thecozykirin

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 7

Theory ( A callback to one of my earlier stories I wrote! ) @daily-writing-challenge It was on quiet days like this that U-Jinn allowed his mind to wander. He sat near a window, a single candle lit on its sill to grant some light to help his old eyes, as his vision had started to fade in both the light and dark. In old paws, he clutched the thick stack of letters his daughter had hidden within the book, idly thumbing through them from beginning to end and then repeating. The more he read, the easier it was for U-Jinn to imagine what her life had been like up to that point, and how he wished he could’ve been part of it. With a heavy sigh, he finally placed the stack of letters off to the side, rubbing his face as a flurry of questions still fluttered about his mind like moths to a flame. She had obviously been keeping him in mind throughout these years, so he couldn’t have been the reason why she left, right? Her letters said as much at least.

But in that case, why did she leave?

And why couldn’t she tell him?

U-Jinn shifted his gaze to the candle by the window, transfixed by its flame.

What could’ve possibly forced her away —

The flame flickered for a moment, as though disturbed by the next thought that crossed his mind.

Or who?

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 6

Crack

@daily-writing-challenge Soo-ha had been standing outside the cupboard for a while, not because she was in deep thought of something she wanted to get out of it, but because she knew Kimiko was hiding inside of it. That was something she had inherited from Soo-ha, the urge to hide when she had done something wrong or at least, something she perceived as wrong. Briefly, the Pandaren allowed herself to muse on her younger years of hiding within the cupboards of the archives when she knocked over a stack of books or spilled some ink, her father had started to make something of a game of it once she started to do it enough.

After a few minutes more, Soo-ha gently opened the door to reveal a sullen face cub no older than four, curled up with the cutlery. Pursing out her bottom lip, Soo-ha gently signed. ‘All okay?’ Kimiko shook her head.

Soo-ha chuffed, kneeling slowly. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

Kimiko warily peeked up at her mother, before her little cheeks filled with air as though weighing the offer within her head. Finally, she turned and picked up something that had been hidden by her body, offering it up to Soo-ha with her gaze averted.

It was one of her teacups, the handle cracked off.

Soo-ha eyed it over, eyes still gentle as she moved to place the pieces on the counter, signing. ‘Accident?’

Kimiko sniffled, nodding. “W-was playing….”

Soo-ha hummed gently, nodding. ‘Are you hurt?’

Kimiko shook her head. “N-no…..” she wiped her nose with the back of her arm. “M’sorry….”

Soo-ha opened her arms to the cub, and without hesitation Kimiko was quick to crawl in them, her claws gently kneading them into the fabric of her robe. ‘It’s okay.’ Soo-ha soothed. ‘Now you know to be more careful around the cutlery, mh?’

Kimiko nodded, before muttering out a little. “I wu-rind it….” Soo-ha chuffed, shaking her head. ‘Not at all.’ She gently placed Kimiko down into her lap, signing. ‘Whatever is broken, can always be put back together, my heart.’

Kimiko paused, big teary eyes finally meeting her mother’s. “W-weally?”

‘Really.’ Placing Kimiko on her feet, Soo-ha rose and held her paw down to her, flicking her head towards the door. ‘Now, lets see if your baba has any glue for it, mh?’

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 5

Captivate

@daily-writing-challenge For the past hour, Yasashi had been raging. 

Bless the hearts of those part of the Caravan who had tried to keep his temper calm, but the male was indignant. Who was the midwife to say that he couldn’t be in the room with his wife? Who was she to say she was more capable than he? He had delivered Kimiko in a cave during a blizzard, spirits-dammit.

Yasashi’s temper, when sparked, was like a fire in a pit filled with Yaungol pitch…and the sight of the bundle of fur nestled on Soo-ha’s chest, bedraggled and moist from the exertion of her entrance in the world, was the prayed for summer rain that would water the farmer’s field. His gaze had been so focused on her, that he had missed Soo-ha’s initial chuff to get his attention.

‘Would you like to hold her?’

Would he? Should he? The male’s jaw fell open briefly before it quickly shut and he nodded, shuffling forward with a sort of boyish shyness that greatly contrasted with his typically stoic appearance. The newborn fit in his arms perfectly, much like how Kimiko did when she was this small, except Kimiko had been smaller. Yasashi’s gaze quickly took in the sight of the cub, her ears pressed flat against her head and her eyes shut, deaf and blind to the world for at least two weeks. Yet despite that he could pick out bits and pieces of both he and Soo-ha within her. He felt his heart thud in his chest, and he feared it would awaken the cub but she didn’t so much as stir, rather she buried her face within his fur with a quiet coo.

Perhaps, something good truly came out of him after all.

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 4

( Dual-written story this time around! ) @daily-writing-challenge Tranquil ‘What are you hoping for?’ “Hm?”

Yasashi’s ear flicked as he became aware of the feeling of Soo-ha gently shifting on his chest. It was nice out tonight, balmy but with a breeze that chased away any uncomfortable humidity, and so to celebrate this weather they had opened the windows of the caravan to welcome in the view of firefly filled grass and the soft song of crickets.

Through the darkness, Yasashi could see Soo-ha’s lips twitch upwards briefly in amusement, rolling her eyes and gently bunting the top of her head against the underside of his jaw before she sat back and signed. ‘What are you hoping for?’

Yasashi blinked, head canting and for a brief moment his eye flicked down to the growing swell in her abdomen and he withheld the urge to smirk, barely managing it. “Well, I hope for no rain tonight. Kimiko set up that tent all by herself for her and Suzu, she’d be heartbroken if her campout was ruined.” he nodded slightly to the little tent that was set up just beneath their window. 

Soo-ha scoffed, and she playfully swatted his chest, the blow barely noticeable through his thick fur. ‘Not that!’ 

Yasashi chuckled, folding his arms behind his head as he laid back. “Then what?”

Soo-ha’s bottom lip pursed outwards and she signed, faster this time to convey her frustration. ‘Our cub!’ She gestured with her chin down to her belly.

“What about them?”

‘What are you hoping for?!’

“Ah….” Yasashi let the breath of recognition slip past his lips, and a playful hum followed as he tilted his chin up slightly in mock thought before his answer came. “I hope they’re healthy.”

Soo-ha huffed and she collapsed dramatically back onto his chest, feigning exhaustion from her efforts with a little whine.

Yasashi couldn’t help but chuckle, propping himself up against the side of the wall and wrapping his arms around his wife. “What?” 

‘That’s not what I meant…’ Soo-ha signed, her face still firmly buried within the fur on his chest.

Yasashi chuffed in amusement, gently slipping a digit beneath her chin so he could carefully angle her head back so their eyes would meet. “Then what did you mean?”

‘You know what I meant, I…..’ Soo-ha’s ears flattened and her cheeks puffed out briefly…before deflating with a slump of her shoulders. ‘I meant if you had any…preferences?’

Yasashi rumbled gently, he knew what she had meant from the start. “Well, it would be nice…if this one turned out to be equally as kind as their mother.” he watched as she held onto his every word, a gentle smile on his muzzle. He then sighed a bit in mock exhaustion. “I also wouldn’t mind if…this one didn’t take joy in darting off. Kimiko is already a whirlwind and I fear Suzu will start taking after her soon.”

Soo-ha blinked, her gaze sharpening slightly as she searched his gaze. ‘And…you do not have any other preferences?’

With a chuckle, Yasashi slipped a large paw up to her face to gently cradle her cheek, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “As I said, Littlebell. I just hope they’re healthy.” Soo-ha purred, any lingering tension of the troublesome thoughts she had been having leaving her as she nuzzled her face into the palm of his paw, settling back down onto his chest and tucking her head beneath his chin before she signed. ‘I hope they’re healthy too.’

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 3

( This one was written by Yasashi! Much love and hugs to him )

@daily-writing-challenge

Morose Silence hung thick and heavy inside the wagon, only broken up by the subtle shifting of fabric and clicking of its dense wooden wheels against the uneven terrain of the path. Breaking his stare with the canvas of the wagon, Yasashi allowed his gaze to survey those inside. Benjiro was fiddling with his arrows, seeming to be the only one out of all of them with high spirits though that bar wasn’t set particularly high. As he caught Yasashi’s gaze, he gave him a wary little smile before dropping his eyes back to the arrow in his paws.

Next, his gaze rested on Chieko. She hadn’t said a word since they picked her, and what remained of her platoon up. A thick layer of windwool bandages were wrapped around her head, slanted slightly to support a cold compress against her right eye. Occasionally, she’d slip in and out of consciousness, evident from how she’d grow lax within the warmth of the dream, and tense in the cold of the waking world.

Lastly, Yasashi found his gaze on Shao’lin as he lay up against the wall, calligraphy lined bandages binding him tightly to conceal the Sha-scarred flesh beneath. There was something about how peaceful Shao’lin looked in his sleep that gripped Yasashi’s heart, for he knew that when he woke up, that peace would slip away. Closing his eyes, Yasashi felt his shoulders slump as he leaned back against the canvas of the wagon. Perhaps, some sleep would do him good.

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 2

Deceit

( Light Trigger-Warning for themes of grooming  ) @daily-writing-challenge

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

Soo-ha did not have many friends back at the monastery. It wasn’t for lack of trying, rather, she never really seemed to click with the others within her age group, and whenever she found the courage to pry herself from her baba’s hip she was included with the same courtesy that one would extend to a younger and persistent sibling. A part of her did not mind, finding solace instead in her origami and helping her baba in his work, but a bigger part of her yearned for a connection that her paper animals could not provide.

“Did you make this?” Huili Silvershadow had served with her father before he had retired to tend the archives of the White Tiger Monastery, being several years his junior and still within service, he had been sent to the monastery after the war to recuperate, as her baba told her the war had been hard on him, but up until now she hardly saw him leave his room. In his claws, he held a little origami rabbit she had made earlier.

Soo-ha stared at the male owlishly, blinking as though he had spoken to her in a different language until she remembered her manners and she nodded, signing: ‘Yes, it’s a rabbit.’ Huili’s brow quirked and Soo-ha felt her face burn briefly with shame. Of course he could see it was a rabbit, anyone could see it was a rabbit why would she say something so stupi– “It’s very good.” Huili held Soo-ha within his studying gaze, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his muzzle. “Did U-Jinn teach you?” ‘Ah, he did yes!’ Soo-ha nodded quickly. ‘Baba is teaching me how to make them move next although, I’m not too good at it.’

“You’ll learn.” Huili nodded. “You know, he struggled with that part too a bit back when we were training.”

‘He did?’ Soo-ha blinked, leaning forward a bit.

Huili smirked. “He did, yes. You seem like a sharp girl though, I know you’ll get it.” as he moved to put the rabbit back down, Soo-ha chuffed to get his attention.

‘Ah, you can…keep that one if you want.’ Soo-ha offered the male a weak smile. 

Huili paused, holding the rabbit above the spot he had plucked it from before he drew it away and regarded Soo-ha with a bit of warmth in cold blue eyes. “Thank you.” he tucked it away within a pouch on his belt, before he asked. “If you’re not too busy, do you think you could help me find your father?”

Soo-ha’s ears perked and she smiled, rising from her chair with a chuff, and grasping Huili’s wrist gently to pull him along, not unlike how a sibling would grab the arm of an older brother. All the while she could feel his gaze on her, and his claws gradually return the embrace. 

“I appreciate this, I won’t try to keep you long.” Soo-ha looked back over her shoulder and smiled, signing. ‘It is no trouble, I’ve nothing but time on my paws when baba is busy.’ “Really now?” Huili’s gaze swept her briefly. “Why’s that?”

Soo-ha had pursed her bottom lip out slightly at the question, and she signed: ‘I…don’t really have any friends.’

“Hm, that’s a shame.” the male mused. “In that case then, perhaps we can be friends?” Soo-ha had paused at the offer, turning around fully and blinking. ‘Really? You’d like to be friends with me?’

Huili smiled. “Well, why not? You’re good company.”

Soo-ha let out a delighted squeak at the prospect. It just made so much sense to her at the time, surely a friend of her father would naturally make a great friend to her. ‘You really mean that?’ “Of course I do.”

Looking back, Soo-ha had been so sure that the lingering dark in his eyes had been from the war, that he had been a lonely and wounded spirit that could, perhaps, be mended with a bit of kindness, a bit of friendship. Now though, she wasn’t sure if there had ever been any genuine warmth in his eyes, or if he always held the gaze of a fox.

[thecozykirin]

Daily Writing Challenge November: Day 1

Haze / Sexy

( Warning for a lil bit of spice! <3 Focusing on a different Pandaren pairing to kick off this writing challenge ) @daily-writing-challenge

Momoka knew he was bad. One didn’t need the brain of a Gnome to figure that out.If his hair-trigger temper wasn’t a giveaway or how he leered and composed himself, it was the scars and pocks of what she learned to be bullet holes that dotted his pelt and the stories that came with them. Momoka was not perturbed though, in fact she saw them more akin to a treasure map than she did red flags, having spent hours gingerly tracing them with the tip of her claw while Taiyang waxed poetic about how he had gotten them while is unkempt claws gingerly parted through the fur that lined her spine on its way up to her shoulders, creating a little divot. Perhaps, if she traced them enough she’d be able to discover piece by piece the male they had cocooned.

Momoka saw bits of that male every now and then, when he had her wrapped in an intimate embrace, through the sweet haze of poppy smoke that flowed through their muzzles and intermingled in their lips when they met in bouts of unrestrained passion. Calloused paws that had gored and silenced never so much as grasped her with bruising force, and his mismatched fangs of enamel and copper which he had boasted chewed the ear off a rival at one point had only grazed her fur, never to leave a mark.

Following people like Taiyang was like stepping out of a warm house at night into the cold darkness, away from the protective light of the hearth and left to the mercy of what lurked within it. But for Momoka, he was a field of glowflies within all this uncertainty, rather than the gaping maw and grasping claws of a lurking predator. His bare fur against hers and burly arm the only thing providing her warmth against the creeping sea air on the rickety hunk of wood he called home.

Yes, Momoka knew that Taiyang was bad.

But for her? He was just right.

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 7 - Victory!

@daily-writing-challenge

Parry, Parry

Thrust!

Parry, Parry

Thrust!

Yasashi could see the tears of frustration beginning to well up in his daughter’s eyes as she missed opportunity after opportunity to land a blow on him during this ‘spar’.

“No one was a master at nine.” He had told her. “It’ll be a while until you land your first hit seamlessly, it was the same for me.”

Kimiko was stubborn though, more than him and definitely more than her mother, she insisted on ‘sparring’ until she at least landed a hit on him, because she wanted to help should the situation call for it.

Over his dead and cold corpse, would he allow her to intervene in any situation, but that was easier done than said in the case of his daughter, she would not take no for an answer citing she was old enough now that she had grown a whole two inches.

And so, he relented, and now here he was holding his shield while she aimlessly whaled against him, her frustration over her lack of improvement after two hours becoming more and more evident on her face. He could take no more. Yasashi’s wrist grew slack, surely an accidental movement which left his face exposed and –

WHAM

Yasashi fell back, blinking rapidly as that wooden sword hit him…far, far harder than he was expecting. Kimiko froze, her eyes wide and mouth gaped slightly in shock….until she smiled. “Victory!”

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 6 - Fulfilment

@daily-writing-challenge

What is fulfilment?

Countrypaws may see it as having the biggest ranch or farm in the Valley. Brewers, surpassing the name of Stormstout for a season. Jadepaws having their names cemented in silk and coin, and Anglers spending their days bringing in the biggest hauls. For the Shado-pan, it was serving your homeland until death without a hint of weakness, and for many families having a single cub survive the initiation process fulfilled their dreams of status, honor and glory.

For an Ironbrew, the coveted red scarf was everything.

Yasashi let out a faint snort at the thought, though the sound hardly stirred his wife from her reading. He sat with her beneath a shady tree, watching as their eldest was encouraging their youngest to find her paws, and each time she managed to do so despite the tumble that would follow, he smiled.

This?

This was his fulfilment.

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 5 - Mistake

@daily-writing-challenge

“Keep still, Kimiko.” Yasashi hissed lowly at the squirming cub, who whined in protest as he pressed the wet cloth against the slice in her paw. “You should be more careful in here, if I were less diligent with how I keep my tools this could’ve gotten infected.” Kimiko has recently developed a fascination with her father’s work area. The hanging tools and roaring fire of his forge an alluring song that could have quickly turned deadly, had she not fallen off the stool she climbed onto and alerted him.

“You’re old enough to know better.” Yasashi’s heart had jumped into his throat once he found her, sniffling and holding onto her bleeding paw. “What were you thinking?”

Kimiko’s chin tucked against her chest, ears pressed flat against her head as she responded in a low voice. “I’m sorry, baba. I like your forge. It’s warm and smells like you when you’re gone.”

I’m sorry, baba.

Yasashi paused, her words bouncing about his skull and stirring memories to the surface. There were many times he had been in his daughter’s position, and all times his father had reacted with clawed ears, a bamboo stick to the knuckles, and even a swift paw across the face on occasion. Yasashi breathed, blinking the memories away. “You…made a mistake.” A large paw reached out to his daughter’s face, sliding beneath her chin and angling her head upwards so their eyes would meet. “Mistakes are…good, they teach us.” His eye dropped back down to her bloody paw. “Now, you know not to come in here alone anymore, mh?”

Kimiko’s trembling bottom lip had lessened, and she sniffled. “R-right.” With a warm chuff, Yasashi brought his daughter into his arms, giving her a hug. “How about this, you can be in here whenever I’m working, and I can get around to giving you a few tasks to help me.” Kimiko perked up right away upon hearing that. “R-really?”

Yasashi nodded. “Really, I promise.” The delight in her eyes warmed his heart, and Yasashi resumed his work on tending to her little paw.

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 4 - Coincidence

( Light TW for uncomfortable implications )

@daily-writing-challenge

“Here you are, m’am!” Soo-ha let out a thankful chuff as she accepted the basket brimming with the food she had bought, hanging it in the crook of her elbow as she pushed the required coin across the counter and with a smile, she turned to face — Kimiko was gone. Soo-ha’’s smile immediately dropped off her muzzle, an exasperated sigh breaking it as her eyes wandered across the faces in the market. It’s too early for this. It had become more and more common for Kimiko to wander off, her young eye often caught by shiny wares that were quick to dismiss her parents’ simple command of ‘stay here.’ No matter, she knew she wouldn’t leave the market with anyone, and Gods have mercy on whoever tried to snatch a Pandaren cub whose first set of teeth had just begun to grow in.

Soo-ha also had one thing ever Pandaren mother was blessed with that came in handy when it came to tracking down their rambunctious young, her sense of smell. Drinking in the air deeply while tipping her muzzle slightly to the air, she picked up the scent of baked goods, fresh meats, spun yarn and…. Her smile quickly returned. Kimiko. Soo-ha weaved through the crowd, her pace leisurely, for so long as she had Kimiko’s scent in her nose, she could find her daughter. …And then another scent joined hers. This one gave Soo-ha immediate pause, her brain working out the finer details of it. Pressed leather, dagger oil. Powder, snow lilies —

Snow lilies

Her heart thudded once, twice, three times, and her leisurely pace fell away. She was running now, ears flat beneath her hood as she zeroed in on locating the cub as quickly as possible. Finally breaking through the sea of people, Soo-ha saw them.

“Mama!” Kimiko let out a delighted chirp.

“Ah, there she is. You ought to invest in a leash, cubs can be slippery if not –” The Pandaren male who had taken the wandering Kimiko beneath his guardianship looked up in surprise at Soo-ha’s sudden appearance, but she moved too quick so that their eyes did not meet. He looked far too old for him to be who she thought he was, but then again it had been almost ten years since – A coincidence. Her mind quickly severed that line of thought.

Just as it severed the thoughts of how his markings bore a striking resemblance to her daughter, and how his fur pattern resembled – A coincidence, nothing more. There’s no way he could be here. Why would he be here?

With a tight jaw, Soo-ha was quick to sweep Kimiko up into her arms, letting out a curt ‘chuff’ as a thank you to the fellow Pandaren as she was quick to take her leave.

“Ah, you’re…welcome?” He sounded perplexed by her coldness. Of course he’d be perplexed.

If it was him, after all…which it wasn’t.

“Celestials guide, sister. Keep a firm paw on that one.”

Soo-ha felt Kimiko wiggle a bit in her arms, but she paid no mind to her daughter’s confused chatter, the more distance she put between herself and him, the steadier her heart beat grew. Soo-ha let out a disgruntled rumble. How silly she was being. It was just a coincidence. Plenty of Pandaren carried oil for their weapons. And meticulously pressed their leather.

And had a love for Snow lily cologne. And most certainly, plenty of other Pandaren carried the same cadence to their voices and had the same markings.

She was just being silly. It was just an unfortunate coincidence. Right?

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 3 - Fatality

( This one was written by Yasashi! Short and sweet because work has been rough on him lately. ) ( TW for: War crimes and implied child death ) @daily-writing-challenge

When Yasashi saw the smoke, he knew. “Shao–” He reached for his brother-in-arms, but before the words could leave his lips, the other male ran forth in a panic with speed he had not previously seen in the Countrypaw. Shit. The charred bones of the village loomed around them, a few stray strands of shrine charms aimlessly blowing in the crisp Kun-Lai wind. Houses that were once bright and welcoming now stood as stygian husks of their former selves, ghosts like the charred ashes that flew from the crisped bodies of their inhabitants.

“LEYUE!?" 

Yasashi could hear his comrade screaming for his wife through the haze of his thoughts, and the murmuring of the others in their platoon. 

"BEIHE?! BEIYE?! COME OUT NOW, BABA IS HERE, IT'S SAFE!" Shao’lin’s voice cracked from the force of his screams. As his brother-in-arms wailed in desperation, Yasashi knew that it didn’t matter how much he cried and pleaded, there would be no answer.

Only silence. And the dread of what he would find.

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 2 - Tenderness

( Wanted to write a few pieces from earlier on in their relationship, I thought today's word was perfect for it! ) @daily-writing-challenge For hours, Soo-ha had occupied herself by watching the subtle rise and fall of her daughter’s chest. Occasionally, her ear would flick from the sound of the rain pouring outside the rickety shelter they had taken refuge in. Yasashi told her that the Alliance had built it during the war, and now like the memories associated with it, it festered within the depths of the Jade forest, reclaimed by vines and wood speckled with mold. Inns had been too risky, and though she didn’t particularly like this arrangement, Soo-ha couldn’t deny the wisdom in it. The Wukao were effective at getting their information, and even more at drawing up a trail they believed their goals to be taking. She could see Yasashi in the background, his image blurred and unfocused as he sat near the entrance of the shelter, eyes fixed outside from beneath the grates of his helmet. For once, his armor was off, no doubt to give him access to the deep wound in his side. A parting gift from a former comrade and friend. Soo-ha’s muzzle wrinkled slightly at the memory, her gaze darting to the hammer at his hip, and how even in the dim light of the glowflies, she could still see faint specks of crimson that clung to it. Averting her gaze, she returned it to his wound…and noted that blood had started to seep through the linen. With a light frown on her muzzle, she willed herself up as quietly as she could manage, turning to reach into the paltry sack of supplies they had amassed throughout their tense journey. Linen. Paste. The paste had been something her and her baba made one evening, a blend of honey and garlic, meant to soothe wounds and smother whatever disease tried to fester within them. Soo-ha approached the large Pandaren, letting out only a light chuff to let him know she was there as she knelt at his side, and reached for his linen.

And the behemoth flinched, as though a Mushan could be wounded by a mouse. His head snapped to her. “What?”

Soo-ha blinked, the answer should’ve been obvious but she signed back in response nonetheless: ‘You are bleeding.’

Yasashi’s head tipped down, and he paused. “It is a wound of no consequence. You should get your sleep, we will be moving at the first sight of dawn.” Soo-ha pursed her bottom lip out slightly. ‘All wounds are of consequence. Your blood will attract pests, your linen must be changed.’

“I’ve gone longer with worse.” Soo-ha’s brow furrowed slightly. ‘And how has that fared you?’

Yasashi paused for several heart beats, acquiescing with a deflated sigh. “If you wish to trouble yourself with it, fine.” ‘If I thought it troublesome, I would’ve stayed asleep.’ And with that, the small Pandaren began her work. Soo-ha’s paws were gentle, even as the stinging paste was applied, she hummed as she felt his body jolt slightly beneath her paws.

Yasashi had been tended by many healers throughout his service, and though their touch was always careful, it was swift and detached given the circumstances. Most touches in his life had been detached. But Soo-ha’s touch was careful and caring, replacing bandages that had just barely begun to bleed through the last layer.

Perhaps she was wise in seeing that they needed to be changed, after all they may not be able to stop again until they’re safely on the sea. Or perhaps, she recognized that a bit of closeness was what the male needed to provide a bit of comfort amidst the raging sea of emotion he kept locked within that helmet.

The more one looked at it, the more it looked like a prison.

The true reason would never be spoken, but the action would never be forgotten.

Not by him.

[thecozykirin]

DWC Day 1 - Melee

@daily-writing-challenge

The scent of blood tingled within Yasashi’s nostrils, like the tips of alluring fingers that spurred on his most base, primal instincts. The air of Gadgetzen was hot, and it stunk of sweat, spit, and cactus juice, typical for a cage match.

His eyes briefly lifted to the crowd, sweeping amidst the various faces before they met with the concerned golden hues of his wife. Kimiko was sitting on her lap, her own eyes a bright and vibrant shade that sparkled down at him with only the utmost of admiration, like the rising sun on a summer day.

For a moment, Yasashi spared a smile, and although it was reluctant Soo-ha gave one back, the worry heavy on her face.

Yasashi hadn’t a moment to reassure her, as his competitor was introduced. A green Orc with greasy hair stepped into the ring, and Yasashi felt his body tense.

It had been hard for him to separate the actions of the Horde from its people, but something told him that he need not to afford grace to this one as they started to circle each other like hounds.

He did not like this one’s eyes.

The Orc dealt the first blow, but Yasashi dealt the first blood, his claws clipping the underside of the Orc’s lip, causing dark blood to bubble to the surface.

It then bloomed above his brow.

And his cheek.

And his chest.

Where blood bloomed, bruises followed as Yasashi landed blow after blow relentlessly.

“Go, baba! Go!” 

His daughter’s chirp caught his ears, and Yasashi lifted his gaze to smile at his family.

He had missed the metal glinting in the Orc’s hand, but he did not miss the panic that sprung into Soo-ha’s eyes, nor the horror that twisted her expression as the metal pike was driven into his eye.

And then he saw red.

[thecozykirin]

By far one of my favorite pieces I've ever commissioned of Yasashi and Soo-ha! <3

Pandaren and her giant husband (´• ω •`) ♡ Sketch commission for Teacoon (FA)

[thecozykirin]

DWC - Day 7: Captivate

@daily-writing-challenge

Four claws.

Three toes.

Four claws.

Three toes.

The cub’s little chest rose and fell, face snuggled into the quilted blanket that lay atop the bed of the Inn.

Four claws

Three toes

And a little button nose.

Soo-ha couldn’t recall how long she had been lying there, watching the gentle rise and fall of the infant’s chest as she slept, and counting her digits. She had never seen a cub so small, the foundlings she had been around at the monastery no younger than a few months at the very least.

She was so small….

But you’ll be taller than me, won’t you? Soo-ha mused to herself within the privacy of her thoughts as she stroked the back of her daughter’s digits with her claw, causing the cub’s paw to instinctively flex out.

Four claws

Three toes

A little button nose

And eighteen pink squishy beans, smooth and unmarred from the toil of every day life.

Soo-ha’s eyes felt heavy and her body still ached, she knew that she should use this time to get rest, as Yasashi had said they would set off for the Jade Forest early in the morning, but she could not bring herself to take her eyes off her daughter for a second.

Her daughter.

The whole situation still felt surreal to her, but now that they were in a safe place at the moment, shielded from the chill and wind, it was starting to set in. 

This was her daughter.

And she loved every bit of her.

All four claws

All three toes

And her squishy beans and button nose.

[thecozykirin]

DWC - Day 6: Confidence

@daily-writing-challenge

( This one was written between myself and my husband! A nice little wholesome piece )

“Baba, do I have to go?”

Yasashi’s ears twitched and he looked down at where the cub stood, her little claws curling anxiously in the linen of his pant leg. Kimiko had half her face buried against him, with one eye peeking out to anxiously stare at the ‘story circle’ that was taking place around the fountain of the Cathedral Square.

A light frown crossed Yasashi’s muzzle. He wanted to tell her no. He wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to go, and he could take her back to camp, somewhere where she could always be within his sight…

But his mate would not allow it. Kimiko’s lack of playmates and exposure to other children her age had been a concern of Soo-ha’s that only grew in sync with their daughter as year after year rolled by.

As much as Yasashi loathed the thought of wrenching her from his leg and entrusting her to another, even if for an hour, he knew his mate was right. For all the years he suffered, at least he had his brothers.

“Kimiko.”

Her ears perked, but her face did not emerge.

Yasashi released a soft sigh. “Kimiko, look at me.”

A moment passed, and then she pulled her little face back, anxious eyes meeting his own.

Kneeling down, the behemoth of a Pandaren chuffed gently. “You love stories, this should be fun for you.”

Kimiko frowned slightly. “I have stories at home.”

Yasashi snorted. “Yes, yes you do…but you’ve never listened to them with other children, have you?”

Kimiko’s expression twitched, her eyes wearily returning to the group at the fountain and her paws quickly reached out for Yasashi. “What if…they don’t like me?”

Yasashi’s jaw shifted slightly at the thought. Children could be cruel, he knew this. Closing his eyes and willing the thought away, he reopened them and gently took her little paws within his own. “You’ll never know if you don’t try. Can you do that for me, Kimiko?”

Pursing her lips, there was a faint tremble in her lower one, but her eyes returned to her father and she nodded meekly. “Okay, baba.”

Yasashi chuffed, pleased as he drew her into a tight hug that she was more than happy to return. “Lift your chin, Kimiko. Carry yourself with pride.”

“Okay, baba.” Kimiko separated herself from him a moment later, joining the rest of the straggling children making their way to the fountain. She threw a glance over her shoulder at her father…and managed a weak smile.

Yasashi returned it, tilting his head back slightly, quietly willing her to do the same.

Right, hold your head…be confident!

Kimiko sucked in a breath, straightening her posture and practically prancing the rest of the way to get a spot, blending almost seamlessly in with the rest of the group.

Yasashi’s smile grew.

That’s my girl.