervous that he'd hold it even a second too long.

Nervous. Women had rarely ever made him nervous in the hundred - something years he'd been alive, and yet he could feel his heart pounding in his ears when you ran your hands through your hair to push it out of your face.

"Nice to meet you," he finally spoke, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

This may have been a good opportunity to try out your powers a little, concentrate hard enough on the handsome stranger's face to know what exactly was playing out behind his staring gaze, but you resisted the urge to do what you considered a tad bit violating.

"Same here," you responded at last, averting your gaze for just a moment to avoid inadvertently doing exactly what you had just decided you wouldn't.

Marie and Ororo had studied the small interaction between the two of you - of course - waiting for something more to happen, only to be disappointed when the both of you nodded courtly and turned away from each other.

"Well, that's not good. He'd be on her like a dog already - " Ororo started under her breath.

"No, no, I just think..." Marie interrupted, narrowing her eyes between the two of you, "I think they just need to get to know each other."

"Honey..."

"I'm telling you, I just feel like they'd be good together, they just need a chance to get to know each other!"

"Do you really think she's ready to get with another guy?" Ororo nodded her head in your direction, lowering her voice, "after all that stuff Danny pulled?"

Marie grimaced at the mention of one of the professors names, shaking her head in mild disgust, "have you seen him lately? always coming up to her in the halls and stuff, it's sad - for him, I mean."

Before either of them could further debate the topic, Charles gained everyone's attention to discuss a series of tasks he'd assigned to you all. As he spoke, you only tuned in once you heard your name.

"You are the one I'd like to send out to complete that with Daniel."

"Could, uh, can I do it with someone else? or have him do it alone, or something?"

Logan caught the confused look Jean shot your way, tilting her head before she spoke, "You don't want to go with Danny? What happened, I thought the two of you -"

You cut her off with a sharp shake of your head, scowling, "uh-uh. Hell no. He...uh, I'll tell you about it later."

You had realized the sudden vulnerability you'd found yourself experiencing in a room full of eyes on you and cleared your throat, attempting to change the subject.

"I can hang back and keep an eye on the kids, I don't mind."

"They do love you," Ororo chimed in, "and we need someone to stay back to watch them anyway."

"They only like her so much because she allows them to break the rules," Scott remarked, earning a nudge in the arm from Jean.

You sighed, rolling your eyes, "Scott, the thing with the kids in your room was one time and it was an accident - "

"Was it? Because one of them wrote 'asshole' on my bathroom mirror with sharpie."

"They're kids, they do that kind of stuff!"

"was that really one of the kids?"

You tucked your lower lip under your teeth in an attempt to smother a laugh. Logan almost immediately did the same when you darted your eyes around the room in a guilty attempt to avoid eye contact.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me - " Scott started but Charles interrupted, holding up a hand.

"Alright, the both of you - enough. You," he continued, gesturing towards you, "may stay back with the children. Please do not allow them into anyone's personal quarters and I would advise you to hide the permanent markers for the time being, away from the children and perhaps yourself."

You nodded and hung your head low to hide the reappearing smile across your face. Logan stared inadvertently from then on, watching you twist your rings around your fingers and focusing on you intently when you spoke every now and then. When you were all dismissed by Charles and filed out of the room, you and Marie walked ahead of most of the group, almost out of ear shot.

Logan heard Jean's hushed voice behind him as she leaned into Scott, "so...what do you think happened? With Danny?"

"Who the hell is this Danny guy?" he finally asked, turning over his shoulder to interrogate the two of them.

"Well," Jean whispered your name, looking ahead to be sure you hadn't caught their conversation, "it's her boyfriend. Or was, I guess. They had a thing for awhile but they stopped hanging around each other all the sudden and she can't even stand to hear his name - she hasn't told me what it's about yet."

Logan simply hummed in acknowledgment, turning back ahead and finding his gaze caught on the sway of your hips as you walked.

"Oh no," he heard Ororo huff beside him, almost immediately following her gaze to see a guy he didn't recognize slip behind you and put an arm around your waist. Too far out of ear shot to hear the context, he watched you squirm out of the young mans grip and shake your head as you kept walking.

"Is it bad I want to get closer to hear what they're saying?" Ororo muttered, looking to the other three in her proximity.

"It's not our business," Jean reminded her.

"So, that's him?" Logan asked, gesturing to the guy still on your heels like a puppy.

"uh - huh," Ororo answered, frowning as she watched Danny make another pathetic attempt to put his arm around you.

When the two of you stopped at the far end of the hall and you told Marie it was okay to leave you, Logan, Ororo, Scott and Jean all turned the corner to the closest hallway.

"Oh, I know It's bad but I have got to know what lame excuse he's got this time," Ororo shook her head, stopping just around the corner to eavesdrop.

"Ororo - " Jean sighed, placing a gentle hand on her friend's arm, "come on."

"They're in the hallway! it's not like I'm standing outside a door," she reasoned, hushing them after so that the only voices hard were yours and Danny's.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm sorry - "

"Danny, many times do I have to tell you I don't care? Why won't you just leave me be?"

You sounded exasperated, your voice slightly muffled when you rubbed your face with your hands.

"What do you think he did?" Scott chimed in in a hushed town, now fully invested in the dialogue.

Logan was still stood there, though he wasn't too sure why. He could have and should have kept walking - let the three of them do their weird detective work - but instead found himself leaned against the wall with the rest of them.

"I love you, you know that, sweetheart, I - "

"ugh, don't call me that. You gross me the hell out, you know that?"

Both Jean and Ororo made almost the same shocked expression.

"oh, it has to be bad," Jean hissed, frowning at the venom in your tone.

"Tell me you're not still in love with me, you know you can't, we - " Danny's voice began again and yours cut him short with a sense of finality in your tone.

"Danny. I stopped being in love with you the day I walked in on you fucking another other girl."

Jean's hands flew to her mouth to muffle a shocked gasp. Scott stood with his arms crossed, his face in a grimace.

"ooh, that is bad," Ororo whispered just as a door slammed.

Logan furrowed his eyebrows, following everyone else as they continued their path down the hall again. This Danny kid had to be a real idiot.

⠈⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄ * ⠈⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄

Weeks had passed and you shared small talk with Logan every now and then, sometimes making snarky comments here and there - though more often than not together and at Scott's expense. Funnily enough, the ability to piss Scott off so much made Logan like you even more. Maybe Marie was right, you kind of are like him.

You walked alongside him down the corridor one afternoon, intending to fulfill Ororo's request for the both of you to check in on some of the newer students.

"So, do you always do your hair like that?" you raised your eyebrows up at him, eyeing the peaks in his hair.

"Yeah. What, you don't like it?" He grinned, expecting you to make some smart remark about it.

"No, not that," you giggled, "it's like lil' cat ears, it's cute."

He looked down at you quizzically, stopping in his tracks.

"cat ears?"

"mm-hm. You're like a big kitty."

You bit down another giggle, reaching up boldly to touch his hair.

He gently swatted your hand away, still with a small grin on his face.

"Don't call me that."

"Big kitty?"

"Yes."

"Okay, kitty meow - meow."

He narrowed his eyes as you turned to continue walking in an attempt to hide the huge smile plastered on your cheeks that threatened to transform into a rather loud laugh.

"Uh-huh, whatever. You better not let anyone else hear you call me that," he huffed as he caught up to you rather easily.

As you were about to make another retort, your smile dropped at the sight of a familiar and unfriendly face that had come from around a corner.

"Christ," you squeezed your eyes shut in frustration, rubbing your forehead at the sight of your ex-boyfriend.

"Hey," Logan leaned down a little, nudging you gently, "I'm here, you're good. You're fine, don't worry about him. It's just us, alright? Walk past him like you don't even see him."

Though he'd be embarrassed to admit and absolutely deny it if anyone asked, he'd unfortunately (for himself) harbored a crush on you that only took a couple weeks to develop. He hadn't even really gotten the chance to know you yet, though that was precisely why he was glad about moments like these. He wanted to, even if he felt like a school kid with a playground crush.

You had simply nodded at his words, allowing him to place a gentle hand on your upper back to guide you down the hall with him. Even through the layer of a jacket and t-shirt, you could feel the warmth of his hand on you.

Logan remembered that moment in the hall on the first day you'd met, but never pestered you for details about what the hell went on before he got back. He figured when and if you wanted to tell him, that was up to you.

Keeping your eyes straight ahead, it took what felt like years to pass your ex-boyfriend. When you finally did, you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding, until his voice stopped you in your tracks.

"That's my shirt."

You whipped your head around, feeling Logan slip his arm a little further around you as a protective reflex.

"What?" you furrowed your eyebrows, looking down at your attire. The shirt, a tad oversized and well worn, was so familiar that you had completely forgotten it once did belong to him.

"I want it back," he spoke again, crossing his arms.

"Do you really want it back?"

You were beyond fed up with his pestering at this point, already having decided what may make the message clear.

"Yes."

"Okay. Fine."

You pulled away from Logan and slipped off your jacket, turning around to hand it to him. He gave you a confused look, hesitantly taking it out of your hands. In a matter of seconds, you turned back around and tugged the t-shirt up and over your head, tossing it directly at Danny's chest. You turned back and took your jacket from Logan's hands, zipping it far enough to cover your bra. In the few seconds you had stood facing him, he had done his best to keep his eyes away from your body and failed miserably, looking up after to see the asshole a few feet away already glaring at him.

"What, you're just gonna walk around like that? And what are you doing hanging out with him anyway, don't you know he - "

You groaned at the sound of Danny's voice again, gently tugging Logan by the hand in the opposite direction as you began to walk away, "yap, yap, yap - just shut the fuck up."

Logan couldn't help the smirk plastered across his face as you continued to walk, finally turning a corner. Before you could apologize to him for having to awkwardly stand witness to that, Scott's voice echoed from the stairway above you.

"Hey, Charles is looking for you two. He says he has something he needs you to take care of, he didn't say what."

"Thanks for the specifics, Scott," you replied sarcastically, "but we're supposed to check on - "

"I know," he interrupted, "I got Marie and Bobby to cover you. You're welcome, by the way."

You rolled your eyes and looked back to Logan, dreading what exactly it was Charles wanted from you.

That landed you where you were the next morning, heaving your bags into the back of Logan's truck.

"If we have to take the truck like two states over, can I at least drive?"

The plane being needed for another assignment that Jean, Scott and Ororo were assigned left the two of you with Logan's truck. You'd been asked to retrieve a rare mechanical piece needed for the construction of some new device; you'd only been half-listening when Charles started to explain the details, lost in thought after he'd mentioned it would require the two of you to sleep out overnight.

Man, that had made your chest feel tight. It had been almost physically painful trying to swallow down every tell that you really liked him for the past few weeks and now you had no choice than to be each others only company for nearly 2 days.

"Yeah, in your dreams, kid," Logan scoffed playfully and brought you back to reality, dangling the keys in his hand.

You narrowed your eyes at the keyring he began to spin around his finger. In a split second, the jangle of the metal could be heard as you snatched them from his hand with only a focused thought.

You caught them in your raised palm and tilted your head, a terribly smug smile across your cheeks.

"Looks like my dreams came true, huh?" you teased, walking past a still mildly distraught Logan to get into the drivers side.

"If you dent it, I'll kill ya," he warned as he finally slid into the passenger seat, watching your every move as you started the engine and carefully reversed out of the garage.

"Uh-huh, sure," you retorted sarcastically, "I'm terrified of the kitty claws."

"What did I say about calling me that?"

"Calling you what?" you feigned ignorance, fumbling with the knob on the stereo to change the station as your eyes stayed glued to the road.

"And don't mess with everything, kid, you'll end up breaking something. She's on old girl, you gotta - "

"Dude," you interrupted, simultaneously cranking down your window and fishing a pair of sunglasses out of his center console, "I know how to drive, chill out."

"Dude," he mocked, "this truck is probably almost as old as you, you gotta be careful."

You rolled your eyes under the shades of the worn aviators you had slipped onto your nose, simply nodding and continuing to flip through stations.

"Pick one and stick with it, will you?"

"Ooh, is someone mad I got the keys?"

Before he could say something in response, you gasped at sound of the song playing on the station you had just switched to, twisting the knob almost as far as it could go.

Logan recognized the familiar thump of "babe I'm gonna leave you" by Led Zeppelin, furrowing his eyebrows when you began to nod your head and sing along.

"You like Led Zeppelin?" he nearly had to shout over the music, leaning in to you a little further.

"Yeah," you responded, reaching over to turn the music down just enough for you to hear each other and glancing at him momentarily, "How come you're looking at me like that?"

He unfurrowed his eyebrows and shrugged, keeping his gaze on the road ahead as he spoke, " just never pegged you for a Zeppelin kind of girl, I guess."

"No? What's that supposed to mean?"

You were smiling again and it was excruciatingly difficult for him not to stare when you looked so good in the spot he usually sat with his old sunglasses on.

"Didn't think you had good taste in music."

That made you giggle and you shook your head, turning the stereo back up to a booming volume.

He watched you tap your fingers on the steering wheel to the drums as you continued to drive, occasionally moving to push your windswept hair out of your face. The morning sun shining through your open window highlighted your features perfectly and Logan sighed without a thought, unheard over the music. Jesus, he had it bad.

You could feel his stare in your peripheral vision every time he looked to you and it felt far warmer than the sun beating down on you from the opposite direction. You truly rarely ever used your developing skill of telepathy, feeling it was only justified when absolutely necessary to obtain information, but his burning gaze nearly had you veering off the road at times and his prior answer to the question of why he was looking at you that way wasn't too convincing.

With a deep breath, already wondering if it was a mistake, you kept your eyes focused to the road but gradually concentrated on the man beside you. Sometimes people's thoughts would appear as inner dialogue, other times as imagined scenarios, daydreams or visuals. You were confused, then, when you only saw an image of yourself as you were now. If you concentrated too hard, your own thoughts would transfer to Logan's mind and it would be humiliatingly obvious that you had been poking around in his consciousness and so you tried to clear your mind and try again, assuming your own mind was too preoccupied with yourself to concentrate properly.

Still, you could only see the image of yourself driving from the perspective of the passengers seat, one hand on the wheel and the other in your hair as you propped your elbow on the door. This time, though, you could hear the accompanying echo of Logan's voice over the hum of the music you had tuned out.

Is her hair always like that? I like it that way. Pretty.

You swallowed hard, fidgeting with the hair that was between your fingers. It's a compliment - innocent enough, and undeniably kind of sweet. You felt guilty then for probing his thoughts and nearly shook yourself out of it, only to realize the image in Logan's mind was no longer of just your profile. He was thinking about your legs, thighs squished against the seat of the truck.

Fuck

You nearly choked on your own saliva, clearing your throat at the echo of his voice again and immediately withdrawing yourself from his mind.

"You okay?" Logan spoke aloud, putting a gentle hand on your upper arm.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," you lied, trying with every fiber of your being to just keep all focus on the road. You knew you shouldn't have done that. It was just a thought, though, nothing said aloud to change anything between the two of you, and so you pretended the best you could that you hadn't heard or seen a thing.

About eight hours, a handful of dad rock albums and a stop to switch seats later, you finally pulled into the parking lot of the nearest motel you had found didn't have a highlighted "no vacancy" sign.

"If there's fucking bed bugs in here, I will never let you hear the end of it," you warned from the passenger seat.

"I think you'd talk my ear off till the day I die anyway," he scoffed, shifting the truck into park and pulling the keys from the ignition.

"You won't die for another hundred-something years."

"Exactly my point, honey."

You rolled your eyes and slipped out of the truck as he did, pretending the nickname hadn't made your face burn. You both grabbed your belongings and once inside you looked around the small lobby as Logan checked you in, impressed with how surprisingly clean the place seemed to be.

"Hey, is that okay?"

Logan's voice took your attention from the painting on the wall you'd been inspecting and you raised your eyebrows.

"Huh?

"Uh, there's a room left but it's only got one bed."

Your face dropped and you looked between him and the poor kid behind the counter who already looked nervous as all hell.

"You're kidding."

"We can keep driving, but we've already been on the road all day and I don't think there's another place around here for a good few miles."

He was much more calm than you expected him to be and you exhaled, thinking of the literal pain in the ass caused by sitting in the car for so many hours.

"Ugh, fine."

A/N: I had to split this in two because it was so long but If anyone likes this at all I will post da other part cause I like spewing my brain rot on the internet <3

[angelwings-crossbowstrings]

Blood Ties Chapter 27

Series Masterlist

Warnings: Poorly written smut; lots and lots of pregnancy stuff (kinda gross toward the last)

A/N: We are now exiting my area of expertise with pregnancy. Google will be my friend. If I made mistakes, please just pretend I didn’t. lol

gif by @daryl-dixon-daydreams

Opening your eyes, you had to immediately squint against the morning sun. It couldn’t be later than eight o’clock, give or take a few minutes. You were still in the same room Hershel had put you in two days ago, only allowed up to walk around, use the bathroom, and join for meals if you would like. Hershel had said you could still do light chores with no bending or reaching above your head, but Daryl had forbidden it without even saying a word. So, you mostly rested and focused on taking in enough water. Carl or Beth would bring each person’s bag so you could go through and inventory the contents, ensuring all the supplies were making it from each escape and taking note of any new supplies added. 

Stretching your legs, you winced at the ache in your pelvis. “Christ, Thumps. Why do you have to sit right on my bladder first thing in the morning?”

“S’prolly like a pillow.” 

You already wore a smirk when your head rolled toward the door, finding Daryl in the chair working on his crossbow. Did it really take that much upkeep? Or was he just that meticulous? Cradling your belly, you eased onto your side to face him, propping yourself on your elbow with your cheek on your palm. 

“Most women would find it creepy to wake up with a man watching them while tinkering with a weapon.” 

His hands kept moving but he looked up with a smirk of his own, a dark brow arched. “But not you?”

You shook your head against your hand, smiling gently. “Not me.” He laughed with a breath through his nose and refocused on what he was doing. You had to push yourself up on your arm and shimmy around a bit to get into an actual seated position. Your belly was warm and heavy against your upper thighs, a hand or foot pressing out next to your navel. You poked it and chuckled when it disappeared and popped right back out. “Good morning, baby.” 

In your peripheral, you could see Daryl had stilled, felt his eyes on you. He was watching the interaction in silence, as he usually did. Just as you watched his interactions without a word. You started to invite him over, but the baby shifted, the weight on your full bladder doubling and the discomfort growing tenfold. 

“Okay, time to pee. Like—yesterday.”

Your partner was already getting to his feet and standing next to the bed before you even maneuvered your way to the edge of the mattress. Daryl leaned forward for you to grab his biceps while his hands found purchase beneath your arms and pulled you the remainder of the way with what appeared to be little to no effort. Using the hold he still had on you, he lifted you straight up and let you find your footing. Your protruding stomach was pressed against him, immediately squashing any hope you had of stealing a kiss.

You looked up at him with a silly pout that instantly disappeared in the face of the tiny one-sided lift of his lips. He’d smiled at you before; hell, he’d even laughed at and with you. But this? This was the most peaceful, truest smile you had ever seen him wear. 

And then it was gone, replaced with a scowl that was half hearted at best. “What’s with the face?” 

“Nothing.” You brushed your fingers over his left temple at the same time that you felt his hands on either side of your belly. “As sweet as this moment is and as much as I love you, if we don’t get me somewhere to empty my bladder within the next two point three seconds—well, remember when I vomited on your boots?” 

“Gross.” Daryl’s lip curled. He knew where you were taking that implication and urged you toward the door with a hand on the small of your back. “Just walk. Or—waddle.” When you snapped your head around to gape at him, he was utterly stoic.

“I swear I’m gonna strap a watermelon to your stomach and we’ll see how sexy you can strut.”

The archer snorted, following you out the door.

You were impressed that you could still move as fast as you were, dodging and ducking, with Carol’s hand tight in one of yours. Your bag was on your shoulder, bouncing against your back, and your other hand braced the swell of your belly. The other woman was watchful, taking out anything that she knew you couldn’t get around. Daryl was at your heels, stabbing walkers that stumbled out from the sides.

“Get ‘er outta here, Carol!” He roared from behind you, sounding further away than you were entirely comfortable with, but he always said run, don’t look back. You had promised to listen to him. It’s how you kept the peace when you were just as stubborn as him. Each of you gave a little.

“I’m trying!” Carol hissed out through gritted teeth, letting go of your hand to push back a walker while she stabbed another. Your knife sheath was unsecured, the weapon easily accessible, but you had promised to only use it when absolutely necessary. The walker that Carol had shoved turned in a stagger that led it straight toward you. In your book, that qualified as necessary. You took it down with ease, unable to admit how good it felt to protect yourself because another took its place. And another. And another. “Go! Get to the truck!” 

You had the keys. Daryl always made sure you carried them now. You were perfectly capable of hot-wiring a vehicle but he didn’t want you wasting time. The two of you never discussed what would happen if he made it to the truck and you never did. He would never entertain the thought. Not for a moment. 

You gave Carol a look, one that said you knew you had to listen to her, to Daryl but that it was definitely not what you wanted to do. And then you ran, stabbing if needed, dodging when you could. There were so fucking many. You could hear the yells of the others making their way to the van, sending up a silent prayer that they all made it. Your lungs were on fire by the time you saw the truck. It should have been a straight shot but someone—who had yet to come clean because you were all running for your lives—had left the gate open and allowed the dead to fill the driveway.

You caught yourself against the cold metal passenger door, fumbling for the handle before jerking it open. You had lifted one foot into the cab when the door was forced inward, slamming it against the side of your head. With a shout, you pushed back, scrambling to get inside the truck while your ears rang and your vision blurred. How many head injuries were you going to rack up within a year? Hands were grabbing at you, pulling at your bag, your clothes, your hair. Finally, you were on the seat, holding the door tight while two arms and several hands kept you from closing it.

“Fuck!”

Their snarls and moans were so loud that you couldn’t hear anything beyond them and the steady knell in your ears. Hands hit the driver’s side window. More walkers. Daryl wasn’t there. Carol wasn’t there. You’d never be able to get across the seat to start the truck before at least one was in the cab with you, maybe more. 

But goddamnit, you had to try.  

It was the only option left. You had to save Thumper and that meant saving yourself. It was what Daryl made you promise.

Holding the door with one hand, you leaned and fumbled with the key against the ignition. “Come on!” After a few more tries, a few more agonizing seconds, the key slid home. “Yes!” You let the bag slide from your shoulder and to the floorboard. Turning yourself to put your feet against the door while still holding the handle was some seriously uncomfortable gymnastics shit but you didn’t hold the position long. Pushing against the door with your feet, you both propelled yourself toward the steering wheel and knocked back the walkers that had been blocking you. 

The seat was left between where it needed to be for you or Daryl to be able to drive. You could fix it later but you could fit well enough to get the fuck out of there. Turning the key, the engine barely started before you were throwing the shifter into drive. There were thumps that indicated a few had climbed into the bed but you could deal with that later. 

Mowing down walker after walker, you nearly sobbed when you saw the taillights of the van. The others had made it. Had everyone made it? Maybe Daryl and Carol were with them. It took only a few moments to get far enough away to stop. You pulled off the road, just behind the van, your passenger door hanging open. The truck rocked, reminding you that there were still the walkers in the bed, but as people filed out of the van, there was no Carol. No Daryl. 

And your world came to a screeching halt. “No.” You whispered against the hand you pressed to your mouth. Your other hand gripped the fabric of your coat over your stomach. Rick would never let the walkers get into the truck so you placed your head against the steering wheel and let the tears fall. How would you do this without Daryl? How could you live without him? The man you loved was gone and you knew in your heart of hearts that you needed to go back, face the herd, find him—along with Carol—and put them down. You wouldn’t leave them to walk. You couldn’t. You needed closure. A grave to visit if possible.

When the driver’s side door opened, you sobbed even harder, knowing Rick could never know how to comfort you. Your arms wrapped around your belly, your apologies to little Thumper for never being able to meet their father were choked down by each jerk of your shoulders, each wet breath. Distantly, inwardly, you hoped for a boy that you knew you would name DJ. You hoped he would be the spitting image of Daryl. 

“Christ, ya drive like a maniac. Ya hurt? Baby okay?”

You straightened so quickly that your belly bumped the steering wheel and you felt a twinge of pain in your back. Daryl—a little worse for wear—was standing at the door, staring at you like nothing had happened.

“Dar—how—” You sobbed.

“Jumped in the back ‘fore ya could peel outta there. Carol too.” He tilted his head and studied you, his eyes raking over you before stopping on the right side of your head. “Ya alright?” You didn’t even register his arm lifting, but then his calloused fingertips were touching a tender spot just behind your right temple. You hissed but that pain meant nothing. “Hey, talk to me.”

As quickly as you could manage with your rounded middle, you launched yourself at him, falling into his chest with his arms instantly encircling you beneath your own. He walked forward and pushed you back onto the seat for support and held you tight, his cheek against the top of your head.

“I thought you were dead, you absolute fucking asshole!”

A hand pressed against the back of your head, pulling you to rest against his collarbone. “M’right here. M’fine. Carol’s fine.” When he tried to push you back, you held on, digging your fingers into his back, taking fistfuls of his vest. “Want Hershel to look ya over, butcha gotta let go first.”

“No.” You stated bluntly.

He didn’t say anything for the longest time, simply letting you cling to him until your sobs had quieted to whimpers and hiccups, his large hands rubbing your back and cradling your head. “Alright. Least scoot over so I can drive. An’ ya gotta let ‘im take a look atcha when we get to wherever the fuck we’re going.”

With a sniff, you conceded, nodding against his chest. When you moved back across the seat, you kept a hand fisted in the front of his shirt until he climbed in after you. He was talking with Rick but you didn’t hear a word of it. Your forehead was pressed against the round of his shoulder, thigh against his, hands gripping the hem of his vest below the arm he had outstretched to the wheel. Your body rocked with his as he closed the door. He went still for a moment, likely examining how he was going to drive with you clinging to him like a fungus but not a word was said. You had never killed the engine, so he just shifted the gear and drove while you held onto him like a lifeline.

“Ssh. Gotta be qui—fuckin’ christ.”

You had purposefully clenched your walls around him while continuing the steady rocking of your hips. “Ssh,” you pressed a finger to your lips, “gotta be quiet, Daryl.” The scowl he gave you was impressive for a man teetering right on the edge of orgasm. You traced a line through the sheen of sweat on his chest, only stopping when you reached where your belly loomed over him. His fingers were digging into your thighs, moving up to your thickened waist to both guide and urge you. “I’m so close.”

Daryl only grunted, running a hand over your prominent belly and up to your breast, squeezing gently. You were still so sensitive—and sore—but with one flick of his thumb over your wet nipple, you crested, your palm swiftly covering your mouth to muffle your shout. He quickly let go of the soft mound of your chest to grab a thigh, digging blunt nails into your flesh as he followed you up, up, up with a series of heightened breaths, desperately keeping himself quiet as well.

Still panting, Daryl caught you by your bicep and rolled with you to lay you onto your side, slipping out of you in the process. You must have looked as dazed as you felt because he was brushing your sweaty mess of hair out of your face and narrowing his eyes. “Ya okay?”

“Mhm.” With a content sigh, you caught his hand and kissed his palm, smiling when he gave you that look as if he had no idea what to do next. “I love you.” His mouth twitched into a tiny smile, a hum vibrating behind his lips. He turned his hand to hold yours, placing them on the bed between you. He didn’t say it back but he didn’t need to; you knew. You knew about his dissent with emotions but he had said he loved you and you believed him. And that was that. “Let’s get cleaned up and go face the people we probably kept awake.” You chuckled.

He scoffed, throwing the blankets back from the bedroll as he sat up. The room was cold. There were even goosebumps on his skin where the air touched it, and that man was always hot. The house was more of a shack, one large room with the kitchen and a family area, one bedroom, and a bathroom. It was the third temporary safehouse in a week and a half. 

Daryl kept the truck close to the door now, as close as he could possibly get it. With you at around 38 weeks, he was taking no chances. Seriously. No chances. You had to pee? He was with you. He had to pee? You were with him. He was practically attached to your hip, but you were finding you didn’t feel crowded at all. You just couldn’t since the night you thought you’d lost him. 

The archer stood, pulling up his pants and underwear together, staring at the window as he buckled his belt. God, he was beautiful. The moonlight was bathing him just right. He didn’t look real. Licking your lips, you thought about asking him to get right back under the blankets but that train of thought derailed with the tightening of your abdomen. You made a noise of discomfort, even though this contraction didn’t hurt. It still wasn’t the best feeling in the world.

“What?” Daryl sniffed, looking down at you.

“Stupid fake contractions.” You grimaced, holding out a hand for something with which to clean yourself up. He was already on it, digging through the bag for the bra pads for you anyway. He tossed you one of his shirts, huffing a laugh when you regarded him with bewilderment. “Are we really going to have Carol washing jizz off one of your shirts? Oh my god, or Beth?! No! Give me something else!”

“Ain’t much else to use, Sunshine.” He tossed the bra pads at you but continued rifling through the bag. A box landed next to your hip which you recognized as squares of gauze. If it weren't for the fact that you not only needed to clean up the mess between your legs but the bedroll and blankets as well, you would have just thrown on your underwear and left it.

Daryl was buttoning his shirt and not really paying attention when you wiped through the sticky mess at your core, ready to open another square but then your hand was brought to a sudden halt. Along with your heart. 

“Daryl.” You knew there was fear in your voice, you couldn’t have hidden it if you tried. When you looked to him for reassurance, you found your expression mirrored.

“Hey, doc, get the fuck in here!” He bellowed, staring at the thick glob of red, white, and yellow on the white material. Everyone was asleep or had at least bedded down, so it would likely take a moment for anyone to appear in the doorway. Still, he moved fast, pulling the tank top he had tossed to you over your head. It had to be stretched over your belly and a portion of your breasts could be seen from the side but at least you were mostly covered since it was untelling how many would respond to his exclamation. 

“Daryl, it’s blood. I’m bleeding. Is this normal? Is something wrong?” You rambled, the hand holding the gauze shaking so fiercely that he was forced to take hold of your wrist to steady it.

“I dunno. Hershel can—he’ll look. S’gonna be okay.” On his knees beside you, he pulled you against him with his free arm, holding you so tightly that you just knew it was so you didn’t shatter. “Hershel!”

“What’s wrong?” Carol was the first in, wrapping her cardigan tightly around her, but Hershel was just behind her, wiping at his eyes.

“What on earth, son?”

“She’s bleedin’, she ain’t s’posed to bleed is she?” Now, you could feel Daryl shaking, even with his voice as steady as it was.

The others were filing into the room but Carol was on top of things, ushering them all right back out while the old man rolled up his sleeves.

“Carol, could you bring a couple more candles, please?” He asked, his tone so light that even you wanted to kick him. It was likely Daryl wanted to throw him out the window. “Let’s see what we have here.” Hershel picked up the one candle you and Daryl had lit and knelt down next to the bedroll, his knees cracking and popping. When he held his palm flat, you curled your lip, wishing gloves were something any of you had thought of on the runs. Daryl guided your hand with his hold on your wrist, keeping the gauze from flipping or spilling onto the man’s palm. “Hmm. Can you tell me what happened before this?”

You and Daryl turned beet red. There was obviously cum on the gauze as well.

“‘Sides the obvious?” The archer murmured.

“Okay, so sex.” Hershel nodded. Daryl blanched. “Anything else?”

You were suddenly blank, the fear gripping your heart so tightly that it was cutting off the circulation to your brain. How could he seem so calm about this?

“She had one’a them fake contractions.” Daryl supplied. If you weren’t a trembling wreck, you would have kissed him. 

Carol trotted back into the room with a candle in each hand, kneeling down next to the veterinarian. “Is that—?”

“I think so.”

You were looking back and forth between the two, still unable to find your voice. Once again, Daryl spoke for you. “Gonna make us guess?!” He snapped.

“Easy, Daryl.” Carol admonished, reaching a hand toward him but not touching.

“Don’t fuckin’ easy me! What the fuck is—”

“Calm down.” Hershel demanded in a no nonsense tone. You felt Daryl’s hold around your shoulders tighten. “I believe this is what is called the bloody show. Sometimes it just comes out on its own, but it can be triggered by intercourse. Now I have no way of knowing if the mucus plug has already passed and sadly, our woodland toilet would make it difficult to know anyway. It could actually be present in this. Regardless, that hardly matters.”

“M’gonna need some English an’ real fuckin’ quick, doc.”

“She’s fine, Daryl.” Carol soothed. “You know we wouldn’t say that if she weren’t.” The archer looked back and forth between the two again while you looked up at him. It took a long moment of uncomfortable silence but you felt the tension pressed against you loosen ever so slight. “Let him finish.”

Daryl gave a curt nod.

“This usually means the cervix is thinning and dilating; that the baby is nearly ready to be born. Now the contraction,” he continued while twisting to place the gauze somewhere behind him, “could have been Braxton Hicks, yes. It could have also been the real thing. Was it painful?”

You shook your head.

“They aren’t always in the beginning. According to my reading, some women are lucky enough to have very mild contractions all throughout labor and delivery.” He smiled, trying so hard to settle the unease eating its way through your sternum. “I’d like to examine you. Would you allow that?”

You nodded, feeling Daryl turn his head to see your permission with his own eyes.

“Okay, lie back please. Carol, I’ll need some water and soap please.” The woman was up and out the door before you could blink. “This will be just like the last one. Some mild discomfort but it shouldn’t be anything beyond that. Have you had any contractions since the last one?”

“No.” You sounded so small, even to your own ears.

“Okay, that’s good. We won’t rule anything out yet. Your water hasn’t broken, but I must warn you that it is possible I may accidentally cause that during the exam. If that happens, there’s no reason to be alarmed.” 

You were nodding, you felt yourself doing it but it didn’t feel like you were really there at all. The fear had won and you were falling victim to the panic stirring up within you, its tendrils snaking around your lungs, making it impossible to breathe. 

Then Daryl released your wrist and slipped his hand into yours.

He was listening carefully to Hershel, watching Carol return, but he was still attentive to what you needed at that moment as well. You felt the pressure in your chest recede, your lungs easily filling while your heartrate slowed. You were still scared. You still trembled, but so did he.

The vet had moved onto the bedroll but before he could do anything, Daryl was reaching down with a quick I got it and moving the blanket. His free hand was warm on your thigh, not removing it until you bent your knees and placed your feet flat. You watched the old man for a moment, suddenly self conscious when he stared impassively before his eyes flitted over to Daryl.

“Oh, uh—sorry for the—yeah.” The archer cleared his throat, his head ducking.

“Carol.” Hershel sighed. “If there are any runs to be made soon, please make sure gloves are mentioned as a necessity.” The other woman giggled behind her hand but quickly wiped it away and nodded. “Okay, here we go.”

It felt exactly as it had the first time, deeply uncomfortable and borderline painful at certain points, though this time you were able to remain still and silent. You chose to watch your partner as he eyed Hershel like a hawk, eyes squinted and focused. You squeezed his hand. Instantly, his attention was on you. His thumb swept back and forth over your knuckles, a grounding movement on which you could center yourself.

“Well.” Hershel had pulled his hand away and was washing up with the soap and water Carol had brought in for him. “You’re about 3cm, my dear. Now it’s anyone’s guess when your water will break or if it will at all. If not, I will likely need to intervene to speed things up but that’s down the road. Take it easy but walk around if you can. Drink lots of water, any extra that we can ration off for you. I’m sure others would be willing, myself included. Let me know of any contractions, even if they aren’t painful. We will need to start timing them. I can get Glenn to loan you the watch I gave to him, Daryl, but please don’t smash it.”

“Wait. That’s it?” You struggled to sit up until Daryl assisted you.

“That’s it. It’s a waiting game now.” Carol picked up what she could and promised to return for the rest, smiling at you before she left the room, likely to fill in the others. “But from the looks of things, your little Thumper will be making his or her debut in the very—and I mean very—near future.”

Both you and Daryl stared at the doorway long after it was empty. When you squeezed his hand, he squeezed back. And in unison, you both took a deep breath and uttered two words.

“Holy shit.”

[ichorai]

would that i ; din djarin.

track twelve of WASTELAND, BABY!

pairing ; din djarin x gn!reader

synopsis ; din didn’t consider himself a very jealous person. no, he wasn’t affected at all when the kid seemed to want to spend more time with you than him. not even a little bit.

words ; 1.5k

themes ; fluff, mild pining, kinda sunshine & grump trope

warnings / includes ; grogu eats a frog, mando gets v flustered, reader jokingly calls him daddy lol

main masterlist.

Bag hitched over your shoulder, you tugged on your hiking boots, bending over to double-knot the laces. “Hey, I’m going out to the market to grab some spare parts for the ship,” you called to the brooding Mandalorian in the cockpit. You were met with a quiet grunt in response. Finished with your shoes, you straightened yourself up and peeked your head into the front of the ship, watching Din work on some frayed wires by the control panel. “I’m taking the kid with me.”

This made him halt in his ministrations, and he turned to you. “Isn’t it easier if he just stays with me? Keep him here.”

Crossing your arms over your chest, you nodded stoutly. “Alright, lemme ask him. Hey, bub,” you cooed, picking up the tiny creature from his floating carrier and setting him on the ground, equidistant between the two of you. Grogu peered at you with wide eyes, before rounding his head to look up at Din, then looked to you once more. He let out a garbled noise of confusion. “You wanna go to the market with me or stay with Mr. Grump over there?”

Silent, Din watched as Grogu began waddling towards you, seemingly excited at the prospect of going out to explore. 

With a hum of satisfaction, you scooped the kid up into your arms, shooting the masked man a victorious smirk, before striding towards the exit. 

“Be back before sunset!” he barked out, earning him a mock salute from you, then proceeded to incoherently grumble under his breath about how going to the market was really a one-person job, whilst fixing up the banged up ship definitely required more than a single pair of hands.

Clementine flames licked at the air greedily, crackling as Din tossed another wedge of wood into the fire. The setting sun cast long shadows over the secluded, wooded area your little group was hunkering down in, sparsely lit with the heated glow of the fire and the cold luminescence of the distant stars in the sky. You sat on the opposite end of the fire, blowing warm air into your palms to ebb away the numbing cold sewn into your skin.

The kid was snuggled up to your side, cooing as he tried to grab floating embers of the fire that drifted past him, carried away with the frigid night breeze.

Din studied the two of you, his mask betraying no expression whatsoever. Though Din was a man of few words, he was also a man of keen observations, always entirely aware of his surroundings. He noticed the way the orange of the fire tinted your skin with a near angelic glow, how the rustling of leaves behind him seemed to perfectly accompany your tinkering laugh as you smiled at the kid’s ministrations, how your eyes brightened with all the galaxy’s light within your irises. 

His attention was reluctantly drawn away from you when the kid waddled off to the side, having spotted a bulbish frog—which, presumably, looked like a tasty snack to him. 

With a gentle smile, you got up and circled around the fire to sit beside him, foliage crunching beneath your haunches as you settled down. 

“What’s on your mind?” you asked, just audible enough to hear over the pops of the flames. “You’re thinking so loudly.”

There was a moment of silence, the quiet weighing heavily over the both of you.

“It’s nothing,” he replied finally. “Nothing to worry about.”

Not wanting to pry, you hummed in thought, about to tell him that you’d be all ears if he had something to say, but promptly held your tongue when you caught sight of the kid swallowing the poor one-eyed frog whole.

“Spit that out!” both you and Din ordered at the same time. You glanced at each other, and your shoulders shook as you began to laugh, the corners of your eyes crinkling with such genuinity that was rare to find these days. 

You couldn’t see it, but a trace of a smile slowly appeared behind Din’s helmet.

The kid had finally fallen asleep—it took hours of you setting him firmly on your lap and telling him to shut his eyes until he began to relent, curled against your stomach and stealing your body warmth. Sleep was tugging at your own sleeves, whispering gentle static into your ears and weighing down your eyelids. 

Din had passed by the two of you multiple times as he tended to the many laborious upkeeps of the ship, silent as a ghost, but his mere presence was loud enough for you.

It was only when the ship’s door slid open did you startle out of your half-unconscious state, blearily rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. You glanced down at the small form on your lap, gently patting his little wrinkled head. 

Carefully, you got to your feet and lowered Grogu into his floating carrier, tucking him into a mottled brown blanket with nimble fingers. The kid stirred mildly at the jostling movement, but settled down when you hushed him quietly.

Satisfied that he wouldn’t spring awake and scamper out of his carrier to swallow down more frogs, you left the ship, sliding the door shut behind you.

The night’s chill was stronger than it had been a couple hours ago, the cold steeping into your muscles and freezing your bones. The moon bathed the forest in a hazy, pearl-hued luminescence, reflecting softly against Mando’s armor. He was watching the vast, dark forest, broodingly quiet. You came to stand beside him, shivering slightly.

“Done with all your little errands?” you asked, trying your best to keep your teeth from chattering. You took his silence as an affirmative. “You really like keeping yourself occupied, huh?”

More silence. In the distance, a frog croaked.

“I would’ve been more than happy to help you if you’d asked, by the way. You didn’t have to do all that by yourself. I used to be a mechanic, you know?”

Din risked a glance to you, holding his breath for reasons unbeknownst to him. You looked awfully serene basking in the sweet cold of the night, which made his chest ache with a tender kind of longing he couldn’t quite put his finger on. A life he knew he couldn’t have, perhaps.

He tore his eyes away before he could dwell on that thought too much.

“What are you doing out here? It’s real cold out,” you murmured, angling your head to look at him. It sometimes frustrated you just how unreadable he was—not even considering the mask, he rarely ever gave anything away with his body language. You wondered what went on in his head. “Are you okay?”

For the first time since you came out, Din spoke. It was tentative and slow—fittingly cautious in nature. His voice sent a thrill up your spine—it wasn’t often that the two of you would genuinely converse about something other than the ship’s upkeep. “The kid likes you.”

A surprised look splintered through your expression. Of all things you expected him to say, that most certainly wasn’t one of them. “Well, yeah, I’d hope so. I love the little guy, even though he eats like a starved wampa.” You narrowed your eyes at him, the beginnings of a smile painting across the corner of your lips. “Oh, maker, you’re jealous, aren’t you?”

Before he could formulate a proper response, you stepped closer to him with a teasing glint to your eyes that he misliked. You patted his chest in mock-comfort.

This close, he could see the fine details of your features much more clearly—he noticed the small, faded scar across the bridge of your nose, slightly darker in color than the rest of your complexion, he noticed the soft curve of your cupid’s bow, and he noticed the slight arch to your eyebrows, as if expecting him to say something.

Oh, right. He should probably say something.

Din flushed hotly beneath his helmet, finding himself at a loss for words. 

“I’m sure the kid loves you just as much, if not more than, he loves me,” you surmised, still with a teasing lilt to your words. “After all, we both know he considers you his guardian—if he could talk, he’d definitely be calling you father. Or, actually, that might be too formal for him—maybe daddy, or something. Pops, even.”

Din huffed, amused. “The kid wouldn’t call me daddy,” he deadpanned, finally finding his tongue. 

You beamed devastatingly gleeful, and he could just about feel his heart disintegrating into sand and spilling through the crevices of his ribs. 

“Why not? I think it suits you.” You shrugged, still grinning so wide it was a wonder your face hadn’t split into two. Oh, you were going to be the death of him one day. “I’m gonna head back in—I’m freezing my ass off out here. Good night, Din. Or should I say daddy?” You barked out a laugh, clearly pleased with your little joke, before trudging away from him, chortling to yourself along the way.

Din watched as you slipped back into the ship, your words ricocheting in his head over and over again. He exhaled heavily. 

He was digging himself a deep hole here—and he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to stop.

[fairy-writes]

Hii, can i request a oneshot of Ayato (tokyo ghoul) with an investigator reader?

STAR-CROSSED

Reblogs and Comments are greatly appreciated!!

__________________________________________________________________________

Fandom(s): Tokyo Ghoul

Pairing(s): Kirishima Ayato x Reader

Word Count: 0.8k

Genre(s)/Tag(s): Gender Neutral!Reader, CCG Investigator!Reader, Human!Reader, Angst

Notes: Ayato is :re age in this (so around his 20s for those who haven’t finished :re (like me lol))

__________________________________________________________________________

You should’ve known this was going to happen. 

You stare blankly at the packet in front of you, a big bold “CLASSIFIED” stamped in red across the front. You had gone through it already before the meeting, only to go through it yet again in the meeting to make sure nothing was missed. 

Not that you would miss anything. No, no, no, you were too good at your job for that. 

Which is probably why they assigned you this mission. Because you were one of the best, not the best—that was reserved for Arima Kishou. But you were still an accomplished Special Class Investigator despite being in your twenties. 

But that didn’t matter right now. Or maybe it mattered more than anything in the world. 

Because you were being forced to kill your lover. 

The packet weighs heavily in your leather satchel on the bus ride home, but you refrain from opening it again to shield the classified information from prying eyes. Your phone buzzes in your pocket, and you pull it out, your heart sinking. 

“Ayato <3”

You swipe your thumb across the screen, sending the call to voicemail. Almost immediately, Ayato calls back but you do the same thing. 

And again. 

And again. 

Until…

“Boy troubles?” Comes an older woman’s voice, and you jump, turning to face her. She looked sympathetic, watching you with big eyes filled with sadness and warmth. You feel unexpected tears well up in your eyes,

“Something like that.” You sniffle, and her eyes soften. 

“It’ll be okay, dearie, just talk it out with him, yeah? That’s how my husband and I did it for sixty-three years.” She smiled encouragingly, and you let out a watery laugh.

“I’ll give that a go,” you mumble and shake hands. “Thank you,” You say, and she pulls you into a hug.

“Everything will work out in the end.” She promised, and the two of you parted ways. 

Ayato is waiting for you at the train station. You spot him almost immediately after getting off the train, just as he spots you. He pushes through the crowd until you are facing each other. 

“What did I do?” He demands, and you sigh, all your previous thoughts rushing back. 

Your mission. 

Your job.

You had to kill him or face the consequences yourself.

Could you even do it?

“Nothing.” You say and brush past him, intent on walking home. He follows you, boots kissing the heels of your dress shoes. His anger is palpable, making a shiver run down your spine at his dangerous emotions. He was infinitely stronger than you, being an SS-Class ghoul. You were pretty sure he’d stand no chance against Arima Kishou, but you? You’d need help from your team, but you were supposed to be the leader of this execution. 

The two of you didn’t say a word until you got to your apartment. The second the door shut and you locked your various locks, Ayato was in front of you, hands on his hips and demanding an answer. 

“Why are you upset?” He asks, and you toe off your shoes and hang your coat in the closet.

“I’m not upset.” You try, and he scoffs, 

“Bullshit. I can tell you’re upset about something. You never send me to voicemail unless I screw up or something happened at work.” You set your work bag on the dining table, the heavy papers inside thumping against the wood. 

“Can we not do this right now?” You say, pouring all your weariness into your voice. He arches an eyebrow and, thankfully, doesn’t say another word. 

You wake up a couple of hours later when Ayato slides into bed beside you and wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you close. He noses the back of your neck, inhaling your scent in a way that was comfortable to him. You close your eyes again, feeling tears welling up yet again as you try not to cry. 

You didn’t want to kill him. 

You weren’t even sure that you could. 

“I looked in your bag.” He mumbles, and your heart stops. 

“You—”

“I know, I’m sorry, but I was worried.” He says and squeezes you tight, pecking the back of your neck. 

“But that meant you saw my case file—” He cuts you off gently, and you feel your soul cry,

“I’m not mad. I want you to know that. It was bound to happen anyway.” He says, and that makes you turn to face him. He presses a kiss to your mouth and you can taste the coffee on his lips. 

It was almost funny how much he had changed. You knew from his sister that he used to be a brash and obnoxious teenager who was extremely violent and ruthlessly slaughtered investigators and humans alike. 

It was a wonder he fell in love with you at all. 

[byechristopher]

⠀

In Another Life.

– CHRIS STURNIOLO ANGST.

Author's note: omg hi, again. You'll soon find out how much I love angst, trauma and just "dark" fics. It's a way to express myself every once in a while. I hope you all like it, if you have any requests in mind, feel free to let me know. I will make it up to you all with some fluff, I promise, lol. Do not copy/steal my work. :)

Warnings: (not proof-read) this is pure angst, mentions of death, coping with death in general, trauma bonding. If any of this is triggering to you, do not read, please. Have a great day, instead.

Playlist:

It is only 6:00AM and I am up and running, ready to start my long day, although my sluggish gait says otherwise. I always loved waking up so early in the morning – it gave me time to start doing things when people were still sleeping. It is always a struggle to keep myself awake, though.

"I'm outside."

The screen lights up and I can see Chris' name from here – he must be outside already. I sigh and I quickly put my jacket and scarf on, not forgetting my boots, of course. With my bag in my hand, I quickly leave the house, trying to be as quiet as possible so that my mom doesn't wake up.

Chris is waiting in the car, I take a better look at my surroundings – the fog makes it hard for me to see, it's dark and it's cold, and the humidity makes it look like it rained.

"Hey, Chris. Thanks for picking me up." I mumble, he nods with an understanding look on his face. He's got that sickening purple colour under his eyes and his skin is even paler than usual. We match, he looks like a mess, too.

How couldn't he, anyway? It was a difficult day today. It's only been three years and how could we ever forget?

Me and Chris have known each other for a long time. Ever since we were babies – our families were very close. That was until my parents got divorced and we never saw my father ever again; made my mom isolate herself. My father came back one day, asking for forgiveness for leaving like this. Not from my mom, from me. I didn't want to trust him but I still talked to him every now and then. Now, Chris never really liked me and I never really liked him, it's not like we ever had an actual conversation. Before something terrible happened, to the both of us. On the same day. On the same plane. The plane crashed – my father happened to be there and Chris' best friend happened to be there.

We were both devastated so we found ourselves hanging out more than usual – is it called trauma bonding? I think so. That's what we did. Bonded over trauma. Because that's what we needed most; a person who knows and feels what we feel, who goes through the same experience. I don't think it was he healthiest thing to do, but who is really healthy inside on this earth?

"Give me, like.. fifteen minutes. I'll be back, okay?" he says and I give him a reassuring hug, pecking his cheek. I nod, watching him go visit his best friend's grave while I visit my father's.

"I can't believe it's already been three years since you've been gone." I chuckle, making sure everything is clean and the flowers are nicely put in the vase, "right when you were about to actually spend time with me, hm?" I can feel the tears in my eyes, and every time I speak, it's like I'm digging an invisible knife deeper into my heart.

I don't know how long it's been because I'm still cleaning and trying not to think about anything, but I see Chris walking over to me. It's so obvious that he's been crying, but he offers a smile anyway. His nose is red, it's kind of cute.

"You feeling okay?" he wraps an arm around my shoulders, giving me a reassuring squeeze. I nod.

"What did I always tell you? Everything happens for a reason." I chuckle, wiping the tears away from my eyes as we walk away, and towards the car.

"I used to hate hearing that. But I believe it now." he nods and clears his throat, "Connor believed it, too." it took him a while to say his best friend's name without crying. I told him that Connor wouldn't be happy to see him crying like this – that was the only way to make him stop.

"I gotta go to work, now. But we'll meet later, yes?" I say, wrapping my arms around his waist, looking up. The combination of the sky, his tears and his pale skin make his eyes go icy blue, I can't help but smile a little bit. He nods and cups my cheeks, bringing me closer to him to give me a soft kiss on the lips.

I'm not sure what me and Chris have going on. We definitely hang out a lot, we kiss, I basically have all of my stuff in his house, we have sex, but we've never said anything about relationship, or anything like that for that matter. We've been going through the most traumatic and difficult experience in our lives, so I feel like we desperately need the affection but we're the only ones who feel the same. So we just.. do stuff together. I try not to think about it too much.

I definitely not want to think about it when I'm in his arms. We're in front of the fireplace, sitting down on the carpet. I'm sitting in between his legs with my back pressed against his chest, and his arms wrap all the way around my shoulders and knees (that are pressed to my chest), keeping me warm.

"I'm so glad to have you here with me, being by my side on this horrible day, every year." he whispers in my ear and I close my eyes.

"So am I. You're making me feel like I'm not as alone as I thought I was." I whisper back and let my head fall on his shoulder, turning my head so that I'm able to look up at him. We sit in silence for a bit.

"I was thinking.. what you always say. Everything happens for a reason. What if.. what if all of this never happened? What if they were both still alive, what if our families kept being this close, what if we kept hating each other.. would we still find a way to be where we are now?" his voice is low and steady, I can see the fire moving in the reflection of his glistening eyes, "or was this tragedy meant to happen for us to find what we wanted in each other?"

I stay silent for a little bit. I've thought about this a million times and every time makes me go crazier than the previous one, "is love supposed to grow in souls and bodies that are filled with so much pain? Because if so, then it's nothing like what they taught us love would feel like."

"Do you think love is what we feel for each other?" he presses a kiss on my warm cheek.

"I don't know." I say truthfully, "I think that we both find shelter in each other's pain. We feel the need to be heard, to be understood, and then we want to hear the other, to understand their pain. To help each other, to be there whenever they might need, to care."

"Isn't that what love is?" he asks innocently, "in its most tragic form?" he looks me in the eyes and smiles softly.

"I suppose so.. yeah.." I say because, indeed, love could also bloom in shattered hearts, it doesn't always have to be flowers and rainbows, "and to answer your question.. I think I would definitely imagine myself loving you, without all of these." my voice is as soft as it can get.

"I would definitely fall in love with you, too." he says, looking into my eyes. And for a moment, I imagine us just like this. In a life where we would be happier. In a life where we would be able to love each other, without anything holding us back, in a life where we could keep the people that we wanted in our lives. In a life where we would have the space and time to express our feelings, understand our feelings.

"So, stay with me forever and even longer than that.." he says and I smile, leaving a trail of kisses on his neck, all the way up to his cheek and lips, "I might be able to become someone who loves you even in the good times."

"That's a promise, then. Because I'm definitely staying, till I'm ready to love you in the good times, too." I smile and slowly turn around to face him this time, wrapping both of my arms and legs around him, like a koala.

He laughs, he's hugging me and kissing me softly, "want me to make you some hot chocolate?"

"Yes, please."

⠀

[thedailydescent]

underrated claudia moments?

Soooo many. These are just from the top of my head:

2x01:

-When Louis starts shouting at Dreamstat and Claudia barely looks up, like "Oh Louis is Louis-ying again whatevs". Bonus points when she dumps the bags into his hands afterwards.

-When she's so excited about finding a vamp she doesn't even care that Louis hurts her while setting her shoulder, and jumps up swinging the arm around while stumbling around him still talking. She's so excited and optimistic in this scene in a way we haven't seen since 1x04. I can picture Delainey joyfully narrating in 1x04 while trying to discover as much as she possibly can.

2x02:

-When Louis and Claudia are talking about getting a "hard meal", and we cut to Louis and Claudia walking towards their new flat. In the previous scene she was wearing boots, and in this scene, she's in the exact same outfit but in heels instead, clearly stolen from her "hard meal". I like that in this season she's trying to find a look that works for her and is experimenting, as you can see in her fashion drawings she keeps above her coffin. And I believe this is the only time in the series we see her in heels? (tap dancing shoes don't count). From a Doylist perspective I can understand: they want to keep Claudia looking as small as possible so the actress can still look like a child, but from a Watsonian perspective I think that while Claudia is stylish, she is also practical and realistic. She can't travel, explore, and protect herself as well wearing the form-fitting dresses and heel lengths of the period.

-When she throws down the man in the murder mansion scene and shouts "Yes!" It makes me so happy for some reason :)

2x03: "What do they know about Cincinnati?"

2x04:

-Claudia was openly sarcastic in this episode which was both great and sad. "Birdie looooves the breeze" (I can never watch that awful performance again but I remember that line delivery) There's also "Still dressing your windows for your German tourists?", "Sounds like a line", "Tell me again how Sam licks the stage after every show, and I'll tell you a job I'd rather do", and "Tuan could play the part".

-I hate the scene for how upsetting it is, but when Armand shoves her into the wall you can see her clasping his wrist while numbly looking down before looking up and widening her eyes in shock at the treatment. It's a nice bit of acting from Delainey- like there's this automatic tendency to check out whenever someone puts their hands on her, but her realization that it's coming from Armand of all people, the one she thought herself safe from what with him being with Louis and by I'm guessing not showing any violent behaviour until now. Despite the warnings from Santiago and Sam about Armand, it's still a shock.

2x06:

-The way she just stabbed that girl through the neck into the wall with scissors lol. Almost a nice callback to 1x07 when she stabbed Antoinette through the heart (I think?) into the floor. You team up with awful men as a woman to attack women, you're getting stabbed with a sharp implement.

-Her reading "How to Win Friends" while Madeleine's reading her diaries. Then insecurely looking up from said book to say her younger writing may come off shallow and uninsightful. Claudia she's reading your victim's last words lol.

-"Pull up a chair. Let's start again." The way she says it too how many times has Claudia had to be the grown-up here??

-That look she gives Louis that says a thousand words after he says, "Does it matter? Got the result".

2x07:

I'm not ready to rewatch that episode yet (or ever), but I loved Claudia's manic, disbelieving laugh when Lestat says some bs about her "being an artful predator, just like me". I also loved how she kept glancing at Madeleine every so often during the trial to see how she was doing, and I liked when she put her head on her shoulder after she gave that speech about it never being about her :(

[cinmngirlnfr]

Reese Wilkerson bf headcanons

HE IS A SIMP

For real tho.

Everything you do is charming for him

You and Reese are in the mall after school, you needed to buy a birthday gift for a friend and you didn't wanted to go alone. But one thing lead to another and you not only bougth your friend a lipgloss, but you also bought a whole new winter wardrobe for your self. Jackets, jeans, leggins, long sleve shirts, hats, etc. And of course Reese was carrying your three bags full of clothes around the mall, whith a grumpy expression. "Oh! those boots look so pretty!" You say looking at the brown leather boots showcased in the store window. Reese rolls her eyes "Yeah, yeah, you can buy them next time" He grabs you by the arm, trying to get you away from any shop "Reese, you are such an asshole" You say giggling, because when shoping, not even your grumpy boyfriend could ruin your good mood. Reese rolls his eyes "Let's go!" He said as a child about to throw a tantrum. You smile softly. "Lets make a deal, you will stop complaining and i'll buy you McDonalds before we leave" You say caressing his cheek. His grumpy expression starts to turn into a smile, but he still doesn't seem thant convinced, so you give him a peck on the lips and two kisses on the cheek, now his expression is a full on dumb smile, he is such a bitch for your lips.

Love Lenguage: Physical touch, Acts of service.

Acts of service being the main one, because i don't think Reese is super PDA.

He would hug you or grab your hand in public, but not a lot.

But in private you can spect lots of hugs and kisses.. and more.

He loves to do things for you (things he is able to do, of course he is not doing anything homework relate)

He loves to cook for you, especially brownies or cupcakes, or anything he can bring to school and hand it to you.

He loves the face you make when he brings you sweet treats, without asking him.

You and Reese are sitting in a tabe eating lunch "Oh, I almost forgot!" says Reese, then, he opens his backpack and takes out a tupper with a red lid. "I made brownies yesterday... for you" He says the last part kinda embarrased, he doesn't wants to sound to corny. You smile widely at him "Aaww!!! you are the best!" You say, to practically jump on top of him giving him a tight hug, and lots of cheek kisses. He, is Surpriesed and blushed at first, and doesn't really knows how to respond, but then he gives you a small kiss on the top of your head.

Makes you watch horror movies.

If you like them, you have probably seen the same ones he has, so movie nigth quickly becomes make out session nigth.

If you don't like them, he will giggle in that creepy ass laugh he has, everytime you jump or flinch or even scram a little, then he would hold you tightly to protect you.

The last part really inflates his ego.

You will make him watch your favorite movies too

Again, if you are into horror movies, you two probably won't even watch the movie.

Me, personally i'm into Chick Flicks and Rom-Coms, and musicals of course

Imagine Reese watching West Side Story, lol.

He would hate the girly movies (or at least that is what he claims)

"I can belive you are making me watch this crap" Reese says annoyed. "Come on Reese, The Notebook is my favorite movie!" You say gigging and snuggling next to him on the couch "A movie named 'The Notebook' has to be the lamest of all time" He rolls his eyes, and then puts an arm around your shoulders. "Come one, give it a chance at least" You say, he rolls his eyes and presses the play button.

TWO HOURS LATER

"Baby?... Are you okay?" You ask your boyfriend who is slightly shaking next to you. "HE BUILD HER A HOUSE!" Reese shouts with tears on his eyes.

Horny as fuck.

No, really, everything you do is a turn on.

You smile, Boner.

You tie your hair, Boner.

You giggle, Boner.

But he specially adores when you focus in something completly random.

He also likes when you get meanie.

Every figth you two have, ends up with a make up make out... Sometimes is more than just making out.

Jealous, Jeaous, Jealous, boy.

Even with Malcom.

Even with Francis.

Surprisingly with Dewy.

Especially with Jaime.

He hates when you have to share living space with other guys

He will deny his jealousy though

"Pff... Me? Jealous? Don't be ridicoulous babe"

He hates when you pay more attention to his baby brother than to him.

Lois had just had Jaimie, well, three months ago to be exact. You practically lived in the Wilkerson house, but when Jaimie was born, you where there a lot more. Reese's gaze was pure hatred, towards that little baby who wasn't even able to chew his food yet, being hold by his girlfriend. "Aww!!! Jaime, you are so cute! I love you, I love you, I love you" You said holding the baby and giving him kisses on his tiny head as he giggled. If looks could kill, Jaimie would be six feet under ground level, and Reese would be having his girlfriend all to himself again 'You can't kill your baby brother, Reese' He though 'Mom would be pissed'... But Reese had to admit, that the little fucker had some cuteness going on.

Pet names

Mostly babe or baby

Some other variation of your name

He once tried "sweet cheeks"... It wasn't well recived....

[froggibus]

Blind Date - Bucky Barnes

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Genre: fluff!

Word Count: 1.6k

Summary: your friend Natasha is tired of your tragic dating life, so she sets you up on a blind date that you’ll never forget

CW: mentions of the KGB, first date, blind date, you work at a retail store, Natasha is pushy, references to my own bad dating life, Christmas time,

definitely did not post this just so I could have some Marvel on my masterlist anyway here is some Bucky with a first date around Christmas time because now Halloween is over and it’s totally socially acceptable for me to only write about Christmas now lol

I just did a part 2 to this which you can read here

————

“I don’t know, Nat,” you scan another sweater and fold it into the bag. “A blind date? 

She narrows her eyes. “You’ve had a revolving door of losers and idiots, not to mention a surprising amount of super villains. Are you really so against the idea?”

You glance up at her between scans. It wasn’t uncommon for Nat to bug you at your retail job, and now with Christmas fast approaching, she was there almost every day buying some obscure gift. That’s how you ended up bagging seven matching Christmas sweaters.

“Is this everything, Nat? Or do you want a partridge in a pear tree on the side?”

She snickers at that. “What I want,” she grabs the bag from your hand, “is for you to stop avoiding the question.”

“I’m not—”

“Don’t even try to lie about it. I was literally trained by the KGB to get the truth out of people.”

Your boss scoffs somewhere off to the side, clearly sick of your antics with the Avenger. 

You sigh. “Do you promise he’s not a weirdo?”

“I promise.”

“Then fine. Text me the details after work.”

“Will do,” she gives a two-fingered salute, “good luck with the rest of your shift.”

You nod and watch  her walk out of the store, her red hair swaying across her back as she moves. Your boss shuffles in a bit closer, her apple perfume clouding your nostrils.

“Was that an Avenger?”

You shrug.

--

5pm. December 24th. 

You find yourself thinking: Who goes on a date on Christmas Eve? Yet here you are, smoothing the cream knit sweater over your pants and examining yourself in the mirror. Nat hadn’t said where you were going, she had just said to dress casual and that he would be there to pick you up around 5.

Perfectly on time, there’s a knock on your apartment door. You slip your feet into a pair of fuzzy boots and pull the door open. Standing in front of you, in a gray long sleeve, blue jeans and a black jacket, is your date.

He has dark brown hair, gelled down to look somewhat neat. He’s clean shaven and his cheeks were reddened from the cold outside. Blue eyes meet yours and a small smile comes to his lips.

“Y/N?”

“Hi,” you smile, feeling the blood rush to your face. He’s stunning.

He offers a gloved hand. “I’m James.”

“Nice to meet you.”

You can’t help but wonder why he looks so familiar. You’ve definitely seen his face before, but at the same time, you’re certain you’d remember someone as beautiful as him.

“Should we get going?” He gestures to the door.

You nod and grab your purse and keys off the table. “After you,” you smile.

James walks next to you, clearly walking a little slower than his normal pace to make up for your smaller strides. One of his hands sits in his pocket while the other one swings at his side. You try not to swing your hand so that you don't accidentally touch his.

“So I was thinking we could get dinner at this little diner near the plaza and then go see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller center?”

“That sounds nice! I used to go see the tree all the time as a kid, but it’s been a few years since I last saw it,” you admit.

He hums in agreement. “I haven’t seen it in,” he exhales sharply, “ages.”

You smile at him as the two of you reach the lobby door of your apartment and end up in the crisp winter air. The sky is white, threatening to snow down on the bare city.

You look up at the sky. “I really hope it snows tonight.” 

“Nothing better than a white Christmas.”

“Exactly, it doesn’t feel like Christmas without the snow.”

“It doesn’t feel like Christmas without friends or family either,” he mumbles, “I can’t remember how long it’s been since I spent Christmas with somebody.”

“Me too, if it wasn’t for Nat bugging me so much I’d probably be drinking eggnog alone in my apartment.”

He nudges you gently. “Well, hey, you’re stuck with me now.”

“You’re stuck with me now,” you smile at him.

The walk isn’t very far, and with James as your company, it goes by fast. By the time the two of you make it to the diner, your cheeks and hands are numb, but you also feel really connected to the man next to you.

The server sits you two at a booth by the window, and based on his friendliness with James, they know each other.

“Come here often?” You giggle.

“Just a little,” he cracks a smile.

You take off your scarf and fold it up next to you with your purse. James rests his hands on the table but makes no move to take off his gloves.

“Aren’t you getting warm?”

“A little, I guess.” He shrugs off his jacket, and looking nervous, slips off his gloves.

There’s a dog tag around his neck, tucked into his shirt. You hide your shock quite well when you notice that one of his hands was a shiny, dark metal. You don’t glance very long, but when you look up at his face, you can tell that he noticed you looking.

“It’s okay to look, y/n. I’m learning to not be ashamed of it.”

“Sorry,” you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear nervously, “I shouldn’t stare. You just look...so familiar.”

He nods, but as he opens his mouth to speak, the server returns.

“Can I take your drink orders?”

You order a coffee while James orders a tea, and once he’s certain everyone is out of earshot, leans in a little closer.

“I haven’t been completely honest with you, y/n. Nat’s told me about all of your nightmare dates and I really didn’t want to end up as another one…”

“Is everything alright?”

He takes a deep breath. “My full name is James Buchanen Barnes.”

You don’t hide your shock as well this time. Everything clicks into place, and though you had only ever seen pictures of him in museums when he was younger, and a few other pictures on the news a few years ago, you know that’s where you knew him from.

“So,” you nod slowly, noting how he refused to meet your eyes, “do I still call you James, or do you prefer Bucky?”

His eyes finally meet yours and you can see the stress melt away. “I prefer Bucky.”

“Then it’s nice to meet you, Bucky.”

The waiter brings your drinks and takes your food orders and once again, you wait until he leaves before you say anything.

“So does Captain America really sing in the shower?”

Bucky laughs at that, his laugh so happy that it makes your heart swell up with joy.“All the time! He has a good singing voice, too, so we can’t even tell him to shut up!”

You can’t help but giggle at the thought of Captain America belting it out in the shower The sound of Bucky’s laugh on top of yours only makes you giggle more.

“You have a nice laugh,” he says. 

Heat rises to your cheeks but luckily the waiter comes by with your food, and you’re saved by the bell. The two of you eat in silence, and when the bill comes, you and Bucky do the classic cheque dance. In the end, you paid for your respective meals, and made your way out of the restaurant.

“So,” he offers his hand, “Rockefeller?”

“Rockefeller!” You take his hand in yours, and based on the feel of it, it’s the metal one.

He holds your hand gently, as if he’s afraid to hurt you. Of course he is, you thought. If you knew anything about his past, it was that that same arm had been used to hurt people. You’re flattered that he would even put aside his insecurity with it for you.

After a few minutes of walking, Bucky finally speaks. “You know, if you’re not sick of me after Rockefeller, a friend of mine is having a Christmas party.”

“A friend? Like an Avengers friend?”

“A friend like Tony Stark,” he states plainly.

Your eyes shoot wide open. An Avengers Christmas party? Was that where Nat would be?

“I’d love to go with you.”

He gently squeezes your hand in acknowledgement, and in no time at all, the two of you are heading into Rockefeller center to see the looming Christmas tree. It’s bright and beautiful, and you can’t help but gawk at it. With a quick glance at Bucky, you can tell he’s doing the same.

“So, when was the last time you saw the tree?” You whisper to him.

“1937, I think.”

“That was so long ago!”

“I know,” he smiles sheepishly, “I just never felt comfortable enough in crowds before. It’s getting better, though.”

“I’m glad,” you turn to face him, your lips turning into a smile.

“What? Is there something on my face?”

“No. I just think you’re very handsome.”

His face flushes instantly. “So what are you going to do about it?”

You stand on your tippy toes, wrap your hands around his neck and whisper, “is this okay?”

He wraps his arms around your waist and leans in, answering your question in the form of a kiss.

You smile into it, enjoying his warmth against yours. 

He pulls away first. “So, Christmas party?”

“Christmas party.” You smile back at him.

For the first time in years, you weren’t going to spend Christmas alone.

masterlist

[ghostoffuturespast]

5 April 2024 - Friday Field Notes

I spend an inordinate amount of time putting unfinished puzzles together.

Mud mess from last week when we were installing some rabbit fencing. I really should oil my boots.

No clue who this flower is but she's very pretty.

Anyone do those "bean in a bag" experiments as a kid? You put a bean seed in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel, leave it in a sunny spot, and watch it sprout in about a week. Yeah, the native plant version is doing the same thing except you have to stick it in the fridge, wait 1-2 months, plant it, and hope it germinates. Maybe. Cold moist stratification. Not for the impatient.

Been getting a lot of practice learning scientific and common names though.

Tipi streamer I decorated. We haven't put them on the past few years because... I'm not sure why. But they're fun, supposed to help wick precipitation off the poles, and maybe it'll keep the birds from shitting all over the covers. Some tiny Pronghorn, Bison (we don't have bison, I wish we did), a Meadowlark, and a Rocky Mountain Bee Plant.

I somehow wound up being unofficially in charge of putting up the tipis lol. Third time around and I finally got around to reading the instruction manual this time. Ignore the extra long pole, it's just special. Adds character.

Planting party. We'll see what grows.

I am excited the rabbitbrush at my house sprouted.

[awkwardgtace]

Intimidating Presence

day 20 intimidate

next one that fits the trope @jakersdaboss

honestly this title is probably bad titles are hard i don't have a good one lol

Dabria is tired of the gossip in the town when the nearby giant watches them. She decides talking to the giant will solve the issue

Intimidating Presence

“It came back today”

“I heard it stomping, I almost thought I heard its stomach.”

“It looks fed why would it keep coming here?”

“That monster’s eaten plenty, it doesn't need our village as a part of it.”

“Something has to be done before it decides to make a snack out of us.”

“It might get bored if we stay cautious, just don’t let it see anything when it’s looking. It’ll be fine.”

Dabria glared at the gossiping townsfolk as she passed. This was the third week of them acting like the giant was some heartless monster. They hadn’t hurt anyone or even gotten that close. They would just come near the end of the day, when the sun was setting and watch. It had her curious, but if they wanted to kill anyone it would have happened by now.

She slammed the door as she arrived home. The things on the wall shook from the force. This was getting ridiculous. Stalking through her home she went searching for her boots and a hiking bag. She would get to the bottom of this. Those gossipers would learn to be quiet. Judging someone from their appearance was just rude. They should have learned from their gossip about her.

“What are you doing?” she jumped when her husband’s voice sounded. She turned around, a bit of a blush on her face. She hadn’t told Vitus her idea, hadn’t even thought it all the way through. He looked tired, his usually cleanly tied hair was a mess. The bags beneath his green eyes screamed for sleep. She walked up, wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I’m going to go talk to the giant?” she said. The chuckle from Vitus made her smile. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. Sometimes it was easy to forget they were the same height. He felt like a giant most of the time.

“Oh? Were you going to tell me or was I going to find out when you never came to bed tonight?”

“I was going to tell you… probably.” His arms tightened around her.

“Dabria, are you sure about this?”

“I don’t know. They haven’t hurt anyone, just watched us. And all those people gossiping all the time is just cruel. At least knowing would be better than all of this.” She pulled away to look in his eyes. “Vitus, are you going to stop me?”

He leaned forward and kissed her quickly. “No, just come back safe. I know you can take care of yourself. Besides, you wouldn’t run headfirst into danger without me. Unless that was you asking for me to come along?”

Dabria laughed and pulled away from him. She had to finish packing to head out. The giant would be leaving around sunset and that wasn’t too far off. She was going to follow them. “Far from it. It wouldn’t do to take the only doctor off on a dangerous adventure now would it?” 

“I guess that’s fair. I’m going to take a nap, wake me up before you go?”

“Of course I will.”

Dabria passed the day gathering anything she could think of. A lantern for the dark, food in case she got lost. A map, a compass, water, even a book if she had to wait for them to come back. When she woke Vitus up just as the sun set he laughed at her. She had probably gone overboard, but she wanted to be prepared. Another quick kiss and she was off. The only thing left behind the thing that would tell the giant what she was.

Just as she expected, the giant was watching the town. Their face was covered by shadow. It made it impossible to tell what they were planning. If they were up to something bad it would have happened by now. She kept repeating that as she walked through town. It wasn’t that late, but it was horribly quiet. No one in town wanted to risk facing the giant’s wrath. A wrath she doubted existed.

She managed to reach the edge of the village just as the giant stood. From here they actually looked a bit smaller than she’d heard giants should be. A lot smaller actually, the trees were just at their height. They turned around, world shaking steps leading far from the village. She almost wanted to call out to them.

“Thank the heavens it’s leaving. It looks so hungry every time it watches us. That stomach looks plenty full already.”

“I still say the guard should chase it, maybe even kill it. We don’t know when it will get bored.”

“What if it wants us as toys?”

“Even worse, what if it wants pets?” The world shook as the giant walked away.

“I don’t know what’s worse, being a toy, a snack or a pet? I mean those hands-”

“Oh quiet down already!” Dabria yelled. The two peeking out of a window jumped at her shout. “You know nothing about them. If they were going to hurt us they would have by now.”

“What makes you say that? What is all that you’re carrying?”

“Nothing you need to worry about. Go back to your pointless gossiping. I’ll just prove you wrong like always.” Dabria started walking away from the rude people of this town. Sometimes she wanted to leave, but Vitus was all they had for medicine. Despite how foolish some outspoken members were, neither could leave the kind ones.

“You’re gonna die if you go out there! Better not take the doctor along with you!”

“I’m alone, obviously he’s not coming.”

Dabria kept walking, ignoring what the gossipers shouted after her. The giant's steps were still vibrating through the ground. She wondered if they even knew how it felt to others. She’d ask about it once they met.

As her trek into the forest truly began she realized she would be walking for a while. She used the footprints the giant left to guide her. Another sign that didn’t add up, the one she knew was much bigger than this. She shook off her thoughts, refocusing on her goal. Tonight she’d meet the giant.

The walk through the forest was mostly quiet. Now and then a strange sound was carried on the wind. It made her curious, but the giant could always help her find it. They were probably just in between their travels. It was normal enough for a giant to linger near a town, it was half of why she knew anything about them. One that would be around her home village. They visited every so often, even helped when others got lost.

The noise was getting louder as she walked. Something about it was familiar. She couldn’t quite pin it down, but didn’t want to let that distract her. She had to find the giant and talk to them. Although it might have been smarter to wait for them near the village. One day she needed to start thinking her plans through. That was for another night though. Tonight she had to find the giant.

After a while of walking under the stars she saw a clearing. A bit of hope entered her chest, the footprints led there. She ran forward with a burst of energy, pushing away the worry as the sound grew louder. She paused just before entering the clearing to look for the giant or the source of the sound.

Dabria’s heart broke when she found both. The giant was sitting in the clearing, knees hugged to their chest. From what she could see this was a young boy alone in the woods. She couldn’t believe the villagers had been gossiping about this poor boy for weeks. The source of the sound were the sobs that wracked the child’s body. She took a step forward, a twig cracked from her weight.

The boy’s head snapped up. His eyes were cat-like, reflecting strangely in the dark. She could just make out the golden color as he tried to glare at her. She walked out of the shadows and tried to get closer. The boy actually growled at her, she had never known giants could growl. Bared fangs shone under the stars, but that only made her more concerned.

There wasn’t anger in the eyes meeting her though. This was a scared child his size didn’t change that. She took another step, but he leaned back. He was afraid of her, that only made her more concerned. She sat down where she was, pulled her bag off her back, and pulled out some of the food she packed.

“I know it isn’t much for you, but I skipped dinner and don’t like to eat alone,” she said, a smile on her lips. The boy was frozen for a few seconds, but he did eventually lean forward. “Would you care to join me?”

Dabria held out some of what she brought. It was just an apple, the other sitting in her lap. She wasn’t sure what to expect in the reaction. The boy didn’t jump at the chance to get closer, studying her. He was smart, trusting a stranger like this wouldn’t be the best thing to do. So she waited with her arm outstretched for him to answer.

Eventually he did move. He brought a hand closer to her, moving it right past the apple to surround her. She tried not to let her fear at his choice show, he was scared and wanted to scare her. She wasn’t running from a child who was clearly on his own. His hand stayed partly wrapped around her, but there was room for her to run.

“Run, I-I’ll hurt you. I’ll do all the things you people think I will. Every single one,” he said. His voice was hoarse. Most likely from lack of use. It only made her more upset. She didn’t react to the empty threat, instead setting the apple on the top of his hand.

“I’m not running, and I don’t think you’re going to do anything. To me or anyone else in the village,” she smiled again. All of this was laced with hope that he’d listen. Trust her even.

“Liar. I know what you all say about me. I-I’ll do it. You better run.”

“I’m not running so I guess you’ll have to do those bad things, won’t you?”

Silence settled around them. She could hear the soft bustle of forest life as he considered her words. He could act on them. Hurt her, make her a toy, a pet, or a snack, but she knew he wouldn’t. The golden eyes staring at her weren’t ones here to hurt anyone. They were lonely and scared, something she fully intended to fix.

The fingers around her started to shake. She stared up past the hand at the boy. He looked more afraid than when she arrived. He started to close the bit of space he left. It made her wonder how much space she’d take up in his hand when she was standing. Either way she kept watching him as tears pricked his massive eyes.

“I-I can do it. Really I will. You should run before it’s too late,” he said. The boy was trembling and Dabria grew more worried about him. She reached out a hand and set it on the fingers around her.

“You can, but you don’t have to. It doesn’t look like you want to. We can always just talk instead,” she tried to squeeze the finger her hand was on to reassure him. That made him pull away from her. Fear in his golden eyes.

“Y-you’re just here to make me leave right? Go away, I won't go near that place again.”

“I’m not here to make you leave.” The boy jumped. “I came out here to talk to the giant and find out what they’ve been doing. Now I’m out here to talk to you. So… I’m Dabria, what’s your name?”

“Felix… I’m Felix.”

“Nice to meet you Felix. Would you be willing to tell me why you were crying?”

Dabria noticed the apple had fallen when he pulled his hand away. She carefully stood to pick it up. Felix flinched and slid back from her. It hurt her heart. A young boy was so scared of her. Scared of someone who usually couldn’t do much to hurt him. Unless he knew what her eyes meant. She doubted that though.

“D-don’t come closer,” he whined. Dabria moved slowly, exaggerating her movements. She bent to grab the apple and returned to where she was sitting. Dropping the fruit in the bag.

“Don’t worry. I just wanted to get the apple I tried to give you. I won’t get any closer,” she promised. Felix nodded at her, seeming more tense than before. She took her seat on the ground and looked up at him again. “So instead of why you were crying, how about why you watch the village?”

Felix buried his head in his knees. It didn’t look like he wanted to talk about anything at all. Dabria nodded to herself and reached into her bag again. She pulled out a book that she brought along. It wasn’t too much for a child, at least not when she knew the parts to skip.

“Ok, so you don’t tell me anything. I’ll just read a book. I hope you don’t mind, but I like to read outloud.”

Felix didn’t answer so she opened the book and started to read. At least she pretended to read. Instead she told a story that she knew as a child. One that told of a giant who traveled the world. Acting as a hero for the small people around them. She smiled as Felix reacted. His eyes blown wide in wonder.

As she continued the story Felix started to relax. He stretched out his legs next to her. His foot was probably taller than her. She took the chance to look him over. The clothes he wore were covered in holes. His face had dirt on it. This child was still young, at most six, but more likely five. She wasn’t leaving him alone no matter what.

By the time she reached the end of her ‘book’ he’d leaned close. Hovering over her in a way others might be worried over. All she could see on his face was the excitement as the giant hero fought a villain. As they won the day and were celebrated by everyone. Human and giant alike in honor of this one hero. She smiled up at him when she closed the book.

“The end,” she said. Felix’s eyes were filled to the brim with hope. There was a solid minute before he realized what he was doing, how he hovered. She hadn’t even noticed his hand set next to her so he could lean closer. Now she understood, he wanted pictures with the story.

Felix’s cheeks turned bright red as she looked at him. He quickly pulled back, sitting far from her again. His legs started moving, but she reached out and grabbed his pants before he pulled completely away. He froze as soon as her fingers brushed the fabric. He looked scared again, the awe already fading.

“You don’t need to scrunch up again, I can tell another story if you want.”

Felix stared at her. It was the first time since finding him she saw the predatory looks giants often had. Looks that she knew other humans sometimes found scary, but she knew what they really meant. That they were trying to see the smaller things around them. To understand the world that never truly seemed to suit them

He didn’t pull his legs back. She took her hand away and watched the giant child lean forward again. A hand set next to her, fingers up this time. He was scared still, but not pulling away. It was something she considered a win. Something making progress.

“You… really aren’t gonna send me away?” he asked. His voice shook, the trembles spread through his body. Dabria stood walking slowly towards the hand near her. She put one of her own on the tip of his finger.

“I’m really not here to send you away. I’m doing a pretty bad job if I was,” she laughed. A tear splashed down near her. Looking up she found the crying face of the giant child.

“I-I just wanted to watch… I-I…”

“Shush, it’s ok. You can come watch, even talk to us.”

“N-no. I heard them talking… they don’t like me, call me a monster… I-I am one…”

The sound of sobbing echoed around her. It was just as bad as she heard on her way here. It made the body of this child shudder. Even worse than his fear. She looked at the fingers near her, making a choice as soon as she noticed the way they trembled.

“Felix, have you ever picked up a human or a small animal?” He nodded. “Ok, then why don’t you pick me up?”

“I-I-I…”

“It’ll be ok, I trust you. Would you rather me climb on your hand?”

Felix shook his head again. Slowly fingers that would grow to tower over her wrapped around her. She was held loosely as they closed around her. His other hand was beneath her feet before she had a chance to dangle. Both his hands brought her up as he sat up straight again. They were still trembling and the sobs hadn’t stopped.

“Good job, can you bring me closer to you now?”

“O-ok.”

Felix brought her close. He held her right in front of his face. She waited for him to pull his hand from around her. It took time for him to do it. She watched him move it below the one she stood on. The whole time she struggled to keep standing straight. The trembles traveling through his body wanted to knock her down. She wouldn’t let that happen.

Using all her strength she moved forward. Barely able to reach Felix’s face. She spread her arms wide and pressed against him. He immediately met her, pressing his whole face into her body. Tears fell again, soaking her as he cried. She didn’t mind.

“It’s ok Felix, you can cry all you need,” she whispered.

The moon traveled through the sky as he cried. It was a lake’s worth of tears and she didn’t care. Not for one moment did she pull away from the child that so desperately needed someone in that moment. Eventually he moved. Pressing one of his hands to her back and holding her more tightly. She didn’t feel fear for a moment.

Fingers wrapped around her again. Tears never stopped. She started to run her hand over his skin. Just a small reassurance. His grip was tight, but far from enough to hurt her. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against him. She wouldn’t stop this until he was ready.

“S-sorry,” he whispered. His hands started to move, but she smacked her hand against his fingers.

“Don’t be sorry,” she said. She pressed her hands into his skin again. “Do you feel better now? You can keep crying if you need to.”

“M-mom and dad used to say I shouldn’t cry around humans… It’s not good to do that. Th-they said humans wouldn’t like it…”

“Well I’m here and I don’t mind you crying. I’d rather you cry until you don’t need to anymore. You don’t even have to tell me why.”

“I miss mom and dad. They told me to run and they’d find me, but they haven’t. I-I’m scared they aren’t coming. I’m… I’m really lonely…”

“Oh Felix, how long has it been?”

“A-a while. Humans made me leave the other places they told me to wait. This is the last one.”

“Well you aren’t being made to leave here. You can wait as long as you need. You can even stay with me.”

Felix pulled her away. His fingers left her again and she watched him wipe his eyes. She noticed a bright red mark on his hand. A gasp left her that had his hand beneath her again right away. His fingers were around her immediately, but that didn’t change her worries.

“What happened to your hand?” she asked. Felix pulled his hand away from her and looked at the mark.

“Oh… I tried to look at a fuzzy brown animal. I thought it was cute, but it got mad and scratched at me. It’s fine,” he said. He shoved his hand behind his back. Dabria crossed her arms and looked up at the giant boy who only seemed ashamed of his injury.

“Felix, why don’t we go back to my house? My husband is the doctor in the village. We can have him look at the cut on your hand.”

“No the-the other humans are always talking about me. They’ll be mad and make me leave or worse…”

Dabria waved him closer, happy when the boy listened. She set her hands on his face and stared into one of his golden eyes. “If they do anything then I’m leaving with you. You aren’t going to be alone again. You’ll have me no matter what.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. So let’s go ok? Just take us back to the village and I’ll tell you where to go after.”

“Shouldn’t I put you down?”

“Nope, it’s a lot faster if you carry me. Oh just let me down so I can get my bag, ok?”

Felix nodded. His fingers wrapped around her again, just like when he lifted her. He pulled his lower hand away before lowering her to the ground. It wasn’t the best way for him to handle her, but that was something to figure out later. They’d both be learning for a while. She grabbed her bag before turning back to him. She watched the young boy shift to be kneeling. His weight was enough to make her stumble.

There was the smallest wonder if she was making a mistake. If her life as she had lived until now would be ruined accepting this giant into her home. It faded away when his golden eyes locked on her again. His size didn’t matter, the eyes staring at her felt more like a scared animal than a threat. She wouldn’t abandon him. She was worried how he’d look in the sun, if his hair was a mess or his clothes were even worse than she could see with the moon. 

“A-are you ready? M-Miss Dabria?”

Dabria smiled, walking a bit forward. “I’m ready, and just Dabria is fine. I already said I trust you, I mean it Felix.”

“O-ok.”

Fingers wrapped around her again. His other palm was beneath her feet before she could think. It seemed like he was just the type to grab, it wasn’t such a bad thing. He was careful every time. She was lifted up to his chest, held near the panicking heartbeat of a young child. Another thing that broke her heart.

He kept his hold on her as he stood. The height he had was still intimidating to see despite sitting in his hand. She couldn’t even start to guess how big he’d be when fully grown. If he was even a normal height for giants now. There was so much she didn’t know when it came to taking care of him. So much she’d make sure to learn.

The first step Felix took made her suck in a breath. It had his fingers tightening around her as he moved. He paused, looking down at her with fear. He was just as nervous as she was. A nervousness that she would find a way to ease. She thought about it for only a moment before having a solution to his worries.

“Felix, why don’t you just curve your hand against your chest to hold me? That way you have a hand free.”

Felix didn’t say anything, but did as she suggested. The fingers slipped away and she was pressed against his chest. It was more than she expected, but another thing to work on. He took to walking again. This time his steps seemed more confident. She smiled as he walked, if he was confident she could be a little uncomfortable.

As he walked she thought about Vitus. He didn’t think she was going to bring the giant home, he would have said something if he did. She was worried this time it might push him too far. That he wouldn’t stand by her when she made a crazy decision. He stood by her through the gossip in every village they visited, but adopting a giant child might be too far. 

Felix’s hand tensed around her. That just proved it didn’t matter. If Vitus wouldn’t stand by her this time then she’d leave. She didn’t have his medical knowledge, but she had the best chance of caring for a giant. She could get the clothes and shelter he’d most likely need. Felix’s hand flattening made her squeak as she fell back.

Looking around she saw the village nearby. She climbed to her feet to look around for a moment. It was dark, no sign of anyone. The only light she could see was the one from a window in her own home. Vitus probably fell asleep with it on. He would usually try to wait up for her, but his limit was always near dawn. Her own heart was hammering at how he’d act. If he’d just adopt the giant child like she had.

“Do you see that house on the other edge of the village? With a glow to it?” she asked. Felix nodded. “Just head over there. That’s where I live with Vitus. Where will work out a place for you to stay too. You shouldn’t be sleeping alone in the woods.”

Felix nodded again. He curved his hand up a bit this time, more like she’d first intended. He took his steps slowly. Each one left no sign of his movement. He did know how to be careful around humans, another good thing. Teaching him caution would have been a bit hard, still doable. Although it did stand out he didn’t speak.

“Felix,” she called his name, but got no response. Her home was almost below him by now. Traveling with a giant was a much better speed. “You can talk when you hold me like this. I’m not going to break. I didn’t earlier.”

“...ok,” he whispered. It was better than the silence. He was too aware of himself now that they were at the village. She’d work on his comfort later. “We’re here… I think.”

“Yup, just let me down and I’ll be right back ok?” Felix slowly lowered himself to be sitting. Then he wrapped his fingers around her and pulled her from his palm, letting her down just outside her home. The home she was a bit worried about entering. “Now wait here while I get what we need for your hand, ok sweetheart?”

“Ok.”

Dabria walked in, dropping her bag to the side as she moved. Slowly she made her way through the house, grabbing what Vitus normally used for wounds. She replaced some things. A sheet rather than gauze. A bucket for cleaning it rather than the small dish Vitus always used. All that was left was what he used to sanitize it.

“Vitus, honey are you up?” she called into the house. Above her she heard a shifting chair followed by creaking steps as he came down to see her. If she hadn’t learned to read him she’d think he was unphased. His eyes had widened just a bit, his lip twitched slightly. He was confused. “Where do you keep all the disinfectant? I think I’ll probably need what we have on hand.”

“What are you doing?” he asked. It didn’t stop him from going around the room to gather a number of his own tools. She pouted when he grabbed the small disinfectant he always kept nearby.

“Felix is hurt and I’m going to take care of him. Also I told him he could stay with us.” There was a bit of fear behind her words. How would Vitus react?

“Felix? Is that the giant?” Dabria nodded and Vitus hummed. Sometimes it was even hard for her to read him and she hated that. This was one of those times. “Well, let’s go take care of his wound.”

Dabria smiled as Vitus followed behind her. She hadn’t told him that the giant was a child yet, but that shouldn’t matter much. She hoped. Together they walked out, she grabbed her staff on the way. There was no chance she’d leave this child unsheltered for the night. When they walked out she bit back a laugh.

Felix was on his knees with his head on the ground. One hand near the door as he tried to look in after her. He was such a curious child. His eyes filled with fear when he saw Vitus and it froze him in place. Vitus shot her a look, one she still couldn’t quite read. He stepped forward, but that got Felix moving. He sat up straight, the movement sent both her and Vitus stumbling back. As soon as she looked up she saw tears in his eyes.

“I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Felix mumbled. She saw the way he tensed, ready to jump up. Before she could say anything, Vitus stepped forward.

“Don’t be sorry, I’d be curious too. You can look inside more tomorrow, the sun will make it easier,” he said. Dabria smiled, she could hear it in his voice already. Vitus would stand by her this time too. “I’m Vitus, Dabria said you were hurt, can I see it?”

Felix hesitantly brought his injured hand close. Vitus stepped forward, not even blinking at the giant hand. Felix was trembling again. After a few seconds Vitus turned to her and grabbed the bucket with soap she’d brought outside.

“This will sting, but we want to make sure you stay healthy while it heals. Ok?”

“Ok,” Felix’s voice was a whisper again. He was such a kind child.

Vitus focused on cleaning the wound. Felix actually growled at the contact, but Vitus didn’t even flinch. It didn’t stop the giant child from looking guilty. Dabria walked up and offered Vitus the towel she’d brought outside. He dried the wound before holding up the disinfectant he’d brought out.

“You know this doesn’t need as much as you thought,” he smiled. Felix twitched when it hit his wound, this time knocking them both back. Neither were bothered, but tears fell from the giant’s eyes. Vitus just took the sheet from her and quickly put it on Felix’s hand. “You’re doing a great job Felix.”

“He’s right, most of the time no one would sit still like you,” she said.

“Felix, how old are you?”

“F-five… but I’m gonna be six soon!” His voice was louder than it had been before. He quickly shrunk back, but Vitus chuckled.

“You’re the calmest five almost six year old I’ve treated. I need you to hold your hand up a bit so I can tie this around your palm.” Felix did as he was asked. Vitus shot her a look as he tied the sheet. “There, we’ll keep it clean so it heals safely.”

“Thank you.”

Dabria smiled at the words. Felix would fit in soon enough. Vitus gathered everything she brought out and took it back inside. She had to figure out how to make him shelter. Her staff would make it possible to get a home built, but she needed an idea of how big to make it. She didn’t want to make it again every few years.

“Dabria?” Vitus’s voice made her jump. He’d come out with a book she hadn’t seen before. “With a few measurements we can probably guess how tall he’ll be later to make a place for him.”

Felix had started to loom again. Such a wholesome curiosity. She smiled at Vitus as he came over to her. Holding open the book she took a look. She knew how tall her staff was and that would give her what she needed.

“Felix, can you put your hand flat on the ground for me?” she asked. Felix did exactly that, tensing when she brought her staff close. She decided to distract him as she measured his hand. “Did you know when we moved here they told mean rumors about me too?”

“Why? You’re human…” His innocent question actually made Vitus laugh. Humans knew what her traits meant, a young giant never would. It did make the giant child shrink back.

“She isn’t human, she’s a witch,” Vitus smiled. He moved closer; he was just as calm around this giant child as she was. “Humans like to tell rumors about what they don’t understand. That includes someone bigger than us, or our size and a little special.”

“I’d say I’m more than a little special. You did happen to marry one of the strongest witches of this generation.” 

It was a point of pride she’d never ignore. It helped that she finished measuring just as she spoke. Looking in the book she had a guess, a guess that left her heart pounding. He’d get a lot bigger, big enough to be a threat even she would struggle against. That nervous look in his eyes made the nerves budding in her heart die.

“What does that mean?” Felix asked. Dabria held her staff at arms length, turned horizontally. A glow started to emanate in a circle around her.

“You should make sure to change our house while you’re at it. He shouldn’t be separated from us if he’s staying with us,” Vitus said. It made her smile, his acting like this is part of why she loved him. She closed her eyes, focusing on her conjuring spell. There was enough catalyst left in her staff for this. A whine came from above her. “Felix, it’ll be alright. She’s not doing anything bad, it’s why we live on the edge of town. The clinic is deeper in the village.”

Dabria smiled to herself at the reassurance. She could almost see Vitus rubbing Felix’s hand as he spoke. She let herself return to her focus. The goal of the house that they could all live in. One with rooms that were both their size and Felix’s. Where he wouldn’t be made to feel out of place and neither would they.

“Conjura!” she shouted. Her eyes opened, the brilliant red glowing from them always left her a bit concerned. It didn’t matter as the home she conjured pieced together around them. It didn’t take long for it to complete.

She fell back, the spell itself taking all her energy. Usually Vitus caught her, but this time large fingers wrapped around her easily. She looked up, the glow from her eyes casting a strange red on Felix. He looked nervous and excited exactly what she wanted. She couldn’t move though.

“I- are- uh-,” he started and stopped. Vitus’s hands came to rest on her arm.

“Don’t worry. She’s tired. Just like I’m sure you are. We should all get some sleep tonight. Felix, we'll deal with the village tomorrow. You have a home here with us.”

“We need to show him his room Vitus,” she mumbled.

“I doubt you even know where it is, did you put any thought into the layout this time?”

“Yes! Well… a bit more than last time.”

They laughed, but the fingers beneath her tensed. She looked up at Felix, fear still pouring from his face. She had an idea, one that might tip Vitus over the edge. She would offer it anyway, anything for the giant she’d already taken in as her child.

“Felix, do you want me to stay with you tonight?” she asked. Vitus tightened his hold on her arm, but it wasn’t the warning kind of grip. She knew when he thought she’d gone too far.

“We can both stay with you if you want,” he said.

Felix didn’t actually say anything. He just wrapped his fingers around them both and pulled them close. A young child that had been on his own didn’t need to speak when the offer was right there. He stood and looked around a bit before seeming to decide he just wanted to sleep where he was. He curled up on his side, Dabria and Vitus held against his chest.

“Is… is this ok?” he whispered.

“It’s fine Felix, get some sleep. We’ll be here in the morning,” she said.

It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep. The hands around them loosened, letting both Dabria and Vitus get more comfortable. They sat next to Felix’s chest, the calm breaths something Dabria was happy to hear. Vitus had his arms around her, but both their heads were against Felix.

“You went out and adopted a giant child tonight,” he whispered with a laugh.

“It wasn’t my plan, but yes I did,” she sighed. A smile wide enough to split her face in two as one of Felix’s hands moved to cover them in his sleep.

“I can’t say much, I saw him and knew if you hadn’t I would have.”

“You know, I was a little worried this time I might have gone too far. It’s not like you grew up with a giant next door like I did.”

“Well, I can’t really leave a kid all on his own. Size be damned. We’re leaving if they argue tomorrow.” She wrapped her arms around Vitus and squeezed.

“You’re the best man I could have married.”

“You’re the best witch I could have met. Get some rest, you’ll be busy with him tomorrow while I deal with the town.”

“Vitus… you really are the best.” He pulled her closer, she let her eyes fall closed. “Why were you still up? I know you usually  try to be awake, but it’s pretty close to dawn. You normally fall asleep around now, even with the lights on.”

“I was waiting to tell you I finished the test for why you’ve been so tired. Felix will have a little sibling within a year.”

Dabria’s eyes snapped open. She knew he was running one of those tests he did on her blood, but she didn’t know it would turn into that. Her heart raced as ideas flooded her mind. All the things their family could do, not a single one missing their new giant son. She fell asleep dreaming of the child they’d add to this family they just formed.

In the morning she was woken by loud banging at their door. She didn’t even know how close it was. Felix’s hands around her tightened, it wasn’t a dream. She did notice that Vitus wasn’t there. She squirmed out of the nervous giant’s hand to look at him, golden eyes filled with fear.

“She did it again, didn't she?” It was one of the gossiping villagers. “She brought that monster here. We’ve ignored what she is, but this is too far.”

She rested a hand on Felix’s fingers, digging them into his skin. They weren’t getting chased out. Even if the village didn’t like them, she’d go to where she found him and they’d live there.

“Enough!” Vitus’s voice echoed in the now giant sized home. “If you intend to try to chase our son out of here you’ll be losing both of us as well. I’ll happily trust him over all of you with how you treated my wife when we arrived. Make your choices wisely.”

The door slammed, another echo that settled in the silence. Tears splashed nearby. Felix started shaking. Vitus walked in and she could see how angry he was. Just how many times had that happened already? She always slept heavily after such a big spell. A house for a fully grown giant was no easy feat, even for her. 

Vitus walked right up to Felix and held a hand up to him. The giant child leaned forward, as if it was something they’d done a thousand times. He stopped with his face just a little out of Vitus’s current reach. Vitus didn’t care, he reached out further and stood on the tips of his toes to touch the face of the child they took in during the night.

“Don’t worry Felix, we’re family now. They aren’t going to get us to send you away. We either live here together or we move out of the village together,” Vitus said. 

The hand near her left only to wrap around Vitus. He was pulled up as Felix sat up straight. The child was crying again with the man against his face. Dabria smiled, happy to see Vitus acting just as she did. They were a family. A human, a witch, a giant, and eventually a half witch. They’d be quite the strange group, but all of them would stick together.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felix sat outside of the home his human size parents had made so long ago. He didn’t need to go hunting for the village and he had run out of fabric so he was bored. Bored happened a lot for him, but that was partly because of why he ran out of fabric so often.

“Felix!” a child shouted. He looked down at his leg where the fabric his sister had conjured in practice was being used for a slide. He’d moved his leg at some point, knocking down the ladder the kids were using today. “Help us up!”

“What if I don’t want to?” he smirked. It was met with dozens of whines as he fixed the ladder anyway. He set his hand down, quickly gaining a handful of unbelievably tiny humans. It scared him a bit how much trust they had in him. They were so small, he could mess up. It had been like this for years though.

“Felix!” A woman called as she ran up to him. “I need you to watch Cedric for a few hours. Just enough to get laundry done!”

“A-are you sure?” It had never been easy to believe the humans wanted him to hold the youngest of the children. Still the tiny human Cedric, one who could barely walk, was dropped on his palm and the woman ran off.

“Thank you so much! I’ll be back by sunset.”

“Hide me! Hide me!” This voice he knew very well, his sister came running from the house towards his unoccupied hand. She grabbed at his hand to turn it over so he’d lift her from the ground. “Felix please! You have to hide me.”

Felix sighed, but carefully pinched his sister’s sides. It was hard to believe she was only a little over twice the width of his fingers. Still he lifted her up and up and up until he had her meeting his eyes. She looked nervous, he could only imagine what she did this time. She was getting more confident in her magic now. A confidence that used up a lot of materials.

“Del, what did you do this time?” he asked.

“Felix I promise to conjure more of the really fancy fabric tonight if you just hide me. Just drop me in your pocket and pretend I wasn’t here. Please?”

“Delphia Kamia you get back here!” his mother shouted. 

Almost on instinct he slipped his sister into his pocket. He would never let anyone hurt his family, even when it was the rest of his family. His mother came running out of their house with a glare that made him shudder. That caused a number of whines from the slide on his leg. He didn’t hear the ladder fall though.

“Felix, where is your sister?” his mother asked. She set her hands on her hips, her ebony hair was a mess. Felix just shrugged, preferring not to directly lie. “She managed to draw on all the extra catalysts again and even caused a small explosion this time. She’s lucky it was just us inside, you and your father could have been hurt.”

“I don’t think it would have hurt me,” Felix smiled. It was a wry smile, sometimes his mother acted like he wasn’t a giant.

“Don’t belittle magic. The explosions can do a lot of damage when you aren’t a witch. Now where is she?”

“I’m not sure, sorry to say.” His lie had a strong chance to fall flat when the human in question squirmed in his pocket.

“When you see her make sure she knows she’s grounded for the two months it will take me to travel to get more catalysts.” The shout told him and the squirming human in his pocket that their mother knew where she was.

“I can always take you, it should only take a few days then.”

“That’s right I do have a giant son who would never lie and hide his sister and will happily help me replace what she blew up so he doesn’t also get in trouble.” The glint in her red eyes had him looking away. “I’ll go get packing for the trip then, we’ll leave in a few days.”

Felix watched her walk back inside. Cedric slapped his palm to get his attention, laughing when he looked down. Delphia stopped squirming and the kids continued playing. This life he wound up with was hectic. He just smiled as time passed. Delphia slept in his pocket all day. The woman came for her son when the rest of the children in the village went home. Delphia asked to be let out around then too. She ran back inside, but Felix stayed outside waiting for his dad. 

The white haired man walked home slowly. As soon as he was in reach Felix leaned forward, wrapping his fingers around the tall human. There was no resistance as he lifted his father from the ground and brought him close. He pressed the man to his chest as he stood. Walking towards the home magic had made to fit them all.

“Busy day?” his dad asked. The sarcasm made him chuckle.

“No, just left with the kids while everyone was busy. I don’t know why they keep doing that. I’m the big scary giant,” he said. A part of him never had forgotten the gossip from when his parents first took him in.

“If you could keep your threats maybe they’d stop coming. Everyone who comes to see me talks about how their kids love when you play the big scary giant who won’t help them play.”

“Maybe I’ll just start trapping them in my pocket then.”

“They’d probably love it, I think you’re stuck with them. Just like you're stuck with us.”

Felix didn’t say anything else. He pressed his dad a bit more firmly against his chest. He was stuck with his human sized family. A human, a witch, a half witch and a giant… and he wouldn’t change a thing.

[snowblossomreads]

Day 18: Blankets and Snuggles

Pairing: Sinclair Bryant x Fem!Reader

Summary: In where Y/n and Sinclair are now dating and continue their baking tradition from the previous year.

Tag(s)/Warning(s): baking and eating, snuggles and kisses, sweet treats and hugs, just everything warm and fuzzy in this one folks!

Word Count: 2.3K

A/N: I'm back with more Sinclair LOL. He has been getting a lot of love and it's what he deserves 😣😣 So enjoy as he finally gets to have his snacks in peace with his favourite person (y/n aka you bc you are a lovely human being ! yeah that's right i'm talking to you person that's reading this 🥰🥰)

"Where have you been [Y/n]?! I've been waiting all day for you, worried sick about where you’d gone off to," Sinclair complained as he watched her take her coat and boots off to not track mud in his home. "You can't tell me you're going to come and bake with me and then not tell me when. It is a crime you know!" He huffed, as he followed her into the kitchen like a lost puppy who had finally found its owner.

"A crime? Really?" She teased, amusement bubbling up in her chest as she went to put the bag of supplies that she had bought with her on the kitchen counter.

Turning around, she saw the slight pout on his thin lips, and she couldn't stifle the giggle at how dejected he looked. This only made his frown grow deeper. Of course Sinclair would be the one to get upset when he was promised snacks and didn't get them on time. But honestly, who wouldn’t be?

"It is! See, this is why you should move in with me," he explained while [Y/n] meandered towards him and threw her arms around his waist in a hug. She swayed side as she looked up at him and how his eyes were bright and passionate as he laid out his reasoning. "Then you can always be around, and we can cook together and cuddle, lots of cuddles! And then you don't have to come out in this dreadful weather when you visit me. Because you'll already be with me! Doesn't that sound nice?"

"It does, but it also sounds like some sort of ploy though! I bet it's just because you want me to bake my world-famous cookies for you every week, innit?"

"Hmph of course not! You know I can have more than food on my mind when it comes to you," he sulked for a moment before his exuberant energy returned. “Though you do make wonderful cookies! And I love them. But I love you more!"

"Aww I love you too Sinclair," she squealed as he kissed her all over her face to prove how much he loved her. "And I know love, I'm just teasing! I know that brilliant mind of yours is always working on something," she beamed causing him to radiate, proud at how much his mind really did work. "But I don't know, my contract isn't up yet for my flat and I want to stay until it's over," she explained, and she could see the sad look that reappeared on his features which made her heart also feel a bit blue. "Buuuut," she drawled out, causing his attention to perk up. "How about we bake and you try to convince me why moving in with you is a good idea. And maybe just maybe I'll give it some more consideration."

"Deal!" He shouted with a grin. "Well, come on what are we waiting for? Let's start because I'm starving!"

Unwrapping themselves from each other, [Y/n] and Sinclair continued their newly instated tradition of baking each year for the holidays. It had started the year before when she had come to spread some cheer on his first post-divorce holiday. One thing led to another and well, not only did they have a new tradition but they had a new relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend!

Last year was gingerbread cookies, and this year would be the same though with some additional ones. Snickerdoodle and thumbprint cookies! All of them were pretty simple to make considering they had the same base just with some extra things done to them in the middle, and she thought it a fun project for them both.

Of course, she had to keep Sinclair from eating the raw pastry again but that was par for the course.

"It smells so nice," he whined as she quickly took the mixing bowl from him. "If it smells nice why can't I eat it!"

"Sinclair please no! Remember what I told you last time and all the other times! I don't want to bring you to hospital if you get sick from eating raw pastry," she chided in good nature before turning back to him and seeing he was up to mischief again. "Hey wait that's for the thumbprint cookies," she laughed as she watched him spooned a bit of jam from the glass container and put it in his mouth.

"We have plenty for them though!" He replied, voice muffled by the spoon still in his mouth.

"Well Mr. Jam man! How about you add some to those cookies, and then you can continue nicking the rest of it," she snickered, as she watched him give her a thumbs up before beginning his mission of jamming the cookies.

It was his duty after all as jam man.

During all that prep, he also listed off all the reasons she should stay with him starting off with the obvious as he stated.

"You can spend time with me, I can spend time with you, I can cook for you, you can cook for me," he rambled on plopping jam in the cookies while stealing some of it for himself. "We can cuddle every day. Oh, I can drive you to work too so you don't have to take the Tube, that means more time together- I said that already didn't I?"

"Yes, yes you did," [Y/n] laughed as she rolled balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar to make the snickerdoodle cookies. "I'm getting a lot of 'we can spend time together' as your reasoning."

"There's nothing wrong with that is it?” He asked, pausing from his jam duties. "I like spending time with you, we always have fun even if we are just here doing nothing."

"Nope, nothing wrong at all! And I do also love our time together, my cheeks always hurt afterwards and in a good way!"

They both turned to look at each other, a bright smile on their lips as they mulled over how much they adored being with one another at every chance they got. Huh…maybe it wouldn't be so bad moving in…she did love the energy he had and of course Sinclair himself. So would it be so bad to share a space with him?

'Hm.'

She pondered some more as they continued to finish prepping all the cookies, chatting all through the process as he continued to list off more reasons she should live with him. After they had set a batch of them in the oven, and wrapped up the leftovers, they were startled by the doorbell ringing. 

"I'll get it!" [Y/n] exclaimed bounding out of the kitchen before Sinclair could say anything, leaving him with baking cookies that smelled terrific and made his stomach grumble.

Cookies for lunch what a wonderful thing!

"Okay I know what you're thinking Sinclair," [Y/n]'s voice floated into the room yet he couldn't see her. "'Cookies for lunch! Wonderful!' Well you know I love that but," she appeared with a pizza box in hand and he could have sworn he had fallen even harder in love with her than he thought possible. “I need something a little more substantial so forgive me for ordering pizza before I got here and don't you dare try to pay me back!”

His eyes sparkled as he approached her, or more like bounded towards her, and she only had a second to lift the box in her hand away from her chest before Sinclair was pressed against her and raining more kisses upon her.

“Oh! I love you so much my magical food fairy!” He blurted, squeezing her in a tight hug that had her breathless, yet she couldn't stop the laughter that escaped her at his enthusiasm. “You're just absolutely wonderful, you know that? God do I love you! You always know just how to make my day!”

“Haha well if cheap pizza and cookies make you happy then I'm in luck because I can afford those every week,” she teased as he pressed his lips against hers, cutting her off with a smile as they kissed. “But I don't think our blood work would approve,” she giggled breathlessly when he pulled away.

‘Ding!’

The sound of the timer on top of the oven went off, signalling that the cookies were done, and also that it was time for them to taste the fruits of their labour.

“Perfect everything is done let's dig in!” Sinclair announced as he let [Y/n] go, enthusiastic about the snacks that they now had. “I’ll bring the plates and cookies you go get comfy in the living room okay?”

Giving him a thumbs up and an ecstatic ‘okay’, she scampered off to get everything nice and cosy on the couch for their meal of junk that was oh so delicious with each other.

The cheap pizza was a hit with both of them as they chatted and laughed while a silly Christmas movie played on the TV. It served as background noise mainly as the two had more than enough to talk about. 

After the meal had been devoured, and everything but the cookies were put up, they found themselves snuggled tight in blankets wrapped around them on the couch as food coma from earlier began to sit in. Her legs were tangled in between Sinclair’s, and her body pressed against his as she lazily played with his hair.

There was a drowsy smile on his lips that was so cute! So much so, that she couldn't resist the urge to lean up a little and give him a soft peck.

“Sinclair,” she whispered against his lips, pulling away and blowing some of his golden hair away from his face causing him to hum softly. 

“I love you very much, you know that right?” She asked in a whisper as she kissed his cheek before she gazed at his sleepy but happy expression.

“Mhmm of course I do,” he replied. "You wouldn’t have come baked with me if you didn’t? And the pizza? You must love me if you brought me pizza [Y/n] it’s a scientific fact.”

His amber eyes squinted at her question as he was very much falling asleep, yet they were still vibrant and conveyed a joyful emotion that was not dulled by drowsiness. She could also see the odd speck of dark green or grey around his eyes that sometimes made them look hazel when the light hit them just right. Gosh was he a work of wonder! How could one person be so handsome, brilliant, and kind all in one? He was like a dream.

“Weeell,” she drawled, playing with the cosy jumper he had been wearing all day that was so soft against her fingertips. “Do you love me?”

Perking up at that question, he leaned down until the tips of their noses touched and he gently rubbed them together causing her to giggle. “Of course I do! You’re my favourite person in the world! Plus you don’t get mad at me when I go and talk your ear off even if what I’m saying is boring to you.”

She grinned, 

“Of course I’m going to listen to you ‘Clair, you deserve to be listened to,” she smiled. "Even though sometimes I have no clue what you’re talking about,” she added making Sinclair nip at her noise like a puppy giving a warning nip. 

It caused her to shriek with laughter and he did it again. However, this time he laid on top of her and wrapped his arms tight around her in a warm hug that caused her to snuggle closer to him underneath the blankets. Their breathy laughter filled the air as they kissed once more while [Y/n] also stroked his cheek as his warm lips captured hers briefly. 

She could get used to this. The cuddling with him every day, kissing him when he went to work and came back. And really anytime truthfully. And him of course, she could get used to waking up and going to sleep in his arms. Honestly, it sounded like a good life. When they pulled away, Sinclair noted the shine in her eyes and his heart began to beat faster as she always got that shine in her eyes when good news was on its way. 

“Well, I guess because I love you so much, and you love me so much I well..maybe it won’t hurt too much for me to move in with you. I could get used to all this cuddling you know?”

It took him a moment to process what she had said, but when he did, a loud shout of joy flew from his lips and almost deafened her. But it was worth the way his entire face brightened and his eyes lit up as if he wasn’t about to fall asleep just a moment ago.

“[Y/n]! This is brilliant, wonderful, oh you’re so wonderful, do you know that?” He asked as he squeezed her tight and made her laugh the sweet sound he loved to hear. “Oh I’m so happy okay we need to get movers, and we can get your stuff here! And your lease, do you want to terminate it early? I know it might cost a bit so if you need any help I’m happy to pay for the fees since I’m making you move. And oh I need to clean the closet so you can have room!”

She watched with a tiny grin as he listed off the things that they would need to do so they could get ready for her move and she couldn’t help the fluttering in her stomach. He was so lovely. And with each little thing he added to their list with enthusiasm, she couldn’t stop how warm her heart felt.

Maybe it knew she had made the right decision, and the thought of it only made her happier as she listened with a sleepy smile to her new roommate's rambling.

A/N: All Sinclair needs is snacks and his girlfriend and he's a happy puppy! Who wouldn't want a man like him 😉😉 I hope everyone gets to have some snacks this holiday and if not, let me know so i can send Sinclair over with cookies!!

Tags: @mercurial-make-em-ups, @deepperplexity

[turtletaubwrites]

Numbers Game Party Attire ~ The Boys

Thank you, anon for this ask! "OK SO, you’ve said already how number’s girl is dressed but what abt the rest?? I’m super curious of your vision on what type of suits would Crododile/Mihawk/Buggy use or if they wouldn’t even change clothes"

CROSS GUILD PARTY TIME

Thank you for this ask! I've been leaving a lot of visual character details vague, especially for the reader, but if enough people would prefer that I describe the other characters in more visual detail within the story, I'd be happy to do so! I just want all of our imaginations to have free reign in this dangerous little world!

BUT SINCE YOU ASKED...

Here's my vision of what Crocodile, Buggy, Mihawk, and Shanks are wearing to the party:

Sir Crocodile

Crocodile is showing off in a super dark purple/dark plum suit and vest with a black scarf and pocket square. It's got some modest black detailing (nothing as extensive as Mihawk's embroidery shenanigans though 😅). His fur coat is all black today, and he's got some gold jewelry and accessories on his suit to match his hook, like a pocket watch chain, his rings, and a crocodile brooch with chains, of course! I couldn't decide if the crocodile would be all gold or covered in emeralds, so you decide! I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, but here's a few pics (the color would be darker than these with the details listed above):

Buggy the Clown

I hope this isn't too disappointing, but I picture Buggy wearing his red Cross Guild potato sack for this party 😅😅😅 He's also got the wild hair and hat situation going on. This is the epitome of him being the leader of the guild, the crazy, menacing clown that has the two ex-warlords at his beck and call (lol), and it felt right to me to have this image he's made for himself lately to carry into this party. I see it as smaller than the giant stretching he does in the anime. It fits around him closer, you can actually see a bit of his body shape, which is why when he floats just slightly inside it as he did during his speech, it gives him a strange, hypnotic movement/gait. For the party outfit, I envision the colors all a bit darker or muted instead of super bright, with some added details on his clothes. I was thinking some lovely embroidered accents from Mihawk, but I don't think stretchy material can be embroidered, so I left that out of my brain, lol.

Dracule Mihawk

Mihawk's outfit is similar to his daily attire, just a little more extra (how is that possible? 😅). Our swordsman is wearing a jacket, NO SHIRT (lol), Kogatana (his cross pendant blade), and his pants and boots are all black. He actually took his hat off when he came inside, but before he did, it had black feathers instead of white. He's returned to his old wine red/dark burgundy shade instead of the gold he's been sporting lately. His jacket is similar, except there are no plain black sections. It is all ridiculous embroidery, with black, silk lining (the giant collar isn't lined though, gotta have those pretty designs framing his face, lol). The jacket also has some Victorian style embellishments like buttons, etc., as well as the shape of it being more suited to a party than a billowing coat. It's got some extra embroidered details along the edges that actually have hints of other colors (even though he dressed our girl up in all black, lol.) Mihawk may have embroidered a little rabbit or two into the detailing of his jacket... I had a hard time finding what I was looking for, but here's what I've got:

Red Haired Shanks

He's literally wearing the same outfit he always does except that the material is slightly nicer, the pants are black, and the shirt is a super dark blue. He's still wearing sandals. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Everything's wrinkled since he's been keeping all his clothes in a bag on the floor of the middle suite since he showed up here, lol. (His clothes are probably always wrinkly, tbh.) If Mihawk wasn't so preoccupied with his little rabbit, he definitely would have forced Shanks to wear something else, lol. Of course, this fucker manages to look amazing, and far more impressive than most everyone in that swanky room. Shanks could rock a potato sack, and everyone on the Grand Line would still simp for him 😅

I hope you enjoyed me dressing up our sexy villains like little dolls, lol. I would love to hear what your numbers girl's boys are wearing!

The party is moving right along now, so I'll get back to writing Part 26! Think it's time for anyone to die yet? It'd be a shame to get blood all over these pretty clothes... 😈😈

~ Lynna 🖤💃

[multiversxwhore]

Sam Winchester x black!oc

Warnings: mentions of cheating, mentions of non-con intent

a/n: it’s been a while hasn’t it? I literally forgot all about this until a few hours ago, I’ve been re-watching some episodes of supernatural, and some of my co-workers are fans of the show too. Not quite Supernatural weather outside lol, but I missed writing/posting about my baby Sam. Not quite sure if I’m going to continue this, and if I do obviously if you follow me you’ll know. Leave me a sweet comment, reblog, and like pwease. 🫶🏽

The low rumble of Dean’s impala, or ‘Baby’ is enough to keep me sleeping, but Sam, and Dean’s bickering wouldn’t cease long enough for me to at least reach the REM stage.

“It’s barely a case here Sam, why are you bothering?” Dean questions; the tone of his voice begging for his baby brother to drop the subject, but there’s not a chance Sam can be persuaded otherwise once he's got even the smallest inkling. As far as I can tell Sam has been pressing Dean about these suspicious missing persons for an hour. Dean invented the word stubborn, but I know this is rooted in something that a younger sibling couldn’t see. After escaping hell by the skin of his teeth, working on a mysterious case without knowing what they were up against was a terrible idea.

“People mysteriously missing is a case, and it should bother you too Dean.” The two of them fell into a moment of silence, so I tried to close my eyes thinking I could at least catch a nap, but I could tell by the way Sam exhaled that he wasn't finished with guilt tripping his brother.

“Saving people, hunting things…you’re just gonna abandon that? For what? Because the monster isn't big, or bad enough?” Sam didn't have to be so condescending, he had some nerve considering that he put the fate of the world at risk by following the words of a demon. Just thinking about Ruby made me want to pop him in the back of the head, and thinking about them fucking in my bed made me want to beat his ass from the back seat, I digress. The quiet growl of the Impala filled my ears once more, I waited for a moment or two, then yawned, and stretched across the seat. I was tired of laying down anyway. I gaze out the window, the sky blurred into a color of soft pinks, and orange creating a peach color. I look forward through the windshield to see the sun peaking over the horizon, my eyes darted over to Sam whose head is turned to the window, no doubt scowling for a reason he probably will refuse to talk about. I move on to Dean, we lock gazes through the rear view mirror, my finger pokes his arm, his eyes soften, my lips pulled into a gentle smile. I hated when they tore each other apart like this, usually I’m the voice of reason, but things haven't been the same since Sam broke the seals, and went to Hell…then came back.

“Welp, I’m hungry, whatever we’re doing I hope there’s a pit stop in the next town.” I breathed out; the sound of my stomach growling quietly, I ruffle Sam’s hair playfully, and threw a kiss at Dean through the rearview mirror, then fell back into my seat. I put my headphones over my head using the sound of my own music to drown out their silent argument. After about another hour and a half of driving I could feel the car slowing to a stop, turning to the window I saw that Dean finally decided to stop at a 7/11. I smile at the thought of cheap greasy convenient store food, and snacks; I carefully place my phone back into my bag. “C’mon, someone move their ass, I need food.” I tap my hand on Sam’s shoulder rapidly, my energy suddenly skyrockets, “there’s a monster energy with my name on it.” Sam snorts as he gets out the passenger side, Dean quickly follows so his knees don't get slammed against the steering wheel. Sam pulls the seat forward for me, he offers me a hand to help me out of the back seat, my boot gets caught, so I grab onto his shoulders for support. Our faces haven't been this close in a long while, I'd be lying if I said I missed it.

The corners of my lips curl into a playful smirk, his eyes try to look elsewhere, but my gaze remains on him, my foot already free. I couldn't help but rub my presence in, “Thanks Sammy.” I whispered, a moment of weakness and his eyes found mine again, I took that opportunity to peck him on the cheek close to his mouth. I turned on my heels, and headed into the convenient store leaving the two brothers behind. I grab a handbasket from the front, the cashier greets me, I barely wave a hand, I feel like a starved person, but it's only been a few days. I split my last poptart with Dean two states ago. I stopped at the chip aisle, my eyes scanning for what I craved the most, and right as I was reaching for it someone else's hand grabbed the last bag. “You gotta be kidding me.” My jaw clenched, my eyes looked up from the strangers beat up sneakers to see a young man around my age. A smug look on his face, had I not been so annoyed I probably would have thought he was cute.

“Oops, my bad, look on the bright side. There’s plenty of other bags of Hot Cheetos.” He took a step forward to move past me, but I side stepped him, my arms folded across my chest. An elderly woman moved through the aisle politely, but nothing could rip me away from this prick. “I want the lime flavor, give them to me.” I demanded, as I suspected he burst into laughter, he took his time eyeing me, committing me to his memory, I felt naked under his scrutiny.

“And what are you gonna do if I don't? Please give me a reason to gut you sweetheart.” He threatened me, he whispered harshly, like a flip of a switch this stranger turned psychotic, without hesitation I pulled out my switchblade.

“Is there a problem?” Dean’s voice came from behind me, the douchebag standing in front of me gazed at me wearily, now having second thoughts, he tossed me the chips, and I caught them with my unoccupied hand. When I looked up, the guy was scurrying out of the store, I turned to see Dean staring in the direction the other man had run off to; Sam came rounding the corner from a different aisle. He too has a hand basket full of food, our gazes met, I chewed on my bottom lip out of habit, and it didn't go unnoticed by Sam. He parts his lips to speak, whatever he was going to say, I did not want to hear at this moment. I didn't want to talk about Ruby, and him cheating on me. We had that conversation once, it ended with me shooting him in the shoulder. “I’m guessing those Red Bulls are for me?” I forced myself to speak first, Sam nodded his head holding out the basket to me, I transferred the drinks into my own hand basket, and turned around on my heels to leave. I can hear Dean mumble “real smooth guys.” As I walk past him, we wrap up our pit stop with Dean filling up Baby. Sam and I sat in the car patiently waiting.

“You know that stuff is just battery acid Mani? Seriously.” Sam speaks up from the front seat, I noticed the numbers on the gas pump have stopped rolling, but Dean continues to stand there. I roll my eyes, he’s forcing us to have this conversation, I guess I mine as well rip the bandaid off again.

“Yea whatever.” I mumbled, my bites turning into nibbles as I tried to make my barbecue chicken bites last longer than I knew they were going to. Sam turned in his seat as much as he could so that he could face me, my bottom lip poking out upon making eye contact.

“I'm sorry.” He whispers; his hand reaches out for me, instead of taking it I stuff the rest of the chicken in my mouth, and place the trash in his palm. He burst out into a fit of laughter, glad to know he took my avoidance of affection as comedy, but he could have had a worse reaction I guess. As Dean pulled the driver's side door open, Sam quieted down, a soft accepting smile. He turned to face the front, Dean peered over to Sam, then to me through the rearview, but I didn't meet his gaze. He audibly breathed through his nose, started the car, and pulled off onto the road. I go back to listening to my own music for the duration of our drive as I wait for us to reach our destination.

“Alright, so there’s been an update on the case since I last looked, bodies are starting to turn up, and it looks like they’ve all been stabbed to death—

Dean cuts him off, a nonchalant expression etched onto his face, “yeah so what, humans stab each other all the time, Iman literally just threatened a man with a pocket knife.” I scoffed, it’s not like I was given a choice, that guy was seriously freaking me out, I was going to argue back when Sam spoke up loud enough for us both to hear.

“And their major organs were missing…so, not so human Dean.” Sam sat at the small breakfast table on the opposite side of the hotel room, his laptop in front of him, and his hunter's journal flipped open to a half finished page. Dean dragged his hand over his face, he sighed heavily, and let his body fall into the bed, “Shit…it’s a demon isn't it?” Before Sam regained consciousness after his return from hell, Dean, and I spent most of the time dreaming up scenarios where we’d just take a huge vacation. That’s what we thought would happen, Castiel was taking care of things upstairs, and Crowley, well he was too busy re-establishing the “business of hell.” Or whatever Kings of Hell did. Unfortunately for us Sam wants to work. “That means this has been the first demon activity in weeks, I guess Crowley got bored.” Sam looked up at me stunned by my presence, he held my gaze a moment too long, so I focused my eyes on my phone instead.

“We’re going into town first thing tomorrow morning, let’s try and get some sleep for now.” Dean yawns, his body already stretching, and twisting to turn to his side facing away from Sam and I. Only the sound of keyboard typing, and mouse clicking filled the silence. “You’re not going to sleep are you?” Sam asked over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth pulled upward into a half smile; I shrugged, the only time I actually slept was when we were on the road. The long drives, the constant moves soothes my mind, “I’ve never been able to relax in still environments…too vulnerable.” I mumbled, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my sleeves, he paused his research, and turned to me.

“I’ll always have your back Imani, you know that.” Sam attempts to reassure me, I believed him, his vowel has never faltered. Even if it meant him sacrificing himself, Ruby hated that. No matter what, she couldn’t get Sam to kill me, and it caused a huge upset between them when he physically put his body between us when she tried to carry out the job herself. Too exhausted to physically respond back I nodded my head mustering a soft smile, this satisfied him enough to go back to his work, and leave me be. I turned to look at the clock by the bedside, it was hardly midnight, so I decided at least my body could rest even if my mind wouldn't.

“I’ll pretend to sleep, and if you need me you can pretend to wake me up?” My voice a little above a whisper, Sam lets out a chuckle, but nothing more is said.

About an hour later, the hotel phone rings, I turn over to Dean, but he’s fast asleep. I looked up to Sam, and he had passed out in his chair with his face planted on the table. “And then there was one.” I groan, pulling myself up from the bed, the phone continues to ring as if the caller was hell bent on me answering.

“Hello?” I answered, there’s heavy breathing for a moment before what sounds to be a man’s voice on the other end.

“Oh, I didn’t expect anyone to answer.” The man said, my eyebrows pinch together, and as I shift my weight from one hip to the other, I become increasingly annoyed.

“What’s the point of calling someone if you don’t want an answer ?” I asked, I knew I should have hung up the phone, but I was in the mood to argue.

“I don’t know, if a tree falls in the middle of the forest when no one’s around does it make a sound?” The stranger asked sarcastically, Sam grumbled something in his sleep, but nothing more.

“What?” I don’t know what stupid kid was playing on the hotel phones late at night, but now I’m wishing I didn’t answer.

“Okay, okay, for real this time…what’s your favorite scary movie?” My body went rigid, a chill ran up my spine, no matter how I answered this I knew the bullshit was going to start regardless. ‘Would someone be dumb enough to copy a movie killer in real life?’ I thought to myself, I was hoping the answer would have been no, yet here we are.

“Who is this?” My voice was still a bit groggy from sleep.

“I asked a question first, play along and maybe I’ll be nice. Maybe I’ll spare you.”

“Scream? Really?” My eyes looked over to Sam, he continued to snore lightly, I cursed myself as I remember I left my gun on the nightstand near my bed.

“Answer the fucking question.” He said in a creepy melodic manner, I should have hung up five minutes ago, but now I have to see this through.

“Ugh I don't, I guess Hellraiser.” I shrugged, I should have chosen a better movie.

“Ah! That’s a great choice, now here’s the game, I ask you trivia questions, and for every one you get wrong…somebody dies.”

“What!” I shouted, my heart pounding viciously, Dean and Sam jumped up out of their slumber. Both of their guns at the ready.

“Wait…until I finish the rules, you interupt me again before I’m done and I’m going fucking gut you.” Both our ends of the phone are silent, my feet glued to the ground, I heard Sam and Dean calling for me.

“Now, I will ask you the questions you have ten seconds to answer, and no one is allowed to help you. If your meat head of a boyfriend so much as hints to you it’s all over. Do you understand?” He asked, I could feel the sickening grin grow on his lips from my side of the phone, I looked over to Dean who watches be with an expectant gaze.

“Do you understand!” He shouted making me jump, I nearly choked on my spit from trying to answer too fast.

“Fuck, yes I understand.” At this point Sam had gotten up from his seat, he tried to snatch the phone from me, but I bent down dodging his reach.

“Question one, what is a Cenobite?” He asked

I wanted to kick myself for the way my brain froze, I’ve watched that movie more times than I can count, the answer is right on the top of my tongue.

“10, 9, 8.” He began to count down, my heart thudded, and my hands trembled. I inhaled deeply, “7,6,5.”

“They’re Levathins.” I answered quickly, I knew the second I said it I was wrong.

“Wronggg!” The jerk shouted from his end of the phone.

“No.” I denied my error, how could I have been wrong? I’ve read about this before.

“Wrong, wrong, wrong! And now someone dies! Brb.” He shouted like a child

The line went dead, my eyelids grew wide, “What the fuck just happened?” I mumbled, my heart still pounding, someone’s hand grabbed my shoulder, it turned me around, and I came face to face with Sam.

“Iman…who was that on the phone?” He asked calmly, my eyes raised to meet him, Dean took the phone from my hands. It took me a moment to answer, I fought to clear my panicked thoughts to communicate clearly.

“Some guy…he made me play some stupid trivia game about horror movies. Said that if I got them wrong he would kill someone. Sam I, I got the question wrong now an innocent person is going to die because of me.” My voice breaks, my eyes sting at the presence of tears brimming my bottom eyelids.

“What else did he say?” Sam persists, I don’t blame him, once I get to crying I’m useless.

“He said brb.” I said, I turned to Dean who had sat at the edge of his bed, a confused expression on his face.

“What the hell is brb?” Dean suddenly spoke up, Sam’s face screwed up into a look of annoyance at his older brother.

“Dude, you don’t know what brb is? What century do you live in?” Sam scoffed, they began to bicker, and usually I let them.

“Be right back, brb means be right back. It’s text lingo, but that’s not the point. Whoever this dick head is, we need to find him before there’s another victim.” I cross the room back to my bed, while I’m looking through my bag there’s a knock at the door. Before either of us had a chance to answer, someone kicked the door open. Both Sam, and Dean emptied their guns on him, it did no good. On the other side of the door stood someone dressed in a long black robe, with a Ghost Face mask, “Sorry sweetheart, I just couldn’t wait for another game.” He said, I recognized the voice from the man over the phone, two more people dressed in identical outfits appeared from behind him. They both charged at Sam, and Dean. This left me to myself while they were tussling, I thrust my hands out in an attempt to use abilities that I’ve abandoned. For a moment Ghost Face began to twist in pain as he held his head, but he fought against it, my eyes darted to Sam who had gotten shoved through the hotel wall. ‘Shit, I’m stronger with Sam.’ Before I knew it, Ghost Face had grabbed me around my waist, and we stumbled onto the bed.

He got a good feel on me as his gloved hands squeeze my thighs, he takes his time to move up to my breast until both his hands wrap around my throat. I fought against him as hard as I could, but this man was impossibly heavy.

“I can’t wait to cut you open, and gut you princess.” He says heavily, his crotch rubbing up against my thigh, I’ve never felt so disgusted. His hand came over my face to caress it, his thumb brushed over my lip, so I took that opportunity to bite him.

“Ugh you bitch!” He shouted pulling away, I wasn’t fast enough, still a bit dizzy from him cutting my air off I moved my head too fast causing a sharp pain to shoot through my head. Next thing I knew, he had reared his fist back, and punched me hard enough to knock me out cold.

[jiminiefictions]

STRAWBERRY KISSES ₊˚⊹♡ 🍓 | PJM

CHAPTER ONE

Every-time he closed his eyes, he could taste her. The sweet delicious smell of strawberry flooding his senses, the warm feeling of calm resting over his body every time their lips met. Her strawberry kisses were enough to keep him going, each day coming and going with the growing desire of wanting to see her again.

- pairings: soft!jimin x fem!reader

- includes: fluff, softness, descriptive writing lol, toxic bf, manipulative bf.

A/N - my first story, idc if it flops it was fun to make heheh.

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 🍓 ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

Tiny rain droplets sprinkle onto the window as Angel looks out, watching pedestrians navigate through their daily routines. Angel catches sight of a tall brunette woman with fair skin. A fitted blazer and black slacks complimenting her slim figure. She looks down, lost in her own thoughts as she covers herself with an thin black umbrella, seemingly in a rush. Rain water splashing slightly under her heels as she hurriedly walks through small rain puddles. She is probably a business woman, Angel thought. On her way to an important meeting which could start at any moment. Angel watches her, wishing she was in her shoes. She felt that anything anybody else was going through right now is probably better than her current situation.

Her body jolts as the drivers side door suddenly swings open. Michael’s tall figure appearing out of no where. He grunts before plopping down into the seat, visibly irritated.

Angel gets a thick lump in her throat, the same kind of lump she always got when Michael was upset, knowing that tonight would be a rough night of baseless arguments and name calling. However, she was surprised that night when they got home and the peace was still there. Michael dragged himself across the living room and went into the bedroom quietly, still without saying a word. This behavior was foreign to Angel, being that Michael would always start stupid arguments when he was annoyed, just to take his frustration out on someone. He always chose Angel.

With this newfound attitude Michael was having, Angel found it possible that she could sneak off to the park that night, like she always used to do until she was caught. She wondered if the boy she had met there a few months ago would still be around.

“I’m going to the park tonight.” She told Michael. She expected him to flip out and scream at her, but he didn’t reply. He kept his back facing her, not even acknowledging her presence. With that, Angel exhaled slowly and grabbed her coat. She slipped into her nice winter boots that Gwen, her best friend, had bought her as a Christmas gift a year back. Making sure to grab an umbrella on the way out, she began to make her way toward the park.

The rain was light now but the temperature was still freezing. Cold rain did nothing but make Angel want to snuggle by a warm fire inside the apartment and read a nice book with a side of honey biscuits and coffee. However, she wanted a change of scenery.

Once at the park she sat at her favorite bench. The wood felt cold against her thin fabric leggings, but it calmed her in a way most things couldn’t. Realizing she left her book at home, she cursed under her breath. What now? She thought to herself. Looking across the path, she sees another bench. The bench her old friend would be at each time she went to the park. The faint memory of him made her heart ache slightly, wishing he was still around somewhere.

Each day, he’d wait at the park for her. It never failed that she would show up at exactly 11 P.M. She’d walk to the same bench each time, open her bag, and take out a book to read. He never meant to be stalker-ish, but he found himself just watching her. He caught himself heading to the park, even on days he told his friends he was too tired to go out or on days he didn’t feel well. Eventually, after about a month of this, he had finally gotten the courage to walk up to her.

She had been deep into a book, so when he approached her she seemed slightly annoyed to be interrupted. Still, she gave him a small smile and allowed him to sit beside her as she read. She gave light details about the book and suggested he read it. They’d talk about their favorite genres and authors, and debate on why one author was better than another. Overtime, it became routine. They’d meet at the park, and she’d talk about a current book she was reading. The way her face would light up when he engaged in conversation, asking questions about certain characters or events in the book.

Soon enough, they began to walk around the park’s path together, starting to talk about things unrelated to books. It felt like he knew everything about her, or maybe it’s just something he convinced himself of.

He began to notice small things about her, like the way she shakes her head when she laughs or the way she nudges him whenever he makes a joke that feels too offensive to laugh at. Yet, it seemed like it took a while for him to notice one thing in particular. Her use of lip balm. She always had it in her hand, and she’d apply it frequently. She’d always apply it to her lips mid conversation, giving her lips a light pink tint for the rest of their time together.

When he finally asked her about it, she’d smile in embarrassment. “Is that your favorite one?” He’d ask her. “Yes, i’ve been using it for a few years now. I use it everyday.” He took note of this, and wanted to do something special for her. When he asked to see the lip balm closely, she’d give it to him without hesitation.

He inspected it, making sure to take note of the brand she used. He caressed the bottom of the lip balm, the turning part. It’s edges rigid, but conviennent for use.

The following night, he’d buy her an entire pack of them. She’d shriek at the sight of his gift and hug him, thanking him over and over. Seeing a grown woman jump around over lip balm was amusing, but it warmed his heart. He felt good, like he did something useful.

She put the pack of lip balms up to her chest, showing him her appreciation before putting them in her bag and pulling him close. “I really appreciate it.” She says. She looks up at him, giving him a smile before giving him a light peck on the lips. It caught him off guard, but he wasn’t disappointed. His cheeks would flush red as he’d tell her it was no problem and that she deserved to be gifted everyday for simply existing.

The after taste was sweet. She must’ve put on lip balm before meeting up with him as the kiss tasted much like strawberries. The texture was waxy on his lips, but he liked it. “It’s just my thank you for the amazing gift.” She’d say, before stepping back slightly.

They’d stare at each other for a few moments, taking in the events that just occurred. They decided to walk around the path one last time for the night before going their separate ways.

A red beat up car would pull up next to Angel, honking at her and shouting from the rolled down window. She’d sigh and curse under her breath before turning toward him. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” Was all she said before running over to the passenger side and getting in. All he could see was a man, seemingly very angry shouting at her. He wondered who it was. Maybe her father by chance or an overprotective brother, questioning why she was out late at night by herself with a man he didn’t know.

It wasn’t until she stopped showing up at the park that he would question it further. He hoped she was okay, and regretted not getting her name or contact all this time to check up on her. He’d continue to go to the park each day, hoping she’d show up by some miracle, but when she didn’t, he’d given up completely and stopped going himself.

The rain was picking up again, making it extremely windy and cold. Angel figured it was pointless sitting out here anyway, being that she didn’t have a book or a friend to keep her company.

The toasty temperature of the apartment made Angel’s cold cheeks feel stiff, but she was glad to be in the warmth again. Michael was still in the room. She tapped him and he didn’t budge. She rolled her eyes. Prick. She thought to herself.

“Michael, do you want hot cocoa?” Angel asked. He began to stir at the thought of warm hot chocolate on a cold rainy night. He murmured a ‘yes’ from under the covers. Angel took off her coat and boots and headed to the kitchen.

As she watched the microwave spin the mug around, warming up milk her phone got a notification.

GWEN: Hi girl!

GWEN: I need a HUGE favor…

Angel rolled her eyes.

ANGEL: What is it? And no i’m not going on another date with your cousin, he’s weird & I don’t want to hear any more of Michael’s bitching. He still brings it up even when I told him it was a silly favor.

GWEN: LOL, it’s nothing like that! However…

ANGEL: Wtf did u do :/

GWEN: So yknow how me and taehyung have been dating for a while, right?

ANGEL: Continue..

GWEN: Well.. We’ve decided to introduce each other to our friends. It’s only like a two-hour dinner tomorrow night. Please…You can bring Michael!

ANGEL: I’d rather not bring him…What time?

GWEN: Haha, you’re so mean to that man. It’s at six.

ANGEL: I’ll try to stop by after work.

GWEN: OMG! Thank you! See you then xx

Angel sighs, as the microwave beeps. Taking out the now steaming milk, she thinks about tomorrow night. What do I even wear to a…friend meeting? She thinks to herself.

Shaking her head, she walks toward the bedroom and places a warm mug of hot cocoa on Michael’s nightstand. “I heard you typing on your phone, what’s that all about?” Michael asked, sleepily.

“Gwen wants me to come over tomorrow and meet her boyfriend. I guess they’re getting serious.”

“You’re not going.” Michael said, sitting up and grabbing his mug to take a sip. “Excuse me? It’s just a small event.” Angel hated this. Michael was always trying to control what she could and couldn’t do with her life.

“Okay, I don’t care what it is. You’re not going.”

Angel bites her lip, irritated. She pulls out her phone to text Gwen. Before she could, Michael snatches the phone and starts typing for her. He hands it back and Angel reads the message he sent for her.

ANGEL: Sorry turns out I can’t go. I have plans tomorrow with Michael :(

Deeply annoyed, Angel looks up at Michael. She was tired of him not letting her see her friends or family or have a social life. The park was the last thing she had, but he took that away as well. Now she can’t even go see her bestfriend.

A few moments later, her phone pings.

GWEN: Aww :( I was hoping to see you! We haven’t seen each other in months. Are you avoiding me?

Angel so badly wanted to tell Gwen the truth. That Michael wasn’t letting her see any of her friends. That he only wanted her to go to work and home and if she did go out, it was with him only.

“In a few days, you’ll see a post on Gwen’s feed, the entire group shit face drunk and then you’d thank me that I didn’t let you go in the first place. You’re welcome.”

Angel so badly wanted to punch him in the throat, just to get him to stop talking. He always made remarks like that. Shading Gwen’s lifestyle. She was a party girl and liked to have fun. Angel recounts the time that he told her that Gwen was a sloppy mess, simply because she was tipsy at dinner.

Ignoring Michael, Angel changed into something comfortable and snuggled in bed. Michael rolled over to face her back and snuggled beside her, spooning her. Angel felt sick. She didn’t want him near or on her. She missed his state of sleepiness and ignoring her existence. Yet, his stubble beard was poking into her neck, making her feel uncomfortable. Each time she’d adjust, he would simply get back into position, not knowing her uncomfort was because of him.

He smelt of cigarettes and cologne. The smell alone was enough to make your nose feel clogged. The harsh smell made her feel ill sometimes and the fact she could never escape it made it worse.

Angel’s mind thinks back to the park from earlier that night.

He really stopped going. Was it because of me? That can’t be. We weren’t that close…I know it’s been a few weeks since then, but was he really only going to see me? Or is he just busy tonight. Ugh, Angel..You’re overthinking, just…Go to sleep…

[aprillikesthings]

OKay so what I came here to post about is that while ONE trip to another country is just going to that country, now that I've done TWO international trips everyone (including myself) sees me as A Person Who Travels and I keep getting asked where I'm going next

And on the one hand it's a weird question, because both previous trips were just--

Iceland: Icelandair advertised a huge discount on direct flights on my facebook wall and made a thirty-year dream suddenly seem possible

Spain: I saw like an article? somewhere? about the Camino, read one memoir, then suddenly had a new hyperfixation and I proceeded to read fifteen more (barely exaggerated y'all) and watched a bunch of youtube videos and then asked for the time off and started training

So in neither case was it like, "oh where do I want to travel," it was like "the need to go to this specific place is suddenly consuming my life"

But on the other hand, I mean, I'm kinda thinking England a year from now? But those plans are REALLY hazy past like, "lol the British Museum has an Ea Nasir tablet gotta get a selfie with it" and "I hear Durham cathedral is gorgeous" and "Norwich is a short train ride from London and then I can visit sites associated with Julian of Norwich!!--what do you MEAN there's a three-day pilgrimage route to Walsingham??? 👀" (what can I say I'm a sucker for pilgrimages now)

TBH I just want someone else to arrange one of those multi-day bus tours of churches/cathedrals in England but for LGBT+ Anglicans!! Someone get on this!! (Jay Hulme has other things to do or he'd be perfect for it. God knows some of the churches on my list are because of his photos.)

Anyway.

I have to keep reminding myself that Spain is a huge outlier in Europe for being so inexpensive on a daily basis, plus being a pilgrim means my daily costs were literally food/bed in a hostel/a few euro for church donation boxes.

And I get that Iceland is well-known to be on the opposite end of that scale, but it still boggles the mind to compare them (all approximate):

Iceland for eight days

Flight: $500 Guesthouse room: $700 A few bus day tours + Blue Lagoon + bus to and from airport: uhhhh I think like $400 added up? Daily expenses of food/museums/souvenirs for eight days: $50/day on average, so another $400?

Total: $2,000

Spain:

Flight (into Paris, out of Lisbon) + insurance: $800 Daily cost, including hostels, food, souvenirs, sightseeing: averaged about $50 a day for 42 days total, so about $2100 Add another $100 for train/bus tickets (...I think it was more than that)

Total: $3,000

NINE DAYS in Iceland versus FORTY TWO days in (mostly) Spain.

(Okay, this is admittedly ignoring the fact that 1. I had to buy things I didn't already own for my Camino, like a backpacking backpack and a summer weight sleeping bag and TWO pairs of pricey hiking boots; OR 2. that I absolutely spent like $1,000 on physical therapy while training for the trip.)

They are just such wildly different countries. Museums in Iceland were all (US) $15-25. The cathedral's museum in Santiago (where I spent at least as much time as any of the museums in Iceland) was normally €7 but I got a discount for being a pilgrim. I think I paid €4, which is like $4.30.

Anyway none of this is about whether or not England is expensive, but I do assume it's closer to the Iceland end of things.

Especially since it's one thing to stay in hostels the whole time when you're on pilgrimage and everyone else at the hostel is too and everyone is in bed by 10pm because you're all exhausted. (Also because that's when they all lock their doors. No, really.) It's another thing to stay in a hostel in like...London. But the alternatives escalate in cost rather rapidly, especially when you're traveling alone. Oof.

ANYWAY ALSO the fact that I can afford to travel AT ALL is like 90% due to my having cheap-ass rent, no car, no kids, no student loans, and all my healthcare issues being relatively inexpensive. I've worked the same meh-paying job long enough for my hourly wage to double and to have fuck-tons of PTO. I'm 43 and I live in a run-down townhouse with three other adults and most of my furniture is all ten-year-old Ikea and I don't eat at restaurants hardly ever.

Any one part of my life could change and I would never be able to afford to do this kind of shit again.

Which is why I'm doing it now.