#I’m not afraid of mice I just don’t want one crawling around in my room they’re so germy | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

doubledgesword-2 · 3 years

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So someone stole my work, thought it was a good idea to impersonate me and claimed it was their own. So I’m posting it here so people know I’m the original author. Art is not mine. Part 1 Soulmate au! Please do not te upload somewhere else!!

WARNING NON-CON AND EXPLICIT SMUT

It was weird but not unheard of to have three soulmates. Lots of people reassured you it just meant more love for you. You, on the other hand, didn't felt it. Reading the names on both your wrists and the one on the top right corner of your back, just gave you chills. Not the good kind.

After doing some research on the names and better yet the last names of the three, you concluded that nothing good was going to come from this. You weren't a hunter, neither were you powerful. One could almost say you were average or normal when it came to brute strength.

So you did what any sane person would do. You disappeared. With some expert help and a lot of money involved, you erased yourself from the records, not leaving so much as a hair behind. It wasn't ideal, but you didn't want to spend the rest of your life running from a new enemy every week. Besides, if the three hadn't bothered to look for you, you figured you'd do them a favor, as angsty as it sounds.

Rural life wasn't bad. Leaving the big crowded cities and trading them for the quiet of the forest; it did you some good. You had a little cottage in the woods. Very far from anything and anyone. In the beginning, it was scary. What if something were to happened to you? Who would you run to? But as time went by, your experiences gave you the wisdom you needed.

So here you were gathering some water, inside a wooden bucket, from the nearby river. You pressed the bucket to your hip, leaning over to support the weight as your other hand had a bunch of pretty flowers. A nice touch for the kitchen today.

The forest was quiet today, peaceful with some little bird songs and the stream's running water. You walked amongst the trees happily, breathing in the cold air. Although the sun was beaming right on you, it didn't make you feel hot. The cold weather of the approaching winter contrasted the heat nicely inside your sweater.

Still, you kept walking blissfully, unaware of the stares focused on you. You did felt the paranoia hit you in the back, but this forest was vast, and in the time you'd lived here, no one has come across your little cottage.

Said cottage was in view as you walked. The sun setting meant you were on time to snug inside the house and turn on the chimney. Sure the smoke would be an indication that someone was there. But who would be looking for you? You had no family; cutting ties with your friends was easy since the relationships were shallow, and quitting the job felt like relief. You walked by your little garden, which was your pride and hobby, plus the only thing giving the house feel personality. The cottage wasn't like any standard wooden house. You asked it to be made and even pitched in with the workers to put some sweat into it. Afterward, all plans were equally erased like you. The house worked on solar panels, giving you the luxury of some electricity, which came in handy for the winter. A small chicken coop on the side gave you eggs and helped with the crops. It had the piping and whatnot, but overall everything was very eco friendly as you had insisted. You liked the place, and it seemed like a beautiful house to live the rest of your days without a worry. Sure it did get lonely during those sleepless nights. The ones were you thought too much about why your soulmates never cared to find you and reject you straight out. You didn't felt like dying by their hand. You weren't a fool; you knew their reputation, but something inside you gave you some light to hope. The light that you ended up squashing just because. The four of you were better off without each other. You really didn't want to be involved in their jobs and amusements.

You went inside, placing the bucket outside the front of the house and closing the heavy wooden door behind you locking it in the process. Inside the kitchen, you replaced the dying flowers with the new batch and quickly watched your hands to cook some dinner. You lighted the chimney in the living room, making the house feel warm and snuggly while putting some music on. You had taken off your shoes at the door and were parading around the house in fluffy socks, which made you slide into the kitchen as you danced like no one was watching.

As you stirred the pot and dropped more spices and ingredients into it, you heard a light tapping against the window at the kitchen side. Being in the forest had made you immune to the peculiar noises and the groans of the house when it was cold outside. You were pretty much anti-jump scare, but you were still new, so it was a work in progress.

You cleaned your hands on your apron and made your way to the window. You wanted isolation, but you weren’t completely crazy to be all alone in the woods. That’s why you made a friend.

“Well, hello there, big guy! How was your day today?” You opened the window, letting in the medium-sized fluffy black cat and closing it after he was inside.

You received a mewl as the cat rubbed himself against your legs and jumped on the turned dining chair. The kitchen and the dining room were fused, so you were sitting and reading while keeping an eye on dinner.

“Wow, taking my place? You’re rich, you know that?” The cat almost seems to shrug, giving you another mewl and licking his paws.

You smiled, shaking your head and focusing on dinner.

After everything was done, you washed the dishes and cleaned the surfaces. Just because you had a cat didn’t mean you wanted to give the mice a reason to come in. You rubbed the back of your neck, squeezing the spot as you walked towards your bathroom to wash up. The ball of black fluff eagerly following behind you to enter your room.

“You just want to get on my bed, don’t you? Here I was thinking you wanted to accompany me,” the cat meowed, jumping on the bed and kneading the folded blankets.

You chuckled, lighting the small fireplace inside the room. You turned to your vanity, picking your night clothes and turning to bathe. The warm water did help you relax more, maybe you shouldn’t carry the bucket with one arm. But the flowers you picked were worth it.

You came into the room towel in your hair and dressed in a robe. Only to stop abruptly, eyes widening at the fact that a man was sitting on your bed petting your cat like it was the most normal thing. He didn’t turn to look at you, and you quietly walked back, towel still in hand, but not far. You bumped into a hard chest, and if you hadn’t turned around to look, you would’ve thought it was the bedroom door. You gasped really scared at the fact that there were two men inside your bedroom, and you hadn’t even heard them come in. The man in front of you grinned joyfully and took a step towards you. Your eyes immediately went to the window in your room, and before you knew it, your feet had carried you there.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you” the cliche rolled off one of their tongues, making you annoyed and irked despite the adrenaline rush.

You turned glaring, and that’s when spotted the third man on the other of the room leaning against your vanity with a book in hand. This was bad. Really bad. It had been a short couple of years, but you could see the resemblance. They had found you.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, you’re quite hard to find” the man with the slicked-back hair closed the book looking at you with cold black eyes and the ghost of a smile. One, you didn’t return.

As he spoke the tall and pale, magenta hair one took two steps toward you placing his hand on his waist. You took a step back, eyeing him warily. You didn’t smile or showed any joy at the fact that your soulmates had actually found you. You didn’t felt the overflowing love people used to say you would for having more than one soul mark. Instead, all you felt was cold and afraid for your life, fear running icily in your veins. Despite having a nen ability, you knew little of it ,and you could feel the aura they were letting off. It didn’t reassure you. On the contrary, it made you feel like cornered prey.

“What do you want?” Your voice could be considered an authoritative whisper as it flowed shakily pass your lips.

There was a moment of silence, and then the one dressed as a clown laughed merrily at your question. You could see amusement slip through the cold expression from the man that had spoken before.

“Danchou, I thought she would be smart,” the clown asked, looking to the man to you.

Your eyes hardened, annoyed, but still, you said nothing. The only person who hasn’t spoken was the long black hair one petting your cat—that fluffy traitor.

“Well, maybe she doesn’t recognize us. That gives us the chance to introduce ourselves. My name’s Chrollo Lucilfer.”

“Hiso-“

“I know who you are, who all of you are,” you interrupted, looking at all three of them, making the clown arch a brow in interest. “That doesn’t answer what you’re doing here or what do you want” you were angry and scared, nervously looking into their eyes.

“My dear darling, well, that’s easily answered. We’re here to take you home, make you happy, and all the in-betweens,” the clown expressed, giving you a playful feeling. He was waiting for you to make a move so he could jump at you. They all were.

“Thank you, but I am home. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I would like to sleep, so if you could just leave?” You have them a sardonic smile hoping against hope they would accept the rejection and actually leave. It was a fool's wish.

“But soulmates are supposed to be together,” the man with long black hair finally spoke. His voice monotone and calm. It made your skin crawl. Oh, hell, no.

He finally turned to look at you, his big black eyes almost swirling and enchanting, a manipulator at its finest. You looked to the side, avoiding him.

“Then I could only assume that you three have found your soulmates. You’re together.”

“But it gets oh so lonely without you, little fruit” Hisoka was done playing from afar and slowly walked closer to you.

This made your bloodlust flare in a warning. They all got goosebumps just looking at it, feeling the sheer intention. It wasn’t as developed as theirs, but the fact that you weren’t afraid to push them away made their paints tight.

Hisoka let out a low groan, eyes half-lidded and looking at you with a perverted smile. You looked at your cat; you could get him later, and they were smart enough to survive. Then the towel in your hand and as Hisoka came to stand closer to you, you gripped the towel hard and threw it at him, covering his face for a brief moment that allowed you to pass him. They knew you weren’t a fighter, heck you had run from them in fear. It made you a smart coward in their eyes, but they weren’t expecting you to be so quick-witted and resourceful. They should have with you living in the middle of the forest and all. You slipped into the short hallway, feeling the breeze of something spearing near your face but missing you. It made you run even faster into the living room. What you weren’t expecting was the sudden failure of your body.

The minute you slipped into the hallway, Illumi had launched several needles your way. Even though some missed their mark, one hitting you square in the back was enough. You crumbled to the floor, clutching the small sofa and leaning on it as if you were crying. You might as well be—the intense pain coming from the center of your spine emitting pulse-like electricity. The stinging sensation made a couple of fears fall down. It left you breathless.

The trio calmly made their way into the living room, looking at your slumped form.

“Soulmates are meant to be together, with time you’ll understand. Staying with us is best for you.” Illumi was crouching near your form, grabbing your arms and pulling you to lean on him instead as he petted your hair for comfort. You tried to move away or do something to get out of his cold embrace, but each attempt was met with more pain. You whimpered.

“That was a rush. It makes me wonder...~” Hisoka groaned obscenely behind Illumi, talking to Chrollo.

“She does have spirit. That could prove to be a problem.”

“Oh~ but I don’t want to break her yet. Nice toys are so hard to come by these days.”

Your sniffles cut through their banter. Your form was trembling on Illumi’s lap as he kept petting your hair.

“Don’t move” Illumi’s hand slipped to your back, and you felt the sting of the needle being plucked. Your body relaxed, letting out a sigh and breathing greedily, but still shaking. The phantom pain made you involuntarily cling to Illumi’s arms for comfort, which made the assassin’s heart flutter. It was proof that you needed them, they just had to show you.

“We should show her how much she needs us” Illumi slightly turned to look at the other two, still holding you to his chest. His face expressionless as he spoke, but the excitement in his eyes can’t be denied.

Hisoka’s eyes gleamed, his tongue coming out to slowly lick his lips as he approached Illumi and crouched down close to the two of you.

“Hmmm, splendid idea, we have to show our little flower what she’s been missing all this time” Hisoka took a strand of your hair, twirling it and pulling slightly.

“Then it’s decided,” Chrollo’s voice felt like the judge giving the verdict to seal your fate away.

Hisoka didn’t wait for Illumi, he simply took you from his arms, bridal style and clutched you tightly to his chest. As if you were some long lost heirloom, he just found and couldn’t part with. You struggled a bit, jerking in his grasp, but the recent pain had left your muscles tender and sore.

Fighting was encouraged by them but had been diminished with their antics.

The way to your room felt like a death row walk, and you couldn’t help but keep wiggling pathetically in Hisoka’s strong arms. He looked down at you, his yellow half-lidded eyes were already a telltale of what’s to come. He bit his lips when you gave him your best wide doe eyes, and you swore he sped walk, feeling the vibration of a suppressed moan deep in his chest.

He brought you down on the bed, tenderly like a lover would on their first time. Your tired body succumbed to the comfort of the mattress and the warmth of the sheets. Hisoka lowered himself, pressing his body to yours and letting you feel his arousal hot in his trousers. Alarmed, you tried once more to move, but he brought his face close to your ear.

“Don’t worry, little one, we’ll be gentle….at least this time.” He bit your earlobe, kissing the spot to soothe the sting “Mmmm, but do forgive me if I just can’t help it~” he moaned slowly, grinding his hips into yours dragging the length up and down your thighs.

You whimpered and brought your hands up to his chest, pushing him as best as you could. He grinned and sat up, still hunched over you. Looking deep into your eyes, he took his shirt off, never cutting off the eye contact. Hisoka then took your hands, trying to push off his thighs and placed them on his chiseled chest, dragging them to touch him. He moaned obscenely, and you couldn’t help but blush at his well-built frame. Your hands felt the muscles contract and relax as your fingers, guided by him, gingerly touched every single spot. Hisoka bit his lower lip, looking down at you. You haven’t even noticed he had let go of your hands, and you were freely roaming, touching so softly his chest, his stomach...it made it all the more difficult to not take you right here.

He didn’t want to scare you; after all, this was the beginning of countless nights and days of pleasure to come. Your red nose, puffy eyes, and pouty lips made him hot. As your fingers grazed his nipple ever so softly, he bursted, throwing his head back and to moan loudly. You retracted your hand alarmed, and that’s when you noticed you had been almost lying down on top of Chrollo’s lap. The man’s fingers were tangled in your locks as he massages your head.

“Hisoka, you’re going to scare her away being so loud,” Illumi said from behind Hisoka. His face on leaning over his shoulder and his hands grabbing his hips. Hisoka’s hand came up to caress Illumi’s cheek, and he once more looked down at you through glazed and sensual eyes.

“Mmm, I just can’t help it. She’s so innocent...those eyes...It turns me on~” his hips jerked up quickly, grinding against you.

“Make her feel good first,” Illumi whispered in Hisoka’s ear, making eye contact with you, as he kissed the clown’s neck.

Hisoka crawled back, his hands softly running down your thighs. Chrollo unmade the knot holding your robe closed, and uncovered your body to them. You gasped, remembering you had just showered and had nothing but your dignity. The sight of your skin glowing under the dim moonlight coming from the window mixed with the reds and oranges from the crackling fire made their mouths water. Your squirming was pitiful at best, hands trying to grab the robe and close it, but Chrollo snatched your wrists pinning them down beside your head. He lowered his face closer to you and dive into your lips. His locks coming to the sides of his face and his soft lips molding against yours. For a moment, you forgot who these men were. Their sweet caresses here and there as Hisoka brought his face to nuzzle your stomach leaving kisses and marks wherever his lips touch. Chrollo took your alarmed gasp as an opportunity letting his tongue inside to explore. He groaned when you trying to escape him, lightly bumped into his arousal. He let your lips go, both of you breathing heavily.

He wanted more. "You are the greatest jewel I have ever stolen" he muttered his minty breath fanning over your abused lips.

Hisoka lowered all the way in between your legs, but you self-consciously closed them from him. He pouted like a kid who had seen his new toy but couldn't have it. Illumi pried them open, putting everything on display. Hisoka chuckled darkly, his hands rubbed your thighs and knees, and then they rested on the bed. Seeing your chance, you attempted to close them once more, but couldn’t. Looking up, you saw Hisoka smirking at you with a dark knowing look. He did it and now you could see the pink substance sticking your legs open to the bed.

“Bungee gum, love, has the capabilities of both gum and rubber.” His face came closer to your core, you could feel his excited breath, and it gave you goosebumps. He moaned bitting and kissing the inside of your thighs “I can’t wait to see your beautiful nen. The thought makes my pants so tight~” he licked his lips and dived into your entrance.

You moaned a bit overwhelmed at the sensation of his tongue, sucking and exploring inside without a care. The slurping sounds made you blush even harder. Still, you couldn’t deny the arousal building up, or the knot in your stomach tightening even more. At the same time, Chrollo and Illumi took it upon themselves to suck on your chest. Their teeth grazed your nipples, with the danger of biting down, and your back arched perfectly, allowing them more access to your perked nipples.

The pleasure was overriding all the red flags and alarms going off in your head, not too long ago. It was making you pliant, your heated body melting into their touches. You bucked your hips into Hisoka, and his hands came to rest on your hips, making you whine. He smiled, his tongue licking a slow and torturous strip up your slit ending on your clit. He latched on to your bud, eliciting a whine, brows furrowing at the electric feeling surging through your body.

Then something snapped inside you; you shut your eyes, letting out a loud moan, your body shaking as pleasure rolled all over your body. Faintly you heard Hisoka moaned equally loud, slurping all your liquids like he was starved. While still in your high, you didn’t notice Hisoka take off the rest of his clothes, his arousal standing proud. He crawled back on you, taking your knees and lodging himself between them.

Chrollo caressed your cheek, petting your hair. He lowered to give your forehead a tender kiss. “It’ll only hurt for a moment, (Y/N)”

Your eyes widened when you felt Hisoka’s length prodding at your entrance.

“W-wait,” you slurred, but he entered you gently, moaning at the warmth and slick coating him, beckoning him further into your depths.

You cried out as he went further inside until he was buried to the hilt. He keened in satisfaction, waiting a bit, and soaking up your walls’ sensation spasming around him.

“You’re so tight…so warm, mmm, it feels sooo good~” his hips started to slowly move.

Illumi, went behind Hisoka, kissing his neck and leaving marks all over. Meanwhile, Chrollo couldn’t have enough of your chest. Sucking and biting all he could, hands grabbing both your mounds and squeezing, decorating your skin in purples and reds. You mewled at all the sensations, eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

“Make her cum” Illumi whispered to Hisoka loud enough for you to hear. Hisoka grabbed your hips, speeding up, leaving you breathless, hips bucking, and meeting his thrusts.

“Mmmm, (Y/N)…I love that look in your eyes~” he moans thrusting even faster, your slick making it easier for him to slip in and out. Illumi went down where the two of you met and started to suck on your clit. You went crazy, the pleasure too much to contain it. “Arghh, she’s getting tighter…I can’t…” Hisoka moaned, burying himself deeper. One of his hands gripped your hip hard, surely to bruise, while the other held back Illumi’s hair as he sucked on you.

Suddenly the forming knot in your stomach tightened until hot white pleasure exploded through you. You squealed, liquids gushing around Hisoka, making his hips stutter, feeling your walls spams around him. He came, bursting inside you as your walls milked him for what his worth.

“Take it…Take it all~” Hisoka gasped, moaning breathlessly, his hips dragging out the orgasm.

Hisoka pulled out, making you mewl. The oversensitivity and tenderness were a bit too much. Through half-lidded eyes, you looked as Illumi took Hisoka’s spot, cleaning you up with his tongue. Chrollo stood and shed his coat on top of the vanity, his clothes joining the others on the floor. Illumi’s tongue swirled Hisoka’s cum and yours, lappin everything greedily, he then crawled on you kissing you roughly, making you taste the result of your joining. Your lips separated, leaving a strand of saliva connecting your mouths. With aggressive desperation he hugged you, pulling you flushed against his naked chest feeling how heated you'vemade him. Then you felt yourself being flipped over, Illumi under you.

Alarmed, you moved a bit, but Chrollo grabbed your hips, stilling you. He crawled over you, pulling your robe off of you and kissing your shoulder gently, his hands went softly down your spine giving you shivers. Illumi kissed and bit your neck, making you whimper as you felt his length prodding your entrance.

“It’ll be alright, just enjoy it,” He whispered, his monotone voice breathless as he guided himself into your slit. You mewled at the feeling, and he quietly gasped at your warmth.

Your eyes looked into his deathly ones, watching them swirl with different emotions. Yet, the main one being lust and adoration. His black hair fanning behind him gave him a mystical and beautiful look, he looked majestic, like some forest elf of sorts. You bit your lip holding back the moan. That’s when you felt a bite on your left butt cheek.

“Sorry, you look good enough to eat~” Hisoka drawled, and then you felt a finger prod your forbidden hole. You squealed, trying to writhe away, but it only made Illumi hiss in pleasure and grab your hips hard.

“Don’t tease me, (Y/N),” he groaned into your ear, biting down on your shoulder to muffle his moan, as your walls flustered around him.

“N-no, p-please. Not there,” you cried out, the feeling of his finger weird and alien to you.

“It’ll be alright, (Y/N)-Chan, we only want to make you feel good~.”

Hisoka was in front of you, lowering to your eye level, his yellow eyes lidded as he licked his lips and went in for a fevered kiss.

Illumi looking at the two of you kiss so wantonly, started moving his hips gently, biting his own lips at the display. Chrollo added another finger preparing you for him, the scissoring giving you chills. Yet, as Hisoka kissed you tasting himself in your tongue and lips, he distracted you from the prodding. He separated, panting heavily watching as some drool came down the corner of your lip.

He enjoyed your fucked out state.

Without warning, Chrollo entered the tip. It made your eyes widen to feel the burning sensation contrasting your skin with the coldness of fear. You gave a muffled screech, your walls closing on Illumi and making him unable to hold back the groan.

Chrollo slowly pushed inside until he was buried deep. He inhaled shakily, feeling you tighten around his intruding length. The feeling made him groan lowly.

Tears came rolling down your cheeks, you had never felt so full. In one night, the entirety of your virginity was lost.

Hisoka watched as the two men he liked the most, made sweet slow love to you, pulling adorable noises from your swollen and abused lips. He couldn’t help bit his own lip, looking at how they ruined you for the better. He loved the scene.

Chrollo dragged you away from Illumi. His face resting in the crook of your neck as Illumi’s hand grabbed your jiggling mounds, squeezing them and marveling at how they fit perfectly in his hands. You were made for them and only for them. Your body hasn’t known pleasure before, and you had clearly neglected yourself, you needed them as much as they craved you.

Hisoka came close to where you and Illumi met, his tongue coming out to lick his lips as his fingers came to rub on your hooded pearl, holding back the whine of pleasure. Everything was becoming too much. You convulsed a bit, the pleasure overwhelming you.

“She’s getting tighter,” Chrollo grunted, speeding his thrusts.

“Mmm, are you close, (Y/N)-Chan, hmm?” Hisoka got close to your face, his lips close to yours, teasing, “Are you going to cum on Illumi, like a good girl~? Milk them both for all they’re worth~?”

He kissed you, rubbing harder and faster, and you moaned into the kiss. He slipped his tongue in and sucked on yours, still tasting his arousal’s tanginess on you. That was the moment you became undone, your liquids squirting around Illumi. Both men thrust faster, almost competing with each other until Illumi came inside you, ropes of cum filling you up until he deemed it was enough.

Chrollo moaned lowly, biting your neck to muffle it as his cum shot into you, filling you on the other side.

Hisoka bit your lip and separated for air. Your eyes were almost closing, body shaking with the aftershocks of pleasure still rolling up and down your body. Chrollo pulled out, his cum dripping down the back of your thighs, making him lick his lips in satisfaction. Illumi pulled you abruptly towards him, making you land on his chest. Hisoka was surprised and annoyed that he couldn’t watch your tongue lolled out, and your lidded eyes look at him.

Illumi grab your face with both hands and brought you in for a passion-filled kiss. It was aggressive and possessive the way his lips pressed into yours until you both couldn’t breathe. He let you go, pulling out and laying you down on your side. Your body was tired, filled to the brim, marked, and pounded to their heart’s delight. Chrollo pulled a blanket over you as your eyes finally closed in exhaustion.

“Mmm, that was delightful. Our little fruit might not be as innocent as we thought~” Hisoka sat by you, caressing your cheek as you sleep.

“We should move her in the morning. She shouldn’t stay alone in the woods.” Illumi sat at the other side of the bed, calling out to the black fluff, making his way into the room.

“We shouldn’t forsake this place. It could be useful when we need a place to get away for some time” Chrollo put on his pants and dressed in his coat, leaving the shirt of out the equation as he leaned against the vanity.

“Mmm, vacations here with our darling pet should be divine~” Hisoka kissed you, making you snuggle cutely into your blanket. He warmly smiled at you. “Danchou, let’s keep her here. She doesn’t exist in the world, and our line of work is not the safest. She’s still hasn’t shown us her nen, but I’m afraid she’s not as developed as we are. She’s not ripe yet.”

“Hisoka is right. Bringing her with us will only endanger her. Illumi, can you persuade her to stay?”

Illumi sighed, going to his clothes and pulling out a single needle. He went to Hisoka’s side, his eyes looking down at you with warmth. He sat by your head, almost on Hisoka’s lap, the clown giving a suggestive buckle against Illumi’s back, making him annoyed.

Illumi caressed your face, pulling your locks away from your forehead.

“She won’t be able to leave the forest, without us or our consent. She’ll stay here as she has but will always expect us. The moment her mind thinks of leaving, she will have the most painful headache. The more she fights it, the worse it’ll get until she stops.”

Illumi then pulled you to face him. Your close eyes made you look so calm and sweet, and your puffy lips called out to him. He then pressed the tip of the nen infused needle to the middle of your forehead and pushed it in. You whimpered in your sleep, brows furrowing in pain and discomfort as the needle lodged inside your cranium. Then as quickly as the sting had come, it went away, leaving you blissfully unaware.

The three men then showered in your bathroom and slept all around you smothering with their heat until morning came. Arms clutching you possessively as if the minute they let go, you would fade away.

You woke up with a start. Heavily panting and looking around to see if you were alone. Maybe everything was a bad wet dream, and they hadn’t found you yet. Your first thought was to leave this place that you had constructed and built with sweat and tears. It pained you, but having them found you, was too much of a risk. So you turned, placing your feet on the floor and wincing at your lower region’s discomfort, in all the lower part of your body. You whimpered but made your way to the mirror on your vanity.

The sight almost made you scream.

Deep red and purple marks were littered all over your neck and chest. You brought your hand to cover your mouth as tears rolled down your cheeks. You looked down to see bite marks and bruises all over your stomach, hips, and thighs. You took your robe from the floor and put it on tightening the knot with shaky hands. You opened your bedroom door and quietly walked to the living room.

The embers of last night’s fire were still slightly lit; the windows were opened, letting in the fall breeze. But the place was empty, no well built handsome devils were in sight.

You sighed in relief. At least you were alone was once more, and they may never come back.

That’s when the front door opened, making you jump startled. You stayed in place watching as Hisoka came in carrying a hay woven basket with eggs, he took off his heels at the door placing them beside your shoes and looked up at your still form.

“Good morning, (Y/N)-Chan~” he brightly smiled at you, eyes closed in joy as he made his way to you. You didn’t move, baffled by what was going on. Hisoka placed a kiss on top of your head and went into the kitchen.

As soon as he left your space, Illumi came through the door, carrying your black cat in one arm and a bucket with water in his hand. He did the same as Hisoka putting his shoes beside his and the bucket near the kitchen. The black fluff jumped down his arms and trotted joyfully towards your legs, Illumi followed suit. He took your hand, kissing your forehead and bringing you into the kitchen. He pushed you gently to sit on the dining chair, and you winced a bit at the discomfort and slight pain.

Everything was tender.

“I’ll run you a warm bath,” his monotone voice and void swirling eyes gave you shivers, but his intentions were sweet. You nodded, still unsure of this picture, and he left you.

“I’ll make us some breakfast; you need to be strong if we want to have more fun~” Hisoka winked suggestively, and you hugged yourself unconsciously. “Now, now don’t be like that, darling.” he came closer with a spatula in hand, his big strong arms coming to cage you between the chair and him.

“I know you enjoyed it~” he gave you a peck on the lips and went back to cooking.

You looked at the door expecting Chrollo to join this weird play/reality show, but he didn’t come in. Curiosity got the better of you.

“Where’s...”

“Danchou? Hmm, he was busy and had to leave, but he left us to take care of you~”

“Is he...coming back?” You asked shyly, hating how you already missed the man or the fact that this domestic scene made you feel peaceful and right.

“Huh?” Hisoka looked at you, your shy demeanor let him know all you were thinking. He beamed with glee, you were already theirs. “He’ll be back tonight, maybe he’ll bring desserts~”

You hummed in response. Your eyes looked at the door, and a scheme came to mind. With Hisoka distracted and Illumi away, you could run. Run fast and not look back.

Your hands gripped the edge of the chair, and you almost took impulse to stand and go. Hisoka side-eyed you, his yellow eyes beaming with joy. You were such a fighter, he just wanted to ravish you now. The thought of you wanting to run made his pants tight.

“Do try it~” he said casually not even looking at you “I want to see how far you’ll get”

At that moment, Illumi came back, and you looked like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. He knew what you wanted to do, your intentions were clear in your eyes. It pained him a bit, but he knew you were acclimating still. He had to be patient.

You stood, and both men got ready. The tension could be cut with a knife. You looked at Illumi and went to him, seeming a bit defeated. He slightly let out a sigh in relief as he grabbed your hand and guided you into the hallway.

“Good girl,” Illumi said, pulling you inside the bathroom and closing the door behind him, snapping the lock to seal your fate.

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sideblogformindtrash · 3 years

Text

SUMMER OF WHUMP - DAY 4 - ABANDONED

Mind the huge cw. Is mostly just discussing it, but still.

CW: Insinuated no-con; past-abuse; relieving past trauma; abandonment; very low self esteem; humiliation; accidental triggering; bait dog; whipping; starvation; shoved in luggage bag; bitten by mice; gross food; claustrophobia; burns; no-con drugging; no-con touching; mentioned amputation; pet whump; multiple whumpers; human trafficking; muzzle; starvation; neglect; manhandling; cruel/intimate/neglectful whumpers;

“H-hello and welcome to BB’s and Pastel’s show!” ...Pastel turned the octopus plush around as BB turned the camera on. It went from a pink, smiley octopus, to it’s frowning gray insides. Pastel pulled the blankets over his head, leaving only his eyes out “...I’ll be your host, BB, and this is my assistant, Mr.Tonsils!”

BB lifts Mr.Tonsils in front of the camera, waiving his little furry paws so he can say hello to their audience. They pick up the camera, and take it to the bed with Pastel, capturing his pretty pink-ish eyes.

“C-come on Pastel! Say hi!”

Pastel shifts slightly under the blanket.

“I’m… Not a fan of cameras, BB'' his voice is just a whisper, as he twists the blanket. BB thinks he is kneeling “...I’ll just… be your audience today, okay?”

“O-oH! Sorry!” BB stepped away. That was right. Pastel didn’t have good memories about that. BB pointed it away, making sure only they and Mr.Tonsils were on frame. Pastel seemed to relax, even sitting back and lowering his blanket cocoon “...So, due to technical issues, Pastel won’t be joining us tonight. But that 's okay. BB and Mr.Tonsils are here to entertain you!”

BB smiled, making sure to show the missing little teeth. Just like Blue. Just like Blue… before, at least.

“...Well, for tonight’s show me and Mr.Tonsils prepared a top 15 review!” BB wasn’t sure if it really classified as such. But it sure sounded nice “BB will be going over all of our old homes!”

They noticed as Pastel frowned, suddenly changing their expression, way more alert. BB only felt more excited. If Pastel was paying attention, it clearly meant the topic of the video was interesting! Audiences would love it! Even… Even if this was never going to be aired. BB could picture the audiences!

...With a deep breath, they braced themselves and started. They had prepared for this. They could do it.

“...BB’s begun it’s life like us all, in b-between white walls and tiled floors of the training grounds. They were worthless and ugly and dumb, BB’s smile never charmed anyone! It took a long time in the store before BB got home. It was and old lady that said BB was so ugly that it hurt, and dumb as a door, but worked well enough to, to scrub her floor” BB smiled, remembering the cozy attic, where they made their first friends, among piles of boxes that compiled their first owner’s life. Long nights they spent alone there, digging through piles of pictures, trying to piece together what a human life was like. Nonsense, it was, because it just filled BB’s head with a lot of silly thoughts. They lifted Mr.Tonsils for the camera “...BB worked the day and spent the night locked away. In the house’s attic, BB made their first friends. They were Mr.Tonsils crowd, a family of mice, and BB befriended them all, even if they’d bite BB’s feet while it was trying to sleep! BB loved the house, their first owner, and e-every single mouse!”

BB hugged Mr.Tonsil, swinging him around. Pastel was biting his lip, pulling a thread out of the blanket. Good! He was enjoying the story! And BB felt like they were doing good, too. Better than they did at any of their homes.

“...First owner got tired of BB because the stupid Pet let her cat flee! All BB wanted to do was help and clean, but the cat saw their chance and ran away. First owner took BB to a store with a mean looking clerk. They agreed BB was ‘So ugly it fucking hurt’, hoping BB would only stay a few days and them someone would want them” BB rubbed their hand together. That didn’t count as an owner, did it? It was only temporary, in nature. Not that owners lasted very long “BB was at the store for almost a full month, during which they got to eat, sleep and there was no work. BB wanted to make friends with other pets in cages, but they never stayed for long, after all - good pets get good homes!”

...BB was still upset about the store. All of those Pets had looked so nice, so much better than they are… And they never tried to talk to BB. They were all scared they’d be beaten down if they tried, but never were. BB was the only worthless one, that got the punishments… for everyone!

“...BB was bought by creepy looking guy who stuffed BB inside a cage and on a plane and was flown away” BB gestured with their hand, copying the movements of a plane. They had to be on the chair, so it would look nice on video, but otherwise, they would have liked to run around with their arms opened “...Creepy man named BB Bait. They were a teaser for a larger, angrier Pet named Spike, who had on BB a nice punching bag who couldn’t put up a fight. They were nice to BB and even a friend, but scary and cruel when the Master decided they needed to beat them. So BB was Spike’s chew toy, but when they were nice… BB was always filled with joy!”

...They closed their eyes for a second. Those two lives were merged together. One of them had been so short, they could barely remember the second dog.

“...After Spike got tired, BB was sold again, to be another dog's punchbag. And he was the third friend BB had! He refused to hurt BB, would even cuddle them to sleep, and then I was severly punished… For making the Master's dog weak. It was the first time BB tasted a whip, and with dark bruises on its face, BB was sold again”

...They stood in that second store for a week. With no food, and no sleep. They were dirty, and cheap, not worthy of caring for.

“The next Master had BB as furniture for his house. All he did was snap his fingers and that was BB’s call. It would crawl and hold things very still and keep his glass fill, he would rest his feet over BB. If it got boring the cane was always on hand, he could crack in on BB’s back and get it all shades of purple and black. BB didn’t sleep there much at all, it had to stand still behind his bed, all night long holding a water jar upon a tray, in a perfect 90° degree, or there was always hell to pay” BB touched their arm, absentmindedly, a small scar on their elbow where bone had poke through “But BB was ugly furniture, bad and broke away, when Master tried to sit over its back one sad summer day. BB tumbled to the side, knocking Master to the floor. BB got a broken arm and was kicked out of the door!”

“...The next Master that took me in was cruel and harsh, with unusual punishments that left some scars: fingers pulled back until they snapped, weights to BB’s feet, heavy chains and painful strains and the worst - the oven’s flame” BB tilted their head. That Master, too, had scars. They didn’t know how she had gotten them, it was not it’s place to ask. They… They were happy to leave that one “...BB was then lost in a card game, and doesn’t remember much at all. Pills made BB sweet and kind and small. What BB doesn’t get is that they never needed pills - they would never disobey, even if put through awful, lingering pain, they’d love Master all the same.”

...Hazy. Foggy memories. Hands over them, and brushing their cheeks, and so much drool because they were never cohesive enough to form words or move. Blinking white lights, whispered little things that returned to them in dreams.

“...When BB was sober again, they found themselves in a shed, where they were always so alone. The Master was a mountain who only came at night to beat BB down. The days went by slowly, loneliness crushing down, it was dark and cold and hungry, and there were spiders all around“ BB stopped their speech for a moment. This next part was something… that still haunted them. They had done… awful, awful things. They covered Mr.Tonsils' ears. They were afraid of what he would think “...BB, on that shed, made things it would rather forget. Just like the Master forgot BB had to fed! BB might have eaten a few of Tonsil's friends, please don’t let him know, is just BB’s stomach hurt so much and it was the only thing that could stop the growl”

BB releases Mr.Tonsil’s ears, hearing a gasp from Pastel. They turn and smile, but his face is… Pale, horrified. BB shrugs. Pastel always worries faaaar too much. Next one… Made BB feel nostalgic.

“Next… Was the trucker! He liked BB a whole lot, and let BB on the bed and the passenger’s seat! He and BB traveled a lot, seeing magic and beautiful places. BB spoke on the radio, and… And… Had a name! Was called Oreos...” They messed up their rhymes. This… This wasn’t how it was supposed to go “...BB was… Was happy then. His spouse didn’t like me, and… And behind his back, gave me away”

BB’s nails sunk on their arms, as they hug themselves. They… missed those days. It was good, good nostalgia, but what followed made them sick. They had just learned how big and beautiful the world was…

“Next Master… Stuffed BB into a bag, small and stinky with heavy leather smell, with no room to move at all, so much BB’s limbs collapsed when it was finally left out. It travelled around so much, but BB never got to see outside. It was let out during the night to be with Master, and shoved back on the bag once he was satisfied” BB shook their head, as if that would send the memories away. They hated it, hated that bag so, so much. Terrible, suffocating and endlessly boring and aching. And worse… that’s when they lost their name Oreos. They had loved that life. They truly had. “It didn’t matter much, BB was soon thrown away again. Unlovable and worthless, no one could stand BB for much longer either way. BB was sold and sold, always on their way. Next Master was confusing – gave BB many orders and functions, then beat BB down for following the instructions! They likes to trick BB, make plenty of cruel jokes, BB was just a dumb dog, one they only named Mutt!”

...They smiled then. The next one was also nice. His name was Wolfgang, but he was not a wolf. Not that BB could remember.

“And BB’s following owner sold stuff door to door! Saw BB – or Mutt then – and thought they were good charms! BB helped with the sales, being all cute and sweet, and Master was happy at first, but eventually… Sold me!”

And the next Master was…

BB shivered. This one… Hurt a lot. A whole fucking lot. It had been one of the longest lasting homes they had. It had changed the way they saw and thought of themselves forever. It was where they became BB. Bootleg Blue. Fake, useless, worthless.

“…Next was Owner Alvin, who BB loved so, so, so much. He said he would always care for BB… if BB could be someone else. BB had never ever been loved, and the feeling was so gentle and sweet! BB finally understood why no one else had loved it, and what it needed to do so that it would. Blue, a pet who had videos and fame, who had scars BB didn’t have… But I wanted to gain! BB left their teeth rot, BB scarred their own face, Master got angry – Bad BB, bad…” No, no, no. They couldn’t start to lament now. Not when they had gone so far on the video, already, and trough some of the hardest part “Alvin gave BB a room with a plain white dresser, four pairs of clothes and double of socks! BB knew them all by heart and cherished them, BB loved Alvin, loved him, loved him so, so, so much.

But …Alvin wanted BB to be Blue, but wouldn’t tolerate it when BB got the knife and tried to make the change. BB watched the videos on repeat, hundreds, thousands of hours on end, BB could cite them by head!

But BB wasn’t Blue, and can never be. BB is unworthy, and no one could love me. BB was shoved in a car and Owner broke his promise – he decided not to keep me, he, he, h-he… He, he…”

BB closes their eyes, bites back a sob. They are almost done now, and even if they completely messed up the last part…. they can push through! They can still make a nice video… Maybe the audience will like that they can be a little emotive?

“...Shoved BB in a car, drove them to a dead end. Left them alone on the streets to fend for themselves. BB stayed there alone and scared and sad, hoping someone would come… Or that somehow, their pain would end. And then Paul and Reina appeared, finding the ugly pet on the streets. Reina said BB did look like Blue! So she wanted, she wanted BB too!” BB smiled a little. Reina was pretty. She gave me good headpats… But BB didn’t miss them a lot. Paul wasn’t so nice “Paul knew BB was worthless, but Reina still wanted BB. BB was taken to their house and for a short span of time, BB was pampered, happy and loved, an illusion that didn’t last. They figured BB was fun to hurt and start to get their way – not that BB cared, loved them all the same”

They turned around for a second, smiling at Pastel. This was something they’d truly love to talk about, for once.

“But the best part was that BB made a friend when living at their place. Pastel was his name! Pastel held BB and told me it would be okay. BB didn’t have to be Blue – they loved me either way. Pastel took punishment and tried to keep Master’s away. BB cuddled them to sleep and they loved each other! They did!”

BB smiled at this, hugging the plush. One drop of joy, as small as it had been. One that wasn’t stripped away. But the show hadn’t ended.

“…Alas we got back to IF. IF my desired owner, the true maker of Blue, the one who could make BB worthy of love… If he had wanted to. He shoved BB in a cage and tortured Pastel instead, and it was so, so awfully cruel!” BB shook their head, lamenting “But last and not least, Master Fairyman appeared! He took BB and Pastel to live with him! And he has been so nice so far, giving BB colored books! Lovely, nice and nice! And Pastel Is with me too, BB don’t know how long it will last, but BB is so, so to be here with you!”

BB finished, looking back at Pastel and drawing a heart in the air with their fingers. Pastel… is tearing up. He jumps from the bed, not minding the camera anymore, and hugs BB. BB melts, leaning onto the hug. Soft. Kind. Loved.

“BB…” He finally speaks, still not letting them go “Did… Did you rehearse this?”

“Many times in BB’s head!” BB smiled. Many, many, many times, all those years… “Did it come out nice?”

“Yeah…” Pastel rested his head on BB’s shoulder, hugging them tight “I love you, you know?”

BB smiled.

“I know”

tagging: @summer-of-whump@pinkraindropsfell

#summerofwhump #summerofwhump4 #BB: Baby Blue #Pastel baby <3 #Farlan B)#pet whump #whump

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null-whump · 3 years

Text

Whumptober 2021

Whumptober Day 1 – “You have to let go” | barbed wire | bound

I'm super excited for this!! I've been meaning to write more for Darion so that's what we're starting with :))

Warnings: Restraints, implied slavery, threats, too much exposition (we're starting off tame)

Word count: 1,225

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The first thing Darion became aware of was the manacles clamped around their wrists and ankles. They kept their breathing steady and their eyes shut as they tried to gain awareness of their situation. They were laying on their side, and their limbs were already beginning to ache from pressing against the stone floor they felt beneath them. Stone floor, chains – prison, maybe? But that couldn’t be. No city guard could have possibly gotten the jump on them.

What had happened, anyway? They couldn’t remember. That was concerning. The only thing they could conjure was a memory of slipping into the alley with the window into the room they had been renting for the month. No fight, no attack, not even a little bit of a struggle – just – nothing. For someone to have captured them so easily, there must have been magic involved, and fairly skilled magic at that. Darion prided themselves on being next to impossible to pin down. And yet, here they were, chained up in what was probably some sort of cell, with no idea how they got there.

No matter. They hadn’t met a prison yet that they couldn’t slip out of. Their ears strained to catch any sounds in the room that might indicate they weren’t alone. After several long seconds, they didn’t pick up anything other than the skittering feet of mice the walls. They opened their eyes.

A man was leaning against the wall directly across from them.

Their breath caught in their throat, and they narrowed their eyes. The man tilted his head and smiled.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were planning to stay like that forever.”

His voice was low and smooth, with the polished accent of all Svaerowian nobility, and a slight lilt to his words that was common in draconi. He was draconi, that much was obvious. He was tall, with pale grey skin that looked eerie in the dim lighting of the cell. Dark crimson scales were clustered on his cheekbones, the same color as his hair, which fell freely around his face, parted around the ivory horns that curved back from his skull. His eyes, pure, pupilless gold, roamed up and down Darion’s body. His clothing, all flowing robes and fine textures, indicated wealth and prestige.

Darion took all of this in in an instant. In one fluid motion, they rolled up onto their feet, ignoring the clanking of the chains that wound around their arms and legs. Standing, they were several inches shorter than their captor.

“Who are you?” They demanded. “Why am I here?”

“You’re here because you weren’t careful enough,” the man said, never moving from his leisurely position against the wall. “You got caught.” He smirked. “Don’t feel bad. The moment that you stepped into this city, I decided that I wanted you. You were mine from then on, even if I was kind enough to let you finish your job before making my move.”

Darion lashed their tail once then stilled, immediately berating themselves for the show of emotion. “If I killed someone you loved, then I’m afraid you aren’t going to get an apology.”

The man laughed. “I suppose that is a reasonable conclusion. Wrong, though.” His eyes once again traveled up and down Darion’s body, and there was a hungry look in them that made Darion’s skin crawl. “No,” he said, “I don’t want anything as petty as revenge. I want a new slave.”

Darion blinked, processed the words, blinked again. It was their turn to laugh. “If you think –”

“I do,” the man interrupted. “You see, Darion –“

They couldn’t hold back a flinch at the use of their true name.

“– I pride myself on the extraordinary quality of my slaves.” He leaned forward; the smirk ever-present on his face. “Every single one of them was once renowned for something. I have a cook who has killed basilisks, a dancer who can harness the power of the sun, a gardener who can best every soldier in the kingdom with her sword…so when you, the Onyx Blade, one of the most notorious assassins of the underworld, walked right into my city…well. I simply had to have you.”

My city. Darion had an awful pit in their stomach. There were five members of the nobility in Vajnair who were in constant competition for the ‘top’ spot among the upper class. One of those was the draconi Igneous Von Kleidal, who had quite the reputation for being relentless and stubborn – among other things. Cruelty, for instance. He was not a man to cross. But it seemed that Darion couldn’t have avoided this situation easily. All the same, they weren’t going to make this easy for him.

“I’d rather die than serve you,” they said, keeping their voice at an even, dangerous level. “You aren’t going to accomplish anything by trying to keep me here.”

“You think you’re the first person to think that?” Igneous asked. He pushed himself off the wall and stepped forward but stayed out of reach of the chains that bound Darion to the ground. “Every one of my slaves thought that they were unbreakable.” He tilted his head at Darion. “Every one of them was wrong, and so are you. It’s up to you how long it takes for you to realize that, and how much pain you’re willing to go through before you give up.”

Darion’s response caught in their throat. Something about Igneous’ eyes seemed to freeze their heart in their chest.

“You won’t be able to escape,” Igneous continued. “You can try, as many times as you want, but you’re mine now.”

“You can’t –” they stopped, feeling their voice begin to crack. Why the hell were they so afraid? “I’m not a slave!” They burst out, trying desperately to let their indignation cover their fear. “Legally, you can’t –”

“Legally,” Igneous said, “you are wanted by the crown on innumerable counts of murder and espionage. You think that anyone is going to protest to you being punished with a life of slavery?”

Darion felt panic crawling up their spine, their breathing was becoming shorter, the chains around their limbs felt colder, heavier, more impossibly binding. The complete loss of rationality was so unlike them that they were at a loss for how to deal with it.

Igneous seemed to be enjoying himself. “I’m sure it will take time for you to be broken in, but I have patience. And after that…I have plans for you.”

“What plans?” Darion asked, their voice hoarse from their dry throat.

Igneous stepped forward and reached out to seize Darion’s chin with his hand. The tips of his claws barely dug into Darion’s skin.

“I need a new personal attendant,” he said. His eyes bore into Darion’s, and they found themselves paralyzed in his gaze. “I think you’ll do nicely.”

He dropped Darion’s chin before they had a chance to formulate a response and turned toward the door.

“Think on your situation,” he said over his shoulder. “I’ll be back.”

The door shut with a clang, and Darion was left alone. They dropped to the floor, practically pulled by the weight of their chains, which were horribly impossible to ignore. Igneous’ words echoed in their head.

Mine.

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Tag list; let me know if you want to be added or removed!

@starnight-whump @chifechi

#whumptober2021 #no.1 #bound #OC #fic #chains #impisonment #whump #slavery mention #implied slavery #my ocs: darion #my ocs: igneous

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whumpster-fire · 3 years

Text

Athanasia Part 4: The Peddler

Mostly a character-building chapter this time.

Tansy’s refsheet

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

CONTENT WARNINGS: Animal Whump, monster whump, discussion of past animal cruelty, marginally competent caretaker, Idiot Customers trying to get discounts they don’t deserve

For the first time in many, many days, the creature does not awake to the cold and wind and rough bars of rusted iron beneath her. But she still awakes to pain and hunger and thirst.

The traveler who found her lying helpless beside the smashed open cage where the people of the village kept her has cleaned her wounds, and wrapped them tightly in fabric. But two of her legs are still broken. She cannot walk properly, or run or jump or climb, and even to crawl causes such horrible pain it is hard not to make a sound. She is still starving, but he has no food for her in the morning.

She still does not know if she trusts him. He saved her, he fed her, he helped her, he speaks kindly and did not hurt her when she bit him out of fear. But he hurt her when he cleaned her broken front leg. He pinned her to the ground and bound her limbs and jaws so she could not get away or bite or claw him, and cut and poked and scraped at the dying, rotting flesh. It feels a little better now than it did before, and he did not cut it off like he said he might have to, but the pain has still made her afraid to let him close to her again. She was ready for it to be cut off, and what he did to her was gentler than what the other people did many times before, but it is too similar.

Even though the night was cold even inside, and even though the window rattled and wind howled and thunder crashed all night, and some part of her she had forgotten for many, many years longed to be close to the warmth of another, she stayed huddled at the end of the bed all night, as far from him as she could get, and she hissed and growled when he woke her to check on her. She had to get up before the sun rose to avoid wetting the bed, and she knew she could not get down by herself without falling, but she still tried to ignore the discomfort and fall asleep again, and she only worked up the courage to wake him when it became painful.

Right now the empty, tearing feeling in her stomach is almost painful. She had almost forgotten the dull ache, but that little bit of food last night made her notice it again. It was all she could eat, but it was not enough, and the hunger has come back as strong as ever. She sniffs at his pack, and there are old smells of food, but when she looks inside there is nothing but tools and cloth and metal in various shapes.

“I’m sorry, girl. I don’t have anything else for you,” the man says with a sympathetic expression. The creature ignores him, and keeps checking the rest of the room. There are the scents of mice, but she knows she is not fast enough to catch one right now.

Footsteps approach the door. Even before the knock, the creature is alarmed. When the sharp sound rings through the room, she scrambles under the bed and hides there, trembling and fighting not to cry out from the pain moving that much has caused her. It is not the young man from before, it is a woman who brings water and a bowl of something hot and steaming. For a moment she thinks it might be food, and as soon as she leaves she comes out to check, but it only smells of grain and milk and a little bit of fruit. But at least there is water. She does not realize how desperately thirsty she is until she tastes it, but when she does she cannot stop lapping at the bowl until she is almost sick.

“Careful.” He reaches out, and she flinches, expecting to be struck, but he just slides the bowl away. “Don’t drink too much. I’ll get you some food soon, don’t want you spoiling your breakfast.”

But the creature does not feel like eating anymore. Hungry, starving, but her stomach feels like it will burst. She retreats next to the bed and huddles there, hunched over, her body aching and trembling. A chill rushes over her, piercing right through her fur. It has been a long time since it has been clean enough that she can stand to groom herself. She tries to fluff it up to hold in more warmth, but the room wavers and her head is spinning. Her hurt foreleg is throbbing with a terrible, stabbing pain, like many small knives being jabbed and twisted in bruised flesh. The wound is tightly wrapped in cloth, but even so, when she sniffs at it she barely keeps the water down.

The chills eventually pass, but she still feels weaker and shakier than she did before. She barely reacts when he picks her up and puts her in the bag he carries on his back. Even when he closes it and she is alone in the dark, in a small, cramped space with hard things moving around under the cloth and jostling her. Even with muffled voices around her. She just sprawls miserably on her side, hoping he will carry her away from the people soon, and hoping she will not be sick in here where there is nowhere to get away from the mess.

“Tinware! Get your tinwares here! I’ve got mugs, saucers, spoons, ladles, and other goods for coin or trade! If you want it but don’t have it, I sell it, if you have it but don’t want it I’ll buy it, if you have it and do want it I’ll mend it!”

Jonathan Markeley counted the meager couple of coins left in his purse one more time, just to be sure, and grimaced. The sooner he got out of this town, the better. Both for the creature he’d found starved and half-drowned in the rain and mud last night, and for his own sake. Whatever the reason they’d locked her in a tiny cage and hung her out on a post at the edge of town, he knew he’d be in danger if it was found out that he’d saved her and sheltered her, and perhaps even if it wasn’t. He had an uneasy feeling that if they’d done that to an animal the size of a cat that couldn’t be a real threat to them, a yellow-eyed stranger wouldn’t be too welcome either.

But he’d spent most of what he had on a room for the night, and more on food. He’d given the creature the meager amount of meat in the stew the innkeeper’s son had brought him that night, but the porridge served for breakfast had none. Fortunately he’d gotten four eggs for a farthing, and less than half of that was a meal for a creature her size, but if she needed meat twice or more a day that could get expensive. And if he was going to splint the broken bones and dress her wounds better than the poor job he’d managed last night he’d need proper supplies. It seemed like the poor creature was sick, too. He didn’t know how to tell if she had a fever, or how to help her if she did. They’d always broken for him, even when it seemed a miracle, but she was in bad enough shape as it was. He wanted to just get out of this place, but he still needed to earn a living. For both of them now.

Roger Snelling eyed the peddler who’d spread his wares about at the side of the road with some suspicion. Roger made it his business to know who came and went from the town, and he was fairly certain he hadn’t seen this man before. Not recently, nor in previous years. He’d never felt the itinerant traders and craftsmen who frequented the town could be trusted – there had to be a reason for a man to always move on to the next village before anyone could get to know him – and it seemed a strange coincidence that this fellow would appear in the village the very same night that the gibbet post on the northern edge of the village had blown down. ~~

“Morning!” A middle-aged man with shoulder-length, graying dirty blond hair hailed Jonathan. He briefly glanced up, but his eyes quickly returned to the pitcher he was hammering a dent out of, and he kept them hidden under his wide-brimmed hat.

“Morning,” he grunted in reply.

“What’s your name?”

“John.”

The man sidled closer. He leaned against a hitching post, but didn’t come close enough to make it seem like he was ready to make a purchase. “I’m Roger. Haven’t seen you before, John. You just got in last night?”

“Aye.”

“Must’ve had a time of it in that storm.”

“Oh, I did, believe me. If it weren’t for my feet sinking to my ankles in the mud I’d probably have been blown clear off the road.”

“Where from?”

“Kenningsford.”

“From the South, then? So you’d have seen the gibbet post?”

Jonathan’s brow tensed. This man didn’t seem like he was part of the law in the village, just a busybody with too much time on his hands, but those could be plenty dangerous. He already felt like he was being interrogated, and he had a feeling he knew where this line of questioning was leading.

“What about it? Was there a sign up there I was supposed to read?” It seemed like a plausible thing to believe.

“It blew down in the storm last night. There was a cage hanging from it. Do you know anything about that?”

Jonathan ran his fingers through his beard in an attempt to look thoughtful. “I saw the post down in the road, aye. I didn’t notice a cage, but I was more concerned with getting out of the rain – and thanking the Lord the thing didn’t fall on me!”

Roger pursed his lips. “It was about this big… we found it smashed open this morning, I guess you might not have seen it in the mud -”

John decided the best approach was to pretend he had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. “What, that small? You can’t fit a man in a cage that small, can you?”

“No, but -”

“What would you even put in there, a man’s head?” he interrupted again. “Why’d that need a cage around it? Or a baby, but – well, I’d assumed you folk were more civilized. This ain’t France, eh?” John had a moment of panic as he tried to remember if the latest war had been against the French. It seemed like a safe bet.

“It wasn’t a head, it was an animal inside there!” Roger snapped. He was looking a little agitated. “Or something that looks like one anyway, we don’t know if it’s some sort of demon or something, but it’s not natural whatever it is. It’s been in there for a couple of months, and this morning the cage was empty!”

A couple of months. John’s grip on his hammer tightened. They’d left her in there for months… he hadn’t gotten a good look at the cage, but it looked almost too small to turn around in. But he couldn’t let on that he knew… and if this Roger wanted information out of him, he was going to get information back. “An animal?” he repeated skeptically.

“Aye. Was it there when you passed by?” Roger took a slow step closer, his eyes narrowed.

“Don’t know. Didn’t see one or hear one. Must’ve run off by then.”

“Run off?” Roger’s face lit up like a dog that had scented its quarry. “What makes you say that?”

John pulled his hat lower and glared at the saucer he was polishing. “You said the cage was empty, where else would it go?”

“It could’ve flown off. I never said it wasn’t a bird.”

John ground the polishing cloth into the metal. He’d slipped. Just a small mistake though, one he could cover easily. “You never said it was either. Look, if you’re accusing me of some crime or I’m not welcome in this town, just say so, but stop actin’ like I’m some common criminal.” He looked up, for once meeting Roger’s eyes directly. The older man’s probing expression quickly turned to intimidated discomfort, and he looked away. Older looking, at least. John knew that in truth he was far younger. “What, do you think I stopped in the middle of that bloody storm to chop the thing down?”

“No, no – my apologies, I wasn’t accusing you of nothing!” Roger quickly regained his composure. “You’ve got… unusual eyes.”

“Hmm. No one’s ever informed me before,” John replied with subtly, dry sarcasm.

“Sorry. Couldn’t help noticing. I was just wondering if you’d seen any… tracks in the mud the rain might have washed away by morning, any other signs...”

“Can’t say I did. I’ll keep my eye out, though. What sort of creature was it?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s even really of this Earth. It was… near cat-sized, with black and white striped fur -”

“A badger?”

“No, smaller than a cat, not larger. It had this long bushy tail with black and white rings on it -”

“What, like a squirrel?”

“No, it was a beast of prey. Long, slender body, ears near as big as its head...”

“Ohh...” John let a look of recognition cross his face. “You mean a tabby cat? Aye, I’ve heard of those. Think I saw one on the church roof this morning.” He suppressed a grin at the consternation on Roger’s face. He was starting to enjoy this.

“Not a cat, no! A cat’s… closer, at least, but you’d know it from a cat if you saw it.” He scratched his thin goatee. “You know, old Tom Porter’s theory’s that a wildcat crossed paths with a vixen in heat and that thing was the result. I think it’s a bit more ferret-ish, but I’ve never seen anything else like it, and I don’t know anyone who has. It’s got eyes like a cat, though. Big yellow ones… a bit like yours, actually.”

“Are you suggesting it shapeshifts now?”

“Eh? No, don’t be ridiculous!” Roger laughed.

“So, why was it caged up out there? Going to show it off at the fair?”

“Oh, we have. A few times. But to tell you the truth, people’ve gotten tired of the thing. It stopped putting on as good a show after a while, so they just hung it up there to… make an example of it, I suppose. I don’t know if there’s more of ‘em out there to scare off, but even if it’s just punishin’ the damned thing, that’s fine by me.”

John raised an eyebrow. “Seems a bit… excessive.”

Roger leaned in close with an angry sneer. “Listen, the damn thing’s vermin, no different from a fox or stoat. Worse, even. Poor Farmer Brown lost a whole henhouse in one night, it just… ripped them all to pieces. Blood everywhere. I’ve seen foxes kill for sport, but not like that. It’s torn men’s hands to shreds – did this to me not long after we trapped it.” He rolled up his shirt sleeve, revealing a series of messy, badly healed scars.

“I wasn’t arguing against killing it,” John said. Good for her, he thought. He struggled to keep his voice level. “Just… why not just shoot it?”

“Oh, we tried, believe me. It just… came back.”

A thrill of exhilaration ran through John’s chest. He was right. She was like him, a creature of the same nature. “You’re sure it wasn’t just another creature of the same kind?”

“Aye, that’s what everyone thought at first, but wouldn’t it be a strange coincidence? No-one’d ever seen one before, but then three turn up, here, in just a few months? First I heard of it was Lord Hawkwood apparently caught a strange beast on a fox hunt. They said what was left of it after the dogs were through with it wasn’t worth bringing the pelt back, but it sounds like it was the right size and color and least. But not days later somethin’ starts raiding henhouses. Finally we’ve had enough, a few of us track it down, and Brown shot it. The thing was still moving after half its chest was blown open, thought it was going to limp away until he shot it again. So I thought, well, that’s the end of that, now all we’ve got to worry about’s if Charles – he’s the lord’s gamekeeper – will try to cheat Brown out of a bounty on account of no one ever seeing it before so there’s no price for whatever it is.” Roger was becoming more and more animated and excited as he talked. “Well that worked out fair, Charles strung it up, but a few days later the carcass just up and disappeared off the gibbet. And that was the very same night poor Jack Brown lost his chickens. Not any of the other farmers it was going after before, just the man that shot it.”

At this, John gave a forced, exaggerated laugh. “Ahh… Good one, you had me going for a while!”

“What do you mean? Do you think it’s funny? What’s funny about an honest man losing his livelihood?”

“Nothing, it’s just… come on, mate, I know you’re playing me for a fool. Do you tell that story to every stranger who comes this way? You’re saying it came back from the dead for revenge? Sounds more like something took the body and ate it, and either it or something else ate the chickens.”

“No, not for revenge, it just… comes back. Mrs. Brown saw the damn thing slinking away from the henhouse, eyes burning like torches. It took weeks before they caught the thing. I can’t recall if the pattern of stripes was the exact same as the one we shot before, but Charles slit its throat, shoved the body in a cage just to be sure it wouldn’t wander off again, and the very next day it was on its feet and angry. We’ve tried gutting it, cutting its head off… even burned the damn body to ashes once. I’m telling you, it ain’t one of God’s creatures, if you know what I mean. But even the Bishop didn’t know what it was or what to do with it. So, like I said, we started making a sport of it. Show it off at the fair, make a show of drowning it or setting dogs on it, something like that, then have the people come back the next day to see it… not usually good as new after just a day, but definitely not dead.”

John’s heart was breaking as the story went on. He stood up and hid his hands in his pockets to avoid making fists. God he wanted to knock that grin off Roger’s face. When he was a lad there’d been older boys who thought it was good sport to hold him down and beat him with sticks, because the bruises and even missing teeth would be gone in a few days. And he’d believed for the longest time that it was wrong for him to fight back, because even a broken nose might never be the same. These days it was more about caution, about not drawing attention to himself. But he’d always hated men who took pleasure from tormenting those they saw as below them. Their wives, their children, those of lower social standing, animals.

“It’d be more convincing if you actually had this animal,” he remarked through a strained veneer of casual indifference.

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but I swear it’s real. You can ask anyone in the village and they’ll tell you the same. Not sure I’ll sleep easy knowing that thing’s loose, though.” He suddenly swooped forward like a hawk, picking up a finely shaped pewter teapot. “Ooh, the wife’d love this! Could you… hmm, could you make a set of matching teacups and saucers to go with it?”

“Sorry, no custom orders. I have to be on my way before tonight. If she enjoys the pot I might have her in mind the next time I come this way,” John lied, having no intention of returning to the village any time soon. Maybe not ever, or at least not until every current resident was dead and buried. “Or I have several cups and saucers to choose from.”

“Well yes, but I was hoping for the flower-patterned engravings.” Roger sighed. “I suppose just the pot then. How much for it?”

“A shilling.”

Roger scowled. “A shilling? What kind of fool do you take me for? He turned it over in his hands, but seemed more preoccupied with making a show of inspecting it than actually doing so. “I’ll give you fourpence.”

“I didn’t take you for a thief, but that’s what you’ll be if I let you take it for that.” John extended a hand. “I’ll be having it back if you can’t pay a fair price.”

“Four’s fair, especially with this scratch on the handle. I might be willing to pay six if that were fixed… or the full shilling with two cups and saucers.”

“Four’s barely what the metal’d be worth as scrap. If you’re going to insult my work you can clear off.” This was ridiculous. The teapot was one of the heavier items he had to sell, and he was eager to be rid of the weight and bulk, but not if he couldn’t at least cover the night’s stay. “I brought the price down from sixteen because of your story, but I can get at least that much in Sheffield.”

“Ehh… I’ll give you eight.”

“I won’t sell it for any less than ten. Take it or leave it.”

“Hmm...” Roger’s eyes darted around. “Nine and that sugar bowl? It’s plain, but -”

“Ninepence and you take the pot and the bowl as they are.”

Roger hesitated for a while. “I’ll take ‘em. You’re a hard bargainer and a fine craftsman.”

“As are you, sir. But you’ve got a good eye. It’s a pleasure doing business with you – and give your wife my regards.”

But as soon as Roger was safely out of earshot, Jonathan growled under his breath. “You’re a ball-less cur, and your wife’s a bitch if she married you and hasn’t poisoned you yet.” He almost wanted to use tweezers to count out the coins so he wouldn’t touch anything Roger had touched. But at least he’d told him what he needed to know about the creature. And he hadn’t gotten as much as he’d hoped for the teapot, but it was enough. It would get them to the next town. And if he could make another sale or two, perhaps buy some medicine. It probably wasn’t a good sign that she’d been hidden right there in his pack all this time and not made a fuss.

Roger Snelling turned the teapot over in his hands as he walked away, whistling a jaunty tune. The peddler was a surly fellow, and suspicious, but he had to admit it was good workmanship.

Good workmanship, but Roger wasn’t so sure it was his. He’d gotten a look at the man’s hands as coin and goods were exchanged, and they weren’t smooth, exactly, but they were… odd. Rough and calloused like a working man’s should have been, but not a scar on them. Not from a burn or carelessly touching hot metal or a slip with a knife or other sharp tool. It was strange. All the smiths he knew had at least a few marks, no matter how careful or lucky they were. He was half inclined to believe the man had stolen them, but then a thief’s hands wouldn’t be so pristine either. Probably just a trader who bought and resold things, that must have been why he was so reluctant to change or mend things, because he couldn’t. But the little scratch wasn’t really noticeable. Roger had only pointed it out to try to get a better price.

#whump #my writing #Tansy (OC)#Jonathan Markley (OC)#animal whump tw #monster whumpee #broken bones #fever #past animal cruelty discussion #immortal whumpee

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secondgenerationnerd · 3 years

Note

Jason + Dahlia: "Jason. Did you kidnap a child?" "Not technically?" "THAT IS NOT THE CORRECT ANSWER."

ooooooooooooo ROSE WILSON TIME!

------------------------------

It’s been a while since Rose has been State side. Last time Cassie had just told her she was pregnant, with her ex boyfriends’ kid. No the apostrophe isn’t in the wrong place. Aside from checking in when she could, Rose hadn’t talked to them in a while. Tim didn’t seem surprised when she asked for Jason’s current address. Or maybe he was too sleep deprived to really think about his older brother and his teammate’s no strings sex life.

As she drops from the fire escape, Rose can’t help but wonder why Tim gave her this address for Jason. The former hitman had never need much when it came to a safe house. They’d waited out snowstorms in rotting buildings with mice droppings and cockroaches to keep them company. Peering through the window that’s supposedly his.

Rose frowns.

This can’t be the place. Just from her little perch, there’s too much...stuff for it to be Jason’s. A nice sofa and tv, a bookshelf stuffed with books and...toys? Not even the fun toys that blow anything up, unless the stuffed bunny’s hiding a grenade.

Jason’s gruff voice drifts through the window, “Oye, Dahli, cinco minutos de advertencia, ¿de acuerdo?”

“Otay, Papa.” A tiny form toddles across the living room, arms stretched out as she takes unsteady steps. If Jason didn’t come in the room, tucking a dish rag in his back pocket, to scoop the toddler up, Rose would swear she’s at the wrong place entirely. “Papa! Tengo cinco minutos!”

“Sí, pero me gusta mantenerte fuera de problemas, pequeña monstrua.” Jason teases, kissing her cheek. He turns to the window to see Rose. “Oh, fuck.”

“Papa?”

“Er...We have a friend tonight. One of my friends.” Jason keeps the toddler on his hip as he opens the window for Rose to crawl through. “Llama, this is my friend Rose. Rose, this is Dahlia. My daughter.”

“Daughter.” Rose repeats. She notices the little girl’s cloudy eyes, her small hand resting on Jason’s cheek.

“Hey, Llama, can you go in your room for a minute?”

“Otay.” Dahlia toddles off to a nearby room, making a strange clicking noise as she goes. Rose blinks at him as Jason turns around.

“Jason. Did you kidnap a child?”

“...........Not technically--”

“THAT’S NOT THE CORRECT ANSWER, JASON!” Rose snaps.

“I know, I know,” Jason looks behind him at Dahlia’s door. “Look, She was in a really shitty orphanage Roy and I were scouting. It was awful. I mean it, Rose. There wasn’t a digital file on her so I-I ended up taking her home? We’d talked and bonded and...and she’s my daughter now.”

Rose takes a minute to breathe. It’s not like Jason’s known for thinking through everything. Nodding at the door, Rose asks, “She’s blind?”

“Completely.”

“The clicking?”

“Echolocation. I-I don’t want her being dependent on a cane.”

Rose reads his face, “You love her?”

“More than anything. She...Rose, she’s not afraid of me. She knows I help kids in bad places, knows I’ve done bad things, but...when she has a nightmare, I’m the one she calls out for. When she doesn’t feel well, I’m the one she asks for. And....and seeing her little face in the morning reminds me....reminds me that there’s still something good in this world. Something worth living for.”

#Jason Todd #dahlia todd #rose wilson

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wreathedinscales · 3 years

Link

Din parenting Ben Solo has become one of my main vibes rn

()

"Ben?"

The voice doesn't stop the earthquake, but Ben can take a few more steps before collapsing on his knees.

"Ben." Urgent. Ben doesn't want to know what he looks like right now.

"Din," he murmurs. Everything feels so. He doesn't really know. But it hurts. "Din...I need...I need help."

Din's projection blurs as he presumably sets a course. "I'm on my way. Are you in a safe place? Where's Grogu?"

The thing that hurts gushes like an open wound. "Grogu?" he growls, "Always Grogu first, always. This was a mistake."

"Grogu is also my foundling. I can ask after both of you."

Ben raises his fist to smash the commlink. Din's shouting his name doesn't freeze him. But he does stop, arm shaking. Everything shaking. Everything hurting.

He lowers the commlink slowly, whispering, "Also?"

Din's holographic fists flex around the throttle.

"What does that mean?" No answer. Louder, harsher, Ben demands, "What does that mean?"

"You've told me time and again I'm not your father," Din replies with forced steadiness. "I'm not."

"You said it," Ben hisses. "Also. Both. Answer my question!"

"I care for you as one," Din blurts. "You know I do, Ben. That's why you keep telling me I'm not Solo."

No, he isn't Han Solo.

"It was a slip-up," Din says, "I'm about to jump. I'll be there as soon as I can. Stay safe."

He disappears, leaving the earthquake to shatter Ben's lungs.

()

Objectively, Ben knows Han Solo is not a bad father. The man has always been there on the rare occasions Ben calls. He jokes around with him, teaches him the inner workings of the Falcon. Awkward for emotional talks, but he never backs down from them even when he says You should probably ask your mother.

Ben doesn't know why they drifted apart, but he knows it's not really because of Solo. He just...doesn't feel the way a son should feel when he sees him. Not like when his mother sweeps into a room. For some reason, Ben feels little fraternal attachment.

His father has noticed of course. It's hard not to, especially when Han knows when he's not wanted. Force knows he keeps trying. Still, Ben can feels his relief in when Luke and Leia present the idea of Luke's school to his son.

Din Djarin is...different.

Some of the children still have parents. Grogu blasts his love for his "buir" in the Force whenever someone even hints at their own. It's nothing Ben hasn't heard before. Yet when the Mandalorian visits, that feeling Solo never inspired ignites in Ben's chest.

There's no logic in it. Yet Ben never says You're not my father when Din offers a portion of his food or gently corrects his stance. He always says You're not Solo.

Huddled behind a thick tree, Ben realizes the difference. Realizes he hadn't even thought to call his parents as he ran. The Dark calls to him, and it's so tempting, but he still waits for Din Djarin.

He tucks his head between his legs and grips his hair. His lightsaber feels heavy at his hip. It's starting to weep with him, kyber threatening to bleed.

He doesn't move. He will not move.

()

FEARFEARRELIEF

"Ah!"

Ben leaps away, crawling on his back. Grogu collides with his knee. His big eyes are wet. Ben can barely see him.

He wants to scream at the gremlin. If he's found him, he'll shout and—

"Ben!"

At first, Ben scrambles to his feet, about to run. But that's not his—not Master Skywalker.

Din slides across the dirt as Ben falls back down, switching off his helmet light so he doesn't blind him. His gloves grip Ben's shoulders.

"Are you alright?"

How long has Ben been hiding? Was Din far away? His rust-bucket of a ship might be overheating. Ben hears Solo's lecture. Distant. Not as real as Din cupping his face and shaking him.

"I don't know what to do," Ben croaks. "He's calling me. I want to answer. And you came."

"Who's calling you?" Din demands.

"Snoak. He's—he's going to be my new Master." Ben's fingers touch his saber. "It's bleeding."

Din pats him down. "What is?"

Ben presents his lightsaber and ignites it. Din recoils out of the way. His blade is not longer pure blue. Red seethes from the hilt, spreading like watercolors to the tip of the blade.

"...okay." Din carefully touches Ben's thumb, deactivating the saber. "What happened?"

He doesn't sound scared or disgusted. His hands don't shake when they return to Ben's shoulders. Not like Grogu, who is cowering in Din's cape and whimpering. Ben imagines choking him. He's never really done that before. It feels good. Powerful.

He gasps loudly as cold beskar slams into him.

"Stay with me, kid."

Din is hugging him. Does he know?

"I'm Falling," Ben rasps, "I'm Falling, and you can't stop it."

"Okay," Din repeats.

"They won't think so." Ben's eyes wander back to Grogu. It's a little hard now, with Din holding him so tightly. "I can feel your precious son's neck snapping in my hands."

Din finally tenses. Grogu muffles his sobs against his father's hip.

"Why do you want to kill him?" Din asks quietly.

"He's annoying me."

"That's not a good enough reason."

"Why not? I'm more powerful than him. I can do it."

Din pulls back. He pulls back and—honestly, Ben is bracing for the punch. Maybe a knife.

Din yanks off his helmet.

He's old. Maybe Skywalker's age, maybe a bit older. He has a mustache. He has brown eyes. There is tension in his face. Without the beskar, Ben can really sense him. He is scared. He is worried. He is protective.

"Look at me," he tells Ben. "Listen. You are not a killer. Don't," he orders over Ben's opening mouth, "say I don't know anything about you. You know that's not true." He cups Ben's face again. "You are terrified, and that makes you desperate. Desperate beings can be driven to anything. It doesn't matter if you wield your powers or not." He leans close. "Whatever so-called Master is talking to you has been waiting for this. He wants you to think you have no choice. But what did you do?"

Ben is breathing. Really breathing. "I called you."

Din nods. "And are you choking Grogu?"

"...no."

Another nod. "I won't stop you from making your choice. But don't let yourself be cornered."

Ben trembles. He is breathing and he is trembling. He is crying. He is Falling. He is being held.

"He tried to kill me," Ben sobs, "I don't know what to do. I can't go back. I can't."

Din's expression hardens. "Who tried to kill you?"

"Skywalker," Ben spits, "He was afraid of me! Afraid of what I can become without him!"

The Force thickens around Din. He is no longer afraid. He is angry—angrier than Ben.

The Mandalorian puts on his helmet and stands. He picks up Grogu and holds out his hand. Ben takes it.

"Stay behind me."

()

Ben shudders when he sees Skywalker. Din's hovering arm feels like a wall between them. By rights, it shouldn't feel safe.

"What did you do?!" Din roars. Violent vindication sweeps through Ben as Skywalker curls into himself. "You try to kill one of your own? Someone you swore to protect?"

Fearfearfear whimpers from Grogu. Fearfearmasterskywalkertherearetoomanyofthem—Ben stifles his vomit. No one's told him—no one ever talks about Va—

The other students emerge from their beds. They huddle like mice as Din unholsters his blaster.

"You have no right to call yourself a teacher," Din snarls, "No right to call yourself Jedi."

Oh, it feels good to see Skywalker like this. Broken. How does it feel?

"Put down your weapon," Din orders.

"Din—"

"Luke, don't. Put it down."

Skywalker puts it down.

"I'm calling Marshal Dune. The second she touches ground, I'm taking Ben. Until then, if you even look at him wrong, I will not hesitate."

The children gasp and whimper, looking between him and Skywalker.

"I don't know what happened," Skywalker mumbles, "Din, I would never—"

"Clearly you would."

Skywalker doesn't sit so much as collapse. He bows his head and says nothing more.

()

Ben curls in Din's bunk on the rust-bucket ship, Din standing nearby. It's not overheating after all.

"Let me guess," he says, "I'm not allowed to leave."

To his surprise, Din says, "You can. But I'll be following you."

"Because I'm a threat?"

"Because your own family just tried to kill you, and I don't want him near you, even disarmed." Ben feels his gaze. "I'm going to protect you, kid. Don't worry."

"I'm not," Ben snaps.

Din squeezes his leg. Ben squeezes his eyes shut.

"...I don't want to see them. My parents."

"You'll have to eventually. They'll be worried."

"Will they? I told you, I Fell. I'm everything they've sworn to destroy."

"If they really are your parents, they won't care how far you've gone."

"Are you saying you don't, with your little Jedi?"

"I care about you and your actions. Not some half-dead traditions that say a child should die."

"I am not a child."

"A teenager is still a child to me." Din sighs. "Ben. I'm not scared of you. I don't think you're a monster. I think you're the snarky kid who sneaks cookies to the young ones and keeps using your magic to lift me up while I'm trying to have a conversation."

Ben sits up. Din does nothing. No defensive stance, no reaching for his weapon. When Ben charges him, he merely opens his arms to catch him.

"You're safe," Din whispers, "Fallen or not."

Ben's saber is not screaming anymore.

#ecriture #let (clap) din (clap) djarin (clap) parent (clap) ben (clap) solo

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hiddendreamer67 · 4 years

Note

“What do you want me to say?” with my homie Quill Thornton

Quill is off on one of many trading expeditions, and he comes across the legend of the ‘brownie’- a little creature that lives in human homes. Immediately Quill grows curious about these secretive beings.

Or, part 1 of Quill accidentally makes a new best friend.

——————————————————————————————-

“There you are, Mr. Harrington.” Quill nodded to himself, unloading the last crate of furs. “40 of ‘em to my count, but by all means don’t take me at my word.”

“Oh, you’re too modest, Quill.” Harrington gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder. “I’m sure they’re all there, you haven’t done me dirty yet. And I must say, I appreciate ‘ya making the trek this far north.”

“Aw, it’s nothing, honest!” Quill assured him. “Just doing my job, sir.”

“And a hearty good job of it, too.” Mr. Harrington peered at the horizon, where the sun was steadily sinking, the sunbeams all but fading completely. “Seems the day has a way of slipping away from us. Tell you what, how about you stay the night? I’d rather you were well-rested for the journey ahead.”

“Oh, that’s very kind of you, sir.” Quill politely declined. “But I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense, son!” Harrington wasn’t about to take no for an answer. “No trouble at all, you can just wheel your cart into the spare barn at the back of the lot. We can set you up with a few blankets from the house, I can even send Alice out with ‘em, so long as you keep your hands to yourself.”

Quill gave an uncomfortable laugh. It was a common occurrence for common folk to try and set him up with their daughters, and while Quill was flattered on principle it was hardly proper to play with their emotions. Quill wasn’t ready to settle down and court a lady, not when the open road was still calling his name. He loved helping around the homestead and supporting his family, but whenever he thought about a homestead of his own Quill couldn’t picture it. Not now, at any rate.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” Quill shook his head. “I wouldn’t want you thinking I’m making advances on your daughter. But I will take the barn, if you’re certain.”

“I’m certain.” Harrington left no room for debate, guiding Quill around the house. He pointed to an older structure, just beyond the first field. “You see there? Should be unlocked, just slide the bolt.”

That seemed a bit careless, but Quill wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He nodded in thanks, guiding Velvet the Mare back towards the stable. Quill unlatched the entryway, peering in to see the moon peeking through the rafters. A few cattle gazed back at him with a bored expression from their pens.

“Evening, ladies.” Quill chucked, unlatching Velvet and guiding her into a spare stall at the end of the way. The cart fit neatly between the rows with room to spare, and Quill got situated with a few blankets of his own. He was well-prepped for travel, having left home with the intention of being gone a few weeks.

Quill paused, hearing a shuffling in the rafters. Huh. It seemed the Harringtons must have mice in their barn. A quick glance around revealed there was no farm cat present, but no matter. Quill didn’t mind mice so long as they weren’t causing a problem. Hopefully they’d stay out of his food stores.

Satisfied with his work, Quill crawled into his cart and fell asleep. The night passed with no remarkable incident, and indeed Quill woke up feeling surprisingly well-rested for someone who spent the night in a cart.

A knocking came at the barn door, and a moment later a young familiar face peered in. “Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Alice greeted, coming inside. A bucket was held in her hand. “Did the girls give you any trouble?”

“Hmm?” Quill glanced again at the cows, who all seemed to perk up at Alice’s appearance. “Oh, no. We had a lovely evening together.”

“With words like that you’ll make a woman jealous.” Alice teased, opening the gate to have access to the first cow. “Don’t mind me, it’s time for their daily milking. Else Bell here wouldn’t be so pleasant, would you, girl?” A slow blink was the only response. Alice chuckled, carefully getting settled in on a stool.

“Do you need a hand?” Quill offered. “I would certainly be willing, especially after your father was so kind as to open his home to me.”

“The barn’s hardly our home.” Alice gave him a smile. “And you needn’t worry yourself about helping lil’ ol’ me with my morning chores, I won’t be a moment.”

“All the same, it feels rude to leave you to your task alone.” Quill admitted. “Are you certain there’s nothing I can do to repay your family’s kindness?”

“Oh, you’re already a right joy and delight, Quill Thornton.” Alice assured him. “You keeping those trade lines open for us is more than enough, at least in father’s eyes. Go on, get Velvet all settled in, you’ll want to get a move on while the day is bright.”

“If you’re certain.” Quill finally relented, heading to Velvet’s stall with only a slight guilt in his heart. He opened the gate, surprised to see Velvet had been groomed. “Now wait a moment, did you sneak in here last night?”

“Hmm?” Alice frowned. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Quill, but-”

“No, no!” Quill hastily corrected. “It’s just- Velvet. Her mane’s been brushed.” The proud creature gave a happy whinny, clearly happy to be noticed.

“No, it wasn’t me.” Alice was thoughtful for a moment. “Maybe it was the spirits.”

At first, Quill thought she must be teasing him again, but peering over the stall walls Alice appeared to be serious. “Come again?”

“The brownies?” Alice offered, looking at him as though he were the mad one. “Our farm has at least one or two for certain. They must have taken a liking to you and your horse.”

Quill frowned, feeling as though he was missing some very important information. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with those. What exactly is a ‘brownie’?”

“What, you don’t have brownies down south?” Alice looked surprised. “Why, everyone around here would be lost without them! They’re little household creatures that will help you with chores and the like. Sometimes they’ll give gifts, too. You have to leave out food for them so they’ll stay, and you mustn’t offend them, but if they like you enough they’ll stay and bless the harvest.”

“And how big are these little brownies?” Quill asked, leading Velvet slowly out of the stall.

Alice hummed, contemplative. “About the size of a palm, I’d say. It’s hard to tell; not many people have seen a brownie. If you try and watch them at their work they’ll be offended.”

At this, Quill couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “See, now I know you’re pulling my leg.”

“Am not!” Alice looked offended at his statement, tossing down a rag she had been using to clean up Bell.

“My apologies, m’lady, it’s just- well, look.” Quill gestured to Velvet. “You’re telling me a lil’ thing like that was able to give Velvet a good brushing? Why half the time even I can’t get her to cooperate.”

“They’re magic.” Alice insisted, standing up to move on to Poblano. “And don’t you go spouting off and scaring ours away now, Quill. I’m certain you’ve got your own collection of unexplained events back home, brownies or no.”

Well, thinking back to the recent magical events occurring in the forest behind his house, Quill couldn’t exactly disagree.

“You’re right, Alice.” Quill relented, leading Velvet to the cart and beginning to hook it up. “I apologize for any offense I caused.”

Alice snorted, glancing at the rafters. “I’m not the one who will be looking for an apology.”

Quill paused, wondering for a moment if this was truly happening. It was. He turned to the rafters as well, trying to figure out what exactly to say. “I apologize for any offense!” Quill announced loudly. “I imagine you’re quite real, for if you’re not I imagine I’d look quite ridiculous right now.” He was silent for just a moment, feeling foolish for expecting a response. “…I think I’m going to take my leave now.”

Alice burst out laughing, her hands around her waist as she fought for breath. “Quill Thornton, you really have the darndest way of addressing the magic folk.”

Quill turned a bit red, turning to her with an exasperated expression. “It runs in the family, I suppose.”

“That’s- that’s not how you apologize to a brownie.” Alice said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“What do you want me to say?” Quill asked, wishing he could be mad at her but finding her mirth contagious.

“You don’t say anything.” Alice stood with a smile, wiping a tear from her eye. “You give a gift.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Quill tilted his head, only used to the dangerous tales of trickery associated with the fae back home.

“…what?” Alice looked at him as though he were alien. “What’s so dangerous about leaving out some milk?”

“I suppose you’ve never met a fae.” Quill glanced around. “I don’t suppose I could barter for any milk, in that case?”

Alice nodded. “You’ll want some honey as well. There should be some in the house, I imagine mother would be more than willing to make a trade, especially if she knows it’s for our brownies. She’s quite fond of them.”

Still not fully understanding what all the fuss was about but not wanting to offend one of his consistent trade partners, Quill found himself standing on Harrington’s doorstep ready to ask for some milk and honey. Before he could get a word out, however, Harrington ushered him in.

“Ah, Quill, I’ve got a spot of bad news for you.” Mr. Harrington’s expression was a bit grim. “Last night, a tree toppled over the southern path. The bridge is blocked.”

Quill internalized a groan. “You’re kidding.”

“I’m afraid not, son.” Harrington scratched at his beard. “Just got wind of it myself. The thing’s massive, a wonder it didn’t do more damage. The men are heading down to chop it to pieces, but it looks to be a few days before anyone’s going anywhere.”

A few days? Quill let out a frustrated sigh, knowing there was nothing to be done about it but hating to be tardy when his family was counting on him.

“Hey.” Mr. Harrington put a hand on his shoulder. “Quill, I owe you an apology. If I hadn’t insisted on you spending the evening here, you’d be well on your way.”

“There was no way of you knowing.” Quill easily forgave him. “I can’t fault you for your hospitality.”

“Then allow me to offer it for a few nights more.” Harrington decided. “The barn is yours until the path is clear.”

“Sir, that’s a generous offer.” Quill smiled in gratitude. “I’d be most grateful, but I must insist I do something for you in return.”

“Go help the others down by the bridge clearing the way.” Harrington instructed. ��I’m sure they’d want me to send an able-bodied man, and then I can still attend to my own duties. That’ll be help a’plenty.”

Quill decided this to be a fair enough trade, returning Velvet back to the barn. She gave a soft whinny, clearly not eager to be locked up all day, and Alice offered to watch her in the pastures while Quill got to work. Once that affair was settled, Quill headed down the path, a borrowed lumber axe in hand. He got to work under the instruction of a large burly man who might’ve been part tree himself for his imposing stature and aged complexion. It was hard work, and even after working diligently all day Quill tried not to feel disheartened when they had barely made a dent.

“How was it?” Alice asked, waiting outside the barn for him.

“It has to be done.” Quill gave a small shrug. “What’s that for?”

“This?” Alice glanced down at the bowl of milk and honey in her hands. “It’s for the brownie, remember? Did you really forget already?”

Oh. To be perfectly honest, yes he had. “Of course I didn’t.” Quill assured her, taking the bowl.

“Set it out where they’ll see it.” Alice instructed. “They like a hearth, but since it’s the barn, perhaps the workbench will do.”

“Naturally.” Quill, despite being exhausted, gave her a small smile. “Thank you, Alice.” Satisfied with the gratitude, Alice returned the smile and trekked back to the house.

Quill sighed, heading into the barn where Velvet was already placed in the stall. He set the milk and honey mixture on the workbench as Alice had mentioned. “This is for you.” Quill called out, once again feeling a bit silly as he got comfortable in the cart. He didn’t change out of his work clothes, feeling too tired to do so. That, and once the idea of being watched was planted in his head Quill just didn’t feel right changing. He chuckled, staring up at the rafters. “Guess you’re stuck with me for a while yet.” He paused. “I hope I’m not terrible company.”

Quill listened for a while, imagining he saw a small shadow running along the ceiling. He tried to track the figure’s movements, but in a blink the shadow disappeared entirely. He sighed.

“I also hope I’m not just seeing things.” Quill brushed his hair back. “Sorry, I’ve been told I talk people’s ears off when I’m tired, and today was quite exhausting.” Quill bit back a yawn, sparing a glance at the worktable. “I assume you’ll find the milk and honey to your liking, if that is what you drink. I’ve never tried it myself, but I imagine it’d be quite sweet…”

Quill blinked, rubbing at his eyes. At this point it was obvious he was just talking to himself, or rather any mythical guests were not keen to indulge him in conversation. He settled into his blankets and tried not to be so disappointed.

With how tired he felt, Quill was surprised when he didn’t immediately fall asleep. It seemed that his curiosity outranked his exhaustion. Without meaning to Quill found himself lying awake far into the night, waiting for … something.

And then, it happened.

It started with the same shuffling from the night before. A whoosh followed, as if a pulley failed and the bucket was plummeting rapidly. Quill braced for the sound of a crash, but all that came was a nearly inaudible thud.

Did he dare to peek? Had Alice warned against that? Perhaps there had been a clause about not spying, but Quill had come so far now, and it was hardly his barn in the first place. Surely the brownie would understand.

Thus decided, Quill opened his eyes, staying absolutely still as he adjusted to the darkness. It seemed he had neglected to close the barn door all the way as some moonlight came pouring in, illuminating the workbench. The milk and honey mixture sat in the center of the glow. And there, standing over the edge was a tiny humanoid figure, surely no taller than a few inches, dressed all in makeshift rags and furs. From here, Quill couldn’t make out any more details.

“…Oh.” Quill whispered, unable to stop himself in his awe.

The creature jumped, staring at him with wide terrified eyes. It dropped its hands, milk dribbling back into the dish.

“Oh, go on!” Quill assured, sitting up and startling it into taking several steps back. “Oh, ah, sorry. It’s for you.”

Despite Quill’s reassurance, it made no move towards the bowl, and its eyes were darting around now like a prey animal desperate for escape. Quill winced, not used to having the upper hand on a magical entity. He knew a thing or two about frightened animals, though.

“I know you’re not supposed to be seen.” Quill admitted. “But I don’t actually live here, so… I think you should be fine. Please don’t leave, Alice will surely have my hide. Unless there’s more of you here helping out. You are a brownie, aren’t you?”

Quill paused, realizing he didn’t actually know if the creature could understand his words. It certainly wasn’t eager to tell Quill anything, that much was clear as it folded further in on itself.

“Oh dear.” Quill sighed. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, lil’ fella. I was just curious. Alice was singing your praises all morning. And you did a right good job with Velvet, I don’t know how or if that was even you but she and I both appreciate that.” Quill jabbed his thumb back towards Velvet’s pen. “That’s Velvet, by the way. She’s my horse. Well, not my horse, she’s on loan on account of business. You know how it is.”

Based on the blank look on the brownie’s face, they did not, in fact, “know how it is”. That being said, when Quill mentioned Velvet it could have been his hopeful imagination but the brownie looked a little less like he was going to throw himself off the workbench at any moment.

Quill shifted, itching to get up and go investigate. “Alright, I’m gonna stand up now, okay?”

That got a reaction. The brownie hastily threw its head back and forth, very clearly shaking in a ‘NO’ gesture.

“No?” Quill blinked, surprised by the response. “So you can understand me, can’t you?”

The brownie didn’t respond, and Quill tried not to take it personally.

“My name’s Quill.” Quill introduced himself. “What’s your name? Er, I mean, what may I call you?” Still no response. “What, cat got your tongue?”

At the mention of ‘cat’, the brownie jumped about a foot into the air, and Quill hissed in sympathy. “Oof, sorry, poor choice of words. I’m not used to dealing with little folk. Well, littler folk, I suppose most people tend to be shorter than me…” Quill rubbed the back of his neck. “Boy, I sure am running my mouth a lot, aren’t I?”

Slowly, the brownie gave a tentative nod, and Quill chuckled at the sight. He couldn’t tell with the shadows cast by the brownie’s hood, but Quill imagined the brownie was smiling along with him.

Unfortunately, the magic of the moment couldn’t last forever. Quill hid a yawn behind his hand, once again reminded of his lack of sleep. The brownie began to shift from foot to foot, looking ready to dart off at a moment’s notice.

“I don’t want to keep you from your work.” Quill relented, realizing that he had to let the little fella go. “Will I see you again? I’m stuck here ‘til the road clears.”

The unrelenting stare of the brownie offered no insight. Instead, it made a small shooing gesture with its hand, and Quill realized it wasn’t going anywhere until Quill at least pretended to go back to sleep.

“I’ll take that as a ‘maybe’.” Quill answered himself, laying back in the cart and closing his eyes. Immediately he heard the telltale erratic shuffling of the borrower racing about, but this time he didn’t peek. “Goodnight, little brownie.”

———————————————–

Welcome to the world my mute brownie, currently unnamed! Aren’t they a gem? Real excited for them to get closer w/ Quill, though I ran outta steam with this go at it so I’m waiting for some more prompts for these two. (I’ll reblog another list in a min.)

Oh shoutout to @delimeful for helping me name the animals. XD So far I only showed the tame cow names but they’re all peppers.

And lil’ bit of worldbuilding for those interested because I find it interesting, this takes place pre-Cam (or at least Quill knowing about Cam) but post the forest becoming magical & dangerous. And also this northern town is near the giant lands, hence why the tree blocking the path is so incredibly massive and hard to deal with.

#g/t #gt #giant/tiny #brownies #brownie #borrowers #borrower #basically magic borrowers #but only a lil' magic #original characters #writing #writer #writblr #Quill #flower fae #mute borrower #...they do need a name #huh #OCs

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trashyswitch · 4 years

Text

An Unexpected Roommate

Chapter 8: Robbie's Brand New Friends

Henrik finally reveals the truth on Robbie's saliva. Then, this turns into a fearful, yet amusing fight to save the terrified Chase from the former mouse contestant, now called Stuart by Robbie.

Later, Robbie finally meets Jackie.

A loud bang could be heard before a bunch of fast footsteps. “VAKE UP VAKE UP VAKE UP!” Henrik yelled quickly, jumping onto the bed. “CHASE! VAKE UUUUP!” Henrik yelled again.

Chase growled and covered his face with his pillow while Robbie got up quickly and gave Henrik a big hug. “Good morning Dr. Nipple Shine!” Robbie greeted.

Henrik giggled at the nickname yet again (That nickname never gets old!) before picking up Robbie and hoisting him up onto his side. “I have some great news! But I vant to show you!” Henrik told Robbie. Then, Henrik poked a slightly bulging pocket on his lab coat, and watched as a little mouse popped out from inside the pocket!

Robbie gasped. “MOUSEY!” Robbie squealed. Henrik lifted the mouse out, and showed off the mouse’s belly as well. Robbie smiled excitedly! “This is the mouse I bit!” Robbie reacted.

“Ja! And he’s not infected! Do you know vhat zhat means?” Henrik asked.

Chase lifted the pillow off his face and sat up quickly. “He’s not contagious!” Chase declared.

Robbie gasped, He looked at Chase. Then, he looked at Henrik for eager clarification. “He’s right! You’re not contagious!” Henrik exclaimed.

Robbie quickly hugged Henrik and bounced excitedly. When the kid let go, Robbie clapped his hands rapidly before trying to get himself down from Henrik.

“Oh! You vant down? Okay.” Henrik muttered as he put Robbie down.

As soon as one single foot touched the ground, Robbie sprinted up to Chase’s side of the bed and jumped with glee. “I’m safe! I’m safe! I won’t risk making anyone else a zombie!” Robbie declared excitedly.

“I know!” Chase reacted, growing excited too. Chase lifted Robbie onto the bed again, and started playing with the kid. Robbie quickly caught onto the play fighting, and started pushing on him and climbing all over Chase. Chase giggled and began making roaring sounds while reaching for Robbie. “RAWR! COME HERE, YOU!” Chase teased.

Robbie wrapped his arms around the back of Chase’s neck, and started giggling evilly. “Nohoho! No way!” Robbie replied.

“Don’t make me get Henrik!” Chase warned.

Robbie gasped dramatically. “Nooo...Not Nipple Shine!” Robbie acted.

“But YES Nipple Shine!” Chase acted along with him.

Henrik smirked in amusement and rolled his eyes at the acting weirdos. “Are you two making fun of me?” Henrik asked.

“Hey, hey Robbie. Do his nipples look shiny to you?” Chase asked.

Robbie took a moment to just hum, rub his chin and stare intently at Henrik’s nipples. Henrik, growing really uncomfortable with the child’s intense staring, started to cover up his nipples with his arms. “Stop starin’ at my ti-...boobs-VAIT...” Henrik began struggling to find a good replacement for nipples.

Robbie bursted out laughing. “You’re not a girl! You don’t have boobies!” Robbie declared in between his laughs.

Henrik sighed at the child’s immaturity. But Henrik quickly opened his eyes when he heard yelping coming from Chase.

“Robbie, get that away from me! You know I hate those!” Chase warned.

“But it’s just a cute mouse! And it’s not a zombie mouse. Henry checked that this morning!” Robbie told him. It looked like Robbie was trying to get Chase to see his new mouse friend. But being the man he is, Chase was afraid of mice.

“What are you so afraid of? It’s small. It’s harmless!” Robbie told him.

“Yeah! That’s what they thought when the bubonic plague happened. And that became a freaking epidemic!” Chase muttered.

Henrik placed a hand onto Robbie’s shoulder. “Please leave Chase-”

“Hey! Come back!” Robbie yelled suddenly. Henrik looked at the mouse and watched in both horror and amusement as the mouse scurried up the top of Chase’s pant leg.

“AAAAAAIIII! GETITOFF GETITOFF GETITOFF!” Chase shrieked, kicking his leg. But somehow, SOME! HOW! The mouse managed to hold on and scurried up to his waist when he calmed down!

“Come here Stuart! Stuart, stop!” Robbie begged, crawling up to him to retrieve the skittering mouse.

Chase watched as the mouse stood up, and stared at him. Chase, paralysed with fear, stared at the mouse for only a few seconds. Suddenly, the mouse moved itself towards the shirt on all four legs, and quickly ran under the shirt.

“SHIT! GET OUT OF- AAAH! EEEP! HAHAHAHA!” Chase shouted, suddenly bursting into laughter. The mouse was sniffing around on top of his belly, his sides, his ribs, and his abs.

“Sorry Chase! I’m trying!” Robbie yelled. The child was reaching his hand under his shirt, and trying to reach around and grab the moving bulge under Chase’s shirt. But the mouse was too quick. To make things worse, Robbie’s moving hands were tickling Chase as he tried to reach and grab the mouse.

“ROBBIHIHIHIHIHIHIE! GEHEHET OHOHOHOUT OHOF THEHEHERE!” Chase laughed helplessly.

“I’m trying to get Stuart!” Robbie told him quickly. “Stuart! Come here, little guy!” Robbie called. The mouse didn’t listen at all. Instead it just climbed back and forth on Chase’s belly and abs. Finally after getting a little annoyed, Robbie dropped both his hands onto the bulged-up shirt. He managed to successfully capture the mouse this way, but the mouse was now skittering and squirming under his grip.

“EEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHA! OHOHOHO NOOOHOHOHOHOHO! NAHAHAHAT THEHEHEHEHERE!” Chase begged desperately. The mouse’s claws were lightly scratching against Chase’s lower stomach, which was a really bad spot on him.

“Here: I’ll grab it.” Henrik told Robbie, before quickly reaching his hands under the shirt.

“AAAAH! YOHOHOUR HAHAHANDS AHAHARE COHOHOHOLD!” Chase yelped.

Henrik looked up at Chase with a ‘seriously?’ expression. “Vell, maybe you need to chill a bit.” Henrik told him.

“OHOHO FUHUHUHUCK OHOHOHOHOFF!” Chase yelled at him.

Robbie’s eyes widened in surprise. Meanwhile, Henrik’s face frowned. “Be careful Chase. Zhere’s a child here.” Henrik warned before wrapping his hands around the mouse. “Okay. Got it. Robbie, let go. I have Stuart.” Henrik told him. Robbie nodded and lifted his hands up, and watched as Henrik grabbed hold of Stuart and pulled him out from under Chase’s shirt.

Chase let out a sigh of relief. It was finally gone. It took long enough. “Okay. If you vant to keep zhe mouse, make sure you don’t place zhe mouse close to Chase. He’s very scared of zhem.” Henrik warned.

Robbie took the mouse and allowed Stuart to run around on his arm, before grabbing him in his hands again. “I promise.” Robbie declared. “But can you hold him for me? I have to do something.” Robbie told him, handing Henrik the mouse quickly.

Robbie sprinted up to Chase, lifted up his shirt and climbed under Chase’s shirt.

“Whahahat ahare yohohou- HAHAHA! ROHOHOBBIHIHIHIE! GEHEHET OHOHOUT!” Chase shouted.

“Please hold still. I’m trying to make sure Stuart didn’t bite you.” Robbie told him.

“Ihihihi...IHIHIHI WAHAHAHAHASN’T! IHIHI SWEHEHEAR!” Chase begged him.

“But I think you were! And I just want to double-check.” Robbie calmly told him.

Suddenly, the door knob was opened and a man in a red bath robe with a hood on, walked right into Chase’s room with a green eye on his shoulder. “Chaaaaase. I’ve been waiting HOURS for you to make some food. Me and Sam are STARVING.” the man whined.

Henrik yelped in surprise and turned to see who it was. “Oh...Okay. Jackie: Guten Morgen.” Henrik told him.

“Wassup Doctor Mabuse!” Jackie greeted.

Henrik sighed. “I am not a criminal, or a gambler for zhat matter.” Henrik told him.

“But you’re german, and a doctor!” Jackie stated. “That means, it’s relevant.” He declared.

Robbie stopped tickling him and stuck his head out from the bottom of the shirt. “HI RANDOM STRANGER!” Robbie yelled.

Chase fluffed Robbie’s hair, before sending Jackie an annoyed expression. “There’s cereal in the cupboard.” Chase told him.

Jackie growled. “I need a meal! We both need a meal! A proper meal.” Jackie argued.

“Why can’t you make it?” Robbie asked.

Chase smirked and chuckled as he stared at Jackie. “Yeah, why can’t YOU make it, huh?” Chase asked, as a matter of factly.

“Because the last time I DID try to cook something, I ended up almost burning the house down.” Jackie told Robbie.

“Ooooh...That’s bad.” Robbie muttered.

“Robbie: This is Jackie. He’s...you wouldn’t believe it...ANOTHER person who lives in this house.” Chase told him.

Robbie widened his eyes. “Why do so many people live here?!” Robbie asked.

“Because it’s easier for multiple people to pay for one house, than it is for each of us to pay for a 1-person apartment each.” Chase explained.

“Ooooh.” Robbie reacted.

Jackie gasped and ran up to Robbie. “You adopted a child?!” Jackie exclaimed.

“Uuuuhhh...Technically? No. Do I want to? Yes. This is Robbie.” Chase explained.

“Welcome to the house, squirt.” Jackie greeted, shaking the kid’s hand. Jackie paused for a moment as his body processed something: “...And may I say that you have the coldest hands in existence?! Holy crap!” Jackie reacted, staring at the child’s hand.

“Really?” Robbie asked.

“You do...but that can’t really be helped.” Chase told him.

Jackie let go of Robbie’s hand with an empathetic frown. “Awww...do you struggle with maintaining body heat?” Jackie asked.

“Uh…”

“Yeah, he does.” Chase explained.

Jackie turned around, opened up Chase’s closet and grabbed a light turquoise-colored heated blanket out of the top of the closet.

“Here little guy...try this.” Jackie encouraged him as he placed the heated blanket on Robbie’s shoulders and back.

Robbie looked at the heated blanket in curiosity and wrapped the corners around his chest. “What is it?” Robbie asked.

Jackie plugged the heated blanket in and turned it onto medium. “It’s a heated blanket. Chase bought it to warm himself up. It’s supposed to instantly warm you up if you’re constantly cold.” Jackie explained.

Chase smiled. “I completely forgot I had this, actually! Thanks for the reminder!” Chase reacted. “This thing should keep anyone warm in a matter of minutes. It’s like a light, and warm hug.” Chase told Robbie as he fluffed his hair.

Robbie’s smile grew and grew the longer he sat there. “I can feel it. It’s getting warmer and warmer!” Robbie told Jackie. It didn’t take long for Robbie to succumb to the warmth. Very soon, Robbie sighed with a smile on his face and melted into the bed. He was laying down on his belly and was happily taking in all the warmth he was being given.

Jackie walked up to the laying kid and gently picked him up. “You okay like that?” Jackie asked, allowing Robbie’s head to rest against his shoulder. Robbie started to wake himself up a little more, and went wide-eyed when he realized he was being held by the new person.

Nervous from the new person, Robbie hugged himself with the blanket. “I want down.” Robbie told him.

Jackie looked at the kid. “I just got you up. Why would you want down right a-”

“I want DOWN!” Robbie said louder.

Without wasting a second, Jackie placed him down onto the floor. Robbie started walking on his own to the door. As he walked however, Jackie noticed that the kid’s legs were getting weaker and weaker. Suddenly, Robbie’s body flopped onto the ground in exhaustion.

Chase just laughed at the kid and slowly picked him up again. Robbie squirmed slightly and looked up. When he realized it was just Chase, Robbie calmed down and allowed himself to fall asleep.

Jackie’s smile slowly turned into a frown when he saw that. Was the kid afraid of him? Did the kid feel uncomfortable with him? Why didn’t the kid grow annoyed or uncomfortable with his presence?

Henrik walked up to Jackie, and rubbed his back. “Don’t get offended if zhe kid can’t be held by you yet. Robbie needs yust a leetle longer to get used to you.” Henrik explained.

Jackie sighed and looked down. Even through his hurt, Jackie pulled himself together and gave Henrik a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m not hurt. I’m alright. Fit as a fiddle.” Jackie said in a semi-convincing tone, before showing off his muscles to Henrik.

Henrik chuckled and squished his muscles. “For a fiddle, you’re very buff.” Henrik stated, giving Jackie a few pokes to the shoulder.

“I know! I work hard to get these kinds of muscles!” Jackie reacted, taking the compliment happily.

While Henrik and Jackie were playfully bickering, Chase had handed Robbie over to Jamie so he could have a comfy cuddle buddy while he made breakfast. Jamie, who had grown to be really good with Robbie, rocked in the rocking chair with Robbie in one hand, and reading an old book in his other hand. While Robbie was comfy there, Chase started off making eggs, bacon and waffles for everyone.

It surprisingly didn’t take long for the father figure to make the meal. Because before they knew it, the smell of bacon was filling the room. Robbie seemed to smell it almost immediately because soon, Robbie was raising himself up and sniffing the air. Jamie looked down at Robbie and giggled at the silly sight.

‘Hungry?’ Jamie signed.

“Mm hmm!” Robbie nodded his head. Robbie took off the heated blanket and walked up to Jackie, who was sitting on the island bar seat. He climbed himself onto the bar seat and placed the blanket onto Jackie’s shoulder.

“Thank you Robbie.” Jackie said with a smile. “Did you turn it off? It still feels warm.” Jackie asked, before reaching for the connected remote. It was still on the medium option. Jackie clicked the button a few times till it turned off, and gave the heated a good throw towards the couch. Somehow, the blanket seemed to hit the couch perfectly!

“So...do you like Spider-Man?” Robbie asked.

Jackie looked at Robbie. “Yes, I do. How did you know?” Jackie asked.

Robbie smiled. “You’re wearing Spider-Man pj’s.” Robbie explained.

“Yes, indeed I am.” Jackie replied.

“You have big muscles.” Robbie told him.

“Do you wanna feel them?” Jackie asked.

“How did you know I wanted to?” Robbie asked, reaching out to grab Jackie’s arm.

“I just guessed. Most people want to.” Jackie explained as he held his arm out. Robbie felt Jackie’s arm with wonder and curiosity. They felt like firm pillows. Eager to see if they felt like a pillow, Robbie laid his head onto Jackie’s muscles. Jackie was both surprised, and confused by the strange action.

Despite the strange action, Jackie seemed pretty proud of himself for getting this far with the kid already! He gave Chase an excited grin and pointed to Robbie. Chase lifted an eyebrow, and chuckled at the weird child.

“What are you doing?” Chase asked, bending down to look at Robbie from the side.

“He has arm pillows.” Robbie whispered with stars in his eyes.

Chase laughed at the child. “Oh really?” Chase reacted.

“Yes!” Robbie declared.

“Shouldn’t you be saying something to Jackie?” Chase hinted.

Robbie lifted his head up again. “Hmm?” Robbie hummed.

“About the blanket?” Chase hinted further.

“Oh! Thank you Jackie for the blanket!” Robbie said to him before pulling Jackie into a big hug.

Jackie’s smile widened in excitement as he wrapped his arms around the kid. With a few pats on the back, Robbie let go and proceeded to happily eat his breakfast while getting to know Jackie. It didn’t take Robbie much longer for him to get used to Jackie at all! That just made things better! Jackie didn’t really tell the kid about his powers yet, but he knew he may be able to soon. The truth is, Jackie has wanted to have a child around the house. And now, he has one!

...Well, it’s not really his child, per say. But it is a child nonetheless.

#an unexpected roommate #ler!robbie #lee!chase #henrik schneeplestein #jackieboy man

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mrs-hollandstan · 5 years

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can you write blurbs for all the boys (sam, tom, haz, harry) where they're single dads and he's tired after a long day and snap at their kid and he/she gets upset and runs off to their bedroom. he takes a breather for a minute because he feels awful before going to follow after them. when they walk in, their baby is on their bed crying under a blanket and snuggling with their teddy. then the kid asks "are you gonna leave me like mummy did?" and he feels worse and apologizes and cuddles w them

It's a long boi

[[MORE]]

Sam: Little Liam was SO upset when his daddy snapped at him. Sam had given him the world, but work kicked his ass on the daily and his patience was wearing thin. Ever since the three year old was dropped on his doorstep with a strong word from his mother and Sam took the curious, wandering eyed one year old into his home, he had been Sam's everything. But the nagging of why he was home so late after he'd already been frustrated about every little thing during and after work had him yelling at the little one, not meaning to. When he heard the quiet cries, he had no choice but to go and check on him. He felt terrible and the cries of Sam's most prized posession had his own heart breaking.

He taps at the door, but he opens it before hearing an answer, walking to the bed where Liam had curled himself up. Sam kneels by the bed, rubbing long locks of brown hair from Liam's face which is faced away from him. He purses his lips,

"I'm sorry L. I didn't mean to snap at you, I've just been on edge with work." Liam sniffles before he starts to turn to lay on his back,

"You don't love me anymore do you? You're gonna leave me like mumma did." He says softly. It breaks Sam's heart and he swears his heart stops as he stares into the soft green eyes of his little boy that he remembers rocking to sleep at the hospital just after his birth. And now here he is, thinking that he's unloved. Sam let's out an uneasy breath before he pulls Liam from the bed, cradling him against his chest as he lays on the small bed in the room. Liam clutches to him,

"No, no, L. I'm not going anywhere... you're not going anywhere. You know what I promised you the day you were born?" Liam shakes his head as he looks up at Sam who runs his fingers through Liam's hair. Sam swallows,

"I promised you, the day you were born that no matter what happened, no matter who tried to take you from me or whatever happened to our arrangement with your mumma that I would love you, protect you until the day I died. And I'm still doing that, trying to at least. I go to work, trying to provide for you and giving you all I can until I can get something better." Liam plays with his daddy's tie, nodding along. Sam leans in to kiss his forehead,

"But... I'm gonna start looking around for another job okay? No more yelling at you." He gives a soft smile before kissing Liam's cheek. His smile is more sad when he pulls back. He sighs,

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for yelling at you okay?" Liam nods after a moment,

"'S okay daddy." Liam replies softly. Sam nods, letting Liam climb over him, laying on his chest. Sam strokes up his back,

"I love you." Liam sighs as he snuggles into his father,

"Love you too daddy."

Harry: Caroline, Harry's now four tear old daughter meant more than anything to him. So much so that the day of her fourth birthday, he's attempting to make her her favorite meal that her mother perfected and he can't get it right. Once he's officially ruined it and Caroline us standing at his feet, pestering him, he just snaps, scaring his baby girl to no end who instantly rushes off with tears in her big brown eyes. He's devestated he's done something like this and he's afraid of chasing her down because she's probably afraid of him now. So he let's it go a little while before he can sort out her favorite takeout and then he heads to her room,

"Hey princess." He coos softly after opening her door. But she nuzzles down further into her stuffed bear that's bigger than her, whimpering as her father comes into view. He creeps closer, sitting at the foot of the bed to face her. He holds his hand out and she doesn't take it, tear streaks across her cheeks. He clicks his tongue, reaching out to run his thumb across them,

"I'm sorry little love. I didn't mean to do that. I just messed up your birthday dinner and I felt bad enough. It's been a long day my angel." She whimpers again and the noise breaks Harry's heart. She raises herself just the smallest bit,

"I'm sorry I was so annoying. Please don't leave me like mummy did." She says, Harry's eyes widening before she crawls forward to his own body, Harry standing and pulling her close,

"Oh angel... oh baby no, I'm sorry. It's not like that. No one's going anywhere." Holding her against his chest, her head against his shoulder, he finds the beanbag chair in the corner, sitting in it with her cradled to him,

"Never again love. You're not losing another parent, I promise." She nods, holding Harry tight as if she'd lose him. He kisses the top of her her head,

"Its alright love. Do you... do you forgive me for yelling at you? You know I never mean it." She looks up, letting Harry brush hair aside. She nods, her lashes fluttering like Harry thinks is adorable. Resting her chin on his sternum he smiles,

"Good. Now... I ordered your favorite takeout. Chow mein and sweet and sour pork. Then I got your some wontons and egg rolls." Her eyes light up at the mention of her favorite foods and she gasps at the wontons. Harry chuckles,

"Is that exciting? And you know what... just cause it's your birthday and I yelled at you, you can have my fortune cookie." Caroline squeals at Harry's offer, giggling along with him when he tickles her. Once they settle, ye sighs, pulling her hair off to one side,

"Happy birthday to you my best blessing." She smiles, relaxing against him again,

"Thank you daddy."

"You're welcome love."

Harrison: Amelia has seen zero outbursts from her daddy. And she never mentioned her mother because she favored Harrison because he was one of the most down to earth, loving, giving man a daughter could ask for. Sure the custody thing was hard on everyone, but he made sure that for Amelia it was as calm as possible.

The day he snapped at her it was new and scared Amelia. She wasn't upset he'd done it, she was scared that he did. So with her running off to her room and slamming it, much to Harrison's surprise, he was left to stew in his emotions until he'd calmed enough to approach her with no anger left over. So he makes her favorite little snack, heading to her exquisite room and setting the tray of goodies on the tiny tea party table. Pulling a chair out, he sits in it, keeping his distance, but he can see those same crystal blue eyes he has staring back at him from the three and a half year old's bed,

"Daddy's sorry for yelling at your Ms. Osterfield." He says softly. She blinks at him and he can see that her eyelashes are damp and dark in tears which hurts him more than anyone will know. She raises her head, dirty blinders hair falling in her face,

"Are you gonna leave me like mommy did?" The question has Harrison's breath hitching in his throat. He shakes his head as he stands again, walking to the bed and holding his arms out. Without hesitation, seeing that he's calm, Amelia stands on her bed and throws herself into his arms, letting him hold her against his torso, her head against his shoulder. He walks to the large window in her room, feeling tears burn his own eyes as the question plays over and over in his head. They stand in the light for a minute before he sighs, kisses her forehead and speaks up with the same soft voice,

"I will never, ever leave you. You're my whole life and I would do anything to make you happy. I snapped because it's been a long day. I had so much lube learning to do and I just... I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to and I want to focus more on learning lines so I can give you more, but I'm gonna get you some more distracting stuff to do so we can avoid this, yeah?" Amelia nods, reaching up to tuck her thumb in her mouth sleepily. Harrison smiles and reaches up to brush her bangs from her eyes,

"So... I made your favorite, strawberry mice and peanut butter snails. We can have a little tea party. You want to?" Amelia nods again, letting Haz set her down, but latching to his fingers that dangle at his sides, smiling across the table from him when he sits. He sighs and smiles the same bright smile,

"Would you luke to pour some tea for us Queen Osterfield." His smile widens when that little giggle he loves to hear echoes off the walls and she lifts her little teapot to pour fake tea into the small cups.

Tom: Micah, Tom's now four and a half year old little boy isn't used to his daddy working so much. Now that he is, with all the new movies he's signed onto to get them out of the apartment and into a house, he's pushy for attention. And Tom isn't thinking when he just looks up and screams at the little one in the kitchen doorway who gasps and instantly pouts, turning and running with tears in his eyes.

Tom, being the father he is, instantly feels terrible and chases after Micah who tries to close Tom out, a stubbornness he inherited from Tom. He watches Micah bolt to his little tent in the corner of the room, thinking he can escape his father, who's currently the hulk. Tom clicks his tongue at the sniffles from the tiny gray tent, crouching to his knees and crawling to the opening, not opening as he lays just outside, playing with the carpet,

"I'm here... I'm sorry little man." Tom says when there's silence. He looks around the room, laying flat on his stomach. Creeping the smallest bit forward, Tom peeks inside the tent finding Micah in the corner. The little brunette looks up, tear tracks across his cheeks,

"You don't love me... you're gonna leave me like mumma. For work. Where do I go?" Tom coos sadly, features softening,

"Oh Micahbear, no. No, I'm not goin anywhere. You stay here. I'll never choose work over you. Look at you. You're the cutest." He lays in the entrance of the tent for a moment more before speaking again,

"I wouldn't do what I do, I wouldn't have taken all these new roles if I didn't want the best for you, didn't want to raise you to be a successful man that does everything right like I couldn't be. I want you to be a strong little guy through and through and I'm trying to show you you can do that with hard work." Tom watches Micah's movements before holding a hand out,

"Come here." Micah shakes his head but Tom keeps pushing, a habit of that shared stubbornness. Creeping forward, Micah only let's yo when Tom tickets him, giggling and throwing his body forward enough for Tom to draw him out. He pulls him into his lap, crossing his own legs for Micah to sit on,

"I love you. You're my whole life and I would never hurt you on purpose. You know that." Leaning in with his arms wrapped around Micah, he kisses the little boy's cheek, leaving his cheek against Micah's after. He sighs,

"I didn't mean to yell at you. I promise I won't again, okay?" Micah nods after another minute, playing with his father's fingers. Tom smiles, ruffling the long brown hair,

"And I promise to take you on a plane when I finish the films I'm working on. I'll take you to all the press tours okay?" Micah is excited then, nodding more firmly,

"Okay daddy." Tom nods and stands, Micah dangling from his arms with a giggle. Tom smiles,

"Alright then... how bout you help me figure out how to remember these lines, yeah?" Micah nods once more. And just like his stubbornness inherited from Tom, he also inherited the quick forgiveness that Tom is seeing in the moment.

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shymeg · 4 years

Text

The Dare’s on All Hallows eve

23 and 58 please :) @dreamer757

23. “The house is not haunted.”

58. “Making out in a graveyard?”

The Dares on All Hallow EVE

Betty and Jughead's locker were nearby each other. Every year a dare was delivered to certain peoples lockers all 4 years it seemed that Jug and Betty got one. This year was no different.

Jughead's Dare was Go to the Old blossom Estate.

Betty's Dare, Go to Riverdale Cemetery and have a make-out session until Midnight, you must be there at eleven.

Betty didn't want to do her Dare. She felt it was disrespectful to the dead. Betty also felt saddened, knowing that she almost had to bury Jughead in one after his stupid savior moment. That her dad was in one. So was Fred Andrews. She and Jug missed Fred. He was indeed a father to both of them. Especially when everything was spiraling out of control. She had to put Archie in a coffin. So, she felt this was some cruel joke. To test her. Yet, she wasn't going to lose. It said, Make-out, and the best Make-out partner had to do his own Dare. Maybe, if she did it with him, he'd be more willing to go into the Cemetery. She figured he may have his demons when it came to her Dare. Yet, he'd never disappoint her.

"Jug," her voice was soft, almost so soft you almost couldn't hear it. He turned around to face her, scratching his head at what his Dare had said, "What's up, Betts?" She loved it when he called her Betts. Her eyes gleamed. "Do you want to do our Dare's together? The rules don't state we can't?"

He smiled the biggest grin, "sure, yours or mine first?"

She knew they'd have to do his since they were Halloween dares, so she said, "What is your's Juggie?"

she saw a tint of red, and his eyes got more prominent at the name, "Go to the old Blossom Estate."

oh great, that place was a burden to both her and Jug whoever gave out the Halloween Dares were genuinely trying to torment them.

"Alright, well, let's do yours first. I mean, we all know that isn't haunted."

Jug smiled and said, "Alright, well, let's get some flashlights, a backpack for food, and well warmer clothes."

Betty nodded and smiled as they went to their houses to get supplies. They agreed to meet at Pops at 6. She was secretly thrilled. She loved her boyfriend, and she knew he loved her. Yet, it was something so thrilling about these Dares. Why the Blossom Estate? Why the Graveyard? She knew it had nothing to do with Cheryl because Cheryl was two years older and had gone to college. The Estate was abandoned because Cheryl wanted nothing to do with her family name. Her Nana was living in Thistle house a little bit away from the Estate. Thistle house was like a manor, whereas the Blossom Estate was a Mansion. Cheryl's mother had died in the horrid fire, but yet the mansion still sits. The flames may have set ablaze, but the house never went under.

She smiled to herself, thinking maybe this is just another one to investigate for the Junior detective agency. Betty often wondered who chose the Dare's and why certain people got them and how come others didn't? Betty wondered how they would know if they even did the Dare? Were they lurking? Did people set it up like a spook house? In all her 4 years she never figured that out. This year she was almost tempted too. Yet, if she did that, would it ruin the fun and the thrill of doing the Dares?

She heard the bell ding, and she saw a slender figure with a beanie. Dressed in all black but luckily he was wearing his dad's winter jacket. The weather was always odd, especially at night. He got a burger and fries to go typical Jughead.

When Betty and Jughead went outside. She noticed that Jug's motorcycle was nowhere to be found. He must have walked here under the assumption that they would take Betty's car and probably not hit up Pop's after the last Dare. Jughead was correct, of course. Yet, he could have told her, and she would have picked him up. Yet, Jug might have thought that if she did that, he wouldn't get his food. Betty realized she had forgotten to tell Jughead what the last Dare was. She'd tell him later.

So, first up, Blossom Estate. Betty's car crawled up the drive. She gave Jughead one last look. He seems okay, but she knew his life was threatened by Clifford Blossom. His dad almost put away for a murder he honestly didn't do, yet covered up because of blackmail. She also knew that Jug and his father were having problems at the time, yet he loved Jug, and Jug loved him. The Blossoms and the Police tried to pin the murder on Jug first. Merely because he was being bullied by Jason and his cohorts was also hard for her to stomach. Yet, Fred came to Jughead's aide. The father figure that he was, and he knew Jug and knew that his second son would never commit murder and then try to figure out who did it.

She looked at Jug and said, "Are you ready?" "As ready as I'll be Betts." He gave her a wink. The last time they were in this house was for Jason's funeral, where they found out that Jason was going to marry Polly. They were supposed to have run away together.

Betty realized when she and Jug were investigating in Jason's old room. That she kind of might be liking Jug and seeing him in a different light. That he wasn't Archie's Shadow. That he was more sincere and always supported Betty and her endeavors. Yet, he was a scared- y cat because he hid behind her when Nana Rose entered the scene. She laughed. His blue eyes twinkled, he smirked and said, "What are you laughing at Cooper?"

"The last time we were here, how you got so scared of Nana Rose that you hid behind me!" he smiled, "I'd knew you'd protect me you always have."

They slowly went up the front steps. Jughead had his hand on the door. He opened it, and the door creaked. He stated, "Anybody home," no answer "Yeah I didn't think so" He took out the flashlight from his backpack and turned it on. Betty followed shortly after. The Estate looked like a tomb. A lot of it was burned, but most of it held up like a tomb. Furniture under clothes or sheet protectors, spider webs on the wall, dust everywhere, nothing was moved. Cheryl took nothing. Nana Rose already lived in Thistle house so, most of her more critical things weren't in this house anyway.

Jug decided to go into the kitchen. Betty laughed, thinking, of course, he would. Jughead just smirked at her, already knowing what she must be assuming. He opened it, and to his sorrow, there was no food in it, and the fridge was unplugged. Yet there was some wine. It sat out and had a ton of dust on it. He had to use his hands just to figure out what it was. He went to the closet, and all the food was gone, so Jughead chuckled, "Well, at least we knew Cheryl took the food out." Betty snorted because of Jug and his love for food. They went the back way upstairs. They heard a low creak. Neither one of them knew where it came from. both looked at each other Jug said, "Must just be the house settling." Yeah, that was it. The mansion was settling Betty, and Jughead heard a loud bang. They opened up the room nearest to them. Hoping something fell off the shelves. Jughead might have been slightly hoping for a random book to be in the house, and he could just borrow it and put it back at a later date. Yet, they could find nothing to explain the loud bang. So two Junior Detectives kept going. They heard footsteps this time. It seemed closer and another bang. Jughead looked at Betty, "I thought this house wasn't haunted?" Betty snickers, "That doesn't mean they didn't rig it to not scare us, Jug!" She laughed Jughead kissed her," Well, ghosts, you can have me, but you can't have my girl!"

Leave it to Jughead to say that. Betty thought. Her smile grew on her face, and she was afraid that one day, his little compliments like that wouldn't bring the same joy. Betty hoped that would never happen. She loved him, and she knew he loved her with all of his heart. He was the first one to say, I love you. Betty knew how hard it was for Jughead to say that. His dad was away, he had abandonment issues, he'd be going to South Side high for school and was he open, so open, more open then she'd ever seen him at that moment. Betty was shocked because she felt she'd be the first one and be lucky if she'd ever heard those words from Jughead. So at this moment here and now she said, "I love you Jug those ghosts can't have you either."

They decided to go look for the tape recorder or whatever they rigged it with. Yet, all Betty and Jughead found was mice poop, and Betty screamed when she saw a real mouse. She jumped into Jughead's arm, and he held her. Like he never wanted to let go. They searched that house for probably two hours. The Dare just said to go. No further instructions. Where her's was a little bit more specific.

Betty drove back to Pops, and they sat down to eat a Burger and had a few cups of coffee to warm up and grab a few to go for the graveyard. She forgot she was supposed to tell him her Dare once they left the Blossom Estate. Yet Jughead never asked. Jughead probably didn't ask her because Betty asked him if they could do it together. Meaning she felt safe with him. So now she blushed at the mere thought of him being scared of Nana Rose.

She did feel safe with him. He was her rock, her anchor. So, when she pulled into Riverdale Cemetery and saw his eyes flash for a second. She knew she should have prepared him. Yet, he simply said, "What are we doing here, Betty?" She looked down she couldn't face him, "My Dare Jug, is to make out in this Cemetery for an hour until Midnight. The only Make-out partner I want is you. I'm not going to let who is picking these dares ruin my Halloween, and you know me, Jug, I never back down from a challenge."

Jug just nodded, "Well let's go" He opened his car door slowly looking at the gate. He didn't like it here. Yet, he wouldn't have Betty making out with ghosts or to lose a dare because he refused to help the love of his life. So, he started it.

He kissed her slow at first right in front of the gate. She kissed gently back. His hand reached out to her chin. He kissed her harder, and she bit his lip. He wanted to say ow because it hurt a little. Yet, he liked this side of Betty and didn't want her to stop. He slowly moved his hand to brush her hair away, and he stopped kissing her mouth to simply blow in her ear and slowly nibble it. She made out this low mew, and he loved it. He moved down her neck kissing and licking, and when she tried to push away, he'd go back to her ear and nip at it. He knew she wanted her mouth on his mouth when she grabbed his hair. She pushed her mouth to his, and he felt a power surge, and his mouth opened to hers as their tongues began to fight. He could taste that caramel latte she chose to have instead of her typical hot chocolate. He wanted more, but unfortunately for him, he had to breathe. She pushed him down and straddled him. He was not used to this, Betty. Maybe a ghost had possessed her when her hands started lifting his shirt. She started playing with his nipples and licking them. They never tried this. He just really wanted to satisfy Betty, and if she was pleased, so was he this was different. It made him squirm.

Betty enjoyed Jughead squirming under her. She loved how her hands made his chest warm. That this boy had muscle that nobody could see but her. She wanted to make him happy too. Betty bit his neck and drew blood. Betty was becoming some sort of animal; her animal instincts were taking over. Betty didn't care. She kissed him, and she bit his lip until it bled. She apologized when she saw him wince.

She bowed down and let him kiss her with such passion, but when he tried to roll them over, she said, "No, Jug, this is my Dare."

She saw his eyes flicker at the moment. He relaxed and just let her take it. Yet she heard his plea, "I want to kiss you, Betty." She snickered, "I Know Jug, and when this Dare is over, I'll let you kiss me there, I promise. Until then, you only get my mouth and my neck, but I get all of you."

She liked this Betty. Betty even thinks Jughead likes it. Maybe not where she made him bleed per se but the other stuff.

She leaned down and whispered in his ear, "We have 30 minutes Mr. Jones, and for those 30 minutes, you are all mine." She rolled her hips into him slowly, so he grunted because he wasn't getting the friction he needed. She was-being evil. She knew this, but she'd make it up to him. She just couldn't do that deed here. So all they were going to do was Make-out, so she gave him something to be mad about so when they got back to her place. Her mom always being gone. That he'd pound into her with no mercy. He'd make her scream and shout and beg for more. Until then, he'd live with the slow torture of not being able to get off either. While making his half-hour a slow fate.

She kissed him passionately, she played with him, Betty held Jug's hair as tightly as possible when he tried to get more than she was willing to give. She loved him, and she knew this was torture, but he complained very little. He respected the dead. So, he huffed a few times. He cried out, Betty. Even Please. She loved it when he said that. For that, he got kissed hard, and she twisted his nipples, and she blew on them a little harder.

She loved the taste of his mouth, sweet and oh so tangy. She could devour him like he does those cheeseburgers. The last kiss was gentle and slow, letting him know the torture of the make-out session was almost over.

So when the real one happened, it would probably last more than an hour switching different positions, and god how she wanted him. How she knew he wanted her. She apologized for the lack of the more risque make out session. Yet, she knew he'd understood.

She helped him up, she looked at him and kissed him slow, "Ready to go to my house, Jug?"

"Yes, I am," he smiled.

He looked at her and said, "Let the bewitching hour began. Happy Saints day Betty."

The onlookers figured maybe Betty had figured them out, and that's why nothing truly risque happened in the Cemetery. No real exposure. They couldn't get anything. She was to smart for them or just too respectful. Either way, this was their last year, and Jughead and Betty had both survived unscathed by the Dare police.

#bughead fandom #bughead #bughead fanfiction #bughead fanfic #halloween prompts #bughead halloween prompts #jughead jones #betty cooper #@dreamer757 #sorry I tried #my writing #bughead halloween #Dares on All Hallows Eve

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darkhymns-fic · 4 years

Text

New Year, New Rules

Rita is too engrossed in her work to even think about the celebrations happening just outside her walls. But Estelle comes in to remind her with the help of a new friend.

It -is- the Year of the Rat, after all.

Fandom: Tales of Vesperia Characters/Pairing: Rita Mordio/Estellise Sidos Heurassein Rating: PG Mirror Link: AO3 Notes: A New Year’s fic written for @taco-night-frenzy. I had to get this down before it got away from me. Love you!!!

Another noise outside, something like crackling or thunder. It rumbled through the castle floors, made the chemistry vials on their racks shake. Rita sighed in exasperation. How annoying. Her weather instruments hadn’t told her there would be a storm in the Imperial Capital tonight. Maybe a war had suddenly started. That wasn’t her concern though. She kept the curtains shut and continued in her work.

Rita usually didn't tolerate interruptions. The few who visited her had to learn quickly on what things were even allowed in her research lab. First off, Karol was completely off-limits in any capacity. He could stand at the door if he really wanted to, but one step too close to her vials and she would leap from her chair and smack him right out into the hallway. Karol eventually learned of this very important rule. Just because she was staying at Zaphias Castle for the time being didn’t mean that everyone could just waltz in whenever they pleased.

Yuri at least understood. He took one look at her door, shrugged and waved, and was already on his way. Flynn would pass by with his curious glances, until Rita got a little sick of it and slammed the door in his face. Not like he could arrest her for being rude, despite how much he probably wanted to.

The only exception was Estelle, who would always politely knock and ask to be invited in before doing anything else.

As Rita was smoothing over some papers to read over her latest research, she heard that same knock. She didn’t bristle or flinch at the sound – she could tell when it was Estelle or one of the annoying castle guards by their knocks. One was heavy-handed, clearly didn’t care what dangerous chemicals she was handling, while the other was as quiet as a mouse. Maybe there was some slight annoyance that she had to strain her ears to even hear it sometimes.

“Come in,” she said automatically, not even turning around or waiting for Estelle to call out to her. Maybe she had missed tea time? She only dimly realized that the hour was getting late.

“Rita, I’m glad you’re awake.” There were soft footsteps, followed by the click of the door. “Oh, are you still working?”

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Rita cared for the girl, but sometimes she did wonder at Estelle’s questions that called for such obvious answers. “It’s the new formula I was telling you about… Besides, I can’t even sleep if I wanted to. There’s such a loud racket outside! I thought this place had like a royal curfew or something.”

A brief glance back and she caught the gleam of Estelle’s clothes – white interlaced with the pink hem of her dress. The princess had come by to see her a lot ever since Rita finally took up Estelle’s offer to stay in the castle. A large room to conduct her experiments in, free meals when she would remember to leave said room to go and eat, and those visits from Estelle, accompanied by sweet-tasting tea and cookies that always seemed to be freshly baked.

But Estelle hadn’t brought in any tea or cookies, though it appeared that she was holding something in her cupped hands. “Rita, do you not know what day it is today?”

“Um…” Rita scrunched her eyebrows, her brain too muddled with equations and chemical names to remember something as mundane as the date. “Isn’t it the last week of Bluerre? No, wait, that’s the old calendar system…”

“Rita! It’s New Year’s Eve! Don’t tell me you forgot!” Estelle rushed up in front of her, bouncing on her toes so much that her hair bounced along with her. “The noises outside are the fireworks! I was coming by to ask if you wanted to celebrate it with me.”

Rita blinked. “Oh, is that all it was?” Outside where there were crowds, and people shouting, and so much noise that she could barely think? She waved it off. “Not really in the mood for it. I’m in the middle of stuff anyway so you can just… Estelle, what’s that in your hands?”

It seemed as if Estelle had just been waiting for the chance to tell Rita all about it. Biting her lip in excitement, she held out her hands towards the other girl. "It's the year of the mouse, Rita! See? Look how adorable he is."

For indeed, she was holding a small animal in her hands. It was busy eating one of those shortbread cookies that Estelle would always bring to tea time, its pink tail swishing behind them as they nibbled quite furiously on the snack. It looked kind of weird though…

“Mice are such clever little animals, you know. They remind me of you a lot!” Estelle smiled brightly, looking as if she was in heaven by holding the animal. “I found this one in my room. A cat was trying to eat the poor thing but I was able to save him in time. I think it’s a sign of good fortune! This year will definitely be a good one now!”

Rita, only half-listening to Estelle’s musings, had been staring at the animal the entire time. She raised her eyes, her face expressionless. "...That's a rat, Estelle."

The fireworks continued to shake the sky outside. Only now did their light seep through the curtains, lighting up the stone floors. A mix of red and green, of sapphire and gold, and so many more to usher in the new year.

Neither of the women paid attention. Estelle stared wordlessly before turning back to the animal, still eating the cookie without a care in the world. "Hm? Oh no, he’s a mouse! Look, he’s got these round ears and-"

"It's a rat, Estelle! And not even a regular rat! That’s a monster rat! A Ratwigle!” Okay, that had come out a bit louder than she meant it to, but a weird panic was gripping her by seeing this…creature so close to her instruments, to her notes, to her chemicals and everything. “It's also the year of the rat! There’s no ‘mouse’ anything!" A pause. "You brought a Ratwigle into my research lab! Estelle, I have rules for that!"

Of course, she had just kept yelling like an idiot. Estelle made no visible reaction, already used to Rita’s random outbursts. But the mouse (Ratwigle?!) wasn’t.

It had jumped at the shouting, instinct soon taking over. It bounced out of Estelle’s hands to jump right onto the floor and then continued to bounce and roll underneath the tables with all its precious vials and papers. Because it was a Ratwigle. Maybe a baby Ratwigle even?

Rita screeched. "Get it away get it away!" She knew she should have gotten one of the city cats in here!

“Rita! Calm down! I can call him back, don’t worry!” But the princess’ calm tone could barely be heard over the fireworks that only seemed to get even louder. Were they setting them off in the next room? Rita could barely hear herself think, but she could see all too well the little rat rolling across the floor like a ball.

Some of her notes and books had been left on the floor as well – the way she researched had never been the most organized but it had never really mattered that much before. Seeing the rat make its way to one book, Rita visibly recoiled at the sight. “Don’t touch that!”

“Rita! Hold on! Here, it’s okay, little mousey. Come here, it’s okay!”

“Don’t let it poop on my research!” Rita held out her hand, fingers thrumming. “Fire ball!!”

“Rita, no!”

In the end, there were only a few scorch marks on the stone floors, and only one research paper singed. All in all, things had lucked out well enough. Except that rat was still very much alive.

Rita was seated within a far corner of her lab as Estellle finally coaxed the animal back to her with another cookie. A big waste of food, if Rita was concerned.

“I have him now, Rita,” she said, holding the creature within her palms. “Are…are you okay?”

“Do I look okay?!” Rita snapped, before biting her lip. She thought she had gotten better control of her temper by now. “Sorry…just, keep that thing away from me.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea you were afraid of mice.” Estelle patted its white fur, so gently that her fingers only ghosted across its back. “I just wanted it to be a fun surprise.”

“I don’t like pests, that’s all. I’m not afraid of them!” At least, she mostly wasn’t. If she had seen that thing out in the streets, then whatever. But not in her lab, with all of her precious materials (which she had nearly burned up, but that wasn’t the point). “Just, it could be crawling with diseases, you know! Did it bite you? You need to tell me these things!”

“Oh, he hasn’t bit me at all! He’s so friendly. I was thinking of keeping him, in case he has no other family.”

Only then did Rita notice something in the way Estelle talked about the rat. “You keep calling that thing a ‘he?’ How do you even know that it’s a boy?”

“Hm? Oh, well I checked earlier and-”

“Okay, never mind! That’s weird. You’re weird.” Rita pouted, folding her arms as she stayed seated in her corner. Like she could ever understand rats anyway, but here was Estelle, the rat expert. Ratwigle, even.

Estelle, seated with her new Ratwigle friend on the floor, kept looking up at Rita, then back to the animal/monster. The little creature was huddled up and shaking slightly, clearly agitated by previous events. Sort of like a certain person sitting in the corner…

“Would it be okay if I sat next to you?” she asked politely.

Usually, this wasn’t an issue, but Rita eyed the Ratwigle that was between her and the princess. She sighed. “Yeah, just…no sudden movements or anything.”

“Okay!” And like that, Estelle basically skipped to Rita before sitting on her knees before Rita. All while she was holding the Ratwigle precariously in her hands.

Rita stared, a frown on her lips. “You hold that thing like it was your baby or something.” She had said that bluntly, then inwardly winced once hearing it. Great, now she had just compared Estelle to a rat…Ratwigle…

“Ah, you think so? I was thinking how this reminded me of the time we took care of that baby! Remember? We had to feed it and make it go to sleep…” Estelle recalled the memory so brightly that Rita also couldn’t help but think back to it too. “I think this little guy must be very young too. He’s so small!”

Rita kept eyeing the ‘little guy,’ its weird fur and the way it just didn’t have any legs. Wasn’t this from the sewer below? “…Yeah, and we had to change its diaper and everything. And then there was that one time it threw up on me! Ugh, had to wash my shirt like six times.” She looked at the Ratwigle again, on how it was now washing its dark fur with its tongue, no longer as flighty or nervous as before. It seemed to have some trouble bending, since it was shaped like a perfect sphere and all. “At least this thing’s poop would be easier to handle.”

Estelle laughed, shuffling just a bit closer to Rita. “You think so? Maybe you can do the clean-up duty for me.”

“Hey, I never agreed to that!” She glared at the Ratwigle that now acted like everything was all okay, no problem. “It’d just run… roll away from me anyway.”

“Aw, that’s not true, Rita.”

“Estelle, it literally just did exactly that five minutes ago.”

“Well, that’s because you were shouting… When you don’t shout, most animals would be able to warm up to you.”

Rita shrugged, wondering why she was seeking the approval of a baby monster of all things. “Cats are good enough for me.”

But that was a talent of Estelle’s – making friends with anyone so easily, finding the little positives in even the most tactless of things. Rita moved a little closer as well, though she still kept up her pout.

“So, are you actually keeping it?”

“I would like to,” Estelle confessed, looking down at Ratwigle. It snuffled around her palm, apparently content to stay there instead of getting away. “But I’m sure it already has a home. I just wanted to help keep it alive into the new year at least.”

Rita thought on it. “Maybe it is a sign…or something.” Even if she thought omens and fortunes were bogus. “Wait, so you weren’t outside celebrating with everybody?”

Estelle raised her head to Rita. “No. I didn’t see a need to. When I found this little mouse, I thought that maybe… well, never mind. It wasn’t too important anyway. I didn’t mean to get in the way of your work.”

Sometimes, Rita really was an idiot. She groaned. “Dammit… I’m sorry.”

“Huh? But I just came in here and messed up all your research-”

“Gah, let me apologize already! Of course I’d like to spend New Year’s with you! I always like spending time with you!” She huffed, then turned her gaze to the floor. “I just get caught up in stuff and then act stupid about it.”

But she couldn’t even hear the fireworks anymore. Perhaps the celebration was already over and she had made Estelle miss out on something that could have been so fun for her.

The princess had moved so much closer that their knees now touched, and she couldn’t avoid the rat-mouse-whatever it was in-between them anymore. Yeah, it was kinda close… but from this angle, she supposed it looked mildly cute.

“I don’t think I would have had the courage to ask you if it weren’t for my new friend,” Estelle said, her voice soft and shy. “Do you think you can make it up to me then?”

Just relieved that Estelle hadn’t rebuffed her apologies, Rita nodded. “I mean, sure, of course. What is it?”

“Well, on New Year’s Eve, it’s supposed to be customary to kiss someone!” Estelle laughed nervously, her eyes darting around in shyness, but her smile forming. “Usually on the very minute it turns into the new year. It’s supposed to bring good luck, so I thought-”

Rita leaned in to kiss Estelle. She was surrounded by the scent of cherry blossoms, all within the brash aura of chemicals still piping away in their vials, within the ember still scorched onto the stone floors.

She kissed her and felt the softness that melded its way down her chest into her legs, shutting her eyes. It wasn’t long before Estelle pressed back, sounds leaving her throat, whether of surprise or something else, Rita couldn’t really know.

Then, just as quickly, Rita leaned back, turning to the side. She didn’t need to even feel her face to know how red it was. “Sorry that was kinda late, but…tried to make up for it.”

She only flicked her eyes back quickly to catch Estelle’s expression – her cheeks also red, her mouth half-parted, nearly inviting another kiss. Was that what she wanted? Maybe she should try that again, but if Estelle was silent, maybe she hadn’t done a good job…

“Did you use your tongue?” Estelle asked rather bluntly, more curious than accusing.

Rita froze, then stuttered out, “I-I said I was m-making up for it! And…that’s a thing people do!” Right? Wasn’t that a thing people did? Or had Yuri just been messing with her when he suggested her to try that? Dammit, if he did, she was going mess him up later. Actually, what kind of conversation had they been having that he would tell her that anyway?

“Ah, sorry! It was just… a surprise! But, a very nice surprise…” Estelle giggled, pressing both hands to her cheeks. “It really felt so nice. Thank you, Rita. Um, do you think we could…”

At that, Rita was already guessing to her suggestions. She was seated up straight, eyes riveted to Estelle’s lips and remembering how sweet it had been and- Wait a minute.

“Estelle,” she said carefully, looking at the girl’s hands, still pressed to her face. “Where did the rat go?”

“…Eh?”

“The rat, Estelle. The Ratwigle!” She pointed frantically at Estelle’s lap. “Didn’t you just have it a minute ago?”

She felt something shifting in her lap just then. With wide eyes, she looked down.

“Remember to not shout, Rita!” Estelle warned quickly.

And maybe Rita listened to Estelle, staying as calm as she could be and making friends with a rat friend. Or maybe she let all sense leave her and tried to get the rat as far away from her as possible, her artes going a little haywire, her lab getting a little more chaotic with each panicked yell.

It didn’t matter either way. It was a new year, with new rules she would just have to get used to. She could adjust, eventually – as long as Estelle was by her side.

#ristelle #tales of vesperia #rita mordio #estellise sidos heurassein #tales of #happy new year #fanfiction #one shot

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tiny-opal-essence · 5 years

Text

Pocket Paladin Chpt 7

Nightmares

Slight warning for mentions of violence and blood

When Lance blinked open his eyes, it took him a second to realize where he was.

Why am I on the kitchen counter? Did I fall asleep while Hunk was cooking?

He stood up and stretched to try to get rid of the soreness from sleeping on the cold hard surface. Looking around at the various cooking tools on the counter, Lance noticed something was a bit off.

Did these get bigger? Or…Oh no! I got smaller!

He wasn’t microscopic, but still a bit smaller than before. Maybe only an inch or so tall, which may not seem like much of a difference, but that was 1/3 of his previous height. He closed his eyes and shook his head to clear his thoughts. When he opened them again, he realized he wasn’t the only one in the room.

His friends were all seated at the table next to the counter, but none of them were looking his way.

“Hey!” He called out to them, but they didn’t seem to hear him.

“Do you ever wonder what happened to Lance?” Hunk asked.

“I’m over here!” He started jumping and waving his hands in the air, but the others continued their conversation without him.

“No, why would I?” Pidge answered before cruelly laughing with Hunk.

“We’re lucky that he was the one hit by the spell,” Keith said.

“Yeah, can you imagine if it had hit you? Then we would have been down one of our best fighters. With Lance gone, we actually became stronger.” Shiro stated.

“He always was the weak link on the team,” Pidge added on.

“And he was completely useless as a paladin. I still wonder why Blue ever chose him.” Allura commented.

“You should have been the blue paladin from the get-go, Allura. You’re miles better than Lance could have ever dreamed of being.” Hunk responded.

Lance stopped jumping in the air as what the others were saying sunk in.

Is this what they really think of me?

“It’s too bad we didn’t think of bringing him to a swap moon. We could have gotten quite the pretty penny for him there.” Coran said.

Keith suddenly looked over towards Lance. The look in his yellow eyes terrified Lance. That combined with his ears being down and to the side made him look like a jungle cat stalking its prey.

“Well. Well, well. What do we have here? A bug? Oh no, it’s Lance.” Keith stood up and headed towards Lance.

“What’s the difference? He’s always been a pest.” Pidge responded.

“You’re right, Pidge. He is a pest. He’s always bugging us. And do you know what we do with bugs?” Keith started reaching over Lance.

Lance tried to move, but it was like his feet were frozen to the counter. All he could do was shake his arms and look up to see Keith’s palm hovering over him.

“We squish them.” Keith’s palm began racing down towards Lance.

“No!” Lance screamed as he shielded his face with his arms, knowing it would do nothing to save him from his fate.

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“No!” Lance screamed as he pushed away the hand that was shaking him. He threw off his makeshift blanket and crawled back on the nightstand, his heart pounding.

Wait…blanket…nightstand.

His breathing was heavy as he looked around the room. He saw the Kleenex and cotton balls that had been serving as his bed on the nightstand. The hand that had been shaking him was still hovering where he had pushed it away. His gaze followed it and saw that it was attached to Keith, who was looking down at him with a worried expression on his face.

That’s right. I’m rooming with Keith. It was just a dream. Just a dream. But it felt so real.

“Are you ok?” Keith asked as he fully sat up in his bed.

“Yeah.” Lance’s voice was shaky. “Just a nightmare.”

“You too?”

“Wait, you had a nightmare?”

“Yeah.”

“But you’re Keith. You’re not scared of anything. You always want to rush into a fight. What could you possibly be afraid of?”

“You’d be surprised.”

Keith’s tone let Lance know that this was not the time to press for more details.

“How do you deal with the fear?” Lance asked.

“Sedate it with chocolate.” Keith deadpanned.

“Seriously? Not some intense training or punching something?” Lance threw a fake punch with a teasing smile on his face.

“My dad told me that hot chocolate chases the bad thoughts away.”

“That’s sweet. You don’t talk about him much.”

“What’s there to say? He died when I was pretty young.”

“Yeah, but he’s still your dad.”

“I’m going to get some hot chocolate.” Keith changed the subject and stood up. “Do you want to come with?”

“Yeah, though I don’t think I have much of a choice. ‘Someone must always be with Lance’ and all.” Lance couldn’t help but flinch when Keith put his hand down in front of him. The details of his dream were still fresh in his mind. “Is there any way that I can go with you without being carried?”

“Sure. Ummm. My pj’s don’t have pockets…I could grab my jacket and put you in one?” Keith sounded unsure as he ran a hand through his hair.

Lance shook his head.

“I don’t want to be in a small space right now.”

“Ummm. How about on my shoulder? The space mice like riding around on Allura’s.”

“That could work.”

“I’m still going to have to pick you up if that’s ok.”

“Yeah, I know. Just need a second.” Lance let out a breath and hesitatingly stepped onto Keith’s palm and sat down. His pulse felt stronger than before, likely due to Keith not wearing his signature fingerless gloves for once. His skin was softer than Lance expected it to be.

I guess the gloves do do something after all.

Keith lifted him up much slower than before. Lance wondered if that could be related to Keith’s nightmare at all. Or maybe he was just tired cause it was the middle of the night. Either way, Lance was thankful as he awkwardly crawled onto Keith’s shoulder.

“You good?” Keith turned his head to the side so he could see Lance.

“Yeah.” Lance got himself situated. When Keith took his first step, Lance fell over sideways but managed to grab the collar of his pj’s. Keith quickly put a hand under him and helped him back up.

“Quiznak. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I think I just need a handle or something to hold onto. I’m not really used to this.”

“No kidding. What could you hold onto?” Keith thought out loud.

“I could hold onto your stupid mullet.”

“It’s not stupid.”

“Well, do you have any better ideas?”

“…Fine, just don’t pull too hard.”

“Like this?” Lance grabbed a section of Keith’s hair and pulled. The shoulder below him jerked up. If he hadn’t had such a tight grip of the section, Lance would have been flung right off.

“Yeah, like that.” Keith grit out. He turned his head to glare at Lance, but couldn’t see him because of how close he was standing to his neck. He could still feel his weight, little as it was.

“Sorry. Didn’t think you’d react that much.” Lance sat by his neck, making sure to have a good grip on the hair without pulling on it.

“Just be careful. If something happened to you, I don’t know wh…I think Hunk would kill me.” Keith wanted to say that he didn’t know what he would do, but he didn’t know if Lance would appreciate that or not.

“He’d probably find a way to kill you with kindness.” Lance laughed slightly.

Is he more worried about Hunk hurting him than me getting hurt?

“Probably.” Keith laughed softly which caused his shoulders to shake. There was the slightest of pulls on Keith’s hair that let him know that Lance was still on board. He took one step, then another.

Lance held on and even scooted closer to be leaning against Keith’s neck.

Maybe Pidge was right about that body heat stuff. It feels like I’m right next to a radiator.

He welcomed the warmth as they made their way through the castle ship.

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The lights were on in the kitchen when they arrived. Hunk was stirring something in a pot while Pidge was sitting, staring down at the table with slightly puffy eyes.

“Hey, Keith. Where’s Lance?” Hunk saw that Keith’s hands were empty.

“Right here!” Lance said with a wave while Keith pointed to him on his shoulder.

“Oh. Smart way to carry him around. Keeps your hands free.” Pidge commented.

“Plus, it’s nice to be closer to eye height with you guys. Then I don’t have to look up so much.”

“But what if you fall off?” Hunk asked.

“That’s why I’m holding onto his hair,” Lance responded.

“You’re actually willing to touch his mullet? After what you said about it?” Pidge said incredulously.

“What did you say about it?” Keith turned his head towards Lance.

“Hey, it’s better than falling to my death,” Lance remarked.

The others were silent as they remembered how dangerous this situation was for Lance.

“So, what brings you two here in the middle of the night?” Hunk asked.

“Bad dreams,” Keith responded.

“Join the club,” Pidge stated. “Hunk’s making hot chocolate if you want some.”

“That sounds great,” Lance said.

Keith walked over to the table and helped Lance get down before taking a seat himself.

“I have a feeling the others will be joining us shortly. No offense meant, Lance” Hunk apologized for his unintended pun.

“None taken,” Lance responded.

“What makes you say that?” Keith asked.

“Call it mom-friend’s intuition.”

Sure enough, not even two minutes later Shiro and Allura both came in.

“Let me guess, bad dreams?” Hunk said as he poured the hot chocolate into cups on one of the floating trays.

“How did you-” Allura had a dumbfounded look on her face as she and Shiro sat down at the table.

“Like I said, mom-friend’s intuition.” Hunk turned off the stove and walked next to the tray as it floated to the table. One of the ‘cups’ on it was the cap to something in the kitchen. Lance figured that must be his cup, though it seemed more like a bucket from his perspective.

The tray landed in the middle of the table and everyone grabbed a cup. Keith grabbed Lance’s and brought it to him.

“Thanks,” Lance stated.

I could have grabbed that myself.

‘But you didn’t’

“I’m sorry there aren’t any cups in your size, Lance.” Hunk said.

“That’s alright. That just means I get more hot chocolate per glass.” Lance awkwardly drank from his ‘cup.’

The silence was only broken by the occasional *slurp* before Hunk cleared his throat.

“You know, with nightmares, it’s sometimes a good idea to talk about them. It can make them easier to deal with. Does anyone want to do that?” Hunk asked.

Everyone looked at each other, unsure if they were willing to talk about their dreams.

“I’ll go first, and if I’m the only one that talks, that’s ok. Please don’t feel like you have to tell us. Only if you’re comfortable talking about it.”

The others nodded before Hunk took a deep breath.

“Okay. My dream started out like a good dream. I was baking a cherry pie, or what it raspberry? No, it was cherry, though that’s not important. I was making it from scratch, just like my mom taught me. There was flour all over the counter. Probably all over my face too, but I didn’t mind. I was humming some tune or other and putting all of the cherries in the crust. You should have seen how juicy these cherries were. They were so shiny. Again, not important. I kept on humming and pouring cherry after cherry into the crust. I don’t know how it was able to hold so many. The top crust wasn’t really anything special, it had a few vents to let the steam out, but nothing too fancy. The oven was already warmed up, so I put the pie in and set the timer for 45 minutes. I started cleaning up the mess on the counter when I noticed something. There were tiny footprints in the flour leading right up to where the pie had been. That’s when I heard it.”

“Heard what?” Lance asked.

“You. Screaming in agony. I looked around and didn’t see you anywhere. Then, I looked at the oven. The light had been turned on in it and somehow the temperature had been raised. That was where the screaming was coming from. Somehow, you had wound up in the pie. I ran over and tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. It was like it was sealed shut. The temperature kept going up and up while I struggled with the door. I even tried breaking the glass, but nothing worked. The pie started to boil, and some of the filling spurted out one of the vents. It looked just like blood. Your blood. And the screaming kept getting louder and louder until it cut off. That’s when the oven door opened. I didn’t even get the oven mitts, I grabbed the pie and started tearing it apart to see if maybe somehow you were still…” Hunk’s eyes began to tear up. “My hands felt like they were on fire, but I kept looking. Finally, I found you, but it was too late. Your body had been burnt to a crisp. It turned to ashes in my hands. I had baked my best friend in a pie.” Hunk buried his face in his hands as tears started to run down it.

Lance walked towards Hunk and comfortingly placed a hand on his arm. Hunk moved his hands away from his face and brushed away his tears.

“It’s ok, Hunk. It was just a dream.” Lance reassured him. “You don’t have to worry about that happening. You would never do that, and besides, I’m a pretty loud person. If something like that did happen, you’d hear me a lot sooner.”

“But you are quieter than usual with what happened.” Hunk said.

“It’s a miracle we can hear you at all,” Pidge added on. “Your voice should be so high pitched that the human ear can’t perceive it. Keith could probably still hear you if that were the case, but this whole situation goes against basic logic.”

“So you keep saying,” Lance said.

“Phew. I’m glad to get that dream off my chest.” Hunk looked around at the others. “Does anyone else want to talk?”

“I’ll go,” Pidge responded. “Like in Hunk’s, mine started out with me doing something I enjoy. I was tinkering with a machine and Lance was helping me get to some of the hard to reach places. We finished the machine and I tested it out on a wrench. A beam shot out and the wrench was suddenly giant-sized. I had figured out a way to reverse the polarity matrix. I aimed it at a screwdriver, just to make sure the first test hadn’t been a fluke, and it wasn’t. We had found a solution to Lance’s problem, or so we thought. I aimed it at him and the ray hit its mark, but nothing happened. I checked every part of the machine, but it was still working. When I looked back at you, your body suddenly started shaking before you curled up in pain. I started running some quick tests and realized what was happening. Somehow, instead of growing you back to normal, the machine had destabilized you on an atomic level, causing your cells to start exploding. I figured out that you only had a few hours before it would kill you. I tried to find a way to reverse or just stop it. I even used a biochemical treatment to target your pituitary gland and flood it with growth hormones, but all that did was speed up the process. You kept saying that it wasn’t my fault, but how could it not have been? All I could do was try to make you as comfortable as possible while your body destroyed itself. You were in so much pain, but you were still able to say one last thing before…You told me that when we got back to Earth, to tell your family that you loved them. And then you died, all because I didn’t think to test the machine on organic matter before using it on you.”

“Well…now you know for next time,” Lance said.

“But I should have known better in the dream.” Pidge took an angry sip of hot chocolate. “I should have checked the molecular structure of everything that was tested. Maybe there were signs in the structure of the wrench or screwdriver that could have told me to wait before testing it on you.”

“I’ll go next.” Allura put down her cup. “In mine, I somehow knew that I had been working on getting stronger with my magic. I felt I was strong enough in the dream to undo the spell with no consequences. What a fool I was. I channeled the magic and used it on one of the gladiator bots. I was able to change its height with ease. It felt like I was ready. I found you and attempted to do the same. I was able to connect to the quintessence within you and try to alter it so that you would return to normal, but the push and pull of the waves of it made it difficult. Quintessence is normally like a pond in living things. It is relatively calm on the surface, with only the slightest shift of waves and currents below. But with Lotor’s spell, yours was suddenly a raging ocean, and the waves were more than I could handle. I tried to fight against the tides of his magic and was able to make some headway, but you suddenly cried out. I saw that your body had regained some of its height. You told me to keep going, so I pressed on. It suddenly felt as if there was a tsunami of quintessence getting ready to crash. I was unprepared when it did. It overwhelmed me and my magic could do nothing against it. When I opened my eyes, I saw that you were back to your normal height. I tried to shake you awake, but as soon as I touched you, I knew you were gone. I had pushed too far and you paid the price for it.”

Shiro reached over and grabbed Allura’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She squeezed his back.

“Thank you, Shiro.”

“I felt powerless in my nightmare as well.” Shiro began to describe what happened in his. “Sendak had taken over the castle ship again. We were all in handcuffs in the bridge except for Lance. They hadn’t been able to find you. Haxxus was making threats over the comms thinking that would get you to come out. Everyone else was being knocked unconscious one by one while they waited for you to reveal yourself. They were about to knock out Keith when I saw you out of the corner of my eye. As Keith fell unconscious, you were able to sneak up behind me and started working to undo the cuffs with your bayard. I tried to talk loud enough to hide the sound of it cutting the metal, but the Galra have excellent hearing. Sendak came over to see what was happening. I tried to shield you so he wouldn’t find you, but he shoved me away like I weighed nothing. I threw myself at him, but the chain would only let me go so far. Sendak was holding you in his prosthetic fist just out of reach. I struggled against the cuffs, but they wouldn’t break, even with your help earlier. It was obvious that he was holding you too tight as he explained how Voltron had failed. How I would get to watch every single one of you die, all because of me. Starting with you.” Shiro held up his prosthetic fist and slowly closed his fist. “His grip on you grew tighter and tighter until…” Shiro quickly closed his fist, unable to put what had happened into words. “And I was powerless to stop him.”

Lance *gulped* as his mind painted a picture of the events.

“But Sendak’s dead, right? You launched him into space.” Hunk said.

“He was in a pod, so he actually would have survived for at least a movement,” Allura explained.

“So it’s possible that he was picked up by another Galra ship?” Pidge asked.

“Yes, it is entirely possible. Highly unlikely given how far we were from Galra territory at the time, but possible.” Allura responded.

“Would there be any way to track the pod to see what happened?” Keith suggested.

“No. Those pods are not equipped with trackers.”

“Great. He could still be alive and we’d be none the wiser.” Lance exclaimed. “I feel safer already!”

“I won’t let him hurt any of you. I let you guys down when he attacked before. That’s not going to happen again.” Shiro stated.

“You didn’t let us down, Shiro,” Keith responded.

“Yeah, if it weren’t for you, Sendak would have done a lot more damage,” Hunk added on.

“You stopped him from hurting me,” Pidge said.

“I still feel I should have been more vigilant. If it weren’t for Lance’s eagle eye, we would have lost Coran when fake Rover blew up the crystal.”

But he’s not worried about the fact that I could have died as well?

“Ooo! Can eagle eye be my nickname?” Lance asked.

“I think your ego is big enough already,” Keith responded.

“It is amazing how large your ego is, even if you’re not,” Pidge said.

Ok, that hurts. I don’t have that big of an ego, do I?

‘What do you think? Why else would they hate you so much?’

They don’t hate me, they just…

‘They just what?’

“Do either of you two want to talk about your dreams? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Hunk steered the conversation back to the main topic.

Keith saw that Lance was struggling with what to say first, so he decided to go to take the pressure off of him.

“In my dream, I was in one of the hallways on the castle ship. I couldn’t see where it ended. There were doors on both sides. I opened them one by one as I looked for Lance, but I didn’t find anything behind them. There was a *squeaking* sound when I walked, like when your shoes are wet. I figured I must have stepped in a puddle or something. I kept walking down the hallway and opening door after door, but there was still nothing behind them. I started moving faster, hoping that I would find you behind one of the doors, *squeaking* with every other step. Finally, I reached the end of the hallway, but there was nothing there but a dirty mirror. I brushed some of the dirt off and saw my face reflected back at me with yellow eyes. There were some red splotches on the mirror. I tried to rub them off, but as I rubbed away the dirt, they only became clearer. Curious about what they were, I turned around. Leading all the way down the hallway to where I was standing were red footprints, but only the right foot. I crouched down to see if it was red paint I had stepped in, but the smell from it revealed that it was blood. I angled my foot to see what I had stepped on, hoping I was wrong, but I knew what I would find. It was mostly a red smear, but there were still enough details to identify it as you, Lance. I felt like I was going to throw up.”

Keith didn’t think it was important to mention how panicked he was when he woke up, or how relieved he was to see that Lance was ok. Well, ok except for the fact he had been having a nightmare as well.

Lance was thinking back to the earlier close call.

If he had stepped on me, how long would it have taken him to realize? Would he have thought that I had gotten microscopic on the bed? Would the others have been told what happened and looked for me only to realize what had happened hours before? Would they have even cared? Why am I even thinking about this?

“That’s horrible.” Hunk said.

“But that’s not going to happen, cause Lance isn’t going to be on the floor at all.” Pidge reminded the others of the rules they had created the day before.

“That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to be worried about something happening to him,” Shiro commented. “This is a…unique situation that none of us are fully equipped to handle.”

“But we will be there for those times that something does go wrong to make sure he’s alright,” Allura assured. “We will make sure nothing happens to him.”

Do they have to keep talking like I’m not even here?

“Did you want to talk about your dream, Lance?” Hunk asked.

“Well, seeing as everyone else did, I don’t want to be the odd one out.”

“Don’t feel pressured.”

“Hey, like you said, it’s good to talk about them.”

How can I talk about this without making them feel bad? I know they would never do what they did in the dream, but I don’t want them to think that I think they would say that.

“In mine, I was smaller. Maybe only an inch or so tall. I was standing on the kitchen counter and you guys were sitting at the table. You were wondering what had happened to me. I called out, but you didn’t hear me. I started jumping and waving my arms in the air and Keith noticed. Thinking I had been found, I stopped. But, you thought I was a bug. And what do you do with bugs? You squish them. I couldn’t move my legs while your hand hovered over me. All I could do was shield my face with my arms as your palm came down.”

“Is that why you were so panicked when you woke up?” Keith asked.

“When I woke up and your hand was right there, it felt like I was still in the dream.”

“I’m sorry. I was just trying to shake you awake. I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s ok.” Lance interrupted. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just my stupid subconsciousness.”

“You know none of us would do that, right Lance?” Hunk asked.

“I know. It’s kind of hard not to worry about things with me being this small.”

“You shouldn’t have to be like this for too long. I’ve found some books in the library that may help in learning about fluctuating quintessence.”

“That’s great, Allura,” Shiro commented.

“Does anyone need more hot chocolate?”

“I’m good, Hunk. *yawn* I’m going back to bed. It was nice talking about this with you guys.”

“Night, Pidge,” Lance said.

Everyone else had the same idea and left the room.

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As they went back to his room, Keith was thinking about Lance’s dream. He wondered why he was the only one in the dream to hurt Lance. Did that mean that Lance didn’t like him? Was Lance afraid of him? It wouldn’t be surprising, given that he had almost killed him. He was distracted from his thoughts by Lance on his shoulder.

“Before we go back, can you grab something from my room?”

“Sure.”

Lance felt the muscles in Keith’s neck move when he responded.

This feels so weird.

The door to Lance’s room opened. His bed hadn’t been made and there was a small amount of clutter around the room. It was exactly the way he had left it.

Home sweet home.

“So what did you want me to grab?” Keith looked around the room.

“My jacket.” Lance pointed it out on the bed.

“I think it’s a bit big for you right now.”

“It’s always been a bit big on me. Besides, I’m not going to wear it. I’m going to sleep in it.”

“But you already have a place to sleep.”

“No offense meant, Keith, but cotton balls and Kleenex do not the most comfortable bed make.”

“Well, what was I supposed to do? It’s not like we have a tiny bed you can use.” Keith felt a slight tug on his hair as he bent down to grab the jacket. “Sorry.” Keith apologized as he stood up straight.

“It’s ok. I think I’m getting used to this.” Lance said as he readjusted himself on Keith’s shoulder.

Keith walked back to his room, jacket in hand. He brushed the cotton balls and Kleenex to the edge of the nightstand.

“I’m just going to put it here.”

“Be careful.”

“Lance, it’s just a jacket.”

“No, it’s not!”

Keith winced slightly from Lance shouting right by his ear.

“It’s from my family. My parents bought it for my brother Luis and it’s been passed down through all of us Fuentes siblings. It reminds me of them. Plus I have a family picture in the right pocket that I don’t want to get damaged.”

“Ok. I’ll be careful.” Keith found the picture in the pocket and leaned it against the wall. He gently placed the jacket on the nightstand. “Is that ok?”

“Yeah, that works.”

“Which one of them is Luis?” Keith looked at Lance’s photo as he helped Lance down from his shoulder.

“Luis is the tall one on the left. We don’t know how he’s so much taller than the rest of us. That’s why the jacket’s so big.” Lance walked over to the photo. “Standing left of him is Veronica. She also went to the garrison. Then there’s mis abuelos. Next to them is Lisa, Luis’ wife. Those two little rascals are their kids, Sylvio and Nadia.” Lance turned back towards Keith. “I’m their favorite uncle, cause I’m the fun one.” He turned back to the picture. “Those are my parents. And those are my other siblings Rachel and Marco.”

“That’s a big family.”

“Yeah, probably part of the reason I’m so loud. When all of us get together, you have to shout to be heard.” Lance got a somber look on his face. “They sent it to me so they could always be with me while I was at the garrison. It’s the last picture of my abuelo before he died.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. I guess that’s something we have in common. We’ve both lost people we care about. Do you have any pictures of your family?”

“No.”

“Oh. I guess there wasn’t time to grab them before Blue brought us out here.”

“…Yeah.” Keith didn’t want to explain to Lance why he didn’t have any photos of his family anymore. It was better to just let him believe they were left behind in the shack instead of destroyed. He got under the covers and closed his eyes.

Lance climbed onto his jacket. One of the pockets had wound up on top of the pile. He figured that could work as a sleeping bag with his new height. It was much more comfortable than the cotton balls had been. With the jacket, he couldn’t feel the hard top of the nightstand beneath him. It wasn’t long before sleep claimed him once more.

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Realities without a Lance: 54 (+12 from last chapter)

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#pocket paladin #voltron #klance #g/t klance #g/t #g/t writing #keith #lance #shrunk #shrinking #giant/tiny

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gotmeringinghellsbells · 5 years

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Thank you so much for doing my prompt, I loved it!（＾ω＾） I'd like to suggest another one if that's okay, but you don't have to do this one if you don't want to :") Maybe a Klance one where Lance wants to tell Keith about his love for tickling, but doesn't know how to go about it? (Since he's afraid Keith would break up with him or think he's a weirdo.)??

“Secret”

Fandom: Voltron Legendary Defender

Characters: Keith Kogane, Lance McClain

A/N: Of course it’s okay! I’m literally asking people for prompts, don’t be shy XD. This too was an adorable concept and I hope my execution of it was was as soft as your idea!

Description: After yet another tickle fight, Keith is left breathless and sore. He’s noticed Lance has been tickling him a lot lately and is curious to know why. Lance, however, isn’t too confident in sharing such information. But Keith’s reaction in the end reassures him it’s fine.

A soft squeal bounced about the cabin walls aboard the Atlas as the black paladin tried to escape the unexpected cuddle. He tried to hide into his fluffy son as to avoid such tormenting hands, but it was no use. Keith threw his head back softly as he tried to curl more into Kosmo, the soul being who was preventing the tormentor to gain access to the bed.

Unfortunately, that gave Lance more places to roam, rather than being confined to Keith’s upper body, which the red paladin was eagerly taking advantage of. “Lhahahance, sthahahop thahaht,” the older cried softly. His son was becoming a bit curious. He rested his head atop the side of his dad’s face, watching.

“Come on kitten, let’s go out and have fun, huh?” Lance really wanted to spend time at this fair with Keith, rather than winning toys for someone who would stay in the Atlas. “I dhhahahaon’t whahant thahaho!” Hiccupy giggles became even more feather touched as Lance worked skilled fingers around. The less ticklish areas would give off the most pure sound if touched correctly.

It was like a siren's song to the Cuban male’s ears! He could just never get enough of Keith’s laughter, or seeing that adorable, true smile. Sure, he loved to hear Hunk, Shiro, and his niece and nephew’s laughs too, but there was just something about Keith’s that was so….. Silky?

He didn’t know, it just made his day ten times better and gave him such soft butterflies! “Khahahosmo!” The wolf was half assedly crawling over his dad to sniff at the other human in the room. He smelt food, didn’t he? Well, Lance had been outside already, looking for Keith. THat’s when an idea hit him. “Kosmo, you wanna go find Adam? Huh? You want Adam?!” Oh did that tail start wagging. Grandpa!

Between Iverson and Adam, they were and even tie of favorites under Keith. The tail brushed along partially covered legs, earning a soft smile as Keith shook his head. “No, Lance stop.” The male hugged his baby as to get more protection or cuddles, but the wolf slipped away before teleporting out of the room.

No dad, no one to tell him he couldn’t eat x, y, and z! Food-topia time baby, whoo hoo! The leader pouted as he watched the blue light fade away. He was comfy with his big lap puppy! It took the older a minute to notice the smirk radiating from beside him. Oh boy. Glancing up, Keith blushed softly at the threatening face.

Lance looked a bit charming in all the crepiness of the evil “persona” before two clawed hands really sent the boy nto a panic. He let out a shriek before rolling away to hide in his small bed; Something Lance wasn’t letting happen. He followed after the shorter quickly, finally getting to properly cuddle. “Where are you going kitty, huh? You trying to get away from me?” The red paladin was blessed as anticipating squeals let out. Keith shook his head. “Yehehhes! I dhahaon’t whahahant to ghahaho! Don’t, don’t!” Tactics changed as Keith decided to lay on his back, giggling breathlessly. His blush was still soft, ieyes watering.

“No,” he stated softly as he pushed the hand away. As soon as he moved it away, it swopped back around and came back into view. Lance snorted. “No?” The older nodded. “No.” Oh, but hads said otherwise. “But, why not yes?” Keith started to giggle a bit harder. “Whahahy ahahre yhahahou tickling meheh so mhahauch lately?” The playfulness was slowly ending as Keith’s sides and stomach started to outweigh the pain from his smile.

Lance frowned a bit as the question came up. Had he been doing it more than normal? He didn’t think so. “No, I’ve been tickling you the same amount since we started dating back a little before Kuron came in.” The other blinked before shaking his head. “No, we hardly saw each other.” Lance pouted as he thought. “No, no, before you ran off with your knfe dad I use to tickle the snot out of you like… daily.”

“Weekly,” Keith corrected. “Even on our way home you never did this, not this much.” The older rubbed his sides as he tried to relieve the slight tenderness. “Are you alright?” Lance blinked a bit. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Keith shrugged. “You look like something’s bothering you.” Seeing as Lance made his emotions very obvious.

The taller shook his head. “No. Did I hurt you?” Keith didn’t answer, he just hummed before going to tickle behind his boyfriend’s ear. Blue eyes widened before squeezing shut as the Cuban mae became a snickering turtle. “H-Hehehey!” He turned his head away, giggling more as he noticed Keith fall over to follow him. But, Lance had the advantage of the floor, whereas Keith was tangled in bed by his blankets.

“Lance.” Keith slowly stopped messing around. He wanted answers. The other shrugged with a sigh. “I don’t know man, I guess your laugh is just too addicting.” If Keith was well, less dense, perhaps he would have thought Lance wanted to calm down with the childish game to distract himself from stresses and other issues that were occurring lately.

However, Keith is dense, and just wasn’t understanding. “Your lying, your tone is becoming more serious.” Attention to detail much? The other hummed, looking away shyly. He didn’t want to say it, he couldn’t! What if Keith got weirded out? Shiro did say it was something he and Adam used as a playful form of bonding for the other; Just to help bring him out of his shell and remind him he was loved!

But would Lance admitting his fixation with the game be too much? Would it end their relationship? Would Keith think the other was trying to sexually advance over him?! Blue eyes watered. No, no, it wouldn’t be like that, right? Keith knew Lance respected that he was ace, even if he didn’t fully understand what it meant.

He did know, didn’t he? It wasn’t a kink, it was just fun and addicting! “What’s wrong, why are you crying?” The softness and sincerity in the older’s voice caused the other to shake his head before standing and brushing off his uniform. “Ah, I’m not crying. Just… little…. Mmm.” Space dust? Keith would want to talk about this no matter what.

One look into that concerned face and the other felt himself crumble. “I’m… strange, alright? Just don’t want to lose you over something like this.” A little more context would be nice. Rather than walking away, like normal, and trying to avoid Keith, Lance walked to the opening hand and let it take his softly.

That was a first. Sitting down, Lance then started to untangle Keith from the gray sheet and… crocheted blankets? Where did he…? “You seem willing to talk about it.” Of course that’s what he’d say. The taller shrugged. “Well,” his eyes watered up as his tongue tried to stop him. But, soft, loving rubs form the side of the calloused thumb on the top of the tanned, soft hand slowly eased the male.

“Lance, come on. It’s clearly bothering you.” Concerned was still present on the older’s face as he moved closer. Okay Lance, like mama says, like a bandaid. “I really like tickling.” It was so fast and quiet that it took Keith a moment to process what had been said. That damn word caused Lance to cringe after the fact.

He didn’t bother to explain or anything else, not yet. He just wasn’t there yet. “Okay…. And? I… guess I do too?” Yeah, it was mice when Adam or Shiro tickled him, even when his mom did. So why wouldn't it be when his boyfriend did too? “Huh? No like… I really like tickling. I…. It makes me really happy and I like to tickle… others a lot too.” Keith tilted his head. “I’m not… getting it?” Bingo. Lance started to calm down more. “I guess you kind of are? It’s not like a kink or anything to do with sex or dominance in a seperate veiw. It’s just…. I guess a fun thing I like to do and feel. “

Keith nodded. “Yeah, like I said…. It’s fine. I like it too. Maybe not as much, but I do enjoy it. It means safety and…. Bonding.” He gave a bit of an irritated face with the last part. “We’ve had plenty of cuddles since then Mr.! Shush!” The older rolled his eyes before letting go of Lance’s hand and laying back down, offering him room this time as apparently Kosmo had ditched him for Adam, or maybe Iverson. Lance smiled before removing his jacket and pants so he could cuddle comfortably. Keith nuzzled into his chest, listening to the anxious heart beat.

He smiled softly as he thought of an idea. Lance, however, was trying to change the topic. “So, where did these blankets- gah! Oh no, Keith!” Lance was so flustered, of course his freaking boyfriend had to do this now! Fingers moved up and down his sides in a soft pattern as the younger started to relax. “Adam’s mom and Shiro’s grandma.” Lance wasn’t really paying attention to the answer as he just started to ease his mind of his anxieties.

Keith was okay with it! Hell, he was tickling him now! “So, should I do this more often,” the smaller chuckled with a playful and arguably flirty smile. “Iahahf yhahaou whahant.” It felt nice when Keith tickled him. He was always light though, afraid to hurt the other. It wasn’t like Shiro where both brother’s would mercilessly dig into each other until one begged for mercy; Or in a newer time: Adam.

Maybe that’s why Hunk liked being tickled by Keith too, he knew boundaries. Which was why he just didn’t tickle Pidge or Allura at all…. He helped Lance ice those bruises. “Whhahahaoa kay! Keahahaith!” He spoke to soon. The other jumped as fingers wigged under his arms. Keith, however, smiled in absolute delight. How cute!

“You said you like tickling,” he teased softly before stopping to give Lance a small eskimo kiss. His eyes were open, a small blush dusting his face as he smiled. Despite the pants, Lacne felt his lips curl upwards happily. With eyes starting to close, he too blushed, butterflies trying to escape him. Rolling them over to their side, he ran a hand through Keith’s hair before moving in to cuddle him. “So… about the festival outside?”

#klance #2019 #hell answers #prompt #fanfiction #fanfic #keith kogane #lance mcclain #voltron #vld #tickling #tickle #ticklish #tickle fight

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imagine-organization-xiii · 5 years

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Org XIII - Reactions to S/O Turning Into a Mouse

Suggested by: @hexnicki Here’s the original ask. These turned out to be a lot longer than I expected LOL so I put them under the Keep Reading! Consider it an apology for taking so long to put this one out!

SHOUTOUT TO @4ddictwithapencil FOR BEING A BABE AND HELPING ME WITH THIS ONE

Xemnas

You wouldn’t even be near Xemnas when it happens. Someone like Demyx, Axel, or Roxas may have been responsible, but you’re absolutely terrified one of them will do something equally stupid like squash you under their feet when they aren’t paying attention. You escape as they’re arguing over what to do with you and immediately head out to find Xemnas.

The door to his office is closed, so you slip under the crack of the frame to try and get his attention. He’s standing at the window and turns when he hears your hysterical squeaking and his hand glitters for a moment - as if he’s going to zap you completely out of existence - before he freezes at the sound of footsteps thundering down the hallway. Roxas, Demyx, and Axel burst into the room and freeze, and you immediately skitter towards Xemnas’ shoes to climb up his coat to rest on his shoulder.

He glances at you, then back at the other members with their panicked faces, then scowls. “What did you do?” Obviously he isn’t hysterically freaking out, but he’s literally at a loss of what to do. And when he realizes it’s you, you really don’t want to know what the punishment for the other organization members is going to be.

It takes a while to get you back to normal, though, and you spend a lot of the time on Xemnas’ shoulder. He’ll rub between your ears with his finger and and watch as you scurry across the arm of his chair in Where Nothing Gathers, completely distracting him from whatever he should actually be paying attention to.

Xigbar

Such a little shit tbh. Doesn’t know how it happened and doesn’t care, just thinks it’s one of the funniest things he’s ever seen in his entire life. He constantly gives you shit about being a mouse now and can’t get over how adorable you are. “Why can’t you look this cute every day?” and he gets a bite on his finger for that one.

Actually goes so far as to buy his S/O a little hamster ball. Gets several scratches and bites when trying to put S/O in the ball, but it’s totally worth it because of the utter rage compacted on such a little face. Spends literally hours with a huge bucket of popcorn watching you roll around the floor of his room and through the halls of the castle.

The other Organization Members are super amused and some even watch you with him. “Uh, Xigbar, what are you doing and why do you have a mouse?” “That’s Y/N.” “That’s Y/N?” “Yes.” “Holy shit, that’s adorable.”

Xigbar is a rat man so it’s fitting amiright babes

Xaldin

When the others bring you to him, he’s super confused. He looks down at the mouse in his hand as you look up at him, then he looks back at the other members and is like “the fuck am i supposed to do with this? Is this your way of telling me we have a rodent problem in the castle?” “No, err.... that’s Y/N.” “What? No it’s not.” “Yes it is. We accidentally turned her into a mouse but it’s okay because we’re already working on a way to turn her back if you just don’t mind watching her for a bit okay thanks bye!” Then they all immediately leave and Xaldin is left alone with you.

Doesn’t really have any idea what he’s supposed to do with you. He was going to go have a workout or get some practice in with his powers but he can’t do that now that he has to take care of you!!! He barely wants to touch you because 1) he lowkey doesn’t really like mice and 2) he really doesn’t want to accidentally hurt you

Vexen

Listen. Vexen is so used to dealing with mice. Mice are his go-to creatures for experiments, so he has to make sure he doesn’t get you mixed up with mice that he uses for tests and things like that. You like to sit on his desk and watch him work sometimes!!!

You know how programmers will sometimes have rubber ducks that sit on their desks where they talk through their code to find any mistakes?? That’s you to Vexen. He’ll talk to you about his experiments and even if you can’t respond or give feedback, it’s a great way for him to go through his work and find errors or mistakes that can be quickly fixed.

Lexaeus

You’re barely bigger than his finger so he is absolutely terrified that he’ll accidentally hurt you. He thinks you’re absolutely adorable, though, and tries to help you get comfortable or get back to normal as best as he can.

Makes you a little bed out of a tissue box, some cotton, and some spare scraps of fabric. He keeps it on the side of his bed and makes sure that you’re all tucked in before he even thinks about going to sleep.

Zexion

Zexion thinks that you! are! so! cute! He’s so curious because his scientist brain immediately wants to do some sort of experiment on you, but he also doesn’t want to do anything that would hurt you.

Reads all he can about mice and their behaviors. Has no idea if the usual diet for mice or mouse behaviors and actions will hold over onto you because you aren’t an actual mouse, but he likes to be prepared.

Feels like he has his very own pet and it’s kind of cool. Will not actually let anyone else near you because he’s afraid they’ll hurt you or take you away or do something equally stupid like put you in a tiny costume. Imagine them putting you in an itty bitty organization cloak.

Saix

One of Vexen’s experiments had backfired and you suffer the consequences for it. Saix walks into the lab expecting to give out assignments and accidentally walks in on Vexen and Zexion arguing over what to do with you. “Why are you arguing about a mouse?” Um... and Zexion and Vexen exchange glances because neither of them want to be the one to break it to Saix that the mouse is his S/O and get their asses kicked. Zexion, who literally had nothing to do with it, shouts, “It’s Vexen’s fault,” and bolts out of the room.

You look adorable but he’s too manly to admit it out loud. Wants to protect you as much as humanly possible so he keeps you either i his pocket or somewhere on his person at all times. You’ll sit on his shoulder and glare at the other organization members as he hands out mission briefings in the Grey Area. Everyone wants to say something about how the usually stoic Saix looks less than intimidating with a mouse on his shoulder but no one has the guts to say it.

Axel

Thinks you’re crazy when you tell him that you can shape shift and literally thinks he’s going insane when you shrink down to a few inches tall. He’s super afraid to step on you, so he picks you up and lets you crawl up his arm to rest on his shoulder.

Burying yourself in his long hair and knotting it up when you try to make a little bed in the soft locks. Hanging on to his hair and controlling him to make him do stupid stuff similarly to a certain Little Chef

He asks you to change into a mouse all the time tbh. “Y/N. hey Y/N. Do the thing. Please do the thing, i’m begging you.” “Axel, it’s 3 in the morning, i’m trying to sleep.” “But, babe”

Demyx

You’re already the most precious thing in the world to him but now it’s like??? Multiplied by a thousand. Holds you up directly in front of his face because you are precious and he needs all of you in his vision. You have definitely bitten him on the nose more than once because of this.

Will carry you around and unashamedly make everyone look at how cute you are. “LOOK AT MY BABE, SHE’S SO CUTE”

Luxord

You have the power to shape-shift, but it only really works for things that are about/near to your natural size? Like a cougar or a baby elephant or something, and he ends up making a bet with you that you can’t turn into something super tiny, like a mouse. “Fuck you, Luxord, this is one bet you can’t win because i’m going to do it.” And you do, but it doesn’t work out the way you want it to.

Luxord sees you turn into this teeny tiny mouse and sighs. “Okay, I’ll concede. You win this one. Go ahead and turn yourself back.” But then... you don’t. “Y/N?” And then he just grins because he realizes, “Oh, my God, you can’t turn yourself back. You’re too small and you’re stuck like that.” And there’s just a bunch of furious, outraged squeaking that blares throughout the room.

Luxord will absolutely 100% have a tea party with the mouse.

Marluxia

Marluxia has always had a connection to nature and wildlife, so he is PREPARED for this. He definitely takes good care of you and speaks softly to you and lets you know that everything is going to be okay. Not sure if you’ll eat mouse food or human food so he feeds you some herbs and plants that could be for both. Would definitely be keeping a strict eye on you until someone finds a way to turn you back to normal.

Would let you run in his garden and stay among the flowers like a little field mouse!!! He thinks it’s so cute when you sit under a flower and it looks like you’re wearing the petals as a hat.

Larxene

Does not like mice. At all. She knows that it’s you, but mice give her the creeps and she will avoid you as much as she can until you turn back to normal. She’s not very affectionate, but any affection she had for you is on the fence right now because mice kind of... creep her out? It’s one of the only things in the world that can send a shiver up her spine.

Still stays away from you for a while even after you turn back to normal. Just the idea that you were a mouse only a few hours ago just weirds her out.

Roxas

Thinks it’s funny and cute but only to an extent. The boy is more worried and concerned. He’s like that video of the drunk girls who were crying over the puppies, like “I NEED TO PROTECT YOU BUT I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN.” Legit cries over you at least once because you’re too cute when you scratch your face and crinkle your nose.

Xion

Literally all over your cuteness. Thinks you’re one of the most adorable things that she’s ever seen. Will make you little hats and maybe a purse or a handbag out of fabric and paper. Will also try to build you a little mouse house to live in until you turn back to normal. It ends up being more of a mouse mansion tbh

Goes so far as to asking if she can be turned into a mouse too because she wants to be that adorable, but everyone has to be like “honey you already are that adorable.”

#organization xiii #kingdom hearts #organization xiii headcanons #kingdom hearts headcanons #hexnicki

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malecsecretsanta · 5 years

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Merry Christmas, @sandalwoodmalecs!

For sandalwoodmalecs: I hope you enjoy this piece: there's a lot of tropes in here which I hope you will like - there's enemies to lovers, though it's one-sided and quite silly, Magnus taking care of Madzie, lots of Queen, and it is set in the summer of 1982.

Read on AO3

*****

whatever this world can give to me

The sky billowed with clouds. Rain fell, heavy and fast, and Magnus cursed, pulling his briefcase closer to his body. He couldn’t stop a groan from slipping through his mouth as the bus sped past him, water drenching his bag despite his previous efforts. It was waterproof - allegedly. Hopefully, it stood the test, or there would be some very angry students when Magnus turned up with their essays - already belated - destroyed, their marks illegible. With that scintillating thought in mind, Magnus chased after the bus. The signpost of the bus stop faced him, almost mockingly. Next to the signpost, underneath the shelter, stood a man, a leather wallet already in his hand. The bus stopped, and Magnus cursed under his breath again.

The man, his suit perfectly dry, entered the bus. The money clinked, the ticket was exchanged, and the door hadn’t closed yet.

But as his eyes met the man’s - they were stunning, molten gold wrapped in jagged emeralds - he shook his head. The door closed, and the bus rattled off. Slightly out of breath, Magnus grabbed the signpost to steady himself, swearing vehemently under his breath. That asshole. He wouldn’t be able to make it to tea with Catarina now.

...

Thankfully, due to his early departure, he wasn’t late for work. Which was just as well. It hadn't been easy to secure this job. Yet, when he turned up to his first lecture, coffee in hand and briefcase slung over his shoulder, there were already students waiting outside the lecture hall. “Right,” Magnus said, opening the door, “come on in.” Chaos swarmed over the room as he stepped inside, the chatter continuing to flourish as the loud snap of desks opening filled the hall. Magnus sighed, throwing his belongings down on the table beside him. 8 am really was too early for a lecture. “Welcome. I have your essays.” The chatter started to crackle, to bubble, on the verge of setting fire to the room. He unclipped the brass clasp of his briefcase, pulling out the slightly damp essays. Magnus smiled, feeling only a tad evil. “Please collect them after the lecture.” A collective grumble spread across the room, but Magnus knew from unfortunate experience that handing them out now would lead to distracted and disinterested students. Well, only slightly more so than usual. Perhaps Magnus wasn't being fair to his students. They were generally a good lot, turning in most of their assessments on time and treating Magnus with respect. Magnus started to walk around, surveying the room, and everyone fell into a silent hush. “After exploring the rise of communism through the allegoristic story of Animal Farm, we will be exploring the fragility of the American Dream in early 20th century Midwestern America through Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Of course, if you pay any attention at all to the course you are studying, you would already know this.” Magnus turned around, scrawling Of Mice and Men onto the blackboard. He turned back around, his burgundy coat sweeping out. “Get out your books. There’s no rest for the wicked,” he said, winking. “Let's thoroughly dissect and explore the tragedy of George and Lennie.” The lecture passed in a swirl of content pouring out of his mouth, his own battered copy of Of Mice and Men lying on the table. It might not have been the easiest job, teaching adolescents the wonder of literature in the midst of this crazy decade. Life would never be easy. But at least, as a reputable professor, it was easier.

...

When Magnus finally found the time to swing around to Catarina’s place, it was Saturday afternoon, the vicious rain replaced by soft rays of sunlight. As always, Catarina opened the door with the bolt still in place. “Who is it?” The question hung in the air, soaked with the uncertainty and fear born out of societal prejudice.

“Magnus, dear,” he replied.

Catarina unlocked the door, leaning against it with a sigh. “Thank goodness you’re here.” Magnus frowned, walking inside. “Are you alright?” Catarina bit her lip, gesturing towards the phone lying limply on the table. “There’s been an influx of AIDs patients at the hospital, and, well…” "It's not your fault," Magnus cut in, trying to stop Catarina's spiral of self-deprecation before it took over. "What do you need? “Can you look after Madzie?” Catarina asked. It hurt Magnus to hear how hesitant Catarina was. They had been best friends for years. There was no reason to be hesitant in asking for a perfectly reasonable favour. “I know it’s short notice, but -” “Of course I will,” Magnus said, wanting to go up to Ronald Reagan himself to punch him in the face for contributing to all of this distress. “You know I love my sweetpea.” “She’s got a doctor’s appointment at five,” Catarina said, “it’s her yearly check-up, and she really can’t afford to miss it.” “Where is it?” Magnus asked, pushing down his anger at the world and its rigid, unjust ways, as Catarina needed cooperation, not venting, right now. “At the Lightwoods’ clinic down the road.” Catarina tilted her head to the side. “Madzie, you can come out now.” A door down the corridor creaked, opening to reveal Madzie. She dashed out from behind it, running up to hug Magnus. Madzie looked up at him with stars shining in her eyes. "Uncle Magnus! It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, sweetpea,” Magnus replied, dropping down to Madzie’s height, “how’s school?” Her smile widened. “Great! Some kids are mean, but Zoe sticks with me.” Magnus nodded, grateful for the small mercies of life. “And we’re getting to write, now, on these tiny blackboards,” Madzie continued, enthusiasm sparkling within her eyes, “nowhere near as big as yours, Uncle Magnus. Do you know why they make chalk so crumbly?” Magnus laughed, shaking his head. “No, I don’t, sweetpea.” “Anyway,” Catarina interrupted, “Madzie, darling, Uncle Magnus needs to take you to your appointment shortly.” Madzie nodded, entwining her hands with Magnus' jacket as if afraid that he would go away, now that she had stopped talking to him. “May I go to the park after?” “Of course, dear,” Catarina said, slinging her bag over her shoulder, dropping down onto her knees to press a soft kiss to Madzie’s forehead. “Be safe.” “I’ll try,” Madzie promised, “Uncle Magnus knows how to keep me safe.” “He sure does. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” Catarina said, unlatching the door, the bolt banging against the wood. “Do what Uncle Magnus tells you to do, okay?” “I will,” Madzie repeated, fiddling with Magnus’ jacket. The door closed with a click. Madzie fell into Magnus, forcing him to sit down so that she could crawl into his lap, though he didn’t mind. Magnus opened his arms, making it easier for Madzie to hug him. “We need to go to the doctors shortly, then supper and then the park. Sound good?” Madzie nodded against his neck. “Yep. Can you please read to me?” It broke Magnus’ heart that, even after all these months, Madzie was still so hesitant to ask for what she wanted. “Of course, dear,” he replied, pulling Matilda out of his pocket, “just relax.”

...

The clinic wasn’t difficult to find, with a neat Drs Lightwood scrawled on a sign in front of the place. When Magnus opened the door, he was met with a clean interior. And a friendly receptionist. “Welcome,” she greeted, putting down her pen, “I’m Ms Fray.” “Nice to meet you," Magnus said, "I'm Mr Bane, here for Madzie Loss' 4 o'clock appointment with Dr Lightwood." Ms Fray nodded, checking her notebook with practised ease. “Ah, yes. Please wait in the waiting room and you will be called shortly." “Thank you,” Magnus said, as Madzie grabbed his hand, tugging him towards the waiting area. “They’ve got a nice piano,” Madzie whispered into his ear. “Can you play it please?” Magnus smiled, sitting down at the piano. “Of course, sweetpea.” And as he slipped dramatically into a soft rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, he started to relax. It was nice to only have to worry about one thing at the time, if only temporarily.

...

Dr Lightwood, unfortunately, broke Magnus’ reverie. He turned out to be that asshole from the bus stop. “Ah, Dr Lightwood," Magnus said, his smile now tight, "nice to meet you. I'm Magnus Bane, Madzie's uncle." Dr Lightwood leant forward, offering his hand, and in the name of politeness and in not scarring Madzie, Magnus shook it. "Please,” Dr Lightwood said with a dismissive wave of his hand, “call me Alec.”

If his eyes hadn’t been so familiar, Magnus might have believed that he was mistaken, that this charming doctor wasn’t the same person who had made him miss his bus.

Magnus tried and failed to add some semblance of warmth to his tone before he spoke next. “Alright.”

“Well," Alec said, flipping through a thin file, "as I told Catarina before on the phone, the health insurance has come through." "Right," Magnus replied, having to make a conscious effort to keep the bitterness out of his voice, "let's commence, then."

If it had been a regular day, and Magnus had missed his normal bus, he would have had some serious explaining to do to his boss.

So he wasn’t exactly brimming with positivity about this Dr Lightwood. Yet as the consultation went on, Alec continued to dote on Madzie with soft words and even softer smiles, leading Magnus to think that, despite his selfish tendencies, perhaps Alec wasn’t the devil incarnate. Still, for the peace of his own mind if nothing else, Magnus wanted to ask Alec why he hadn’t simply asked the bus driver to wait. So at the end of the consultation, he spoke up. "Madzie, if you could please wait outside, I would like to have a private word with Dr Lightwood." Madzie nodded, slipping outside without a fuss. Alec sighed, shuffling the paperwork. “Catarina has already paid for everything this year and completed all of the necessary paperwork - you know that, right?” “Yeah,” Magnus dismissed with a wave of his hand, “I do. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about. Is there a reason why you didn't wait for me to get on the bus?" Alec blinked. “I wasn’t trying to be rude.” “You clearly saw me,” Magnus couldn’t help but argue, “what, did you think I was running for the trees?” Alec shook his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. “Magnus. That wasn’t the public bus.” Magnus frowned, feeling his irritation slipping away. “But it looked exactly like one.” “A disguise,” Alec said, shrugging. “It was for a… training day, for a special selection of doctors.” “Oh.” Thank goodness Madzie was outside. She didn't need to see this. “Well - what happened to my actual bus?” “It turned the corner as you entered the street,” Alec said, his eyes crinkling with laughter. “Look, as an apology for creating you all this stress, however inadvertently, why don’t we meet up for coffee some time? My treat.” “Sure.”

There wasn’t any real reason to turn down an offer of free food and genuine companionship.

So Magnus took it.

...

There was a certain comfort to his loft, the long, draining week of exams finally behind him, a place where he could simply relax. As Magnus loosened his tie, excitement pierced his weary soul: tonight, he wouldn’t simply be eating takeout alone, but going out with Alec to a local diner. It had been so long since he had gone out with anyone new. His bell rang, and Magnus sighed, tightening his tie back up: despite the tie, his outfit wasn’t awfully fancy, just nice pants with a grey dress shirt. After slipping his wallet and keys into his back pocket, Magnus somehow found the strength within himself to walk to the door. It swung open outwards with ease - thankfully, Alec had taken the precaution of standing away from the door. But his smile still lit up the hallway, despite how relatively casual he was dressed compared to his stiff suit from the other day at the clinic: loose-fitting jeans, a simple t-shirt and scuffed sneakers. “Hey,” Alec said, stepping forward, “you look nice.” Magnus couldn’t stop the warmth in his chest from spreading, despite the danger. “Why thank you,” he replied, a smile slipping onto his face, “so do you, Dr Lightwood.” A slither of disapproval fell into Alec’s gaze. “No titles here, Dr Bane. Simply good food.” “Right then, Alec,” Magnus said, pulling the door closed behind him, “let’s head to the famous diner, then.”

...

The diner was lovely, tucked away from the general hustle and bustle of New York. “How’d you find this place?” Magnus asked as they walked inside. “It’s gorgeous.�� Alec shrugged. “Come here all the time with my partner. It’s near the clinic and it serves good food.” As Alec spoke, a waitress approached them, her blonde hair tucked up into a bun. “Take your seats wherever you please,” she said, “and I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order.” “Thanks, Lydia,” Alec said, before leading Magnus to a corner booth, near the jukebox that was belting out Don’t Stop Believin’.

Alec picked up the pitcher of water when he sat down, gesturing for Magnus to do the same. Magnus slipped onto the seat opposite Alec. “Who’s your partner?” he asked, opening the menu, “your wife?” It wasn’t something that Magnus necessarily wanted to be true, but something that was likely to be. Alec spluttered, putting down the pitcher of water. “Oh God no. It’s my sister.” “How’s working with your sister?” Magnus asked, scanning the menu absentmindedly, in an effort to shield his relief from the world. Alec shrugged, pouring water into his glass. “Good. She’s an amazing doctor. Could do without the teasing, though.” “Ah, but that’s the sisterly love right there,” Magnus said, his tone warm. Alec snorted. “Sure. Sisterly love. Want some?” he asked, gesturing with the pitcher. Magnus shook his head. “Nah, I’m good. Thinking of getting a chocolate milkshake.” Alec nodded, humming. “Izzy told me that they’re good. What else?” “A scone.” Magnus couldn’t help but think of how ashamed Ragnor would be of Magnus for daring to order and consume a disgusting, American scone. “Sounds good,” Alec said, sipping his water. He tilted his head towards the jukebox, which had now slipped into Under Pressure. “Do you like Queen?” A smile broke through, a topic of ease sliding onto his tongue. “Yeah,” Magnus replied, “they’re great.” Alec put down his glass of water, his gaze content. “Brilliant. My sister doesn’t. Nice to meet a fellow fan,” he said, holding his hand out in a mock handshake. “Why ever not?” Magnus asked as he shook Alec’s hand, pushing down the laughter bubbling within himself, feeling more comfortable by the second. Alec shrugged. “Bad taste, I say.” Magnus laughed, closing the menu. “Fair call.” And as the night fell away, into laughter and delicious food, Magnus couldn’t help but reflect on how screwed he was. Alec was such a beautiful man, both inside and out. Magnus really should learn to stop wanting what he could never have.

...

It wasn’t difficult to track down the clinic’s number, but it was with unsteady fingers that Magnus dialled it. Not knowing how something would be received tended to instil fear into a person. There was a click, a whirl, and the line crackled. “Dr Lightwood speaking.” It wasn’t Alec speaking - Magnus could tell that much. “Um, hi. This is Magnus Bane -” “I see,” they replied, smugness crawling into their voice. “I’ll get my brother in a minute, he’s on a break.” So Magnus waited, fanning himself to try and cool himself in the stifling summer heat. “Hello,” Alec said, “Magnus, thanks for calling.” It wasn’t what he had expected. “Oh - that’s quite okay. I was just wondering...” the line crackled with static, “if we could meet up again?” “Definitely. It’s game night with my sister tomorrow night if you’d like to come?” “That sounds lovely,” Magnus said, mopping the sweat from his forehead. “We even have an air conditioner,” Alec added, amusement slipping into his voice. “Izzy insisted that she would not live with me if I stunk up the place every summer. So, I let her invest.” “How chivalrous of you,” Magnus commented, the information making the deal sweeter if time spent with such an intriguing man needed to be improved upon. Alec chuckled. “Indeed. You can meet us at the clinic at 6 o’clock tomorrow night. Trust me, it’s easier that way.” “Well.” Magnus paused, taking a sip of his lukewarm water. “If you insist. See you then, Alec.” “See you. Stay safe.”

...

The clouds swirled above Magnus as he entered the clinic, the reception area empty but for the chatter of Alec and his sister drifting through from another room. “Stop overreacting,” someone chided, “everything is going to be fine.” Magnus couldn’t help the curiosity from spiking beneath his skin, as he strode forward and knocked on the door behind the reception desk. “Hello,” he said to an eyeful of plaster. The door opened, and with it, a young woman, her dark hair twisted into an intricate bun. “Magnus!” she said, beaming. She started to unbutton her lab coat, shedding the world of work from her shoulders. “I’m Izzy, Alec’s sister.” “Lovely to meet you,” Magnus replied, reaching out to shake her hand.

Izzy shook his hand. “You’ve found a chivalrous one, brother,” she teased. “I guess so,” Alec said as he stepped into the room, his hair ruffled. "Let's go.”

Only joy came from following Alec to his home, to another phenomenal night.

...

The game of the night turned out to be Payday; a game that Magnus cherished, if not for the game itself but of the countless times he had played it with Madzie. But never before had it been such a competitive exercise. “Honestly,” Alec muttered, reluctantly forking out some of his fake cash, “I didn’t even go to any High School Dances. Why do I have to pay for it?” “Stop complaining,” Izzy interrupted, her own wad of cash thick from a particularly profitable deal involving water pipes, “it’s a game, and anyway, you can survive buying your sister a few dresses.” Magnus laughed, lightness brewing within him, and it had nothing to do with the champagne. “Darling, I had to pitch in the same amount to make you a mayor. It’s a chance game.” “Well,” Alec said, handing the dice to Magnus, his palm warm, “my luck is a sham.” Izzy snorted, putting down her wine. “No, it’s not. You’re going to Queen next week.” “Yeah, because it’s my birthday gift from you, who I’m going with,” Alec replied, his gaze deadpan. Izzy shrugged. “Excuses, excuses.” She paused, swishing her wine around, turning to face Magnus, her eyes sparkling with the same fire that had made this game so intense. “You should go.” Magnus shook his head. “No, dear. You bought the tickets. You should go.” Izzy shrugged again. “Yeah, because I wanted my brother to have the option to go with someone, and I was there if he didn’t find anyone else he wanted to go with.” A logical response. Those always were more difficult to refute. “Really, Izzy, there’s no need -” Magnus said, repeating himself. As much as he would love to go to Queen, see Freddie Mercury’s face sparkle under the gleam of fluorescent lights as he belted his heart out, he didn’t want to be an intruder. Didn’t want Alec to resent him for stealing his sister’s rightful place. “Izzy’s right,” Alec interrupted, “she could care less about Queen, but you clearly love them.” Magnus blinked. “Are you sure?” “Yeah,” Alec said, putting down his own glass, “they’re my tickets and I’d love to go with you - if you can make it. It’s 8 pm next Tuesday.” Magnus finished work at 5. “Yeah,” he said, defeated, “I can.” “Right,” Izzy said, crossing her arms, “that’s settled, then.” Magnus smiled, his chest tight. “I guess it is, then.” “I’m looking forward to getting to spend more time with you,” Alec replied, picking up his glass. Lies fell, sugar sweet, from Alec’s lips, again and again. Yet perhaps Alec did genuinely enjoy Magnus’ company. Magnus lifted his glass in mock salute. “So am I.”

...

It took an hour on the dusty, crowded trains of New York to reach Madison Square Garden - but with Alec, it hadn’t mattered the surroundings, but who he was with.

The chatter swelled as they were caught up in the crowd moving towards Madison Square Garden. The sun still flared across the city as they shuffled through Tower B, yet there was also a cool breeze swirling throughout the crowd of people. They walked in the sticky heat to their seats along row 14, near the corner, but with a clear view of the stage. “You have a very nice sister,” Magnus muttered as they sat down. Alec shrugged. “Izzy’s amazing. But you should see what I got for her birthday.” “What?” Magnus asked as people continued to file in. “Her new home,” Alec said as if it was the most mundane gift in the world. “She had recently qualified as a doctor, much to our parents’ detriment, and I offered her a place where she wasn’t constantly asked when she was going to marry.” Alec fell quiet. “I don’t think either of us is going to please our parents in that particular area of life.” “Well.” Magnus cracked open his water, expensive as it was, and took a sip. “Marriage isn’t everything.” Alec laughed dryly. “Tell that to my parents. You’d be out of the door before you had even entered.” “Let’s not talk about those of the past,” Magnus said, squashing down the glee that arose from Alec’s untraditional views shining through, “let’s talk about the present, and the miracles we’re about to witness.” Alec nodded, and as he did, the whole entire stadium fell into a hush.

But then the whole crowd cheered and they joined into the roar, Freddie Mercury himself strolling onto the stage. “Hello New York!” Freddie said, his voice rolling across the stadium in a booming echo. “Welcome to Madison Square Garden!” The music thrummed with energy; but the display itself enthralled Magnus, with the dancing of the lights, in shades of green and red and blue, smoke curling off the stage. But perhaps the most enchanting part of the performance was Freddie himself, as he sung, walking across the stage like it was his home. He clapped, along with Alec, as the crowd joined in for a fast-paced rendition of We Will Rock You. The songs took him away, to an easier time, to a lighter time, to a world full of possibility. The crowd buzzed with enthusiasm, and it was contagious. For Magnus sung, he clapped, he laughed. A brilliant night, made sweeter by the man by his side. As it drew to an end, the chorus of We Are The Champions swelling into place with the banging of drums, fire licked against his skin due to the sheer intensity of the atmosphere. This was a concert of flame, of passion, of joy. But Magnus didn’t think that he needed to come here to find that part of himself - if he was allowed, he could find it in the man sitting right next to him.

...

They stumbled onto the night train with others from the concert, chatting idly with laughter stirring their weary bones. “Aren’t you glad that we forced you to go?” Alec teased, his eyes twinkling. Magnus shrugged. “Yeah,” he whispered, his voice slightly raspy from all of the singing, “I am. Thank you, again.” “I don’t think you quite understand,” Alec said, as the carriage shook and rattled, “it was my pleasure.”

...

There was a notable silence to Alec’s apartment after the buzz of the concert, covering Magnus like a blanket. Magnus flopped onto the couch, closing his eyes. The click of the door closing, the thud of Alec’s boots; all these little things reminding Magnus that he needed to get himself under control. “Magnus?” Alec called out, uncertainty wavering in his voice. “Are you alright?” Magnus lifted his head to smile, but it was strained and his eyes felt as dull as tarnished silver. “I’m fine.” Alec bit his lip. “Of course. It’s getting late.” There it was - the dreaded finality to Alec’s words. Alec had indulged Magnus for long enough. He was under no obligation to stick around. Even as a friend, even if - even if Magnus wanted more than that. But the world still shouted, still degraded and scorned and defiled men like him - yet Alec wasn’t like that. He wouldn’t yell at Magnus, but his rejection would be soft, and - Magnus could lose him. Magnus didn’t think he could bear that. Magnus nodded, fixating his gaze on the portrait of a beautiful woman in front of him. He’d never seen her before. “It is.” “Magnus,” Alec reprimanded softly, dropping down onto the couch beside him. “I think it best if - if you stay the night, if you don’t mind. The city isn’t safe at night when you’re alone - and -” Alec seemed worried, in a way Magnus really hadn’t seen him fret before. “Calm down,” Magnus interrupted, “I’ll stay, if that makes you feel better.”

But his words were simply another form of pretence: he wanted to stay for his own sake, simple as that. Alec sunk further into the couch. “Thank you. You can sleep in Izzy’s room, she’s with a friend tonight.” Alec sighed, curling up in on himself. “She can take care of herself.” Magnus doesn’t know who Alec was trying to convince - himself or Magnus. “Of course she can,” Magnus reassured, pushing away the hurt that arose from Alec choosing to not face him, despite the awkward position that ensued. “That’s her friend, Maia,” Alec said, pointing at the picture, “fierce and stubborn. Perfect for Izzy.” Magnus could feel himself relax, albeit slightly. Not a girlfriend, then. Alec shifted on the couch, restlessness interwoven into his bones. “There’s something I need to tell you.” Alec wasn’t looking at Magnus. “Go ahead,” Magnus said, “we’ve got all night.” “The thing is.” Alec sighed again, shaking his head. “Do you want some tea?” Magnus didn't particularly want tea, but - but it would mean that he got to chatter with Alec a bit longer. “If you don’t mind,” Magnus replied, “that would be lovely.” It seemed that all of the energy from the concert had been sucked out by the oppressive heat that still swirled around the city, even as the sun bid New York good night. Alec got up, quickly, as if thankful for the distance it put between him and Magnus. “How’s work?” It felt like Alec was trying to stagnate the conversation with mundane topics. “Exam season is coming up, so busy.” There was the whistle, the click of the kettle and the rattle of tea leaves before Alec spoke next. “I don’t miss it.” Magnus buttoned and unbuttoned his right cuff a few times. “Neither do I, rather, it’s much more pleasant being on this side of exams. Look - Alec - are you alright?” No matter how unfulfilled, how lost Magnus felt - how he felt didn’t matter. But, now, if Magnus was making Alec feel uncomfortable - that mattered. “Um.” Alec blinked, almost dropping the mug he was holding. “I need to tell you something.” The fear from before came roaring up into his heart, winding around it in an act of strangulation. “Okay,” Magnus said, swallowing down his own fear, “I trust you.” Alec smiled. Something fragile, small, but oh so beautiful. “So do I.” The kettle started to bubble, to boil, but Alec wasn’t paying any attention to it - instead, his eyes were fixated on Magnus. “I’m gay.” The words were quick, muttered under his breath like Alec was ashamed. “Hey,” Magnus said softly, “that’s okay. Thank you for telling me.” Such an immense show of trust; but even if Alec could be attracted to him, it didn’t mean he was. “And.” He paused. “Only Izzy knows, but I thought it would be important to tell you because -” Alec trailed off, turning off the whistling kettle. “Alec,” Magnus said, pushing aside his own mess of emotions in an effort to untangle Alec's, “you don’t have to tell me anything else that makes you uncomfortable.” Alec shook his head, putting the mug down, pouring tea into it. “No. I need to. And - if you never want to see me again after this, I completely understand.” Magnus couldn’t fathom anything that would turn him against Alec. Well, perhaps murder. But even then, it would depend on the circumstances. Alec exhaled, walking over with Magnus’ cup of tea, his eyes flickering down to the rug as he sat down on the armchair across from Magnus. “I like you.” Alec seemed frozen, rubbing his hands together. “Romantically - and - I just thought you should know, before it got more serious, before.” He swallowed again. “Before it would have been more painful for me to let go of you.” It broke Magnus’ heart, the way that Alec cut his own emotions away as if they were worthless. They were definitely not worthless. “Look,” Magnus began, walking over to Alec, putting his hand on Alec’s shoulder. “I’m bisexual, so I get how brave you are.” Alec stared at him, the sheer vulnerability and accompanying fear in his gaze throwing another dagger at Magnus’ heart. “Oh,” he whispered, “that’s good, but -” “I have feelings for you, too,” Magnus interrupted before Alec could enter another spiral of self-deprecation. “How could I not? You’re the most magnificent man I’ve ever met.” “I.” Alec blinked, his eyes wet. “I just. Really?” “Really,” Magnus said, rubbing circles into Alec’s shoulders, a smile slipping through. Alec leaned forward, tentatively, to cup Magnus’ face as if he was the most precious object in the world. “Can I.” He hesitated. “Can I kiss you?” “Of course,” Magnus replied, unable to stop himself from leaning into Alec’s touch. It was like being enveloped in pure, gentle warmth. With that, Alec leaned forward. The kiss felt like coming home, like kicking off your shoes after a long day at work. Alec pulled at Magnus’ jacket, and Magnus melted further into the kiss, winding his arms around Alec’s neck. He’d never felt so safe. The kiss ended, and Magnus laughed in disbelief. “I’m glad you took this risk. That was.” He searched for an adequate word, but couldn’t find anything adequate for the exhilaration spreading throughout his body and mind. “Wonderful. Exquisite.” “It was,” Alec said, joy shining in his eyes, “It’s getting late, though. Do you want to go to sleep?” Magnus nodded, stifling a yawn against his elbow. “Yeah. Is it okay if I go into your room? Just to sleep.” In the wake of their confessions, Magnus simply wanted to be close to Alec, to soak up his warmth, for as long as he could. “Yeah,” Alec breathed, “yeah, that sounds nice.” It took a few minutes, a few moments sinking into the wonderland spinning itself into existence before Magnus’ eyes, before Alec got up, Magnus following behind him. Once there, they sank into the bed, exhausted. But not too exhausted for Magnus to slip a hand around Alec’s waist, pulling him close, burrowing instinctively into his warmth. “I’m not going anywhere,” Alec mumbled, entwining his hand with Magnus’. The world outside might not be the most accepting; but here, in the arms of the man he was already halfway to falling in love with, Magnus had never felt freer.

#sandalwoodmalecs #malecsanta18 #*fics18 #*gifts18

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