#veraspromptchallenge

[petri808]

Precious Jewel

Fic Writer’s Appreciation- January 2018 Writing Challenge January (2018) Day 4 First

Inuyasha paces like an animal in an invisible cage, back and forth across the stoop outside of Kaede’s hut.  Inside the old miko’s hut, his wife and the love of his life, the woman who scoffed at time and came back to him after three long, agonizingly lonely years was bed ridden and in the throes of more pain than he could ever imagine.  Guilt wracked his mind of what she was going through because of him, and the hopeless feeling that there was nothing he could do to soothe her discomfort threatened to send him over the edge.  Why had this been so important to him?  If he had understood what she would face, what she had to endure in this age without pain medications, to go through it all…  Would he have still let her?

No words offered by his friends Miroku or Shippo could allay his fears.  Humans could die because of this, and just the mere thought of losing her…  that was something he just couldn’t fathom, or didn’t want to.  But they tried, and continued to try, she’ll be okay, Inuyasha, Kagome is tough, she’ll be fine.  And she was, he knew she was, stronger than he ever could really be…  but it was still so hard on the Hanyo.  He could barely stand to see her cry let alone be in pain of any kind.  

Inside the hut Sango and Kaede attend to Kagome as best they can with the herbs and remedies of the time.  When Sango endured this twice now, it was easier for her and she did worry for her friend.  Maybe because it’s Hanyo, she wondered, could that make this more difficult?  But Kaede worried none, this was normal, she said, each one is always different, some harder, some easy but always a blessing in the end…

His ears flatten from her screams, covering them with his hands to muffle the cries coming from within the hut.  How much longer is she going to be in pain!  Miroku does his best to restrain Inuyasha from rushing in, which is pretty damn hard against the Hanyo’s strength.  Tears now flow down his face, if he could suffer this agony for Kagome he’d gladly take her place.  But his friend reminds him, there is a reason why this burden falls on women, they are stronger than they could ever be.  

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Kagome’s screams subside, replaced by a tiny little cry…

Kaede opens the door and ushers the nervous Hanyo to Kagome’s bedside.

“Inuyasha…” his wife’s weakened voice fills his ears, bringing those pangs of guilt forward again.  So tired and yet she has such a glow about her and a sweet smile on her face; she beckons him to her side.  “Inuyasha…”  It was all becoming so surreal to the Hanyo, as his liquid filled eyes stared down at his wife.  After all that, the peace and happiness she exuded, how after what she just went through?      

Sango hands him the bundle she cradles in her arms, beaming at her friends.  “Meet your first child.”

“It’s a little girl,” Kaede pats him on the shoulder as he stares down at the tiny infant in his arms.  “And she looks like you.”

“Aye, but with Kagome’s face.” Sango chimes, “So adorable.”

“The first of many, I’m sure,” adds Miroku as he joins his wife’s side, “If he can handle going through this again.”

But the Hanyo pays his friend no mind, too enraptured by the lightly mewling child in his arms, “M-my daughter?” Inuyasha stammers out.  He’s so afraid to move, all he can do is sit stiffly, supporting this precious jewel in his arms.  The little girl has her eyes closed and is wrapped up so snug in the blanket only her head is peaking through, but he can see white hair just like him and the two adorable ears so tiny!  Now understanding like only a parent can, the blissful energy Kagome was feeling.  He looks to his wife with tears in his eyes, “Our daughter?”

“Yes, my love,” Kagome smiles at her husband through half lidden eyes, “Our daughter.”

[nalufever]

January Drabbles: fireworks & firsts

Fairy Tail, Nalu

Lucy shuddered and screamed, her cry going thin at the apogee of her pleasure. She enjoyed internal fireworks, the colours a joyful mix, intense and as powerful as her lover. Her inexhaustible husband of two months - Natsu Dragneel.

"Easy, Luce!"

"Never," came her breathless reply. "You're going to be the death of me, but what a way to go!"

"Maybe - but not until we're old and gray." Natsu laughed and dropped a kiss on Lucy's brow. "There's so many things we need to try - lots more firsts in the world of pleasure, don't you think?"

"You're right, and when you're right," Lucy rolled and pinned Natsu, "you get to show me what's next."

[siriusstarx]

December prompt challenge “slippers”

The Slipper Thief

Fandom: Code: Realize

Rating: G 

Saint Germain, Cardia Beckford, pre-Saint/Cardia. Featuring Sisi the matchmaking Corgi.

For the December fic challenge, prompt “slippers" 

Written for the December prompt challenge @fic-writer-appreciation​  

….

Useless.

Saint threw the book down on the couch with uncharacteristic frustration. He could usually regain his composure and focus by reading for awhile, but today nothing helped. Every time he tried to read a sentence his mind slipped back to the prize documents and the revelations they might hold… how they would change the relationships between them… how this precious alliance of strange and damaged souls could be lost in a single moment.

How he would certainly be the one to destroy it.

Once the truth of Isaac’s whereabouts were revealed, Omnibus would order him to finish the mission and “erase the mistakes.” If he did as he was ordered, they would all despise him, though not nearly as much as he would despise himself. But if he didn’t do as he was ordered and disaster struck again…

Saint dropped his head in his hands. The agonizing mixture of self loathing, anger and despair threatened to consume him. He didn’t know anymore which was worse. He didn’t even know what was right or wrong. He had been told that his only path to salvation was to follow Omnibus’ orders unquestioningly to the letter and keep correcting humanity’s mistakes- he had even believed it- But now…

He rubbed his forehead. Perhaps a walk would settle his mind.

He put on his right slipper, but when he reached for the left one-

“Not again.” Saint sighed in exasperation, crouching down to search for his missing slipper in vain hope that it had merely been pushed further underneath the chair. But of course it wasn’t there. Nor under the couch, behind his desk or between the boxes of books.

Since he doubted Lupin would have a reason to steal one of his slippers, that left his smallest, furriest apprentice as the likeliest culprit.

He opened the door and walked gingerly out into the hall barefoot, hoping that Impey hadn’t dropped any screws or bolts dashing from one project to another. Saint was numb to most pain, but finding a stray bolt with his bare feet was always particularly excruciating… and it happened much too often.  

Still, he couldn’t be angry at the furry thief. Sisi always looked after everyone. If someone was feeling sad or anxious, he would always make sure to find the right person to help them. He even warned Saint when the other apostles were spying on them. Normal dogs couldn’t sense apostles when they wished to remain unseen. Even he couldn’t always sense Guinevere when she didn’t want him to know she was there, but Sisi could. To his knowledge, only Omnibus’s dog, Lilith could do such a thing. Saint had heard many strange rumors about Lilith…

He shook his head. It was hardly an important topic to be occupying his attention with things as they were. None of the people in his house were the least bit normal. It was unsurprising that their dog wasn’t normal, either.

He thought he knew where Sisi was leading him. To the person he most wanted to spend time with… to the person he least should spend time with.

His suspicions were confirmed by an overturned lamp near the door to Cardia’s room, and a faint paw print on the border of the carpet in front of her door.

As expected. Despite everything, Sisi had often wanted him to visit Cardia lately. He didn’t know why. It seemed to him that anyone else would have been a better choice to comfort her. He pushed aside the mixture of joy and anguish that seeing her face brought him, ever more strongly as the days passed, and knocked on the door to find it already slightly ajar.

“Miss Cardia?” he called gently, “is everything all right?”

“…. Oh. Good afternoon, Saint. Yes, I-I’m all right.”

She didn’t sound all right. He knew she also hoped for and dreaded what the documents they had won in the race would hold. He wished hopelessly that they could forget all about them and everything would stay just as it was. “May I come in?”

“Yes… of course.”

He pushed the door open to find his slipper on the floor and the little thief lying triumphantly on the bed. Sisi wagged his stub of a tail and gave a self-satisfied bark when he saw Saint.

Cardia turned from the desk where she was reading. Her face was pale and her beautiful eyes were deeply troubled. His heart, if he still could be said to have one, ached abominably. He wanted to tell her it would be okay… but he had lied to her enough. 

“What is the matter, Miss Cardia?”

“Oh… it’s nothing. I was just studying.” she said unconvincingly.

Something in her expression said she wasn’t quite ready to tell him, so he nodded as if he believed her, “Apparently Sisi thinks my slipper will cheer you up.”

Cardia turned to the shameless Corgi, “Sisi! How many times have I told you not to take people’s things!?”

Sisi’s ears drooped with an expression of false contrition, but his tail still wagged happily.

“Hehe. No harm done. Would you mind helping me shelve some books that I received the other day? I can offer tea and biscuits when we finish.”

Cardia’s innocently expressive face brightened, “Yes, of course! You have done so much for me… I am always happy to help you.”

“I am glad to hear it.” he said lightly, suppressing the pain her words brought him. “Then shall we go, my lady?” he offered her his arm.

Cardia tentatively put her hand on his arm. Saint could see that she was happier. He felt happier, too, if he could dare admit it to himself. Even if such happiness at spending time with Cardia was the last thing he deserved to have…

Feeling unaccustomedly rebellious, Saint pushed it all aside, tucked Cardia’s hand beneath his arm and smiled down at her. Even if it was wrong or selfish and he didn’t deserve it, he would enjoy the afternoon spent in the company of this gentle girl with a lively and strong spirit, and would do his best to ease her burdens and sorrows for as long as he could.

Cardia’s eyes widened, “Your smile is beautiful,” she said softly, “I have never seen you smile like that before.”

“Have I not? Then it must surely be because of how happy I am to be with you now.” he said, telling the complete truth for once. He impulsively took her hand and kissed it through the glove.

Cardia blushed and smiled shyly. Saint wondered what it would be like to be able to love her, to show her all he knew… to protect her from everything and everyone who would ever do her harm.

…..but how would he protect her from her cursed blood? From the iron chains binding his own soul? From Fate itself?

He didn’t know. He only knew that this afternoon was theirs, and he would make the very most of it he could… and Cardia’s eyes had a light in them that was not there before. 

Yes, for just this moment, that was all that mattered.

Sisi barked cheerfully, his mission accomplished. He grabbed the slipper and trotted out the door, leading the way back to Saint’s library.

….. Fin …..

[russiansunflower3]

Mending Bonds.

Part 2 of the Winter and December and Christmas, Oh My! series.

Read on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12982881

Rating: G

Characters: Fukunaga Shouhei, Kozume Kenma, Kuroo Tetsurou, Haiba Lev, Nekoma Volleyball Club.

Pairings: No.

Additional Tags: Scarf, winter prompts, Ugly scarf, This hideous scarf is the light of Fukunaga's life, Nekoma will protect it, ShouheiProtectionSquad, Lev makes many mistakes, But he fixes them too, Nekoma being family, Badass Kenma.

Summary:

Fukunaga has a scarf. It's the most hideous, disgusting, ugly and mangled scarf the team have ever seen. But it's precious. It means more to him than anything.

So when it goes missing, the entire Nekoma team is on the warpath.

[impracticaldemon]

Fictober 5-Sentence Challenge: Day 19, Black Cat [Gajevy]

by Impracticaldemon Fandom:  Fairy Tail

Day 19, Black cats

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” Levy told her scowling spouse, as he tramped over to the door for the fourth time that half-hour.

“I’m not worried, of course he’s okay, and even if he has run into trouble I’m sure he can deal with it,” Gajeel snapped back, eyes searching the darkness beyond the street lamps for his black Exceed.

Not long after, Levy and Gajeel found themselves staring across Magnolia’s main street at the missing Pantherlily, who appeared to be watching the Magnolia Halloween Parade with a resigned expression on his usually stern countenance.

“They wouldn’t let me across,” he explained to his friends once the parade was over, shaking his head at the eccentricities of humans.  “They claimed that I would bring them bad luck, even in the air!”

[furidojasutin]

October 5 Sentence Writing Challenge, Day 22

Pairing: Fraxus (Freed x Laxus)

Prompt: Rainy days

Rating: K

Sometimes it would be Freed sitting on the broad windowshill of their living room, enjoying a good book along with a hot cup of coffee or tea. And sometimes, just like right now, it was Laxus staring outside and listening to the pattering rain as he possibly hoped for a storm to come. Storms tended to draw the dragon slayer's attention, and Freed knew they gave him a feeling of special comfort as well.

"Hey."

Laxus turned his head upon hearing his boyfriend's calm deep voice. His lips twitched hinting but not quite forming a smile, however the tiny movement was all Freed needed. "Hey."

"Are you okay?"

The question surprised the blond and it could be seen on his face. Though instead of letting his boyfriend wait for a reply he just nodded, and this time his lips did more than just to twitch. "Yea. Just relaxin' a little. You wanna join me?"

"I had hoped that you want my company." Freed smiled in return, inwardly glad that everything was fine. There was one particular calmness that had him worried sometimes. There were differences.

But now he could step closer and lean down to sneak a kiss on the other man's forehead before silently reaching for one of his hands and looking outside as well, smiling still when he felt the light squeeze Laxus gave his hand.

[antomec]

“Looks like we’re going to be stuck here for a while.”

Pairing: Stingue brotp

Words: 307

Sting pushed along the shopping cart, head turned towards Rogue as he gloomily walked behind him. “Seriously, Rogue, when are you going to stop sulking? You’re 22, for crying out loud!”

Rogue stuck out his tongue at him. ”Just because I’m 22 doesn’t mean that I can’t sulk.”

Sting grinned. “Oh, so you admit it, then?” In his opinion, Rogue needed to get out of the apartment more, and Sting didn’t give a fuck if Rogue moped about it.

Rogue grimaced at his slip-up, and Sting skittered to a stop when they approached his car. “My baby,” he whispered, stroking the roof lovingly.

“Ugh, gross.” Rogue made a face at him, and Sting nearly lunged at him. “Don’t you talk shit about my baby. You’d be fucked without her.” He unlocked the vehicle and sat comfortably inside, hands on the wheel, eyes closed in reverence.

The silence was ruined, however, when Rogue opened the driver’s side door and yelled into his ear. “Hey, dickwad, who’s going to load the groceries inside?”

He is my friend I must not punch my friend he is my friend I must not

Sting jumped out and slammed the door behind him. A second later, he turned around and placed both palms on the window in horror. “Oh no,” he breathed.

“Did you say something?” Rogue asked, a bottle of detergent in one hand and the other on the cart.

Sting whirled to face him, eyes wide. “You wouldn’t happen to have the spare keys on you, right?”

Rogue narrowed his eyes. “Why would you ask me that, Sting? You wouldn’t have, oh say, locked us out of your car for the fucking fourth time?”

Sting grinned sheepishly. “Looks like we’re going to be stuck here for a while.”

Sting mutedly watched the detergent bottle leave Rogue’s hand and fly towards him.

[mistye-dawne]

Ceraunophile

August Writing Challenge FF.net

Ceraunophile: (n) A deep love of thunder and lightning. It also connotes the idea of finding both intensely beautiful.

Lucy loved to watch her husband spar. The very nature of his magic was wild and beautiful and he embodied every aspect of it. The electricity in the air made her nerves tingle as flecks of lightning licked his skin. The only thing she loved to marvel at more were the untamed summer storms, though if he wanted to, Laxus could easily rival one.

She was surprised by how long he and the iron slayer had been at it, considering that neither blonde were getting much in the way sleep due to the six week old she was currently cradling. Lucy was happy that her husband had been so helpful with little Lyla, not that she expected him to do nothing. It was just hard to imagine him live such a domesticated life.

As grateful as she was though, he'd been using the excuse of taking care of the baby to skip out of his duties as guildmaster. He was already much like his grandfather and hated paperwork. She didn't blame him because it was natural for him to be moving around and doing something, but it sometimes left her and Freed with far too much to complete.

She had half a mind to fuss at the lightning mage but every time she thought she would, she'd find him rocking Lyla to sleep in the nursery or him asleep in bed with the bassinet pulled up beside him. He was such a loving father and often worried about messing things up, but Lucy would watch him and sometimes cry because the sight of him holding that little girl was far more beautiful than any storm she'd watched before.

Tears began to gather as she thought about that, causing the dragon slayers to stop. Laxus looked over at his wife and walked over to her. He sat down behind her and carefully pulled her so that she was leaning against him.

He rested his head on her shoulder to look down at the baby and whispered, "What's wrong, Blondie?"

She just shook her head and tried to keep the tears silent so Lyla didn't wake up. "Nothing. I was just thinking is all."

"What about?"

"About how wonderful you are." He scoffed at her statement. "I'm serious." She puffed cheeks.

"I know," he admitted, loving how cute she looked when annoyed. "But you know that I'm the lucky one, right?"

"Oh?"

"Yep. I've got the prettiest wife and she has given me the most beautiful baby girl." Laxus held his arms under hers so that they were holding Lyla together. "I'm lucky because she loves the thunder and lightning almost as much as I do."

"You're wrong about that last statement," she claimed. "Trust me, I love you more than anything, Laxus."

"Still makes me the lucky one, Blondie."

[always-writersblock]

Fictober 5- Sentence Challenge: Day 2 (lol) Candy

Fandom: Voltron

When Shiro left the house this morning, he did not expect to later return to the chaos that was currently his home.

In the center of the living room, Hunk layed on his back, kit Kat wrappers, whopper wrappers, emptied nerd boxes, a plethora of different candy wrappings lay scattered around him, chocolate and what looked like nerds coated his lips and cheeks, and shiro could see the regretful and mournful expression on his face. The eldest suddenly noticed that Lance and Keith were hyperly sprinting around the room, the taller one shouting something about being the 'candy eating king' before ultimately tripping over the dying Hunk, face planting hard against the -thankfully- carpeted ground, with Keith laughing at Lance's demise, and sadly making the same mistake. Shiro's eyes moved to the youngest, Pidge, jumping rapidly on the couch, her glasses crooked on her pale face, chocolate smeared around her lips and shirt.

Slowly, Shiro turned around and hurriedly exited the house, deciding that he left work too early.

[petri808]

The Checklist

Fic Writer’s Appreciation- January 2018 Writing Challenge January (2018) Day 6  Goals

It was no secret how much Lucy couldn’t stand her boyfriends cottage, and no matter how many times she tidied up, within a couple of weeks it was a mess again.  He and Happy had left on some super-secret mission that the pair refused to tell her about and out of irritation she decided this time instead of cleaning up she was going to mess with his place.  While the house was a poster child for disorder, Natsu called it his organized chaos, if there was such a thing.  He knew where everything was and so rearranging a few things would probably get on his nerves.

She snickers, “Oh he’s so gonna be irritated.  But it’s his own fault for not taking me with them…”

First step was simply cleaning up.  Lucy pulls her hair up in a ponytail and dons some gardening gloves she bought for this very occasion.  Dishes piled in the sink, clothes strewn about, and the fish bones!  Happy’s fish bones were all over the place!  Ugh, dust coated everything, she swipes the dining table with her finger, soot, “Why am I not surprised,” grousing as she rubs the charcoal smudge over her apron.

After a couple of hours, she looks around at her handi-work, it may not be sparkling clean but at least she wouldn’t have grime coating her hands every time she touched something.  Starting in the bedroom that he rarely uses, preferring his hammock or her bed to sleep on, the first idea is to move the heavier furniture.  Lucy makes space in the opposite corner and pushes the bed into it.  Next the dresser.  She grabs around to the back ready to grip on and drag it forward when her fingers brush against something.  Screaming because she though it was a bug or something, Lucy jumps backwards, tripping and falling on her ass.  

Rubbing her bruised bottom, her eyes catch the fluttering of paper from behind the dresser, until it lands on the floor near one of it’s legs.  ‘Paper?’  Crawling on her hands and knees, she grabs it.  

‘How to Get Lucy’

The blonde’s eyes widen.  The handwriting is not her boyfriends, at least the first portion wasn’t, but it looks like someone had written out a help guide for Natsu with instructions.  Lucy doesn’t know if she should feel sorry for him or laugh, because it was kinda amusing…  

‘if you really think she’s the one, Natsu, you need to just make a move.  But since you don’t know how, these are basically the two things you need to do to get things going:

Step 1- Ask her out on a real date, take her to dinner, do something special for her, just make sure she’s happy at the end.  

Step 2- Then, if it seems like she might like you back, which I have a feeling she does, ask her to be your girlfriend.  Just stop being afraid and do it!  Good Luck.’

The rest was in Natsu’s chicken scratch style.

‘Success!  Step 3, keep her happy.  Step 4, start saving for ring.  Step 5, propose to her.’  And next to that step was a date, July 2, X794.

Lucy sits down on his bed, dumbfounded.  At that moment, she didn’t realize the significance of the date but just the mere fact it was only 2 weeks away…  “Oh my God!” her hands fly up to her mouth.  Quickly she rushes to set everything back to normal, the bed, the dresser.  But what about the paper?  She knew it came from behind the dresser but exactly where, how was it attached?  

Panic sets in after pushing the dresser away from the wall and not seeing any way this thing had been stuck to the back, no adhesives, no pins, nothing.  A noise of the front door opening gets her attention.  “Lucy are you here?”

‘Damn, it’s Natsu!’  “Yeah, just a second and I’ll be right out.” She calls to him, as she tries desperately to move the dresser back without a sound.

“What’s that scraping noise?”

“N-nothing, I was just dusting.”

“Luce?”

“Eek!” the girl stiffens and turns around, knowing she was busted.

“Luce, what’s that in your hand?”

She looks down at the folded paper, “Err, well,” biting her lip.  “I was cleaning, and it fell out from behind the dresser, so I was trying to put it back…”

He takes it and realizes what it was, “Did you read it?”

She hangs her nodding head, “Yes.  I’m sorry Natsu, I didn’t mean to find it, it was an accident and…”

But her boyfriend starts chuckling and lifts her chin.  “I wanted it to be a surprise, but you don’t need to be upset over finding out early.

“You’re really, not mad at me?”

“Why would I be mad?  You still don’t know exactly what I’ve got planned anyways.”

“You’ve got a plan?  For July 2nd?”

“Yup!” his goofy grin is back.  “So, there’s still part of a surprise for you instore…”

July 2nd, X794….

That morning, Natsu left early with Happy leaving Lucy with strict instructions to wait at her apartment until Levy and Gray come to see her.  Around 9 am, Levy shows up and gives her an outfit for her to wear, a replica of her blue and white vest top and matching blue skirt, and helps her get ready.  At 10:30am, Gray arrives and takes her to the train station, but blindfolds her before she can see the destination.  He guides the vision impaired blonde the whole way, from the train and then later along the streets of wherever they had gone.  Finally, he stops and tells her to just stand there and leaves her still unable to see.  

Moments later another hand takes hers and gently prompts her into a more specific position.  “You can take off the blindfold now.”  It was Natsu’s voice.  Removing the fabric from her eyes, she blinks at the sight of her boyfriend on his hands and knees before her.  “Do you remember this Luce?”

She looks around them, the cobblestone streets of Hargeon, the business that was…  her hands cup her mouth, “This is where we met!”

“And this was my first vision of you.” He smiles and chuckles, “Me on the ground, looking up at the pretty blonde in the blue and white outfit…” switching his position to one bended knee, “exactly 10 years ago you came into my life and now,” pulling out the ring and holding it out to her, “I thought it fitting to come back to where it all began, to start our new life,” taking her left hand, “together.”  Tears are now spilling down her cheeks.  “Lucy Heartfillia, will you marry me?”          

“Hell, Yes!”  After placing the ring on her finger, Lucy throws herself onto him, not caring who is around or that she had just knocked them both over and smashes her lips against his.  “So, I assume Step 6 is get married?” a slight tease in her voice.

“Yeah,” he grins, “But I leave those details to you.”

“And, Step 7 is kids?”

“Eventually…”

“And, Step 8 is…” she’s trying to come up with the next step.

But he’s catching on to her teasing, “I get it weirdo, making fun of my checklist.  How ‘bout we just go back to Step 5A.”

“5A?” Tilting her head.

“Moving in together…”

[nalufever]

January Drabbles: growth, goals

Fairy Tail, Nalu

"And if we put half your pay cheque into our savings account," Lucy stopped talking once she noticed Natsu's eyes had glazed over. She snapped her fingers and elbowed him (not any harder than he could handle). "Hey - I'm trying to explain how to reach our financial goals and maximize the growth of our funds."

"Sorry Luce," Natsu shook his head and grinned an apology. "You know I'm okay with how you manage our money, I don't need to micromanage your decisions."

"I suppose," Lucy grinned back at her husband. "I'd rather explain our budget to you now though, so you're not surprised later."

"Okay, but I've got a few ideas about some personal growth and goals we can get into later tonight." Natsu winked, his gaze turning passionate. "Hurry with your explanation and then we can take what I want to do, nice and slow." 

[hidetheremote]

December (NSFW) Drabbles: Day 2, Scarf

Fandom: Akagami no Shirayukihime, Obi x Shirayuki (Obiyuki)

Modern AU

Word Count: 1133

*NSFW* Somewhat smutty ahead. Enjoy!

Obi picked up the Amazon package left in front of the doorstep. Another one this week, he thought. It was small and light, and he wondered what Shirayuki bought this time.

He texted his red-headed girlfriend, carefully choosing his words. He didn’t want to chide her, it was her own money after all, and he was not a controlling dick.

Another package, miss. Leaving it on the table. Whoosh.  Not ten seconds had passed by and his phone vibrated in his hand.

“Aren’t you at work?” Obi asked, genuinely surprised that she was calling in the middle of the day.

“I told them I’m taking a cigarette break,” she replied, huffing like she was walking fast.

“You don’t smoke.”

“I know, but I already took my regular break and all the other damn doctors take a cigarette break every thirty minutes, so I might as well do it, too.” Her reasoning was not off. She had complained about this before, the unfairness that smokers get more breaks because of their terrible habit.

“You’re so smart.”

“Anyway, I only have five minutes so open it now.” She was whispering, like she was hiding in the corner, afraid of getting caught by a nurse or a colleague.

“Open what?”  

“The package, silly. It’s for you.”

Obi pressed the phone into his ear, unsure if he heard her correctly. “Wait, what?”

“Open it, try it on, and then send me a selfie right now.” She giggled, like what she had just requested was illicit.

“Oh, God, Obi. I gotta go. Send the selfie soon.” The line clicked off.

Obi stared at the yellow padded envelope. Why? It wasn’t his birthday. It wasn’t their anniversary. And Christmas was a few weeks away. God, she was so thoughtful. Always thinking about him even when she was scrolling through Amazon and clicking away at junk. He didn’t deserve her, he thought.

He opened the package delicately, afraid of ripping what was inside. He grinned from ear to ear, holding the scarf that fell out of the envelope. A forest-green knitted scarf.

Oh, he definitely didn’t deserve her. She wasn’t just thoughtful, but also attentive.

Just last week, while cleaning out his drawers, Shirayuki noted the vast collection of scarves he had amassed in his lifetime.

“Geez, Obi. You have every color and shade of the spectrum,” she said, picking each one like rags that needed to be tossed away.

“Wrong. I don’t have dark green.”

Shirayuki tossed him a thick cowl, hitting right in the face. “Yes, you do.”

“Not the green I was thinking about.”

He clutched to his new scarf and chuckled. It was exactly the green he had been looking for. How she knew that, he’d never know, but his heart thumped two beats faster just thinking about her.

He wrapped it around his neck and looked in the mirror. He felt the material, rolling the fringes between his fingers and examined the texture. It was ordinary, nothing special like some of his other scarves, but he realized he was going to treasure this no matter what.

His phone vibrated inside the back pocket of his jeans.

Selfie?

Oh, right. She wanted a selfie. He stood straight, used his fingers to brush his disheveled hair, and pointed his phone at the mirror. He kept his face stoic, but he smiled inside. Click.

He looked at the photo, but instead of hitting send, another thought came to his mind. He pulled down his pants and wrapped the scarf around his semi-hard shaft. Click.

He smiled brightly and sent the second photo without hesitation.

It’s a bit bigger than the average scarf, but I’m sure it does its job perfectly. Whoosh.

He sank down into the couch, phone in his hand. It had been more than a few minutes now and she still hadn’t responded to his text. The dick pic was too much, he thought. Shit, what was he thinking?

He sent the first photo.

It’s perfect. I love it. Thanks, Shirayuki.

Fuck, yes, some mea culpa. He hardly used her name and when he did, it changed her mood instantly.

He shook his leg violently, fidgeting on the couch. He stared at his phone, wondering why she still hadn’t text back a response.

He let out a long sigh, resting his head against the couch. Of course, of course, he said to himself. She was busy. The hospital had a sudden surge of dying patients and they needed her right away. She simply had no time to give her piece of mind.

He walked into the kitchen and took some vegetables out of the refrigerator. He might as well get dinner ready.

The doorknob rattled, and Obi turned toward the door. He could hear keys jingling, like someone couldn’t find the right key inside the keyhole.

The door slammed open, and a panting Shirayuki stood at the entrance like she had rushed over to their apartment.

Obi’s eyes flew open, his mouth parted in surprise. “Uh, what the hell?”

“I told them I ran out of cigarettes and needed to buy some,” she panted, closing the door behind her. She looked absolutely adorable in her blue scrubs.

“You don’t smoke.”

“I know.” She flew into his arms, lips crashing into his. “I don’t have much time, Obi.”

Obi wrapped his arms around her waist, catching her lips. He slid his tongue inside, tilting his head to deepen their kiss.

“What brought this on?” He smiled against her mouth, catching her bottom lip between his teeth.

Shirayuki unraveled the scarf around his neck and held it out in front of her. “Put it on.”

Obi’s eyebrow furrowed, he was confused by her request. “It was just on me.”

She shoved the scarf into his hands, and fumbled with the button on Obi’s pants.

“No, I want to see it on like the selfie.”

His pants fell to his ankles. Shirayuki moved in closer, pressing her belly against his erection. Her fingers slid inside the hem of his boxers, and pulled down. She took the scarf out of Obi’s trembling hands and wrapped it around his hard-rock cock.

Obi gripped the kitchen counter, knuckles white. He watched Shirayuki arrange the scarf, her delicate fingers grazing the tip of his dick.

She stopped fenagling and stared at her masterpiece. She kneeled in front of Obi, her eyes peeked up to look at him. Obi felt her breath fan across his thighs, his cock twitched by its warmth. He looked down at her with half-lidded eyes.

“It’s perfect, Obi.” She wrapped her small fingers around his shaft, her lips parted right before the tip. She took him in slowly, tongue sliding against the length of him.

Obi tilted his head back, eyes fluttering to a close, enjoying Shirayuki’s smoke break.

[siriusstarx]

December prompt challenge: Hot chocolate, Stars, Shiver, Cold, White

Harvest Moon

Rating: PG for a little sexy banter.

Fandom: Code: Realize

Impey Barbicane, Saint Germain, Cardia Beckford, Saint/Cardia

Silly trio foolishness, poison-free Cardia, friendship

Inspired by the December prompt challenge @fic-writer-appreciation: Hot chocolate, stars, shiver, cold, white

....

"Just a little tighter, Cardia chan!" Impey shouted.

"All right!" I turned the wrench from from my place under the console, releasing a burst of steam from the increased pressure in the pipe.

"Perfection! Now, Saint chan, turn the red wheel three times to the right."

I could hear the grind of gears moving somewhere behind the console. "It is done." Saint called.

"Excellent! Now for the final test."

I heard several switches being flipped and the engine rumbled to life. I held my breath hoping that nothing would explode or catch on fire this time...

The engine settled into a contented purring sound. Impey let out a whoop of joy.

"That should do it." Saint said, a note of satisfaction in his voice.

"Thanks to you!" Impey appeared from behind a tangle of pipes and cables at the other end of the control room. "The pressure is stable and the fuel pump didn't even explode this time, thanks to your realignment of the switches. I never expected you to be such a good engineer, Saint chan."

"Thank you. That is quite a compliment coming from you. If you have lived as long as I have, you pick up all manner of skills."

I disentangled myself from the cables under the console and put the wrench in my toolbox. After our wedding, Impey invited Saint and I to come and spend the following summer helping him work on his spaceship. We were happy to help, and the summer flew past. It was often hard work, but both of us enjoyed being part of something so hopeful and exciting. I cherished the long nights the three of us spent telling stories and planning for the day when Impey finally realized his dream to go to the moon.

Impey took off his heavy tool belt and wiped a rag over his smudged face. "We've made a lot of progress today. Let's call it a night and celebrate our success."

"I was about to suggest we finish up before calamity strikes..." Saint said meaningfully.

"Hey! There's no need to curse our good luck today by mentioning that." Impey retorted.

Just the week before we'd come close to completing the engine's coolant system. Impey, thinking we should keep working until it was done, managed to drop a vial of a corrosive chemical that ate straight through the outer hull. We spent half the week fixing the damage. Since then Impey had been more inclined to stop before anyone could become clumsy from exhaustion.

"I said nothing of it. I only remind you, as a dear friend used to tell me, that Lady Fortune is fickle and inclined to be jealous with her gifts." Saint said, smiling. He walked up to me and wiped a spot of grease off my cheek with his finger, "Also, it is my turn to cook dinner, and I need time to prepare."

"Are you sure? You two will be leaving soon, and I know how much you'll miss my genius cooking skills."

"We're not leaving until next week. We have plenty of time to enjoy your skills. This is my treat." Saint insisted.

"Well, okay. If that is how you feel." Impey said dubiously, "Cardia chan and I can clean up here. Let's eat outside. There's a full moon rising early tonight!"

Summer had passed into a golden autumn amidst the wheat fields of midwestern America. It was a warm afternoon, but the night would get cold quickly. Cold or not, there was no arguing with Impey when it came to watching a full moon.

Saint nodded. "I will finish preparations as quickly as I can." He left his toolbox and hat neatly in their place by the door in the barn Impey had made into a workshop, and left to prepare his feast.

Impey and I finished our clean up of the worksite and went inside the farmhouse that we made home to wash up. The house was filled with delicious smells of sizzling beef and cooking spices. Impey tried to get me to tell him what Saint was planning, but I shook my head. I told him that he had been a chef to royalty, and he collected herbs and spices from every market we visited, but I didn't know any more than Impey what he was making.

We arrived at the old picnic table to find Saint's feast waiting for us. It looked deceptively simple, a basket of warm tortillas and pots of spiced meat, honey and various colorful vegetables. I recognized most of the ingredients from when Saint and I had traveled to Mexico and Central America, but Impey was amazed and delighted by the flavors he tasted for the first time. Saint humbly accepted both mine and Impey's profuse praise.

We all helped clean up and sat together waiting for the moon and watching the sky fade into a deep, velvety blue studded with the first stars of the evening. Saint had his arm around my shoulders and I leant against him feeling  content. "Thank you for inviting us, Impey. I've had so much fun this summer."

"I'm glad you agreed to come! I never would have made this much progress without you. By next year I hope to have a working ship to test... you will come back, won't you?"

"Of course!" I said, smiling.

"I would be delighted." Saint agreed.

"You should invite the others next year, too." I added.

"Yeah! It would be just like old times." Impey said with a nostalgic grin, "Only better since nobody is trying to destroy the world or us right now."

I agreed. "I hope everyone can come."

Saint kissed me and rose from the bench, "I'll be right back, beloved."

"Where are you going?" Impey asked.

Saint only smiled enigmatically and returned to the house.

Impey watched him go. "Still the mysterious one. I guess Saint chan hasn't changed as much as I thought."

"He hasn't changed, he is just finally able to be his true self." I said, shivering without his warmth beside me. Saint and I had been through so much... and I knew there would be more trials in the future, but for now we could live like a normal couple and I would treasure every moment.

Saint returned a few minutes later with a blanket, a tray with three mugs and a strangely shaped teapot.

"Ahhh... it is good to see some things never change." Impey grabbed a mug from the tray and breathed deeply, "hm? It's not tea. This smells like-"

"-Chocolate!" I exclaimed, greedily accepting the mug Saint handed me.

"Hehe. Miss Cardia has developed quite a taste for chocolate." he said with a mischievous wink.

"So have you!" Saint and I had taken to feeding chocolate to each other... chocolate kisses were only the beginning.

"Yes... chocolate tastes best on you, beloved, and my appetite is quite insatiable." he said in a low voice.

I suddenly felt much warmer.

Impey choked on his cocoa. "Hey hey hey you two! Remember I can hear all your sweet nothings!"

He had heard! I felt my face turn as red as the chilies. "Oh...!"

Saint only smiled serenely, "We are newlyweds. Such things are to be expected."

"Yeah, well... it's still pretty awkward if you say things like that where people can hear!"

I agreed with Impey.

"I'm sorry. I will be more careful in the future." Saint didn't sound very sorry, "How do you like the cocoa?"

Impey muttered to himself for a few moments before responding, "The cocoa is unusual... It is spicy and sweet, too. Hmm...." he took another sip, "It's good, though."

"This is just a modern interpretation of an Aztec cocoa drink, "Xocoatl." he made a face, "had I made the authentic recipe you would have been certain Van had come for a surprise visit."

"Then I'm happy you made this kind." Impey said emphatically, finishing his cup, "There's cinnamon, nutmeg and clove... something else, too..."

"Just a dash of dried chili pepper and honey." Saint poured him another cup.

"I never would have thought such a combination would taste so good. Thanks Saint chan!"

He bowed gracefully, "You are most welcome."

The three of us took our mugs of spiced cocoa and sat in the field looking towards the horizon where the full Harvest Moon would soon rise over the grassy sea. Saint gave me the blanket, but I settled between he and Impey and insisted that they share, too. Thankfully it was big enough for all of us.

The moon rose vividly white and clear that night. Impey exclaimed over it as if it were the first time he'd seen the spectacle, just as he always did. "I'm close. I can feel it." Impey said, his voice trembling slightly, "Soon I will stand on the moon... my dream and my promise to the old man will be fulfilled." he sighed.

"Why the sigh?" Saint asked, "aren't you happy?"

"Of course I'm happy. It's just... I'd rather not see it alone, you know?" he trailed off.

"Don't be afraid to ask, if that's what you truly want." Saint said cryptically.

Impey threw his hands in the air, upsetting the blanket. "How do you always do that!?"

"Hehe. Just observation and experience. If I deduced a situation correctly, it could save many lives. For a time I was able to fulfill my duties without killing in that way." his voice turned sad.

I put my hand over Saint's, "What do you want to ask, Impey?"

He took a deep breath, "Well... I've been thinking all summer about how good it is to work with you two, so... I know this might sound crazy... I was just wondering if maybe you might... well... wannagotothemoonwithme!?"

He said the last in such a rush that at first I didn't think I heard him right. "We already agreed to help with preparations..."

"No! I mean on my ship, to help me pilot and land on the moon!" his eyes were very bright, "You two were the first to really believe in me, after the old man died. Cardia chan, I know if you come with me, everything will be fine! So... how about it? Will you come?"

I sat with my mouth open for few moments. The moon? I could scarcely imagine such a thing. But... I wasn't afraid. I had faced far more terrifying situations than shooting through space in a rocket. I was also a great scientist's daughter. It seemed... right... that I go to the moon.

"All right." I said, glancing at Saint, "If Saint is willing, I will help you fly to the moon. At least no one will be shooting at us, like they were in the airship race.... right?"

"Hehe. I sincerely hope not." Saint said mildly, "I have no objections. It will be refreshing to go somewhere I have never been."

Impey's astonished grin was visible even in the darkening night. "Really? You said yes?! I love you so much!!" He managed to wrap his long, powerful arms around both of us at once. "I want to marry you!"

Saint laughed. I had rarely heard him laugh so freely, "...I see... well... that is an interesting proposal... but I am sorry, Cardia is my beloved. Sharing her is out of the question."

"Um..." I wriggled my head out from under Impey's arm, "I'm not going to share Saint with you, either!"

"Nonsense! There's enough love for everyone!" Impey cried joyously. Caught up in his own happiness, he kissed both of us, which made Saint laugh even more, and flustered Impey once he realized what he'd done.

"My, my... hehehe... I had no idea, Impey." Saint said when he managed to catch his breath.

"No no no.... My excitement got away from me. I don't love you... I mean... I love you, but definitely not like that!"

I punched Impey in the arm, "Saint is all mine. Stop kissing my husband!" my attempt at a stern rebuke was destroyed by a fit of giggling.

Impey waved his arms in mortified speechlessness for a few moments before finally falling into a fit of laughter of his own.

We all laughed together until we had to wipe tears from our eyes, then wrapped up in our blanket, we talked and drank cocoa under the twinkling stars and the Harvest Moon. Whether or not we ever stepped foot on its surface together, the dreams and plans we made that night beneath its light would certainly remain precious to us forever.

...... Fin ......

[russiansunflower3]

Kiss me under the mistletoe~

Part 21 of the Winter and December and Christmas, Oh My! series.

Read on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/13123494

Rating: G

Characters: Hanamaki Takahiro, Matsukawa Issei, Iwaizumi Hajime, Yahaba Shigeru, Kindaichi Yuutarou, Kyoutani Kentarou, Oikawa Tooru, Watari Shinji, Kunimi Akira.

Pairings: Matsukawa Issei/Hanamaki Takahiro, Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru.

Additional Tags: Mistletoe, winter prompts, The usual Seijou mischief, Boy's kissing, platonic kissing, Kindaichi's big gay crush on literally everyone, mistletoe game, MistleFOE, KISSletoe, MistleTOCHUS, rip Kindaichi, too gay to function, Fluff and Humour, Hijinks and shenanigans.

Summary:

When you have 3 types of mistletoe, it's only common sense to assign each one a different purpose, right? ... Right?

Well, that's what Hanamaki and Matsukawa have decided anyways, and their little bit of mischief might have a few (hilarious) consequences.

[impracticaldemon]

Fictober 5-Sentence Challenge: Day 17, Hayride [Jerza]

by impracticaldemon Fairy Tail ~ A little Jerza drabble for the Jerza Love Fest

Prompt: Hayride [JLF ~ Seduction]

She brushed her hair until it rippled like red silk across her shoulders and down her back, and then glanced once more at the message that had arrived—somehow—the night before: Be at the Old Crossroads at noon for the day bids fair and there is an old saying about what to do when the sun is shining.

“I was puzzled by your note,” Erza told Jellal, not long after, as they walked hand-in-hand down a rutted country lane leading to a dusty old farm, “since I believe that the saying refers to hay, and the hayrides don’t start until just before dusk.”

“Make hay while the sun shines,” quoted Jellal softly, pulling his lover closer against his side as they neared the barn.  “It means to take advantage of the good times while they last, which is exactly what I hope to do—if you don’t object to a slightly more vigorous ride in the hay than you may have originally had in mind.”

♥ Ah, what I might do with this in the future, with more time... ~ Imp

[furidojasutin]

October 5 Sentence Writing Challenge, Day 13

Pairing: Fraxus (Freed x Laxus)

Prompt: Bonfire/Campfire

Rating: K

"Are you tired?" Freed's voice was not more than a whisper but he knew Laxus would understand him without any troubles. There was a smile on his face as he sat there with his head resting on the dragon slayer's shoulder, their hands intertwined gently. Every now and again they would let their fingers would mindlessly play with each other. The company of the other was all they needed whilst the flames of the campfire danced before them and afforded light.

"Nah. You?"

But Freed had noticed Laxus yawn moments before and he couldn't keep his smile from twitching, happy amusement overcoming him for a heartbeat. "A little. You're cozy."

"Am I?" The blond gave a low chuckle though his lips remained shaped into a smile as well and he wrapped one arm around his boyfriend, orange eyes flickering in the light of the warm fire.

Freed hummed in response and snuggled into the embrace, permitting himself to close his eyes. Perhaps they'd just stay here like this for a while... It seemed like a nice idea. Just them, the soft flames and the starlit sky.