#six fingered jose

[wheatcak3]

Now I'm curious: can we get a Venti ship tier list from you, the #1 Venti ship artist

aaaa you flatter me 😳💖

making this tier list I realize that I see a lot of the characters more like people that would be good friends with Venti LMAO (friendship is magic ✨✨✨)

Also no hate to anyone who ships venti with any character!

Love is love uwu as i mentioned last ask, as long as Venti is happy that's all that matters to me ✨

[gierosajie]

Venti would really deny any credit and involvement over something he did whether good or bad, but as soon as it involves music he's just, "Yes, I am The Best, actually." NHSFHSJDHJB

[frozenambiguity]

melodicbreeze said:

He rang? The bard is here.

Ah, marvelous. If only people were always this charitable. The world would certainly be a better place then. «How nice of you to be at my beck and call». The captain is amused, if one could not tell by the tone of his voice and how he crosses his arms. A friendly stance.

«Are you certain you were not lurking around the corner, waiting for the right opportunity to come and give us a grand performance? Showoff.~» Six-Fingered José is probably cursing himself for not ( blocking ) standing next to the tavern's door tonight. He could have made a hefty sum of coin. Another time, perhaps.

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

The funniest thing about the Creator having a child thing (to me anways) is that the Archons act like their poor dear deity was an innocent in the whole situation, when you just KNOW that all the potential fathers (with the exceptions of Abyss Prince Aether and maybe Childe) were the ones being seduced.

Kaeya is a flirt, but he's not the type to bed someone willy-nilly, much less a deity. Nev is the Hydro Sovereign, he would have too much respect to try anything uncouth towards the Maker of All without their express permission. Kaveh would have to be blitzed out of his mind to even THINK of flirting with the Creator, much less bedding them. Childe, well...honestly it's a 50-50 split on that imo, he might if he thought it would go well and/or get him power of some sort. Traveler Aether would be focused on finding his sister, he wouldn't allow himself to be distracted by things like that...and Xiao? Xiao would never try anything that could even be mistaken as rude towards the Creator. Heck, I think getting a kiss on the cheek would be enough to make the poor guy panic.

So uh, I guess what I'm asking is...how did the dad's initially react to learning the Creator wanted to do the horizontal tango with them?

Help you are actually so right, in most scenarios I can only picture the reader being either shameless or forthcoming enough to say it to their face that they find the boy attractive or anything close.

I know there are at least a handful who while they fantasize about it wouldn't even dreamm of telling you that .

Their grace is so forthcoming

WC 1,2k

Flirty banter gets misunderstood for real flirting but they exploit the bug

Childe

“Your grace, you are shivering a lot!” he exclaims loudly as he pulls his harbinger coat onto your shoulders. The tsaritsa held a kind of ‘greetings party' with her harbingers, even if the atmosphere was tense and the chatting short, each of your sides being taken by the tsaritsa and Pierro. Sooner than expected everyone left. When you notice you left an accessory behind and meet face to face with the redhead alone in the room.

“Hm, I guess I'm a bit cold”

And without missing a beat or looking up from the clasp he was trying to secure he chimes faster than he can think “cold? But you are so hot!” but after he noticed his eyes seem to lack more will to live.

“I'm inc-”

As he attempts to apologize, your hand pulls on his wrist, getting him closer, his blue eyes wide, “You yourself are quite nice on the eyes, don't you want to tell me anything else?”

His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows the spit that pooled behind his teeth, his little Freudian slip ended up better than he expected.

Kaeya

“Oh my, what are you doing alone here?” Kaeya sits down on the chair next to you, only a lonely drink with you

“Mhm, Venti got into a fight with Jose six fingers about who was a better bard” you sigh as you sip your drink, looking down a window at the two bards singing outside trying to get the crowd to decide who was better.

“To leave such an beautiful person alone in a bar, I wouldn't be surprised if a drunkard tried to sweep you off your feet” he sips his alcoholic drink, the burning on his tongue soon settling warmly in his stomach before letting out a roaring laugh from the bottom of his chest “I'm joking~ I doubt anyone would dare attempt”

You let out a simple ‘mhm?’ before leaning your head to the side to look at Kaeya with a mischievous grin “oh, such a shame, I would have allowed you to do something so bold and a bit more” and your hand falls on his thigh under the table and his soon follow.

Venti

Would NEVER, under No circumstances flirt first for reasons

Xiao

-holds too much respect to dar think about you like that-

“Aren't you sweet?” the small apple falls on your hand, Xiao had climbed a nearby tree after hearing your stomach rumble.

“I appreciate your kind words, even then I think I'm too jaded to be considered anything akin to that” He bows his head. It's been a while since he accepted that he would never be clean of the blood he spilled during the war, but that at least managed to make him want to protect Liyue so they will be able to live peacefully.

“You may say that but isn't selflessly protecting liyue sweet? I would say it's sweet how you care about little Qiqi, I saw how you carried her up a cliff to grab qingxin. Undoubtedly pure sugar”

“Your grace…” his eyes soften as he looks down where you are.

“You are almost like candy I could eat up!”

Traveler aether

-shy/ has other things in his mind-

“I have to say aether, your house is surprisingly comfortable” the words slip past your lips before you can think about it. Even if it isn't how you would have furnished it nobody could say he had bad taste. There are lots of fireplaces and cushions and the seats and beds are quite comfortable, an odd combination of styles that sustained the idea of him being a traveler and cherry picking the most comfortable parts of each nation.

“Paimon had a hand at it too! If it was up to aether this would only be cushions and blankets! Paimon had to push for these plants!”

“Well it wouldn't be strange for a traveler to seek mostly comfort rather than looks”

Later into the night he leads you to another room on the upper floor, just a few meters away from his “how strange, I would have guessed the guest's room would be on the lower floor”

Aether just sighs, his braid swaying softly “Paimon wanted her room to be close to the kitchen so it was this or having the game room up here”

A few hours pass, there is a noise like paws on the roof but you pay no mind, Aether already explained that nobody could enter unless he allowed them to and most likely they were one of the many animals he kept inside the teapot. Softly you walk towards his door and knock on it, not without looking down the railing only to see pain passed out surrounded by a few fruits.

“Could I sleep with you?” You stand before his door wearing your piyama, as you say those words you drink in his disheveled appearance, a t-shirt a few sizes too big hanging from his shoulders down the middle of his white thighs, long blond hair usually collected in a braid now loose, some bits tangled and another flowing as they please.

“Huh…? If you are afraid of noises the cranes sometimes go to the roof and you can hear them”

“It's not that… it's more like I want to be close to you, in the same bed” his cheeks, usually milky white bloom peony red, and the last bit of hanging sleep fell from his eyes. He nods vigorously.

He has principles and openly flirting with you almost seems disrespectful

Neuvillette

Melusines are the pride of Fontaine, with their joyful disposition and chubby cheeks even if chronologically they can be hundred if years old they can blend in with 5 year olds seamlessly. Be it their tiny huffing and puffing when things don't go their way, to their attraction to sweets and how clingy they can be with neuvillette. Especially when he misses the usual monthly visit.

“I have already apologized, work stacked up and-”

“You prefer our sisters who stay in the city! It's unfair” the melusine who took over his lap started kicking the air until Neuvillette combs her hair with his fingers.

“You know it isn't like that… could you as a group behave for their grace? they are arriving soon” he attempts to calm her down while looking at the drawing another is showing him and how two others are braiding his hair.

“Never took you for the fatherly type” as you walk inside the grotto some melusines jump on you, they only see you as mister Neuvillette's friend and someone with a gift which you soon give them, it's a small ball with glitter inside, soon the melusines focus on that and start running around chasing it “aren't they a joyful bunch?”

“They seemingly never run out of energy so they can be tiring at times. My apologies for such display, I expected them to be able to be calm by the time you arrived but as you can see…”

“I don't mind, it's adorable, attractive even” he doesn't look too taken aback by your comment other than his slit pupils being thinner and longer than usual.

Diluc

Thoma

Alhaitham

Would actually flirt, holds you in high regard but still sees you as a human

Dainsleif

Abyss aether

[coolprettyleo]

the black dog - will smith ☆

will smith x reader

wc: 1.7k

tw: breakups. heartbroken. angst. fluff? longing. talks of nudity. lmk if I missed any!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

you stared at your phone for what felt like hours. re-reading the headline over and over again.

will smith signs an entry-level contract with the san jose sharks!

you had a lot of emotions running through your veins right now; and breaking down crying was the one that overcame it all.

of course, you knew this had nothing to do with you, but maybe that's why it made you feel like shit. there used to be a time when that very same boy used to tell you his secrets, his accomplishments, and his thoughts.

you were no different than a stranger, and that's what pierced holes in your heart.

you had met will during a communications lecture when he asked to borrow a pencil. you immediately found him charming and cute, so it didn't take long for you to ask him to get coffee. he liked your forwardness, and one thing led to another; the two of you began to talk.

soon after, he began to call you his girlfriend, and you even met his family as he did yours. you were living the college dream and the cheesy part inside you loved it.

everything was perfect, in your eyes. so imagine the surprise you had when your boyfriend told you he wasn't looking for anything too serious. almost six months into dating you.

the two of you had been cuddled up on top of your twin-size bed as you did what any college couple did. talk about your future. what meant to be playful pillow talk, turned into your worst nightmare.

"I can't wait till our sophomore year. we'll finally have our own rooms," you said, thinking about the fact it was hard to get alone time in bed, due to the fact you both had roommates. knowing sophomore year was when the students upgraded to apartments.

you felt him still, and you looked up to see your boyfriend deeply in thought.

"are you okay?" you asked softly as he looked to be contemplating his next words.

"i've been meaning to talk to you"

"what?" you asked cluelessly as you stared at your boyfriend as he pulled away from your touch. he pulled away as if you were burning him.

"I'm just-- I'm not looking to go into a serious relationship right now. I have a lot of things to deal with right now, and I'm not going to be able to be there for you. you don't deserve a half-ass boyfriend." he told you. you searched his face looking for a single ounce of jokingness. nothing.

"I- I don't get it? are you thinking about signing?" you asked him as he ran his fingers through his face and into his hair.

"no. it's just not a good idea to be focusing on anything other than hockey right now. I'm sorry" he told you after a moment of silence. as you stared at your fingers with glossed eyes, praying to god your tears stayed at bay.

"why did you wait," you said after a long silence.

"what?" he asked cluelessly.

"why would you wait. wait till now to tell me this? wait till I completely fell in love with you? wait till six months to tell me this" you said with a spark of anger shining in your eyes.

he looked away before licking his lips and sighing.

"I'm sorry" was all he said before he reached for his phone and walked out.

you shook the memory off as you continued to read the article. apparently, he had known he was signing since men's worlds. he broke up with you a little after that, meaning he decided against telling you. meaning he lied when he told you 'no'.

there was a time when he used to tell you his secrets.

you wondered if he had made to move to san jose already. you'd never admit it to anyone, but you still looked at his location. he had forgotten to turn it off, and it brought you comfort seeing it.

that comfort you were looking for was nowhere to be seen as you saw his contact walk down a street in boston filled with bars. you stared at the screen as his location walked into some bar called the black dog. you knew it was a bar because you yourself have been there.

you yourself had danced with him there after they beat bu. you were there when he had been so hyped up about winning and chose to kiss you for the very first time that night; you were there and you remembered it. you remembered it all too well.

your eyes filled with tears. thinking about all the scenarios that could be happening right now.

maybe he would meet a girl. who were you kidding? of course, he was meeting a girl; any girl would be lining up to have him. he would jump up at the opportunity of a pickup line when the bar played his favorite song. a song you showed him, but at the end of the day, she'd be too young to even know the song. since the two of you always thought of yourselves as being 'old souls'.

it was no secret you had taken the breakup harder. while the holes he pierced through your heart knocked you down, he seemed to be doing the complete opposite.

why didn't he miss you? why didn't he miss you like you missed him?

that thought lived in your head, and you just hoped that it all at least meant something; something to him at least.

you went back to work, seeing as your break was over, contemplating the idea of whether or not to reach out and congratulate him for signing. you knew he had dreamed about being in the NHL since he was a kid. you longed to jump into his arms and soothe away the nerves you knew he had.

"what if I'm not as good as everyone thinks I am," he said, looking out into the city lights. the two of you had just gone out for a sweet treat, and he took you to a spot his grandpa used to take him and his sister to. the view was breathtaking. you remembered.

you scoffed before looking at your boyfriend. he was truly an electric player, and the fact he even closely believed he wasn't good enough was baffling to you.

"you wouldn't have made it this far if you weren't"

"no-- I mean, what if i get to the NHL and I crumble, it's happened to players before"

"but it won't happen to you. your amazing, and you put in the work every day to be extraordinary, and I promise you, you'll get rewarded for that"

he smiled before leaning over to lean against you

"I wish you could see yourself the way I see you," you said softly as you raked your fingers through his hair.

you wondered if he missed that. he always liked it when you ran your fingers through his hair.

there were a lot of things he liked.

he used to like showering with you. you even kept some of your hair products at his place. you wondered if he missed you whenever he showered. he probably threw them away but did the empty void of that area remind him of you?

you shook off the thought as you went back to work with a bland look. a look you've been carrying for a few weeks as you had been someone who was moving through the world with a heartbroken.

you ended the day choosing against the text of congratulations, your longing will stay unspoken and it will continue that way. hoping that one day you'll have the guts to move on.

although that didn't seem plausible to you, due to the fact you didn't know if you could ever open up to anyone the way you had for him.

you remembered telling him everything, every memory, every experience, from best to worst.

you remembered the way he consoled you through your parent's divorce, the way he held you and told you he'd never leave you; like your father had done to your mother.

you wanted to laugh at how well he had played the role of a 'brave man,' so well, until you believed him. It was cruel. so cruel that you wondered if it was all just a scheme. was it hazing so he could get into some fraternity he had secretly pledged to? you laughed knowing damn well, will would rather die than join a frat.

you just didn't understand. you didn't think you ever would.

did he hate you? is that why he did what he did?

even though it had been six weeks since he walked out of your life. six weeks since you started breathing 'clean air' faraway from him, you still missed the smoke more than ever.

you missed the way he held you, the way he kissed you, and stupidly, his hockey jokes that you would never understand. thinking back on it, he might have been making fun of you.

you arrived home after a long day, and looked around your room to see it look normal to the average eye. but to the heartbroken girl within you, all you saw was the ghost of him.

the hole in your wall from the nail of a picture frame of the two of you at the beach. the lego flowers the two of you had built together, the nightstand he helped you assemble, hell, even the shirt you were wearing was one he gifted you.

you wanted to sell everything you owned and set fire to all your clothes.

everything reminded you of him. every corner was haunted by his ghost. you even thought about hiring a priest to come and exorcise the house, but that would be stupid. or would it?

you would die screaming if it meant forgetting him.

a part of you wanted him to hear it, to hear what he did to you, and to know the pain he caused you. maybe then he'll feel bad. maybe then he'd miss you.

you looked back at his location to see him still there.

still there living his life, and you just hoped it was shitty in that damn bar. you hoped he was having a miserable time and stood on the sidelines as he missed you, ultimately deciding to leave with his tail between his legs, humiliated. was that too much for a girl to ask for?

you lied in your bed as you stared at the empty spot where he used to lay.

you fell asleep with one thought.

you still couldn't believe it.

[yuusishi]

hiiii can i request savanclaw boys hcs with an arataki itto-like reader

have a greatday

NUMERO UNO !!

pairings : Leona Kingscholar , Ruggie Bucchi , Jack Howl x gn!reader

genre : fluff , can be read platonically

cws/tws : reader is described as physically strong

a/n : every time I remember Itto I just remember this one twitter post saying that since Itto refers to himself as "numero uno Itto", as well as the existence of Six-Fingered Jose, suggests that Spanish exists in genshin

Leona Kingscholar !!

Good grief, he really can't catch a break.

As if his housewarden duties and dealing with the boys of savanaclaw wasn't enough, he has your constant invites to bug fights and rowdy personality too.

He'll admit, he did dislike you at first because he simply did not have the energy to deal with someone as energetic as you to add on to other things on his plate.

It took him a really long time to warm up to you and actually go with your shenanigans. It took a lot of you being stubborn and trying every day to get him to join you.

(Now that I think about it, Itto!reader and Leona are like Itto and Kujou Sara)

Even then he won’t always go with you, it really depends on his mood.

Honestly he finds it interesting and a little funny how you aren’t giving up so easily on something as simple as getting him to join your bug fights.

Might invite you to the Spelldrive team since he sees some potential in you being very energetic and always running around everywhere without breaking a sweat.

Ruggie Bucchi !!

He gets flashbacks to when Jack was calling him “sir” and not leaving him alone whenever he sees you.

Not really in a bad way, but not in a good way either.

He isn’t like Leona where he’ll immediately brush you off and tell you to leave him alone, he might even join a couple of your bug fights if he has time!!

But if he’s busy please take the hint and ask him later.

Honestly he likes your funky little hobby and makes him feel relaxed and have fun, your energy’s a double-edged sword for him but he doesn’t mind it half the time.

Actually asks you to help him run Leona’s errands since you seem to be very physically strong. That’s how you two became close in the first place.

You two cause mischief around the school but never anything Book 2 level, just some simple pranks around the other students (except the third years, occasionally on Leona though).

Jack Howl !!

One more troublemaker added to his friend list. Seriously, why does it feel like someone as calm and chill as him always attract mischief-causing hooligans.

Like Ruggie, he joins your little bug fights if he’s done with schoolwork + exercise. Maybe someone from the first year gang even tags along.

He invites you sometimes to exercise with him since you’re strong and have tons of energy!! He likes it when he finds people that can keep up with him in exercising and sports.

Gets really competitive sometimes, nothing that would actually cause conflict, but prepare for a rematch or two.

You two can get a little carried away though and before you realized it it’s almost curfew while both of you are still in the sports field.

Both of you are the epitome of opposites attract, with how peaceful Jack is majority of the time and your chaotic tendencies.

[thatlovinfeelin]

Flightless Bird | seventeen | Bradley Rooster Bradshaw

Synopsis: Josephine Wilson Miller is alone for the first time in her life. She got married after her first year of college and became a housewife, but that life is gone now. So she runs to San Diego, to her childhood best friend Jake, where she meets the man who could very well be her salvation.

series warnings: unplanned pregnancy, just pregnancy in general, talks of infertility. past mental and emotional abuse. anxiety. talks of women's reproductive systems (idk)

Jose and baby Florence, or Wren as they’d taken to calling her, came home a few days later. Wren seemed like an easy baby, sleeping through the nights and eating on a pretty regular  schedule. Jose felt more than lucky. Jake’s mom flew in to help for the first few weeks, plus Penny was only ever a phone call away. 

Jake, Bradley, and Natasha stayed as close as they could, leaving only to work. Bradley found himself sleeping in bed next to Jose most nights, just so he could help her take care of any night feedings that Wren needed. He also learned how to change diapers very quickly. 

Secretly, Bradley liked being able to spend time with the little baby. He found it very  soothing. Some nights when he couldn’t sleep, and Wren was just laying awake in her little bassinet, he would take her out into the living room. He’d prop her up on his knees and just talk to her for hours. Jose never knew that. Although Jake walked out during one of those late nights. On occasion, if Jake couldn’t sleep too, he’d join Bradley and they’d take turns with Wren. 

She was good at calming down the two aviators. Her soft little coos seemed to put them at ease in some strange sort of way. Like holding her just made the rest of the world go quiet, and they could finally think again. Or be free not to think, and just sort of exist in her presence. 

Jose was in love with her little daughter, she could stare at her forever. She loved the way that she would grab her finger and hold on as tightly as she could. Wren’s little hands would grab onto anything she could find, hair, fingers, clothes, anything.

The days turned into weeks, which turned into months. Suddenly Wren was six months old and babbling away at everything. Jose’s heart hurt thinking about how fast her little girl was growing up. She wished she could just freeze time. 

Her life with Bradley seemed almost perfect, so much so that it didn’t seem real. He stayed most nights, cuddling in beside Jose, and often woke up to take care of Wren before Jose could even make any sort of move to get to her daughter. 

Jake was always around, ready to help with absolutely anything that needed to be done. It was soothing to Jose to have both of the men in her life. Not to mention Phoenix, who was an absolute Godsend. The other woman was there to help her with any female related things, and Penny too. Jose’s little family felt so right, she didn’t want anything to change it. 

But then she found the letter on Bradley’s kitchen table one day. He was up for a promotion, and a spot with the Blue Angels…something he’d only dreamt of. Jose swallowed a thick lump in her throat and put the letter back. It was sent more than a week ago and he hadn’t mentioned a thing about it. 

Worry bubbled up in her. He wasn’t going to take the position, which meant he’d be giving up on his dream. She knew it was because of her…she was the reason he would give it up. There didn’t seem to be another valid reason behind it. He was happy here with her, sure, but would that last?

How long until he started to resent her and Wren because they kept him away from something he loved. He would be out of combat situations and be a spokesperson for the Navy and fighter pilots in every branch. He would be wonderful at it too. He was so good with kids, there’s no way the public wouldn’t love him. 

But he hadn’t even mentioned it. 

She debated talking to Jake and Phoenix about it, maybe even Penny and Mav since they were Bradley’s family. But instead she kept it to herself. She made her way back to her house across the street, Wren clutched tightly in her arms and tried to decide what she would do. 

The letter stated that he needed to give an answer by the end of this week, and it was already Wednesday. They were out of time. Both of them. Jose’s chest ached. She wished she could call Penny for advice, but Bradley obviously hadn’t told a soul about this potential position. 

Wren wiggled about, nuzzling deeper into her mother’s neck. It was time for her afternoon nap, and the little baby was no doubt ready for it. 

With a sigh, Jose made her way towards the nursery and carefully laid her little girl in the crib. It was a gift from Mav and Penny, even though Jose tried not to accept it, they wouldn’t hear anything about it. They took to calling themselves Wren’s adopted grandma and grandpa; the verdict was still out on their official names though. 

“Baby?” Bradley called, opening the front door. 

“In the kitchen,” She called back, softly enough that he could hear but not loud enough to wake Wren. 

He was on her in an instant, arms wrapped around her with his chin on her shoulder. She relaxed in his arms for a moment as she cleaned the bottles. There always seemed to be something in need of cleaning these days. Clothes needing to be washed, bottles needing to be cleaned…always something. 

“How was your day?” He asked her softly, kissing her neck. 

“It was…good,” Does she tell him she knows about his possible promotion and new position? Or does she just leave it alone? 

“Yeah? What did you and our little Wrennie do today?”

Her heart clenched. Our little Wrennie. They started calling her that not long after she was born. Bradley might as well have been her father, with the way he was always here to take care of her and Jose. But how could Jose ask him to give up his dream for them? How could she ask for him to stay?

“We went and cleaned up your house a bit,” She shrugged. Here it comes, no going back, “I found your papers.”

“My papers?” Bradley tried to act dumb. He knew exactly what she was talking about of course. But maybe he could steer the conversation back away from them and forget all about them, like he’d been trying to do since he got them two weeks ago. 

“Brad,” She turned in his arms, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

It was his turn to shrug now, “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I’ll still get promoted, but I just won’t take the posting.”

“Baby, it’s the Blue Angels, you’ve always dreamed of flying for them!”

“I always dreamed of having this,” He replied simply, “A family of my own.”

Jose swallowed the lump in her throat. He was going to turn it down and stay here. But now long until he started to hate them for making him stay? He would start to resent them, and she couldn’t imagine him resenting little Wren. It broke her heart. He would leave them one day, because he would realize that they just weren’t enough for him. 

The day would come. She knew it would. All she wanted was for him to live out his dream, and if that meant forcing him to leave her, then so be it. She would make sure he found his way to Pensacola, Florida and to the Blue Angels. 

“You aren’t her father,” She said so quietly, but she knew he heard her from the way his arms dropped. 

“I know that,” He said gruffly. 

“We aren’t a family,” She went on, each word slicing deeper and deeper into her heart, “You’re just playing house.”

“Don’t tell me that,” His tone changed, he was starting to get angry, “You know that this is a lot more than that.”

“Is it?” She questioned, “Because I don’t think it is.”

He stepped away from her, hurt flashing in his eyes. She knew she had to keep going. He wouldn’t leave with just a few angry words. She had to make sure he would take the posting and go, for his own good. She had to drive the knife in further, go past the point of no return for them. And Jose would do it all for Bradley.

She would hurt herself for him to make sure that he would be happy in the long run. She wanted nothing more than for him to be happy and healthy and living his dream. She could already imagine him in the Blue Angels uniform, doing interviews and being a perfect candidate for them. He was so good with people, and amazing with children. He could talk to the young flight students in Pensacola and tell them all of his old war stories, and what it was like flying with the absolute best fighter pilots in the nation. He would love every minute of it, she knew he would. 

“I think you should go,” Jose told him, “Stop playing here with us. We don’t need you.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because Wren and I will be just fine without you!” She exclaimed, not believing a word she said, “You’ve just been here to keep me warm. I don’t need you, and Wren doesn’t need a fake father. So stop pretending.”

“Stop talking like this,” He begged, “This isn’t you.”

“It’s time to wake up, Rooster,” She never used his callsign, she always called him Bradley or Brad. She hated the way the simple name sounded coming from her lips, “It’s time to stop playing house. You need to take that post and leave us alone.”

“Is that really what you want?” His anger was back again, he was ready to fight for them. For his little family, he wouldn’t let her push him away.

“Yes! God, you’re so stupid,” Jose hated herself. He was one of the smartest people around. She knew he would fight as long as there was a chance, she knew she had to take away all hope for them, even if it destroyed her in the process, “I don’t love you. I was just using you. It was pregnancy hormones, I needed someone. You were right before.”

“Don’t you fucking do this Josephine.”

“I don’t love you. So take the damned position and forget about us, okay? Do yourself a favor for once in your fucking life.” 

“If I walk out that door right now, it’s over,” He told her coldly, “I’m never coming back, do you understand me?”

The house was silent for a moment while he waited for her to respond. She felt like she was going to be sick. All she wanted to do was beg for his forgiveness and take it all back. She knew he would stay with just one word, but that was the problem. He needed to go, for his own sake. 

“Leave then,” She replied, regretting the moment it left her lips, “I don’t care. I never did.”

He scoffed and turned on his heel, “Goodbye Josephine.”

She waited until the door closed, carefully and not slammed like she expected, before she followed. She watched out of the window as he stomped to his Bronco and drove away. He didn’t even go home. It was then that the tears started to fall. She couldn’t stop them even if she tried. 

She slid down the door to the ground and sobbed. Her chest felt like it was going to split into two. She tried her best to be quiet, so she wouldn’t wake Wren. But the sobs were so loud they rang through the quiet house. 

Then Wren started to cry from her little nursery. Jose tried to control her breathing but it was getting harder. She wiped at her tears, trying to dry off her face before she went into the nursery, but it seemed impossible. 

“I’m coming baby,” She called through the house, and then she pushed herself off of the ground and vowed to stop crying. This was for the best. Bradley might even thank her one day. 

She carefully picked up Wren, who was due for a feeding, “Just you and me now, baby girl. Just you and me.”

[kitteneddiediaz]

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

Hi Nolan!!! Sending you WAY more than seven sentences because writing the commentators has genuinely been one of the most fun writing I've done in AWHILE haha, here you are!!!!

“Welcome back to another match day here at MLS. LAFC back home after a long streak on the road. Currently coming off a 4-game win streak, most recently with a 6-2 lead against San Jose. Beautiful day here in Los Angeles as we get ready to start the first El Trafico match of the season. Diego, how are our two teams looking?”

“Great to be here Sebastian, let’s take a look at the past few weeks for both of these teams. As you mentioned, LAFC on a winning streak right now, clearly wanted to maintain the power that they exuded last season, ending in 3rd place over all. They’re currently 2nd in the Western Conference, only 2 goals behind our first place team - Salt Lake. LAGalaxy though with a surprising start to this season, only 3 places behind LAFC in the standings. They ended last season so poorly Seb, I think the team wanted lots of changes to be made during the off season. Clearly they’ve found their system and have been doing absolutely phenomenal lately, having just defeated the Seattle Sounders in a crushing 3-0 victory, bumping the Sounders back below the playoff line.”

“It’s really been a great season for both these teams so far, and the stadium is clearly very excited to see them go head to head again after all these months. Now, let’s talk about players. Obviously, we have to talk about Evan Buckley, the star striker from LAFC who scored four out of those six goals for LAFC last week.”

“Evan’s been doing great this season. I think having a new coach that he gets along with better has really helped. And man that game against San Jose, every time Buckley got the ball I was just waiting for him to send it into the net. What a phenomenal asset to the LAFC. Of course, we can’t just give Evan the credit, he’s got an amazing team behind him, McLoughlin in center field really finding a way past the defense of the opposing team to deliver the ball up front to Buckley, and you know, he’s doing so much better this season with staying onsides and playing off his team.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Diego. Now, let’s go to the other side of the field, and talk about the LAGalaxy, who have been absolutely flying this season. I haven’t seen them this alive in almost five years.”

“Yeah they’ve really gotten a finger on their play style this year, and I have to say, I am quite impressed with many of their new signings.”

“Absolutely, I think their new attacking midfielder - Sean Haley - is really doing well with getting the ball to the strikers, getting through the other team’s defense, and creating space for his team to play into.”

“You’re absolutely right Sebastian, but I can’t help but notice the teams glue in the form of their new center midfielder - Edmundo Diaz. I mean, this guy came out of nowhere and looks to be exactly what the Galaxy needed to clinch their last few wins against Seattle, Vancouver, and Houston.”

“Diaz has been doing great, and I’m very excited to see what he has in store for the Galaxy as we get through the season. Now, LAGalaxy is 3 spots behind LAFC in the standings. Any predictions for how tonight’s game is going to go?”

“You know, it could go either way. I think LAGalaxy is going to struggle, but I think they may give LAFC a bit of a challenge while they do it.”

[duckymcdoorknob]

Hi Ducky! Congratulations on 1K! That’s awesome! I would like to place an order for a small and large macchiato with light ice and cinnamon and java chips. The names for the order being Diluc and Venti.

YES

THATS ALL

NO FURTHER QUESTIONING

(Ducky gets back into writing? Real not fake?)

CW BELOW THE CUT: This do have tickles in it ngl.

♫ -ᥕᥲі𝗍ᥱr, ᥕᥲі𝗍ᥱr, ⍴ᥱrᥴ᥆ᥣᥲ𝗍᥆r- ☕️

The thoughts currently in Diluc’s head were indubitably illegal. Now, he’ll never act on them, mind you, but he’s thought of twelve ways to Sunday on how he’s gonna kill that bard.

Archons willing, he definitely did try his damndest to keep his composure for a good amount of time. But now? He can’t stand it anymore.

Today, the Anemo user had been acting seemingly normal today, chatting up a storm with Six-Fingered Jose about songs and such. But something deep within him told him that Venti was just minutes away from doing something that the bartender would regret.

—

He ought to be a fortune teller, Diluc thinks, as he grabs his forehead in disappointment.

—

It seemed that Venti was… sober today? There’s no chance; the bard never spends Fridays sober. Or Mondays… or Tuesdays… or-

You get the picture.

Diluc had an important task to do at closing: inventory counting. He hated it with every ounce of his being, but it was a required task for a tavern owner.

Unfortunately, the drunkard bard had not understood the seriousness in the red-haired male’s tone when he said “Get the hell out, we’re closed.”

So, currently, Diluc sat. Narrow-eyed glaring down the bard that was happily sipping at his first dandelion wine of the night.

“We’ve been through this, Venti. I’ve told you four times now that I have to count the inventory. Bar’s closed.” The Pyro user grumbled as he swept the floor around the stool the Anemo user was on.

“Aw, but Master Diluc, I just got here! Let’s have fun!” Venti whined in a faux-sadness.

The tavern owner pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance as he huffed out a breath. “I will tell you once more. Leave mora on the counter, or put it on the tab you’ll never pay off, and leave. I’m closed.”

“Ah, you know me very well, Master Diluc,” the Anemo user chirped. “But the night’s still young! Let’s play a game!”

“What are we,” Diluc grumbled, “five years old?”

“Don’t act like such a wet blanket, Diluc!” The bard chirped in reply, smiling brightly.

“Fine, you wanna play games?” The red-haired male rolled up his sleeves and slowly closed in on his regular patron. “Let’s see if you can actually escape with the bottle you stole.”

Venti’s eyes widened.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you.” Diluc replied. “You have one goal: don’t let me catch you.”

And so, the two took off in a grand chase. Venti hurdled tables and ran circles around the tavern, coddling the bottle that he did indeed steal. With it tucked away safely in the waistband of his shorts, the Anemo user took off upstairs and hid.

Diluc was quick to follow, knowing exactly where Venti had gone. Though, he remembered playing this exact game with Kaeya when they were just boys.

With a quick survey of the upstairs, he spied a quarter inch of green sticking out of the broom closet.

‘His clothes got stuck in the door.’ He thought with a sigh and a smile. ‘Just like Kaeya… hiding decently, but giving yourself away accidentally.’

Diluc ran loudly past the door, then tiptoed back in front of it. The second it opened, he hid behind, waiting for Venti to run past him.

As soon as the flash of white and green appeared in his peripheral, the Pyro user stuck out his right arm and trapped the bard, holding him close to his body.

“WAAAH! Oh that was cheap!” Venti cried. “Now, put me down, and let’s play another round!” He finished his demand with a hopeful smile.

“I don’t think you realize the situation you’re in.” The red-haired man replied with a sinister smile. He looked down at the bard ensnared in his right arm, an evil idea crossing his mind.

Venti’s eyes widened, and he soon started to wiggle, kicking his feet frantically. “W-Wait! Diluc! Let’s-Let’s talk about th-ihihihihis! hyahahaha!”

Diluc had begun to wiggle the fingers of his free hand along the short male’s side. “There’s nothing to talk about, bard. I’ve explained the rules to you clearly. You’re the one choosing not to listen.”

“Wahahahait! Dihihihiluhuhuc! Dohohohont tihihihickle mehehe!” Venti whined through his giggling.

“Apologies, Venti, but this seems to be the only way to get my point across.” The red-haired male replied as a slight smile toyed at the corners of his lips. He turned his wrist and prodded at the bard’s ribs.

Venti lurched downward, slipping a bit in Diluc’s hold.“Ehehehaha! Wahahahait! Nohohoho!”

The tavern owner’s smile couldn’t help his widening smile. The annoying bard (unfortunately) reminded him of more and more memories he had shared with his baby brother. Kaeya had always been super ticklish, and Diluc always used this to his advantage.

Venti giggled helplessly as Diluc mindlessly tweaked at his ticklish ribs. The black and blue-haired male pushed up against the arm that was trapping him. However, whenever he made any traction, Diluc somehow managed to press against a sensitive spot and make him slump downward.

“Dihihihiluhuhuc, plehehehehease! Mohohove spohohohots!”

With a quirk of his brow, Venti’s “assailant” obliged to the demand. Unfortunately for the bard, the latter had opted to go for the most ticklish spot on his body.

Diluc’s hand worked under the corset that had worked itself loose and untucked. He pushed outward, causing it to untie and fall into his palm. Effortlessly catching it, he placed it neatly on the counter next to him. As he began to zero in on his target, Venti wiggled like never before.

“Okay no! I change my mind! You can- eep! You can go back to where you were- ah!” With every squeak, the bard twisted his body away from the threat of tickling fingers. But, the red-haired male was closing in quickly. If Venti could pray to himself, he would have done so tenfold.

Diluc’s fingers lowered onto Venti’s stomach and pinched around his belly button. The Anemo user’s eyes widened as squeaky laughter bubbled out of him. He wiggled incessantly and kicked his feet. “DIHIHIHILUHUHUC! NOHOHOHO! CMOHOHOHON!”

The winery owner smiled down at the giggly bard, not caring to lift his attack just yet. However, he would watch carefully to not go too far, the bard’s comfort at his top priority. Venti’s pink face was resting against the arm trapping him, his eyes squeezed shut in mirth.

“EHEHEAHA! OKAHAHAHAY! OKAHAHAY! IHIHIM SOHOHORRY-“ a snort echoes through the room, causing both parties to freeze in shock. The bard caught his breath before he made an attempt to make some sort of excuse.

“I- um-“

“Again.”

“What?”

“Do it again.”

“Do what- Diluc? What do you mean do it ag-ahAHAHAIN? DIHIHIHILUC!”

Well, so much for counting inventory tonight. Instead, the tavern’s owner had a much more noble task to do. Venti’s sweet, frantic laughter bounced from wall to wall as little snorts left him. As for Diluc… he can’t remember a time that he’s smiled this much.

—————♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎—————

[thefreakydeaky]

After the Thrill is Gone

Part Eight

Daryl Dixon x Reader

Negan Smith x Reader

Modern AU

Summary: From the first moment you laid eyes on Negan you were inexplicabley drawn to him. The passion between you is hot and only grows more intense the longer you see each other. There is only one problem, you're both married to other people.

Warnings: Dark Fic , Stalking, Stalker behavior, Smuttyness, Adult Language, I'll add more warnings as I post, so please check the warnings for updates on each chapter.

You parked your suv outside of your mother's house and turned to Hunter and Millie.

"Everybody remember the rules?"

"Don't touch anything." Hunter replied. "And don't go to other rooms."

"No playing rough and no running around." You reminded him.

He nodded.

Once you got Millie out of the car seat, you walked up the lawn to the front door and rang the doorbell.

You stood there for a few minutes and when no one came, you pressed the button again. Another few minutes passed and finally you heard the door being opened.

"Hello Sweetheart." Your mom greeted you, pulling you toward her to hug you.

"I see you brought Camilla with you."

"Of course, I did. Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought your mother in law babysat for you?"

You fought the urge to roll your eyes.

"Ma doesn't watch Millie all the time only if I really really can't find anyone else to watch her."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"She's in her late seventies. She can't be chasing after a little kid."

"Neither can I and yet I babysit for you regularly."

"First of all, you're only in your sixties. Secondly you won't have to chase her. I'm here. She will be fine, Mom."

She gestured for you to go passed her into the house and you did. The large foyer was redecorated in a classic italian style, earth tones, marble, and metal work. You waited for your son to catch up to you before you headed into the formal living room.

"Would you like something to drink? Iced tea, Lemonade?" She offered.

You declined, but Hunter asked for lemonade.

"I don't know if I have any plastic cups. Let me see." She left the room.

You could see Wyatt in the dining room doing homework. You went up to him and touched his shoulder.

"Hey Pumpkin, You okay?"

He nodded.

"We're gonna leave soon, so start getting your things together."

"Kay." He replied.

Your phone rang. Adjusting Millie on your hip, you picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Doll."

You sighed and hurried back to the living room.

"What do you want? I'm busy."

"Hey now, I just wanted to check in. You didn't pick the kid up from practice today."

"You're right. I didn't and I won't be."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because you can't seem to get it through your fucking head that I don't want anything more to do with you!" You snapped.

He laughed.

"It's not funny. I mean it. Stay the fuck away from me." You stated.

"Oh it is funny. It's funny how you keep forgetting that I have the power to ruin your life."

Your finger slid toward the end call button.

"If you insist on not co operating, I'm going to explode your whole fucking world."

You gasped sharply.

"I want to know if the girl is mine. You are going to fucking meet me at the San Jose Clinic on Donovan road at eleven tomorrow or I'm going to show up at your house and ruin your six o'clock dinner time."

You squeezed the phone tightly in your fist.

"Are you done?"

"Don't take this lightly. I am a man of my word."

"I heard you. Can I hang up now?"

"Just one more thing," He added, "You look foxy today. Those leggings hug your body just right and that top...Mmm mmm mm..."

Your cheeks warmed.

"I see you. Even when you think nobody's looking."

You clenched your jaw. Your mom came back into the room and you relaxed your facial expression.

"Thank you for reminding me of my appointment. I'll be there. Good Bye." You forced yourself to say and hung up.

"Who was that, Sweetheart?" Your mom asked.

You put a small smile on your face.

"Just the doctor's office." You lied.

"How civil of you to talk to them. I just hang up.I know when my appointment is. I'm not senile."

You nodded in aknowledgement.

•••••••••••••••••••••

He sat in his truck watching the large two story house. It didn't matter what you said. You were his. It was simply the truth. There was no going back to your old life. He couldn't believe you hadn't realized that yet.Before long, you were coming down the lawn, your ducklings trailing behind you. He watched you all get into the suv. He waited for you to drive off down the road for a second before he followed behind you. Just far enough behind to avoid suspicion.

[wheatcak3]

he cant stop eating his lyre strings 😫💔

[gierosajie]

The amount of theories on that blog are amazing, some of them could be legit theories if we didn't know Venti was an archon

(blog: @venti-the-bard-rumor-mill)

I'm guessing there'd be a lot more "Venti sus" memes than what we have now if that were the case because he's just plain strange and mysterious even in his civilian identity from the perspective of regular people sjxhdjhf

[flutteringfable]

the fact that every person you invite to the event is a FUCKING NPC????? THEY SENT ME TO ANGEL'S SHARE AND INSTEAD OF LIKE. VENTI (unlikely apparently) OR EVEN SIX FINGERED JOSE IT WAS GODDAMN CHARLES????? WHAT THE FUCKKKKKK IDC ABT UR STUPID SoNGS I COULD NOT CARE LESS WHAT KIND OF FUCKING MUSIC EVENT IS THIS???? SORRY FOR SWEARING SO MUCH BUT JUST. AUGH. WHAT THE HELL WAS HYV THINKING

[liadoodling]

They asked six-fingered Jose to take the pic

before that they were thinking of how to pose

[sword-dad-fukuzawa]

empty bar, empty heart

It’s late. There’s no one left at the Angel’s Share—even Six-Fingered Jose has disappeared into the night, to wherever bards go when they’re not entertaining. But the lights are still on, though the sign has flipped from “open” to “closed,” and there are still two people inside. 

“You know, I always wondered,” says Diluc Ragnvindr, holding a glass full of something that could’ve been wine and swirling it idly. “What did you do with my Vision, all those years?”

Kaeya Alberich cracks an eye open and looks up at him with a baleful expression. “Played hacky-sack with it,” he says sourly. “What do you think I did? Put it in a drawer and forgot about it until you came back, because all of a sudden, I remembered it was gathering dust in my nightstand.” 

Diluc frowns at him. “I almost want to say you should’ve been more careful with it.”

“Why?” Kaeya yawns. “You weren’t.”

Diluc shrugs as if to concede the point and swirls his glass again, then takes a sip. He makes a face. 

“Still not adapted to an adult’s palette?” Kaeya says, his face still half-turned into the bar. “You’ll grow up someday, Master Diluc.” 

“Who taught you to talk like that,” Diluc says, without any heat. It’s nearly two in the morning—too early for anger. Too late for pretension. 

Kaeya yawns again. “I came by it honestly,” he says, and shifts his face to lie more comfortably on the wooden bar. 

“Father was always nice to you,” says Diluc. 

“And not as nice to you, but look where we ended up.” 

And Diluc has to concede that point too, as loath as he is to admit it. While he inherited his father’s business, Kaeya inherited his father's dream—and at times like these, when there’s no one around and he’s a little tipsy already, he feels as though there’s a vicious irony in it. 

“Isn’t it funny?” says Kaeya, with the sort of tone that means what he’s about to say isn’t funny at all. “That I’m Mondstadt’s vaguely suspicious Cavalry Captain and you’re still their darling, and yet I’m not the twilight vigilante.”

“Darknight vigilante,” Diluc corrects, with enough levity that Kaeya snorts. 

“Point stands.”

[butterflyintochains]

Long Distance No Longer

Or, the Tangerkarlsson ficlet I've been ruminating over for three days, but haven't felt well enough to write. Anyway, here's what happens when Erik finally arrives in the Steel City. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kris can barely believe that this has finally happened when he opens the NHL app for the first time since he arrived back in Pittsburgh. Stuff like this doesn't happen to him, right? He's never been so lucky in his life. Surely this is some fake news headline to grab attention, right? But, this is the NHL site, the site dedicated purely to the sport and nothing else. All these painful years apart could be over literally today, permanently if the story is any hint at the contract. No one's in the group chat, why would they be? No one else knows about them yet. Just Flower, but he's not a Penguin anymore, not in the playing sense anyway. Flower, accordingly, does text him right then.

Flower: Go, go get him, mon ami. He'll be there. Go get him.

PPG Paints, his home from home, his kingdom, not too far away. But, it's all too much. Aware of his heart, he does the breathing exercises his doctor taught him after the first stroke, downs the last of his coffee, and grabs his keys. He drives down to the arena, cursing under his breath at some slow drivers he gets stuck behind. Don't they get it? Erik fucking Karlsson is here! Here for him! Finally, he gets shot of the slow people, and turns down the road to the arena. He parks in his normal spot, seeing another car a few spots down, he gets to the door. Security buzz him in, the air feels different once he's inside: lighter, happier, less... lonely. He prays Kyle and the rest have cleared off, he wants Sid and Geno to know before management do. The gym is empty, so is the dressing room, the rink is being set up. God fucking dammit, he knew he was getting his hopes up. Last place, the dining area. Finally, he finds him.

Erik is finally here, they're finally together. ''Well, hello, hjartat mitt.'' He says, and that's all he needs. They finally embrace each other. It's dizzying, all these years apart, finally over. ''I can't believe you're here, amour, after all this time.''

Erik runs his fingers through Kris' long hair, he's always preferred it like this, for more than one reason. ''I'm here, alskad, and not going anywhere.''

Kris kisses his other half softly. ''I'm glad to hear that, tresor.'' They sit down together, hands still locked together over the table, Erik relays the breakdown in his relationship with San Jose. ''That team is just a lost cause, Kris, too far away as well. I should've never signed there.'' Kris says, rubbing circles onto the back of Erik's hand. ''Don't beat yourself up, Erik, we made it work, didn't we?''

Erik changes the subject a bit. ''Do Sid and Geno know about us yet? Have you told them?''

Kris says. ''No, they don't know anything yet. Now you're here, we can tell them in our own time, I guess.'' He takes a deep breath. ''So, you ready to get home?'' He asks Erik, hopefully.

Erik beams, and nods, brown eyes glassy. ''Yeah, I'd like that.'' They head out together, and get back in their cars. Kris leads them home. Once they arrive, Erik gets his bags unpacked. Kris is thanking God that PO is moving in with Drew once everyone is back, that makes everything a bit easier. ''Well, ready to be a Penguin, amour?'' Kris asks.

Erik slumps down next to him on the sofa. ''I've been ready for that since we got back together, hjartat.''

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of mornings later, they wake up slowly, the moving truck with the last of Erik's stuff arrives in three days. Kris rolls over in bed, blinking sleep from his eyes. Erik is still out cold, the travel must have caught up with him. San Jose to Pittsburgh is just over six hours, after all. Kris can barely believe this is real, this is their home now, this is their life now. Things like this don't happen to him, right? Except when they do. Gently, he sweeps a lock of hair back behind Erik's ear, and kisses his cheek. He goes to get ready for the day, and make breakfast. Sid gave him a good banana pancakes recipe ages ago, so he makes that. Movement upstairs piques his ear, Erik comes down wearing his Tre Kronor shorts and shirt. ''Bon matin, amour.'' Kris says.

Erik kisses his cheek. ''God morgon, hjartat.'' He gets some coffee going, Kris finishes making their breakfast, and they eat together. Erik says. ''These pancakes are amazing, Kris, your recipe?'' Kris chuckles, baking isn't his thing. ''No, Sid's.''

Erik looks surprised. ''Sid bakes? Since when?''

Kris laughs, drinking some of his coffee. ''Yeah, he's really good at it, too. His banana bread is really good. Started during lockdown, must've been bored while locked up with Geno in Halifax.'' Erik nods, finishing his breakfast. ''I get that, remember how bored we got in Montreal? You actually got me into F1 somehow.'' Kris laughs, finishing his own meal. ''Well, that was payback for getting me into Arsenal against my will.''

Their day is lazy, relaxing together watching stuff on Netflix and catching up on some F1 and Arsenal highlights over dinner. They may be having a lazy day, but they're still athletes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They go down to the team's gym the next day for a workout session. The team's top defencemen cannot be caught slipping once preseason rolls around. It's nice, Erik muses to himself, finally having someone to do this with. He'd always stick to himself in San Jose, too many people who obviously wanted to get him away from Kris. Some tried, they all failed. Erik times Kris doing some balance exercises, then they switch places. Halfway into the day, they grab some lunch, and lace up for a simple skate. The first blades on the fresh ice. ''Wow.'' Erik says, looking up at the rafters.

Kris takes his hand. ''It's a lot, huh?'' Erik says, opening a bottle of gatorade. ''Yeah, I mean, I've seen these banners so many times. But, now it's hitting me, I'm a Penguin now.''

Kris beams, he's wanted to hear that for years. ''Yeah, we're teammates now. And, y'know, partners on top of it.'' Erik's eyes crinkle as he smiles. ''Yeah, we are.''

After showering and changing, they get going home. Talking about game plans already as they get inside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next couple of days are slow, mostly continuing to get settled into living together at last. One morning, Kris wakes up alone in bed, he grumbles to himself, and gets up to go find Erik. He's in the kitchen, working on breakfast. ''Bon matin, mon coeur.'' Erik says, in the french Kris taught him all those years ago. It could still do with a bit of work, but he'll not complain. Kris plants a kiss on Erik's shoulder. ''God morgon, alskad.'' He says. His swedish is an eternal work in progress, but he's had two fantastic teachers. Horny found it weird at first, until Kris told him it was for a good cause. ''I was planning on bringing this upstairs so we could eat in bed.''

Kris yawns, and takes his blood thinners. ''The bed was cold without you.'' Erik notices the pills, he fucking hates that Kris has had to go through what he has, but also fiercely proud of his partner for coming out of it all like he has. That beautiful Masterton sitting on the bookcase being his reward. ''I was so happy for you that night, you know? When you won that.'' Erik says.

Kris smiles, looking lovingly at the trophy. ''It was a pretty good night, wasn't it? For both of us, you winning the Norris and all. You looked fucking incredible in that lilac suit too.''

Erik forks some of his egg. ''Says Mr James Bond.'' Kris smirks, he must admit, they are the best dressed dmen in the league. ''How do we want to tell Sid and Geno about us?'' Kris asks. Erik smirks, always a signal that he's plotting something. ''Maybe we don't? Maybe we just... let them put it together?''

Kris' jaw drops, he puts his mug of coffee down. ''Oh, you are evil!'' Erik jokingly asks. ''Are you in? Be obvious, but not too obvious?'' Kris nods, running a hand through his hair. ''Oh, hell yeah, I'm in!'' They've always been each other's biggest enablers. They finish breakfast, and get ready for a run together. Pushing each other to go further, racing each other around the park. ''Three laps of the pond before we head home, amour?''

Erik nods, loving the light competition between them. ''You're on, hjartat.'' They go their three laps, and run home together. After a shower, they crash on the couch. They could get used to this, this domestic calmness they've both been craving for years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erik's team casual gear arrives with the moving truck. And, they spend the entire day at home getting Erik properly moved in, making this house a home for both of them. Shifting things around, sifting through things they can get rid of, doing a deep clean of the house in the process. Kris' phone rings on the breakfast bar, he goes to pick it up, it's Sid. ''Bonjour, captain, how's life?''

Sid says. ''Good, excited to finally get going, especially with our new teammate. How are you doing?''

Kris says, beaming over at Erik. ''Great, looking forward to seeing you and Geno again anyway. When do you two get back north from Florida?''

Sid answers, after a moment of silence. ''We fly in tomorrow, how about you come over for dinner? With Erik too, if he's in the city already.'' Kris purses his lips, thinking of how to say this, it would be so easy to just admit everything, but that would ruin the game. ''Yeah, sure, I'll fill him in.''

Sid's voice is bright as he says. ''Cool, see you tomorrow, then!'' Kris nods, throat suddenly very dry. ''See you tomorrow, give Geno a hug for me.'' They hang up. Kris returns to the living room, where Erik is trying to figure out where some of his milestone pucks should go. ''Sid wants us to go over for dinner tomorrow night, he and Geno get back tomorrow morning.''

Erik says, arranging the pucks how he wants them. ''Let the game begin.'' Kris laughs, and presses a kiss to Erik's temple. He gets back to setting the house up.

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Dinner arrives, and they pull up at Sid and Geno's house. They share a devious look, time to begin their little game. Sid welcomes them inside with hugs. They go through to the dining room, and get seated. Erik places an apple pie on the table, Kris hands Geno a bottle of wine. ''So, you enjoying the city so far, Erik?'' Sid asks, ever a diligent captain. Erik nods, forking some of his steak. ''Yeah, I never quite knew how interesting Pittsburgh was until now.''

Kris jokes, nudging his partner's knee with his own. ''Guess you can't get to know a place when you're constantly in and out, eh?'' Erik nods, ever aware that his partner has never known anything else but this city for eighteen years. ''Yeah, now I'm in, I'm seeing things better.''

Geno asks Erik. ''You still wearing 65?''

Erik nods, he'd never willingly give up his number, it means too much to him. ''Yeah, I was so glad it was free.'' Sid adds, sipping his beer. ''Yeah, it's been a while since Hainsey.''

Kris braves some light flirting. ''It'll look so much better on you, Erik, trust me.'' Erik narrows his eyes, Kris is so much better at playing this game already. ''It'll look good with us too. 65, 58, 87, 71.'' Geno observes. ''Yeah, I hadn't noticed that, our numbers all make a chain.'' Sid says.

As dessert is dished out, Erik says. ''I hope you three don't feel as if I'm replacing Flower, y'know? Like, new core, yeah. But, Flower is irreplaceable.''

Kris shrugs, Flower leaving hit all three of them, not least that being the first summer he and Erik spent apart after their breakup. He had no one to help him through that grief. ''Times change, Erik. Flower is part of our family, and always will be. And now, so are you.'' Geno nods, and adds. ''Yeah, Legenda, Jarry still talks to Flower every week. Our family has grown.''

Erik asks, furrowing his brows. ''Legenda, Geno?'' Geno sits down at the table with his coffee. ''It's what I call Kris - Legend. It's on his gear and everything, my idea.'' Erik smirks to himself, storing that for later, for no reason at all. ''Oh, okay.''

After dinner, they get driving home. They'll need to start getting to sleep earlier, training camp is right around the corner. They get ready for bed, Kris says. ''Well, I think that went well, wouldn't you say?'' Erik joins him in bed. ''Yeah, I'd say so.'' Kris lets Erik curl into his side, and asks him. ''You ready to be a Penguin, amour?'' Erik leans up to kiss him. ''I've been ready to be a Penguin for years, hjartat.'' Kris kisses him back. Eventually, they get to sleep.

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Day one of camp dawns at last, Kris is up and ready first, packing his backpack for the long and hard day ahead. Erik comes down with his team jacket on, dress code for today was casual. He drops his backpack on the sofa, and ties his shoes. Kris grabs his keys, and they get out to the car. They arrive at Cranberry, and head inside to gear up together. All of the others head out to take to the rink, Kris nudges his partner. ''Ready?''

Erik nods, and says. ''For everything.'' They fist bump, and head out together. Some of the longer tenured Penguins flock over to talk to Erik, even Sully is drawn into the circle. Kris, for his part, could not be happier. Erik looks over to him from his conversation with Marcus. They share a look and a nod, they'll be okay now, there's no more distance to negotiate. Things like this don't happen to them, right? But, it finally has happened for them. Now, it's time to get serious.

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Well, this took a bit to figure out! I think it turned out okay. I've had this idea in my head for days now, so I'm happy to finally have it manifest like this!