#but I am well enough to finally get to this other commission I agreed to literally the day I got extra sick!

[kirby-the-gorb]

#kirby #request #kofi commission #cuccicakes #daily kirby #my art #digital #hal laboratory #nintendo #I am still extra sick! #but I am well enough to finally get to this other commission I agreed to literally the day I got extra sick! #and make a couple doilies for the craft fair in december! #which is progress. #after basically doing Nothing for the better part of 7 days.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for refusing to make my grandmother a piece of art?

I (17x, they/them) graduated high school about a year ago, and as a graduation gift, my grandmother (70s) bought me a $400 art tablet, since I'm well known in the family to be an artist. I had mentioned it to her as something that I wanted, but since her and I are not that close, I had expected her and a few other family members to all pitch in. My grandmother has quite a lot of money, though, and frequently spends hundreds of dollars on her grandkids (for example, she bought each of my sisters (8 + 12) 200+ dollars worth of LEGO sets a few months prior to my graduation party, and spends even more money on my cousins, who ask for things more than me and my sisters.), so she just bought it and some accessories for it.

I had thanked her profusely for the art tablet several times, as it was something I really wanted. I use it all of the time, it's very good quality, and I enjoy making art.

I make art entirely for myself; I don't do commissions, and I rarely make art pieces for other people. If I do, it's as a birthday/Christmas gift. I do not share art that I make for myself with other people, partly because I get nervous about criticism, and partly because my family generally reacts negatively to anything that they perceive as "weird" (i.e. elves, OCs with non-human features, religious imagery, etc, all things that I draw regularly.)

My mom (44) told me that I should make a piece of art for my grandmother, using the tablet. I told her I did not want to do that, as I don't enjoy making art for other people, especially if I am told to.

She says that it would a nice thing to do, and while I agree that it would be nice, I don't draw things would appeal to my parents, much less my grandparents.

I have attempted a couple of times to sit down and make a nice piece of art for my grandmother, but my art style tends to be very contrasting to the sort of thing my grandmother likes, and I have no idea what I would draw for her. And again, I don't like sharing my art that much, so I just decided not to do it.

I've written my grandmother a thank you card, and thanked her in person several times. When she asks about it, I tell her enthusiastically that I enjoy it, and appreciate it, telling her about some things that I've drawn.

I think that this is good enough, and my grandmother has never asked for an art piece, but my mom still makes comments about it almost a full year after the party-- "You'll draw an elf lady, but you won't draw something for Grandma?". It's been getting increasingly annoying, so I finally just told my mom that no, I don't plan on drawing something for her.

My mom said that I was being rude, and that I should consider "how happy Grandma would be" if I made something for her.

So, am I the asshole for saying I wouldn't draw something for her?

What are these acronyms?

#aita #am i the asshole

[ventisweetheart]

Genshin boys comfort you for period cramps

Xiao, Scaramouche, Diluc Author's Note: This is for my bestie @sweet-almonds that requested this!

✧Xiao✧

You had been curled up in bed all day, hiding away from Xiao. Your period cramps were getting the best of you and you didn't want your boyfriend to see you like this so, you just decided to stay in bed all day. That is, until you heard Xiao calling for you.

''Y/n? Come out of that room, you've been in there all day'' You hear him say. You were about to give a response when a sharp pain pierced in your lower stomach. You couldn't help but begin to cry, as you clenched your eyes shut.

You hear foot steps get closer to your shared bedroom.

''Qingxin?'' You hear Xiao say as he places a hand on your figure. You quickly wipe away your tears and smile at him. The expression on his face changes almost immediately.

''Hey what happened? Why are you crying? Who do I need to beat up, just give me a name and I'll be on my way, love'' You find it funny that he could still tell you were crying, that's how well he knows you.

You give out a small sigh. ''It's not that.. it's just these cramps, it hurts so much.'' You hate to look weak in front of him but, it's not like you can lie to him.

''Well then, scoot over. Make some room for me next to you.'' Kind of confused, you move a few inches over and almost immediately, he takes you in his arms and begins to play with your hair.

''I am sorry Qingxin, is there anything I can do? Do you need anything at all? I will get you anything you need.''

''I just want you, Xiao.'' You say. You blush a little, being so close to him. But all you want now is his warmth. You rub your eyes and begin to get a little drowsy. His arm wrapped around you and his other hand stroking your hair is enough for you to drift off. Xiao notices this.

''Alright, it's time for you to rest now. I'll be here when you wake up, okay?'' He slightly smiles to himself and kisses the top of your head.

✧Scaramouche✧

It's been a long day. You were out the whole morning doing your daily commissions but, with your period cramps as well. Constantly having to stop to catch a breath when fighting Hilichurls because the cramps hurt worse than their blows. Now that you were finally home, you can rest without having to look like a big baby in front of Scaramouche, maybe.

You open the door, holding your lower stomach. And Scaramouche notices right away that something is wrong. You flash him a smile and dart to your shared room. You change out of your clothing and you get into something more comfortable for the situation your in. Before you could even sit on the bed, your boyfriend was already standing at the door way with his arms crossed.

''So, you gonna tell me what happened?'' He says with a slight attitude but, actually he is really worried of course.

''Ah- it's just cramps, nothing serious.'' You say in a low voice. You started to get that lump in your throat, like when you're about to cry. As you say this, the pain gets worse. And per usual, he can tell you're going to cry. Even though he likes to look tough around you, it melts his heart to see you cry and so he walks to you and pulls you in his arms.

''Oh love come here.. let it all out, it's okay.'' That alone makes you burst into tears. You can usually toughen out your cramps but with the commissions, and a lot of stress being put onto you, it was just a bit too much this time.

''It's going to be okay darling, I've got you.'' He tilts your head up to meet his gaze and he kisses your tears away, eventually giving your lips a gentle kiss before picking you up and laying in bed with you.

✧Diluc✧

You and Diluc had a dinner to go to with the knights of favonius today. It actually took you some convincing to do since Kaeya was probably going to be there. But after a while he finally agreed. And here the two of you are now getting dressed for the dinner when your period cramps start to escalate. You were already having cramps before but, you didn't think they would get too bad.

''Which tie should I use? This gray one, or black?'' After, he looks at you and sees your face of discomfort. At first he thinks that you don't like either of the ties but, after a while he starts to connect the dots.

He remembers that earlier you were having some cramps. And so he starts to think that maybe the two of you should skip going to the dinner tonight.

''Hey sweetheart, how about we just rest tonight. I know you were having cramps today, are they bad?'' He puts an arm around your waist.

''Well, yeah but I don't want you to miss out on the fun just because of me so, lets just go.''

He gives a light chuckle,'' honey, the only reason I was going was for you. There is nothing I am missing out on if you're just going to be in pain while we are there. So, its okay to stay home tonight. Tomorrow if you want, we can go do anything you want, just me and you?'' You smile and nod your head. He takes off his coat and gives you a kiss on the cheek.

#diluc x reader #scaramouche x reader #xiao x reader #genshin impact xiao #genshin diluc #genshin scaramouche #scaramouche #xiao #diluc ragnvindr #genshin x reader #genshin fluff #scaramouche fluff #xiao fluff #diluc fluff #genshin fanfic #genshin impact #genshin headcanons #fanfiction

[momolady]

It's that time again! Commissions are open! And these commissions are specifically for paying for my recent medical expenses that have built up. But nothing really has changed, same old commissions, same dedicated Momolady.

These commissions are open from late February through May, so feel free to ask for multiples if you'd like.

Below is a format I wish you to follow so that the commission you want is assured, and I will have all information needed in order to complete the job easily, smoothly, and stress free. If further discussions are needed, we can do so via discord.

Send all applications or questions to [email protected]

Commission Inquiry Form:

Make sure to include as much as possible! If your desired story needs a lot of details, give as much as needed. If you want to leave something more simple and trust me with the details, make sure to say that too. This will also decide which commission price comes into play. When you send the email please make the topic Patreon Commission.

What is your budget (or desired word count):

Reader Character Gender:

Reader Character Description:

Monster Character:

Monster Character Description:

Is this NSFW or SFW?

Any kinks, tropes, or specifics?

Story Outline:

Other thoughts or comments:

Commission Prices:

Basic commissions: 1.50 cent per word. (ex: $45 is 3k words)

The basic usual fair. A self insert reader or a simple ‘you’ reader. Describe the monster you want, basic plot outline, and simple wants for the story and outcome. Usually requires minimal research and prep on my end, and the story is probably mostly fluff, meet cute, etc. If free reign is given to me, your author, you will be guaranteed extra word count for my enjoyment.

Smut Commissions: 2 cent per word. (ex: $60 is 3k)

This includes more complex details and requests, these may be stories that feature original characters or that deal with a more involved storyline, plot, character work, and word count. This includes plots and characters that may require extra research on my end. This also takes into account that these complex stories may include word overflow (I know they do, I know how I work., as well time discussing and working out things may take.

Discounts are available on most of Patreon reward tiers. And people who have commissioned me more than three times will receive and friends and family discount as well.

I will also only accept payments made in USD. I feel that is fair, considering I have been lenient about this in the past. I have let friendship and my own kindness allow me to be taken advantage of, and I am tired of it. Payment, as always, is due in advance, and you can pay as soon as you like (discounts apply here) or as close to the due date as possible (the closer you pay to the due date the less the discount you receive). Payments will be made via paypal and I will send an invoice when you are ready. If paypal isn’t an option for you, we will discuss that in advance.

I do not mind you being as vague or as detailed as you want. I do suggest you get all your details out in one go, as we can discuss them quickly and easily. If things change, that is fine too, just make sure to tell me advanced enough it won’t hinder the production of your story. What I request is that you do not bombard me with requests, ask, and details over and over and over again. The more this happens the more I tend to get anxious and stressed about the story. Once details are agreed upon then they are considered final. Any changes made a week before will not be accepted. Also, stories that require a lot of detail and research will have a higher price point. I have bent over backwards and worked myself to the bone on stories like these, and I think it’s time I am paid for it. I also ask that anything you want for the story does not alter or bend the rules of the universes you want them set in, such as Hearthway Hollow, Ruby Empire, and Miror. These are my worlds and I have specific things in place for them, if you feel the need to play God, please discuss it with me beforehand and we can see if we can reach something amicably.

Be prepared to hear ‘no’ from me. In the past I have not put my foot down and I have ended up uncomfortable or unsure about things. There are certain topics, kinks, and creatures I will not write, but I am very happy to work with you to come to something that will satisfy your needs.

I will start asking for extra pay if extensive edits are needed. If there are whole chunks that need rewritten or paragraphs you wanted added, I am going to have to charge for them, although it will be cheaper than the regular cost per word. If it’s something that is truly my mistake (like if I wrote the wrong monster or something), it will be discussed.

I ask that you trust me as a writer to do what is best. If I twist something or request something goes another way, it is me wanting to give you the best experience for your story and not disregarding your wants for the story at all. Usually when this happens I will discuss it with you and double check to make sure it is ok.

Now here comes the FAQ

Do you have a word limit?

Considering how many commissions I get, I will not be accepting commissions under 3000 words. It hasn’t come up, but I just wanted it to be known. Smaller commissions are extremely hard for me to do. The bigger the commission the better for me, it’s a lot easier.

My story’s at 3502 words! Do I have to pay the extra pricing per word?

If a story goes over 500 words I’ll discuss with you what you’d like to do. But usually, extra word count is my bad, I get excited sometimes and have fun, and I don’t mind eating it.

I have this great idea for a novel…

I’m glad you have an idea, but no. I cannot write your novel for you. It isn’t fair to me, and it will probably cost you more than you are willing to pay. I have my own projects and novels to write. I can’t baby your dream as well as my own.

Will you write fanfiction on commission?

For the time being, no. But! If you’d be willing to work with me and create a ‘legally distinct’ original to compensate then lets talk!

I have a completely original character and would like you to write with them. Is this okay?

YES. But, Be prepared to give me a decent bio as well as their physical description and all the basic information I will need to bring your baby to life.

Can I have you write another chapter to one of your existing stories?

Yes! If the story was a commission though we will have to ask the original commissioner. If they approve then I will do it for you.

I want to give you free reign over the story. Is that ok?

Always! I love getting creative and going off in my own little world.

What kind of stories do you write?

Here's my masterlist!

I enjoy writing almost anything. I’m good at comedy and romance, but horror and psychological stories have become my guilty pleasure to write.I’m good with most anything, but there will be topics I will be unwilling to write. But this will all be discussed and approved when you contact me.

What won’t you write?

This is a better question to ask. I absolutely will not write anything involving scat, vore, children in sexual situations, or nonconsensual sexual acts. These are just major examples of things I am uncomfortable with. Also, I am NOT open to role plays, so don’t ask for those.

So how does this work?

Send me an email to [email protected] with your intent and a brief idea of what you want. Once I approve it we can discuss what length of story you want, what genre, what characters, and a loose outline. Payment will be given upfront. Until I receive payment I will not begin working on your commission.

Will you be showing my story off to everyone else?

Commissions will be yours and yours alone for up to a month. After that it will be posted to Patreon and a month after that it will go live on Tumblr and Wattpad. But having your commission and the feedback will help me build my portfolio for the future.

Food for Thought

Remember when that you are commissioning anyone, writer, artist, voice actor, musician, anyone, that you are not just paying for the product. You are also paying them for their time talking to you about what you want, you're paying for their research and study on whatever it is you want, you're paying them for double checking and making sure everything is ok with the product. More goes into the commissions you ask for than you think, so please be kind and considerate with commissioning anyone. Art takes time, patience, and a lot of love, and we want to give you the best bang for your dollar.

#commissions #writing commissions #teratophilia writing #exophilia writing #monster romance #monster fucker #momolady monsters #momolady commissions

[captain19cb97]

I Can See It All :: JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 819

Genre: Fluff. Pure, unadulterated fluff. Best Friend to lovers

Warnings: None

A/N: This is my first time posting anything so please be kind. If you like it, please don't be afraid to tell me or reblog! Requests and commissions are welcome. Anyway! I hope you enjoy my little slice of Jungkookie fluff that's been sitting in my mind for forever :)

"Can you really see us getting married?"

Jungkook nodded in an instant, pulling you closer to him in your shared bed. Your chest pressed snug into his, and his arms wrapped tightly around your body as he smiled.

"I can see you walking down the aisle, in a beautiful white dress that's made just for you and a bouquet of your favorite flowers in your hands. I can see Jimin, Jin and Yoongi next to you and Tae, Namjoon and Hobi next to me. I can see us both spending weeks writing our own vows and the tears in our eyes as we read them to each other, in front of everyone. I can see your bright, beautiful smile as I slide a ring onto your finger, and that same smile when you slide one on mine. I can see your cheeks turn red as the pastor tells me to kiss you for the first time as my wife."

He barely paused long enough to take another breath.

"I can see fairy lights twinkling in your eyes like stars, while we ignore everyone else in the room during our first dance. I can see more happy tears in your eyes, as you dance with your dad and laugh with your mom and smile at your brother and sister. I can see the smile that I love so much, as each of the boys asks you to dance. I can hear you laugh as each one of them spins you around the room while they tell you stories you somehow haven't heard yet, of all the stupid things I've done when you haven't been with me. I can hear the pride in their voices- and the slight threatening undertones from them, too- when they tell me how happy they are for us, and that I better treat you right for the rest of our lives, as if I'd ever do anything else."

Somehow he managed to smile even wider than before, "I can see myself staring into your eyes before kissing you in front of everyone again and again throughout the whole night, because I already see forever with you every time I look into your eyes, but you'd officially be my forever. God, baby, I can see it all."

You felt like your throat was closing as you looked up at him, tears gathering in the corners of your eyes as a million and one thoughts swam through your mind. "You've really thought about it that much to have the whole night planned out in your mind?" You asked softly, slightly surprised at the man below you, as your heart fluttered in your chest.

He grinned that big bunny smile that you had seen more times than you could count over the years you two had known each other, as he nodded, "I wasn't kidding when I told you that if you finally agreed to date me, that you'd be the only one I ever wanted." He cupped your jaw, "Y/n, I've loved you, like really loved you, since we were 18, how could I not think about what it would be like to marry you? To get to spend the rest of my life loving you, and be loved by you?"

He gently swiped his thumb under your eye, wiping the rogue tears from your skin as you let out a soft giggle, "You're such a hopeless romantic." You sighed, leaning into his touch again.

"Yeah? Well, you're dating this hopeless romantic." He grinned, leaning up just enough to press his lips to yours in a sweet kiss.

"And I'm glad I am because I don't think I could ever watch you fall in love with someone else." You admitted softly, pulling away from his lips a moment later.

He shook his head, his eyes peering up at you with so much love and adoration, he looks like he's about to wax poetry about you. Which, given that it's Jungkook, it's a 50/50 chance that he might. "The minute I realized that I loved you, as more than just my best friend, was the minute that no one else mattered to me. Or even compared to you. No one else, ever stood a chance with you around. And they never will."

You couldn't stop the smile that spread on your lips or the blush that swept across your cheeks at the declaration. You ran your fingers through his hair, pushing his black bangs back and away from his face as you leaned down to kiss him again, "I love you, so much, Kookie."

He met you halfway, his breath fanning across your lips as he softly whispered, "I love you more, baby." Before he closed the gap between you both with a searing kiss, his hands flattening on your back to press you closer to him, as if it was possible to become one with each other.

#bts jungkook #jungkook x female reader #jungkook fluff #jungkook fic #jungkook x you #bts fluff #bts x reader #fluff #bts imagines #jungkook imagine #jungkook drabble #bts drabble #bts x you #bts x female reader

[silky-slinky]

PEACHES AND CREAM !

FIVE HARGREEVES X FEM!READER PAIRING !

WC: 1.8K

FIVE HARGREEVES MASTERLIST !

A scoff left your lips after scanning the words the file displayed, the Handler had a slight smile on hers. Five's name in full bold letters, as if to tease you. The Handler knew that you despised Five, and Five couldn't stand you.

“I'm not doing it.” Your hands made their way inside the pockets of your trousers. The Handler could drag you through filth and mud but you weren't going out of your way to pair up with the boy you've tried your best to compete with, but failing miserably. For some reason, even with your great efforts, you've never topped Five when it came to skills.

The Handler simply gave you a smirk, a knowing smirk. “He already agreed.” She watched as the surprised expression adorned your face in a heartbeat. Who would've thought that the Number Five would agree to partner up with someone? Let alone agreeing to be your partner.

Five worked alone, he never needed someone to accompany him. All his life, isolation was all he knew. Even back then in the academy, he liked to do everything alone. He could count all the times he spent time with his siblings in his fingers.

“Well, I don't.” There was no use in being stubborn. You already knew that one way or another you'd be on the mission with Five. You've never had it your way the moment you stepped into the building.

“Am I that bad of a partner?” Five called out, leaning on the doorframe of the Handler's office. Normally, she would've scolded him for barging into her office, but this time, she let it slide because she wanted to see how this one would play out.

He stepped closer toward you, he watched you with careful eyes as you stepped back, afraid that he would get too close. The hatred you had for the boy grew as his kills increased. You watched his hand inching toward the file, his eyes looking for the words that caught his attention earlier while he read the file.

“Number Five and Y/n L/n are needed to be lovers-” he starts, teasing you even further. But before he could finish the sentence, he was cut off by the Handler's sultry voice.

“C'mon now, move along!” She ushered for you and Five to leave, seeing that she had more important things to do than to watch the two assassins argue.

The mission needed two lovers. Unluckily for both of you, the only couple that worked in the Temps Commission was currently on vacation. They were the first ones in line for the mission, but you were left with no choice and you needed to cooperate.

“There's no need to be stubborn, Y/n.” Your legs move forward quickly, trying to get rid of the man babbling beside you. He despised you, that's for sure, but he loved teasing you in a way that you'd get annoyed at him.

He viewed you as a distraction from his cruel reality. He never liked the killing, the blood splattering on his face, the sound of the bullet leaving the gun and in between the eyebrows of the victim. He was forced into this field, he only ever agreed because he wanted his family back.

You, on the other hand, loved the thrill. You loved the adrenaline coursing in your veins as you chase after your target, knowing that you couldn't get enough of the feeling. You loved the smell of the crimson blood as it dripped from the wound you made on the targets. It was exhilarating.

Some would say that it was the root of your success. The root of why you were one of the top assassins on the field. It would be egotistical for some, but with your life, there really wasn't much to brag about.

A sigh left your lips, sinking into defeat. “What exactly are we going to do?”

You marveled at the venue in front of you. The walls are decorated with intricate details, the tiled floor polished until light reflected on it, tables filled with food and alcoholic drinks alike, and finally, rich people laughing and chit-chatting amongst themselves. It was a sight to remember, despite the assignment both of you were destined to do.

Five reacted on his own, quietly observing the place, getting himself an alcoholic drink from the waiter's silver tray. Much to your dismay, Five quickly put a hand on the small of your back. It snapped you out of your thoughts, reminding you that you had a person you committed to.

“Where is he?” You asked, Five still beside you as both of your bodies slithered through the wave of people that we're powerful enough to solve any problem in the world.

Five took a sip of his drink, grimacing at the bitter taste before placing it on another waiter's silver tray, placing his attention back to looking for the host.

“Open your eyes better.” He says with a click of his tongue, a venomous tone to his words. He spoke as if he already found the guy, but in fact, couldn't spot where he was, his eyes scanning the place.

You paid no mind to his attitude, you were used to it anyway. From the corner of your eye, a good-looking man sat on one of the bar stools, sipping his drink while a few men and women tried to get his attention. Your mind automatically recognized the person, the very target.

Without a word spoken, you left Five's grasp, confusing him entirely before following your gaze. He spotted the man that needed to be eliminated. The Commission never told their employees the exact reason as to why a person is needed to be killed off, lies on top of lies, stacking until it eventually falls.

Leo, the target, placed all his attention on you as you tried your best to earn his trust, and of course, to kill him later on.

“What are you thinking about?” Charm was one of your specialties. In the field, you were known to somewhat entertain them before killing them off.

Your head tilted to the bartender, gesturing for him to give you anything. For a moment, you forgot about the mission, forgot about Five who only stood within a 6-ft radius.

He watched as you conversed with the attractive man. He was furious. Whether it was the fact that you forgot about the mission or that you were laughing slightly too hard at Leo's jokes. Seemingly as he had enough, he walked toward you, wrapping an arm around your waist, kissing you on the cheek to remind you that in the meantime, you were his.

“Darling, I've been looking for you all over the place.” It was then that you were snapped back to the reality that you had a mission to accomplish. With his actions, you topped it off with a kiss on his lips.

A smile made its way on your face as you could see the faint blush that formed on Five's cheeks. “Ah, I was just having a fun time with Leo here.” Your hand gestured to the boy in front of you.

He only sheepishly smiled in response, intimidated by Five's hard gaze. He awkwardly laughed, setting his half-empty drink down on the marble countertop.

“Well, have fun! Both of you.” He announces as a good host, before disappearing into the crowd.

You rolled your eyes in annoyance. “You blew it.”

“What?” He sits down on the stool in front of you. “You're the one who got sidetracked here. Not me.”

“He was about to show me around!” You reply in defense. “I was going to kill the man one way or another.” Right before Five approached you, Leo wanted to show you around the venue, and introduce you to his fellow rich people.

Five abruptly stood up, scanning the crowded place. “I'll beat you to it.”

The next hours passed by, consisting of competing with Five to see who gets the fish. It was a lengthy process. There were many times that you bumped into each other, and the glint of competitiveness never faded away from his eyes. By the time most people had gone home to their lavish homes, it was then that you got privacy with Leo.

Your heels clicked on the tiled floor, and your eyes furiously scanned the almost empty place. You weren't about to lose to Five. Just as you took a turn, you saw the familiar brown hair that belonged to the man that made you laugh harder than ever earlier.

“Hi.” You nervously spoke. You watched as he turned around to see who made the noise. He showed you a grin, revealing his pearly whites. “Hi.” He replied. He wasn't sure why, but he was captivated by you. Even if he knew that you had a ‘partner’ of your own.

“Good. You have him.” You rolled your eyes yet again at the noise coming from Five's mouth who was now beside you, ready to take the credits after everything is said and done. Your dominant hand fetching the freshly honed knife strapped on the side of your thigh. You figured that a knife would be better than a heavy and loud gun.

At the glint of the silver knife, Leo immediately was confused and scared. You pitied him, but it was still your job. Such a shame he would mess up the timeline one way or another.

“What is this?” He asked, particularly to you as he wasn't fond of Five.

“Y/n, kill him already.”

A few grunts left your lips as you made your way to the room the Handler gave you, your luggage is too heavy as you overestimated the days of how long this mission would take, with Five beside you, twirling the keys in his finger.

Fortunately, after the whole situation with Leo, Five warmed up to you and you warmed up to him. Granted, there were still competition and tension in the air, but there was progress. He no longer went alone on missions, he would sometimes beg the Handler to pair you up with him.

Five watched you struggle with the luggage. “Here.” He gave you the keys and grabbed the heaviest bag from your hands.

“Thanks.” Giving him a grateful smile.

A few moments passed, and finally in front of the room. It was by no means a five-star hotel, it was just a cheap hotel that the Commission gave to their employees while they get the most luxurious ones anyone had seen.

You wandered around, it was small, enough to fit 1 to 2 people. As you wandered, Five had set down yours and his belongings, then went back to you to discuss what would be the plan for this mission.

“Oh, fuck the Handler.”

“What? Why?”

“There's only one bed.”

FIVE HARGREEVES TAGLIST !

@isventigayoreuropean @halfumbrella @iiirhiane-g @crinklypink @its-loki-bitch @cff3kat @umbrellatte @yuuki4646 @dontspoilthis @fivelegance

Please message me if you'd like to be removed or added!

THANK YOU FOR 500 FOLLOWERS !

- ★

#tua #the umbrella academy #hargreeves #x reader #five hargreeves #five #five hargreeves x reader #five tua #five hargreeves x y/n #five hargreeves x you #number five #five hargreeves x fem!reader #five x reader #god this is so bad #i hate this so much #i want to cry

[shih-coulda-had-it]

Just so you know, the assignment was something among the lines of "use these words to write a short story" and I may have went slightly overboard. Rushed? Obviously. The ending was literally write in the middle of the lesson. But that's the effort that counts right? (Please I hope it sends in one ask)

It was a bad idea. Obviously. It wasn't worth the risk. Right. Right? He was definitely losing his mind or has lost it already if even a part of him thought it was anything else.

Nana would laugh in his face if she were to see this. Or, more likely, yell at him for being such an idiot who didn't care about himself at all. Well damn, he was running out of ideas, sue him. And that? That seemed like an opportunity. An opportunity to reach a confinement between them. To keep him safe without becoming fugitives and hiding for years, if not decades.

Torino exhaled slowly, eyes locking on the man in front of him. To a certain extent, it was funny to realize how hard it was to believe that he could actually look even benevolent when they were not trying to murder each other.

It was almost nice, actually. To sit like that in a quiet cafe, doing small talk as if they were old friends and one of them wasn't the reason the other had spent days trying to wash the blood off himself. To a certain degree, the hero still couldn't get rid of this feeling, of how hideous he'd felt reeking of metal and ashes. How his self hatred surfaced the moment he was finally left alone and how drained he was of any energy to shed even a single tear and-

"Sorahiko," the villain's voice startled him and he gasped for air sharply, eyes darting to the white haired man who looked so damn genuinely concerned that he felt sick to the bone. This couldn't be right, he couldn't be even capable of that, he was just a fu- "Sorahiko," All for One repeated, this time placing a hard on his shoulder, and the gesture was so weirdly soothing that he flinched at this. "I am not going to hurt you. You know that, Sorahiko. Otherwise I would've done so already."

He registered, in the back of his mind, that it was likely to be an effect of a nerve soothing quirk, it must've been also touch based, because the moment All for One pulled away, anxiety washed over him again.

"Why?" He choked out more of a sob than a solid question, making the villain frown in confusion and worry. "Why even make an effort? You could've just killed me. Could've- you could've come for him and, I don't know, used some quirk on him to make him-"

"But I didn't. And I am not planning to, at least, not yet," he shook his head with a sigh. "Truth is, I'm tired of this, Sorahiko. Think about it. My brother was murdered years, decades ago and I'm still trying to get the last thing left of him only to meet newer and newer generations of people trying to murder me. I haven't been fully in control of what I've built back then in years, I'm sure you have noticed that. You- oh God, you really haven't noticed the drop in crime activity, have you?"

"I had other concerns," the hero shrugged. "Why now?"

"As I said, tiredness. Nana's successor hasn't been quite shaped into the Commission's murder machine, yet, and I want to make this deal beneficial for both sides."

Torino eyed him suspiciously and crossed his arms, considering his chances.

An opportunity to make All for One step back. To not let more blood be spilled later. Though, in exchange for the only thing capable of stopping him…

"What would be our benefit from this, then?" He arched an eyebrow.

"Freedom," he said simply.

"Freedom?"

"No more heroics," the villain nodded, continuing. "No more being the Commission's lap dog. No more all of this, raising your successors thing and hiding for years. Freedom."

"What makes you think I would agree to this?"

That, for some reason, made All for One laugh. Startled, Sorahiko stared at him for a moment perhaps too long enough before he decided to ask.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing much. You've spent so much time fighting along side with Nana, helping her carry her oh so tremendous duty of the Saviour and now you have her successor, but tell me what, Sorahiko. Would you still try to play a hero, were these factors to be taken away? And even if you did, do you actually want to burden a literal child with this? What is he, seventeen? I could crush him with one hit if I wanted. So, do you really not think it'd be stupid to refuse this chance? After all, you guys have made it your duty to defeat the demon lord or whatever people call me these days with One for All and see where the problem steps in. I am not willing to fight anymore, taking apart everything my brother's little heroes tried to build so hard. I can't bring him back, either. In other words, I am only asking you to be reasonable. To help me end this. So, what will be, Sorahiko?"

Gran Torino hesitated, looking at All for One, who was now back to calmly drinking his tea, once more. Suddenly, he became hyper aware of everything around them. All the people, every life to be lost if he refused.

He was cornered. And honestly, he was so, so tired.

Torino sighed. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."

thank you for sharing! wow! i need to know CONTEXT and RESOLUTION. reading and rereading it, i'm pretty sure sorahiko's not betraying toshinori to all for one for 'the sake of survival'. then again, what could AfO be asking of sorahiko...?

[caption id: Additional note from the writer that says, "Side note number two while I'm at it. The same classmate who decided to retell a one piece arc asks when is the next chapter. Should I go for it lmao."]

The answer being, yeah, of course!! Would I ever deny myself Prime Torino content???

#bnha #fic rec #afohiko #all for one #gran torino #torino sorahiko #shih's art #asks #betlegast #long post #lemme know if you want your acc tagged bro

[linphd]

Falling for their f*ck buddy | Headcanons (bit NSFW)

gender neutral

-> This is based on RPs I had with my OC lmaooo… a bit angsty ! oops !

-> Keigo Takami, Touya Todoroki, Rumi Usagiyama.

Hawks | Keigo Takami

When you started working at Endeavor’s agency, Hawks was already head over heels for you. However, due to his link with the hero commission, he couldn’t really date anyone -even less another hero that was already in the top of the rankings only a year after graduating.

Yet, he managed to sneak in your apartment after a party ; you both weren’t drunk as Endeavor was watching you, but he had whined about never having seen where you lived despite being a « so good » colleague. Sure you found him cute, you used to have a crush on him when you were in high school and he had just started being a pro, after all. But still.

He told you you were his first time. It felt wrong. « What ?! But you should’ve done it with someone you love instead ! That was… random ?! » you replied. « How am I supposed to even love someone, hm ? The hero commission is babysitting me as fuck. » Well… you couldn’t have thought of anything to say.

One other thing was that he learned very quickly -because, indeed, you fucked him several other times after that, late at work or after hero parties- how to please you, and you couldn’t just go back to some random boyfriends that couldn’t even do the simplest things.

Maybe your crush from high school had come back, or maybe you were just blinded by how good he was. But it felt like he wasn’t just a fuck buddy anymore, now. If so, why would you be doing his skin care in front of a movie after having taken a bath together where you laid your back against his chest ? Guess « releasing some steam » was just a cover to the hero commission to him, but who knows ?

Dabi | Touya Todoroki

You weren’t scared to go out really late in the night in unknown places ; your quirk was powerful enough to have made you a member of the Top Three at U.A. So, you never really considered yourself in danger. Going to crowded places ? Sure. Getting drunk with strangers ? No problem !

After meeting Dabi at a bar, it was quite fast for you to agree to hook up ; you liked older guys -and also had questionable tastes in men- and he just thought you looked slutty. Yes, he knew you were a student at U.A ; he had seen you on TV for the sports festival. But you didn’t know he was a villain (it’s an AU okay??). So, when he asked for your name, you gave him a fake one, and he did just the same.

He would’ve just left after he was done with you, but you were his best sexual partner ever and he was tired : so, he stayed overnight and only left the morning, after you told him that it was weird for him to hang around. Yet, every time you would walk by each other, you would end up in your bed with him -until he finally gave you his number.

Throughout time, he became closer to you and you spent more time together ; getting him a skincare to help him with his scars, painting his nails better as he sucked at it, yet never talking about y’all personal lives. « Can you pick me up ? Just steal a car or whatever, I know you do stuff like that. » you asked him, by text. « Why would I do that ? Go by foot. » « They used quirk eraser on me, I’m scared now. I ran away from those guys, they were scary. »

No need sending another text, he was on his way after checking your location. But why was he even on his way ? He never cared about the people he fucked. Never gave them his number neither ; but you were cute and a U.A student, both were advantages. When he arrived, he saw you curled up and on the verge of tears. He didn’t ask much, he just drove you home. Didn’t even spend the night with you, genuinely just accompanying you.

That’s why you thought you had developed feelings for him, and vice versa for him. He could just never admit it, you were almost a pro hero anyways, and you would find out eventually. And eventually you did, as when his boss decided to attack 1A, you were there. The Big Three had to accompany the 1st years camping. You recognized the blue flames -he had used them on you several times to be kinky- and then you recognized him. He has never seen you again since that night.

Miruko | Rumi Usagiyama

You didn’t plan on becoming Miruko’s plaything. She had been helping several times at your agency, and you had met more than once at hero parties. She liked you and considered you a friend ; you were a new pro that was still not broken from the job, and you were quite hopeful.

It changed once you both got drunk at a party and when you decided to go to her place to bitch about all the heroes that were there -stinky and old and only talking about boring stuff. Endeavor had to drive you -he was a very disappointed boss, but whatever. You were sat on the couch, eventually talking about your love life.

« I don’t know why people don’t date you, you’re like so sexy ! Why don’t people date you ? » she asked. « I should ask you that ! » you replied. « People are intimidated by muscular women like me ! They should know better. » she said. « They should only be intimidated by how easily you could pick them up. You could totally do that ! »

It didn’t make much sense, but as she decided to pick you up, you both fell on the couch, and it escalated quickly. Miruko was indeed intimidating, so you were glad that she took the league. And it didn’t change all the times y’all did it. Even sober. She would always take the lead, but she would be so sweet about it ? It was not the same as the other sexual encounters you had had.

« Is (Y/N) coming to the party or what ? » she asked Hawks. « Probably. Endeavor told me he would work late tonight, so I guess they have to follow him. » she sighed. « They’re the only reason I come to this kind of party ! » the woman whined. « Yeaaaah, we all know you only want a little plaything around you. » Hawks jokingly said. « It’s more than that. I just want them to be around all the time. » Cue to Miruko realizing that if she wants to spend that much time with you, it’s because you might be more than her plaything…

#bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #headcanons #dabi #touya todoroki #todoroki touya #dabi x reader #todoroki touya x reader #touya todoroki x reader #touya x reader #hawks x trader #hawks #keigo takami x reader #takami keigo #keigo takami #takami keigo x reader #keigo x reader #miruko #mirko #mirko x reader #miruko x reader #rumi usagiyama #usagiyama rumi

[gggoldfinch]

Genuine questions I have about my dear Swedes, and I think you're the best with the headcanons about them.

• How were they recruited?

(I wondered about that.)

• What era are they from?

(They look old-fashioned for even the 60s, they seem to have come from a much older time considering the family photo and also the outfits and the "strangeness" they have with the 60s and America.)

MY FRIEND YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE for I am the keeper of the Elder Knowledge and the Mind-Vault of Fanon (aka I've been rotting about these guys since the ikea fam was live and kicking circa 2020 and haven't let go). I am TICKLED to finally be asked about them because they are My Guys and i love writing exorbitant amounts of information about them!!!! Especially their clothes!!! Needless to say I will not be brief, so strap in 😁

(PS Tumblr ate my first draft of this after hours of research and paragraphs of writing so I had to rewrite all of the content here from memory 🥲) (PPS I used this as an excuse to talk about their clothing for 3 hours. this is the most deranged I've been in ages ! )

First off: there is no canon information regarding either of your questions. So let's just put that out there. They are tragically underdeveloped for being potentially some of the most interesting characters on the show (or maybe i'm just biased because I prefer the Commission characters lol). Basically everything we know about them is based off inferences and vague canon implications, and everything aside from that is widely-accepted fanon that we discussed way back when + my own personal headcanons (which are basically canon to me). I might have to do some deep-diving into the tumblr archives of my old blog or my mutuals for the information I'll get into here, but all of it will be stuff I either came up with myself or bore witness to the research of & agree with.

1. How were they recruited?

Generally, the accepted theory is that the brothers were recruited young, likely after some sort of event which resulted in their first kill. From what I recall, several fandom authors (myself included) have incorporated this storyline into our own work, roughly following the same theme of capable woodsmen Axel & Otto protecting Oscar and killing someone as a result, hence inviting attention from Commission recruiters who trawl the timeline for skilled individuals.

Also, I believe it is fairly accepted within the fandom that the Commission seeks out and hires people who are down on their luck or in otherwise bad circumstances, then organizes them into employment statuses from there (office workers, hitmen, etc.). I tend to think Axel & Otto were recruited first, then Oscar was roped in later on, playing into my theory that they are triplets, just separated by large periods of time-travel.

2. What era are they from?

YIPPEEE you came to the right ! person ! because actually lowkey I kinda perpetuated the headcanon that the Swedes are Victorian-Edwardian back in the day (on a prev blog). I personally hc they were born ca. 1880-ish, with their “natural” timeline falling somewhere around 1901-1910 (Edwardian period), and picked things up from different decades along the way, as is the way of time-travel. However, I know others preferred the idea that they were from ca. 1930-1950, which is also fairy plausible.

Now, time for me to be insane:

I have a copious amount of proof that they are from the early 1900's ! based on their clothing + the photograph Axel carries. It’s also worth nothing that their clothing is visibly that of working class men, which makes it slightly more difficult to research (because the working class always gets the short end of the stick). I base most of my research & beliefs on cross-examining Edwardian photographs of workmen, as well as my own knowledge of historical fashion. I won't delve that much into their culture as Swedes and the fashion implications of that, since it honestly wasn't taken seriously enough in canon to be visible past Otto's haircut.

Proof in their regular clothing:

Trousers: Otto’s high-waisted trousers & suspenders are Edwardian, down to the very patterning. Oscar’s too, to a less obvious extent. It’s also worth noting that according to bts images, Axel also wears suspenders. His pants with the laces at the shins are baffling though...

Shirts: Oscar's turtleneck isn't not Edwardian; men have been wearing collared knit shirts like that as winter wear for a long time. Otto's green shirt, though it has those odd clasps, is somewhat reminiscent of arrow collar shirts worn in the Edwardian period. I have also found proof of three-button wool undershirts similar in style to Axel's henley, though these were more popular towards the 20's

Shoes: While Otto and Oscar's steel-toed boots weren't invented until the 1930's, Axel's boots are at least somewhat more reminiscent of those worn by workmen in the 10's. Though, the side zip and weird flap are… not.

Outerwear: Axel's blue vest is more akin to a double-breasted waistcoat, though it doesn't have lapels and the buttons are too large; it is... an outlier. Likewise, his canvas duster has a zipper and no lapels, and the pattern cut of it makes me think it's fairly modern, just like Oscar's canvas/corduroy jacket which is practically a Carhartt. Oscar's vest is baffling bc it looks different in every shot of it I analyze. Otto's trench coat is the oldest style. (Fun fact, the modern zipper was invented by a Swede in 1913)

Misc: The union suit was popularized in the 1860's (as women's wear, actually!), so Otto's wearing of it would be believable for the period. All their clothes are patched up, implying years of wear and tear.

Misc Pt 2; Weaponry: Though ofc I'm a gun girl, I have already spent 3 hours writing about clothes and cannot make myself research weird weapons. So if you're interested in their guns, PLEASE read this post by my old fandom pal!!! It's much a more intelligent and in-depth analysis than I can manage rn, and also discusses the context of weaponry within the Commission.

Proof in the photograph:

They're really a ragtag crew, which makes it hard to date any of their garments. Here's some things I've noted though:

Headwear: Newsboy caps (which are what Oscar and Axel are wearing) were at their peak around the late 1910s, especially with working class men. Otto's hat looks like it could be an oilskin fisherman's hat, which were popular in 1880s America, though his looks more like the later 1950's design of the hat. Additionally, workmen in the Edwardian period often wore neckerchiefs, not unlike what Oscar wears around his neck in the photo.

Shirts: Oscar appears to be wearing another knit sweater. Axel's blue shirt appears to me to have a band collar, which was a style popular in the 10's (from what I can tell one of Otto's shirts also has a band collar). Beneath that, his undershirt (likely linen) has a string closure, which was popular even earlier than the Victorian era

The Woman (mother? grandmother?): Historically, older women tended to wear headscarves/ head coverings. The style of her dress/smock/apron is hard to determine because of its concealment beneath her cardigan. She's got a sick rifle tho

Misc: Oscar's workman's gloves aren't inaccurate; leather gloves like that were worn in the Victorian era. So have leather belts. Like I said earlier, from what I can tell from my cursory search (after sifting thru dubious "Viking" hairstyles), Otto is sporting a fairly historically/culturally accurate he-man haircut from the Nordic area. Oscar's hair is the second-most historically relevant, as most men in the Victorian/Edwardian era had short, groomed hairstyles (though perhaps his is a little messier than usual). Axel is the outlier here with a modern slick-back.

ANYWAYYYYYYYYY

yeah. yeah. if you couldn't tell I am. fucking insane ? about them ?

since you're still here, you survived this long, have some bts stuff I dragged from the trenches:

#goldfinch reveals terminal brainrot for dumb hitmen on main #not exaggerating. this took 3 hours of research #tua the swedes #tua axel #tua oscar #tua otto #ikea mafia #ask

[cavalierious-whim]

Strange as the Sky (HaiKaveh)

After Tighnari notes that he and Kaveh act like an old married couple, Alhaitham (kinda) considers (maybe) marriage.

Read here on AO3. You can also, follow me on Twitter and Blue Sky..

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And you can follow my Patreon here as well!

--

It isn’t apparent until Tighnari says something. “You fight like an old married couple,” he says as he leans over a steaming pan, tossing around red onions. 

Alhaitham leans against the counter, holding a glass of wine that is mostly full because he’s still too awkward to decline it when offered. “I…” 

No, that isn’t right, he thinks as his gaze slips to Kaveh who sits at the kitchen table with Cyno, agitated over their current TCG match. Kaveh is not his husband, he will never be his husband, and it isn’t that Alhaitham would want him as one, but—

It isn’t as though he wouldn’t want such a thing, either. Marriage… Alhaitham thinks it wouldn’t be so terrible. Practical, even. They get along. They share the bills, taxes, and—apparently—dubious taste in friendships. Such a union would be a logical step, no?

Tighnari’s gaze tilts towards him. “Alhaitham?”

Alhaitham is still awkward even with decades of practice under his belt. Socializing is a chore. He likes Tighnari well enough, but he is here for Kaveh’s benefit. He comes because he’s expected to, and to keep Kaveh in check. “It wasn’t a fight,” he finally says. 

Tighnari gives him a dry look, eyebrows drawn to nearly his hairline. “He threatened to pour the pitcher of wine all over you.”

Alhaitham snorts. “Probably a better use of it.”

Tighnari can’t help the short chuckle he lets loose. He dumps a handful of spices into the pot and stirs. “My point stands. Still, thanks for bringing him out here. It’s nice to share dinner once in a while somewhere other than a bar.”

He agrees. They’re older now, and while Kaveh doesn’t imbibe nearly as much as they had in their youth, he still has his occasional outings. Time shared with friends is limited to, usually, a few drinks once in a blue moon—which, to Alhaitham, is worse. Taverns are loud, stink, and have terrible coffee. He’d rather—

“What’re you thinking about?” Tighnari’s question cuts through his thoughts. 

Before Alhaitham can answer, Kaveh sweeps past him to pour himself a fresh glass of wine. “I’ll tell you what—that he wants to go home.”

Partially true, but that isn’t a secret from anyone there. “I am enjoying myself.” Alhaitham reaches out to catch Kaveh’s wrist. “Also, you should drink water.”

Kaveh huffs. “I’ll drink what I want—”

“After a glass of water.”

Alhaitham’s request is ignored entirely as Kaveh shoots him a smirk and pours that glass of wine. But, as soon as the pitcher is set down, Kaveh pulls another glass from the cabinet and fills it at the tap. “Not because you told me to,” he makes sure to explain. Then, with both glasses, he heads back to the table for a second round of TCG with Cyno. 

“See?” says Tighnari as he turns up the flame on the stove. “Like an old married couple.”

“He’s always done what he’s wanted—and he should. Kaveh is his own man.”

Tighnari hums as he pours liquor into the pan and sets it alight. A flame flares up, licking his face, and he tosses the food around as he cooks off the alcohol. “This isn’t an I told you so, type of observation, Alhaitham. You get him.”

Alhaitham quirks an eyebrow. “And?”

“That’s all. You get him. There isn’t anymore to it than that.” Tighnari tosses in a batch of freshly cut mushrooms to whatever he’s pan-frying. As it simmers, he finally meets Alhaitham’s face. “Look, I’ve known the two of you for a long time. It’s nice that you… have each other? I don’t have to worry about the both of you.”

“You mean Kaveh.”

“No, I mean the both of you.”

Strange. Alhaitham is no fool. He knows that Cyno and Tighnari care, but he’s always assumed this to be conditional of Kaveh’s friendship. Alhaitham looks at Kaveh again, who’s on his feet shouting mild obscenities. Cyno hides a grin behind his palm, watching with amusement as Kaveh takes his loss gracelessly. 

“Kaveh is special. That’s all. He isn’t like anyone else.”

Tighnari stares right through him and Alhaitham squirms slightly under that all-knowing glance. “You can say that again.” A quick toss of his pan. “Have you ever told him that?”

No. Never. Alhaitham doesn’t need to, though. Kaveh is the smartest man that he knows, and it isn’t because he harks about it constantly. Kaveh’s intelligence is loud and obvious, etched right into the buildings that he’s brought to life. And Alhaitham enjoys that, walking through Sumeru City and seeing his touch everywhere, especially when he knows just what Kaveh goes through to create them. 

Still. 

Like an old married couple.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Alhaitham has thought it wouldn’t be so bad—marrying Kaveh. Convenient. It would make sense, and it’s not as if anyone else would put up with him. Over a decade they’ve lived with each other, over a decade of Kaveh promising he’d move out only for him to just bring more furniture in, or buy appliances, or cook dinner for the two of them on the regular.

They are close—closer to each other than anyone would ever have the right to be. 

“Do you love him?” asks Tighnari quietly. 

Ahaitham stills. No. Yes? No. But, then again, what is love? Alhaitham cannot imagine his mornings without Kaveh’s grousing, or their nights without his burning the midnight oil until the lamps are nearly down and Alhaitham has to drape a blanket over his shoulders after falling asleep at his desk. So, perhaps that is a type of love, but it doesn’t quite concern Alhaitham.

“It doesn’t matter,” he finally replies, clinging to that glass of wine in his hand like it’s a lifeline. “What was it that you said? We just… are.”

That’s all they have to be. There isn’t a need to muck it up. 

Tighnari’s face softens and he nods. “Well, I suppose that’s easier.”

“Why?” asks Alhaitham, his face tipping up. 

“I don’t have to threaten to kick your ass if you hurt him.”

Alhaitham laughs, a rare and honest sound. “Kaveh would be the first in line, I assure you.”

#

Later, after dinner, when Tighnari and Cyno are cleaning the kitchen and refilling the oil lanterns, Kaveh slips outside. Alhaitham follows like a silent shadow, tracing his footsteps out onto the wooden slats of Gandharva Ville’s walkways. 

“Dinner was good,” says Kaveh, conversationally, rubbing at his stomach. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a proper meal.”

“Is that a complaint?” asks Alhaitham, leaning against a post.

“Me? Complain? Never.”

Alhaitham cracks a grin, hiding it behind his palm. Kaveh’s love language is complaining; it’s the only thing that he does, and it’s how he shows that he cares. A day where he doesn’t complain to Alhaitham about even the most minute things is an immediate red flag.

He’s relieved to see Kaveh in good spirits because lately he’s been so tired.

And, perhaps it’s age. They are busy working load after load and their responsibilities have grown over the years. There is little time for more than their daily tasks, a quick meal, and then passing out at the end of the night. Alhaitham thinks of Kaveh’s blueprints spread over his desk and the numerous mugs of coffee that litter it throughout the day. 

“Hey, what’s with that look?”

Alhaitham didn’t realize he had a look. It’s the second time that he’s been asked that night but the weight of Kaveh’s stare is heavier than the one Tighnari tossed his way. The reason is simple: Kaveh is different. Special. 

“I’m just thinking.”

“Oh? What a rare thing.”

“Kaveh.”

“Don’t strain a muscle—”

“Kaveh.”

Kaveh frowns. “You’re acting strange.”

Alhaitham is not. Alhaitham really is just thinking, but Kaveh knows him better than he knows himself. He reaches out and clasps his fingers around Alhaitham’s wrist. “Are you okay?” asks Kaveh, quieter, searching, concerned. 

“Tighnari was talking about us.” Kaveh’s expression goes cat-eyed with curiosity, waiting for Alhaitham to further expand upon the thought. “Teased us about acting like an old married couple.”

Kaveh scoffs and lets go of his wrist. “He would say that, wouldn’t he?” A pause as he gives Alhaitham a side-along glance and a nudge to the ribs with his elbow. “Would you want that?”

“To marry you?” 

A short laugh falls from Kaveh’s lips. “No.” Alhaitham is almost offended by his sharp tone. “I just meant marriage in general.” Another stretch of silence between them until Kaveh nudges Alhaitham’s ribs again. “But, if it were me? Just for curiosity’s sake.”

“The idea of marriage is not palatable with anyone other than you,” replies Alhaitham honestly. He owes Kaveh that, at least.

Kaveh’s face tilts towards him. “That was surprisingly…profound.”

“You would know if I lied. And, there is no reason to. Kaveh, you know that you are… special to me.”

“Hm, yes. Dreadful thing, isn’t it?”

Alhaitham snorts softly. Kaveh’s tone is gentle, affectionate even. There is a reason that he tolerates Alhaitham, and has continued to do so even after all these years. “Would you say yes? If I were to ask?” It is curiosity that piques him. Nothing would or will change, regardless of Kaveh’s answer. 

Kaveh rubs his face. “I… wouldn’t say no. But, it would heavily depend on the taxes we would save.” An expected response from Kaveh, steeped so deeply in sarcasm that it may as well be tea. “But, I suppose that’s the dream of many, hm? Having a partner?”

“Is that what we are? Partners?” Alhaitham’s question comes easily. 

And Kaveh’s answer does too. “Well, it’s not as though anyone else will put up with me.”

Surprisingly simple. Perhaps Tighnari was right. Alhaitham leans against that pole under the cloudless, starry night and thinks as he often does that these moments shared with Kaveh come effortlessly. It is not the same with others.

But Alhaitham knows he wouldn’t want it to be. This is where he’d rather be, and Kaveh is the only one he’d share them with. Kaveh is quiet. Alhaitham is quiet. It suits them. Another nudge against Alhaitham’s ribs when Tighnari calls them back inside. 

They linger there instead and it is nice.

#Cavalierious Fanfic #genshin impact #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin fanfic #genshin #haikaveh #haikavetham #alhaitham/haikaveh

[mistydeyes]

Hallooo :DD I wonder if your pairings are still open so could I gracefully have a COD pairing? Ty<33

Pronouns: She / They

Appearance: Medium black hair with dark brown eyes(almost looks like black—) a thin like hourglass body shape. 5'5(HELP...) Mostly wearing turtlenecks, hoodies, n' oversized stuff.

Personality: I am an introvert and sometimes panics when ever I talk to someone I don't know. I keep myself reserved and dislike going out as much. When you get to know me better I lean onto the extroverted side and likes showing you stuff I made. A very moody person at times and my friends, based on what they say, I am a chaotic yet mother like friend. I am very easy to talk to and easygoing, I overthink a lot which usually leads to panic attacks. My friend say I laugh at the wrong time and I am not so proud of that—I am also easily distracted and place my focus on something I like rather than something I dislike. I could be manipulative at times as well as having trust issues because of past trauma :')). I sometimes have a flirting demeanor and tons of playful flirting to my best/friends and sometimes I come off as secretive based on my friends words. I prefer to care for my friends other than myself, once again trauma, and I seem to be a trustworthy friend. I have a goldfish memory which shocks me hoe much I know myself despite forgetting everything from the apat 3 hours. Also I'm very artistic! But I still suck at it smh 😔

Hobbies, Interests, work(?):

Drawing, Listening to music, Singing, and dancing! My interests are probably painting, collecting random stuff I found, playing the piano, and learning new languages! (I wanna be bilingual) I favor dogs a lot and probably adopt every dog i see which is a problem cause I can't handle so much 😭 I am currently studying in psych! Becoming an actual therapist because my friends need help, so do I.

John Price

How you met: Civilian You weren't sure what to tell people when they asked how you and John met. Technically, you didn't meet face to face until about three months after you stayed talking. You were connected through a friend of a friend due to your hobby of painting and him wanting to have a new landscape piece of artwork for his flat.

When you first heard of the request, you thought it would be simple commission. However when you talked to John and he revealed his laundry list of details, you knew this would not be something you could complete overnight. He wanted a specific landscape of a lake with trees and rolling mountains but also asked for details such as a man fishing in a boat and wildlife poking through the trees. If that wasn't bad enough, he also wanted it to be gigantic, a piece that he could display in the main foyer. If he wasn't so kind with your timeline and also the payment wasn't lucrative, you would have referred him to someone else. But unfortunately, you found yourself continuously buying paints and moving furniture around to fit the gigantic canvas in your flat. After exactly three months, you sent John a picture and agreed he would pick it up the following week. The day came and you heard your doorbell ring. You excitedly ran down the stairs to see your client in person. "John, so nice to finally meet you," you greeted as he shook your hand. "Can't thank you enough," he continued with a smile, "it was exactly how I remembered it." "Oh so this wasn't just something you found inspiration for online?" you questioned as you led him to the wrapped and packaged painting. "No, it was actually something I remembered when my Grandad used to take me fishing as a young lad," he said as you helped him to carry the large item to his car. "Well, I was happy to make that a reality for you," you replied and you both shared a tender moment. When you finally managed to get it secure on the bed of a truck, John asked if he could treat you to a meal. Maybe it was because you wanted to learn more about his past, but you readily agreed and the rest is history.

A peek into your relationship: "Y/N, we can't," John said as he tried to lead you away from the window. "But sweetheart, look at their eyes," you pleaded as you leaned down and held a hand to the window. The absolute sweetest English terrier was looking back at you and excitedly wagging his tail. John knew he was doomed as you looked at him and practically pleaded just to stop in the shop. "It's just to say hi," you promised as you entered but that was a complete lie as you fell in love with the excited puppy running around you and almost jumping into your arms. John tried to supply you all the reasons why you couldn't adopt a dog. "You don't time!" "Yes I do, I'm done with uni and plus I specialize in virtual therapy." "What if you forget to feed him?" "John, I have a goldfish memory but I would like to think I would remember to feed a pet that's right in front of me." "It doesn't make for a good guard dog" "Okay fair, but thats why I have you." No matter what he said, you always had an answer. Plus, your fiancé could deny that he loved the small pup as it pawed at his leg. With a sigh, he said you could adopt him and you peppered him with thousands of kisses. While John had to now buy all the amenities for a new pet, it was a noble sacrifice to see you so happy.

#izziespairings #madebyizzie #cod mwii #mw2 imagine #task force 141 #captain john price #john price x reader #mw2

[moon-spirit-yue]

It's Not Living (if it's Not With You)

Chapter 1: Raya Ran into Some Complications

(TW WARNING!!!!!! This mini series is based heavily on the show Criminal Minds so if murder mysteries and descriptions of that sort of thing are not for you, just don’t read this fic. It’s not like my other fics where I let you know of a small uncomfortable part. I really don’t want to make this fic too horrific and gory, but it will get dark. Basically, if you can get though an episode of Criminal Minds this fic will be fine. These sorts of topics are not for everyone so please just be aware of this if you choose to proceed)

“Please don’t hurt me this way! I have a wife! And a sweet baby boy! How could you be so cruel?!” Raya whimpered, turning her head away from the monster that was trying to torture her.

“God, you are so dramatic,” Noi snorted without looking up from her book. 

“Okay first of all, your “wife” does not count, and second, you don’t have any kids,” Tong began before getting cut off.

“Objection! Tuk Tuk is my beautiful son and I don’t appreciate you acting like he isn’t,” Raya huffed. “And I am married! Sisu and I have the certificate framed and everything! What’s with the judgement? Is it because we’re gay?” 

“I’m pretty sure the judgement is coming from the fact that you two only got married to get grant money for college,” Boun laughed.

“And who the hell asked you, twerp?” Raya glared.

“Your dog and sham marriage do not count,” Tong sighed.

“You know, you’re being awfully negative to someone who literally got shot at this morning,” Raya grumbled as she reluctantly opened her eyes.

“Yeah well, the unsub missed and honestly? I’m kinda wishing he met his mark. Now wake up,” the unit chief scowled. 

“Oh please! We’re the smallest unit in the BAU! If I get shot and go out of commission we’d literally have no choice but to dissolve and relocate to other units,” Raya scoffed. “And you know that Noi despises change.”

“It’s true. My mother used a different kind of cereal to feed me as kid because my usual stuff was out of stock and I protested by refusing to eat breakfast until I got my cereal back,” Noi confirmed.

“And you call me dramatic,” Raya laughed.

The bickering continued like it always did until they finally landed back in Quantico, their beloved home base. The quartet wearily got off the plane single file and entered the FBI building. It was long a flight and they were all ready to crash.

“Hello my dazzling little agents! How is everyone?” Sisu greeted them once they got on their floor.

“Feeling like I’m about to pass out. The guy was maniac. I mean, who carries three guns on their person at all times? Even for a serial killer, it’s a tad excessive,” Boun groaned.

“I do not envy any of you. It’s bad enough I have to see the crime photos, I could not imagine having to see the guy that caused them, let alone capture him,” Sisu shivered.

“This job is certainly not for the faint of heart,” Tong confirmed.

That was the understatement of the year. 

“Agreed. Hey Sisu, can you drive me? If I go behind the wheel I’m scared I’ll fall asleep,” Raya asked.

“Anything for the wife!” Sisu laughed. Boun and Noi had small smiles on their faces as Tong loudly sighed in displeasure.

“The sanctity of marriage is wasted on you people!” Tong declared.

“We’ll get a divorce one day, don’t worry sir,” Raya giggled.

“A man can only dream. Alright, before we all disperse, I do want to say that you all truly outdid yourselves this past week. The unsub did his damn hardest to shake us off, but we managed to pull through. I really am proud of how this team has grown,” Tong said.

The other four agents beamed at his words. As much as the whole team likes picking on each other at every possible opportunity, they really did care about each other and yearned for their boss’s approval. The next words he said were not nearly as uplifting.

“We’re going to need to get in here early tomorrow. We’re all behind on some important documents that have to get on my desk by the end of the month,” the unit chief stated with a stern look on his face. 

“Boooooo!” Boun groaned. 

“Dang it, I thought he forgot about that,” Noi mumbled.

Raya just decided to stick with her classic pout. She’s getting too tired to talk.

“On that note, I’m going home to my wife, that I married for the right reasons,” Tong said, shooting a look at Raya and Sisu. 

The other four then went their separate ways, mumbling some tired goodbyes and see you tomorrows. Sisu had to practically drag Raya to her car and shoved her in. 

“At least stay awake until we get home,” Sisu sighed while starting the car.

“Can we just go to your place for night? Tuk Tuk’s already there and it’s closer,” Raya mumbled.

Tuk Tuk always stayed with Sisu when Raya was out on assignments so she really didn’t feel like relocating him tonight. Plus, she had a good portion of her stuff at Sisu’s anyways.

“I had a feeling you’d say that. Your bed is already made,” Sisu laughed.

“Have I told you that I literally love you?” the agent yawned.

“It certainly wouldn’t hurt me to hear it more often,” Sisu laughed. 

“Oh, do you still need help dying your roots?” Raya asked. 

She was now vaguely remembering Sisu asking for her help at some point when she was out on her previous assignment. Considering the fact that some dude with mommy issues damn near killed her, the text was shoved in the back of Raya’s mind for a hot minute.  

“Yeah, but let’s save that for tomorrow. I don’t think you can be trusted with anything permanent right now,” her best friend said, side eyeing how Raya was nodding off.

It took everything in her to muster up the strength to give Sisu a thumbs up, so that’s probably for the best. Raya’s pretty sure she did fall asleep during the brief car ride because she blinked and bam! There was Sisu’s house.

“Carry me,” Raya demanded, slumped over.

“Oh my god,” Sisu groaned

After much pulling and tugging on Sisu’s part, they made it through the front door and was greeted by Tuk Tuk’s little yips of happiness. Raya grinned the second she saw her fluffy puppy and began pressing kisses on his furry face.

“I missed you, my beautiful baby! Oh yes I did! Yes I did!” Raya cooed as her precious pup licked her cheek.

“I’m gonna turn in. Anything you need?” Sisu asked her.

“Uh, can you drop Tuk and I off at our house before work? I just got the notification that my package got delivered and it is dangerously unsupervised right now. Other than that I’m good,” Raya explained.

“That’s fine. See you tomorrow, bestie. Love you! And I love you too Tuk!” Sisu said while scratching his fluffy ears.

“We love you too. Night!” Raya waved as she walked into her designated room.

She kicked off her shoes and changed her clothes before immediately flopping on the bed. Raya heard Tuk Tuk jump on the bed and snuggled right next to her. She multitasked by using one hand to pet her dog and the other to text her father she’s back in Quantico, safe and sound. 

One of the major downsides of this job is knowing her father is going into cardiac arrest whenever a case pops up. He tried to convince her for weeks not to take the job but alas, her mind was made up. So then Benja decided to force to send texts when she left for a case and when she came back. Raya carelessly tossed her phone on the other side of the bed once the message was sent and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

****************************

The best way to wake up is seeing Tuk Tuk’s adorable face right beside her. Man, she missed this dog. 

Raya had to speed through her morning routine to get out the door at a reasonable hour. Ushering Sisu to get moving, Raya and Tuk Tuk were already waiting in her car by the time she got in.

“You know, you’re a lot less pushy when you’re tired,” Sisu huffed while driving off.

“It’s not my fault someone’s stealing packages from people’s doorsteps!” Raya exclaimed.

“You’re a profiler, catch them!” Sisu snapped.

“Too busy tracking down serial killers, thank you,” Raya told her.

“I hope you have an extra load of paperwork to finish,” Sisu glared.

“You are so hateful in the morning,” Raya frowned. 

They made it to Raya’s front door with no serious injuries, so she grabbed Tuk Tuk and made her way home.

“Do you want me to wait for you?” Sisu yelled.

“I’m good! See you in the office!” Raya yelled back.

Her beloved wife nodded and proceeded to drive to work. Raya turned her attention to where her packages get dropped off at. 

She absolutely beamed at seeing her mail sitting there, unstolen by the neighborhood thief. Raya grabbed the package and tapped the passcode lock combo to let herself and Tuk in.

Raya awkwardly opened the door to let Tuk Tuk in first and kicked her package in the house. Stumbling in herself, she gave the house a quick clean from it’s lack of use. Once Raya finished eating cereal straight from the box, she was already back out the door.

“Tuk Tuk, take care of the house for me while I’m gone, will ya?” Raya asked the little pup. He gave a bark in response which in Raya’s mind meant he totally agreed to her task. 

“I love you bud! See you tonight!” Raya said before locking up her house and getting into her car.

The FBI building wasn’t that far away but of course it was far away enough to hit some major morning traffic. Patience isn’t exactly where Raya shines. She didn’t even have the time to go to her favorite coffee place.

Finally, she was able to make her exit and entered the building of her workplace. She walked up to her desk to be greeted with Boun and Noi arguing over what case they think will be chosen next.

“I’m telling you, those murders down in Texas have to be serial! There’s just too many gun related deaths!” Noi exclaimed. 

“No way, there’s several missing people in North Carolina that have never returned for the past couple weeks! Oh Raya, you’re here! Hey, which case do you think is the next one?” Boun asked as she plopped into her small cubicle.

“No clue. Have either of you guys started your paperwork just at a curiosity?” Raya asked, pulling over her papers. 

Noi and Boun looked at each other guiltily before scrambling to get their own papers out. Raya snorted and shook her head before focusing in on her own work. Those two remind her of actual kids and the fact that they’re both younger than her doesn’t help.

The day was an uncommonly quiet one. Tong summoned them all near the end of it to discuss the files they had to get through in one of the meeting rooms.

“We did make good progress on what we finished today, but there’s still a hell of a lot more to be done. I highlighted which ones are top priority and we need to-” Tong began but was cut off by a random voice.

“SSA Spine, I’m very sorry to interrupt, but someone needs to speak to one of your agents,” the person told them.

“Did any of you have plans for company?” Tong asked with a raised brow. 

The other four agents shook their head while giving each other looks. Who on earth could be looking for one of them? 

“Well which agent do they need? And who’s asking?” Tong questioned further.

“Oh, Virana Fang wanted to speak with Agent Heart,” the woman said.

Raya’s blood somehow chilled and boiled at the same time. Seriously, Virana? Of all the fucking people that could meet with her? 

“Isn’t she like, a big time attorney? Raya, did you get into someone legal trouble?” Boun asked with furrowed brows.

“No, no I did not get into legal troubles. We know each other from uh, I guess when I was in college. And let me tell you, she is not a fan of mine. The fact that she’s here is honestly making me feel rather nervous,” Raya frowned. 

“Oh my god, I remember her! Man, she did not like you,” Sisu scoffed.

“Did Mrs. Fang say what exactly she wanted?” Tong asked.

“No, all she said was that it was urgent,” the woman answered.

“Do you want to tell her you aren’t available? I’m not entirely sure what’s going on but I can see your hackles raised, Raya,” Tong said with concern. Raya stood up from her chair.

“There’s no point. The woman’s relentless. If she says she wants to see me, she will see me. I have a feeling I am not going to like this conversation,” the agent sighed as she reluctantly followed the woman.

“Do you want one of us to come with you?” Noi inquired.

“That’s fine. I can take her in a fight,” Raya joked as she left the room. 

Once the door got closed behind her, she allowed the dread to kick. Tong was right, her hackles were raised. What the hell could Virana possibly want with her? 

Raya’s arms were crossed and her jaw clenched as she approached Virana. Oh, how Raya loathed her regal, menacing face. The older woman looked professional and impeccable as Raya has always known her to be. Never a speck of dirt on her clothes nor a strand of her hair out place. Confidence and ferocity ooze from her every pore, ready to suffocate anyone that tries to challenge her. This is how Virana Fang presents herself. 

But the Virana Fang Raya is currently looking at doesn’t have the usual intensity she frequently possesses. Instead she looks around anxiously, like something terrible is about to happen. The agent can’t find it in herself to feel any sort of sympathy for this woman. 

“Virana Fang. Why have you come to haunt me on this otherwise peaceful afternoon?” Raya drawled. Mrs. Fang almost seemed startled to find Raya standing right in front of her.

“I do not have time for your typical unnecessary remarks. Look, I want to keep this as short as possible. The bottom line is, I need your help,” Virana whispered quickly.

“I’m sorry, you need my help? Me? Raya Heart? My help?” Raya asked, utterly baffled. Virana stiffly nodded in response. 

Raya blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then she smiled. A smile turned to a laugh. What kind of bullshit is she playing at?

“Does it sound like I’m joking? What punchline did I just deliver?” the woman hissed. 

“Oh come on, I’m sure even you can see the irony in this? I mean you asked for my help, Mrs. Fang! God that’s hilarious!” Raya laughed. She honestly can’t take this situation seriously. “You know, it’s probably best if you just go. I thought I could get through this conversation but I think I overestimated myself. Please, have the day you deserve.”

Raya shook her head and turned away but the other woman’s hand stopped Raya. The agent looked back and saw how desperate Virana really looked. Before the agent could respond, Virana decided to speak words that alarmed her even more.

“Listen, I am well aware that in a perfect world, we never see each other again, but this world is not perfect. In a perfect world, my daughter would not be in danger,” Virana hissed in a frenzy.

This conversation could not get any more insane. What on earth was going on with Namaari? If Raya had any doubts about helping the lawyer, they were all gone now.

While her and Namaari weren’t exactly having sleepovers and braiding each other’s hair, Raya still cares about her. Plus, Namaari was certainly in better standing with her than Virana. (Then again, the raccoon that dug around in Raya’s trash last week was in better standing with her than Virana so that didn’t really mean much.)

“Fine, I’ll bite. Why is Namaari in danger?” Raya asked with annoyance. 

“Because a serial killer is after her. That’s why I came to you, considering the fact that catching them is your job,” the older told her in a low voice.

The agent’s jaw dropped. A serial killer? After Namaari? Well, to be fair, Namaari is a lawyer so it’s entirely possible a client is out for revenge? 

“How can you be so sure? I assume you came with evidence because this is not something I can just take your word for,” Raya managed to ask.

“Of course I came with proof, but I would prefer to speak of this in a more private setting,” Virana requested. First reasonable thing she’s said since she got here.

“Follow me,” the agent relented. Raya spend up the stairs to the conference room her team was in with Virana hot on her heels. 

“Hey, sir, can I use your office really quickly? It’s important,” Raya asked while gesturing to Virana.

“Of course,” Tong nodded while giving the two of them a suspicious glance. She is so getting interrogated when this conversation is over.

Raya then walked to Tong’s office and closed the door behind her once Virana stepped in. The agent sat on the little couch in the office with crossed arms.

“Lay it on me, Fang. Why do you think a serial killer is coming for Namaari?” Raya asked. 

Virana opened her briefcase and pulled out two envelopes. She handed them both to Raya. 

“Just look at the cases with those two girls that have unfortunately passed away. I’m sure you’ll realize I’m right,” Virana said while sitting on the chair across from her.

The lawyer said it in such a haughty way that it made Raya really hope that there isn’t a case for more than just Namaari’s safety. The agent took the two envelopes from her and opened the first one.

The first girl’s name was Anchali Chakan. She was born in Nebraska, moved to New York when she was ten, then transferred to a college in Maryland where she’s lived ever since. She got married only three months ago to her long time girlfriend, now wife. Or, now widow. A relatively normal upbringing from what Raya can tell. She had dreams of being an artist and made some very impressive pieces before her passing. Now that Raya knows the basics about this girl, it’s time to get into the actual crime that was committed.

Yikes. That is the first word that comes into her mind when she saw the picture of this woman’s untimely death. Raya doesn’t care how many cases she comes across, she will never get over all the horrible ways people kill. 

The murder happened in her house on March 1st. The place where she’s meant to feel safest. There was bruises around Anchali’s neck, an obvious sign of strangulation. Medical reports say that her windpipe got crushed which was the cause of her death. But alas, the atrocities did not stop there. There was an arrow that went straight through her neck. The only thing that made that detail a little less horrific was the fact that the arrow was stabbed into her neck post mortem. Raya cringed, shook her head, and went on to the second case.

The second woman is Cai Lan. She grew up in New York and stayed there until her last days. Unlike Anchali, Cai was born into poverty and had to claw her way out. She had been a foster kid since she was five, homeless for a period time in her late teens, went into massive debt getting into college, and had to live in an RV until three years ago. Cai did manage to make her way into upper society by scoring a manager position at a financial firm.

Cai’s murder occurred exactly one month after the first one, April 1st. It took place in Cai’s home just like Anchali’s. Again, just like Anchali’s murder, Cai was also strangled to death and ended up with an arrow through her neck post mortem. Looking closer at the arrow, Raya was disturbed to find that there was a heart at the front of the arrow. She glanced back at Anchali’s crime scene and found the heart was at the front of her arrow as well. 

Was the killer trying to imitate cupid’s bow? Ah, shit. This case is one hundred percent serial. But Raya still can’t see the connection with Namaari.

“I will give credit where credit is due, this is a serial case. Even though it crosses state lines, the signature is way too specific to be the average murder. I still don’t understand what this has to do with Namaari, though,” Raya sighed, looking up at Virana.

“Both of these girls are Namaari’s ex-girlfriends. Their break ups were very friendly and the two of them stayed in contact with Namaari after their relationships had ended. It’s how she became aware of their passing,” Virana said. 

For the first time since she entered the office, Virana had a mournful look on her face. Raya may have actually found it in her to feel bad for her but there was a very serious problem at hand. Then the attorney handed Raya another envelope, though this one was much smaller.

The very stressed agent opened it up and felt all color drain from her face. There was two plastic baggies with strands of hair. One strand of hair was significantly lighter than the other.

“Please tell me these weren’t mailed to you,” Raya begged, looking up at her. Virana’s grim face told her everything she needed to know.

“Two days after Anchali was killed, we got this bag with the light brown hair. News of her death hadn’t reached us yet, so we weren’t quite sure what to make of it and sent it to the police for investigation and figured out who it belonged to. Same thing with Cai,” Virana told her.

Wordlessly, the agent pulled out her phone to check the date. All the color drained from her face when she saw that today’s date is May 1st. 

“Follow me, we don’t have much time,” Raya commanded.

Raya gathered all of the evidence presented and all but sprinted out of the room. The older woman quickly followed suit. The two of them barreled into the conference office where her teammates were sitting. They all flinched when Raya tossed all the information of this new case on the desk. 

“Listen up people, we have to get through this quickly. Here you see two girls going by the names of Anchali Chakan and Cai Lan. The connection between their murders is the fact that they were both in a romantic relationship with Namaari Fang. They both died from strangulation. Part of the unsub’s signature is to put an arrow through their victim’s neck after they passed,” Raya said, talking a mile a minute.

“So it’s personal. Is, is that a heart at the tip of the bow?” Noi frowned, pulling the photo closer to her.

“Yeah, I think it’s supposed to reference Cupid’s bow. Namaari also received a strand of both the women’s hair two days after they were killed. These murders occurred on the first of March and April. Considering the fact that today is May 1st...,” Raya trailed off.

“We need to act now. I don’t like the fact that she’s been getting gifts or that the unsub knows where she lives. No need to bother collaborating with any local PD, this crosses state lines so we have full jurisdiction,” Tong began, explaining what he’s read in the files. “It’s safe to say that the unsub is targeting those who have had a romantic relationship with Namaari. They’ve also been going in order of who Namaari dated. She was with Chakan from eighth to ninth grade and then Cai from eleventh to twelfth grade. Mrs. Fang, was Namaari with anyone in the time period between Ms. Chakan and Ms. Lan?”

“Uh, kind of. After her break up with Anchali, I got word she did date a couple of other girls but they were just attempts at forming a relationship. Her next real girlfriend was Cai,” Virana answered immediately.

“Okay, looks like the unsub focuses on official relationships. Who did Namaari date after Ms. Lan?” Tong asked.

Raya could have sworn that Virana eyes landed on her before returning to focus on Tong. Must have been a trick of the light.

“From what I’m aware of, the only other girlfriend she had is her now fiancé, Jintara Niran,” Virana told him.

“But you’re not sure?” Tong pressed.

“No, I’m not,” the lawyer confirmed.

“First, please write down your daughter’s address. I take it her and her fiancé live together?” Tong asked. Virana nodded and hastily wrote it down. 

“Perfect. Now I need you to call your daughter and ask if she has had any other serious girlfriend between Ms. Lan and her fiancé and that she needs to be completely honest. If we’re right, she could very well be killed tonight,” Tong instructed. 

Virana turned rather pale at the last statement but nodded nonetheless. She walked out of the room and grabbed her phone, calling her daughter outside. Tong turned to the rest of the group with a serious look in his eyes.

“Okay, Sisu, you head to the computers and start sending police to stand guard at Ms. Fang’s and Ms. Niran’s house right now. If Mrs. Fang is right, the unsub is going for Niran next,” Tong began, but Sisu was practically out the door by the time he was finished with his sentence.

“Boun, I want you to just get to their address and kick start the process of asking them questions. Plus, I want one of our people to be with them as soon as possible,” Tong told him.

“On it!” Boun confirmed, launching himself out of his seat.

“Noi, stay with Virana and get whatever else you can out of her while simultaneously giving her some comfort. I’ll head out to the local PD where they live. It’s only two hours away but we should set up shop there anyways. Two hours can easily be the difference between life and death,” the agent told the only girls left.

“You got it boss man!” Noi nodded.

“And Raya, you know those case files I had you look at for review?” Raya nodded, causing Tong to continue. “I want you to get those files then head to the local PD with Boun. There’s a case in there similar to this one so we can get a better idea of how to handle this.”

“Understood, sir. I’ve got it covered,” Raya told him while rushing to get out of the room. 

Holy shit. Someone has been killing Namaari’s ex girlfriends. This was not on Raya’s 2023 bingo card.

As Raya glided down the stairs, she passed by both Noi and Virana conversing. Before she could leave the floor, Virana spoke to her.

“Ms. Heart!” the lawyer exclaimed. 

“What is it?” Raya asked anxiously.

“Please, just be careful,” Virana almost begged. Ah hell, that is so weird.

“Of course. I always am,” Raya told her confidently. With that, Raya turned around and dashed out of there.

The agent all but sprinted to her car. Once the car started, she began driving like a bat out of hell to get to her house. Because what on god’s green earth is happening right now?

When Raya got back home, she didn’t even bother locking her car before throwing her front door open.

Raya stood at the door for a moment, completely forgetting where she put the files. Then her brain started working again and she remembered that she shoved them underneath the dryer.

As Raya walked towards the kitchen, something made her pause. Is, is something burning?

Side tracked from her original mission, she found that the stove was turned on. That shouldn’t be possible. It wasn’t turned on this morning when she first got here and Raya’s breakfast was cereal straight from the bag. She did not touch the oven.

Tuk Tuk then made his entrance by running right by Raya and her fears quickly disappeared. Her big old dog probably accidentally knocked into the stove and turned it on. It has happened before. 

“Hey bud. Were you trying to make some dinner for yourself while I was gone? I should probably feed you anyways,” Raya smiled, giving him a light scratch on the ears. Before Raya could blink, she was pinned against the wall by someone wearing a mask.

It took a couple seconds before she realized that this masked man now had their hands wrapped around Raya’s throat, slowly squeezing the life right out of her. 

#raya and the last dragon #ratld #rayaari #namaari #raya x namaari #namaari x raya #raya and namaari #ratld namaari #raya disney #ratld raya #rayamaari #raymaari #raya of heart #disney raya #raya namaari #namaari of fang #raya incorrect quotes #ratld incorrect quotes #disney ratld

[dancinjanssen]

Life update. Haven’t done this in a while, if ever.

I am happiest to report that I got out of slinging coffee (which I’d been doing since 2014 across two different places) and found an office job. Without doxxing myself, essentially I calculate/reconcile real estate agents’ commission checks and make sure that each person involved in the transaction is getting paid the right amount. Monday through Friday, all the holidays off, no more dealing with customers. It’s been pretty great. (The only thing I’m still adjusting to is working 8 to 5 as a natural night owl who would always prefer to be up until 2 am and sleep until 10.) I’m that weirdo who’s always loved math too, so I feel completely in my element. My boss is essentially the 2.0 version of my favorite math teacher from middle school, which has been hilarious and great too. They literally even have the same first name and look alike.

My barista years will always hold a place in my heart. I worked with some amazing coworkers, got to do barista competitions, and now I have knowledge and appreciation of good coffee that I’ll enjoy on the customer end for the rest of my life. That being said…..

Why after eight years in the industry and four of them at this last place did I leave? I’ll tell you exactly why. MANAGEMENT. Really specifically one manager, but the rest of management defended and protected her behavior, so I really left all of them. In a nutshell:

Year one: Different supervisor. Call him M. M wasn’t great, but he eventually got fired. This supervisor- H- got promoted in his place.

Years two and three: For reasons I still don’t comprehend, H took an immediate abnormally strong liking to me. It went beyond just thinking I was a good worker and appreciating me on a professional level. H would tell me to come hang out with her in the office and just talk to her about life for 1-2 hours a night. She told me to always have her grab my money for the register and that if any other manager offered, to tell them she was doing it. And when Covid hit in 2020 and a big part of our staff got furloughed, she moved me from a station that got shut down to one that didn’t just so I wouldn’t get furloughed because she said she would cry if I did. One of the sketchiest straws for me was the night she told me to close the coffee shop for my lunch (like always) but then to stay closed for an extra half hour to come hang out with her.

Year four: Complaints about H favoring me naturally mounted, and finally after enough of them, the boss above her talked to her and told her it needed to stop. I agreed with that. That alone was perfectly fine and needed to happen. But this was where H just went unhinged and made my final year at this place hell. She blamed me almost entirely for our relationship getting out of hand. She told me I got too carried away and didn’t manage my time well enough and that’s why it got noticed that we were together in the office a lot. When I asked her why she never once told me it was time to leave and get back to work (you know, her job as MY BOSS), she told me she thought all my work was done. Oh yeah. Telling me to come hang out with you at 7:30 when the coffee shop closed at 11 was me clearly having all my work done. [Sarcasm]

And from then on, H was not nice to me. She avoided eye contact with me, said the absolute bare minimum to me, and made big shows of saying hi and talking to everyone else while completely ignoring me. Once we got some new hires, they became her new favorites and did all the stuff she and I used to do. It was like she learned NOTHING from what happened with me. These people hung out with her in the office just like we did, but all the while she still iced me out and acted like I was gum on her shoe for getting her in trouble the first time. It put me in a horrendous place mentally. I blamed myself for somehow not being good enough for her or for being “too much” for her. What did these new employees have that I didn’t?

January this year: I along with 5-6 other employees all went to upper management about H. About her favoritism. About her treating us like garbage while her new chosen ones sat in the office and did zero work. About H giving them Christmas gifts right in front of everyone else. All upper management told me was to get over it, back off, and stop letting it bother me. That all H owed me was to be professional and not to be my friend. I told them she wasn’t even being professional with me and they didn’t care. The single only thing they agreed to tell her was that she needed to look at me when she was talking to me. They agreed the lack of eye contact was rude. (I know some autistic people prefer that, but I don’t. Mileage may vary. And it was her being rude, not uncomfortable with eye contact. She made it with everyone else.)

February to May this year: I went day to day never knowing which version of H I was going to get. Some days she randomly warmed up to me again, others she kept icing me out. Some days she made eye contact, others she didn’t. One day she walked with me into the building and made conversation the whole way, the next she’d avert her eyes and walk on without me.

May 2022: I finally drew the line for my mental health, said enough of this bullshit, and found a new job. Gave H my two weeks on May 23rd (sooo satisfying!) and my last day was June 2nd. I didn’t even have to do that. I could have told her to go get f**ked and walked out right on the 23rd. But I cared about my other coworkers enough to work my two weeks, plus the new place didn’t start me until June 6th anyway.

June 2nd (my last day): Probably the single weirdest day I ever had with H. Each month this year, she planned to bring cake one night and celebrate all the birthdays of that month. She saw that through in January, February, and March only, and then had abandoned it. Back in January, she accidentally announced me with the names even though I’m a May baby. Sometime later when the vibe was right, I let her know that, and she felt bad and said I could pick one of the cake flavors for May. (She always got two cakes.) After no cake happened in April, I thought it was a lost cause anyway, but when I asked a couple of times almost just to be snarky, she kept insisting it was happening.

Finally on my last day, she told me she had my cake. That it was MY cake and she didn’t get cake for anyone else, and it was combination birthday and going away/new job. She said all of this very stoically and mechanically. When I went to her office later to get the cake, it was goodbye for us and I didn’t really know what to say. I thanked her and told her I was sorry that things got rough with us, and she said “It is what it is. I’m glad you can grow in your new career now.” So that told me she was ecstatic for me to leave.

The whole thing was just WEIRD. I never really knew where I stood with her. Getting out was the absolute best thing for me. I wish everyone else luck in their navigations with her.

I still keep in touch with coworkers. I am happy to say that one month later, my job has not been filled yet and they’re now offering $1,000 sign on bonuses for some of the positions. That place can drown in its shitty management. I did my part to try to change it and nobody cared. Sayonara.

#long post #work #management #great resignation #jobs

[tuxedaaron]

Hello, all.  Yes, it is now official.  I am finally accepting commissions.  Believe me when I say, for those who have been following my work for a long time, there is not a single one of you who can possibly know how long I've been wrestling with this decision.   But my current employment situation (specifically, the temporary layoff period I currently find myself in) has more or less forced my hand to at least TRY to go down this road.  I won't lie, I'm not 100% certain that I can actually make enough money through commissions to keep my head above water, financially.  But I guess we're about to find out, huh? For those of you who have made non-commissioned requests of me, prior to this announcement, and are suddenly worrying about what this means for you, have no fear.  I WILL be getting those projects completed, and no, it won't cost you a dime.  But from this point on, for anyone else who would like to see me draw something for them, I'm afraid I now have to ask for money.  I'm sorry, but this is the bridge we've come to now, so we all have to cross it together. Well, that's all I have to say about that.  So let's get down to business... 1.) PRICES - Lineart ($30.00 USD) - Simple Colors ($40.00 USD) - Shaded Colors ($50.00 USD) 2.) ORDERS/PAYMENT - Anyone who would like to commission me for artwork can either email me at [email protected] or contact me on DeviantArt (https://www.deviantart.com/tuxedaaron). - For anyone messaging me on DA, a Note would be preferable, so I can file it properly and no commissions get lost.  However, I will still require an address from you, so I can email you the image once it's completed. - If I agree to take on your project, let me know if there's a specific deadline you'd like to see it completed by.   Deadlines will obviously be given priority.  But, please...don't ask for it to be completed the very next day. - Size of the image is negotiable.  Personally, I prefer my images cut to a height of 950p, so you can fully see it on your screen.  But if you'd like something larger so you can print a physical copy, we can discuss it. - A cropped thumbnail will be emailed to the commissioner, to inform them of the project's completion.  However, an email containing the full image will be contingent only upon my first receiving payment for the work. - Payment (for the moment, at least) will be exclusively through Paypal (paypal.me/TuxedAaron). In time, I may be open to other payment methods (possibly even a Patreon, down the line), but for right now, this is what I have. 3.) NSFW RESTRICTIONS (Yes, it now comes down to this.  To be honest, I don't really have an issue with NSFW commissions.  But I won't do just anything.  Below is my strict list of Don'ts for NSFW requests.  These are NOT NEGOTIABLE!) ABSOLUTELY NO...! - Loli/Shota - Piss/Scat - Rape - Violence - Gore - Vore - Snuff - Or anything else I might generally consider offensive (If it isn't specifically listed here, don't assume it's fair game.  ASK-ME-FIRST.) Well, I think that just about covers it.  So for anyone, going forward, who'd like to see me draw a picture for them and is actually willing to pay me, by all means drop me a line.  For everyone else, thanks for putting up with this shameless plug and I hope you continue to enjoy my work as more postings are made.

#tuxedaaron #kim possible style #oc #advertisement #commission #commissions open #commission prices #commission rules

[chicagofanfictionfan]

Comforts of Home Part 1

Dante finally heaved a great sigh of relief. Tonio was home and resting comfortably in their bed. It didn’t matter that he had known he was safe for close to two days; it only felt real and was tangible when he had come home. Brushing the hair gently off the other man’s forehead Dante smiled tenderly down at the man he loved.

“Too close Tonio. This time was way too close.” He whispered as he quietly walked out of their room to call home and give them the news. Everyone had cleared out pretty quickly after Tonio was settled, but he knew they would all be back shortly.

He chuckled; for the most part their house was one big revolving door and was usually full of their friends and family. That’s why they bought a big house with multiple rooms; so there would always be a place for anybody who needed it.

Now he had to call his mom and dad. They had agreed years ago that a phone call would come after the fact. That having them worrying and clogging up the phone lines didn’t help anything nor did adding their worried aces to the pile. It didn’t make the call any easier.

A great many of the squadron’s family adopted the same policy over the years. They still got all the information and heard the stories, just after it was said and done. It strangely enough made it easier on everyone; it wasn’t as if they thought their jobs were a walk in the park.

They would also want to be here when they remembered Bones; the guys were all considered family as far as his parents were concerned. Being the only child did have some perks. Dante smiled, his mom would be there mothering Tonio until he was well and despite the man’s complaints, he loved it.

Picking up the phone, he took a deep breath and prepared himself.

“Mom.”

“Hello to you too.”

“He’s resting right now, but I-“

“Yes, mom, he is fine.”

“I am ok now; I wasn’t a few days ago”.

“Chopper crash, badly injured but Homer pulled him through. Bones didn’t make it.”

“I know me too.”

“He’ll be laid up for a while, and out of commission, but Ducky says he will be fine.”

“You know how Tonio is.”

“No, didn’t have to sneak his pills this time, he actually took them.”

“I know. It was too close Mama.”

He took a deep breath. “I try to remember that, I do, but-“

“I know, he will always hang on for me. But I wasn’t there.”

“I know that I can’t be there all the time, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty.”

“God no! He would Gibbs slap me and tell me not to feel guilty then sic Gibbs himself on me.”

“Working on it. Maybe when he looks better the guilt will dissipate too.”

“How’s Dad?”

“So you won’t give me any news until you both get here? I always knew Tonio was your favorite.”

“I love you too. Yes, I will tell him you’re both on your way. Want me to pick-“

“Ok! I’ll stay with Tonio. See you when you get here.”

Dante hung up smiling and shaking his head and headed for their bedroom to lie down beside Tonio and stay with him as ordered.

#Anthony DiNozzo #Ziva David #Abby Sciuto #Ducky Mallard #Leon Vance #Jimmy Palmer #Jethro Gibbs #Other(s)

[no-droids]

Whenever You Want

Part Fourteen of the Rough Day Series

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 11.2K

Warnings: Listen there is some dirty smut in this one yall okay like I was blushing when I wrote it, it has a very stark beginning and theres a pagebreak afterwards if you would prefer to skip over it. Smut includes oral sex (female receiving) rough sex, sensory deprivation, butt stuff (ass to mouth, anal fingering/penetration) so PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR IT PLEASE. Also there is jealous/possessive mando in this, season 1 Karga makes another appearance, and some angst/fluff towards the end

A/N: Nothing much today yoditos just love you all

***

Din said he’d meet you here.

You’re currently sitting across from Greef Karga in a cantina on Nevarro, a closed shield next to you and a blaster tucked into the back of your waistband, hidden underneath your shirt.  You’re barely even looking at him, though—your eyes are attached to the door by an invisible string, forcing your gaze back to it no matter how much it bounces around the room.

You don’t know where Din is, you haven’t seen him in hours.  But you do know that when he left, he was moving slower than you’re used to.  You don’t think anyone else would notice, but you sure did.  Not that he was obvious about it—you only picked up on very subtle hints.  Leaning up against things just a bit more than he usually does.  Taking slightly longer exiting the ramp of the Crest than his normal strides would carry him.

He didn’t say what he was going to do—just that he needed to find someone before meeting with Karga, and you accepted it.  But truthfully, you didn’t want to.  You were worried about him—still are, actually.  But for all intents and purposes, he was speaking and acting like himself, showing no real signs of exhaustion other than the smallest instances you described before, so you didn’t really have a leg to stand on.  He’s been through way worse, and you know it.  You just… find yourself worrying about him so much more than you used to, and you need to learn how to gain some control over that part of you.

The kid was still passed out from healing him and you remember Din carefully setting four pucks down in the sleeping baby’s sphere and giving his ears a gentle rub between leather fingers.  He turned back to you and told you to meet him at the cantina in three hours, but if it ended up taking him too long for any reason, to try your best to see if Karga will let you exchange on his behalf.

Admittedly, he didn’t sound too confident about it—the instructions were delivered with a tone that implied a doubtful, just-in-case scenario he wasn’t foreseeing happening.  Or maybe he just doubted the likelihood of Karga agreeing to do business with you, you’re not entirely sure.  All you know is that when he left, you were almost certain he wouldn’t be late, but you also took the time to grab the smallest blaster from his armory before heading out just in case.

Yet—here you are, three and a half hours later, eyes flicking between the door and Karga as you attempt to keep up polite conversation.  After turning down his offer of alcohol for the fifth time and still not seeing any glimpse of beskar coming to your rescue, you figure this may be as good a time as any to start the exchange.

During an extended break in the small talk, you slowly reach over to the corner of your booth and press a button on the face of the kid’s shield.  It hisses open and you completely miss the way Karga’s hand raises while three of his guards automatically reach for their hips.  The little green monster is still snoozing comfortably while you pull out the four glowing pucks Din left you and set them on the table one by one.

They scrape along the top of it as you slowly push them over to him, before sitting back in the booth and clearing your throat, flicking your eyes between Karga and his guards.  To you, nobody appears to have moved, so you muster a polite smile at him.

Karga smiles back, but makes no move to gather or inspect the offerings in front of him.

“Um…” you say after a moment, suddenly feeling your heart start to beat a little faster.  “Mando… Mando gave me permission to exchange on his behalf.”

“I believe you,” he drawls out in response, but the pucks still sit untouched in front of him as he leans back in the booth and studies you.  “Mando has always had a… let’s say, a frustrating penchant for disregarding the pillars of our code.  My apologies, young lady, but I’m afraid that I cannot accept these from you.”

Your voice comes out quieter than you’d like it to sound.  “Why not?”

“It is… unlawful,” he answers after a moment.  “Our organization operates under strict rules.”

Does it?  You blink.  No, it doesn’t.  You’re nothing to the Guild and you’ve sat next to Din quite a few times while Karga talked, listening to him drunkenly boast about return rates and out members by name.  You’re not sure why he’s barring you like this, but you’re also not self-assured enough to put practically any spine into it whatsoever.  “I’m… afraid I don’t understand.”

“I cannot legally do guild business with individuals not recognized as members in an official capacity,” he sighs, sounding grave and almost apologetic about it, but you don’t know him well enough to know if he’s a good actor or not.  “There’s nothing I can do for you besides provide you with my company, not until Mando decides to show.”

Well now that doesn’t make any sense, and you’re starting to worry that for some reason or another, he isn’t going to show.  Though it was incredibly well concealed, you’re well aware that Din was still lingering in the final recovery stages when he left the Crest earlier and all you have to go on is his word that he’d be here.  Something could’ve happened.  Something could be happening right now, you need to push.

“People pick up bounties for extra credits all the time,” you mumble, still way too fucking quiet about it.  Maker, you’re not even sure if he could hear that over the sound of the cantina.  Speak up, speak up.

“Yes, but those quarry are listed on the New Republic’s most wanted database,” Karga acknowledges diplomatically, educating more than he is arguing, before uncorking the bottle of glowing blue alcohol in front of him and beginning to pour himself another shot.  “They’re fodder.  Up for grabs—names, last known locations, and biometrics published for the entire galaxy to read.”  He tilts his head down at the four metal pucks on the table without removing his gaze from the gradually filling glass.  “Those pucks are different, they’re commissions.  Tied specifically to Guild contracts.”  Karga clunks the bottle back down again and corks it, pinning you with a stare.  “For all I know, you could’ve murdered a member of our ranks and come to collect payment for his bounties.  Can’t have that.”

Your blood suddenly turns to ice at the implication, eyes wide and your heartbeat rocketing as you look from Karga to the three guards casually stationed behind him.  “You—You think I murdered Mando?”

“No,” he says, easily and in the very same breath, before throwing the shot back and wiping his mouth with a grimace.  “Not sure I’d care too much if you did.  It’s not my rule, but I am required to follow it or risk losing my position in the Guild.”

Shit.  Shit.  What do you do?

You’re blank, left quiet and feeling increasingly unsure of how to proceed.  Karga, however, seems completely unbothered and even appears to be enjoying himself and your company.  He gives you another smile, this one a lot friendlier and more genuine than the one earlier, before setting his elbows on the table and leaning forward.

“Look, I want to help you,” he admits, keeping his tone light, “but my hands are tied.  Just relax and share a drink with me until he gets here, it’s not a problem.”

Fuck, you don’t like this, and a quick look around brings another reminder of Din’s continued absence.  Your chest feels tight, the anxiety starting to compound and make you jumpy.  It’s been too long—it’s been at least forty minutes or so of waiting by now and something just feels wrong about this.  Not having him next to you feels wrong enough on its own, but when he specifically told you he’d be here?

You clench your jaw and try to work up your nerve.  Karga is a nice guy, right?  He knows you by name, he knows who you are to Mando.  And while you never really thought about the bounty hunter’s omnipresent protection as being anything other than metaphorical, you suddenly realize that… it might be literal, too.  How much sway do you actually have here, you wonder?  You’re not stupid, you’re not going to try anything stupid, but maybe just another question won’t hurt?

“Well, um… how do you become a member, then?”  You ask him, and you watch as he leans back in the booth, raising both eyebrows at you.

“Excuse me?”  He asks, though there’s a genuine amusement in his voice.  Stunned that you’d even say the words aloud.

“I have four bodies,” you tell him shortly.  You’re still quiet about it, but his thoroughly entertained astonishment is beginning to rub you the wrong way.  You don’t want to be part of the Guild, you don’t want to be here, you’re doing this out of growing necessity.  “One of which I dragged through a blizzard on Hoth by its ankles and put into carbonite myself, so please just tell me what I have to do to get you to take them.”

“I can’t,” he repeats, shaking his head like you’re just not getting it.  “New members are only accepted if they bring in an S-level criminal from the database or if they complete a commission that was granted to them by someone of my station—neither of which apply to you.  If you cannot present me with any sort of reasonable argument for which they could, then I’m afraid this is not a favor I can swing.”

“I was sitting right here,” you return, suddenly finding your voice.  If Karga wants an argument from you to get this to happen, then you’ll do it.  You just need to finish this exchange, go back to the Crest, and scan around for Din’s signal.  “When you first gave the pucks to Mando, I sat right here and you pushed them over to this side of the table—I was present for the commission and now I’m here to complete it.”

He shakes his head.  “But I didn’t give them to you, I gave them to Mando—”

“Yes, but you only wanted to give him three,” you immediately point out.  “The last one, the one I told you I put into carbonite—you said you threw it in because you liked me, it could’ve been for me.”

Karga suddenly stops and blinks at you for a few seconds, and you bite your lip, wondering if the logic will hold.  It’s flimsy as fuck and you know he could very easily rip it apart if he wanted to.  It could’ve been for you but it wasn’t, he gave it to Mando.  You also purposefully leave out the fact that you’re also the reason Mando only gave him three bodies in the first place; your only goal here is to complete this transaction as quickly as possible and leave.  You don’t like the fact that it’s taking Din so long, and you also don’t like the fact that Karga seems so keen on keeping you here with him, no matter how many reassurances he provides.  He said he wants to help you?  This can be his chance to prove it.

After a few extended moments of consideration, Karga finally shrugs like he really couldn’t care less before reaching across the table for the pucks and beginning to stack them in his palm.

“What is your last name?”  He asks, turning behind him to gesture for one of his men with a jerk of his head.  The bodyguard exits the cantina without another word and your eyes flick back to Karga’s.

“Why does it matter?”  You ask uncertainly, watching another guard approach with a holopad as he shrugs once more.

“It doesn’t, but we need something for our records,” Karga explains, grabbing the device as it’s tapped against his shoulder without removing his gaze from yours.  “I can just use Doe if you don’t feel like sharing—most of our members tend to prefer anonymity, including your companion.”

Your eyebrows furrow even as your heart continues to pound, wondering how they can afford to be so lax about some things but take others so seriously.  “You have him down as John Doe?”

“First name Man,” Karga grunts in response, finally breaking eye contact to begin navigating through pages on the holopad.

“Ah,” you say shortly, knowing you’d probably find the joke funny in other circumstances.  You’re not out of the trenches yet, you still feel the worry tugging hard at your chest.

“Very well,” Karga announces with a sigh, pocketing the pucks in his leather overcoat and then handing the holopad back to one of the men flanking him after a moment.  “Someone is collecting the carbonite plaques from your vessel as we speak.”

You give him a nod, taking a deep breath that you hope is slow and subtle enough to not give your anxiety away.  He helped you out, you’re halfway through this.  Now comes the exchange.  Now it’s his turn to give you the credits and four more pucks, that’s how this should go.

Only, Karga leans back in his seat and cocks his head at you.  “Unfortunately, I believe we have found ourselves in the midst of yet another predicament.”

Your heart continues to slam, praying you haven’t somehow majorly fucked things up by getting this far.  Din still isn’t here, why is he so fucking late?  He nearly froze to death and you handled a dead body just to make this meeting on time, where the fuck is he?

You raise an eyebrow at him, willing the building panic not to show on your face.  “Have we?”

“You’re lucky credits are attached to commissions instead of rank within the Guild,” he prefaces, pulling out a large handful of them to begin counting, and your eyes flick around the cantina while you know he isn’t looking, “or else you’d be getting about half of what I’d normally give him.”

Heart galloping when you still don’t see any sign of him, you just decide to keep extra quiet as you watch Karga divvy out a sizable stack of credits, hoping your prolonged silence will protect you somehow.

“The question now becomes…” he lifts an eyebrow at you while sliding them across the table to you, “how many pucks do I give you in return, hm?”

Fuck, you don’t like this, you’re trying to make it crystal fucking clear that your intentions do not extend beyond the perimeter of this table.  There’s no you to be found in this deal, you’re just an emergency proxy in Din’s absence and you only inserted yourself in the situation to accomplish that task.  “I told you I’m only here to exchange on Mando’s behalf, that’s it.”

“Be that as it may…”  Karga glances around the cantina like he’s thinking extra hard about it.  This is a made-up problem, you both know there’s no predicament here.  He knows you didn’t kill Mando, he knows there’s no real reason to be giving you such a hard time about this, and you clench your jaw as he still seems to take his time considering it.  “Tell you what, young lady,” he finally turns back to you.  “Do me the honor of sharing one sip of this fine spotchka with me and I’ll give you four pucks to pass along to Mando.”

Okay.  Okay, you can do that, if he really cares that much.  Karga gestures for the closest droid to come by with a glass for you, but you just grab the bottle in front of him and uncork it without thinking too much, balancing the glowing blue liquid with two hands and diligently taking a small sip of it before setting it down again.  Appearing satisfied with your demonstration of upholding your end of the bargain, Karga grins and reaches into another pocket.

“Four for Mando,” he pushes four pucks across the table, “same rate and return as last time, as promised.”  You nearly deflate in relief as you quickly gather them up and begin dropping them into the snoozing baby’s shield along with the credits, but then Karga reaches back and pulls out another puck, pushing it over to you.  “And one for you.”

You blink at him, frozen in place.

“Lowest level, lowest pay.  Not even a criminal by New Republic standards, just a missing person,” he goes on to say, but then quite suddenly… 

Quite suddenly you’re absolutely fucking horrified.

You don’t want it.  Everything inside you surges up to scream that you do not want that puck.  It’s a waste of time, even if it’s an extra job—it’s too much trouble, too much fuel for such a small reward.  You already know good and well that Din won’t want to bother, getting this extra puck would be considered a detriment to him.

“What if I don’t want it?”  You ask, sounding nervous and vaguely out of breath as you look down at it.

Karga scoffs.  “Of course you don’t.  Nobody wants these, why do you think I’m trying so hard to pawn one off on you?”

Shit.  This is not at all how you expected any of this would go.  You know he’s not really asking, even if his tone and continued courtesy implies it’s only a request.  There’s an expectation attached to this, and it appears you take too long pondering an offer that isn’t actually voluntary.  Karga stares at you and your clear apprehension for just a few seconds more, before finally giving you an ultimatum.  “You said you’re here on his behalf.  You either take all five pucks now or Mando only gets three next time, your choice.”

Oh.  Oh, no.  This is a lose-lose; three pucks means more fuel and less credits, five pucks means more fuel and less credits.  It’s not like you have any real bargaining power here—almost everything he’s done for you today has been a favor of some sort and you’re well aware that things can always get worse.

Still, you take a deep breath and try your best to throw around whatever weight you have left in one final agreement.

“Give me your word you’ll go back to giving him four from now on, no more hassling or hard time constraints and we’ll take it just this once,” you tell him, trying to conjure and put power behind your words even though you’re unsure if they’ll stick.

“Deal,” Karga readily agrees with a smile, reaching his hand across the table.  You have no choice but to meet him in the middle and clasp it, unable to feel anywhere close to good about your performance here.  It was clunky and insecure and even though you just barely succeeded in making the exchange overall, you’re massively disappointed in the specifics.

But then Karga’s eyes quickly flick over your shoulder.

“Ah, Mando!”  He suddenly calls out, and your hand nearly snatches away from his while your body goes rigid.

Oh, this isn’t good, this is not good.  Well, it’s good that he’s here but it also really fucking isn’t.  You don’t even turn your head; you sit completely straight and still while the cantina falls to a hush and heavy footsteps begin to approach behind you.  You fucked up—you fucked up, you didn’t wait long enough and you feel the sharp regret instantly twist in your stomach.  He said he’d be here, why didn’t you trust him?  Your anxiety and stress compounded and spurned you to act too quickly, you made the deal a few fucking seconds before he showed up.

And, as Din eventually comes into your peripheral, taking his time leaning his rifle up against the table, you immediately realize that you should not have worried.  Recovery isn’t even a word in his vocabulary right now—he’s more intimidating than he’s ever been, more powerful and certain and dangerous while he lowers himself into the seat next to you than he’s ever felt to you before.  Everything is so quiet now that he’s here; you feel like even just swallowing against the sudden dryness in your throat turns into an audible gulp.  The man sitting across from you may own this cantina and every material good under its roof, but the one sitting by your side feels like he steals the literal air from the room just by walking inside it.

Yet, in spite of the daunting presence of the Mandalorian, Karga beams and tips his glass at him.  “I believe you’ve arrived just in time for your favorite part of the conversation, friend.  The farewells.”

You stare wide-eyed down at the table as Din leans back into the booth and very slowly extends his arm behind your shoulders, saying nothing at all to him.

The testosterone is radiating from him to the point of near suffocation, you can taste the alpha in the air.  Your heart slams in your chest at the unspoken claim he just made with a subtle movement, and though you’ve never been one for masculine displays, this one weirdly feels… good right now.  You know it’s primitive and crude and you’re not a piece of meat to be fought over, but it doesn’t feel like that at all.  It’s the immediate feeling of security that serves to heat your cheeks, the fact that you’ve been a nervous mess trying to be extra brave this whole interaction and then suddenly you have the backup of an entire army contained within one single suit of armor next to you.

If you weren’t internally panicking at how badly you screwed this shit up, you’d probably be going fucking feral for him right now.

Karga says your name and your gaze snaps to his, feeling like you can’t breathe.  “My associate has collected the plaques, nothing keeps you here any longer.  It was a pleasure doing business with you.”

Still, nobody at the table moves.

After a moment, you carefully glance up and to the side at the sharp, metallic profile of his helmet.  Maker, you can’t explain it—it’s like you feel terrified but not really for yourself, if that makes sense.  You’re upset with yourself for not having enough trust in his word, absolutely, but something in Din’s demeanor tells you that he’s going to be considerably less understanding of how Karga handled this situation than the way you did.

The helmet slowly turns down to look at you, and you bite your lip while carefully placing your hand on his thigh brace under the table, letting him feel your fingers brush against the bend of his knee.

He turns back to Karga after a few seconds, still not saying a single word, until eventually Din’s arm is lifted from behind your shoulders and you feel his leather fingers gently clasp your hand, before he starts to rise from the booth and pull you along next to him.  You both stand, and he silently presses a button on his vambrace without dropping your grip, urging the kid’s shield to follow along behind him.

“Um, goodbye,” you just barely remember to tell Karga as Din begins leading you away, apparently not waiting for the polite farewells he arrived in time for.

“Wait!”  A voice calls out just before you can make your exit, and Din pauses just in time for Karga to extend that damned fifth puck out for you to grab.  Right in fucking front of him.  “Can’t forget this!”

Fuck.  Great.  Thanks.

Blood rushes to your face while you go to reach for it, taking the puck and then placing it in the open shield along with four others in a way that you hope is casual but you know isn’t.  You close the lid on it and then squeeze Din’s hand slightly, but he stays rooted to the spot for a few more seconds, having watched the entire exchange play out.  Though you obviously wouldn’t be able to read his facial expressions even if you could lift your head to look up at him, you can’t will yourself to do so right now.  You’re too disappointed in yourself and nervous—you just stand there silently as he looks back at Karga, staring at your feet and praying he doesn’t do anything brash.

After too many moments of uncertainty, you squeeze his hand again and slowly begin to pull on it.  Without needing much pressure at all, he goes where you go, and you end up being the one to lead Din out of the cantina by the hand still tangled with yours.

*** 

The walk back to the Crest lasts an eternity.

Neither one of you say anything at all to each other the entire way there, and you know he’s not mad at you yet, but you’re worried.  You feel incredibly self-critical right now and it’s really not helping that he seems even quieter and more wound up than usual.  You don’t know if it’s because he already figured out that you just handed him extra work or if it’s because whatever made him late to the cantina also altered his mood, hit a reset button and reminded him of the way he used to be, the armor he’s wearing.  Was there a confrontation, you wonder?  Is he okay?  He seems like he’s… extra Mandalorian right now, there’s not really a better way to describe it.

He doesn’t drop your hand, though.  As you pass through the markets and shanty huts lining the streets, Din holds onto you.  Shoulders tense and strides heavy, but his fingers stay tangled in yours.

Regardless, you keep your mouth shut and eventually the Crest comes into view.  The ramp drops to the ground and the three of you make your way up, and you have enough foresight to carefully drop Din’s hand and lead the baby’s shield over to the unused cot built into the hull walls, closing him in a safe quiet place to sleep and continue building up his strength again.

You turn around to see Din press another button on his vambrace.  He stays with his back to you as the ramp slowly closes, but as soon as it latches up against the hull and locks into place, he nearly whips around and suddenly he’s right in front of you, gloves cupping your face.

“What happened?”  He asks sharply, the helmet looking you up and down.  “Are you alright?  Why did you look so scared?”

You reach up to rest your hands on his, blinking up at him and not knowing what to say.  How are you going to tell him?  He’s gotta waste extra fuel and time on a bullshit quarry because of you, what are you going to say?  You don’t even know if it’s last known location is nearby; he might have to fly to some remote, desolate corner of the galaxy just for a handful of credits because you couldn’t wait a fucking hour for him.

“I, uh…  I-I’m sorry, I just…”  But it’s nearly impossible to form a coherent thought when he’s this close to you and sounding fucking sincere, genuinely concerned about you while you’re stuck worrying about how to break the bad news to him.  “Oh, stars, um…”

“Did Karga fuck with you?”  He asks in that same sharp tone when you don’t finish your thought, but you’re so absorbed in your own conflict that you barely even hear him.  “Because I can go back right now, the cantina is just—”

“Okay wait, please—” You suddenly speak up, “before I tell you, just… please keep in mind that I did save your life two days ago, so…”

“Sweet girl,” Din rumbles slowly, a subtle warning for you to hurry up and spit it out.  His fingers tighten just slightly on your cheeks, still so gentle but needing you to communicate with him right now.

Tell him, you just need to tell him.  If he gets mad, then he gets mad, but at least he’ll know at that point and you won’t just be springing it on him out of nowhere.

“I fucked up,” you breathe out, eyebrows pulling up in the middle as you tighten your own grip on his hands.  “I’m so sorry, I fucked up and you were late and I got nervous and I didn’t wait long enough and I tried to make the exchange like you asked me to but then I had to take a fifth puck and I didn’t want to but Karga threatened to short change you next time around unless I agreed to take an extra one for the lowest pay just this once and I didn’t have any bargaining power and you showed up right after I agreed to the deal and I’m so so sorry—”

You cut yourself off with your own ragged gasp, not having paused once to breathe throughout the entire thing while your expression twisted up with regret more and more the longer he allowed you to speak.

Din stands there in front of you and doesn’t move, hands still attached to your face.

“Okay,” he eventually tells you.  Stunted words, like he’s trying extra hard to find them when yours just fell out of your mouth in a complete mess.  “It’s okay.  You did… good.”

The silence is tense and you’re becoming more and more anxious the longer he takes to speak.  He’s lying for your benefit, he must be.  When he drops his hands from your face and takes a full step back, you take the gesture as symbolic and nearly launch into panic.

“Maker, I’m so sorry I didn’t wait for—”  You start to say, but Din cuts you off.

“Did he make you…”  His back suddenly goes a little straighter, voice finding a quiet edge through the modulator as his fingers subtly twitch at his sides, “…Uncomfortable?”

You pull back at the sudden change in subject and furrow your eyebrows.

“Who, Karga?”  You have to think about it.  Did he make you uncomfortable, or were you just uncomfortable already?  You might’ve just been scared because you were making it scarier than it really was, you can admit that’s a valid possibility.  “Um… no?  I don’t know, not… not really, I don’t think.”

“No?”  He asks, taking a small step forward.  “You don’t know?  Or not really… you don’t think?”

You know you can only see the blade of his visor, but something makes you feel like you’re looking right in his eyes.  You even go back and forth between where you’re pretty confident each one is, trying to read his intentions right now.  It’s like he’s purposefully trying to keep space between you even though he looks like he wants to move closer, fisting his hands at his sides when he looks like he wants to touch you.

“No, he just… lowballed me towards the end of it and I got intimidated, but I’m also not…”  Your expression narrows in concentration while you try to find the words to explain yourself, wanting to be as honest as possible with him.  “I don’t know, I’m not like you.  I’m not that strong, but I’m trying to get better.  I think he was probably just being normal.  He did offer me alcohol a bunch, but I’m pretty sure he also did that last time, so—”

“And I didn’t like it the last time he did it,” Din says quietly, taking another small step forward.

You blink up at him, completely dumb.  This is what’s bothering him?  Is he really not upset with you at all for giving him more work?  It’s like the major fuckup on your behalf just went in one side of the helmet and out the other, he barely even acknowledged it other than the role Karga played.  He said it’s okay and you did good, which are like… five of the most common words in Galactic Basic, a Wookiee could probably find a way to say them.  How are you supposed to take that?  Were you just overthinking this whole thing from the very beginning?  You know anxiety tends to be irrational by definition, but has none of your panic from the past hour been justified whatsoever?

“Why were you so late?”  You ask him, but it’s not accusatory in the slightest.  It’s… concerned, worried about his well-being without having a real reason.  He’s clearly more than fine right now, he’s like a hurricane enclosed in metal and holding still in front of you.  Too much potential energy just waiting for a reason to be released, too much tension held tight and ready to snap.

“I’m sorry.”  He quickly reaches out to grab your hand and squeeze it, before dropping it just as quickly.  Fucking lightning quick, you’ll never understand how he can be so damn quick with all that extra weight strapped to him.  “It took longer than I thought it would and she’s not really someone you can rush.”  His response, ironically, feels very rushed, like he’s trying to address the tangent but also keep things on track, but something in the answer he gives catches your direct attention.  “Did he flirt with you?”

“Who is she and what can’t be rushed?���  You blurt at the same time, not even taking a split second to think about it.

Din stops short at the blunt question, staring at you in a silence that feels like it’s vaguely taken aback.

After a few moments of that… strangeness, of the two of you realizing that you’re both feeling slightly possessive over each other for absolutely no reason whatsoever, you start to feel… warm.  In another weirdly stupid, primitive way.  You know that letting those kinds of thoughts have their day in a relationship isn’t a good thing, but you can’t explain it.  Some deep-seated, prehistoric instinct inside you just goes fucking nuts whenever he gets in either provider or protector mode.  Now you understand exactly why he wanted to get you alone after you admitted to being jealous once before.  You totally fucking get it, you’re right there with him right now.  He hasn’t said anything, but you think he feels it, too.

“She makes things,” Din finally answers you, careful with his words and somehow managing to address your question while also sidestepping it, leaving you with only the smallest bit of information to go off of.  “Did he flirt with you?”

“I don’t know,” you tell him honestly.  “Maybe.  He could’ve just been trying to be friendly.  What did she make for you?”

“She made it for you,” he responds, again not really answering the question but continuing to juggle two separate conversations for your benefit.  “Did he scare you?”

“For me?”  You ask, eyebrows shooting upwards.  Provider, that stupid cavewoman DNA whispers to your lower body, making your voice go a little breathless.  “You asked her to make something for me?”

“Did he scare you?”  Din repeats sternly, grabbing your hand and giving it a firm squeeze.  “Because I can go back, I swear—”

Protector, it whispers this time, and your knees nearly buckle.

“Everything is scary when I don’t know where you are,” you admit to him, knowing it’s the truth regardless of how self-deprecating it sounds.  The only times you’ve ever truly been brave was because of him or the kid.  Stabbing a Corellian and then immediately flying the Crest out to him afterwards, walking through a pitch black forest believing a dangerous criminal was hiding in it, dragging a dead body through snow and shoving it into carbonite, standing up for yourself and pushing a deal through when odds were stacked against you.  Though it’s nothing to him, it’s nothing, it’s leaps for you.  You’re slowly learning to find a backbone, and he’s the one inspiring it.

Din holds there for a moment, unmoving with his hand still clutching yours.  You can’t get a read on him but you know how you feel right now.  Achy.  Hot.  Needy.  Wanting him to come closer.

“Will you do something for me?”  He asks you after a prolonged silence.  His voice is quiet, but… incredibly restrained.  Controlled chaos—his body is rigid and he’s flexing muscles that aren’t necessary for just standing, feeling like a sprinter holding still on the starting blocks.

“Of course,” you breathe out.

Din lets go of your hand and tilts his helmet over at the corner of the hull behind you.  “Go turn around and face that wall.”

You freeze, immediately recognizing the undertone in his voice.  Heat ladles deep into the pit of your tummy, sends warmth pooling downwards.  He wants to do this here?  Right now?

“We’re—” you look around the enclosed hull, “Mando, we’re not in hyperspace, we haven’t even left the surface yet…”

He looks around too, taking a second to blankly take in his stagnant surroundings like he had absolutely fucking no idea, before turning back to you and not saying a word.  Maker, everything below your waist is already stirring, twisting hot and deep inside, but you’re trying to be the voice of reason for a second.

“What if somebody hears us?”  You whisper, and Din cocks his head to the other side.

“I can help you stay quiet,” he murmurs, and… fuck.  You don’t know what it means, but you immediately imagine his hand held tight over your mouth while he takes some of this stress out on you and you already feel yourself wilting at the thought.  Okay.

“Okay,” you breathe without needing anything else at all, before spinning around and standing exactly where he told you to.  It’s just a corner near the back of the hull, nothing else here to look at besides two metal panels meeting at a right angle, but that’s admittedly what makes your heart start beating quicker.  You can’t see him come up behind you but you can feel it.  Slow, measured, but so restrained.

But then he stops almost immediately, before the back of your shirt is suddenly being yanked upwards and you remember at the very last second.

Din carefully grips his blaster and then eases it out of your waistband, the metal sliding warm along your skin from pressing against it for so long.  You never told him you took it with you, and he’s so fucking quiet behind you.  You have no idea how he’s reacting to that piece of information you originally didn’t think twice about.

“Do you like carrying my gun around?”  Din’s voice murmurs soft through the modulator to you, but then the blaster is tossed uselessly to the side, skittering loudly across the floor of the hull.

“Yes,” you reply, beginning to shyly turn your head back to look at him, hoping to gauge his response.

“Don’t turn around,” he quickly interrupts you, pushing your shoulder back into position and keeping you facing the corner.  You blink at the metal walls in a bit of a daze but follow instructions regardless, feeling your heart pound at the sudden display of dominance from him.  He has a very valid reason for it and you don’t realize what it is until a few seconds later, but even if he didn’t and he was just telling you what to do for the fun of it… you’d still like it.

But then his helmet is carefully being lowered over your head and you shudder as your vision is replaced with a familiar black abyss.  Fuck, his helmet, why does he like it so much when you wear this?  Admittedly, you don’t have much time to contemplate—as soon as it’s fitted and secure, he spins you around and you have to just do your best to maintain your balance, not having any visual to help.

“Can you hear me?”  Din asks, and your clothes start to be ripped off of you.  Your shoulders tip sideways with how quick he is about it, feeling him pull the fabric off and hearing the soft sound it makes landing on the floor.

“Yes,” you tell him, but he doesn’t respond, continuing to strip you completely naked in the hull.  Once your upper body is bare and he’s yanking your pants and underwear down your legs, you try saying it again as you step out of them, louder for him this time.

“I can’t hear you,” his voice grunts after a moment.  You know he’s in front of you but you can’t really tell where, now that he’s not touching you.  “Scream.”

You take a second, not having hard evidence anymore but still very well aware that you’re parked close to a marketplace on Nevarro and multiple people are nearby while you’re wearing his helmet.  This is dangerous for him, and not sure if you should, but then an arm is wrapping around your back and a large leather palm rests directly over your chest.  Din repeats his last word very slowly and clearly for you, waiting to feel it under his hands.

Your sternum lifts while it rises with your deep breath and then collapses as you diligently yell as loud as you can into the helmet, feeling like you might deafen yourself with the trapped sound.

“Good,” he growls, suddenly spinning you around and pushing you back into the metal paneling.  “I can’t hear you, be as loud as you need.  Hit me or something, put up a fight if you want me to stop, alright?”

Arousal rockets through you and you let out a moan already, taking advantage of the noise suppression and beyond turned on at this point.  You feel like you’re buzzing with it, lit up with excitement and wondering with bated breath what he’s planning to do to you.

“Alright?”  Comes his voice from behind you once more, and you quickly jerk the heavy helmet in a nod for him.  You can put up a fight and you know he’ll stop, you don’t have any problem with that and the fact that he specifically made sure to wait until he knew you understood him makes you start to pant inside the hollow beskar.

But then you feel him flick a small switch at the base of the helmet and then everything abruptly cuts out and goes dead silent.

Nothing.  Nothing.  You’re standing in a pitch black room where no other sound exists besides your own labored breathing.  Just like the waterfall on Naboo, but you can’t speak this time.  Temporarily making you blind, deaf, and putting a proverbial gag over your mouth all with one powerful piece of armor.

You shudder and he kicks your legs apart before you can do much else, yanking your hips back while you just try your best to cling to the wall for stability.  You don’t know what he’s going to do, you’re completely isolated in here and the only way you can even tell he dropped to his knees is the hot glide of his tongue through your pussy from behind.

Oh fuck—you arch into position as best you can while hands wrap around your ankles to pull them apart, trying to make the angle better.  His tongue licks softly over your clit and each time is like an electric shock jolting through your body, making you twitch back and up for him, stretching and begging him to do it again.  You can’t see anything right now so your mind readily imagines the visuals instead, providing you with a third party view.  Din, fully clothed and face shielded by your thighs, eating you out from behind while you brace yourself against the wall, completely naked and at his mercy, head tilted down from the weight of his helmet and living for the moments he decides to drag his tongue across your clit.

Without warning, a sudden burst of sensation ripples along your backside and causes you to lift the beskar in surprise, but without being able to hear anything, it takes you a second to figure out that he just smacked your ass.  The realization comes more or less at the exact time he decides to flatten his tongue and follow the curve of you back and up.

You gasp into the pitch black and there’s a moment where you just hold utterly still for him, experiencing and processing the sensation for the very first time.  His mouth is soft and warm as he tastes you here, his fingers digging into the swell of your cheeks to spread you open.  You’re glad your face is hidden so he can’t see the shock in your expression, the way your mouth drops and your eyes close as you let him explore you this way.

His gloved hands leave you for just a moment while he continues gliding his tongue against you, along every single bit of skin he can reach, and then you feel a bare hand reach up between your legs and begin to rub slow circles around your clit.  His other arm pushes against your lower back and you’re forced into the corner even more, your naked breasts pressing hard against cool metal and feeling his hot mouth and strong fingers work you closer to the edge from behind.

You’re panting into the helmet, your hips arching back to feel that stimulation on your clit better, and as his fingers move over it slow and strong, you feel a soft vibration against your skin and you realize he’s moaning into you.  The knowledge sparks a different kind of heat through you and makes you suddenly go still and tense right here.  If he stays just like this for even just a few more seconds, you’re going to cum.

“Din, I’m gonna cum,” your voice warbles inside the enclosed steel—just as his touch decides to abandon your body.  You groan loudly in distress, completely alone without his hands or mouth on you anymore, but all he likely hears is the silence of the hull and the way your palm smacks against the wall with it.  You were so close, everything feels like it’s pulled up so tight and painful and it hurts—

A hand clutches your hip and then a thick cock is suddenly pushing up against your soaking wet entrance, going to alleviate that twisting discomfort.  Your eyes roll back and your whole body goes limp as he slowly eases forward and breaks you open, fitting himself deep inside where you love to feel him most.  Your hands claw down the walls with a swell of bliss as he pulls out and then starts thrusting—and fuck, you love this.  You love the way he’s trapping you up against the corner and making you see stars at the same time, the way he’s supporting your weight but crushing down into you, too.  It makes you go boneless and want to riot simultaneously, groaning loud into the quiet abyss as he gives you what you both desperately needed.

One of his hands sinks down between your legs to play with your clit again, while a slick finger presses up against your ass and you gasp as he slowly penetrates you there, too.  Din’s hips work steady and powerful behind you, pushing you into the wall with every desperate thrust, using the arm shoved between your legs to support you as well as stimulate, and you just feel yourself move into a different place.  You don’t have a name for it but it feels like hyperspace.  Silence so loud it feels suppressing, faster than anything light can touch, nowhere and everywhere, hurtling towards something you can’t see but know lies in the distance.  You can tell he’s still fucking the tension out of his body, you can feel him working another wet finger inside you and stretching the virgin muscles back there, but every sensation begins to slowly blur together in a wicked uprising of ecstasy.

You don’t know where you are anymore, just that his fingers keep rubbing your clit and you think he's trying to ease a third into you when your destination abruptly arrives.

You nearly collapse when you cum, contracting so hard around his cock and fingers that you cry out unexpectedly—and because of the helmet, you think it’s just as unexpected for him.  He stops moving—everything stops moving besides you.  Your hips stutter backwards into his stationary body, dragging your clit back and forth against the tips of his unmoving fingers and fucking him as best you can.  It shatters white hot and goes straight through to your soul, wringing pleasure and wetness between your legs in waves.

Your knees are knocking against each other when Din pulls out, his cock still deliciously hard and now soaking wet with your cum, and then they just suddenly decide to give up without warning.  You don’t fall necessarily, but you do slowly slide down the wall like a slug and Din follows you to the floor instead of holding you up any longer.  His sternum moves quick and heavy against your back as he breathes and then suddenly the same switch at the base of his helmet is flicked, and sound bursts into existence all at once.

He’s panting.  Harsh breaths behind you that match the rapid pace of his chest, and the ambient noise of the rest of the hull.

“Can you hear me?”  He gasps, sounding fucking wrecked, and you nod the helmet against the wall while gravity and exhaustion and his beskar chestplate squishes you into it.  “P-Put up a fight if you want me t-to stop, p-please—” he rasps out, almost the entire thing air and so close to cumming, and then his knees lift just slightly and the blunt head of his cock presses against your other entrance.

And, if you wanted, you absolutely could.  He’s got you boxed into the corner but he’s not constricting your movements, he’s given you every ability to struggle.  You could easily throw an elbow back against his side, push against the wall to shove him away, smack at his arms or even just flail against his body in panic—you could do one or all of those things to signal him to stop and you know he’d do it immediately, he’s asking you to.  You could struggle.  If you wanted.

Instead, you just grab hold of the beskar strapped to his thigh and drop the helmet to your chest, nearly vibrating with the thrill and preparing yourself for it.  You know he’s gotta be inches away from orgasm, you know from the tone of his voice that he’s right there on the edge and it’s not like it’s going to last a long time.  Thanks to him, you also feel like you’re just as slick and wet back there as you are between your legs, stretched open by his fingers while you came all over him.  You want nothing more than to give this to him, to let him be the only person in the universe that knows how you feel this way.

When you pointedly do not put up a fight and even go so far as to arch your lower back for him in presentation, Din curses and his fingers begin jerking back and forth over your sensitive clit once more.  It might normally be too much for you, but your body is sparking with lust and quickly acclimates to the stimulation, learning to burn and ache for it, too.  Fuck, it feels so good, you tense and melt into it at the same time, letting him ease you back up to that peak once more.

He pushes up against the tight ring of skin and you can’t fucking explain it—his fingers keep rubbing your clit and he’s slowly pushing into your ass and—

“I—I think I’m—” you suddenly lift the helmet to gasp out in surprise, forgetting he can’t hear you, “ngh—D-Din, I think I’m gonna c—”

He’s just barely able to breach the tight entrance and fit the head inside before he freezes—and even though everything happens consecutively, it’s all so rapid that it feels simultaneous.

Your hips could go forward, but they don’t.  Your body decides to send you backwards into him, pushing him inside nearly halfway all at once as your muscles lock down and just fucking strangle his cock.  Your piercing scream gets trapped in the silence of his helmet as you cum once more—painfully, madly and with every fucking part of you for him.  There’s maybe one or two mind shattering pulses of ecstasy before the rest of your body catches up and starts convulsing, and by then Din is already gasping and fumbling behind you, suddenly realizing what’s happening without hearing the sound of your ragged warnings and then ripping himself away just in time.

He punches out your name when he cums like you just fucking snapped him in half—his body hunches and the beskar digs hard into your back as warmth starts splattering along your skin.  You crumple while he shoves his hips up against your spine, riding and working the orgasm out of himself while yours just fucking obliterates you.  You think you whine his name—or a curse word or something, but it gets strained and your lungs lose air every time his powerful armored body humps you into the wall of his ship.

Finally he eases up and you just lay there and listen to the ringing in your ears.  Blissfully empty, still pulsing from cumming so hard and feeling like your bones just decided to stop existing and the rest of you was okay with it since you were already on the floor anyways.  You feel him shudder and twitch behind you, letting go of that last bit of tension until he too allows gravity to slouch his heavy torso over onto you.

You both stay like that for a while, until your eyes close and your everything below your waist goes numb.  Eventually you feel him shift and your head bobbles as the helmet is slowly removed, but a large palm cradles your chin to stop your face from slamming into the wall in exhaustion once it’s off.  You just continue to melt into the paneling like you’re nothing more than goo of a human being while he trades it back to its rightful place on his shoulders and tucks his cock back into his pants, before wrapping his arms around you and lifting you both up.  The floor and metal walls, once feeling like you and them were one, suddenly decide to disappear entirely as you’re hauled up into Din’s powerful arms.

He slowly carries your naked, fucked senseless body over to the fresher, and you squint your eyes open over his shoulder to see… he’s still got his rifle slung around his back while his cum is dripping down yours.  Not a single thing on him is out of place and you’re, well… a mess is a word that works.  Limp and doll-like, carried like your weight is practically nothing to him after years of having the densest armor known to the galaxy strapped to his body.

Setting you down is a mess, too.  At some point you think he just gives up and decides to return you to your humble floor abode with a patience and care unexpected from someone who just defiled you so thoroughly.  You hear the fresher door open and the faucet squeak, before he turns back around and crouches to your level.

“Stay here,” Din tells you lowly, his modulated voice coming gentle and warm through the sounds of water raining down against metal.  You don’t feel his touch directly, but your hair moves away from your face.  “I’ll be right back, okay—just stay here.”

Can do.  Easy.  He waits until you murmur a soft mhm to him before he leaves the tiny compartment, and then you soon hear his heavy footsteps ascending the ladder to the cockpit.

***

You don’t think you fall asleep, but the powering up of the Crest’s thrusters make you realize your eyes were closed.  Opening them barely qualifies as a squint though; you look around to see steam slowly filling the fresher, the water already running hot and welcoming in the small room.

You know you need to shower but you’re so fucking exhausted, you feel like you can’t even move your body.  You also know you can just do the same exact thing in there as you’re doing in here, you just need to muster up the energy necessary to get inside it and then fall back asleep.  He set you down in the small little space outside the shower door and then got everything set up for you, you can at least stand up and take a few steps.

Unfortunately, you might pick just about the worst time possible to plant your hands on the ground and work to struggle upright on all fours like a newborn animal.  The steady rise through Nevarro’s atmosphere pushes gravity down harder than you’re expecting—is he trying to fly quickly or are you just that dead-limbed?—and then of course, by the time you do manage to fight it and successfully get on two wobbly legs to hold yourself up, the subtle shift of the hyperdrive kicking in nearly knocks you back down again.  You stumble and grab the walls, bracing yourself against them and looking down at your knees in exasperation.  Come on, work.  Move forward.  Come on.

You’re glad he’s not here to witness this monstrosity, honestly.  Just opening the door and taking a few steps into the fresher is a feat—while you’re not in any pain and he didn’t leave any marks on you, you just feel… steamrolled.  Ran over by a truck.  Only having the strength to keep your feet beneath you as you finally move under the water and close the door behind you.

Oh, but this is wonderful.  This was such a good idea, he’s so fucking smart.  The shower falls warm and lovely against your body, wetting your hair and immediately heating you down to your bones.  You don’t move really at all—you kinda just stand there and slouch, closing your eyes against the spray and slowly breathing the mist into your lungs.  It feels so nice—not really restorative even though you like that word, it would imply the water provides you with any energy whatsoever.  It just feels like a comfort, a relief and sedative for your already wildly fatigued body.

You haven’t been in here for more than a minute or two when knuckles tap gently against the metal walls of the fresher, before the natural bass of Din’s unmodulated voice murmurs from somewhere beyond it.  “Hey.  Keep your eyes closed.”

How did he know?  You figured you’d be way ahead of him.  You’re standing but slumped over, wanting nothing more than to just say fuck gravity and pass out right here.  The walls are too cold to lean against now that you’re all toasty from the heat and steam, so you’re just unconsciously swaying on your feet, trying to balance the precedence of sleeping versus not falling over.  You don’t even comprehend the sudden flip of the light switch overhead beyond the fact that it makes it easier to snooze without being so bright behind your eyelids.

The door eventually opens at the very same time you realize you never answered him, but you just commit to the silence at this point.  It’s easy, you like it.  Soon you feel warm hands touch your shoulders, slowly spinning you around while you follow and hang your head, your neck not wanting to support it any longer, and then suddenly a bare chest is pressing up against you and powerful arms are wrapping around your body, and you can just lean all of your weight into him while your head rests right here on his shoulder.

He holds you without moving for a long time, keeping you just like this—your ear pressed against his skin while water rains hot and comfortable down your back.  Knowing you’re facing one of the walls, you crack your heavy lids just the slightest bit and finally notice the tiny compartment is dim and shrouded—the only light source is a single one coming from somewhere in the hull beyond the partially closed doorway.  It’s dark and quiet and you can barely see anything besides the metallic fresher walls and unfocused droplets chasing each other down Din’s naked skin.  Just you and him, flowing water with a sheet metal backdrop.

You think you spend an eternity like that and yet you still find yourself wanting another when he finally shifts, reaching over you to grab a bar of his generic soap but making sure to use the arm whose shoulder you’re not currently resting against.

It glides slow and hypnotic down your back, dragging up over your sides and then back down the curve of your spine.  He’s so sturdy and he doesn’t say a word while he does it, lathering it along your body and rubbing it into your skin.  His bar of soap, not yours.  They started out almost the same since you picked them up at the same vendor, but there’s just a slightly bolder and sharper scent to his that you recognize.  How the bar is far larger than yours because of how often he’s gone away.

Your eyes droop and you feel the water trail over your lips, dripping down your chin and pooling the dip of his collarbone.  The only other time you two shared this fresher was terrifying and he’s rewriting the memories right now, whether consciously or not.  Hot water, not freezing cold.  Standing upright and supporting you.  Heart beating strong under your ear, taking care of you this time until you can care for yourself.

You… you just worry so much more now, it’s becoming an issue.  You didn’t realize how much until you nearly lost him, and you know in your heart that he’s just going to go away again.  Throw himself into more danger, tempt death as always, risk his life for mere credits while all you can provide in return is this.  Skin to skin contact.  Someone to hold.  Someone who knows him, who knows the way he struggles between reaching out for a softness that life has always denied him and clinging to what is rough and familiar.  Someone to remind him that there’s still gentle and forgiving things in this galaxy that won’t disappear when he’s gone, and that he can always come home to them, as long as he can manage to find his way back.

Something sad tugs hard at your chest.  You want to tell him not to leave.  Again, again—you want nothing more than to beg him to stay.  You don’t have anything better to offer instead; if he asked you how it would work, how you imagine your lives would go if he wasn’t hunting quarry on a constant timetable, you’d be hard-pressed.  You don’t know.  But you know what you want to say, because it’s two words you shouldn’t say but always find yourself needing to say regardless.  

Don’t go.

But, instead of two words, you give him three.

Instead of asking him not to leave you again… in the haze and comfort of his arms, you think you just tell him that you love him.

And… you also don’t think the water falling down on the two of you is loud enough to cover it up this time.

It’s not ideal, you know.  You know.  From his point of view, he just got finished releasing all sorts of pent up tension on you, overwhelming your body with the strength and power of his in a way that normal people wouldn’t take as an expression of affection.  But you know him.  You know that he finds it much easier to express the things he feels in a physical way, which is why there’s a bar of soap against your back right now instead of his voice in your ear, telling you all the things you’ve always wanted to hear from him in return.  You know that sex is how this all began and it’s likely just the closest link between roughness and sweetness that he can really put his hands on, something that can fit him equally as well as it fits you.  Love is different, it’s thrilling and scary.  Even to someone like him, who lives everyday of his life surrounded by thrilling and scary things, who’s seen more bloodshed and suffering and pain than you can ever even imagine, you know that it’s scary.

Din doesn’t say anything back to your confession, and truthfully, not a single part of you was expecting him to.  It wasn’t said so he could say it back.  It just is.  Some things don’t need explanations, they just are.  You’re okay with that.

But, you eventually come to realize that he always waits until you’re just on the very edges of sleep, holding out until your blurry vision and fading consciousness can trick you into thinking you only imagined it.  You won’t ever figure out if it’s purposeful or if he just needs that long to find what he wants to say.

Another soft, lilting sentence in a language you wouldn’t be able to translate, even if you could pick out a single word.  It sounds so beautiful though, regardless of how mysterious and far away its meaning feels.  There’s something hidden underneath.  You ache to know what it is.

But you’re so tired.  You just whine softly against his shoulder, not being able to transform the thoughts into sentences anymore but hoping he understands regardless.  He can’t just resort to bearing his soul in Mando’a all the time now, especially when you’re always on the verge of sleep when he chooses to do so.

But at some point, his arms subtly tighten around you and the pressure is one of the only things that’s keeping you awake anymore.

“I won’t ever ask you to,” he says to you, the quietness of his baritone getting lost in the gentle spray and your looming slumber.  “I’m…  not allowed to ask.  I can’t.”

Your expression twitches just the slightest bit against his shoulder in confusion, wondering distantly what word or sentence you must’ve missed from before that would make him make sense.  Was that a translation?  Or a continuation?

But then your wet hair is slowly moved away from your nape and his head tilts down, face pressing into your neck and voice lowering until it’s nothing more than a breath against your skin, nothing more than a confession that he couldn’t ever say out loud with his full chest.  It’s a secret he only ever wants you to know, a truth he’s choosing to admit to even though you could ruin him with it.  You have no idea how much, you won’t know for a long time just how much power he’s giving you by telling you this one very simple thing.

“But whenever you want to look,” Din finally whispers, the only version of I love you too that a Mandalorian knows.  “You can.”

#the mandalorian #the mandalorian x you #the mandalorian x reader #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #din djarin #fanfic #reader-insert #rough day #no-droids #smut