#you know its bad when you open the answers WITH HELP STEPS but they skip ALL the important steps

[a-dash-in-the-middle]

spend 3h with one bathroom break studying

the amount that was done is horrific but hey at least the confusing kept me focused

[manmuncher777]

Drunkly telling BSF!Geto you need him….

Bsf!Geto Who was waiting on your call for him to pick you up, he offered to be your driver so you could have a nice night out drinking with friends and still get home nice and safe. He wanted to make sure no creepy guys were trying to get you in their car (especially when you looked that good)

Bsf!Geto who was trying to hide his erection when you showed off your outfit of the night, fuck you looked good.

Bsf!Geto Who is confused and slightly worried when he sees you calling his phone only 2 hours since you’ve been out. He picks up almost instantly

“Y/n are you okay?”

“Suguruuuuu.” Your excited voice rings out, he can tell your already drunk by how much your slurring. He can hear you holding in giggle

“what’s wrong sweets, do I need to come and get you?” He’s speaking slow and clear so you can understand him in your state, his chest feels a bit lighter by the fact you don’t sound in imminent danger, just drunk

“…” a beat passes, he can hear your light breathing over the phone, it sounded like you were stood outside of whatever bar you were at

“I need you” Three words you finally spoke, suddenly sounding more sober than a few seconds ago.

“Need me to what? are you safe.” Suguru’s gripping his phone a lot tighter now, his heart skipping a beat when he heard those words. No, you couldn’t have meant it like that… could you? that little whine that left you after you spoke…

“Suguru I fucking need you.” Oh. You meant it like that.

Suguru was sure now. Like you were begging for him over the phone, he has to take a deep breath to centre himself. You were drunk- you couldnt mean it. But god you sounded so sweet and desperate over the phone. Suguru’s heart was pounding in his chest

“sweets I…”

“I need you so fucking bad, I feel like I cant even function, I feel insane.” You didn’t feel as drunk anymore, suddenly admitting your feelings brought you back. You didn’t even know what you meant tot say when suguru answered the phone, you just needed to hear his voice.

“…” He’s speechless, this sudden confession. He was excited and nervous and confused and and- god he didnt even know what he was feeling right now. All he knew was that breathy voice over the speaker was sending him insane

“all I can think about is you, I thought drinking would help, but its worse… Sugu I need you to fuck me so bad.” Fucking hell

“Darling..” He almost choked now. Squeezing his eyes shut, trying desperately to get a grip.

“please- I need to feel you, I need to kiss you. I need you to ruin me.” You didnt care how you sounded at all, you were desperate, you were willing to beg

“I’m on my way.”

Bsf!Geto Who is speeding over to the location you sent him, jaw clenched, heavy breathing. Raging boner that was making it hard for him to concentrate.

Bsf!Geto who hops out of his car, opening the door for you as you step in, you look so shy now that hes actually there. Then he’s speeding you both back to his place. He’s not talking much, but his eyes keep flickering over your exposed figure. God you looked good, it was making it so much harder for him to try and be a gentleman

Bsf!Geto who didnt know whether to politely turn you down, you were best friends and you were drunk, maybe it wasn’t a good idea. But the other part of him wanted to give you exactly what you wanted, to throw you around, fucking you to tears. God he wanted to fuck you so bad, and if you were begging him, wasn’t it mean of him to turn you down?

Bsf!Geto who went with the second option as soon as he got you into his house. He couldn’t hold back as you stood there awkwardly, blushing and apologising if you made him uncomfortable.

Bsf!Geto who had you forgetting about that, throwing you down on his bed and going to town

Bsf!Geto who was eating you out like a man starved, so fucking filthy and feral. Slurping and sucking at your slit so eagerly. The sound of your desperate cry’s were music to his ears.

Bsf!Geto Who was groaning into your pussy each time you tugged on his hair. You tasted better than he ever could’ve imagined. He couldn’t believe how wet you already were for him, you were soaked, and Suguru didn’t want to waste a drop

Bsf!Geto who was flipping you over after you came on his face, he couldn’t hold back after hearing you moan for him so sweetly

“Sugu- oh my god”

“shit baby, love the sound of my name when you moan it like that.”

Bsf!Geto who was hitting it from the back, going fucking crazy watching your ass ripple with each thrust. Your face pushed into the mattress with your back arched so pretty for him. You were screaming into the mattress with how good it felt, unable to stop the tears of pleasure falling. His pace was anything but slow, sure he had imagined what fucking you would be like, but he never expected you to feel this good. So tight around him, so fucking wet.

His cock felt fucking heavenly inside you, you had never felt so full before. Hitting that spot every fucking thrust, he was brutal with it, exactly what you were craving.

Bsf!Geto who needs to hear you, gripping your hair and pulling your face up from the mattress. Relishing in the screams of his name. Your noises were better than anything he ever could’ve imagined.

Bsf!Geto Who had you cumming on his cock multiple times that night

“Yeah good fucking girl- you jus’ needed some dick huh?” “This what you needed baby?” “That’s it sweetheart, let it all out for me.” “Feels good yeah? go on cry baby, I got you.” “Looked way too fucking beautiful tonight” “shit this pussy so good, I should’ve done this months ago.”

Bsf!Geto who was the first ever man to make you squirt. You coating his torso in you juices, fuck it was the best thing he’d ever seen. The noises of your broken moans sending him over the edge. He came so deep in you that night, watching in awe when it leaked out of you

[vandme12]

I hope your doing well make sure to be eating and staying hydrated! I was wondering if I could request Roninxreadee Who’s having a panic attack, if this makes you uncomfortable you can skip :3

The first breath won’t come. The second barely scrapes through.

It creeps up slow—like a noose tightening in your chest. At first, you can pretend it’s nothing. Just a bad day. Just a little heavy. But then your hands start to tremble. Your vision tunnels. Every breath feels too shallow—too thin.

And suddenly, the whole world’s caving in.

You don’t know how long you’ve been sitting on the floor, back pressed against the wall, nails digging into your palms like it’ll hold you together. The walls feel too close. Your heart��s hammering too fast, too loud. You can’t stop shaking.

Somewhere in the blur, your phone buzzes—once, twice. Ronin’s name flashes across the screen. Goreboy. Of course it’s him. You can’t even think about answering, not when your hands won’t stop trembling.

But Ronin doesn’t wait.

A knock slams against the door—sharp, impatient, and so him.

“Darlin’,” his voice drips through the wood, rough and low and already too close. “I know you’re in there.” A beat. “Lemme in, or I’ll make my own way.”

You don’t move. Can’t.

The lock clicks a second later. Guess you didn’t need to.

Ronin steps inside like the devil kicked him through—scuffed boots, torn leather jacket, and burgundy hair falling in his eyes. Blood stains his knuckles, bright against his skin. Whatever mess he just crawled out of, he didn’t bother cleaning up before coming here. And the second he spots you—curled small against the wall—his whole expression shifts.

Not soft. Not exactly. But the teasing edge fades, and something sharper takes its place.

“Hey,” he says, voice dropping to a low rumble. "What’s goin’ on, darlin’?”

Your throat locks tight. You shake your head. It’s too much—it’s everything. And trying to explain feels impossible.

Ronin doesn’t press. Doesn’t move closer. Not yet. He just watches you for a second—eyes too dark, too focused—before he crouches down, slow and easy.

“Breathe,” he says, quiet but firm. “Come on, sweetheart. Breathe with me.”

You try. You can’t.

When you don’t respond, he moves—closing the space between you in one smooth motion. His hands—still blood-specked, still warm—find yours. Carefully prying your fingers open, like he’s untangling something fragile.

“Gimme your hands,” he murmurs, and it isn’t a request. “Let me hold ya.”

You let him.

He presses your palms against his chest, right over his heart. Solid heat. Steady rhythm. It’s grounding in a way nothing else is.

“Feel that?” His voice softens just enough to cut through the noise. "Ain’t goin’ nowhere, darlin’. You’re safe."

You nod—barely.

“There ya go,” he breathes. "Doin’ so good for me." His thumb strokes slow circles over your knuckles—just enough pressure to keep you here. “Now, c’mon. Deep breath. With me.”

He inhales, slow and exaggerated. You try to follow—struggling at first, but he waits. Patient in that quiet, dangerous way only he can be. And when you finally match his rhythm, something inside you starts to loosen.

“Good,” he murmurs. “Knew you could do it.”

The worst of the static fades—just a little. Enough to feel his warmth anchoring you in place. He doesn’t let go. Not for a second.

For a while, it’s just that—his heartbeat under your hands, the quiet sound of his breathing, and the steady weight of him beside you. Enough to remind you that the world isn’t falling apart. Not while he’s here.

When he speaks again, his voice is softer. “What happened, darlin’?”

You shake your head again, biting the inside of your cheek. “I… I don’t know,” you admit, the words barely scraping out. “I just—couldn’t stop it.”

His jaw ticks. Not anger—something else. Something raw.

“Don’t need a reason,” he says, like it’s that simple. “If it’s got claws in you, it’s real. Don’t care if it makes sense or not.”

It shouldn’t help, but it does.

And because it’s him, he leans in—mouth brushing against the curve of your jaw. “Wish I could tear it outta ya,” he murmurs. “Wouldn’t even hesitate.”

A shaky laugh breaks out of you—small, breathless, but real. “That’s… not how panic works, Ronin.”

He chuckles—dark and low. “Nah, but it’d be fun, wouldn’t it?”

God, he’s impossible. But the panic’s fading—replaced by the warmth of his touch and the weight of his body against yours. And maybe—just maybe—that’s enough.

“You’re ridiculous,” you whisper.

“And you’re still breathin’,” he counters, lips curling against your skin. "So I must be doin’ somethin’ right."

You roll your eyes—but it’s easier to breathe now, easier to think, and Ronin knows it. Smug bastard.

Still, his grip stays firm. He keeps you exactly where he wants you—right there against his chest, like letting go isn’t even an option.

“Listen close, darlin’,” he murmurs, voice rough with something too fierce to be playful. “Next time this happens—you call me. Don’t care when. Don’t care why. You call.”

Your heart stutters, a different kind of ache rising in your chest. The kind that’s harder to ignore.

“You mean that?” Your voice is small. Too open.

His smile fades—replaced by something realer.

“Yeah,” he says quietly. “I mean it.”

You don’t know how long you sit there—wrapped in his warmth, held steady in his arms. But the next time your breath hitches, it doesn’t feel like drowning.

And when you finally speak again, it’s barely above a whisper. “Thanks, Ronin.”

His lips brush your temple—gentler than he has any right to be.

“Anytime, darlin’,” he murmurs, like it’s the easiest promise in the world. “You’re stuck with me.”

[vivsteria]

⊹₊⟡⋆ kiss it better! (ó﹏ò｡)

⋆｡°✩ a/n: you get injured on a mission, xavier's here to help you with your boo-boo. ily xavier ㅤpair: xavier x gn! reader

⟢ warnings: just fluff, description of injuries, not beta read

it was a simple patrol mission on the outskirts of of town, both tara and simone were there alongside a few other officers.

captain jenna had filled you in that there was a small mass of wanderers that had the possibilities of spreading, so it was a urgent-not-really urgent type of mission.

the day was just like any other: kill the wanderers, write a report, meet up with xavier on the way back, and go home. maybe get takeout or hotpot depending on the day, or you both would cook (as in, you monitor everything xavier's doing in the kitchen).

however, in the middle of your meal in the new noodle place that opened up, xavier calls out to you. "(name)."

"hm?" you look up, chewing on a piece of bamboo shoot. his eyes are zoned and on your arm, and when you look there's a streak of red. you gasp, "oh!"

xavier immediately calls for the waiter, getting everything shoved in to-go boxes, slaps down a thick wad of cash and leaves with you, the moment you step out the shop he teleports you back to his apartment, all before you could even blink!

"xavi, it's okay, i don't even feel it." you try and reassure him, however he's setting you down on the couch and rushing into his kitchen to get a first aid. "xavier, seriously.."

okay, maybe you did feel a throbbing in your arm, but maybe you overexerted yourself? plus, if you didn't notice the blood, and neither did tara or simone, then it must mean it was taking its slow time seeping out of you!

he sets the kit down in front of you, and looks at you expectantly as he crouches on the floor in front of the couch. you sigh and roll your sleeve up, face scrunching up slightly when the fabric brushes against the gash.

okay.. maybe it was kinda bad.. but it wasn't life threatening!

xavier sighs, "you need to be careful and take better care of yourself.."

"i'm fine though, it's just a light scratch.." you pout. xavier gives you a side-eye which makes you take a double-take. a stink eye? from xavier?? "i should come with you on all your missions."

you roll your eyes, xavier wiping away the blood with a paper towel before using disinfectant wipe, causing you to hiss. "does it still hurt?"

"mm, only a lil bit." you suddenly bit your lip as you felt it.. tingle? xavier eyes you down, so close to giving you another stink-eye. "you're lying."

you murmur, looking off to the side. "you don't need to worry, i can take care of myself."

"i know you can, starlight." xavier grabs the bandage-wrap. "you don't need to lie to me. i know how strong and capable my baby is."

when he finishes wrapping and securing it, he gives your bandage a feather-light kiss. your face flushes as he looks up at you, smiling against your arm. "if it still hurts, i can kiss it better, hm?"

you nod, but he stays firm, "does it hurt?"

"yes.. it kinda throbs.." you answer honestly this time. he smiles, peppering more light kisses before he begins to move up your arm. he skips kissing your clothes and directly targets at your neck before travelling up to your face, dancing around your face before ending on your lips. "you're very strong, starlight. no need to feel ashamed if you get hurt. sometimes i get hurt too."

"liar.." you say under your breath, wrapping your non-injured arm around his neck and bringing him down for another kiss. "i do. next time, you can kiss me better."

you smile against his lips, as does he.

⟢ wc:~600 thanks for reading (•̀ᴗ•́ )و

[blackenedsnow]

sonic x reader attempting a suicide? i’m having a terrible time and would just like some love from my comfort character. its okay if this makes you uncomfortable.

caught in the wind

WARNING: Suicidal thoughts, mental health struggles, suicide attempt

PAIRING: Sonic The Hedgehog x Suicidal! Reader

NOTE: I hope this was helpful for you. I sincerely hope everything is okay and I want you all to know that I care for all of you and that I am always here to talk. Take care of yourself. I know how it feels so I didn’t try sugarcoating it and made it as realistic as I could.

SUMMARY: While out on a run, Sonic spots something unsettling—one of his closest friends standing at the edge of a cliff, contemplating a jump.

The wind rushed past Sonic’s ears as he dashed through Green Hill, the familiar blur of trees, loops, and waterfalls passing in his peripheral. It was one of those days where everything felt a little lighter—perfect weather, nothing chasing him, and no Eggman in sight. It was just him, the wind, and the thrill of the open road.

As he zipped along the cliffs that bordered the coastline, something odd caught his eye. At first, he dismissed it—just a figure standing at the edge of the rocks, back turned to the world. But something in the way they were standing—rigid, unmoving, staring down into the water below—made his heart skip a beat.

Wait. He knew that silhouette.

Sonic skidded to a halt, sending a puff of dust into the air. He rubbed his eyes with his gloved hands, making sure he wasn’t seeing things. But no, it really was you, Y/N, his friend. And you weren’t just looking out over the ocean for the view. No, something about your posture, the way your shoulders slumped, the way you didn’t seem to notice him approaching, sent alarm bells ringing in his head.

Sonic frowned, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He knew you’d been going through a rough patch lately, but…was it really that bad..? He prayed and hoped you were just admiring the view.

"Hey!" Sonic called, voice casual but firm. "Whatcha doing up there? Pretty cool view, huh?"

No answer.

His heart rate sped up, unease prickling at the back of his neck. Slowly, he started walking toward you, his steps uncharacteristically slow. Sonic never slowed down—he always kept moving, but something in the air made him tread carefully.

As he got closer, he could hear your soft breaths, shaky and uneven, like you were trying to hold something back.

"Hey, you okay?" Sonic asked, his voice softer now, more serious.

Still nothing.

That’s when you moved.

Without a word, you leaned forward—so fast, too fast—and before Sonic could even process what was happening, you jumped.

His instincts kicked in before his brain could. In a split second, Sonic launched himself off the cliff, wind roaring in his ears, reaching out with everything he had. Time seemed to slow down, and all he could hear was the rush of his own heartbeat, the thunder of the ocean beneath the two of you, and the desperate pounding in his chest.

Faster. He had to go faster.

Just as you were about to touchdown, Sonic’s arms reached out, wrapping around you in mid-air, his grip tight and unwavering. With a grunt of effort, he twisted his body, redirecting your fall, and landed hard on a ledge just below the cliff, skidding to a stop against the rough rock.

You trembled in his arms, silent sobs shaking your body. Sonic held you tightly, trying to steady his own racing heartbeat.

"Gotcha," he breathed, his voice barely audible over the sound of the crashing waves below. "I’ve gotcha…"

For a moment, neither of you spoke. Sonic just held you, feeling the way your chest heaved with each ragged breath, the way you curled in on yourself as if trying to disappear.

"What were you thinking..?" Sonic’s voice cracked, and he winced at how small it sounded. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. He was supposed to be the fast one, the one who always had a plan, always knew what to say. But right now, he felt as lost as you did.

You shook your head, tears streaking down your face. "I-I don’t know…I just…I couldn’t…"

Sonic felt a knot form in his throat, and he tightened his grip, making sure you knew he was there, that he wasn’t letting go.

"Look, I don’t know what’s going on in your head right now," Sonic said, his voice steadying. "But I do know one thing: I’m not letting you go. You’re not doing this alone, okay? I’m here. We’re all here. And we’re gonna figure this out."

You sobbed harder, your fists clutching the fabric of Sonic’s gloves as if he were the only thing tethering you to the world.

"You’re not alone," Sonic repeated, his voice soft but firm. "You’ve got me. You’ve got everyone who cares about you. I know things look bad right now, but trust me, we’ll make it through this. You’ll make it through this."

Slowly, your sobs began to quiet, though the weight of your pain still hung in the air like a storm cloud. But you hadn’t let go of Sonic. And he wasn’t about to let go of you.

Sonic sighed, glancing up at the cliff. He’d have to figure out how to climb back up, but that could wait.

For now, he was just grateful he’d been there in time.

A few days after the incident, the weight of it hasn’t left your chest. If anything, the guilt has only gotten worse. Every time you close your eyes, you feel that awful drop in your stomach again—the moment you jumped, the moment you gave up. And then Sonic’s arms, pulling you back, holding on like his life depended on it, when it was yours that was on the line.

You’re sitting in your room now, staring at the floor. The blankets are piled up on your bed, untouched, and the gifts Sonic’s been bringing lie scattered around—plushies, snacks, even some weird gadgets he thought might cheer you up. But none of it really matters. The shame sits heavy in your gut, a constant reminder that you nearly threw everything away. That you almost made Sonic witness something unforgivable.

You didn’t tell anyone. You couldn’t. And, surprisingly, Sonic hasn’t either. You had made him promise that day, and he didn’t even hesitate. “I won’t tell a soul,” he had said, his tone serious in a way that made you believe him instantly.

But the price for that silence is the weight of knowing what you did. And Sonic’s visits—while comforting—only seem to make you feel worse. He shows up almost every day, pretending like nothing’s wrong, acting like his usual upbeat self. He’ll burst into your room with a grin, tossing some random gift onto your bed like he’s just come back from one of his adventures.

“Hey! Got you something else!” he’d say, as if that could somehow fix the cracks in your soul.

You know he means well. He’s trying. But every time you see that bright smile, it’s like a reminder that you’re letting him down. That he’s doing everything he can to pull you out of this pit, and you’re still stuck at the bottom, too ashamed to climb up.

Today’s no different. The sun is barely past noon when you hear the familiar tap-tap-tap on your window. You don’t look up. You don’t need to. You already know it’s him.

“Mind if I come in?” he asks, his voice gentle but still carrying that hint of his usual energy.

You shake your head, even though you don’t feel ready. Sonic opens the window and slides in with ease, immediately noticing the mess of unopened gifts around your room.

“Man, I’ve really been overdoing it, huh?” He chuckles awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “I just… thought maybe some of this stuff would make you smile.”

You want to tell him that it’s not the gifts, that it’s not him, that nothing he does could fix what’s broken inside you. But the words stick in your throat, and all you manage is a weak, “You didn’t have to…”

“Hey, it’s no big deal. I like doing it,” Sonic says quickly, sitting down on the edge of your bed. “I know it’s not easy, what you’re going through. But I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure this out.”

We’ll figure this out. He always said that. Every time he came over.

You glance at him, biting your lip. The guilt tightens in your chest. You know he’s doing everything he can. He’s Sonic the Hedgehog, after all—the hero, the one who always saves the day. But this time, you’re not sure if you can be saved.

“I don’t deserve it,” you mumble, the words slipping out before you can stop them. “I… I don’t deserve any of this.”

Sonic’s smile falters, and he looks at you with a seriousness that makes your stomach twist.

“Don’t say that,” he says, his voice quieter now. “You’re worth it. No matter how bad things feel, or how much you think you’re not—you are. I don’t just show up because I feel sorry for you. I’m here because you’re important to me.”

The words hit you harder than you expect, and you have to look away, tears welling up in your eyes. You didn’t think it was possible to feel this much shame and relief at the same time.

“I don’t know how to fix this.” you whisper, your voice shaking.

Sonic’s hand rests gently on your shoulder, and for once, he’s not trying to cheer you up or brush things off with a joke. He’s just… there.

“You don’t have to fix it all at once,” he says softly. “We’ll take it one step at a time. And when you fall, I’ll be there to catch you, just like before. You don’t have to do this alone.”

The tears spill over, and you can’t stop them this time. You feel Sonic’s arm wrap around your shoulder, pulling you into a comforting hug. You’ve felt so lost for so long, but right now, in this moment, with him holding you, you feel something you haven’t in a while—a little bit of hope.

It’s small, fragile, but it’s there.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough for now.

[sophiacloud28]

Requesting a fluffy Rise Leo fic with female reader. Suffering through a three day migraine with no ending in sight, so maybe one where Leo finds our reader in a similar state and takes care of them? Along the way feelings are confessed and sweet kisses and cuddles are shared. No spice, just sugar please. 💙🐢

As a fellow migraine sufferer, I hear you! Goodness, friend, I hope it's not hurting too bad and that you're able to rest soon. If you welcome hugs, I offer them to you. If not, that's okay, too. Either way, let's see if I can't make something happen. All sugar, no spice.

Also, I might have gone overboard? This went on for so much longer than I thought. 🤣 And thanks to @justalotoffanfiction for the nickname and @milykins for checking if the story was, indeed, cotton candy.

One-shot, pure fluff, Rise Leo, reader has a migraine

You don't disappear that easily. He's known you long enough to know that's not a thing that happens. You're far too dedicated to just abandon anything that you want and being with them, at least during non-pressure moments, is something you want.

... He thinks. He hopes. With everything that's happened, he can't help but doubt that you're anywhere near safe with them but he still can't...

He looks up and catches the glint of metal on his shelves. He gets up and goes to grab it, a clink ringing in the air as he looks at the key resting in his palm. And he closes it before going to the back of his train car, not going for his katanas but for the tantō before staring at the black-wrapped tsuka.

He needs to change it. He'd been thinking about it as of late, but now… he needs to. Later though, when he knows what's keeping you.

He swings the knife into the open air and steps through the portal. He takes a breath when he notices there's no light, lips pressing together and heart seemingly ready to hammer its way out of his plastron. He still takes the key and slides it into the lock before grabbing the handle and twisting it, letting himself in.

No sound. Not a peep. The entire place is dark and the curtains are drawn. The smell of food is faint, meaning nothing was cooked or reheated. The only thing that reassures him, that tells him you haven't gone running is your coat and boots at the entrance… and your scent.

It's not faint. It's recent. And it's leading to…

He knocks carefully and quietly. He hears shuffling behind the door. But before he can even reach for the knob this time, he blinks as it jiggles and the door opens, revealing you.

"Leon?"

You and your cracked voice and blanket-covered head. You and your weakened state and, no doubt, reddened eyes.

He can smell medicine, now. Tea. Peppermint. He even hears a quiet moan of pain that tells him more than he wants to hear and nearly has him make a horrible mistake as you speak.

"If this is about me not coming down, I'm sorry. I just — Leo?"

But he won't let it stop him from opening the door a little more and step inside before gently nudging you back, smiling when he starts getting protests before you hit the bed and sit on it. Hell, it definitely won't stop him from helping you back down and covering you.

He can do this. He's started doing this for both Mikey and Raph. He can do it for you. He just… has to stop his hand from tangling itself into your hair as he hears you settle without protest.

"How long?" he whispers, unable not to smile when you pick up on his cue.

"Wednesday."

"You didn't think to call me?"

"I thought it'd be done by now. And I had work."

"That a reason to skip dinner?" he admonishes, chuckling when he catches a flinch, although he’s not quite sure what to make of you hiding under the covers a bit more than you already are. “Preciosa?”

“I’m not… really hungry.”

… Oh. Oh. It’s that bad.

He knows he’s about to give himself a headache with how fast his mind’s working but he knows he needs it to.

“Did the –?”

“Leo –”

“Answer me. … Please.”

“Hurts too much.”

Because he needs to be there for you. After everything you have offered him, he needs to.

“Got any ginger?”

“Ground?”

“Fresh.”

“… In my freezer?”

He barely hears your confused calls for him as he gets up and steps out. He then rushes to the kitchen to set some water to boil before digging through the freezer and finding the ginger, smiling as he sets two pieces aside to thaw. Finally, he sets a bowl in the sink to fill before going to the bathroom and grabbing one of the hand towels.

“Leon.”

Only to near jump at the sound of your voice behind him making him turn and grip the counter.

He knows what you’re about to say, though.

“Leonardo, you don’t have – Leo!”

And he’s not impressed with the amount of protest you’re giving.

You’re strong. You’re so strong. He just… wishes you didn’t use it to fight him off.

Then again, it’s you. It’s… you. You fight… because it’s the only thing you know.

He brings you to your living room couch before heading back to the kitchen for the bowl and cloth. He wets the hand towel and wrings it before setting it on your forehead, grateful for the sigh he hears. He breathes as he gets up once more, going back to the kitchen one more time to put the hot water into a mug he puts the ginger into before bringing it over and setting it on the nightstand.

“Did you really just make ginger tea?”

He’s also completely unable to help the smile at the incredulous question. “What? Got something against it? Or do you need a reminder of my specialty?”

And the groan at his comment only makes him snicker as he goes to remove the cloth only to freeze when you grab his hand.

“Pre –”

“Sorry, just… your hand’s colder.”

… He wishes he had it in him to refuse you. He wishes he was back at the beginning, where he could tease you with what felt like no consequences, even if he later discovered there were. He prays he’s got the strength to hold strong as he sets the cloth back up and puts a hand on your forehead.

It's a little warm. Something he should have guessed at with the way your head’s been hurting. But he’s not ready for you to slump against his shoulder even though he knows it’s because you’re seeking comfort and cold.

He breathes and settles his head atop yours. He doesn’t even notice he’s churring until you shuffle against him and he stops. However, the urge to kiss the top of your head remains, haunting him as the smell of your shampoo invades his mind.

… He wants to bring you closer. He wants to protect you. You are the biggest star in his sky and to see you this dim…

“Leo?”

“Hm?”

“Are you okay?”

“Says the girl with a migraine.”

“Leo.”

“What? I’m not allowed to worry about you, now?” he asks with a smile but glad that there’s no lights because you’d catch his offended gaze.

“You were mumbling.”

Not that you almost don’t catch him anyways, making him freeze.

Perceptive, observant, and not afraid to say something once you’re almost sure. It reassures him and terrifies him all at once that nothing can hide from you, that he can’t hide from you.

… Not true. He’s kept this hidden for months. He can do it again.

“You sure you’re not hearing things?”

“Leonardo.”

“Herm –”

“Don’t call me beautiful. Not when you’re avoiding me.”

And when he feels you flinch and hears you groan after your call out, he can’t help but think he’s doing the right thing. You don’t need this, not right now, not after –

“Hey.”

“S’up?”

“Can you stay?”

… He wishes he were stronger. He wants to say no, ask you if you want April instead. But he knows, realizes how much courage it’s taking you just to ask him.

“How long?”

“Until it leaves… Or the weekend ends, whichever comes first.”

"Sure."

"Really?"

"What? You expect me to go back on my word?"

So he lets himself have it.

It's just a weekend. Two days where he's gotta help you and make sure you eat and sleep. Two days during which he can not only pass time with you and you alone but he's got the perfect excuse to send to his brothers for not being home. Hell, they all approve, although Mikey is a bit too enthusiastic about all of it, and he's left to take care of you until Monday morning at the latest. Something he does not only to the best of his abilities but beyond them as he tries his best to pick up where you have to stop due to the pain.

He learns how to half-make soup. He starts recognizing the moments when the migraine gets worse and pauses everything to drag you to the couch and hold you against him to ride out the storm while holding a hand to your forehead. And nothing quite equals the moment when he playfights with you for you to take a shower after a few hours of you taking one because of a nasty flare-up, which helps tremendously just from the look on your face, and you both settle on the couch after he serves dinner. There's just… one thing that ruins it.

"There you go, mi solecito."

His goddamn mouth and the way it tends to run itself before he can stop it.

He blinks as you do. He clears his throat and tries to smile as he sets a bowl in your hands before sitting down with his. And he can't help but worry the longer the silence lasts.

"What? Don't like being a ray of sunshine?"

Even trying to salvage it with a joke misses its mark as you stay quiet, making him realize that it's not the nickname, but the…

He can't think it. He can't. Even that feels wrong. God, he screwed up. He screwed up. He screwed up. Hescrewedup. Hescrewedup. He —

"I gotta go," he mumbles while scrambling up only to stop when he feels fragile fingers around his wrist.

He could pull himself away so easily. Break your hold, pull out his tantō, and leave. But he can't. Not when his heart begs for him to trust, to hope, to believe.

"Mi?"

"Slip of the tongue. Happens. Doesn't happen to you?"

"Only when it's habit."

But he can't. Not when –

"Do you mean it?"

"Does it matter?"

You pull. Make him turn as you get up. He closes his eyes as warmth and softness greets his cheek. And before he can even think, before he can even realize what he's doing you're in his arms. Held tightly against him with one arm and a hand on your cheek while his breath fans your forehead.

He shouldn't. Your head is hurting and the last thing he wants to do is hurt you more by sending it spinning. But he can at least…

He feels you stiffen as his lips press against your forehead. He folds to swing your legs over his forearm, smiling at the surprised gasp it gets him. And he brings you in, putting you into his lap as the arm around your waist readjusts so his fingers can tangle with your hair as his lips find your temple.

He wants to kiss you. He wants nothing more than to confirm what he's just witnessed. He can't. Not yet.

"If you're not better after tomorrow, call in sick."

"Leon."

But if just him whining and nudging your head with his own is enough to make you concede, then chances are your heart sings with his.

"You are so demanding."

"And you give in too fast."

Something he's certain the pillow you smack into his cheek just confirms, certainly when he can grab your hand, get you to let go of the cushion, and put his cheek against said hand only to watch you blush while not pulling away.

Your touch. It's so warm. So welcoming.

"Leon," he hears you whisper. He feels your hand trying to bring him closer. And he smiles as he obeys, but aims for your nose instead of your lips before bringing your foreheads together.

"Get better first," he murmurs before he kisses it gently.

"Dare I ask why?"

"Do you wanna faint?" he asks only to chuckle as you try pushing him away.

"You are so full yourself."

"Am I wrong?"

And your pout at his words only has him snorting to hold back laughter.

… Maybe it's a good thing you didn't come to the Lair. He doubts this would have happened otherwise.

taglist: @silverwatergalaxy, @thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos, @thelaundrybitch, @luckycharms1701, @thepinkpanther83

@avery73, @the-cauldron-witch, @redsrooftopprincess, @iridescentflamingo, @ninnosaurus

@yorshie

[spotlightlowlife]

The Cuphead show could teach Hazbin a helluva lot

First of all, I implore anyone who hasn't watched cuphead or didn't finish it to complete it. It is a complete story and it complements its origin, the game, only stepping away a little to expand on it.

Hazbin, watch the pilot if you haven't or rewatch it, a number of things fall off bytime the series comes about. New isn't bad but the pilot was so loaded and it's rather apparent that it is part of the cannon in how we start off as if we already know these characters. So what we can bring forward and what is no longer cannon? Has there been a time skip?

*spoilers ahead*

The story

A simple story of two humble individuals constantly having to swerve the devils attempts to take a soul he swindled fair and square.

They have many run ins and we meet numberours other comical yet sinister opponents along the way.

Sweet rich girl uses her powers for good. She aims to help the disadvantaged and targeted sinner group by opening a hotel to rehabilitate and redeem them to be heaven worthy.

Charlie has allies but plenty of others don't care for her plans and motives are generally unclear.

The main characters

Cuphead and Mugman, two brothers of ambiguous age who live modestly with an elder in a cottage in he woods. They simply get on with their lives, no goal.

Cup head is immature and foolish, his antics generally land them in danger, Mugman is the more sensible but still chill, not quite babysitter sidekick, someone who could be living trouble free if they weren't dragged into the others havoc, simple association brings unwanted situations and people their way, even when chilling at home.

We are also introduced to the devil himself, who is silly, fun and clearly a whole otherworldly entity in not only abilities but personality and actions. As amusing as his actions are, he does cruel things to people minding their business and enjoys it, he openly exploited his oblivious patrons at the amusement park, before going on to expand business and create the known casino. He has a workforce who we see working. The devil collects souls, a consequence of this is that it makes monsters out of mortals, this is a business, however this business is regulated and dispite how powerful the devil is, he still has to answer to accounts. He can be subdued with magic but ultimately, hell and earth are his playground and aside from the auditor, he answers to no peers or superiors and feels no bitterness or discomfort regarding his home and role, his struggle is simply that one that got away and keeps eluding him. His backstory being irrelevant fits with the quick pace and slapstick, however the latest addition to the game may hint at some mysterious backstory in his bonus boss fight.

Charlie, a youthful woman of ambiguous is the princess of hell and owner of the Hazbin hotel. We don't see much running of a hotel. Charlie is nice, default nice because plot tells us she's helping and cares and she clearly isn't horrible. Charlie wants to help sinners.

First portrayed as hardworking but ill prepared, out of touch hustler, Charlie is now well intentioned, immature dreamer but this doesn't result in trouble, her carelessness doesn't get portrayed as selfish or irritating. Charlie personally has little to lose in her discision making, such as welcoming Alastor, Charlie can have what she wants because everything is set up for her and what she doesn't have is easily in reach, the meeting in heaven attained by guilt tripping her dad being a prime example, but she's not a spoilt brat.

Charlie's other half is Vaggie, her girlfriend who we have to be explicitly told is so if you don't follow the fandom, they have known eachother for years yet Charlie hardly knows Vaggie. Vaggie's degree of interest in Charlie's dreams is unknown, even after her big revelation we still have nothing to show that she's not just the sensible sidekick managing the lead characters silliness.

Not a main but someone very significant, Lucifer, the devil himself and Charlie's dad. He is all powerful, the leader of hell and the one who created this realm, however he is a goofy awkward dad who doesn't appear to be any leader and he hates to the degree of allowing mass slaughter the very people Charlie loves. None of this is an issue. He clearly has or had peers or superiors, he still meets with the angels who serve as the adversaries, with no issue, but this doesn't matter.

The tragic characters

Ms Chalace had it thought throughout life yet tried had to work her way up, she died unexpectedly, nobody cared, she got a second chance to be amongst the living but it comes at a price. Chalice is a charming hustler and entertainer.

In Hazbin, it's everyone, everyone is given trauma, even privileged Charlie who could have been a great spoilt sweet character now didn't have the nice nuclear family upbringing, supportive mother who has a life and supportive yet sceptical dad whose not getting in her way.

Everyone has some history that rendered them a loser in this story however we have yet to learn how anyone got there even though fun, interesting, passing, dismissed Mimzy remembers her life on earth fondly.

The other characters

There is plenty of room to return to this series and feature more characters, but it's no big deal if they don't. This story proudly offers us Saturday villians, only we get to know these charasmatic characters and their villainous motives individually throughout Cuphead and Mugman's misadventures.

This series is fun and life hearted, made for all audiences, there's a lack of real drama yet it manages to not be shallow as we have focus and interactions matter, it is ultimately about Cuphead and the devil, the masses of colour characters we may meet along the way are a fun bonus to and the formula doesn't change, this person brings drama, that's that, now how do they get out of it.

Timing is arguably a major issue with Hazbin, with a big ensemble cast, drama and various plots, it will need a lot of time to cover all that it started, these things being numerous additions to the original story, most of these additions being a whole host of new characters who ultimately don't achieve anything not for lack of trying.

Like its spinoff, this series is big on aquitting those who are there to be liked of their responsibilities and actions, handing blame to someone don't know or have been guided to not like. This strips them of content and growth while makeing their power and influence questionable.

Planning ahead

Rumor has it that The Cuphead show was a complete work of 36 episoses that and broke up into 3 seasons by the big famous platform it's on, to be honest it shows, it is very linear.

Really though, this serves the broadcaster because would keep it in the algorithm longer giving it more time to gain more traction which means more money for the broadcaster and make it look like they're good at renewing projects when this may not entirely be the case.

Releasing the story broken up may have done this show a big disservice as many disappointed reviews were based on how much it deviated from the games and seeming censored, these may not have been concluded had all episodes been released, showing it being to return to its roots by the end.

Still, atleast the story was always going to be told.

As controversial as that situation is, Hazbin too could do with mapping out the beginning, middle and end with a clear and concise story, one with heart that answers questions, balances it's drama, action and comedy and shines some spotlight onto the stories that really need telling. They could do with this already being done or at the very least wrapping up seasons with what we were sold on being relevant.

Planning is well and good but ideas need to be prioritized and coherent. If multiple seasons are planned, this show will need to crack down in order to guarantee them.

[crystalofmoon19]

Promiscuous - Striker x Fem Imp! Reader

Promiscuous girl, you're teasin' me

You know what I want

And I got what you need

Promiscuous boy, let's get to the point

Cause we're on a roll

You Ready?

Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland

You walked off the stage along with the musicians who accompanied you during your presentation, they even offered you an invitation to their band because they needed a female singer. You were flattered by the offer, but you really weren't sure if it was a good idea to accept it when you were just visiting your family, so you told them you were going to think about it.

With this done, the musicians accepted your answer and gave you their card in case you change your mind, so the band left, leaving you alone; meanwhile you kept your guitar in its case until you heard the rattle of a rattlesnake.

"Well, Howdy, what do we have here? But it is one of the most sought-after beauties in all of Wrath."

You opened your eyes wide and your heart skipped a beat when you saw that the rattlesnake demon, Striker, was a few feet away behind you. You didn't know if this was a good or a bad sign, on the one hand you caught the attention of that handsome cowboy, but on the other hand he was still so intimidating; besides, even if you liked him, who was he to call you that?

"Excuse me! How did you call me?"

You tried to have a little courage, but the truth is that you got scared when he approached you, causing you to take a few steps back from him.

"I told you the truth, darlin', I saw you sing on stage a while ago. You have such an angelic voice that it could make anyone fight just to get your attention. I'll get right to the point, sugarcube, we both know you deserve a man that is at your level and I believe that I'm the one to have that title." .- Striker said as you noticed that he was getting much closer to you.

"So what do you say, sweetheart? Would you like to go get some drinks?" .- He said as he approached you, taking your chin in his hand and wrapping his spiked tail around you.

Striker's proposal sounded tempting to a certain extent, but that didn't take away from the fact that it completely detonated his arrogance, assuming that you already want to go out with him without even asking your opinion, getting closer than he should without your consent and calling you those nicknames that he gave you without even knowing your name. You knew guys like him in Wrath, no matter how handsome he was, you were going to give yourself your place as the woman you are but you could still take advantage of the situation.

"Oh, I see!~ So, you think we could have a fun night together, don't you?" .- You said this time with a seductive tone, you approached him closer, removing his hand from your chin while you took his face with your delicate hands and your tail began to meet with his.

"Looks like you're getting it, darlin'." .- He chuckled as he enjoyed your cute hold.

"Well, if that's the case, I hope a woman as beautiful as me can satisfy a man as relentless as you." .- You said as you began to caress Striker's face and the pleased one rattled his tail happily and you could even hear his chest growl for you as well.

"Yes, yes, you will, darlin'. After all, behind every great man, there is a beautiful woman. We would make a perfect match, don't you think, darlin'?" .- Although Striker enjoyed your caresses, he also did not miss the opportunity to join his sharp tail with your most well-groomed one. When he did so, you couldn't help but give a small scream, which completely pleased Striker, but you didn't lose your composure.

"I already believe it and a woman as beautiful as me should do what a man so handsome wants, right?" .- You continued petting Striker, only this time you stroked his mustache, which the rattlesnake demon seemed to love because he kept rattling his tail harder.

"How to cook for him, wash his clothes and fulfill his every whim, right?~"

"Yes, yes, yes I do. And you are so pretty, beautiful and it would be… divine~" .- Surprisingly Striker was starting to babble, as your charms were beginning to take effect on him, you took advantage of that while you continued stroking his mustache.

"Are you kidding me?" You roughly pulled Striker's mustache, which made him scream in pain and caused the two of you to separate.

"Is this how you see women? Simple objects to satisfy your desires?"

"Don't play innocent with me, doll! I know how you looked at me during the competition this morning, it's pretty obvious that you like me, the feeling is mutual!" .- The rattlesnake demon claimed you with an aggressive rattle of his tail but still without moving away from you.

"That's not how things work!"

"Oh, really? Why do you think that, darlin'? You're interested in me and I'm interested in you, what's the problem?"

"You don't even know my name to begin with and you call me nicknames I don't like!"

This made Striker raise an eyebrow for a moment, you had a point he didn't know your name, so you decided to keep complaining.

"Besides! What's this about approaching me like that without asking my permission? Have you heard about personal space? I bet you wouldn't want me to do the same to you!"

"You're wrong there, darlin', if you'll come up to me I'd be happy to have you~" .- Striker's flirtatious words made your cheeks blush for a moment but you didn't give in so easily and continued to hold your ground.

"Well, what if someone other than me did it? Wouldn't you feel intimidated?" .- With this last phrase you made Striker open his eyes suddenly when he imagined a scenario where he was in your place and that made him remain silent for a few moments that you decided to take advantage of to speak.

"Listen to me well, sir. I may not know the principles with which you were raised in your house, but I was taught that women are brave warriors who are equal to men, because we are both equal and we work together to get ahead in this life! No one is above or below anyone, I deserve to be treated with respect and if you are not going to do it, I'm afraid that I will return to my family!" .- You said, moving your proximity away from Striker while you picked up your guitar case, which surprised the rattlesnake demon, you were serious; you were really going to leave if Striker didn't treat you with respect.

"Fine! You win, sugarcube!" .- Striker said out loud once he saw that you were moving far away from him and this made you turn towards him with your arms crossed.

"You're right, I don't think we have made our formal introductions."

You growled angrily in response, frowning and glaring at Striker, which only made him chuckle, you're so cute even when you're angry.

"Name is Striker, although you probably already knew that." .- Striker offered you his hand to which you gave him your hand and they shook hands.

"It's my pleasure, Striker. I'm Y/N."

"Y/N. Even your name is very Hispanic, do you come from the other side of Wrath?"

"That's right, I'm proud of my Hispanic roots."

"Oh, really? Why don't you tell me more about that?"

When you were about to tell Striker more about yourself, but that's when his look with his ringed green eyes gave away his true intentions, and you weren't going to fall so easily.

"I know what you want, casanova."

"I think I've made that clear enough, pretty lady."

"Well, if what you really want is to have me, you'll have to fight for it."

"What do you mean by that, sugarcube?"

"If what you want is my love, you will have to work to earn it, I'm not going to be with the first man who says nice things about me."

"Oh, come on, darlin'! We both know we just want to release the tension between us." .- This last one made you blush again and Striker just made fun of it.

"Even if the only thing you are looking for from me is a night of passion, you will have to work very hard to get it. I'm not one of those who give in so easily." - Striker was surprised by the honesty with which you spoke, it was quite obvious that you were attracted towards him, but still you gave yourself your place and spoke the truth; at no time did you deny your liking for him, no matter how much he tried to provoke you, you remained firm.

"If all you want is to satisfy your carnal desires with a woman, I'm afraid you'll have to look for another, because I'm not the right woman for that."

Striker made a great effort not to be left speechless by you, very few had given themselves respect like you had done, many women and even many men had succumbed to his charms but you had not and that was truly admirable.

"You're lucky I like taking on big challenges, darlin'." .- Striker chuckled again while you raised an eyebrow.

"How about we make a bet?"

"A bet?"

"Yes, if I can get you into bed within a week, you must be mine."

"A week, are you serious? I think you'll need more time than that to win me over, casanova."

"Two weeks then?"

"No."

"Three weeks?"

"It's not even close."

"Come on, darlin'! How long do you want me to be behind you?"

"Well, if what you want is to conquer me, it's going to take time to cement things, so I think that will take at least two months."

"Two months? That's a long time!"

"Time is of the essence in making good relationships. It's not something to be rushed, Striker."

"Fine, let it be just for a month, and that's my last offer." .- Striker responded with a resigned snort.

"I want to see how you try, casanova." .- This time it was your turn to laugh.

"You'll be mine and you'll enjoy it, darlin'." .- Striker placed his hands on your chin again, to which you only politely removed him.

"It seems to me that you are forgetting something very important about betting, casanova."

"Or is it? And what is it, darlin'?"

"Betting is a game of two and I have not yet said my part of the bet."

"Well, what do you want to bet, sugarcube?"

"It's simple, if I manage to obtain your heart within a month..." You approached Striker and began to caress his cheeks again to which he did not put up any resistance.

"You will…" You continued petting Striker and played with his mustache. To which he only rattles his tail and growls under his breath at you.

"You will stop doing the bad things you once did!" .- You screamed loudly and pulled Striker's mustache again and he complained again.

"What!?"

"I may not know you well enough, Striker. But I know you are not trustworthy. I saw how you cheated in the horse competition and you are a bad winner, if you are already like that in a competition I don't want to think how you are with others. "

"That's ridiculous, sweetheart! You're not going to change me in a month!"

"Then the bet is off." .- You crossed your arms with a smile and turned around again.

You were really provoking him a lot and getting on his nerves and that was what set you apart from the rest. Striker loved that, so he followed you to where you were and he offered you his hand.

"Very well, darlin'. We have a deal."

You decided to shake your hand to close the deal with Striker.

"The wager is set."

This is how Striker finally set out to conquer you to make you his and this time he was going to enjoy every moment of betting on you.

[auncyen]

a brief note beforehand: this is an AU where Hikari ran away as a young teenager and ended up in Oresrush.

-

Partitio tells Papp about Roque being the landowner the same night he learns it. It's harsh medicine, to be sure, but Papp's glad he's not being mollycoddled just because he's sick. Better to know Roque's true colors so he could put the forlorn hope of seeing an old friend again out of its misery. He'll focus on getting better for his boys instead.

But as the days progress, even though he's still sleeping for more hours of them than he'd like, he starts suspecting the boys have kept something from him.

"Didn't know I was livin' with an octopuff," he comments when Partitio brings him a meal. Is this a late lunch or an early dinner? Gods, Papp misses having a schedule and knowing what time of day it is.

"Huh?"

"What's Hikari been doing? Feels like I've barely seen him."

Partitio pauses, and that alone tells Papp he's right. Something else has been going on since his boys went to teach Giff a lesson. "He's...been preoccupied. Up in his head."

"He better not be sleeping on the porch again."

Partitio grimaces, though he tries to recover with a weak attempt at humor: "Don't remind him, he might get ideas?"

"I want to know what happened."

Again, a long pause, so uncharacteristic of this son, as Partitio stares at the peeling wallpaper like it might give him answers. Then his shoulders sink, his head sagging into his hands before he picks himself back up and looks Papp in the eye. "Well, you remember why he was sleeping on the porch?"

"Yeah, I remember that load o' nonsense. Kept calling himself 'dangerous'." Gods, what a trial it'd been getting Hikari in. Back then he'd been a scrawny thing, only thirteen and skinny as a stick from foraging, looking like a wild thing until he opened his mouth and spoke proper as you please. 'Would you mind trading with me?' 'Yes, I am on my own.' 'No, thank you, I don't need help.' 'Thank you, but I don't think I'd be good company.' 'I don't want to hurt anyone. I need to be alone.'

Papp never tried to force Hikari into accepting help, because with how skittish he'd been he might have made like an octopuff and skipped town. Or maybe he really would have lashed out, but not because he was dangerous; because he was still a child and terrified of something. Hikari had only ever pointed out himself as a danger, but up until merchants from Hinoeuma stopped coming entirely, Papp had seen how any stranger from what had to be Hikari's original home set the boy on edge, even as he tried to mask it with a polite smile.

Instead Papp had tried to offer as much help as he could in ways Hikari would accept. Helping him get what he needed by trading. Telling him about the other townsfolk so he might feel more comfortable with them, and warning him of the rare bad apple to avoid. Talking with him. Just talking, hoping the next time he offered a place to stay the kid would accept.

The morning after a rare storm, Papp had stepped out onto the porch and immediately spotted Hikari curled up into a ball in the corner, asleep and burning up with fever. At that point it wasn't up for debate: he needed a roof over his head and a proper bed as he recovered. Even feverish, he'd fussed about that for a while, but then the worrying had started to drift off, the boy's voice turning to wonder.

'He's finally quiet.'

Papp still isn't sure exactly what that had meant. But it'd suddenly been a lot easier to convince Hikari to stay in the house, even if he'd stubbornly insisted on trying to repay the Yellowils in any way possible, like he didn't realize he was one himself.

"'Kari's not--he'd never hurt you or me, I know that," Partitio blurts. "He was good an' ready to kill Giff. He wasn't himself. Just, the way he was movin' and fightin'...and then nearly screamin' at Giff that he wouldn't let another lowlife thief steal you away... It spooked me a little. It spooked him a lot."

[pbaz7]

alright my first time doing a live reaction??

"Hold on, hold on," Paige said dramatically as she unlocked the door and swung it open. "Alright it’s safe to get out now."

of courseeee always giving her the princess treatment who wouldve thought

Paige ignored her, gently helping Azzi step out of the car. “You are literally carrying the most precious cargo in the world. If I don’t protect you, what kind of wife would I be?”

YES PAIGE TELL HER THATS RIGHT 

Azzi smirked. “Oh, I must’ve missed the part where you turn into an insanely overprotective bodyguard slash butler when I’m pregnant.”

we all know you love it azzi

Azzi's heart skipped a beat, her stomach getting warm, and then...a heatwave crashed over her.

uh ohhh  

Azzi nearly groaned out loud.

AZZI BABES WERE IN PUBLIC

Azzi immediately avoided eye contact, crossing her arms in mock defiance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Leave me alone.”

we alll know you want it azzi its okay

she carried herself with an almost unbearable level of cockiness that the crowd fed into.

azzi’s def queing up every paige edits she sees on tiktok

Paige, of course, stayed nearby—not hovering, but never straying out of earshot. 

will always look after her princess no matter where she is or whats happeing 

As Azzi handed back a signed jersey, a young fan excitedly darted forward, accidentally bumping into her stomach with their elbow in the process.

if paige saw this i just know shes fuming and all that nice girl to fans will go away 

but the protective instinct ringing in her head was almost impossible to suppress.

get her outta there paigeeeee

Her pregnancy hormones weren’t just inconvenient—they were relentless when she didn’t listen.

here she goes again

“I had a genuine conversation with the front office about not being happy there, and they were able to work with me.

just like your geniune conversation with the refs??

So no, I, Paige Bueckers, cannot answer a question for Azzi Fudd right now.

shes had it with the reporters LMAO

 She bit her lip, her book forgotten in her lap.

azzi forgot about her book?? oh she want paige BAD

 she hovered over Azzi without putting any pressure on her stomach.

shes so thoughtful and so overprotective im crying 

“Hours, hm?” she repeated, tilting her head.

paige we all know youve been knowing this quit the teasing 

 “I know, baby,” she murmured. “Something about this pregnancy, huh?”

quit your playing too before your wife hits you (playfully ofc)

Azzi’s nails dug into Paige’s shoulders, her body instinctively curling into her wife as a soft moan escaped her lips.

cant believe paiges praise and sweet talk about her being a mom and azzi giving her kids got her to this ending point 

Paige grinned but didn’t look up. “You’re interrupting. I’m talking to my kid.”

im crying once again 

“Statistics show children usually end up happier when their parents prioritize each other over anything because it creates a more stable environment for them.”

paige for once i agree with you

“I really really want some ice cream,” Azzi said.

just those words and we all know paige is wide awake and carrying azzi to the car

. “Can you feed me?” she asked softly,

ofc she will you pregnant princess

THAT WAS TEH CUTEST THING EVER IM ACTUALLY CRYING I NEED MORE OF THIS YOURE SO AMAZING i hope youre feeling better love and i hope to see more content like this soon. how can you make it such a cute story then turn me into a whore all giggly and shit and turn it back to cute like im overwhelmed with UGHHH IDEK I JUST LOVE IT SM

- 🥖

azzi's def queing up every paige edits she sees on tiktok

ik we make fun of paige for watching them but i BET azzi’s watched a few here and there

get her outta there paigeeeee

lmao you wanting her to go be superman is sending me

just like your geniune conversation with the refs??

why are you the second person to say this 😭😭

how can you make it such a cute story then turn me into a whore all giggly and shit and turn it back to cute

i have layers ✨

as for how i feel my chest still feels like shit unfortunately

[snugglebug-92]

The One Where He Tells Her She's Pretty

Jimmy woke up the next morning to a sight he wishes he didn’t have to look at. He had unfortunately gotten rather used to. His roommate was doing something with whatever girl he brought home the night before. He quickly grabbed his stuff for practice and left to get to the rink early. At least that way he could be alone with his thoughts. Or so he thought. It didn’t take him long to realize the rink wasn’t empty, but Knies was in fact already there working on some stuff.

“Hey,” Jimmy greeted the boy before he went to change into something he could skate in.

“Hi Jimbo,” Matthew smiles at the boy. Jimmy looks up from his stall and looks at Knies. He has a look on his face that Jimmy isn’t sure if he likes.

“What’s that look for?” Jimmy questions.

“Oh nothing. It’s just a little birdy told me that there’s someone who likes you,” Matthew says as Jimmy's face lights up.

“Who?” Jimmy questions.

“Oh, you already know,” Matthew bumps into Jimmy and Jimmy smiles. Practice goes by and soon Jimmy is leaving and that’s when he sees her waiting for Brock and Matthew. He smiles at her, and she waves at him, and he decides to make a bold move and talk to her.

“Hi,” Jimmy says looking at the girl. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

“Hi,” she smiles at him.

"You look pretty today. You always look pretty but it's different today," Jimmy says and the girl smiles.

"Well thank you. You look good," she smiles, and Jimmy feels himself getting warm inside.

"Do you want to go out with me sometime?" Jimmy doesn't know what came over him when he asks the question. But then the door opens and the two-part ways. Jimmy goes to his dorm, and he watches as she walks away, and he can’t help but smile to himself. Then he realizes he never got an answer to his question. The next day he gets a text, but little does he know she gets the same one. He’s being set up on a double date with Matthew and Abigail. He hadn’t met Abigail, but he had heard stories of her. She was nice but an interesting person to say the least. Jimmy went to his classes and then the gym before getting ready for his date. Jimmy walked with a slight skip to his step. He knew who the other person was that he was going on a date with. The girl he had heart eyes for since the first time he was her. Little did he know things were about to take a turn for the worse. As he walks into the restaurant, he tells the hostess who he’s waiting for, and she leads him to the table. That’s when he sees her. She has her back turned to him, but Matthew notices him right away. When the conversation goes quiet, she turns to look for the reason. Jimmy sits down across from her and that’s when things take a turn for the worse. He watches her beautiful face fall from its previous smile to something unreadable. Jimmy doesn't understand they were talking, and things were fine yesterday.

“I can’t do this,” is all she says before leaving the table. Jimmy watches as Abby gives Matthew a look before chasing after the girl. 

“What the fuck Matthew,” Jimmy says walking out. Jimmy slowly walks back to his dorm. The skip he had in his step is gone. His hands are in his pockets and his head hung low. He can’t believe he fell for a stupid prank but worse enough he can’t believe she would be in on something like that. He changes out of his clothes then packs a bag thankful it's the weekend. He doesn’t even tell his roommate he’ll be gone. He figures he wouldn’t notice anyway. It doesn’t take long for Jinny to get home, and his mom can sense something is off. She sits him down at the dining room table. She makes him tell her everything which wasn’t too much since he kept her rather updated about the girl. She hugs her son then makes him dinner knowing he hasn’t eaten yet. Jimmy takes that weekend to do a hard reset. He could deal with Knies on the ice. He had dealt with bad teammates in the past as for her. Well, he was going to have to avoid her and not talk to her. It didn’t seem too hard. Did Jimmy exactly like that idea no, but it was going to be what was best for him in the long run. He didn’t want to get played again and this was a sure way to avoid it. 

Jimmy went to practice on Monday Matthew was all prepared with an explanation and an apology. Jimmy went the entire practice avoiding one-on-one time with Matthew. That was until he was quite literally cornered by him after practice.

“Look Jim about Friday-” Matthew started.

“Man, what happened on Friday is the past. Let's forget about it so we can play hockey,” Jimmy says before skating off leaving Matthew shocked. Jimmy was over it if he was being honest. Like he said what happened was in the past for him and Matthew and hockey was more important to him. To an outsider it would appear that everything was fine until Jimmy walked out of the locker room and the girl. The same one he had been head over heels for went up to him and tried to explain to him he walked past her as if she was nothing.

[drsorrell]

Reading Short Fiction, Tues. 7.30

INTRO I put a lot more stuff on here for Day 2. It doesn't mean we will get to all of it, but I like to have a lot of options and then see how the class develops based on you guys. I also linked the Discussion Question #1 (DQ1) prompt on the syllabus in case you misplaced the paper copy.

Check-in

Review yesterday's class: a general approach to reading short fiction via Categories. We aren't looking for a "science experiment" 100% proof but rather an interpretation based on evidence. Today, I will demonstrate using some outside-of-the-text evidence as a different way of viewing a story. (You don't have to do this kind of research yourself; it's just to show you that there are different ways of reading and understanding literature.) STORY CONTEXT: APPALACHIA, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY

"Sidle Creek" is a more nuanced portrait of "Appalachia" than the mainstream media one that emerged after Trump's election in 2016, when many people who didn't like Trump blamed "hillbillies" and read JD Vance's (now Vice-Presidential candidate!) memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, to try to understand the election results.

Frank Rich, "No More Sympathy for Hillbillies" (2017)

Kevin Baker, "The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless White Mind" (2017)

This portrait of Appalachia is a historical trend. It is more "grist for the media mill," according to historian Ronald Eller and writer Elizabeth Catte ("Liberal Shaming of Appalachia: Inside the Media Elite's Obsession with the 'Hillbilly' Problem" (2017).)

"Appalachian" identity is problematic, as the geographic area is enormous and varied (more on that here and here).

How tributaries work:

Kittanning (Google Maps)

The author lives here. (This doesn't mean these are the creeks in the story, but it helps understand their importance to her.)

FREE-WRITING & PERSONAL REACTIONS/CONNECTIONS: If you don't know how to get started, you can always free-write whatever comes into your head. The point of this is not to TMI you but to show you that personal reactions/connections are not a bad place to start if you're unsure what to do next. Try it out for DQ1!

Dr. Sorrell's free-write: Creeks & Kiddos, looking under rocks for life (snakes, salamanders, frogs, insects), flat stones, skipping stones, exploring, and being a kid again myself. Sunshine and shade, surprises. Creeks are life-affirming, so I feel one of the story's messages deeply, but not in the confined way it happens there (Esme hiding away from the world behind her rock wall). For me, creeks are more about opening out and connecting to other, bigger things, whereas, in the story, Sidle Creek seems more contained and separated; its connection with the Allegheny River is dangerous (poisonous?). Creeks change, kiddos change (and get sick of creeks), but stepping in the water or finding something you didn't expect is always refreshing.

(5.27.24, Crouse Run, Allegheny tributary)

(6.26.24, Deer Creek, Allegheny River tributary)

DISCUSSION: Break down the second half of the story using the same general Close Reading categories as Monday (from the board).

TIMELINE/EVENTS (WHAT): Kerin, Tyler, Tyree

IDEAS/INTERPRETATION (WHY): Jaden G, Marcus, Bradley

LANGUAGE/STYLE (HOW): Kyaire, Damon, Reed, Nijay

PERSONAL REACTIONS/CONNECTIONS: Calvin, Derek, Isaiah

Talk about Discussion Question #1.

Start writing out Discussion Question #1. My original plan was to collect these at the end of class today, but since some of you have tutoring, let's shoot for tomorrow morning instead.

Preview/look ahead to tomorrow's reading: "Emergency" by Denis Johnson, prereading strategies.

HOMEWORK: 1 Read Johnson, “Emergency” (1991), p. 1-3, ending at “on it” (a few paragraphs above the end of the page, on the right). Keep using Active Reading strategies by marking anything you find interesting, relatable, meaningful, that you like, don't like, basically anything that grabs your attention :) 2 Finish writing your answer to DQ1 and bring it to class tomorrow morning.

[desthebolt]

Hello! Totally random question- I’m working on becoming a designer myself and saw your bio.

What would your top 5 biggest goals are when researching or designing?

If it’s not too much to ask, could I see some of your designs?

Oh! I wasnt expecting this :0 I’m gonna assume you’re talking about objectives I have during design work yeah?

My list will be under cut, but as for the examples, i’ll be making a tumblr acc for my networking (yes, there are professional designers here and they do network here believe it or not). I’ll have it linked when its up! You can also dm me and i can send you one of my figma projects im working on

1- Identify the user base/proto-persona and develop the user persona. This is the first step and will be your guide throughout the process! Your user base can change or you need to change your persona to match the research you find, thats ok! As long as you know who your users are, thats all that matters.

2- If you have a stakeholder/collaborating with someone, communicate with them frequently! It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get as much work done as you like. It doesnt matter if you didnt do anything at all. If you dont communicate things with them, it will look AND BE far worse for you.

3- If you’re in a team, be open-minded, even if you think an idea is bad. Don’t steamroll over people and discount them, you have to work with them to meet in the middle. If you’re getting steamrolled, be patient. I know its frustrating, but go to your team members or higher ups and communicate the issue. If it goes too far, ask to be moved to another project. The minute you get pissed, the worse it’ll be for the project, because your focus on the user base is gone.

4- If you don’t know how to do something/aren’t good at it, be open with your team. Someone will always be there to help you. You flying solo? Youtube is your best friend. (I also would not suggest looking at Figma’s official tutorial videos, for me, they didn’t make any fucking sense)

5- ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS stay connected! Talk to your neighbors (if theyre nice), talk to family friends, talk to friends of friends. A stranger politely asks you what you do? Answer them, tell them you’re in ui/ux. You might find that they’re in the circle too, and can help you make connections! I know NO ONE wants to network, but its really the only way to get into a Nice job. (Im currently working on that rn)

Bonus (this applies to me too)- STOP WORRYING ABOUT HAVING THE PERFECT PORTFOLIO! IT IS RUINING YOU! MVP BABY- Minimum Viable Product! You just gotta have the meat: The project, The problem, The solution, How you got there, results! DONT PUT EVERY ARTIFACT, hiring managers will just skip your portfolio if they see too much.

^ Also BE EXPLICIT ABOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS IF YOU WORKED IN A TEAM! This is very important!

I hope this makes sense lmao, also I’m still fairly new at this, so I would hunt down someone who has more experience (go to linkedin do it go look there are so many skilled designers there GO LOOK THERE)

[middlefletcher]

Ian really wished this weird, nervous feeling would go away, but he had a bad feeling it wouldn’t until he had the conversation he needed to have with Ethan. Which maybe was something he should have done before he invited Ethan over to see the house and then meet all of his siblings and Al. Too late for that now, though. Ethan was here. At the house. And Ian was maybe a little bit too aware of the fact that they were very much alone at the house. It wasn’t common for Ian to be alone at the house, though there had been a few times he skipped out on quidditch matches everyone else went to, usually after insisting Mac didn’t need to stay home with him. Truthfully, part of Ian relished those rare few hours where he had the house to himself, where he was alone, where everything was blissfully quiet. Being here alone with Ethan felt decidedly different than that in a way that made him more nervous. Which was probably how he found himself rambling about broomsticks when Ethan asked about them. “You mean Cal’s? Nah. Some them are. I think his old school broom is here, and then the one he used during his first few years in the league, maybe another one or two between that one and the one he uses now? I don’t really keep track, but Seb and Sadie would know. He keeps his quidditch broom at Puddlemere, though. And then Al made brooms for each of the rest of us, even me even though I only fly sometimes. Plus Seb has two brooms now, Al made him a new one after he got quidditch captain,” Ian explained, a little distracted as he tried to gauge Ethan’s reaction to the house. Which was silly. It wasn’t like Ian picked the house. But Ethan being here felt big. He wanted Ethan to like it. He grinned when Ethan said as much. “Thanks. We love it here. Still hard to believe it’s really ours sometimes,” he admitted with a small smile as he looked over the house and the backyard. Home, the first place that ever really felt like it. He smiled when Ethan asked about the garden. “Me? No way,” he answered with a shake of his head. “That’s all Seb. Sadie and Ruby help him out sometimes, but it’s really Seb’s. He’s brilliant at herbology, really put a lot of work into the garden since Hogwarts closed.” Pride creeped its way into his voice as he explained the garden was Seb’s handiwork. His siblings were impressive. Ian often wondered how the hell he fit in, but he loved them all the same.

“Come on,” he added, nodding toward the patio and leading the way to the back door. “The fireplace is in the living room,” he explained as he unlocked the door with a charmed key that worked through the security charms. “I can, um, give you a quick tour if you like,” he added, wishing he didn’t feel stupidly nervous about it as he pulled the door open, stepping to the side so Ethan could go in first. “Not much to see, really, other than the living room and the kitchen. The yard’s the best part of the house, really.” The house was very much all of the Fletchers’ space. It had some of Ruby's toys, Sadie's magazines and some nail polish, Seb and Sadie's quidditch magazines arranged in a sort of orderly chaos from this morning. Some of Mac's photos hung up on the walls. Ian wasn’t really sure how much of him was in it, not like how Ethan’s flat had so clearly been Ethan’s. “But…I could show you my room if you want.” He added, really hating his nerves. Maybe he should listen to the nerves. Was offering to show Ethan his bedroom weird? He hadn’t offered to show Leo his bedroom. Hadn’t wanted to. Ethan hadn’t shown Ian his bedroom. But Ian’s bedroom was also the only place in the flat that really felt like Ian’s, and while he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with the feeling, he was sure that he liked the idea of Ethan seeing the space that was his. 

Inviting Ethan along to Al’s shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. Al was always telling them to bring their friends along, especially this year now that the kids couldn’t see their friends at school anymore. Granted there had been a lot of reasons they never took Al up on that offer: the fact that Patty often liked to invite herself along, the fact that they didn’t want to impose on Al’s generosity, not to mention it was only the younger kids who even had that many friends they’d invite in the first place. But Cal had invited Wil along a few times so it only felt fair that Ian could invite Ethan this time. He’d tried to be casual about it, but it had been a relief when Sadie and Seb decided to bring friends along as well. It wasn’t just Ian shaking things up now. Ian was a little surprised Seb brought along Dirk instead of one of his other Gryffindor mates from school, but the pair did seem like they’d become fast friends and it had to be good for Dirk to be around people who didn’t remember him as the kid who went missing from Hogwarts. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too weird for Ethan. As if Ian’s whole family situation wasn’t weird enough. That stuff wasn’t Dirk’s fault though, so Ian was glad he was coming along to hang with some kids his own age. Henry coming too would be even better, the kids could all hang out together and no one would pay attention to him and Ethan.

Except Ian was quite certain Mac would be paying attention, and probably Cal because Mac had probably told Cal about their conversation. Probably waited to do it while Ian was at work so he wouldn’t overhear them. But it would be fine. Ethan had sounded like he was curious about meeting Al and his siblings and Ian didn’t see a reason not to bring him ‘round, at least once he knew Patricia wouldn’t be there. Ian just wished he didn’t feel so nervous about seeing Ethan. Which was stupid. There was nothing to be nervous about. Ethan was great and they were mates and it just so happened that Ethan fancied Ian and Ian fancied Ethan back and had no idea how to proceed with that information except that after talking about it with Mac he was pretty sure he wanted to be more than just friends with Ethan. He just wasn’t sure what that looked like or how to get there. Other than talking to Ethan about it, probably. But that felt like a big conversation to have right before introducing Ethan to his whole family. Maybe they could talk after. 

With that settled, Ian felt a little bit less nervous as he biked to the shop, grinning when he saw Ethan waiting there with his own bike. “Hey,” Ian greeted him with a wave as he stopped his bike. For a second he considered getting off and giving Ethan a hug or something, which was weird because he usually didn’t think about what he was doing when he touched Ethan. Or did anything with Ethan. Everything felt a little off-kilter now. Except there was still that warm happy feeling he felt when he saw Ethan. “You all set?” He said with a smile, waiting for Ethan’s confirmation before he nodded and led the way back to his house. This wasn’t the first time he’d had a friend to the house, since Leo had ended up coming over to get Dirk set up to tutor here. But bringing Ethan over—because Ethan was interested in seeing the house—felt a lot different than Leo coming by with his brother. Still, Patricia had been gone already before Ian left, and they’d just be stopping in on the way to Al’s. This was fine. “Here we are,” he said when they got to the house. “Come on, we can leave our bikes in the broom shed.” He hopped off his bike and walked it around to the backyard, pulling open the broom shed for them and showing Ethan where he could park his bike. “This is the best part of the house, really,” he added as they stepped back out into the backyard.

[scarahours]

𝐅#𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐃! [14 let yourself fall]

You hear the doorknob twist open - followed by a flash of purple entering the room. Scaramouche turns to look up at you, his hands tucked inside the warm comfort of his black sweater. His eyes scrutinizing your figure as you sat there, the distance between you two had never felt so far, until now - you wonder if it was the same for him.

"Come on, are you moving or what?" He rolls his eyes upward, climbing the arched stairs to where you were.

You stand and dusted yourself off, reaching for your bag when all of a sudden he grabs it from the table instead - turning his heel back and descending down once more.

"Hey wait–! I can carry that myself." You quickened your pace to reach after him.

"And I can't?"

"Well no... but it's my bag. So let me carry it instead." You offered, yet Scaramouche says nothing more in return.

And with that, silence ensues. No chattering students, blockmates; no professors roaming around - probably most had gone home, after all it was already 6 PM. An awkward tension befell upon the air.

You swallow the words you've been meaning to say in your mouth, waiting for the right chance to strike. To let the poor man down, gently.

"I was thinking... We should probably stop talking to each other." He stops mid-sentence, and you began to sweat - scurrying to explain as to not woe him any longer.

"Lumine filled me in with most things.. and I decided that it was a bad move for both you and I to keep contacting each other when we've had an estranged past. With me not remembering much of you and all that..."

Did you really want this to be the end of the line for your newfound blooming relationship?

Were you really the right decision?

You internally shook your head, waving off the thoughts. It was no use to falter nor think about it now, especially when you've come this far.

"I think we should stop seeing each—" "Just try finishing that sentence, I dare you." You roll your tongue back, abruptly halting from the walk.

"Excuse me? Kunikuzushi you're not in love with me now – you're in love with the past!" You argue, raising your voice at him to justify your point.

Yet it felt like another desperate attempt to keep him away, not because you were afraid of hurting him - but you were afraid of hurting yourself.

"..."

"You're right, I am. I was in love with you in the past. You helped me through so much... And yet that all just disappeared like a pop of a bubble to you." A sullen expression paints his face, yet only for a mere moment. You had finally seen a glance of his vulnerability, his real feelings behind the cracked facade he has as an asshole.

Or maybe you already had, you just didn't know.

You waver back, unsure of how to take the next step until he speaks again, "[name] I have never stopped loving you, not in the past and not ever. So if you finish that sentence now I can guarantee you, it's over." His voice is hard and stern, and you realize the prior weight of your own words - and the consequences it held.

Did you really want to? From the start you were unsure, your feelings were jumbled and all over the place. But one thing was for certain, the you of the present now began to adore him. As if history was repeating itself once more, but this time the tides were changing.

You answer, a sincere one from the bottom of your heart. "No."

A rich, velvety chuckle draws out from Scaramouche, "Well then,"

"Fall in love with me again."

A strange feeling that you’re not sure how to describe washes over you.

For the first time in a long time, you felt your crumbled heart skip a beat once more.

Time is relevant for this one.

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[lunarbuck]

Hi love! Could I request a Loki X reader where reader has a rough day and Loki plans a cute little dinner or something to relax? 🤍

Thank you so much for the request, I had so much fun writing it!! I decided to have this take place in my Dance with the devil AU so I hope thats okay lol

Beauty and the Beast Retelling | Mafia AU

pairing: mafia!loki x f!reader

wc: 890

summary: Loki takes care of you after a hard day

warnings: none!! just fluff

dance with the devil masterlist | my masterlist | reqests are OPEN

Flower

You fall to the couch in a heap, feet aching and head pounding from everything that happened today. Typically, you don’t let a bad morning set the tone for your day, but things just kept going wrong. You got to work late, you spilled your coffee all over yourself, your boss was particularly critical of your work, and every time you tried to take a few seconds to breathe, you were pulled away. It was non-stop.

So, the second you got home, you dragged yourself to the library and collapsed on the couch. Though the library has always brought you comfort, you can’t relax. Your head spins as you recall every stupid mistake you made, every snappy comment your boss sent your way.

You curl into a ball and pull one of the little throw pillows to your chest, hugging it tightly. You want more than anything to call Loki and have him come down here to make you feel better, but you know he’s in a meeting. You respect what Loki does and know that interrupting won’t help in the long run. 

It feels like it takes hours, but you eventually fall into a fitful, restless sleep.

Loki

I’ve been sitting in this meeting for nearly four hours, and we have yet to make any progress. My flower got home an hour ago, and it kills me that I haven’t seen her. I try to always greet her when she gets home, at least see her for a moment before I get pulled away.

I glance at my computer and pull up the security feed. I already know she’s in the library; it’s where she always ends up after work, but when I see her tossing and turning on the couch, trying to sleep, my mood sours. 

“Leave,” I say, not looking up from the footage. Cade raises an eyebrow at me, as do the other men in the room, but I don’t care. I flash my eyes to Cade, and he doesn’t question me.

A moment later, the room is empty, and I can get to work.

Flower

You wake up covered in a thick blanket, and you snuggle deeper beneath it, not wanting to leave its warmth. As you burrow into the warmth, you feel fingers brush over your forehead, bringing you back to reality. A brush of lips follows, and you hum, content.

“How’re you feeling?” A faraway voice whispers.

“Better,” you reply groggily. As you regain consciousness, memories of your awful day resurface. You want to fall back asleep and forget again, but the voice has other plans. Hands slip beneath the blanket and hoist you into strong arms, blanket and all. 

“I have a surprise for you, my flower,” Loki whispers, holding you against his chest. You rest your head against his shoulder as you convince your eyes to open. Loki presses his lips to your forehead as he carries you to the west wing, taking each step carefully so as not to jostle you.

Even though Loki brings you great comfort, you can’t help but wallow in the frustrations of your day. Something about it just drags you down.

Loki walks into his office and sets you down on the couch that faces his desk. You pull the blankets tighter around you as Loki flits around the room, lighting candles and turning off lights. 

When he seems pleased with the room, he returns to your side. “Are you hungry?” He asks though you assume he probably already knows the answer. You normally have a snack after work, but today you’d skipped it, opting to sleep away your problems instead.

You nod slowly, and a gentle smile spreads across Loki’s face. “That’s what I figured.” You sit up, letting the blanket fall from your shoulders, and take Loki’s outstretched hand. He carefully helps you to sit down at a little table set up beside the entrance to the balcony.

The weather has been warming up, so the doors are open to let in the breeze. 

“What’s all this?” You ask, taking in the simple dinner set up. There’s a bouquet of red roses as a centerpiece, surrounded by a few tea-light candles. Your dinner is already served, and you sigh happily at the sight.

“You had a bad day,” Loki says, as if it were obvious, even though you hadn’t told him about any of it. “I wanted to help.” Warmth spreads through your body at the thought of Loki noticing without even interacting with you.

You smile down at your meal as Loki pours you a glass of wine. Music plays softly from the speaker system, and as you eat, you feel your worries melt away. How Loki always manages to take your mind off of things is beyond you, but you’re grateful nonetheless.

When you and Loki finish your meals, Mrs. Peters drops off a bowl of ice cream for you, and you practically smother her with your hug. She presses a motherly kiss to the top of your head before leaving you with your treat.

Loki watches you enjoy your dessert with a pleasant smile on his face. Life with him is easier than you ever imagined. Even on the hard days, even on the days when nothing makes sense, you have Loki. 

And that’s more than enough for you.

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