#so i’ve just been laying in bed. trying and failing to get a couple more hours :’)

[tiramisuaa]

omg i have been sleeping so horribly lately ㅠㅠ

[bwskj]

tags: leon x fem!reader, jerking off, using you while you’re sleeping, d in p, desperate leon, re4leon

-~- <3 -~-

leon comes home at 3 am after a long day of work. his mind is exhausted, having taken the whole day figuring out a fail proof plan for an assigned mission. his steps are careful as he sneaks his way into the bathroom, creaking the shower knob just enough to use it and (hopefully) not wake you.

minutes later, leon is dressed comfortably for bed—a loose shirt and some boxers. he would’ve stayed in the steaming hot shower for longer if only he isn’t craving to feel the ever so inviting soft sheets and skin waiting for him on the bed.

leon’s eyes, now always accustomed to the dark, can make the form of your figure sleeping on your stomach. your blanket is crumpled and is barely covering any of you. he eyes your exposed legs, limbs that likely fought the blanket off, and your plump ass, which he can’t avoid, sitting high and proud though you don’t even know it.

leon sighs as he hurries to squeeze out the rest of the wetness in his hair. he’d like to get all of it out but he can’t wait to get into bed right next to the love of his life either.

he throws the towel over a random chair before walking over to your side of the bed. the closer he gets, the more his eyes linger over your bare skin. he has to huff out another sigh of frustration… because it’s been a while since he’s last had a good feel of it, and in a certain way.

he leans over. his fingers achey from writing for hours in journals almost grazes the lining of your underwear before lifting a corner of your blanket and proceeding to pull it back over your body. you squirm in your sleep, and your brain must’ve known that leon’s finally home (as he usually arrives at this time) that your eyes flutter half-awake.

“leon..?” you mumble, eyes barely open.

“mm, i’m home,” leon says, setting a loving hand over your blanketed thigh.

you roll over, stretching a bit as you try to pull apart your sleepy lids. “go back to sleep,” he says gently, “i’ll get in bed with you.”

you nod, letting your eyes fall shut. as you turn to lay on your back, leon stands upright, massages his tired neck, and shuffles over to the other side. He lets out a big sigh when he feels the cloth and mattress pressing cool on his skin, his head sinking into his pillow.

you shift again, this time reaching to grasp onto leon for a cuddle. leon’s eyes that had closed itself, open to help you with strong arms pulling you in. you keep shuffling your body close, wanting to be sticking to him as much as possible. after all, you’d snuggle to the ends of the earth if it meant finally being close enough to crawl into leon’s skin.

“my baby…” you breathe out, hands creeping up to the back of leon’s neck and into his dirty blonde and drying locks. your face goes into the crook of his collar.

leon sighs in contentment as he takes a whiff of the scent of your natural skin. your fingers scratch lightly at his scalp and his hands rub up and down your lower back.

it’s silent for a moment except for both your breathing falling in sync. that is until you take your head out and with slits for eyes, you find leon’s face, connecting your lips together. you kiss him first but leon is willingly quick to kiss back. it’s a simple and loving kiss, an expression of both ‘i’ve missed you’ and ‘sleep well’.

when the kiss ends, you pull away from leon’s hold, wanting to sleep on your own terms. you lie on your side facing away to resume your sleep not knowing that leon will be laying awake for the next couple of minutes.

leon swallows and his body tingles from losing the feeling of your skin on his. he huffs a sigh, closes his eyes, and tries to drift off, but there’s something sticking up in his boxers and his brain doesn’t seem to want to shut down for the night. in the darkness of his eyelids, he pictures the way he saw your body earlier, accidentally making up an image of your flesh flushed pink and squished between his fingers.

leon wants to go to sleep, but his body is finding itself more interested in entertaining the tent down below. “shit,” he whispers under his breath, his own hand lightly brushing over his boxers. he tugs his arm away, placing it over his eyes in hopes that he could block all of it. but then again, it’s when he closes his eyes that he can see them all the more clearly.

he pulls his limb away and stares at the empty ceiling. he turns his head to look at you, your figure is curved with the way you are lying. the blanket is somehow slipping off you again, and he can see the soft meat of your waist peeking from below your shirt that’s riding up.

leon knows he’s not going to be able to sleep with your body laying there, teasing him just by existing. his arm laying closest to you—it’s like it’s moving on it’s own—is inching towards your waist, until his fingertips finally make contact with the softness of it.

there’s a short hum that sounds out of you, but you continue sleeping peacefully. And leon can’t help it; his hands slowly wrap into and around the side of your waist. he gives it a mild squeeze. so focused in on this part of your body, he only comes to terms with the fact that he’s touching himself through his boxers seconds later.

“Ha…” he breathes out as the first legitimate sense of pleasure courses through him. he snatches his arm away from you, propping himself up on his elbows before fully grabbing onto his semi-hard dick. for a moment, he glances back and forth, down at his clothes where his member is poking out and at your unmoving body enjoying your slumber. but hesitation soon dissipates the longer he sits and thinks and leon comes to a decision.

sitting himself back against the headboard, he frees his cock from the shackles of his shorts. his hand wraps around his length, pumping up and down gently below the head. a low moan he tries to stifle with a bite of his lip rises up his throat, tired eyes on his now-standing dick occasionally looking over at you.

his strokes grow until it covers his whole length, hitting the top of his balls and squeezing at the crevice under his moist tip. sometimes, his eyes close and he imagines that his hand is actually yours, and that you’re kneeling between his legs looking all pretty and sweet. As the heat consuming his hard clit begins to intensify, he bites harder on his lower lip, muscles stiffening as he tries to stop himself from thrusting up into his (your) hand.

shaky whimpers and breaths tremble through leon’s closed mouth, and when he feels you move beside him, he freezes, eyes warily opening to take a look. you’ve rolled over again, on your back. leon can make out the features of your sleeping face, your collarbones staring at him, and your breasts sitting perky under your shirt. his eyes wander down and he notices that your blanket is straying further away, now revealing your lower half.

leon’s staring at the cloth of your thin panties. he can just imagine it flushed against the form of your folds, almost like an extra skin. it’s enough to make him resume stroking himself, now at a faster more eager pace. the scenes in his head turn from a simple hand job to you sitting leaned back in front of him, legs spread apart and giving him a good show as you gently touch yourself. “what do you want, baby?” the you in his head asks him.

“fuck..” leon moans in a whisper, shuddering as a stronger sensation of pleasure runs through him. he wants to touch your pussy with his dick. he wants to slowly push it in, feeling your wet walls suck him whole. leon’s face and neck are warm, light sweat glistening on several parts of his skin as his hand starts wrapping in a circular motion around his dick.

leon’s always looking back to your cunt. the only thing stopping him from touching it is a little distance and flimsy cloth. would it be possible if he just… leon checks your face; it’s still as a statue.

he pulls his gaze away, cursing in his mind. what the hell is he thinking. he should get this done and over with so he can finally get some sleep. but like a magnet to a fridge, his stare finds its way back to you. the flame of desire within him is far from burning out.

he lets go of his dick, still hard and quite far from cumming anytime soon. he sits still for a moment, like he’s pretending to think, though really deep inside he knows he’s made up his mind. the mattress dips softly as he carefully pushes himself up. nervously hovering, he places his fingertips on the skin below your belly button. it’s so soft that he has to restrain himself from grabbing your entire waist and squeezing it tight. he trails a straight line down over the hem of your panty and right above where your clit should be. he swallows the saliva starting to form in his mouth.

very cautiously to not disturb your sleep, he removes the rest of his boxers, and lifts himself over and above you. for a second, a thought in his head yells at him, ‘leon, what the fuck are you doing?!’ but it’s shut away when his needy head accidentally prods right on your clothed part.

a shaky exhale falls out of his lips as he lets his knees dig into the mattress on both sides of you, one hand placed right by your head to balance himself while the other takes his dick and very gently positions it against the cloth of your panty. the first rock of his hips feels heavenly and he can’t help but let out a louder moan than he should. just staring directly at your clothed pussy was making his dick throb. he checks your face again and there you are still asleep. silently, he wishes that you were awake, feeling good alongside him.

he moves back and forth, creating friction against you. his hand is hesitant but he eventually gives in to the desire for it to wander over your stomach and hips. he drags his cock over your pussy again and again until it feels so fucking good for him that he turns noisy enough to stir you in your sleep. there’s a sleepy moan from you, and leons strokes stutter, slowing down a bit but never falling into a full stop.

as you feel yourself slowly awaken, the sounds of rugged breathing enter your ears. there’s a hot feeling below you and as you try to open your eyes, you catch a glimpse of blonde hair and veined arms.

“leon,” his name slips out easily along with a gasp. “what’s… going on?” when you force your vision to clear, you meet your boyfriend’s face hanging right above you, all lewd with his mouth agape and cheeks flushing a hue of red. your stomach flips in sudden excitement, heart quickening at how handsome he looks like this.

“baby,” leon starts, but his breathing and thoughts are too all over the place to think about stringing together a sentence. instead he’s moaning, almost choking on his spit, as he continues to fuck the outside of your clit.

you feel a shiver run up your whole body as you glance down and realize what leon’s been doing. from where you’re looking, the tip of his dick pulls in and out—bigger then smaller—as he rubs up against you. you lift a hand up to cup his trembling face and leon’s eyes finally meet yours.

“baby you should’ve said…” you whisper as your hand loops around to hold the back of his neck. you pull his face in to capture his mouth with your own. it’s just so obviously begging to be kissed when it hangs open like that. leon grunts, saliva that he couldn’t swallow in time because of his growing desperation slipping on your tongue and wetting your dry lips. leon, taking this as a sign that all of this is okay, finally gives in to giving your stomach a rougher squeeze. you moan from the pressure of his big hand holding you while he pushes his tongue into your mouth, a message that tells how much he wishes to devour you.

when he pulls away for air, his gaze is clouded from all the sensation. another quivering sigh comes out as he says, “… sorry… i’m sorry, i couldn’t help it,” and his hips start to buck strong again in an attempt to make his cock feel as good as it felt earlier.

“it’s okay,” your thumb gently rubs at the skin on his cheek, gasping as his dick gradually warms up your clit. “you know i’ve missed you too.”

“mm,” leon hums, too into fucking in between your folds to say anything else.

you decide to help him, bringing your hand down and letting it graze lightly over his already sensitive member. ah..” leon moans, “fuck, yes baby, please touch me.”

amusement bubbles inside you as you watch the normally cold and brooding man on top of you completely change in his demeanor—vulnerable, vocal, and desperate for your touch. as he continues pleasing himself, you place your hand over the top of his long length, allowing him to fuck a sandwich made out of the skin of your panty and hand.

“baby, you can fuck me if you want,” you whisper as you try to look into leon’s eyes which are clearly avoiding your gaze. he’s shaking his head, “mph… if i do, i’ll cum.”

teasingly, your hand palms up and down his dick, “don’t you want to cum?”

your voice is almost enough to make leon reach his climax. his dick twitches under your fingers. “y-yea,” he stutters, so he can go to sleep. but truthfully, he just wants all of this to last for as long as possible.

you take his dick in your hand, causing him to stop thrusting. with your other, you lift the slit of cloth sitting between your thighs and gently pull it to the side. leon’s staring down. the sight of your bare pussy coming into view explodes another blush of heat across his face and cock.

“do whatever you want, leon,” you say. “just feel good, hm?”

leon eyes your hand as it moves his dick close to your cunt’s lips. it’s leaking with pre-cum but you don’t mind. you give it a light pet before you press it gently in, the slick you didn’t even realise dripping out of you making it easy.

leon instantly jerks forward to further push inwards, but he doesn’t let himself go all the way. his body stiffens and it surprises you a bit when he harshly grabs on to your inner thighs. you gasp, feeling leon’s girth stick tightly against the walls of your entrance. he’s always been so big.

“haa… I can’t,” he’s almost whimpering. you can feel his grip start to pinch painfully at your skin. as you go back to look at leon’s face, there’s an expression of both pleasure and concentration. he’s obviously trying not to cum.

a few seconds pass by of him just soaking his tip in your pussy. then, he starts moving his dick in and out, still never putting the whole thing in. the slight curve of his length is just perfect enough to reach your g spot and you shiver out moans with every teasing pump.

leon isn’t going to last much longer, especially as he can’t seem to tear his eyes away from the sight of his his cock going in and out of you. he groans, strokes starting to move sloppy and irregular. you respond with moans of your own, but it’s mostly because of how perfect and beautifully messy your boyfriend looks using you to please himself.

“come on baby… cum for me?” you can’t resist asking. god, you so desperately want to see the look on his face when he finally cums. leon’s voice cracks and he whimpers, pace quickening as he chases his incoming orgasm.

“i-inside?” he asks as if worried, though his non-stop movements practically imply that he doesn’t care at all.

you hurriedly nod, hands roaming back around his neck and jaw, “mhm, if you want to, you can.”

leon’s sanity breaks as he chokes out another one of his lewd moans. his head leans to bow in your neck but you quickly scatter kisses on his jaw and tell him, “i want to see you when you cum, leon.”

leon’s a good boy. he listens immediately and puts his face back into view. his eyes lock on yours for the second time tonight and just like that, you feel his big throbbing cock filled halfway inside you jolt against your swollen muscle, warm semen shooting up your pussy. uneven moans and gasps stumble out leon’s lips, eyes closed and brows furrowed as he savors the feeling of his orgasm.

when he’s done he’s lightly panting and his head sinks straight into your shoulder. his cheek sticks moist against your skin as he breathes you in, your hypnotising scent amplifying the euphoric sensation he feels after cumming. he lays softly on your chest which rise and fall with every calm huff of a breath. his dick sits still inside you in a mixture of your juices.

your fingers intertwine back into his blonde hair, now completely dry. leon breathes you in and presses a lazy kiss to your neck. “thank you, baby,” he mumbles, “i’m so sleepy.”

you let out a short laugh. how horny did he have to be for him to do all that? “let’s sleep then hm? we can clean this up later.” leon shivers at your soothing voice and warm caresses.

he nods into you before carefully rolling off to pull his dick out and lay on the bed beside you. his eyes are already closed when you look at him again, and you let out a quiet scoff of laughter as you realise that he had already fallen fast asleep.

“goodnight leon.”

—

a/n: thanks for reading! have been busy with school but writing this was me taking a break between requirements lol (my guilty pleasure <3) hope you enjoyed !

[ajmasch]

@here4hualian kissmas day 4: indirect kiss

Xie Lian flopped down on the bed, exhausted, ignoring the way the sudden impact sent clouds of dirt flying off of him. He needed a bath, he needed sleep, but before any of that…

He placed two fingers against his head. “San Lang?”

The reply was instant. “Gege! This San Lang was beginning to worry he’d never hear your voice again!”

Despite his exhaustion, his husband never failed to draw a laugh from Xie Lian. “San Lang, I’ve only been gone for a day.”

“And this poor husband has been wasting away in your absence the entire time,” Hua Cheng complained dramatically. “I pray my beloved will return to me soon?”

Xie Lian sighed. “I’m sorry, San Lang, it looks like I’ll be away a little longer than anticipated. The spirit itself wasn’t too much trouble, but he managed to gather somewhat of a following, I think he was trying to copy Qi Rong–”

“Trash,” Hua Cheng interjected, bringing a smile to Xie Lian’s face.

“Yes, well, it’s just taking a bit to make sure we’ve cleared out the whole operation. Hopefully only a couple more days at most, but…”

“Need any help?”

Gods did Xie Lian want to say yes. As much as he teased Hua Cheng earlier, he felt the same ache at being separated from his husband. He wanted nothing more than to fall into Hua Cheng’s arms, but he knew he couldn’t.

“We’re supposed to be proving we can keep our relationship separate from Heavenly business,” he reminded Hua Cheng.

“Hmph,” Hua Cheng grunted. He had made his position on the matter very clear from the start, he thought it was a stupid policy. Honestly, Xie Lian kind of agreed, but he could see why there would be some hesitation about allowing a Calamity to be involved with the Heavens after everything that was revealed about the former Emperor.

“Never mind that. Would you just… tell me about your day? I miss you.” His cheeks heated up as he admitted it even though the only one who heard was Hua Cheng, who said that type of stuff all the time.

“Of course, Gege.” The softness in Hua Cheng’s voice as he replied left a fuzzy feeling in Xie Lian’s chest that continued as he began to narrate his day. Xie Lian sighed in contentment and settled down to listen to his husband speak. He closed his eyes and let Hua Cheng’s voice wash over him, imagining he was at home in their bed, and that any minute now he would feel the comforting weight of another person beside him.

That weight never came. Struck by the urge to feel as close to Hua Cheng as possible, Xie Lian found his hand reaching for the ring of ashes that lay against his chest. He lifted it up and pressed it to his lips, wishing he could be kissing his husband instead. To his surprise, at that moment, Hua Cheng stumbled over his words.

“Gege? Did you just… do something?”

Xie Lian’s face was surely red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know San Lang would be able to feel that, haha…”

“Do it again.” Xie Lian didn’t know it was possible to sound breathless over a communication array, but Hua Cheng managed it somehow. He lifted the ring again and pressed another kiss to the smooth surface.

“Gege…”

“What does it feel like?” Xie Lian asked curiously.

“It’s like… It’s like when we exchange spiritual power, except it’s emotions. I can tell they’re not mine, but I feel them so strongly, whatever Gege is feeling.”

“Oh? So then…” Xie Lian focused on Hua Cheng. His San Lang. Every emotion he had about his husband, all the love he could possibly manage to hold, and he pressed it into the ashes. He heard Hua Cheng gasp through the spiritual array, then nothing.

“...San Lang?”

“Gege… really will be the death of me.” Hua Cheng’s voice sounded wrecked, as if he were barely holding himself back from tears.

“San Lang deserves to know how much I love him,” Xie Lian replied.

“I love you too, Gege.” Xie Lian’s smile turned into a yawn that Hua Cheng clearly heard over the array, because he chuckled and said, “You should get some sleep. I’ll see you soon.”

“Sing for me?” Xie Lian requested.

“Of course.” Xie Lian drifted off to the sound of his husband’s voice, holding his ashes tightly and trying to convey as much love as he could through that connection until he could do it in person again.

[its-jaytothemee]

A Blanket of Bear

Read on AO3

Word count: 1,098 one shot

Tags: Halsin x reader, fluff, fluff without plot, ear nibbles, soft Halsin

Summary: Halsin refuses to take a break since the two of you returned to Thaniel's Realm. Luckily for him, you always know what he wants without him needing to ask.

A/N: Just some more Halsin fluff that nobody asked for but you all definitely need. A quick one shot from a prompt in a discord server. Enjoy some tooth-rotting marshmallow fluff and ear nibbles.

Bedtime must have been an ordeal tonight.

You sit in your bed, book in hand, waiting for Halsin to finish his nightly rounds with the children. Normally, you’d be there helping but he insisted you get the evening off. The past week or so had been a long one. Two of the old buildings in Reithwin were crumbling beyond repair, causing a significant delay in rebuilding. On top of that, a couple of the children dared each other to eat spoiled mushrooms, causing a fever to spread through many of them. Then today, you found out that the new berry patch you had started a few weeks ago had been infected with a blight and had to be burned away.

You’d really hoped to have fresh berries to top the honey cake you planned to make for Halsin’s birthday.

Over the sound of the fire crackling in front of you, you hear the soft clack of your cottage’s door opening and closing. The familiar sound of his footsteps causes you to mark the page you were reading before setting it to the side. Not a moment later, Halsin is standing in the doorway.

“My heart.” He has a tired smile on his face, his eyes look heavy, and his shoulders are drooping.

“What is it, love?” You hold your hand out, inviting him closer.

“Just the fatigue of an old druid trying to keep up with eighty-some children.” He takes a deep breath before coming to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Then you should have let me help you.” You reach out and gently stroke his back. “You know, I could always give you an evening off as well. I’d say you more than deserve it.”

“Oh no, that’s not necessary. Besides, I shudder to think what chaos the children will cause should I fail to deliver a bedtime story.” His affectionate chuckle makes you feel warm from head to toe. He would never admit it, but he was tired. As much as he adored the children in their care and how much he believed in their cause of building this community, he just wouldn’t admit that the past months had also exhausted him to the bone.

“I can tell stories! I’ve told many, you may remember.” You cross your arms, a playful scowl clouding your face.

“Yes, usually with my help if I’m not mistaken.” He smiles that perfect smile at you, the one that makes your heart flutter, and your cheeks redden.

“Well, you do have the best voices for the monsters, my love.”

He leans over and presses his forehead to yours before placing a light kiss on your lips.

“You’re so sweet to worry about me, my heart. But this task was one I decided for myself, for us. I owe it to you and everyone else here to see it through.”

“Halsin,” you reach up to tuck a runaway hair behind his ear, “you don’t have to be everything for everyone every second of the day. You’ve spent more than enough time feeling responsible for others. Let someone take care of you for once.”

“Well, that’s what I have you for, is it not? The only person in a century to give me the chance to sit and enjoy nature once again.” He kisses the back of your hand before staring back into your eyes. Those gorgeous, hazel eyes have seen every part of you, loved every part of you.

“Of course.” You smile back at him, knowing exactly what he wants right now, although he’s never willing to ask it of you.

You scoot back in the bed to lean against the headboard, a pillow propped behind your back for comfort. A knowing grin tugs at his lips from the movement. You hold your arms out, inviting him to come lay against you. He turns his back to you, snuggling himself between your legs, laying his head on your chest.

You wrap your arms around his shoulders, letting your hands rest on his chest. He takes a few deep breaths as he relaxes into your embrace. With every stroke of your hand across his torso, he melts further into you. You slowly trace your fingers around his shoulders, the lines and grooves memorized from your nights together. He mirrors the light touches on your thighs, sending shivers throughout your body.

Halsin nestles himself further in between your legs, his warm body a comforting weight pinning you down. You know that if you can get him to relax just a little further, he’ll easily drift into a trance in your arms.

You continue your gentle massaging, easing the tension in his muscled shoulders and earning you soft, content sighs. When you run your hands through his hair he leans further into your touch.

“My heart?” He asks with the tired tone of a child fighting a nap.

“Yes, my bear?”

“Would you…” He trails off, still not willing to ask for anything for himself. You smile to yourself, thankful that you know what he wants without him needing to ask.

You pull him closer to you, once again wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders. Despite his size, he always feels so much smaller when you hold him like this. Like he shrinks himself down to fit into your embrace better. You lean forward a little so you can press a kiss into the skin where his hair meets his neck, just behind his ear. Slowly, you move your lips to his ear, grazing them up and down the edge, every now and then pausing to nip in the spots he liked – the pointed tip, the lobe. Your gentle nibbles cause little bumps to rise up all over his skin. You let your lips wander up and down his neck before coming back to his ears, those perfect kissable ears. Alternating between kissing and nipping his earlobes and nuzzling your face into his hair and neck, you hear his breathing slow down and you notice his eyelids have stopped fluttering.

 “I love you, Halsin.” You lean forward just a little more to whisper the words to him.

A small murmur escapes his lips, cutting through his trance to make sure you know he feels the same. “I love you, my heart.”

He may not be willing to take an evening off yet, but you can sleep soundly next to him knowing how relaxed he is in your arms. Knowing that at least for tonight, he’ll rest.

And how lucky for you to fall asleep with your loving bear as a blanket.

[plague-of-insomnia]

Six-Sentence Sunday: Synchronize AU, Ch 8

So I know I barely wrote anything in 2024 and it’s been nearly 2 years since I was able to update Synch, but I’ve never stopped thinking about this story and I absolutely want to finish it.

I finally was able to assemble all the disparate pieces/scenes into an order more or less, and I was able to write one scene!, so I am hoping this means I’ll be able to update with something soonish, but again, no promises.

The story so far: Sebastian has been weaned off steroids and despite growing stronger in many ways, his swallowing muscles weaken to the point he’s no longer allowed anything by mouth. But he’s struggling to tolerate the tube feedings, and the last week has been dealing with severe GI symptoms and pain unlike anything he’s ever experienced. And Agni, caught up in his own anxiety, slips too far into nurse mode and fails to truly listen to why Sebastian is so upset…

Anyway, a tiny taste for the 2 people who still care about this story:

Sebastian lay on his side in bed, curled into a relaxed fetal position, Tanaka holding one of his hands as he tried to count in his head, hoping to slip into sleep.

When he felt this bad, he couldn’t think clearly enough to imagine and escape in his mind the way he might other times, which made these moments so much worse. He was too sick to watch TV or play a game or even follow the story that Tanaka was telling him as a way to try and distract him.

And the sad thing about this was, he was in a lull right now. That uncomfortable, heavy feeling in his core lingered, like someone had filled his abdomen with jello. The nausea hovered, always just beneath the surface, blending with the tension and anxiety of not knowing if he’d be able to fall asleep before the next bout of cramps and spasms hit.

Didn’t help that his rashes hurt, his skin irritated and inflamed in some of the most sensitive areas of his body. Agni was treating them with various medicated lotions, but they only seemed to get angrier. It would be better if his skin could be given the chance to breathe, but his fever had been hovering in the region of obnoxiousness ever since he weaned off the last of the steroids. Not so high his life was in danger or his mind was bleary— its own escape— but high enough to coat him in an almost content sheen of cold sweat. His body in a perpetual battle between sizzling and shivering.

Both Tanaka and Agni were attentive, but they were still human.

Tanaka sighed and temporarily laid the beat-up picture book on his lap. A well-loved copy of Momotarou, in colorful, large hiragana that Sebastian remembered fondly from his childhood. “I always loved this story. Sometimes I feel a little like the old couple, since I never imagined I would ever have a son, and I definitely consider you a gift from the gods.” He leaned in and brought Sebastian’s fingers to his lips, kissing them tenderly. “You’ll get through this rough patch, I know you will.”

Sebastian managed a faint smile, but he didn’t believe his adopted father’s words. He couldn’t. He’d never been sick like this before. He’d never lost his ability to to swallow so completely. He’d never—

Sebastian moaned as he felt a sharp cramping pain in his lower abdomen. No. It was starting again already?

Read Ch 1-7 of Synchronize on AO3

[yourlocalmerchgirl]

Is it ok if I call you mine? Part Two

Soft!Joel Miller x Neurodivergent/ anxious F!reader

Part 1 Part 3

Summary: Joel is falling for you, and he wastes no time coming to your aid when you call him in the middle of the night because you needed to hear his voice

Soft! Joel miller x neurodivergent reader AU (outbreak never happens)

Warnings: soft Joel, concerned Joel, protective Joel, neurodivergent, audio overstimulation, anxiety, self inflicted angst. Best friend Tommy, falling in love. Acceptance, low self esteem.

A/N: I hope you guys are loving this story as much as I’ve loved working on it! I’ve been so touched hearing from people have been relating to the story so far and I’m thankful for you all!

There’s not a lot of descriptors about reader other than eye color but they can easily be changed.

The wind howls as it slams rain against the windows, shaking the screens as it pulls the rain back and forth with each gust.

It’s late, your inability to sleep renders you curled up in your bed doing some light reading as you try to tire your mind. Sleep doesn’t come easy for you often. Nighttime is when your thoughts are the loudest, often analyzing and reanalyzing conversations you’ve had and situations you’ve been in, thinking about all the different ways they could of gone or thinking about every possible angle to a situation that hasn’t happened yet, just so you’re prepared if it does. The one time recently you actually slept without issue and slept well was the night you fell asleep at Joel’s. There was just something about Joel, something about his presence, his voice that was soothing to you. His ability to ease your overbearing mind allowing you to be in the moment when he was around was nothing you’ve ever experienced before and that scared you. The mystery of these uncharted waters scared you, the unknown of not having a situation in your past to lean back on for reference made you feel anxious. But the way he made you feel out weighed the anxiety for once in your life.

You start to doze off when you’re awoken by the sound of booming thunder filling the room. You sink under the covers the more the thunder rolls through the room. You can’t explain it, there’s just something about thunder that’s been anxiety inducing since you were a kid. At this point you’re curled up in the tightest ball when a loud BANG is heard and all the lights in the house go out. The bright flickers of lighting light up the room from the sides of the shades as more thunder crashes, sounding like giants falling through the atmosphere. You’re terrified at this point, trembling in a tight ball under your covers.

—————————————————————-

Joel’s Pov

Joel’s up, he’s always up late. Sleep often alluding him. He didn’t rest well, always feeling that he hasn’t done enough, that he’s failed someone. He’s just laying there half watching the tv when his phone rings, he knows Tommy’s home because he can hear him down stairs and it’s too late to be any of the guys from work. Panic washes over him when he sees your name on the screen.

“H-hello..”

“J-Joel?” Your tone sounds strained

“Sweetheart, is everything ok?”

“I-I just needed to hear your voice” he can tell by your tone that you’ve been crying, that your stressed out.

You let out a strangled whimper as another boom of thunder rolls through the sky.

“I-I’m just having a hard time a-and just needed to hear your voice.”

Joel melts at the notion that he comforts you, that your comfortable with him and that you would turn to him for comfort. Because truth be told Joel was crazy for you, you’d pretty much stolen his heart since the day he met you. All he wanted to do was show you how much he cared, how much you meant to him.

“Is it the storm sweetheart?

“Y-yes, the thunder makes me anxious and we lost power.”

“Where are you? Y’at home?”

“Yes”

“Ok darlin’ listen to me. Put some music on on your phone to focus on, use t’he flashlight on your phone t’pack a back for a couple days and I’ll come get ya.”

“No Joel…I-I couldn’t ask you to do that”

“I gotta make sure your alright darlin’, I care bout ya k’now that right? You didn’t ask me do anything, I’m doin it cause I want too, I-l I want t’see you”

“ I-I want to see you too Joel”

Joel swears he can her the smile in your voice. He means every word of it. He’ll take every chance he has to protect you, to make you feel loved and cared for.

“TOMMY” Joel yells down the stairs.

“Already got the truck runnin’, I heard you on the the phone, I’m comin’ with you.”

“Tommy no, thunder is one of your triggers I can’t ask you t’do that.”

“Y’two are the two most important people in my life, it’ll be rough but I’m not having y’two out there alone.”

When Joel and Tommy get to your street they find it blocked off. It appears the cause of the power outage was a big tree going down on the power lines further down the road.

Joel pulls up to the barricade rolling down his window.

“Evening officer, w’ould it be possible to get to that second house there?”

“Sorry roads closed”

“ I understand that sir I just need to get to my girlfriend, she’s without power and having a panic attack about all the commotion. Just need to pick her up and we will be on our away.”

“Alright, but make it quick!”

The officer moved the barricade so they can get through.

“You called her your girlfriend?”

“Fuck I dunno Tommy it just came out, I didn’t want the cop to say no.” Joel says as they pull into your drive way.

“You do like her though, you want her to be your girlfriend don’t you?”

“More than anything Tommy, I’d do anything of that girl, hell I’d take her hand and marry her tomorrow if she take me, but she probably doesn’t feel the same, what’s a girl like her want with a guy like me?”

“Stay in the truck I’ll be right back”

You swing the door open before he even reaches the top step of the porch, like you’d been waiting by the window for him, because truthfully you had been.

Joel catches a glimpse of you in the moonlight of the open window, he reaches out to caress your face when he sees how distraught you look, how puffy your eyes are when you just fall into his embrace. He’s taken a back by this for a moment, realizing you really do find safeness and comfort in him.

“Let’s get you outta here sweetheart, you’ll be nice and safe at the house with me and Tommy”

Joel grabs your bags and swiftly leads you outside into rain to the truck. Joel’s helps you into the back when he realizes Tommy’s in the drivers seat.

“Tommy? W’hatya doing?”

“Figured I’d drive back so you can be in the back with her.”

“Tommy! The thunder, you didn’t have to do this” you exclaim as you lean over the seat to give him a big hug.

Tommy didn’t have to say anything, you already knew it was hard for him to be out in the storm surrounded by the thunder too. You and Tommy where similar in those ways. Joel admired the care you showed Tommy, that even in a time of distress for you you’re making sure Tommy is alright too.

You settle back into the seat as Tommy starts backing out if the driveway. You let out a ragged breath and instinctually grab Joel’s hand as another rumble of thunder rips through the sky. He wastes no time lacing his fingers in yours, smoothing his callused thumb over the side of your hand.

You scoot closer to him as you lay your head on his shoulder, breathing out a relaxed sigh.

“Im so happy to see you Joel” you whisper as you tilt your head up to look at him.

“I’m so happy to see you to sweetheart, I’m glad you called”

Joel can tell your tired by your eyes, but you’re still, even in this moment, the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.

“Let’s get you settled so you can get some sleep, I’ll set you up in my room and I’ll sleep on the couch”

Joel grabs your bags and chuckles “Christ it looks like your moving in” he jokes as he walks you up the stairs.

“Well I had to bring my pillow too, I can’t sleep anywhere without it” you laugh shaking your head at how ridiculous you sound.

“Let’s get you out of these soaked clothes, you must be cold”

“I am a little bit” you say bearly above a whisper as you take your pillow out of one bag and dig through the other for pajamas

You go down the hall to change. Washing your face in the sink you pause just looking at yourself in the mirror.

You look like shit. But you have to tell him how you feel.

Joel’s down stairs setting up the couch when you get back from the bathroom so you lay down and curl up in the bed leaving the room dimly lit with a small lamp. Joel comes upstairs to check on you, when he gets to the doorway he sees you curled up in his bed. He finds the sight of you precious, how cozy and relaxed you look it’s a sight he could get used too. You look up to see him standing in the doorway looking at you and you give him the most genuine smile.

“Sorry, I kind of made myself at home” you say nervously.

“Oh sweetheart don’t be sorry. I want you to feel at home here. I was just coming to check on you, make sure you were comfortable.” Joel says sitting on the end of the bed.

“You must be tired, try to rest and get some sleep. I’ll be on the couch if ya need anything.” Joel says reaching for the lamp.

“J-Joel… you can..um will you stay with me?”

Joel is taken by surprise that you’d actually want to share the bed with him, that he just stares at you for a moment. When he says nothing you become anxious, fearing you misread things.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Forget I said anything.”

You reach to shut the lamp off but he rests his hand on your leg to stop you.

“No, no sweetheart it’s not like that, I’m honestly just surprised. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to say that.”

“I don’t want you to feel pressured either. I don’t feel pressured at all, Im being genuine.”

“If you’re truly ok with it I would like to stay in here with you” Joel says as he searches your eyes for any hesitance. But when you meet his gaze with the kindest genuine smile he knows your serious.

“I usually sleep without a shirt, i-is that ok?”

“Of course, how ever your comfortable, I don’t want you to change your routine because I’m here.”

“Sweet dreams sweetheart” Joel says before clicking off the lamp.

“Thanks Joel you too.” You flash him a smile even though it’s dark, thinking he won’t see it but he does.

Another boom of thunder rolls across the sky as you let out a pained sigh. rolling over and resting your head against Joel’s arm, just like in the truck.

“It’s ok, come here baby girl, I got you.” Joel says as he opened his arms, hoping he didn’t freak you out by calling you baby girl, it just came out.

As you scoot closer, he wraps you up in his arms. It’s dizzying how good you feel there, the way you nestle you head into his broad chest until you’ve found the perfect spot. The way you contently hum as you wrap you’re arm around his mid section holding him just as closely as he is you that really makes him melt. The way you start sleepily drawing little circles on the skin over his ribs as you lay there. He could die in this moment and be ok with it, being happier than he has been in years. It’s in that moment that all he wants to do for the rest of his life is love and care for you, to protect you and be there for your every up or down.

“Thank you Joel” you mumble sleepily as the sound of his heartbeat starts lulling you to sleep.

“Anything for you sweet girl” Joel whispers as he kisses the crown of your head.

—————————————————————-

As your eyes flutter open the next morning your head is still nestled on Joel’s chest. The two of you slept like that all night, which makes your smile tug at the corner of your lips. This is what happiness and acceptance feels like. You gingerly and quietly slip out from under Joel’s arm and sit up on the bed. You sit there for a moment and take in the true beauty of Joel, the way the morning sun highlights his strong nose and jaw. How his sun kissed olive skin glistens with every rise and fall of his chest.

You slowly get up off the bed as to not wake him and quietly pad down the stairs to get a drink of water.

You sneak back up the stairs and crawl back into bed. Joel had rolled over while you were down stairs, so you just curled up on your side and settle back in.

There was just something about Joel you couldn’t put your finger on. You wanted him to be the first thing you saw in the morning and the last thing you saw at night. You wanted to be there for the ups and downs, showering him with love every chance you got. Something about Joel just felt like home. You are pulled from your thoughts by Joel as he wraps his arm around you pulling you back flush against his chest, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck. A giggle bubbles up when his scruff tickles the soft skin of your neck.

Here’s your chance…

“Hey J-joel” your voice is barely above a whisper

“Hmm” he sleepily hums in response

“I-I like you, like a lot” I say nervously, regretting the words as soon as you say them, preparing for the rejection.

Joel’s eyes snap open, he feels like he’s in a dream, he couldn’t of heard you right?

“Say that again sweetheart”

You roll over so your facing him, though you’re barley able to look him in the eye.

“I like you Joel… I like you a lot.” You nervously say as you reach out smoothing your fingers along his cheek bone.

Joel feels his heart beat quicken. “I like you a lot too baby girl…god I’ve been dying to tell you.

“Is it ok if I call you mine?”

Tag list:

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[theroseceleste]

Pilot Miguel - Part 12 - Romantic Getaway

Miguel steals you away to the Canary Islands, specifically to Tenerife. What sort of adventures will you share together?

Buy me a coffee! (And gain access to my discord)

Word count - 3697

Minors DNI

Contains : Mentions of sex, nothing too graphic. Mostly fluff and perhaps a moment of confrontation.

AND - Yes, the photos included are from my trip there. My husband and I took these pictures.

AND- Yes, the spectacle that happened at the end did in fact happen. Probably one of the most amazing things I've seen in my life.

Enjoy! xx

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11

If you enjoy this fic, please consider liking, commenting or re-blogging. Many thanks xx

The summer sun beats down on Playa Paraiso, a south-western part of Tenerife. A large island owned by Spain off of the west coast of Africa. It is just one of seven of the Canary Islands.

You feel like you’re back in paradise with Miguel; you have a sea view from your balcony and palm trees littering the beautiful hotel gardens.

The food is amazing, there’s always a wide variety and the main restaurant has a different theme each night. Peter would be in absolute heaven if he was here, you consider letting him know this place exists.

There’s three swimming pools, tennis courts, an archery range, a large play area for children, a couple of bars, three restaurants, a spa, a pool table and ping pong table too. All spread out over the vast hotel grounds.

Of course Miguel booked an executive room, which is spacious and nicely decorated. You would have been happy having a cheaper room but your boyfriend enjoys the finer things especially when you’re concerned.

When you’re not out and about in the hotel’s public areas, you’re in your room, being fucked by Miguel. You kind of lose your first couple of days of your holiday to mainly sex as you try to get over jet lag - not the worst way to spend time, let’s be honest…

He has taken you in every part of your room. You have a bedroom, living room area and bathroom. If there is a surface he can fuck you on, he’ll use it.

There’s not a time in your life before meeting Miguel that you can recall having so much sex. Never in your life have you met anyone like Miguel too. His strength and stamina blows your mind and so do the orgasms he gives you.

It’s safe to say, you’ll never be satisfied with another man. The way he fills you, the attention he gives you. No sexual request is too much to ask or too taxing on him. He’ll eat you out, suckle on your breasts, fill you with his fingers or rock-hard shaft; he’d even play with your ass if you asked him - but you’re not quite brave enough to go there yet.

You adore his passionate face as he makes love to you, his eyebrows knitting together and slanting downwards as if he’s lost in the moment, pleading with you to let him keep going, desperately promising you more pleasure that he’s sure to deliver on. All the while, you lay underneath him, legs wide apart and taking him exquisitely deep inside.

During the times between passionate lovemaking, there’s the wholesome moments too where you cradle his handsome head against your chest as he rests on you in bed.

Long, tanned fingers dance over your breasts and stomach as he watches your sensitive buds and goosebumps rise to his delicate touch. He fails to resist latching onto one of your erect nipples and sucking on it tenderly as his hand slides down to between your legs as if it has a mind of its own. Starting the heated intimacy all over again.

“I’ve booked us an excursion,” Miguel announces over breakfast before taking a gulp of slightly cooled coffee.

You both eat outside as the warmth of the morning sun embraces your skin.

“Oh? Where are we going?” you ask just before you bite into your sweet pastry.

Tiny finches flit about the dining area. Occasionally, you feel the brush of their wings against your legs as they fly under your table, picking up crumbs of food from the white tiled floor.

“You’ll need something warm to wear because we’re going up Mount Teide this evening.” (Teide rhymes with Lady - if you want to know how to pronounce it)

Miguel gets his phone out to read an email containing the information of the excursion he booked.

“It’ll be a coach tour, but we'll be taken to the observatories up there to watch the sunset, with a glass of champagne in hand.”

You listen intently, watching him smile as he looks exceedingly pleased with himself for booking this for the both of you.

“Aww, that sounds very romantic,” you comment, thinking that is all the excursion consists of.

“That’s not all, chiquita,” he pauses before reading the next bit.

“We’ll be taken to a restaurant up there and be served dinner. Then, once it’s totally dark, we’ll be stargazing.”

Now you know why he said you needed warm clothing. Mountains can get considerably colder than the rest of the land below, especially at night. You won’t freeze at this time of year, but it might not be comfortable.

The trip sounds incredible and romantic. It’ll be nice to get out of the hotel, and going on this excursion sounds perfect.

“I can’t wait to go. Thank you for booking it.”

You flash him an excited smile. This is sure a precious day you’ll commit to your memory and reminisce over in years to come.

“I expect you’ve seen the night sky a lot haven’t you?” you ask Miguel before taking a sip of your orange juice.

He puts his phone down on the table and picks up his cup of coffee again.

“Quite a bit of it, yes,” he replies before taking another gulp.

“What things have you seen up there?”

Your eyes look up at the sky as you ask him, while leaning against the table with your elbows, supporting your head with your hands.

Miguel thinks for a moment to remember what he’s witnessed.

“Plenty of Aurora Borealis or northern lights - whatever you want to call them. And I’ve flown over countless thunderstorms - I’ve even seen sprites.”

He flashes a charming smile as if he knows this will spur an interesting conversation.

“Sprites?” you ask, raising an eyebrow, these are things you’ve never heard of.

An image of a creature from some fantastical world where fairies exist pops into your mind, but surely he doesn’t mean that…

“I don’t know the science behind them,” he begins as he places his empty coffee cup back down on the table.

“They’re largely not very well understood, but they appear high over the top of thunder clouds. Some sort of red electrical discharge up in the earth’s atmosphere. They’re quite beautiful, but surprising to see for the first time. I had no idea they existed before I started flying at higher altitudes.”

You find his flying stories fascinating, but you feel like he’s pulling your leg with this story.

“Oh - whatever,” you reply with a smirk, “are you kidding?”

“I’m not! I swear. Here, I’ll find a video of one, give me a sec...”

Miguel picks up his phone again, but before he can open up Google, his phone buzzes in his hand. A text message from Xina…

“Where are you? You’ve not been home for a few days.”

You notice Miguel’s expression fall when he sees what’s on his screen.

“You okay, Miguel?” you ask as you wonder what he’s seen that’s upset him.

“Uhh, it’s nothing. Just some irritating mail I have to respond to, I’ll find a video in a moment.”

Your lips press into a thin line. He’s lying. You’ve noticed over the last couple of weeks that something has been bothering him.

His thumbs tap against his phone-screen as he types a message back to Xina while he endeavours to keep his cool.

“Over three-thousand miles away from you and having a great time.”

He puts his phone in Do Not Disturb mode and looks for the video to prove the existence of sprites.

Sure enough, they do in fact exist, and they’re stunning - just rare to witness and hard to see with the naked eye. From what you can see in the video, they look like red columns of light with thin tree roots sprouting below them. You consider Miguel lucky to have seen this phenomenon.

The Captain leaves his phone on Do Not Disturb. The silence that follows is bliss - no more irritating buzzes dampening his fun with you.

Sitting at the back of the coach, Miguel stretches his long legs out down the middle. The poor guy has to bend to walk all the way to the back. You’re happy to get the window seat as he sits beside you.

Thankfully the coach isn’t full during the trip and other passengers are situated more towards the front, allowing you to have private conversations without being overheard as the bus weaves its way up the volcano.

A low layer of cloud is now below you, lapping against the slopes of the mountain like a foamy sea. You slide your phone out of your pocket to take a picture of the breath-taking view.

“That’s a great picture,” Miguel compliments you as he leans over, instantly warming you up.

His closeness gives you the opportunity to sneak a kiss, pressing your lips against his cheek. You feel his arms wrap around you, making sure you can’t escape. He needs more of your affection. Soft giggles fill the back of the bus as he nuzzles into you and plants a few tender kisses of his own against your lips and around your beautiful face.

The coach takes what feels like the hundredth turn on the road that snakes its way up the volcano. All you can see for the next few minutes is rock and yellowing grass. It’s clear this part of Tenerife doesn’t get much in the way of wetter weather.

You lean against his chest, as he rests his head against yours, you both sit in silence for a little while, until you decide to confront him about the business with his phone.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s really been going on?”

Miguel’s body stiffens slightly at your question and his arms tighten momentarily. A gentle nuzzle against your head indicates he’s uncomfortable, or feeling unsure about what to say.

“What do you mean?” he asks, but it’s a feeble attempt to pretend to not know what you’re talking about.

“Something’s bothering you on your phone, what is it?”

You re-adjust your head position so you can look up at him while your fingers run over the soft material of his shirt.

He pulls you closer and nuzzles against you more firmly.

“I don’t want to ruin the great time we’re having, baby.”

His hand caresses your cheek before he gives you a soft kiss on your forehead.

“Please tell me.”

Your pleading breaks his resolve. It’s not fair that he’s keeping this from you, but he worries about the impact it will have on you. Eventually he pulls away after steeling himself to admit what’s been happening.

“Remember Xina? The woman who tried to visit the other week?”

You cast your mind back to the mid-length, black haired woman who was standing at his penthouse door when you opened it.

“Yeah?” you reply, raising a curious eyebrow.

The coach’s engine revs louder for a moment as it powers on up a slightly steeper incline.

“She’s my ex-wife.”

Miguel’s voice is quiet, full of concern as to what you’re going to make of this bit of news.

A booming-like feeling thuds in your chest as your heart skips a beat. Your hand takes his, squeezing his fingers slightly.

“What’s she doing visiting you?”

He shrugs and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are. She’s been texting me since that evening, but I’ve been pushing her back every time.”

“Pushing her back? Why? What’s she been saying?” you ask as your eyebrows knit together with growing concern.

Your worried expression breaks Miguel’s heart. If only you know just how upset Xina’s unexpected interference is making him.

“She claims she wants me back, but sweetheart, you have to understand I do not want that.”

He raises your hand to his lips and delivers a tender kiss to your knuckles.

“She had her chance with me - she had it all, but she rejected it. I have the tendency to never revisit old relationships, no matter how important they were to me at the time.”

Miguel then reaches for his phone.

“For complete transparency, look at the messages so you can see that I have no interest.”

You nearly back out of looking at his phone. For some reason, hearing that Xina is pursuing Miguel again hurts you more than you thought it might. The blood in your veins runs cold as he opens up the conversation, but he hesitates as another text comes in. One that he received earlier but the Do Not Disturb feature silenced it.

“Are you with her?”

The text simply reads, however you can’t help but detect the venom behind the last word.

He shows you the whole conversation starting from the night she knocked on his door. You notice Miguel’s attitude towards her in his texts are blunt and to the point. There’s no way his responses could be misconstrued. He’s not interested and that’s that. End of story.

“She hurt me a great deal when she no longer wanted to cooperate with me in keeping our marriage alive. It’s dead in the water now, and there’s no way I’m going to waste my time reviving it on a whim.”

You believe him; the sincerity in his eyes is compelling. You may have only been seeing him for a couple of months but that time has been well spent being up close and personal, getting to know his character.

“I understand,” you tell him, putting on a smile; a brave face in which he notices immediately.

Miguel wraps his arms around you, desperate to reassure you.

“Tu eres todo lo que quiero. Nadie se compara contigo. Nadie importa más que tu.” (You are all that I want. No one else compares to you. No one else matters but you.)

Your recent Spanish lessons on an app on your phone hasn’t quite extended to the level in which he speaks. But you can tell his romantic mutterings are heartfelt as he squeezes you and strokes you with his strong, manly hands.

Surrounded by several buildings belonging to the local observatory, standing tall at the crest of a hill on Mount Teide; you and Miguel clamber down from the coach. It’s quite comical seeing a six-foot-nine-inch man with broad shoulders descend the narrow aisle and steps.

The air is already slightly colder than it is closer to the sea. You suck in air through your teeth as a chilly breeze whips around you. The excursion leader hands a blanket to you and Miguel to wrap around you, before passing you a glass of champagne.

The sky is set alight in a blazing orange as the sun nears its time to vanish below the horizon, drawing another day to a close.

Standing atop the hill, Miguel places his arm around you as you cast your gazes to the west. The bright, orange orb burning brightly in the sky, gradually sinking lower, and lower.

Taking out your phone, you decide to capture the stunning moment that follows.

The bubbly liquid brings a warmth to your insides while Miguel remains by you, holding you close.

“I meant what I said earlier, chiquita. No one else matters but you,” Miguel purrs in your ear.

A sweet smile grows across your face.

“So that’s what you said, huh?”

He chuckles at your response as he realises he said it in a language you didn’t understand.

“Sorry, chiquita. I guess I got carried away with the emotion of the conversation,” Miguel replies and whispers to you exactly what he said to you earlier, giving you further reassurance; making your heart flutter like a butterfly in the breeze.

As the golden disc kisses the horizon, Miguel draws you in closer to press his lips against yours. His blanket wraps around you snugly as well as himself while he has you pressed against his large, muscular frame.

You and Miguel had a delicious meal in the restaurant. There was slight hesitation when he discovered that everyone on the excursion were to share tables, but once the ice was broken between your neighbours, the conversation flowed nicely, while Miguel sat and listened. Once again, he returned to his usual straight-faced demeanour however he toned down the intimidating expression so as to not weird out your fellow excursion companions…

Now, you both are the last to get off the coach as it’s parked up next to a vast plane of an old lava flow from the volcano.

Stars twinkle and planets gleam against the black canvas that is the sky. You don’t think you have ever seen so many stars. Your current location has much less light pollution than you do at home.

The atmosphere and scenery is enchanting. Feeling on top of the world with nothing but dazzling lights blinking millions of lightyears away. The landscape before you makes you feel you could be on a totally different planet.

The tour guide begins his talk about the twinkling display above you. You learn about the differences between planets and stars. How the orbiting worlds in space shine constantly while the incomprehensibly large burning balls of gas sparkle in the night sky.

“There are eighty-eight constellations that can be seen all over the world, but only thirty-six can be seen in the northern hemisphere…” the tour guide starts to explain.

A sharp shiver shoots down your spine as the much cooler air chills you to the bone. You came prepared, but the cold still manages to seep through your multiple layers. In the dark, you hear a zip before feeling a large jacket wrapping around your shoulders.

The tall, dark figure beside you pulls you close, keeping you warm in his embrace as you both listen to the tour guide as he points out the Orion constellation.

Despite being surrounded by a handful of people, looking up into the black, glittering sky, you feel like the only two existing in that moment. You’re transfixed - hypnotised even, as you learn about things far bigger than you, or Miguel. Things even bigger than your planet and it boggles your mind finding out just how small you are in comparison, but that’s not a bad thing. It fascinates you and humbles you.

As the talk continues, you feel gentle kisses against your head and hair. Miguel gives the impression that he’s not exactly listening and is more interested in the attention he’s giving you. Maybe he already knows this stuff? You don’t put it past him.

Back in the coach for the final time as it snakes its way back down Mount Teide, the passengers are quietly conversing with one another.

Looking out of the window, it is almost nothing but the purest of black, apart from the twinkling of golden lights in Playa de las Americas.

The fresh air and the large meal has made you sleepy and your eyelids feel heavier by the minute. That is until something suddenly catches your attention, making you startle and grab Miguel’s hand while your eyes remain fixed on the stunning object that comes into view.

A large entity burning in the earth’s atmosphere, rips across the dark sky. A flaming, orange tail streaks behind it as the front burns a brilliant, electric blue.

“What the hell?” you gasp in pure surprise, turning to face Miguel.

The thing in question disappears as quickly as it came, fizzling out into nothingness over what you assume is the Atlantic Ocean.

“That, (Y/N), was a meteorite.” (Yes this really did happen to me IRL)

Your jaw drops as you look back out of the window, picturing the spectacle in your mind's eye. What a beautiful sight, and simply the perfect ending to an amazing day. You try not to let what Miguel told you earlier affect you. The romantic day you have shared with him has certainly outshone the unpleasant discussion of Xina. And that meteorite will last in your memory until the end of your days.

The last two weeks have flown by and you return home to your apartment. You’re exhausted, but you have a dreamy smile plastered on your face. Your holiday in Tenerife has been an unforgettable experience.

You both did some amazing things, creating many memories that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. Dolphin spotting as the pair of you sat on a catamaran will be forever one of your favourites; watching the joyful creatures rushing alongside the boat, leaping out of the water as the warm sunlight glistens along their backs.

Another memory you’re fond of is when Miguel took you to Siam Park; the biggest water park in Tenerife. Your favourite moment is when the two of you canoodled in the deepest part of the wave pool that released a powerful wall of water every five minutes. The rise and fall of the water almost got the two of you carried away. The temptation to let him slip your bikini bottoms to the side and enter you was overwhelming at one point.

As you enter your home, you’re greeted by Ashley, fretting over a letter that she’s reading in the open plan kitchen. Her fingers run through her hair as her mind races.

Closing the door behind you after dragging the suitcase in, you look concerned at your friend as she reads a letter again.

“What’s up?” you ask as you approach your roommate, trying to peer at what she’s reading.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do.” Ashley’s voice cracks as he shakes her head, the paper in her hands shakes as her hands tremble.

“Ashley, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

Eventually, her gaze rises up to meet yours, tears threaten to well up in her eyes.

“The landlord is pushing our rent up - we can only just afford it as it is (Y/N), I don’t know how we’re going to manage this…”

All of a sudden, the beautiful holiday is sucked out of your mind, lost in the dark vacuum of space as it’s replaced with thoughts about what’s going to happen about your little home that you’ve built with your best friend…

I hope you enjoyed Part 12.

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[amywhereyouwant]

WORK IN PROGRESS FANFIC!!

Hey so I've been working on a TOH fic for a couple days and I thought I would post the first Chapter, feedback would be appreciated!

The Hexsquad has just been thrown into the Human Realm, and everyone is pretty shaken up, but Luz is especially so.

(Fic is under the Read More link! ^.^)

Luz was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. She didn’t know how long she’d been lying there for. There was no way this could’ve happened. She squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe if she opened her eyes, she’d wake up back in the Owl House to that familiar scent of fried Griffin Egg she’s come to know and tolerate, with Hooty’s assorted hoots and screams sounding from the window…

Nothing. She was still in the top bunk of hers and Vee’s bed, she was still staring at the shoddily put up glow-in-the-dark stars still on the ceiling from when she was a kid, there was still that faint ringing in her ears, there were still those words…

“Luz, I’m so happy I had you as a Big Sister.”

Luz didn’t want those words to be the last she heard from King, but they were. And now she wouldn’t see him again.

Everything was wrong. Luz knew that. Camila had tried to comfort her earlier, but there wasn’t any doubt. Her friends had been violently tossed out of their home, and Luz couldn’t help but think that it was her fault. She couldn’t stop going through it all in her head. She should never have tried to meet Philip, she should’ve known better, she-

“Luz?”

The voice was just a whisper, but she could instantly tell who it was. Amity was peeking her head over the bunk’s railing, it was hard to see faces in the dark, but Luz knew that it was her Girlfriend.

“Are you alright?” Her voice was as warm as it always was, but there was a shakiness to it.

Luz couldn’t respond, of course I’m alright, she thought sarcastically to herself. It's not like I’ve ruined all of my friends' lives and forced them away from their homes. Even though she hadn’t said anything, it was like Amity knew what was going on in her head.

She gestures up to beside where Luz was laying. “Can I come up?” Luz nodded, and the Witch slowly clambered up the bed and nestled in. It was hard to admit, but the strange amount of comfort that Amity gave to Luz by just being close to her felt like it was about to make her melt into the mattress. The two just laid there for a moment, before Amity spoke up.

“I know how you feel right now. I never really thought about how it felt for you to be launched into the Demon Realm without any warning, you must’ve been so scared”

Luz sighed, If only you knew, she thought. Then it hit her. She doesn’t know. Amity had no clue Luz chose to stay on the Boiling Isles. She wasted every opportunity she had to go home and meet her mom, she had all the time in the world to go back. And she didn’t. For what? To play around and do Magic? What was wrong with her? Had she just left, none of this would’ve happened, she could’ve-

It must’ve shown that Luz wasn’t paying attention, because Amity spoke again, cutting Luz’ overthinking off. “Whatever you think about yourself because of this, stop. You did what you could to help us, to help me. And it… could’ve been worse, we could’ve failed to stop the Draining spell completely and… a-and..” Amity was trying to sound reassuring, but her voice betrayed her, and tears started forming in the girl’s eyes.

“Amity...” Luz brushed away a bit of hair that had fallen in her girlfriend's face. She wanted to say something, but the words got stuck in her throat. Amity sobbed and forced out a slight whisper. “I’m scared.”

Luz had nothing she could say. What could she say? What would make this whole situation get any better?

All she could muster was a small “Me too.” It felt pathetic. She felt bad for saying it, but it was true. She was afraid. For the first time in a while, she’d admitted that she was scared. She was scared for what might’ve happened to the rest of the people on the Isles, she was scared for what would happen to her friends now that they’re here…

Amity sniffled. “I’m scared, but I think… I think I feel a little more brave when I’m with you.” The Witch wiped a tear, then hugged Luz. A warm embrace that felt like getting hugged by the warmest, most comfy and emotional pillow ever to be made. Luz didn’t want to cry. She couldn’t cry. She had to stay strong. 

But she cried. She cried deep into Amity’s arms, bundled up in a mound of blankets and tears, they laid there for a while, letting the tears come out for the first time in what felt like ages. And it felt better. In this upside down world where nothing felt like it was going to get better, they had each other.

_________________________________________________

Hope this was any good, thanks for reading!

[jamieaiken919]

Questions 1-5 for self ship/OC x canon couples ask meme with Richtofen! -dzvagabond 💚💜

AAAAAAAAAAA HI @dzvagabond IM SO SORRY THIS TOOK FOREVER TO ANSWER >.< My brain hasn’t been doing so great lately BUT I pulled out answers to your inquiries!! I answered these with Primis Edward in mind (I feel like I’ve been neglecting him >.<) BUT just lemme know if you’d like me to answer for Ultimis or Director!Eddie!!

1. Who makes the other blush all the time and who finds it adorable?

I am absolutely the one who makes Edward blush, lol. He’s not used to anyone showing him any kind of affection and it flusters him to have someone’s attention be focused towards him. At least in a romantic sense, he’s used to the rest of the guys giving him shit lol. Any time I notice him blushing I just snuggle up to him and give him a kiss on the cheek, which inevitably makes him blush even more.

2. Who sings in the shower?

ME. ME ME ME. I put on whole ass concerts in the shower, complete with talking to my nonexistent audience and band lmao. Edward often lays in the bed listening and laughing and then I get all self conscious and embarrassed when he compliments my performance lol.

3. What would their song to each other be?

HMM. I’ve had various thoughts about this one, and there’s a couple that fit the bill… the two that keep sticking in my brain are As The World Falls Down by David Bowie (from Labyrinth, of course) and When I Need You by Leo Sayer🥺

4. Who embarrasses the other in public with kisses and pet names?

HI ITS ME AGAIN LMAO. I’m not shy when it comes to showing Edward affection, and me coming up to him in the grocery store and grabbing his hand or pulling him down for a fast kiss never fails to make him drop whatever he’s looking at.

5. Who curses, and who reprimands the other for it?

I have the mouth of a sailor and it always gets me in trouble lmao. Especially if Tank and I are fucking around. Edward constantly is trying to get me to tone it down, but in the back of his mind he can’t help but love it when I tell somebody being a jerk to get fucked lol.

[jelfoejvpaofjv]

Day 1

After our talk that lead us nowhere, I didn’t know how to feel or think. I just felt so numb, so numb that I caught myself laying in bed staring into the dark thinking about how late/early it is and that I need to fall asleep but how, just how? I kinda just blacked out and woke up thinking I was late for work. Our biggest issue is that I lack communication skills. I have a hard time expressing how I really feel about things and that I won’t express it til days later. I’ve mentioned that I didn’t grow up in a loving and affectionate household. It was always tough love for me and I just knew that at the end of the day my family would’ve had my back and be there for me when I need them to. Like that’s the mentality I grew up with. And I know that it’s not normal or healthy for a person to grow up that way. That they should be raised in a loving home with parents who shower them with affection. But that’s not how I was brought up and I can’t blame my parents for that if that’s how they were brought up themselves. It’s going to have to end with me to break this generational cycle. I definitely don’t want that for my children. That’s not how I want to raise my children to be. That’s where nature vs nurture comes around. I was nurtured into this lifestyle that I need to end. It’s true, I’m not getting any younger, life is just going to pass me by if I don’t change now. And how am I going to break this curse if I don’t make a difference now? I understand that it’s always easier said than done and that actions speak louder than words. I know I need to change my mentality and my view on life. I need to let things go and start focusing on myself so I can truly be happy rather than trying to make other people happy. I’ve been telling myself for the past couple weeks that I need to make a goal for the week and achieve my goal. For the week of Mother’s Day my goal was to enjoy myself in Vegas. As much hiccups as that week had I can honestly say that I had a great time in Vegas up until that last night/morning. I let them bitches get the best of me but I won’t allow them to ever over take my emotions the way they did. I will never surround myself with those people or put anyone I love in a position to be around them for them to feel the way I felt. For last week my goal was to not let the week get the best of me. And I failed. It was my mom’s birthday week. And I let my sister live rent free in my head. It’s not that she said anything to me or did anything to me but the pettiness got to me. I know I need to let go and move on with her but I just can’t. It’s so hard for me because of everything that I have done for her and her family just for her to play victim. And I know that our relationship that we have is not helping my depression either. I know I said that next month I’ll start communicating with her a little more but that won’t be happening anymore. I need to find my peace before I can incorporate her back into my life. I know it’s going to be hard because jr is promoting and having his party that I got the petty invite to but I can’t just not show up for jr. that is my husky boy that I helped raised to be the kid that he is now. As much as I am not in the kids lives these past nine months I still love them and think about them and wish that I could still be in their lives without them fearing the tension between their mom n I. And I know I’m the adult and it’s not that I’m taking my anger towards their mom onto them but it may look that way. I will make sure I see them this week and remind them that I love them and will always be there for them whenever they need. Kinda

[fractalmindflower]

I don’t even know what to say, I’m starting to feel like I don’t know what my intentions and care and conviction and love to really even matter in our relationship. You continue to feel sorry for yourself you can use to isolate yourself you continue to choose to be in a hole, in a tunnel of your self harming limiting perspective. I feel like I’ve given every single drop and ounce of myself I feel like I have reached so far into the corners of myself and even gathered more as if mining the reserves or collecting from the emergency reservoirs perhaps even that I have saved for such larger or later needed purposes and intentions. But what for? I feel like I am not of your inspiration yet you told me that I am the only person that cares I am the only person in your life that truly is there. But this is how it is? Meanwhile over the last couple years I self sacrifice, I tie myself with your trajectory, I your wounded healer I your mother I your spirit guide I your therapist. When I just want to be your lover, your beloved, your partner. So many times I have had to walk out the trailer door and leave in the dark or leave in the light of day because I feel exhausted because I feel like nothing I say matters. Because I feel like I’ve completely exacerbated myself and nothing seems to be getting the gears moving in you or getting you to realize. You say you want better and you say you will do better and you say that you want to treat me better. It is also true that you say I deserve better, that you are unhealthy for me. And it stings. I feel like we are about to just fall off the summit that we’ve been attempting to climb attempting to reach some kind of better view. I keep trying to look at the bigger picture I keep trying to imagine the pain and circumstances must just be temporary. And yet there has been things that are cyclical and have been cyclical as right now as I voice type this journal entry as I drive to the place where I am crashing in the living room because you’re trying to build a tiny house that has taken you longer than a year it seems like to complete at this point. I feel so sad that you’re laying in the bed in your trailer in the cold in the dark alone sad that I have walked away because I feel like everything that I have done and attempted and all the ways just up to this point can feel like it just doesn’t matter. I feel like I’ve failed somehow even. I feel so lost and hopeless. I had some shooting pain run through my chest when my tears got intense and it scared me. It was a sharp pain. Now I am sitting in my car in the driveway. Crashing in a living room means going inside and asking for what I need and I just want to sleep. I hope people aren’t hanging out and making food at almost 1030pm. I left your place saying I feel like I don’t matter and I don’t inspire you and I guess let me know when I matter. I feel so exhausted and heartbroken.

*note

I walked in said hi to no one looked at no one and I was probably very confusing or seemed messed up in some way or gave off some not good vibe of some sort and I put away groceries didn’t even say hi to the person in the kitchen and didn’t even say hi to people I love and care about and I just went to the bathroom changed my clothes and got into my bed without saying a word or sharing eye contact with anyone

And I feel so messed up for that

But I was so taken by a feeling as if I was in my own cloud and I just didn’t have it in me for anything and I fought to not make any audible cries as tears came out my eyes with people around and I didn’t share anything and no one asked and soon someone said they were gonna go in their room and let me sleep and eventually everyone cleared out and went to their own rooms

Sigh

[moonlightspencie]

Speak Now

Description: You’re not usually the type of girl (gn) to barge in on a white-veil occasion… but the officiant did say ‘speak now’.

Pairing: Ted Lasso x gn!Reader

Word Count: 2.5k

(originally posted on tumblr. then posted on ao3 on 6/13/22. now posted back on tumblr because taylor swift personally attacked me with the speak now tv announcement)

You walked into the pub to get out of the cold, and to drown away any lingering hurt about the event hanging over your head.

It was tomorrow already.

You hadn’t expected all of the planning to be finished so soon, and certainly didn’t expect such a fast engagement. Part of you wondered if he even meant it when he proposed.

It all seemed… Wrong. That was what you told Beard as you sat at the table with him that night.

“If he meant it?” He asked incredulously.

You nodded. “I mean, think about it, in the whole time you’ve known him when has he ever done anything like this? With the exception of dragging us to England, that is.”

“I don’t know,” he sighed, taking a drink. “Maybe he just fell quick.”

You sat back, drinking silently for a few moments while you mulled everything over. Ted could be crazy, but going to marry someone he hardly knew was on a different level. You knew it, you knew that deep down Beard had to know it.

“Maybe I’m just being pessimistic because I wasn’t invited, but it all seems wrong to me,” you finally said with a shrug.

Beard furrowed his brow. “Not invited?”

You shook your head. “No.”

“Ted invited you.”

“No, he didn’t.”

He raised a brow. “He told me he did. Why do you think he’s been talking about it around you?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know, I just assumed it was only going to be a couple close friends.”

He dropped his shoulders, glaring at you.

“You know you’re one of his closest friends.”

“Then why am I not invited?” You challenged. “See, this is what I’m talking about. I don’t get why he’s doing this at all.”

“And you’re sure this isn’t a deeper issue for you?”

“Like what?”

“Maybe the fact that you’re just about in love with the man,” Mae cut in, picking up your empty mugs. You looked at her with wide eyes. “You’re not hard to read, love.”

You couldn’t help but laugh a little at her demeanor, even if you wanted to reject that statement with everything in you.

“You’re a real treat Mae, but in this case you need to mind yourself.”

She narrowed her eyes at you. “I’ll let that one slide for now.”

“You’re an angel, friend.”

She hummed, walking away and leaving you to the skeptical gaze of coach Beard. You looked back at him, giving him a shrug.

“Nothing will make this make sense to me.”

“Uh huh.”

He got up to leave several minutes later, leaving you to wander to a barstool to engage in some more conversation with Mae.

“You know, if it bugs you all that much, you could just sneak in and break it up,” she said with a wink.

“I am not the type of person to go barging into a wedding uninvited,” you replied with a laugh, “But, I do appreciate the suggestion.”

“They always ask for objections, and you seem to have quite a few,” she sang.

You laughed again. “I don’t know if that’d be the most appropriate response.”

She sighed. “Can I tell you something I think might help all of this?”

“Of course,” you said, leaning against the bar-top as you finished your drink.

“As obvious as it is that you’ve got some feelings hidden away for our Ted, I’ve gotta say it surprises me you haven’t seen the way he looks at you.”

“Alright, are we sure you’re not the one who’s been drinking?”

You chuckled, shaking your head at her. She smiled.

“Only one, but don’t tell anyone.”

“You’re my best friend here, Mae, who am I gonna tell?”

She laughed. “That’s my girl. But seriously, I meant what I said. Give it a thought, yeah?”

“I think it’s time for me to head out,” you said after a beat. “It’s been a pleasure as always.”

“You too, love,” she said with a smile as she waved you off.

You went home, laying in your bed and trying and failing not to think about what she’d said. There was really no point in trying to hide your feelings with how easily she’d already read you, but you couldn’t help the thought of Ted that lingered in your head.

There was no way he’d ever had a second thought about you as anything more than a friend. Right?

Ted laid awake that night, trying to think about the fact that he was supposed to be married the next day, but instead had a head filled with you.

Beard had called him a few hours prior to ask about why you hadn’t been invited. Much to Ted’s confusion, as he had certainly put your name on the invite list. Everything had moved very quickly, but that shouldn’t have effected whether or not your invite got to you.

But now, hearing you’d never gotten one, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was intentional.

You never seemed to notice, but others had pointed out in the past that he could never keep his eyes off of you if you were in the same room. If it was that easy for some folks to pick up, realization dawned on him that it might have been a tell to his soon-to-be wife. But would she have really barred such a good friend of his from their wedding?

She had her whole family coming, surely she wouldn’t object to Ted having more than a couple of his own. He wondered if anyone else had been uninvited, or if it was just you. If all else failed, Henry and his mother would be there, but he wanted his friends to be there to celebrate.

He tossed and turned the rest of the night, waking only after a few hours of sleep.

You got up the next morning, dreading the day. You wondered what Ted was doing as he prepared for his big day, and wondered who else was going to be there without you.

Against your better judgement, you sent him a text.

- ‘hey, just wanted to congratulate you on your big day. i hope you have a great time :)’

You hit send, setting your phone on your nightstand. You looked up at the ceiling, trying to get your mind onto any other subject. Though, it wasn’t long before you heard your phone vibrate with the indication of a message.

- ‘Thank you! You’re coming, right?’

You read the message, and read it again. Was this some weird power play?

- ‘gosh, i’m sorry, i’m not. i never got an invite, i didn’t want to intrude’

It was only a second before a few new messages popped up.

- ‘Intrude?! It wouldn’t be the same without ya!’

- ‘I promise I put you on the list. Seems it didn’t get to you’

Bitterness crept in, a message coming from your brain and to his phone before you could check in with your logical side.

- ‘seems more like i was uninvited by your lovely bride-to-be lol. that’s okay, i’m alright cheering you on from home’

He received your message with wide eyes, his suspicions and yours matching up.

- ‘I’d still really like to see you there, don’t think I can get through without you. I’ll send you a link to the address’

He sent the message along with the map link to the location of the ceremony. You didn’t send another message, mulling over the fact that someone certainly didn’t want you there. You texted Rebecca, asking if you could tag along with her that day if she was going.

You got ready quickly, hands shaking as you pulled on your shoes and grabbed your bag. Rebecca showed up later that day, and you took a car to the ceremony together.

“You’re being uncharacteristically quiet, love,” she said as you arrived at the destination.

“I’m thinking.”

“Uh oh,” she said, though amusement shone in her eyes. “Does that mean we get any entertainment today?”

You turned the situation over and over again in your head, losing yourself in the fantasy of standing up and interrupting the ceremony. After all, even if he thought you were insane, objecting would put off the wedding for the day. At minimum, they wouldn’t be able to marry legally that day.

You knew that was a petty thought, but after a certain point you didn’t care.

Katherine had never seemed to like you no matter how kind you were to her. You’d gone out of your way to provide her a certain level of comfort any time you’d interacted, and she always brushed it off. She had made her way to Keeley’s bad side within an hour because of it all, and that was certainly a feat to accomplish.

Though, as you attempted to converse with certain members of her family, you understood why she was the way she was: they all acted the same way. Stuck up.

You let out a hard sigh as you sat with Rebecca to wait for the ceremony to begin. She watched you, trying to decipher what was going on in your head.

“You know, you being all quiet like this worries me a little,” she sang quietly.

You chuckled. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Partially,” you said with a smile.

She laughed, grabbing your hand and giving it a squeeze.

“I wish Keeley and Roy could have made it. I think they might’ve liked seeing you do what you’re about to.”

“And what am I about to do?” You asked, eyes wide and a smile on your face.

“I can’t say for sure, but it looks like you don’t want this to happen as much as half the people here,” she whispered.

“Half is an overstatement.”

“There’s enough, I think. We’re all just too afraid to say anything.”

You paused, considering what she said. Did that many people really have concern about everything? If so, you certainly felt a stronger surge of confidence. Though, you weren’t sure if that was a good thing or not quite yet.

You waited for the ceremony to start with palms that were becoming increasingly clammy and a heart that beat faster and faster. Especially as Ted came out with the officiant. He smiled at a few guests as he came out, though he didn’t seem to notice you.

Something was on his mind.

As he walked down, he wanted so badly to search for you, but he knew he might have trouble saying ‘I do’ if he knew you were there watching him.

He knew he was probably better off pretending like they were all alone up there rather than in front of a crowd of people.

He also knew he was becoming less and less sure about what he was doing as the day went on.

Music started, the bridesmaids and groomsmen coming down. You only recognized Beard, the rest supplemented by Katherine’s family.

As each person came down, you watched Ted. Part of you hurt to see him there, but part of you found an unfortunate excitement with the fact that he didn’t look overly excited. Maybe you could do this.

You could do this.

She came down next, though you kept your eyes on Ted through it all.

He watched her float down the aisle, and much to his dismay, he didn’t feel the joy he thought he might.

The ceremony officially began, and you watched and waited with baited breath. All of the formalities began, and time seemed to slow. Your heart beat harder and harder, knowing it was coming soon.

Then, the officiant said it.

Silence fell over the room, and you waited for what felt like forever.

But then, you knew it was your last chance and time was winding down.

You stood, hands shaking, as you stared at Ted. He looked back at you, as did everyone else in the room, all of them wearing looks of pure horror on their faces.

You opened your mouth to speak, tongue going dry for a moment. Rebecca reached up, giving your hand one last squeeze of reassurance that gave you the final surge of confidence that you needed.

“I’m not the kind of person who does this. Crashing a wedding, and all,” you said with a light laugh, only Beard joining in on the laughter quietly. At least he covered his with a cough. “But, Ted, I really don’t think you’re the type of guy to marry the wrong person.”

“Excuse me?” Katherine cut in, looking between the two of you.

When Ted kept his eyes on you, she scoffed, arms crossing. You didn’t pay any mind, keeping your gaze on him.

“I— Don’t say yes. Don’t do this, Ted,” you said, almost laughing at the absurdity of the situation. “Just hear me out, think about it, you know?”

“What are you even doing?” Katherine asked again, and this time you glanced at her.

You gestured at the officiant.

“He said ‘Speak now’.”

A few laughs spread throughout the room at that, mostly from teammates from Richmond, but laughs nonetheless.

Ted still kept his eyes on you. “I— I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll come with me,” you offered.

He watched with wide eyes for another moment, a small smile creeping onto his face.

“Meet you at the back door when I change?”

A wave of relief and adrenaline ran through you at that, a wide smile on your face suddenly. You nodded quickly.

He ran down the aisle, and you grabbed your bag, giving a quick kiss on the cheek to Rebecca.

“Work things out with his family for us, yeah?”

She nodded. “Of course. I’ll make sure I have a fun day planned for them tomorrow.”

“You’re my favorite, you know that?”

“I know,” she said with a smile. “Go get him, love.”

You hustled out of the building, going to find the back door. Ted came through as you reached it, smiling when he saw you there, standing in just his button up and dress pants.

He wrapped you in a tight hug when you met, letting out a breath.

“I’m so glad you were around to stop all that.”

“Really?”

He pulled back, looking at you. “Of course. I’m running away from a wedding with you, do you really think my heart was in all that, Ben Platt?”

“I’m so glad I could pull you away from it all for you to make that horrible joke,” you said with a laugh.

He laughed back, then quieted, looking at you in the eyes.

“How did you know?” He asked quietly.

“Mae is very observant,” you whispered with a smirk.

“Bless that woman.”

You giggled, though got cut short when he pressed his lips to yours. You kissed him back, butterflies erupting in your stomach after waiting forever for that moment. You separated a minute later, and he took your hand in his.

“What do you say we run away together now?”

“That sounds perfect.”

[moonlit-jeno]

friends (m.)

pairing: lee jeno x fem reader

genre: explicit sexual content | omegaverse | heat sex | unprotected sex | some name calling

words: 3.6k

don’t like don’t read :)

“Your heat’s coming up.” Jeno says, point blank in between bites of his apple. You just nod, taking a break from your notes to side eye him. It’s not odd for him to know intimate details of your life- you do make sure to keep him updated on your cycle just so that he can send you the notes for the days you miss - but it’s not exactly a common subject for the two of you. “Who are you spending it with?”

There are still 13 powerpoint slides for you to grind through, but you figure a small break won’t hurt. Might as well use the conversation topic for something good, aka a reason to slam your laptop shut. You turn to Jeno, giving your best friend your full attention, and take the iced coffee right out of his hand. He doesn’t protest. “No idea. Would call Jaemin but he’s ‘found the one’ or something, so I’ll probably just spend it by myself.”

“By yourself?” Jeno’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline as if you’ve just admitted to committing a sin. It’s not like the concept isn’t unheard of, there’s a market full of toys to help you through it. “Isn’t that dangerous?” You shrug and take a sip of the coffee, offering him your smoothie in exchange. He takes a sip and then bites down on your straw. His entire face scrunches and he yanks his face away from the beverage. He pulls the straw up, inspecting the now soggy and dented object with disgust. “Fuck, what is this made out of?”

“Paper.” You huff a laugh out through your nose, taking your smoothie back. “And I mean, it’s not any more dangerous than spending your heat with the wrong person. Plus, my heats get kind of… intense.” If Jaemin sleeping for three days straight and limping after is anything to go by, both parties take the short end of the stick. You’d felt so bad after and apologized to him profusely, but he had just thrown you his signature dazzling grin and told you that drowning in pussy was exactly the way he envisioned himself dying. He definitely didn’t complain about the brownies you’d baked him as a ‘thank you’, though.

“Spend your heat with me.” The bold request has your brain malfunctioning, at a loss for where to even start reacting to his statement. You just stare at him, mouth opening and closing repeatedly while he returns the gaze earnestly. “Look, it makes sense, right? I know you better than anyone, and you already trust me. Plus if they’re as intense as I’ve heard they are, you need someone there.”

You frown, opening your laptop up and staring blankly at the screen just to avoid having to look at Jeno. It does make sense to have him there with you, and it’s not like he’s the worst person to have sex with. Plenty of people around campus have delighted in talking about their nights with Jeno, dreamily telling you how lucky you are to have him and falling deaf to your insistence that the two of you aren’t like that. Plus, you’re not blind and even if you’re not the cute couple everyone thinks you are, you can admit that he’s hot.

“Wait, hang on. What do you mean ‘heard’ about? What shit is Na Jaemin saying?” Jeno’s shoulders shake with his laughter at your sudden concern. “I mean, he didn’t say anything, but that was kind of the problem. He didn’t show up to practice for like a week and when he finally did, he looked like he’d been mauled. Coach had to bench him.”

Your heart drops slightly at hearing that Jaemin’s soccer had been affected. He hadn’t told you that. “Oh.” The guilt must show on your face because Jeno is quickly soothing you, making sure to tell you that they all found Jaemin’s state funny. “Okay, wait. Wouldn’t you have the same problem if you help me?”

“It’s off-season. So, what do you say?” Jeno waits for your response expectantly, eyes soft, curious. “You can say no, y/n. I don’t want to pressure you at all, I’m just letting you know that it’s an option.” “I’ll think about it.” And you do. A concerning amount.

You spend that night tossing and turning, trying and failing to shut your brain off. Worries about ruining your friendship and about hurting Jeno bounce around your brain no matter how much you try to stop thinking about it. What if something bad happens during it? What if you never talk again? And worst of all is your brain telling you that he doesn’t actually want you specifically, he just wants to be with an omega in heat. You’re just convenient. 

That thought actually makes you cry and you wrap your blankets even tighter around yourself, sobbing weakly into your pillows. In an effort to distract your wandering mind you grab for your phone, opening instagram to find an influx of dm’s from Jeno. It calms you a bit, the messages ranging from cute dogs to absolutely cursed memes, and you smile softly at the reminder that he’s your best friend, and that he definitely cares about you. Biting your lip, you hesitate for only a few moments before typing out a “you can help”, hitting send before you can second guess it. You lock your phone and set it face down on the dresser, thankfully finding sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

It’s hot when you wake up, clothes clinging to your skin uncomfortably. Peeling your shirt off only gives you relief for a moment but then the sticky heat is back full force. You whimper in misery, trying to snuggle back into your bed for at least some comfort, but you find that the corner of your fitted sheet has come up, the rest of your blankets on the floor. There’s only one pillow near you and it’s soaked in sweat. You panic slightly, frantically yanking your sheets back onto the bed and trying to fluff them up as much as possible, only calming down once the bedding has been fixed to your liking. Only once you’ve settled down in the plushness of your blankets do you have a moment of clarity.

“Oh shit.” You shoot up and search for your phone, dropping it once before finally managing to open the correct app. There’s a few messages from Jeno that you don’t bother looking at, going straight for the ‘call’ button. He picks up on the third ring.

“Hello?” He sounds groggy, like he’s just woken up, and a flash of heat runs through you at the low tone. “Why are you calling me at 5 a.m?”

You manage to stop fantasizing about your best friend long enough to choke out the word “Heat.” It comes out pathetic and whiny and you pause to clear your throat, trying to keep a clear head as well. “I’m sorry, my heat came early and I wanted to call you but you can go back to bed, I didn’t realize-”

“Fuck, okay, I’ll be over in 10.” Jeno cuts off your rambling with a swear, some rustling in the background accompanying his words. 

“Thank you.” You whisper, setting the phone down and curling up in bed, trying not to focus on how agonizingly slow the time is passing.

Jeno’s looking down at his shoes when you open the door, kicking idly at the door mat and fidgeting with the bag in his hands, though his head snaps up when he notices you. The smile on his face falters when he inhales, turns a little strained as he gets a taste of your heat, and you honestly give him props for the amount of restraint he has. It’s definitely more than you have, at least, because you’re on him the second he’s inside. He ends up sandwiched between you and the door, bag dangling precariously in one hand while he envelopes you in his strong arms. You don’t (can’t) do anything besides bury your face in his chest and whimper, knowing exactly what you want but being too needy and fuzzy to remedy it.  

“Jeno, it hurts.” You whimper and lift your face to nose along the skin just above the collar of his shirt, finding that while the skin to skin contact helps, it doesn’t fully relieve the heat scorching through you, the dull ache screaming for Jeno to take you already. “Please…” He holds you closer to his chest, encasing you fully in his scent, and picks you up bridal style. “I’ve got you baby, don’t worry.”

Being around Jeno does help to ease your stress, but it also serves to make you needier. The warm scent that you’ve grown to associate with the man is stronger than you’ve ever smelled it and it’s making you lose your mind more and more by the second. You’re worried that you’re drooling by the time he sets you down on your bed. He pauses to drop the bag he’s holding on the floor, and then he’s on top of you, strong arms caging you in.

The first kiss is soft, chaste. It would be cute if you weren’t so fucking needy, but you are and it’s just not enough. Unsatisfied, you thread your fingers through his hair and tug, nipping at his bottom lip and tilting your head to the side to get a deeper angle. A groan rumbles in his chest and he returns the kiss with more intensity, trying to take control again. You don’t let him, even if every instinct in your body is screaming at you to just submit.

Jeno shifts on top of you, scooting so that he can fully lay down between your legs. You wrap your limbs around him on instinct, pulling him as close as you possibly can and- oh. The close proximity means that you feel everything when he grinds down, and the feeling of having him so close to where you need him has any semblance of control that you had draining out of your body. You gasp pitifully, annoyance clawing at you from the amount of fabric blocking you from what you want.

“Please,” You almost sob, tugging at his shirt while trying to grind your lower half against his, the pressure of his cock against your center making your eyes roll. Jeno pulls back to yank his shirt off and then he’s back, hands sliding down your body to your panties, tugging the fabric down as far as he can before he growls in frustration and just rips the fabric in half. 

“Shit, you’re so wet.” Jeno moans in awe, breaking the kiss yet again to marvel at your pussy. “Bet I could just slip right in.” He drags his fingers through the slick on your upper thighs, eyes glued between your legs. You’re just about to complain when he finally presses his fingers into you. The initial relief has you moaning sweetly, though it quickly turns to impatient pleas for his cock. You clench around his fingers, reaching a hand down to palm over where he strains against his sweats.

“I need you to fuck me.” You beg, looking at him with what you hope is a convincing expression. “Please Jen, I need you.” “You have me.” He promises you, flicking his wrist faster, curling his fingers just right. “I’m right here baby.” It’s sweet, and under normal circumstances it would be enough, but right now it’s not what you need and the frustration has you on the brink of tears.

You buck your hips and try to arch up as if it’ll magically make him slip in, but Jeno remains as patient and controlled as ever. It’s too hot and every part of your body is screaming for him to fuck you, for him to claim you, and his refusal is killing you. “Alpha please, I need you.”

He absolutely snarls, pinning down your wriggling body with one hand around your throat. The other hand stays between your legs where it continues to strike pleasure into every single nerve ending you have, adding to the fire already coursing through your veins. “What you need is to take what your Alpha’s giving you. You’re not in charge here, okay?” With his face pressed so close to yours you have no choice but to make direct eye contact, staring straight into the most intense gaze you’ve ever seen. His pupils are blown out so wide that his eyes are almost black. Unable to tear your eyes away and as if in a trance, you find yourself nodding. The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Good girl. Now listen to your Alpha and cum.”

It happens almost instantaneously, as if his words were directly connected to a trigger, your body exploding just as soon as the words leave his mouth. Your entire body locks up, mind going blank as the immense pleasure takes hold of you, leaving you clawing at his back and screaming silently into the air. 

The orgasm only serves to thicken the haze in your mind, clouding any thoughts that aren’t related to the Alpha above you and his cock. It takes a moment for your eyes to finally come back into focus enough to make out your surroundings, and you’re greeted by the sight of Jeno with his fingers in his mouth, sucking your essence off of his digits. You’re burning so hot, so much hotter than you think you’ve been before, and it’s hard for you to function. All you can think about is his cock.

“Please,” You beg, swatting at him weakly. “Alpha please, I need you so bad.”

There’s no way that Jeno isn’t being affected by the pheromones clouding the air, but he manages to appear unbothered, his actions rough but nowhere near as desperate as yours. He just laughs lightly at your begging. “Aww, baby needs me?” The rhetorical question is punctuated by a slap, his hand coming down on your pussy hard enough to draw a yelp from you, thighs closing on his hand in a conflicting attempt to relieve the pressure from the hit and keep his hand on your cunt. He laughs meanly and pulls his hand away, drawing back slightly to spit onto your already soaking pussy, rubbing the spit into your skin while he talks. “This pussy belongs to me, yeah? You’re mine now.” Jeno leans down, mouth at your neck so that he can bite at the skin. “That means that I can do whatever I want with you.” You can’t speak, can’t even begin to think about what you should say in this situation. He presses a kiss to your jaw before pulling back and uses his free hand to turn your head so that you make eye contact with him. “Tell Alpha what you need.” “Need Alpha in me.” You beg, plead, flipping yourself over onto your hands and knees and arching your back, presenting yourself to him. “Need your knot, need you to fill me up, breed me, Alpha please-” Your sentence is cut off by his cock slamming into you, the filthy sound being drowned out by his groan. You gasp in relief, breathy thank you’s leaving you with each powerful thrust he delivers. His cock stretches you out so well, makes you go dizzy with the relief of finally having him in you. Your elbows give out nearly instantly, your chest hitting the mattress, and Jeno takes instant advantage of the new position to pull your hips even higher into the air.

It’s so good- almost too good- and it leaves you drooling and clawing at the sheets. All you can focus on is how well he’s fucking you, how he’s going to fill you up so well, breed you like he was meant to. 

You scream when he pulls out, alarm bells going off as your body instantly protests. It only lasts a second though, Jeno’s hands never leaving your body as he flips you onto your back. 

“Couldn’t see you,” Jeno pants out, dropping a kiss to the corner of your mouth and pushing back in, returning back to the brutal rhythm he had before. It has your eyes rolling in your head at how fucking good he feels. “My pretty baby, taking everything I give her.” 

He’s got you so fucked out that you don’t even realize your tongue is hanging out of your mouth until he pinches it between his thumb and index finger, pulling it out even more. “You love my cock, hmm? You love everything I give you.” The pad of his thumb rubs over your tongue, the sensation making your toes curl and tears slide down your cheeks. “Such a fucking needy omega, isn’t that right?” He tugs on your tongue, your head following his actions as he leads you into nodding.

Jeno laughs and lets go of your tongue, dropping his face down to kiss at your neck. He sucks mark after mark into your skin, licking over each one to soothe it after, until he finally gets to your most sensitive, vulnerable spot. Even just the feeling of him close to your mating mark has your entire body aching for it, your neck craning to the side and pushing into his touch. The leverage you get from your legs wrapped around his waist has him pushing even deeper into you and you can feel his knot at your entrance, not quite fully swollen but definitely getting there. It has you absolutely keening, the thought of being so totally owned making you desperate.The sweet drag of his cock along your walls paired with the absolute filth he’s spewing has your body locking up with no warning, your orgasm ripping through you. You arch off the bed, the action only pushing you further onto his cock.

“God y/n, fuck!” Jeno curses, slamming his hips into you with even more force, his knot popping into your entrance and forcing the neediest sound you’ve ever made to leave your lips. You desperately wrap your limbs around him, trying to get him even closer, digging your heels into his ass to push him further inside. He grinds his hips against you one, two, three more times before he shudders, teeth clamping down right on your sweet spot as he comes. Jeno seems to come forever, filling you up with delicious warmth, making your body purr in satisfaction. He finally comes down, having the clarity of mind to tip the two of you onto your sides so that he doesn’t crush you when he collapses. He still tugs you close, arm thrown around your body possessively, his chin resting atop of your head.

“Told you it was intense.” You laugh out, trying to break the silence in the room. The heat’s subsided for now, but you’re still barely in your mind, and you have no idea how long the break will last. 

He huffs out a laugh, chest shaking against you. “I understand Jaemin now.” His hand pets over your back, sliding up to the back of your neck and scratching lightly at the skin there. “You alright?” “Mhmm, yeah. Perfect.” His fingertips press lightly against the mating mark, sending sparks shooting down your spine, and it has your head spinning. You try to adjust yourself against him in an effort to keep your cool, but moving has his cock shifting inside of you and you sleepily grind against him, not thinking. Jeno hisses and tightens his grip on you to keep you still, but the way he grabs your leg has him shifting inside of you and pressing against all the right places. Heat floods through you and your grinding turns more urgent. 

“Ohgod,” You moan, finding enough strength to push Jeno flat on his back. Your body has a mind of its own and you find yourself bouncing desperately on his cock. His knot has you locked into place and you’re barely able to move, but you can still swirl and grind your hips against him, feel the delicious friction of his knot against your entrance. “Alpha, it feels so good.”

“Fuck, look at you. So fucking knotdrunk, hmm? Can’t get enough.” Jeno shakes his head, laughs in a way that’s meant to mock you but it comes out strained. His hands are heavy on your ass, squeezing and slapping to feel the way it jiggles, to feel the way you clench around him with every hit. You throw your head back and let him do as he pleases, losing yourself entirely in how full you feel, in how good his knot feels in you. He buries his face into your chest, moving one hand from your ass to play with your tits, his mouth wasting no time in marking the delicate skin up. 

“Shit baby, gonna make me cum again.” His lips seal over your mating mark again in a sloppy kiss and that’s exactly the final push that you need, your eyes rolling back and your tongue lolling out as your cunt spasms around him, orgasm ripping through you almost painfully. Jeno groans as well, hand flying to your back to pull you as close as possible, and his knot pulses inside of you as you swear you feel more cum shoot out.

He shudders against you, tight grip finally relaxing, though he still keeps you anchored to his chest. You follow suit, collapsing against him. A tired moan leaves you and you let yourself relax, lips absentmindedly mouthing at his skin. His hand pets your back soothingly, touch heavy and sluggish, and the last thing you feel before you fall asleep is his lips on your forehead.

[ahsokaismyqueen]

Crossfire

Pairing - Marcus Moreno x Female!Reader

Summary - You loved Marcus very much, but his superhero schedule? Not so much. After a promised day together ends up getting postponed, Marcus decides to make it up to you.

Word Count - 1.8k

Warnings - None! Just some fluffy stuff.

You tried not to be upset. It seemed childish, not to mention selfish, and those were not two personality traits that you liked to associate with yourself. 

But it wasn’t easy. 

It was Marcus’s first off day in months it seemed. He had come home late, well past the time you and Missy had passed out in front of the TV, with the intention of, ‘spending a lazy day with his favorite girls and all the sugary cereal they could stomach’. You both had been so excited for it. You remembered telling him so, half asleep, as he carried you up to your shared bedroom. 

Planning on sleeping in a bit, neither of you had set up your alarm clocks, but you found yourself getting woken up at an ungodly hour anyway. You groaned when you felt Marcus’s arm that had been so nice and warm around you retreat as he grabbed his phone from his bedside table, answering with a gruff hello. 

You knew before he spoke the next sentence. 

“Yeah, I’ll be there.” He answered after a couple of moments and your thoughts were confirmed. You didn’t turn over to look at him as he moved back over to your side of the bed, pressing a kiss to your shoulder. “I’ve got to go in.” He murmured against your skin. 

“I know,” you replied, trying not to let him see how upset you were. You were pretty sure you failed though considering how Marcus tugged on your shoulder until you were laying down flat on your back, looking up at him. 

Marcus Moreno was a sight to see any time, any place, but there was something about looking at him as the morning light filtered in through your window. His hair disheveled, his features soft and his voice gruff. Maybe it was because you knew you were the one that got to see him like this. Either way, it was hard to resist giving him a soft smile as he brushed some of your hair out of your face. “I don’t want to.” 

“I know,” you repeated, and you did know. That might be the worst part of it. You knew, given the choice, that Marcus would be with you and Missy today. He would give the two of you the world given the opportunity, but sometimes the world needed him more. So you knew you couldn’t be selfish, as much as you wanted to wrap yourself around him and kiss him until work was the last thing on his mind. “I also know, you’re going to make it up to Missy and me. Spectacularly.” You added, your smile widening as his own did. 

“As soon as possible.” He agreed, leaning down to meet your lips in a soft, sweet kiss that had your toes curling in the sheets as you slipped your hands into his hair and held him there until you found your self control starting to dissipate. “Go,” you groaned against his lips, letting him pull back and frowning at him. “Before the Heroics have to come get me for kidnapping their leader.” 

“It’s not a kidnapping if I’m willing, hermosa.” He teased, but he pecked one more quick kiss to your lips, and stood up to start getting ready. As soon as he was in the shower, you got out of bed, grabbing your sweat pants and one of Marcus’s old t-shirts to go down and start making breakfast. 

Missy was already there, reaching for the box of the sugary cereal she wasn’t supposed to eat when you made it to the kitchen. “No way kiddo.” You told her, “eggs and toast today.” 

“Is Dad going to make them, because last time -”

“I’m going to make them.” You assured him, and then frowned deciding it would be best to break the news to her now so Marcus wouldn’t have to. “Hey . . . They called him this morning. He’s got to go in.” You said. 

Missy seemed to deflate at your words, her body slouching in on itself. “Again? He promised.” 

You reached out to give her shoulder a squeeze. “He knows, and he feels terrible. You know he’ll make it up to us though.” You reminded her, smiling when she gave a little nod. “So why don’t we go to the movies today instead? I’ll let you eat all the popcorn you want, and we don’t have to be embarrassed when your Dad starts snoring halfway through the movie.” 

Missy couldn’t help but smile at that, giving you another nod as she started getting the bread out to help you. 

By the time Marcus made his way downstairs to join the two of you, you were scooping up the food and Missy was pulling out the gallon of orange juice. Marcus went over to help you, glancing at Missy and then back at you, wanting to know if you had already told her. When you nodded, his shoulders slumped in relief at not having to be the bearer of bad news. “Do you have time for breakfast?” You asked him, as he took the plates from your hand over to the table. 

“Unfortunately not, I’m already late -” When Marcus turned back to you, you were holding out a travel mug filled with coffee for him. He let out a happy sigh, leaning forward to give you a kiss on the cheek as he took the mug from your hands. “You’re the best.” 

“I know,” You teased, straightening his tie. “Be careful,” You added in a much more serious tone. 

“Always,” He promised, and you turned back to the stove as he said his goodbyes to Missy, promising, like he had you, that he was going to make it up to her as soon as possible. 

Maybe it was stupid, but you never liked to watch him leave, knowing in the back of your mind that it could be the last time you ever saw him, so you busied yourself with finishing breakfast as he left another kiss on the back of your head and a quiet, “I love you.” As soon as you knew it was safe, you turned back around to find Missy picking at her breakfast with her fork, her expression worried. 

You wanted to reassure her, promise her that her Dad was coming back and everything would be fine. But you also knew that Marcus had made promises like that before, and they hadn’t always turned out fine. So instead you reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze, not saying a word, hoping to remind her that she wasn’t alone in worrying about her Dad anymore. 

She gave you a soft smile. 

____________________

Marcus did come home, late into the night as usual, and the rest of the week flew by. With your jobs, and Missy’s new training schedule, it had become almost a routine that none of you ever saw each other for longer than an hour, and it was miserable. 

By the time the weekend arrived, you were exhausted. You had picked Missy up from her grandmother’s and the two of you expected to have a late night together watching movies. Which was why you were so surprised when the two of you pulled up to find Marcus’s car sitting in the driveway. “Dad’s home?” Missy asked, sounding as confused as you felt. 

“I guess so?” You said, a bit of excitement making your heart jump at the thought. The two of you rushed out of the car, your earlier exhaustion fading as you hurried to the door, but before you could reach it, Marcus stepped out, stopping the two of you from entering. 

“Welcome to the Moreno Movie House! Do the two of you have your tickets?” Marcus asked, with the biggest grin on his face. 

“Nooo,” Missy said, glancing from you to her dad as if you were in on it, but you shrugged your shoulders. 

Her answer didn’t seem to phase Marcus though. “In that case, the cost of entry is a hug, and a kiss.” He said, glancing from you to Missy, the adorable smile still plastered on his face. 

Missy rolled her eyes, but there was a grin on her face as well as she gave her dad a hug. “I’ll let you handle the kiss. Just don’t let me see it.” Missy said, covering her eyes as she made her way past Marcus. 

You laughed, wrapping your arms around Marcus’s neck and pulling him closer to you. “What did you do? And why aren’t you at work?” 

His arms wrapped around you at once, pulling you against his warm body in a way that had the tension releasing from your shoulders. You hadn’t realized how much you had missed being held by him until this moment. “I took the weekend off. I even used vacation days, and they’re not going to contact me unless there’s another alien invasion.” 

You nuzzled your nose against his, an elated smile starting to form on your face. “And if there is another alien invasion?” You asked jokingly. 

Marcus pretended to ponder this for a moment as he swayed the two of you back and forth. “Hmmm . . . You think if I ask them politely they’ll wait until Monday to try and take over the world?” 

Laughing again, you leaned forward and met his lips in a deep kiss, pouring every bit of how much you had missed him into it, which he responded eagerly too until you pulled away slowly and breathlessly. “Mhmmm . . . I missed that.” You murmured, making sure to keep him as close as possible. You didn’t want any space between the two of you after having gone so long without it. 

Marcus didn’t seem to mind, holding you just as tight. “I missed it too.” One of his hands came up to cup your cheek, brushing his thumb across your cheekbone. “I missed you, and Missy.” You leaned into his touch, and it made him smile. “On Monday I’m talking to the director about reducing my hours. I want to be here more.” 

It sounded amazing, but . . . “Do you think they’ll let you do that?” 

“I’m not going to give them a choice.” He said, “family comes first. I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.” 

Before you could say anything else, Missy came back in through the door, her voice filled with excitement. “Dad. Did you get an actual popcorn machine?” 

He shrugged like it was no big deal, but his grin said otherwise. “I may have called in a favor or two.” 

Missy let out another squeal and ran back inside, making you laugh. “A popcorn machine? Marcus Moreno, you may have outdone yourself this time.” 

“Wait until you see the inside.” He said, grabbing your hand and tugging you in the house. 

You didn’t even have to see it though; you knew that it was going to be incredible. When Marcus put his mind to something, he wouldn’t rest until it was everything that he hoped it would be. It gave you some hope that maybe the days where you didn’t see Marcus until you woke up the next morning were over. 

At least until the next alien invasion.

[blu-joons]

When You Sleepily Lay Down In His Lap ~ BTOB Reaction

Eunkwang:

A shy smile crept onto your face as a hand came down to rest against your waist. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice you falling into my lap?”

Your head shook as Eunkwang laughed at your failed attempt to be subtle. “I thought if I moved slowly enough, you’d just think that I was tired and snoozing.”

As he glanced down at you, a small sigh came from him. “Are you tired?” He asked you, knowing that you’d had a couple of busy days at work trying to reach all of your deadlines.

“A tad,” you smiled, “but I reckon that I’ll be alright still.”

“Why don’t you sleep whilst you’re in my lap?”

Your head turned slightly to look up at Eunkwang properly. “Are you sure that you won’t mind if I sleep in your lap for a little bit?” You asked him.

“Sleep,” he simply chuckled in reply to you, “as if I would ever mind you getting some rest, especially if I can help you out too.”

“I mean, your lap is a very comfortable place for me.”

“In that case, sleep away in my lap Y/N.”

Minhyuk:

A sweet smile greeted you as you rested your head down into Minhyuk’s lap. “You seem sleepy,” he commented as he met your eyes.

A hum and a nod of your head came from you as Minhyuk brushed his hand gently through your hair. “I’ve not felt this tired in a long time,” you eventually spoke.

His head nodded back at you, “I can always tell when you’re tired because you sleep in my lap,” he replied, knowing exactly what all of your habits were usually like.

“Your lap is cosy,” you smiled, “it helps me to relax.”

“You can sleep here all night long if you want.”

Your head nodded, finding great comfort as you rested against Minhyuk. “You know, it’s times like this, I’m thankful that you go to the gym.”

“Of course,” he sniggered, “did you not know that the only reason that I work out is so that I can be a comfortable pillow for you.”

“I wish that was the reason that you worked out.”

“We can pretend that that’s the reason.”

Changsub:

Your head shook as Changsub tapped into his lap for you to lay your head, trying your best to stay awake. “You’ll rest down in my lap soon.”

You smiled weakly at how well he knew you, “you’re trying to watch your programme though,” you argued, but Changsub’s head shook too, not minding at all.

He moved his arm to wrap around you, slowly lowering your frame down until your head was in his lap. “You’ll sleep a lot better laying in my lap then trying to sit up Y/N.”

“I’m not tired,” you protested, “just a little lazy.”

“You’ve been yawning nonstop tonight Y/N.”

Your eyes rolled as his hand tickled gently against your waist, “I can’t help the fact that I got woken up this morning by some idiot snoring really loud.”

“Me?” Changsub asked in surprise, “I can’t believe you’d say that I snore, I’m the perfect person to fall asleep beside you know.”

“You could not be more wrong about that one.”

“I don’t snore, I’m a gentleman in bed.”

Hyunsik:

A hand slowly stroked through your hair as Hyunsik noticed your eyes beginning to close as you rested in his lap. “Do you want to go to bed?”

Your head shook as you pushed yourself even further into his legs, “I’m alright,” you hummed in reply, trying your best to open your eyes properly again.

A chuckle came from Hyunsik as he watched how hard you worked to keep your eyes open, “if you want to go to sleep then you can, I don’t mind, you’re not watching this anyway.”

“I’m trying,” you assured him, “but I am just so sleepy tonight.”

“Get some rest, don’t fight it if you need to sleep.”

A sigh came from you as Hyunsik continued to gently play with your hair, “I don’t want to get weighty on you as I sleep,” you admitted back to him.

“Don’t worry,” Hyunsik laughed, “my legs are made of strong stuff, I’m sure they’ll be alright if you start to get heavy in your dream.”

“If I hurt you, then you’ll wake me, won’t you?”

“You won’t hurt me; I promise you that.”

Peniel:

Your head shook as Peniel held up one of the cushions from the sofa. “Won’t that be more comfortable for you if you want to sleep?”

Your head shook in reply to him as he placed the pillow back down, “I want to lay on you, I don’t want to lay on a cushion,” you whispered with a laugh.

Peniel’s head shook in confusion back across to you, “I really don’t understand how my bony legs can be comfortable for you to sleep on, don’t my muscles dig in at all.”

“A little,” you admitted, “but I like how they feel though?”

“Do they feel strong? Like they’re supporting you?”

Your head nodded in response to his questions, “it’s like having a firm pillow under my head, I don’t feel like I’m going to go anywhere when I’m in your lap.”

“I’d catch you if you did fall though,” he sweetly told you, offering you a wide smile, “are you absolutely sure that you’re cosy?”

“I’m sure, you don’t need to worry about me.”

“You know that I always worry about you.”

Sungjae:

Your smile was wide as you looked up to meet the eyes of the figure whose lap you had just laid down in. “Yes?” Sungjae laughed down to you.

The smile on his face turned up too as he studied the innocent look in your expression. “You don’t mind, do you?” You asked, nuzzling further into his lap.

His head shook as he supported you with a hand against the top of your head, “it’s hard for me to say that I do mind when you’ve already decided to lay yourself in my lap.”

“That’s why I asked after,” you smiled, “you can’t say no.”

“I can annoy you whilst you lay in my lap though.���

Your head shook as Sungjae jolted his leg just once. “I’m tired,” you whined, desperate to rest in Sungjae’s lap to try and get more comfortable.

“Go to sleep if you’re tired,” Sungjae grinned, keeping his leg still, “I’ll give you a shake when I head up to bed if you want me to.”

“Are you sure that you don’t mind me laying here?”

“Of course, just as long as you’re comfy.”

---

Masterlist

[kny-stardust]

Chapter 0 - Prologue / Loss

Word Count: 4013

Summary: Your father has been sick ever since you could remember. He managed to live long and have many children, but now his sickness has been caught up to him and he'll soon be gone. His dying wish is to see a legend that has protected your family for generations.

“He doesn’t have long to live, child.” He was pretty straightforward, but you could almost hear the sadness in his tone. “In all honesty, I’ve always thought it was a miracle that he managed to live this long with this lifestyle and this frailty. He lived a good life with all of these hardships, but he knew it was to come someday. I guess, even better than I or anyone else did.”

You only nod your head as you hear those words, trying to keep yourself calm, to not tear up. The doctor handed you a handkerchief for you to cry in, but you politely declined, getting a hold of yourself.

Your father was well known in the village as a kind and charitable man and loved by all. People often said that he and your family were some of the last truly good-hearted people remaining in the world. It was also known that your father was sick from birth, being so weak that he often would spend time in bed. No one expected him to live long, but he thrived, took over the “family business” and built a family of his own. He was the prime example of overcoming hardships in life, but there was always so far a human can get with their natural limitations. Your father said he was feeling more tired than usual these last few weeks and he collapsed earlier this morning, whilst playing with his youngest son, your baby brother. You carried him all the way to the village so the doctor could check on him as fast as he could.

“For how long will we have him with us…?” You asked, trying to sound as neutral as possible, but felt like you failed miserably.

“A few weeks. I dare to say he won’t last more than a couple of months.” The doctor said while looking at your father, laying in bed, still asleep. “He shouldn’t strain himself at all, if you want to have him as long as possible. He is prohibited from all work and activity that requires physical effort and should rest.”

“Nothing different from usual, but more strict, huh?” You muttered under your breath.

“I hate to be the bringer of bad news, child. I really do, but there’s nothing I nor anyone can do for him.” He said before sighing. “I’m really sorry.”

“No one is blaming you, sir.” You told him, barely managing to pull off a smile. “If anything, we should be grateful for you to receive us at any moment, despite the inconvenience. You were a real lifesaver. Thank you, sir.”

“It’s my job, child. Whenever he wakes up, you can leave with him. Your mother and siblings must be worried.” He said, before standing up and leaving that room.

You sighed as you left the chair to sit beside your father. He looked better than before. His breathing was even now and his fever seemed to have lowered down. Despite that, when you held his hand, it was cold, freezing even. You weren’t surprised. More often than not, your father was bedridden and needed special care. You came to memorise all his symptoms and what to do to make him better or to keep him stable enough until his body could get better by itself. It usually took quite some time, but soon he would be better, walking around the house, albeit slowly. You often wondered how he could bear it all his life, if he hid it from your family so you wouldn’t worry more than you already do or if he would just not be bothered by it at all.

While he was asleep, you sat there by his side, holding his hand between yours and blowing it to warm it up, a habit you pick up while growing up. It didn’t take much for him to open his eyes, looking around confused.

“(Y/N)... Where are we?” He asked, his voice low.

“At the village. You were unwell, so I brought you here.” You replied, preferring not to say that he collapsed.

“Oh, I see.” He says, moving to sit in the doctor's bed, looking around. “Hasn’t Tanjiro come with you?”

“No, I mean… He wanted to come, but everyone was so worried about you, so I had him stay back home to calm everyone down.” You explained, a bit embarrassed. In fact, when you saw father collapsing, you were the first to freak out and immediately picked him up and ran down the mountain to get him treated, leaving your sister behind to calm your wailing brother. “But, don’t worry. I can carry you just fine, father. And I’ve already rested a bit, so it’s okay.” You told him with a confident smile.

Your father looked at you warmingly, his chin resting on one of his hands before chuckling a bit.

“Is something funny?” You asked him.

“Not really. Just thinking how my little princess has the spirit of a boy.” He said, reaching his hand to pat your head.

“Father, I’m not a child or little anymore.” You told him, jokingly.

“I know, but you’ll always be my baby princess, even if you are an old lady. Don’t tell Nezuko or Hanako though.” He replied chuckling, before pulling out his hand and moving slowly in the bed. “It’s getting late. Let’s go back to your mother and siblings. They must be worried.”

“Yes!” You replied, picking your father’s geta (traditional japanese footwear) and helping him wear his haori (traditional japanese jacket) before letting him lean on you for support before your travel up to the mountain.

“Sis…” You hear your younger sister calling you, catching your attention.

“Nezuko? Is something the matter?” You ask, turning to her. She was standing at the door frame, looking at the floor shyly.

“Well, a bit…? Father seems to have turned a bit for the worse.” She says lowly, hiding her hands on each other, but you could still see them shaking, although slightly.

“I see.” You tell her, giving her a little smile. “Would you mind picking it up from where I stopped?”

“Not at all.” She replies, being quick to pick the apron you were wearing and putting it on.

“When mom gets home, I’ll help you with whatever you ain’t done with, okay?” You tell her while walking to your parents room.

“Don’t worry, sis. I’ll be done with it quickly. It’s just that you and mom are better in tending to father.” She says, looking a bit embarrassed.

You just chuckle a bit and watch her turn to do the dishes before entering your parents room. You find your father sitting in his futon, patting your baby brother on the back, who soundly asleep in his lap, drooling a bit in the cover. You chuckle a bit, making your father notice you and make a sign to not wake him up. You nod as you pick a spare blanket you had and cover him before peeking a kiss in his forehead.

“How are you feeling, father?” You ask him, whisperingly, as your hand reaches for his own, touching it. It was freezing cold, again.

“A bit more tired and my body aches a little. How do I look to you?” He replies, before coughing a bit onto his sleeve, trying to not wake up the young one.

As he asks you that, you take a closer look at him. He’s not okay. Both of you knew that very well, despite not talking much about it. His cheeks were flustered, not from embarrassment, but from fever. His eyes were hazier than before and his eyelids seemed heavier, as if he could barely keep them open. Not only that, but his breathing was weak and shallow, as if he was making an effort and his body as a whole seemed thinner and frailer than he had been all his life.

“Is it that bad?” He asks sweetly, as if he was talking about a gift you were given and you seemed to dislike, but had not voiced it out.

“Well… Yes.” You reply under your breath, but fully knowing he had heard you, if the subtle change in his breath was anything to go by. Just as negative thoughts start to crawl through your mind, you shake your head and look at him. “Is there something you are in need now, father?”

“Hum…” He hums, closing his eyes as if to think what he needs, before turning to you, with an embarrassed smile. “I’m feeling a bit thirsty.”

“I see. I’ll be right back.” You said to him smilingly, standing up to rush to the kitchen.

It had been a couple of weeks ever since the incident. Your family had been relieved that your father came back to them, but that was short lived. As soon as your baby brother and your father fell asleep, which had becoming earlier and earlier with each passing day, you told them what the doctor had said. Your mother cried silently as Nezuko consoled her and your younger siblings questioned you a lot about your father's well being and why he had to die. Every tear from them felt like a sharp blade piercing your heart, and you struggled to explain everything while keeping your tears in check. In the end, when everyone calmed down, Tanjiro suggested everyone do a little thing to help in the house and take the burdens from father, so he could stay long with you. Everyone agreed, but most of the house chores fell on you, mother, Tanjiro, Nezuko and another brother, since the youngest three couldn’t do much by themselves.

You returned to the room, holding the glass in your hands and carrying these thoughts and memories, but when you got there, you found your father sitting with his eyes closed, his breath even. You sighed as you placed the glass close to the bed and moved to gently and carefully lay him on the bed. He didn’t even wake up slightly, only frowning his forehead a bit before relaxing and going back to deep slumber. He was so light in your arms; you usually wouldn’t have a problem carrying him or your siblings, since you were plenty strong for a girl and someone of your age, but in these past few weeks, he had lost so much weight, that he looked like a living skeleton.

So you just sat there silently, watching him and your brother sleeping. The little one had woken up at a certain moment and noticed you there, promptly moving towards you and placing his head on your lap before falling back to slumber. These movements hadn’t woken up your father. Sometimes, you wondered if you would one day see him go to sleep only to find him dead soon after. It happened to your grandmother, a couple years back. On one particularly night that you found hard to sleep, she pulled you to her bed and sang your favourite lullaby to make you sleep. The next morning, you found her cold and she wouldn’t wake up, but you had thought she was just really tired and paid no mind to the fact that her heart wasn’t beating. You hadn’t realised what had happened until your parents told you that grandma wouldn’t wake up anymore. Back then, it was your father consoling your wailing you, but if he was gone, who would console you?

You are dragged out of your thoughts by the cheerful voices of your siblings just outside of your house. They must have come back with mother. You wait a bit longer until your mother comes in, seeing you watching over the two sleeping ones. She whispers a ‘thank you’ to your ear, as she takes your brother from your lap, allowing you to get a rest. You look back before closing the door, watching your father’s resting face over your mother’s tense shoulders.

You wake up to see the dark ceiling of your room. Around you, you can hear your siblings even breath, with occasional movements from one of your younger brothers. You can also hear an sleeping breath coming from the next room, but only one. You leave your futon quietly, trying to not wake up your siblings, some of which were sleeping over you. You put on your (F/C) haori as you silently close the door behind you, moving at the tip of your feet to the room just down the hallway. The door was slightly cracked open. Throught the crack, you can see your mother sleeping in the larger futon, but no sight of father.

You stand straight again and try to hear any sound other than the your family’s breathing. When you couldn’t hear nothing but the distand waving of the leaves from the trees nearby your house, you close your eyes and sniffs the air. After a few seconds, you follow the scent to the back of the house, where you find your father sat in the veranda, looking at the dark backyard.

“Father?” You call him, whisperingly.

Your call makes him turn to you, as if taken by surprise.

“Oh, (Y/N). What are you doing up? It’s late.” He asked you weakly.

“I woke up. You weren’t with mom, so…” You said as you approached him, sitting at the vacant place at his side. “What about you?”

“I woke up at some moment and couldn’t sleep anymore. I thought that looking for the Red Eyes would be a way for passing time.” He told you, as he looked back to the forest.

“The Red Eyes?” You asked, thinking of where you heard of if before. “Oh, you mean the family guardian?”

“Yes. They were always around at this time of the year. But I can’t see them anywhere. I fear they are relly gone. What a shame.” He says, sighing.

The Red Eyes. It’s a guardian spirit that has been hanging around your family’s house for a long, long time. You remember your grandma telling this story to you when you were little, and how she learned it from her own grandparents who learned from their own before them. You weren’t sure for how long, but this guardian spirit has always been around your family’s home, caring for your well being for generations, or so the story goes. Your grandma said that the Red Eyes would every so often show up around the house, though more frequently on winter. She recalled that when she was awake in her bed, she would see this silhouette walking around the house, but if she stood up to look through the window, she would only see a pair of red eyes in the darkness, looking at the house from behind the trees.

You and your siblings tried to see the Red Eyes multiple times, but none of you ever saw them. Your grandma and your parents, the ones who saw them the most, said that they hadn’t shown up for many years, which was odd, since they seemed to stay put close to the house for nearly the whole winter. They didn’t even eat your family’s special cookies, which they seemed to love. Your father told you how he and your grandparents occasionally left it in the veranda a bowl full of these cookies at night and found it next morning empty and an ‘Thank ye’ written on the dirty or snow close by. This hasn’t happened ever since you were a small child.

“Do you think something happened to them, father?” You ask him, as a cold gust of wind blows on you two, motioning you to grab a spare blanket and wrap it around him. You had to be aware of his temperature for his sake.

“I don't know. Perhaps.” He said, as he held the blanket closely. “They never showed themselves, so no one knows what they look like. If I did, and was healthier, I would look for them.”

“I wish I had met them at least once. I could track their scent until I found them, so you wouldn't have to worry.” You said.

“Maybe if you dance the Hinokami Kagura, they will show up.” You heard a voice saying. Looking back, you see your mother in her nightgown approaching you.

“What do you mean, Kie?” Your father asks as she sits at his other side.

“They would show up while you and your father were doing the Hinokami Kagura.” She said, making your father's eyes go fully wide for the first time in a long while. Your mother seemed to have noticed it, as she smiled sadly and held his hand, rubbing her fingers against his, to warm them. “You never seemed to notice, since you were dancing or learning how to dance. But, when I first saw you dancing, I was looking around and seeing how beautiful everything seemed to match with one another. That's when I saw them watching among the trees. I could see a little of their face, but it has been so long and they were rather far away from where I was, so I don't exactly remember their looks.”

A moment of silence falls among the three of you as the words sink in.

“So if I dance, they might show up?” You ask your mother to confirm that theory.

“Yes. I saw them showing up to watch your father dance. I haven't been able to pay much attention for the last few years, but they always showed up when anyone doing the dance did it.” She says, with a quiet voice.

“Then, let me prepare real quick. I'll do the dance.” You said, standing up and entering your home.

“Why?” Your father asks, making you stop. You turn to him, with a warm smile on your lips.

“You were worried about them, weren't you, father? Then, if I dance and they show up, at least you would know that they are okay.” You told him, not waiting for his response and quickly going to the room to change.

When you come back, you're wearing your (F/C) kimono with a (F/C) hakama (a type of japanese trousers, the divided model) over it. Your feet are bare as you touch the cold ground, feeling the grass against your skin. The wind blows. It's colder than before, but controlling your breathing, you can overcome it. You stand a couple meters away from the house and your parents. You are still controlling your breathing. The cold doesn't bother you anymore and the blowing wind becomes a music to your ears. You began to move. Your feet are light, barely making sound against the grass. Your body is heating with the effort; not so much that becomes overbearing, but enough to make as if the cold doesn't exists anymore. While you're dancing, you feel as if you're merging with the nature around you. The winds pushes you up when you jump and the earth catches you when you fall. The surrounding sounds become a sirene, almost silent melody to your ears. You're in a trance as you dance in circles, always returning to the same place. No weight in the world could hold you back for as long as you keep on dancing. It's no wonder that your father seemed healthier when he danced Hinokami Kagura.

Then, a sound ceases and you stop in your tracks. It was a faint sound, almost unheard, but you did hear it and thus you noticed when it came to a stop. You turn to your house, finally taking notice of the snowflakes that began to fall. There, you find your mother and father wrapped together in the blanket you brought. His head is resting on her shoulders, like he used to do when they watched you playing with your younger siblings. He usually drifted to sleep when he did it, but now is different. You can see it. His chest isn't moving. He wasn't breathing.

“Father?” You called him, only to be answered with silence. “Dad?” You called him again as you approached them.

As you come closer, you came to realize that his body wasn't moving at, not even one muscle and even his heart barely moved. You look at your mother, who was caressing his shoulder, with her eyelids half opened. It's only when you at in front of them that you realize the tears running down her cheeks. Then, you yourself feel something cold running down your cheeks.

“Papa… Papa!” You cry as you fall to your knees.

Your head rests at his lap as you hug his waist. You remember when you started to do it when you were little. You would hold him just like this and he would chuckle and pat your hair with his bigger hand. You stopped doing it once you got older, but now you only wish he would do so one more time. You know he can't do it now. But the hardest part wasn't that; it was the feeling of your heart being ripped to shreds knowing that you wouldn't be able to see him again, that he would never talk to you again, that he was gone for good.

“Papa! Papa!” You continue to cry as you hold him tight, the only noticible sound you can register is of your mother's sobs.

Suddenly, the whole place became a lot colder.

The whole village came to your father's funeral. It was not an easy travel from down the mountain to the top. It only showed how well they knew him and how much they respected or appreciated him. Many people gave you their feelings for our loss; there were a couple boys around your age that tried to especially console you, but you ignored them, giving excuses as consoling your mother or calming your baby brother. You didn't have time to spare for them, not even a thought if they didn't understand that your family came first.

As the day came to an end, you all buried him somewhere close to the house, where you could visit him often, just to pay respects or when you missed them. Your siblings started to fall asleep one after the other, first your youngest ones, then moving to the older ones. By the middle of the night, only you and your mother were awake. She was sleeping with you and your siblings since her bedroom felt too lonely and cold. She was holding your hand tight, almost shaking from so much strength, and you caressed her hand to calm her down.

“He saw them...” Your mother suddenly said, waking you up.

“What?” You asked her, not understanding.

“When you were dancing...” She began to speak. “He suddenly gasped, and sighed, and then he said, ‘Oh, there you were all this time’. Then, he smiled and he rested his head on my shoulder.” She stopped, sobbing a bit as she turned to you. Despite the darkness, you could slightly see her tears running down her face. “I couldn't find them, but your father did. He saw the Red Eyes. They are still protecting us after all.”

You can't help but look at her with you eyes wide open. You then turn to your side, facing her and holding her hand, with a smile in her face.

“That's good, mom. At least, papa knows we're safe and can watch us from above calmly, knowing that.” You told her.

She nodded, as she silently crying. You hugged each other, falling asleep like that.