#but ill never have that first read through kind of excitement

[schelluminium]

Picking Up The Pieces

6K Fanfiction

Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland

or

Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland

can be read as either

Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Canon Compliant, Set Post S01, Edwin POV, Arguments, Talking about Feelings and Trauma, Crying

When Charles won't stop asking about what really happened between Edwin and The Cat King, it leads to the two friends finally sitting down and talking and sorting through a few things that are on their mind after returning back to London.

Note: I spent the w h o l e day writing this and pouring every thought, interpretation and feeling about the Dead Boy Detectives into this. This is what I imagine could happen right after the ending of the first season; a way how feelings and experiences could be talked through. It's only the beginning though. The boys have a lot more work to do.

Funnily enough I wanted to write some wholesome fluff but the sad feelings poured in, so this happened instead. It's quite alright, since there has to be a lot of healing on both sides before the wholesomeness even has a chance, in my opinion.

Ever since they returned to their London office a few weeks ago, Edwin had picked up on a bit of a tension between their agency members. Of course The Night Nurse had not been thrilled to be a part of their detective work instead of getting him and Charles sorted in the Lost and Found Department. Her negative mood was explainable.

And of course, Niko's death had not only shaken him to the core. The others surely felt her absence too and were mourning just as he himself did.

But Edwin had the feeling that there was more. The way he, Charles and Crystal interacted seemed stiff. Charles smiled less. Edwin could not pinpoint exactly what made him believe it to be unrelated to Niko's disappearance, but he was sure of it.

He prided himself in his detective work and his investigative instincts made him pick up on clues confirming his suspicions.

For example, how Crystal and Charles seemed to have created a distance between them that felt odd. The frequency of them pairing up to investigate and research for a case decreased, while the opportunities to do so did not. They seemed to not be particularly excited for these outings either.

In contrast to Crystal's and Charles' cooled interactions, Crystal and Edwin himself seemed to be on remarkably good terms. She took their differing opinions on case work in stride and in turn Edwin found himself addressing her much more politely than he did when they first met.

Lastly, something had changed between Edwin and Charles. His best friend seemed to be less relaxed. Truth be told, this seemed to be more of a constant state these days, rather than a reaction to being alone with his best friend.

While Crystal slept at night in a spare room they had acquired a bed for, Edwin had expected to spend time with Charles in the same manner they had for nearly 35 years. Reading in companionable silence, trying out new magic artifacts, doing case work or on occasion, when they wanted to delve into their child-like ways, playing board games.

This, however, was not the case. Charles seemed restless while Edwin tried to keep up his habits. Studying modern technological devices, taking notes and sorting their case files was often interrupted by Charles making some kind of ruckus. Whether it was throwing a ball against a wall repeatedly, pouring out the contents of his backpack only to throw everything back inside, or pacing around the apartment, it cut through Edwin's need for tranquility and began getting on his nerves.

Of course he wondered- no, feared that this behaviour was directly related to Edwin's ill-timed confession on the stairs of Hell. Even though Charles had reassured him that nothing had changed between them, Edwin was not so sure. How could Charles be alright with Edwin so much as looking at him, knowing his best mate wanted to kiss him?

Edwin had never imagined Charles to feel this way for him. But that did not mean he hadn't secretly hoped. And as gentle and kind as Charles' reaction to Edwin's honesty had been, it had not been what his heart had desired. His first and foremost priority had been to stay friends with Charles the way they were though. Nobody had ever taken Edwin's ways in stride the way Charles Rowland had. Accepting, with no intention of changing the way he walked or talked or thought.

He cherished their connection, no matter the underlying feelings on his side and wished for nothing more than that his feelings would not disturb their closeness.

Related to his confession- or maybe not at all related, Edwin did not know- Charles had not let up on inquiring what exactly had happened between Edwin and The Cat King. He frequently brought the topic up in conversation, although only when the two of them were alone.

Apart from the fact that both the encounter with The Cat King and with Monty had helped Edwin realise truths about his identity and his feelings towards his best friend, Edwin had not told Charles details about his conversations with either mystical being.

He had not thought it to be crucial information Charles needed to understand his journey of self-discovery. Charles seemed to think differently. However, he did not seem to be half as interested in Monty as in The Cat King.

Lately, it wasn't a rare occurrence that he asked about him a few times a week. Today, though, Charles had the nerve to ask again after already having been told no only a few hours ago.

"I do not wish to talk about it, Charles", Edwin snapped his book shut and looked up at his best friend from behind his desk. He was at a loss as to what could have brought this up this time and frankly also as to why Charles did not accept his answer. His inquiries were getting ridiculous and Edwin felt on edge.

"You never wanna talk about it mate, but I saw how much it bothered you. Why are you so hell-bent- oh, um oops, I mean, why don't you just tell me? You know I'd never judge you”, Charles smiled and Edwin supposed he tried to look reassuring but there was an edge to that smile, to his eyes, that Edwin did not like. 

The tension in him, the helpless feeling of not knowing what to do to not lose his friend, the mourning of Niko's death, his own identity that he was not at all done understanding- it all suddenly accumulated to only one feeling. A feeling that tried to hold all the others down, to not make them be felt because it just hurt too much: annoyance.

"I believe it to be the same manner in which you refuse to talk about your father”, Edwin heard himself say and a second ticked by before he understood what he had done.

He and Charles just stared at one another in shock, before Charles’ face hardened. 

Edwin realised his mistake in that moment. This sensitive topic had to be handled with care, which was not something Edwin was able to do in this moment.

"Wait, Charles! I didn’t mean to-"

"Oh no, well. I get it. I see how it is."

"No, you don't understand-"

"Oh, I don't understand? Sure mate, I was never in Hell. I've never had to endure as much pain as you. Doesn't mean my life didn't fucking suck as much as my death”, Charles spat back. He looked positively dangerous in the anger that was boiling up inside of him.

“You just, you don't know- it's fucking trauma, okay? It was traumatic. What would you know about being traumatized because no matter what you did, it was never good enough? What would you know about being fucking inadequate doing anything? That's its own kind of hell! You wouldn't understand that either, cause you've always been fucking perfect!"

Edwin felt Charles’ words like a slap to the face. He knew of his insecurities regarding his own worth and abilities. He knew of his bullies and his unloving father. He also knew that he did not know even half of it all, of the impact it left on his friend and that Charles knew not even half of his own struggles either. 

But Edwin had not known- had never thought possible- that Charles would hold his trauma against him. Charles who was always so understanding and kind, so much so that he played his own problems down on the regular.

It made Edwin wonder whether he really, truly knew Charles after all. And that thought stung like a knife forcefully shoved between his ribs. It also made anger well up inside of him, something he rarely let himself feel. But all of a sudden it was all he could feel.

"You believe me to be free of trauma from the time when I was still alive? Hell didn't just start after my death!” Edwin shouted incredulously.

“Why do you think I could never understand? Because I wasn't literally sacrificed for being the way I was?! Being sacrificed for being fucking wrong?! But sure, I always have the answers, I always know everything. I fucking don't! I don't know anything! And I sure as hell don't know how to deal with my best friend rejecting me only to force me to talk about my, my gay awakening or whatever Crystal called it!”

He had sprung up from his chair and both boys stared each other down, fuming and hurt.

“I never imagined you would measure your experience against mine. This is not like you”, Edwin said in a calmer, quieter tone.

“We have been through difficult times, respectively, before we died. I don't think- we should not compare ourselves like this.”

Charles let out a humourless laugh.

“Oh, you say that? Mr. ‘I don't care what Crystal's been through ‘cause it could never compare to my 70 years in hell'? Well, you know fucking what? Nothing compares to anything!”

Edwin looked down in shame. 

“I realise my mistake now. I have changed.”

“And that's- that's exactly what I don't understand!” Charles shouted and he looked less angry and more desperate now.

Edwin was confused. He knew they were having a very significant argument now and he wanted to continue solving this conflict, but he hoped they could try and do so in a calmer, more structured way.

Quickly he walked around his desk and came to stand in front of Charles. He needed to better see his eyes and to feel the comfort of his presence, even if it wasn't truly physical. Charles seemed to deflate like a balloon before his eyes and Edwin took his hand.

“You don't understand that I have changed?” Edwin asked quietly.

Charles broke their eye contact and looked to the side but didn't try to pull his hand away. Seconds ticked by before he spoke.

“It's all just… so sudden.”

“How do you mean that?” Edwin asked.

Charles sighed and looked back at him.

“Can we, I don't know, can we at least sit down?” 

The two dead boys sat down on their couch side by side, a few inches between their thighs, looking straight ahead at the opposite wall. Well, Charles was. Edwin kept sneaking glances at his profile.

Charles took some time to ponder over his words, kneading his knuckles as he did.

“It's just been like, one, maybe two months since we got to Port Townsend”, he started eventually. 

“We had our, our thing, our agency and routine and everything for over 30 years. And we were quite happy, weren't we? Before Port Townsend?” 

Charles turned his head to look at his partner and Edwin was surprised to see his eyes hold such vulnerability. Charles really wanted an answer and Edwin was more than ready to tell him what he wanted to know.

“Yes. I was quite happy before Port Townsend”, he risked a small smile.

“Were you?”

Charles nodded. Then shook his head and ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

“I was, yeah. I mean, I told you, I wouldn't wanna be dead with anyone else but you. It was good, what we had. But now… I feel like I never truly… I don't think I could- ugh”, he groaned and hid his face in his hands, his elbows on his knees.

Edwin tentatively reached out and placed his hand on Charles’ upper arm, hesitantly stroking along its length in a way he had seen Crystal do before. She was way better with comforting people than Edwin ever was. As if reading his mind, Charles straightened up and let his hands sink down to look at Edwin, really looking him in the eyes.

“You were never one for comforting gestures”, he said and a small and fragile smile played along his lips.

Edwin drew his hand back in shame and folded both hands in his lap.

“Oh no”, Charles quickly added.

“This was nice.”

He chewed on his lip before continuing.

“I just thought about how there are just so many ways to be there for others. I always knew you weren't the best in social situations but… I think I forgot just how good you are at making people feel at ease and less afraid, in your own way.”

Edwin looked up in surprise. He knew his face was undoubtedly showing his skepticism at this statement.

“It's true”, Charles smiled at Edwin's doubt, this time looking much more like himself than before.

“It was literally what you did when we first met. Keeping me company, reading to me, easing me into dying as peacefully as possible. It was the most anyone ever did for me.”

Edwin gasped and looked to the side. Watching and listening to Charles speak so highly of him, so full of affection, had his imaginary stomach do flips. In the past he would have waved it off with a blush, unable to take a compliment from his best friend, but now things were different. It was so much harder now to take compliments from the boy he loved. Because even if Edwin himself did not believe what Charles said, his heart was now craving for it to mean more than Charles intended. To mean that their feelings were in sync.

Charles didn't urge Edwin to look back or to accept his compliment. He seemed to be slowly setting foot into the water, testing out how it felt to talk about the things that were on his mind.

“I should have let you, back then”, he mumbled more to himself and Edwin had to ask what he meant.

“I should have let you comfort me. More than you already did”, Charles clarified. He was back to staring at the wall and Edwin was thankful for it. He wasn't sure how much eye contact he could take at this moment.

“I guess I didn’t want to get greedy, or to dump all my shit on you or…”, he trailed off, again being silent for a while before he spoke again.

“Okay no. That wasn't it. I just… I simply didn't want to feel all this pain.”

At that, Charles did look back to Edwin and he felt like this was the most open Edwin had ever seen his friend. The vulnerability in his gaze kept Edwin's eyes glued to his.

“I wanted to shove it all far away from me. I thought… I thought ‘I am dead now, it's all over, so why get stuck on the past?’ so I decided to never think about it all again but of course that didn't work. So instead I decided to at least not talk about it again.”

Edwin grabbed Charles’ hand on an impulse, squeezing it probably harder than would have been comfortable for a living human. Charles looked down at their joint hands and turned his palm up to properly clasp their hands together. He smiled sadly.

“I mean, it worked. It worked for over 30 years but it kept me from getting closer to my best mate”, Charles squeezed Edwin's hand back.

“It feels like such a joke. We've known each other for so long and still never really got to know one another.”

“I don't believe that to be true”, Edwin spoke up.

“We have gotten to know each other through our actions these past decades. I never needed to know your tragic past in detail to realise what kind of person you are. And you are the best kind”, Edwin almost whispered the last part. Ever since his confession, all the compliments he gave to Charles felt like he was baring too much of his soul, being too open about his romantic feelings towards him. He could not shake the feeling that his opinion on Charles’ good qualities was going to be too much. And still he needed Charles to know how good of a person he was and how much he was appreciated.

“It's just…”, Charles seemed to be back to being uneasy and squirmy about his thoughts and Edwin squeezed his hand as hard as he could, trying to get Charles to feel as much as possible to ground him.

It seemed to help because Charles relaxed his shoulders a bit.

“It was always the two of us, ever since I died. It was like you welcomed me into the afterlife with open arms. You showed me everything and helped me get used to being a ghost. I am forever thankful for your friendship.”

Again Edwin felt uneasy at the praise but also because he sensed a ‘but’ hanging menacingly above their heads.

“You were always there for me and then Port Townsend happened and you struggled to come to terms with your identity and I didn’t even help you with that.”

Edwin's eyes widened. Was this what all of this was about?

“I feel… I fear that I'm not that good of a friend”, Charles confessed quietly and looked down at his lap.

Edwin could not have this. He used his free hand to cup Charles’ jaw and turned his face towards himself. Charles refused to look at him until Edwin began stroking his cheek lightly.

“You, Charles Rowland, are the best friend anyone could ask for”, he said and his tone left no room for doubts whether or not he really meant that.

“I never really had a friend before you. Nobody was interested in getting close to me. But you did. You did without thinking about it, without hesitation. You've always had my back. You always protected me. You've loved me without expectations.”

Edwin let his hand slowly sink down to join his other one in clasping Charles’ hands in his.

“There is nothing, and I mean nothing, you ever did or didn't do that I regret.”

Charles gulped and nodded shortly.

“I know that your expectations towards yourself are vastly different from mine. But please believe me, you have nothing to feel bad about when it comes to our friendship.”

“That's hard to do, mate”, Charles chuckled shakily. 

“I know”, Edwin said and squeezed both of Charles’ hands.

“So, this was what upset you? Thinking you failed me because you did not help me figure out my feelings? There is nothing you could have done, since I didn’t tell you what was occupying my mind.”

“It was part of it, yeah”, Charles disentangled one hand from Edwin to scratch at his scalp.

“Would you mind telling me what the other part was?” Edwin asked tentatively. 

He was aware that this level of honesty about his feelings and struggles was new territory for Charles- for Edwin too- and he was already immensely proud of his best friend for opening up so much. Pushing for more than he could handle could very well close Charles off completely and yet Edwin wanted to ease Charles into trusting him with all of it.

Charles let out a long sigh and momentarily closed his eyes. When he opened them again he still looked out of his depth but also somehow determined.

“I'll try”, he said.

“I was hyped at first, when Crystal came along and there was a living girl and it was all new and exciting.”

Edwin nodded along. Not because he understood. He did not. He had not liked the change in pace and routine. But he needed Charles to feel like he could tell him everything and be free of judgment.

“But after you got that bracelet, it all shifted somehow. More changed than I was comfortable with. And the change didn't just start something new, it also brought me back to my past, hard, which was the last thing I wanted.”

Edwin smiled in understanding and hummed in acknowledgement. There wasn't much he could do in this situation, not much he could do while Charles was baring his soul to him. But he needed his best friend to know that he was listening and trying to understand what he was thinking.

“And you started to change too. You kept things from me. Started acting differently. Started hanging out with others. I know, I did too and I had no reason to be jealous. I was just so confused about what had brought this on.”

Charles fiddled with his earring while he continued.

“When you know someone for 30 years and you think you know all about their comfort zones and limits, and suddenly that starts to change and expand… I guess I always took for granted that you were comfortable in my presence while you weren't with others. And suddenly you started hanging out with Monty.”

“He was a crow”, Edwin felt the need to remind him.

“I know, I know. But we didn't know at the time, did we?” Charles asked.

“Anyway, right now I am glad that you learned to let others in. You deserve more than one friend. You deserve for others to see how great you are. Just at that time… I really just didn't understand it. And I still don't to be really honest.”

“So…this is why you are so interested in knowing what The Cat King and I talked about?” Edwin asked.

He could not deny that he was feeling uneasy about this. About telling the boy he loved how he had responded to a flirtatious cat man who had awakened not only emotional but also physical urges in Edwin, making him painfully aware of his attraction to men. He felt like Charles was asking too much of him. If he didn't feel differently about their friendship knowing that Edwin was in love with him, how would that change if he was confronted with the carnal reality of Edwin's preferences?

“Yeah. I just want to understand how he managed to get that out of you, to make you think about all that stuff”, Charles shrugged.

“Your realisations, your change, he inspired it, didn't he?” 

“He did, yeah…”, Edwin admitted slowly.

“But it was not all his doing. Monty had to do with it too. And a lot of it was actually Niko.”

That thought stung. Charles seemed to sense that and squeezed Edwin's hand once more. Their back and forth with squeezing reassurance into each other's hands made Edwin feel oddly warm inside.

“You really hit it off, you two”, Charles said with a gentle smile. 

“Made me happy to see you get so close.”

Edwin was suddenly thrown back to Niko giving him the red sea glass. For courage. She had inspired him again and again to be brave, through little, kind gestures. It made it somewhat easier to make his decision.

“If I tell you what the Cat King said to me, you must promise me to not hold it against me”, he told Charles without looking at him.

It was now Charles’ turn to lift up Edwin's face by pushing his chin up with his fingers to make him look at him. He was smiling one of his softest, gentlest smiles.

“Edwin Payne, I promise you to never hold anything against you that makes you who you are. You're my best mate. I love you the way you are.”

Edwin was suddenly very aware of the way his bow tie and shirt collar sat snugly against his ghostly skin. He wasn't supposed to actually feel it and yet the phantom sensation of the fabric digging into his neck made him uneasy.

“Wait, I-”, he pulled his hands back from Charles and made to take off his bow tie and open the two top buttons of his shirt.

Ghosts did not need to breathe and still Edwin had the feeling of being more free to do so now. There were some ways in which one simply couldn't stop feeling human, he supposed. 

“This is better”, he sighed and took Charles’ hand back in his. At this point he couldn't imagine not having this point of contact with his best friend while recalling his first encounter with The Cat King. 

Charles was silent, patiently waiting for Edwin to be ready the way he had waited for Charles before.

“When I was transported away from you and Crystal”, Edwin started, “I found myself in The Cat King's sleeping quarters.”

Charles’ jaw twitched and Edwin pressed hard into his hand.

“Please let me… please let me talk freely. You do not need to worry about my well being, even in the past. I just want to be able to tell you this without… without judgment”, Edwin pleaded and Charles’ eyes widened.

“I told you, I would never judge you! This guy just makes me feel-”

“I know”, Edwin interrupted him.

“I just don't want you to judge him either.”

Charles closed his mouth and nodded, although he did not look convinced. 

“I asked where you had gone and he…”, Edwin gulped and then forced himself to continue.

“He asked if we had a special friendship. I didn’t understand his meaning behind that at that point.”

Edwin bit his lip at the memory. At what he knew now. At all the little secrets tucked away in his heart that The Cat King had kicked loose like fallen leaves from a carefully swept up pile. 

“He told me that his kingdom was about… was about want and pleasure. And he insinuated that my punishment could be pleasure too.”

Charles balled his hands into fists, making one of them slip from Edwin's grasp. Edwin sucked in a sharp breath on instinct and felt panic rise in his chest.

Charles immediately grabbed his hand once more and squeezed as hard as Edwin had before.

“I swear, I'm trying not to judge. And I assure you, this has nothing to do with the both of you being guys”, Charles said and his other hand came up to grab Edwin's upper arm, holding him steady.

“I just feel like… he was abusing his power in that situation. He had the upper hand and he was clearly coming onto you, expecting who knows what-”

“It's fine. Charles. It's fine”, Edwin tried to soothe him.

“I don't hold a grudge. And you shouldn't either, not on my behalf.”

Charles tried to relax but there was still a stiffness to his shoulders that Edwin could do nothing about.

“Can I continue? It is just a retelling of the past. Really, Charles. Nothing happened there that left me feeling mistreated or hurt.”

“Okay. I trust you”, Charles said and Edwin hadn't even realised that it was exactly what he needed to hear right then. For Charles to trust him to know his own boundaries and not let himself be exploited was somehow important to him. He needed to feel capable of taking care of himself, to not need to be rescued. He generally appreciated Charles’ concern and his will to protect Edwin from all harm. But this was a story of self-reflection and Edwin needed to feel in control of this topic.

“Alright then. I, admittedly, did not understand how I had done harm by using the binding spell on this cat and I told him as much. He was not pleased by it. And yet…”, Edwin trailed off and felt his face get hot somehow. 

“He told me that he found me attractive. And that he was fascinated by me.” 

Edwin had not dared to look at Charles during any of this so far but now he was looking up into his best friend's and crush's face, directly into his eyes as he told him that another man found him attractive.

Charles' expression was open and Edwin felt himself relax his tight posture in relief.

“I had broken a rule of his and made him angry and still he was interested in me. That… that did something to me”, Edwin admitted shyly. 

“I believe it wasn't simply about a man openly telling me about his interest in me, but also about being desired despite having done wrong. I never imagined that second part of it to be possible, much less the first.”

Charles nodded his head with a little frown creasing his forehead, seemingly trying to follow Edwin's reasoning.

“Then he, he changed outfits”, Edwin gulped at the memory.

“In a puff of smoke he suddenly stood there, wearing a fur coat and only underpants underneath”, Edwin looked away, suddenly feeling awkward telling Charles about another man's near nakedness.

“That seems inappropriate”, Charles mumbled.

“I know, I'm not supposed to judge, I know you don't mind now, but honestly, just getting undressed in front of a stranger? That wouldn't be okay with anyone else”, he said, his frown now stronger than before.

“I agree”, Edwin admitted.

“It was unconventional. At that moment I was simply shocked. I could barely move or say anything. I just… I just looked at him.”

“And did you like what you saw?” Charles asked with an intense expression before his eyes widened and he shook his head.

“Shit, forget that. That was super wrong to ask.”

“It's quite alright”, Edwin mumbled, though his cheeks did still feel warm.

“I can’t say that… that it was an uncomely sight”, he answered stiffly.

“I admit, I kept thinking of the way he looked in that moment at later points in time. I was… I don't know if it was actual attraction. I am still not certain about that. I was undoubtedly fascinated by the way he presented himself so freely, without shame.”

Charles nodded.

“I hope you know now that there really is nothing shameful about that”, Charles squeezed his hand again and it made Edwin smile.

“I think… I think I am getting there”, he said quietly. He collected his thoughts and then continued with the retelling.

“The Cat King walked towards me and he, um, he got very close.”

Edwin knew before he had uttered the words that Charles wouldn't like that. And sure enough Charles raised his eyebrows in displeasure. Edwin tried to ignore this reaction to force himself to get out the next words.

“He whispered in my ear that I fascinated him and then he, I… I think my body anticipated him touching me, kissing me. And a part of me would have been okay with it”, Edwin breathed out. Suddenly he felt out of air, which, again, was only natural for a ghost but did not feel like it.

“Instead he put the bracelet on my wrist”, Edwin said and held up the wrist in question to inspect it with a forlorn expression.

“So he didn't do anything else? Didn't touch you inappropriately beyond that?” Charles asked and he looked less on edge than before.

“He did not. He emphasised on being a consensual Cat King and I believe him. He would not have touched me against my will.”

“Undressing in front of someone and whispering in their ear like that is kinda not consensual, mate”, Charles frowned again.

“I told you, Charles. It is alright”, Edwin smiled at him.

“He did propose that he and I find a way to make him happy”, Edwin stressed, “but he sensed that I was opposed to that, so he ordered me to count cats instead to get rid of the bracelet”, Edwin closed.

“And then I was sent back to you and Crystal.”

“That was it?” Charles asked, looking wary.

“For our first encounter, yes”, Edwin confirmed.

“To me only a few minutes passed. I still don't understand how he managed to manipulate time like that.”

Charles bit his lip for a moment before he blurted out: “would you tell me what else there was? When you met him again?”

Edwin fidgeted in his seat.

“Charles, I-”

“It's okay. You don't have to. I'm sorry”, Charles immediately backtracked.

“You already told me so much you didn't have to. I'm sorry for making you do this.”

Edwin skirted closer on the sofa, making them touch from hip to knee.

“You did not force me to do anything, Charles. I decided to trust you with this.”

“Well, I kinda did though”, Charles sighed.

“Kept bugging you until you told me, same way that Crystal's been doing with my dad ever since we got back to London”, he admitted.

“Oh. Is that why you two seem to not enjoy each other's company anymore?” Edwin asked in concern.

“It's not that bad, mate”, Charles chuckled but with a pointed look from Edwin he relented.

“Alright, yeah. We are kinda tense around each other lately. She wants me to talk about my dad and I don't want to. She won't back off though. It's been driving me crazy. So, uh, sorry for doing the same to you”, Charles scratched at his neck nervously.

“If it helps your case”, Edwin said slowly, “telling you about it just now has helped me feel a bit better.”

Charles looked at him incredulously.

“It is true”, Edwin nodded.

“I thought I would not enjoy talking about this delicate moment and it was rather uncomfortable. But sharing this with you has somehow made me feel lighter just now.”

“Ugh, Edwin”, Charles groaned and let his head fall back against the couch's backrest. 

“You can't say stupid, therapeutic shit like that and then expect me to ignore my pile of garbage in peace.”

Edwin chuckled despite himself and it made Charles look back at him.

“I don't expect anything from you”, Edwin clarified.

“I am simply deducting from my experience what could be a helpful suggestion to solve your situation.”

Charles laughed wholeheartedly.

“That was such a ‘you’ thing to say”, he grinned. It faded quickly.

“Listen. I am not as strong as you. I can’t-”

“You are putting yourself down again”, Edwin frowned.

“Do not do this.”

Charles sighed deeply.

“I'm just trying to say, I am not ready to dive into this shithole that was my childhood and dig around in it. It's… It's too much, you know?”

“And that is completely alright”, Edwin touched a hand to Charles’ still tense shoulders and squeezed. 

“You do not have to be ready now. This does not make you a weaker man though.”

“I don't know”, Charles said.

“There is just so much in me, so much that threatens to flow out any minute and I don't know how to get it under control. And I feel stupid for it because I need help to sort through this. Once again I need your help while you figured your stuff out by yourself.”

Edwin snorted, half annoyed.

“No. Charles. I haven't got everything figured out. There is still a lot I don't understand about myself. I merely started scratching at the surface, I'm afraid. And I could use help with this too. I just never learned to ask for it.”

Charles looked him in the eyes for a few seconds, then smiled a small, hopeful smile.

“I'd love to help you any way you need, mate.”

“The same goes for you”, Edwin smiled back. 

They sat there in silence for a bit longer before Charles launched himself at Edwin and hugged him close. After a second of shocked immovability, Edwin hugged him back and sank into the touch, resting his head on Charles’ shoulder. 

They stayed like this, pressed together tightly, for a while, when Edwin realised that Charles was shaking in his arms.

He pulled back to get a look at his face and sure enough, Charles was crying. This was unchartered territory. The only other time he had seen Charles cry was after he had pushed The Night Nurse into Angie's hungry mouth.

He had not been able to comfort him then but just now Charles had told him that he thought of Edwin as more than capable of calming people down. In his own way.

Edwin took Charles’ face in his hands and wiped away the tears on his cheeks.

“You are wonderful, Charles”, he whispered.

“You are a wonderful person and you will figure this all out.”

Charles sniffled, probably in disbelief but Edwin took it in stride.

“We've got literally forever to figure it all out, remember?” he smiled at his best friend and Charles looked back at him.

“We are no longer on the run. We are no longer hiding from Death. We've really got forever now. Together.”

“Together”, Charles croaked out and smiled. He put his forehead to Edwin's and they stayed that way until Charles had calmed down. With his best friend in his arms and his heart a bit lighter from talking things through, Edwin truly believed, for the first time, that everything would turn out alright.

I hope you all enjoyed this! Fell free to tell me what you think in comments and tags or over on ao3.

#dead boy detectives #dead boy detective agency #dbda #edwin payne #edwin paine #charles rowland #payneland #paineland #painland #dead boy detectives fanfiction #dbda fanfic

[lemongogo]

then, we will be even

#knives #millions knives #trigun #trigun maximum #my art #sorry 4 posting the same pic 3 times in a row AHHAHA #man.. i was revisiting this chapter (ch46) #and i miss it so much #.YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN ?like yeah its right there i can get back into it again #but ill never have that first read through kind of excitement #and seeing all the art for the first time

[be-good-to-bugs]

yay my first day went really well!!

#the bin #im excited. i like it much more than my old job already. much less boring. theres much less people working and its in a small space but #i like that. feels more friendly and makes me less nervous. and me being super tiny works bc im much less in the way than i could be #person i met definitely thought i was still a minor cause she asked if i was in school still. everyone thinks this #probably a lil different bc im gonna be working here full time during school hours. #im wearing my hair up in a bun. i never do that!! but my hair is too long so i gotta wear it up so i dont dip it in peoples coffee #i think im gonna start wearing it up like this more often bc its so out of the way! my autism loves it bc its not pulling weird with weight #my hsir is long enough that getting it in the bun isnt too hard but not so long that the bun is huge #im like.. actually looking forward to tomorrow #not at all like my last job also. theres like 3 people MAYBE 4 on shift at a time unlike my last job which would have 30 ppl #well. i made coffee today. it was kinda fun. i also burned my fingers on the steamer so many times oh my god #i enjoyed this way more than my first day at my last job. also this was my FIRST day and i already made a bunch of coffee #at my last job i spent 3 days just watching videos and reading. bad. bad way to start #i dont even know anything yet and ur throing me into walls of text. much prefer this #i do wish he woulda walked me through making the different coffees a bit more instead of quizzing me and having me check the sheet #but it was busy so it makes sense. once there was a lul there was another person who was super nice and walked me through stuff #and i remember that stuff better. i think ill like tnis so much more than my old job. lik3 so much more. #also maybe ill try some new kinds of coffee. like a latte. ive never even had one but ive made 12 today #also its not starbucks. i would rather die than work at starbucks it seems like a nightmare

[jyoongim]

~BLOOD & BLISS~

Human!Alastor x wife!Reader

Themes: 1930 based! Human!Alastor x wife!Reader, domestic life!fluff, smut, slow burn plot, devotion, slight manipulation, mention of children, pregnancy,  blood, murder, secrets 

————————————————————————

Chapter three chapter five

Chapter Four

“Oh darling look at you! And here I thought you wouldn’t give me grandchildren” your mother laughed as she hugged you.

Your mother had invited you and Alastor over since you had sent her a letter about some exciting news you wanted to share.

You didn’t know whether to take her comment as a compliment or insult.

”Why ain’t your husband with you? I know that man ain’t have you travel here all alone in your condition” she frowned displeased.

”Momma you know how busy Al is. He’s been trying to catch up on work so he can take time off for the baby” you pouted.

She sucked her teeth, before a smile dawned her face

”well that means we can go shopping! Have you decorated the nursery? Do you have a nursery? Oooh honey why don’t you come home when you have the baby? A newborn is a lot of work” she was ranting and you sighed, rubbing your heavy stomach.

”Momma im perfectly capable of taking care of my baby.  I’ve read all the books” your mother gave you a funny look

”books? Oh girl those books ain’t gonna help you. You need experience. Youre a first time mom, you have no instincts in raising a youngin ”

You pouted. You felt like a teenager being chastised.

You knew your mother meant well, but sometimes you had to stop her ‘good intentions’.

”Ill be fine. Alastor’s gonna be there and Im sure we can figure it out. Aint that what parenthood all about?”

She hummed “If you say, now lets head to town. I want my grandbaby to have the best!”

—————————————————————————-

You fanned yourself as you finally sat down. The summer heat was not kind to you as your mother had dragged you to every shop in town.

The two of you had finished up shopping and were now at a little restaurant. You smiled in thanks as the waiter sat a glass of cold water in front of you.

Your mother cooed as she looked over several items she had bought.

You think she was more excited than you and you were the pregnant one.

”Momma I think you overdid it. There’s no way the baby is gonna wear or use any of that” you mused, sipping the water.

She waved you off.

”so…how has Alastor handled the news?” She asked.

You blinked “he’s very excited. He says he don’t care about the gender, but he’s taken to thinking it’ll be a girl” you giggled.

”haha a girl? Oh no you’re definitely having a boy darling” she laughed.

You titled your head in confusion.

Your mother smirked “Your belly is big and low and you’re not even halfway through your term, that means you’re having a boy. ”

She continued “Most men want a boy on the first go. A scrappy boy is the jewel of every man’s pride”

You rubbed your stomach, smiling “Well it don’t matter im sure hell adore the baby no matter what”

She hummed and picked up the newspaper that was on the table.

The headline read ‘fifth body found in canal’

”Such a shame the authorities can’t find killer. Those poor souls. This is the fifth body that’s been found and practically in your backyard. You really need to careful dear” she said grimacing.

You weren’t too worried. All the victims were random, but they weren’t pregnant women. “I don’t think the killer is slaying harmless pregnant women momma”

She shrugged “Can never be too sure dear”

———————————————————————————

Alastor whistled as he cleaned the kitchen. Bright red water filled the sink as he wronged the sponge. You would have a fit if you saw the state of your kitchen and Alastor couldn’t have an upset wife.

You had went to visit your mother, thinking it was time to tell the woman that the two of you were expecting. You had wanted him to come along, but he thought it would be better if the two of you spent some time together.

So he took the time to go hunting. It had been a while since he had a good hunt and he had a taste for deer meat.

Once the kitchen was spotless, he discarded what he didn’t need into a bag. He headed down to the cellar with the rest of the trash.

He tied the bag and reached for the other one.

Hauling it back to the kitchen, he turned on the radio to listen to some tunes as he prepared to cook. You should have been coming home in a few hours and he was sure you would be hungry. It was rather hot today, so instead of slaving too much over the stove he opted for a simple stew.

He pulled the meat out of the bag and began to cut it.

He pulled a pot from the cabinet and filled it with  onions, carrots, and a little water were added into the pot as he cleaned the meat.

As the pot boiled, he plopped the meat in a pan to cook it down.

The kitchen filled with the smell of herbs and meat as he worked.

He added some seasoning to the meat and transferred the chopped meat to the pot.

He turned the heat low and let it simmer.

He nodded in satisfaction and took a look at himself. Disgusting

He was covered in blood. He sighed and went upstairs.

Light red swirled down the drain. Alastor rolled his neck, a soft pop was heard and he sighed in relief.

Once finished in the shower, he gathered the dirty clothes and headed out back in the yard.

He waved to the passing neighbors as thee fire crackled, a pleasant smile on his face.

Once the fire died down, he headed back inside to check on the stew.

He stirred it and turned it off.

He fixed a cold sweet tea and took a seat at the dining table.

His mind wandered to you. He wondered how you were fairing in this heat. He was sure you were ready to come home and relax. Your mother was a handful.

Your pregnancy was coming along nicely.

You had rounded out and now you sported a big belly. His cock twitched in his pants. He couldn’t believe how insatiable  he had become since you had become pregnant. He couldn’t keep his hands off of you.

You had transformed beautifully. You always seemed to be glowing, though you swore it was sweat. You had become incredibly sensitive, your mood swings putting you both through the ringer.

You had voiced your concern about your image as you had filled out nicely, gaining weight from the baby you now carried. You couldn’t fit any of your usual form fitting outfits, opting for loose dresses.

Alastor reassured you that you looked beautiful no matter what. He enjoyed a little meat being on your bones. 

You were softer and he loved every minute of it.

His eyes traveled to the pot, he wondered if you had ate. He really wanted to see how you would react to the meal he prepared. While you love his cooking, the baby was picking, which resulted in you being sick a lot.

The buzz from the hunt still rippled through him as his lips curled in a smile.

yeeesss how would his little wife enjoy the meal he prepared for her?

He made a mental note to take out the trash later but for now, he waited for you to return home as he opened a book about parenting. 

He should ask you what color you wanted the nursery….

——————————————————————————-

Your mouth watered as you came through the door “What did you cook Al it smells really good”

Your husband chuckled as he closed the book and walked over to you. You were trying to beeline it to the kitchen, but your husband wrapped his arms around you and pressed his lips to yours. He grinned as your stomach created a space between the two of you, running an affectionate hand over the bump “Well hello to you too my dear. How was your mother? I see the two of you went shopping” His eyes took in the amount of bags you brought back.

You huffed “Yea Ma would have bought out the entire store if I let her, i tell you I think she’s more happy about a grandbaby than when we got married”

Alastor coaxed you to the couch, smiling as you sighed as he massaged your aching back. He pressed soft kisses to your exposed shoulders “I didn’t know if you had ate already, so I made a stew. Let’s hope the baby like it. I read that warm foods were better than the ice cream you’ve been sneakng” he snickered as you pouted.

”Just relax a bit and Ill make you a bowl”

You smiled at him “I want crackers too!” You called after him.

Alastor returned with a steaming bowl of stew. It smells so good and your stomach growled in hunger. “I tried a different meat but I hope you like it my dear”

You thanked him and rolled your eyes as he picked up the spoon and held it to your mouth. You blew on it softly before chomping on the spoon.

Your tongue tingled as you savored the flavor. 

The meat was softer than you were use to, maybe pork or a different beef?

Whatever it was it was good!

”Mmmhmm this is so good. The texture of the meat is a bit off but its really good Al” you complimented.

He beamed at you, pearly whites glistening at you. “Im happy you like it and you didn’t throw it up im proud baby”

You quickly finished the meal and showed him everything your mother bought for the new arrival.

Alastor smiled in content as you happily showed him the baby wares; clothing, toys,and other gadgets. Seeing you so excited filled him with an unexplainable feeling. His hand caressed your belly as you ranted.

”Did you know that there’s a killer on the loose?” Your sudden question brought his attention back. Your face was filled with worry.

Alastor tensed, but relaxed “We had gotten a few reports down at the studio but no real leads. Why do you ask dear?”

You placed your hand over his that was on your bulging belly. “I-Im just concerned. I mean we do have a child on the way and i dont really feel safe walking the streets in this vulnerable condition. My mother suggested we move into the summer house.” You looked down, Alastor kissed your forehead “Im sure well be fine. Besides it seems the killer has a little mortals. No woman has been harmed. So dont fret my dear” he assured you. 

You sighed, he was right.  There was no need to worry.

“I would never let a soul hurt you” he whispered against your forehead.

You hummed and started giggling as he nipped at your ear “Al!!!”

You tried to wiggled away, but your husband softly pushed you back on the couch, being mindful of your belly.

”Now why dont I show you that I am more than capable hmm?” He grinned down at you.

—————————————————————————————————-

@nightshadelm@th3-st4r-gur1@southern-bayou-beau@yourdoorisunlocked@alishii@nettaw@simphornies@jellibean2018@purplecatsandhearts@missgurlsstuff@alastor-simp@alastorsgirl48@dasimp777@hazelfoureyes@thewinchestah@catherine1206@peachedtvs@luzzbuzz@markster666@preciousbabypeter@dennsfz@nanami1chu@chewbrry@smoky000@karolinda007-blog@alastorsaries@altruisticalastor@evedenn@alastors666creampie@siiv3r@yunimimii@popamolly @okay-babe@catmunist@wonderlandangelsposts@certifiedcrybabyyy @theangeliclibrarian@ilikemyteawithmilk@boney-horse@blubugg13@zombiesnips-blog@rulesareshadesofgrey@doggone-devil@amurtan@yuzurixx

#hazbin hotel #hazbin alastor #alastor x reader #alastor #hazbin hotel fanfiction #jyoongim #alastor x y/n #alastor hazbin hotel #alastor the radio demon #alastor smut #human alastor x wife reader #human alastor #human alastor x reader

[roosterforme]

Always Ever Only You Part 30 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Bradley's excitement over the first set of ultrasound photos is unparalleled. He has never been so happy and so overwhelmed in his life, but at times he feels ill equipped to process everything that's happening. And the last thing he wants is to make you feel like he's growing tired of you.

Warnings: Swearing, smut, pregnancy topics, doctors, angst, fluff

Length: 6600 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You? along with a bunch of my one-shots and other series, but it can be read on its own! Check my masterlist for the reading order. Always Ever Only You masterlist. Gorgeous banner by @mak-32

Bradley wanted to be able to explain it to you, but he wasn't really sure he could. Sitting in the waiting room with you and anticipating an ultrasound to see the baby was honestly more than he ever thought he could have. You were more than he ever thought he deserved, and you wanted him anyway. But a baby? 

He barely had a baseline to build off of. His dad died when he was young enough that he only had a handful of fleeting memories. The sound of a laugh. Two big hands lifting him up when he fell. A lullaby sung softly as he drifted off to sleep. Besides the photos that you and he collected from his storage unit and the stories his mom recounted when he was younger, that's all he had.

But he could practically hear his mom telling him how excited Nick Bradshaw was to be a dad. Bradley could remember the joy in her voice whenever she told him about the way she would catch father and son goofing off together. She was adamant that Bradley cried almost nonstop the first day his dad was gone for a deployment. And now Bradley desperately wished he could remember these little details that made up their relationship. Because soon, god willing, he was going to be on the other side of things: the parent who loves goofing off and singing, but who also gets deployed and causes tears to fall.

It was all too overwhelming for him to put into words, but as he laced his fingers with yours, he knew he didn't have to figure out how to do everything all at once. 

"Are you nervous?" you asked.

Bradley looked at your open expression and immediately felt better. Talking through things and sharing his thoughts was the best way to keep from driving himself crazy while also letting you know how important you were. "Excited," he replied, kissing your cheek and ear. "Just really fucking excited. I've been thinking... about starting a notebook. Kind of for the baby? Like how sometimes I like to write down what I'm thinking and feeling for myself."

He still felt silly at times for sharing the notebooks with you, but you nodded with a little smile on your lips. "I love your deployment notebooks. I love what you wrote about me."

He reached for you and kissed you without hesitation. "I think I want the baby to be able to read about how much I was looking forward to meeting them. When they're older, I mean. They can read about how I feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest right now. And how I can't wait to hold them and give them a name. All about how much I love their mom."

Bradley let you bury your face against his neck. It didn't feel like you were hiding from him so much as giving him a taste of the kind of response he'd get if the two of you were alone. "I like that idea." You kissed the side of his neck and said, "I adore you, Roo. You'll be the best daddy."

Bradley almost laughed when you jolted in your seat after the nurse called your name. "Come on back, you two," she said with a smile. "Hopefully mom and dad can leave with some new family photos."

"Holy shit," Bradley replied, palms suddenly sweaty. Baby photos. He was on his feet in an instant, ready to go. And maybe this was what his dad felt like. Perhaps his parents didn't know what they were doing either, but rather they just counted themselves lucky to go along for the ride. He wished one of them had left him a notebook.

You were smiling up at him as he reached for your hand again, and your fingers felt sure and steady all wrapped up with his. "I'm excited, too," you whispered, answering your own question from earlier while he ran his thumb along your rings. "And maybe a little nervous."

"I'm right here," he promised as the two of you followed the nurse into a room filled with equipment. "I'm not going anywhere."

He kissed you and then begrudgingly let go of your hand when the nurse gave you a hospital gown to change into. As she left the room with the promise that your doctor would be in shortly, Bradley dragged his palms across his khaki covered thighs as he sat down and watched you change. Even though you were suffering from near constant nausea, he thought you looked incredible. Your face was glowing, and you kept looking at him with adoration in your eyes. 

"Jesus," he grunted when you removed your bra. Was it possible that today he was the hornier one for once? "Sweetheart. Your tits," he whispered as he ran a hand over his face while you giggled. "Unreal." Then your underwear went sliding down your legs, and he reached down to help you out of them. "Hand me the gown," he told you as he folded your underwear across his knee.

You slipped into the gown when he held it open for you, and then you stood between his legs while he secured the ties and kissed you through the fabric. Your laughter filled the small room, and when the doctor walked in, she found you sitting on Bradley's lap while he ran his knuckles gently across your belly. 

"I'm Dr. Morris," she said, shaking hands with you as you stood and then reaching for Bradley's. "I love it when partners show up for appointments, too. It's a lot more fun."

He watched Dr. Morris help you up onto the table, immediately missing your warm body next to his. "I plan on being here for every appointment unless I'm deployed." Your smile faltered a little bit at his words, so he added, "And even then, I'd steal a jet and fly in for a few hours. This is that important to me."

Your smile was restored and then some. Bradley scooted the chair a little closer when you reached for his hand as Dr. Morris started to ask you some questions and enter them into the software. "Do you recall when you last menstruated? I'd like to calculate a due date assuming we find a healthy fetus."

Once you told her the date of your last period, Bradley blurted out, "Why wouldn't it be healthy?"

Now he had two pairs of eyes on him as you squeezed his sweaty hand. "It's very early," Dr. Morris said. "Complications are more likely to occur in the first trimester than in the second or third. And your wife is just between seven and eight weeks along based on her cycle."

"Oh," Bradley said, swallowing hard. You'd tried to tell him all of this information before, letting him know it was too early to inform your parents or Nat or any of your other friends. But it felt somehow wrong coming from someone else. He didn't like this information when it was laid out before him in the exam room. 

"It's okay, Roo," you told him, a sweet smile still on your face. So he nodded and watched your lips and the curve of your cheek as you answered a few more questions and asked about prenatal vitamins.

Then eventually Dr. Morris said the only words Bradley really wanted to hear right now. "Let's see what we can find with the ultrasound."

He was sitting on the edge of his seat, elbow leaning on the exam table as he gripped your hand for dear life. As excited as he'd been, now he was on the verge of being sick. What if he'd been too rough with you in bed? What if the football at the beach really did hit you in the wrong spot? What if all of the vomiting had been worse than either of you considered?

One thing was for certain. Bradley was going to love you no matter what, until his dying day. So he held onto your hand and kissed your knuckles as Dr. Morris squeezed lube onto a wand that looked a bit like one of the vibrators you had at home. "Is that for the ultrasound?" he asked, watching you spread your legs wider. 

"Yes," the doctor replied, and a huge computer monitor lit up. "We need to get really up close at this stage to be able to see anything, so we're doing a transvaginal ultrasound today. The ones you're thinking of that use a paddle on the belly will come later."

"Right," he replied, and as soon as she slipped the wand inside you, he watched you purse your lips in slight discomfort. "You okay, Sweetheart?" he whispered, eyes glued to your face for any sign of pain. But your pinched expression melted away, and your lips parted softly as you sighed and stared at the computer monitor. 

"Oh. Oh, Bradley! Look!"

When he turned toward the screen, he slowly stood as you pulled his hand closer to your body and held it with both of yours. Everything looked a little fuzzy at first, just some gray and black shapes. But then a cute little bean started to take shape as Dr. Morris adjusted the wand, and Bradley rasped, "Is that the baby?"

"Yes," she replied evenly, also watching the monitor. "And everything looks great."

Warmth spread through his entire body as Bradley huffed out a laugh while you giggled. He wasn't sure if his hand was shaking or if it was yours, but he leaned down and kissed your wrists before finding your lips with his. "That's our baby," he whispered, kissing you once more.

"It's adorable," you said, smiling nonstop. "Like a little bean, or a chicken nugget."

Bradley leaned on the table, keeping as close to you as he could. "I'm already so in love." He could feel tears in his eyes as Dr. Morris froze the screen. "Is it over?" he asked in a slight panic. In all honesty, he could happily spend the rest of the day right here with you and the baby, and he wasn't prepared to say goodbye yet.

"Just capturing some images," she reassured him. "Baby's first picture."

"Oh my god," Bradley groaned softly, and you ran your fingers through his hair as he ducked his head against your shoulder. "That's the first picture, Baby Girl."

"The baby looks just like you, Roo," you told him with a laugh, and he kissed you until the doctor cleared her throat.

"Let's see what we can find if we zoom in a little more."

With rapt attention once again, Bradley stared at the screen. It looked like the baby was bouncing around a bit, wiggling to an unknown song. "Is that movement good?" he asked. "And what's that little flickering spot?"

"Very good," she replied. "And the flickering is the heartbeat."

"The heartbeat?" That was inexplicably what threw him over the edge as a tear managed to squeeze its way down his cheek when he blinked. "Holy shit."

He just let his head rest against your chest and basked in the feel of your fingers in his hair as you whispered, "I love you." Bradley had no idea if you were talking to him or the baby. Or maybe both. Or maybe you loved Dr. Morris, because in this moment he certainly did as she snapped more photos. Maybe you loved everything right now just like he did.

"I love you, too."

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

Bradley was falling apart as you ran your fingertips along his scarred cheek. Or perhaps he was completely keeping it together. You weren't really sure. He had some tears in his eyes even though he was smiling, and the two of you were holding onto each other. 

"Do you want to listen to the heartbeat as well?" Dr. Morris asked, and the two of you responded at the same time. 

"Yes!"

She laughed and adjusted the ultrasound wand inside you which was actually extremely uncomfortable, but you were starting to think Bradley would cry harder when she removed it. And then you heard it. Dr. Morris adjusted something on the control panel, and set a device on your belly, and you could hear the heartbeat. 

"Why is it so fast?" Bradley asked, squeezing your hand. "That's like really fast."

Now your heartbeat was picking up, but Dr. Morris said, "One hundred and fifty two beats per minute. That's perfectly where it should be."

"Oh, okay," Bradley sighed, eyes transfixed on the monitor. "That's good then. That's a strong Bradshaw heartbeat right there. Can you take another picture? The nugget looks really cute like that."

You laughed and reached for him when she eventually shut off the equipment and removed the wand. At Bradley's request, she printed out enough copies of each image that you'd be able to give them to your parents, all of your friends and even Bradley's cousin Brenda in Virginia. 

"This seems like overkill," you whispered as the printer just kept going and going.

"It's not," he promised. "I need all of them to wallpaper my locker and fill my helmet bag. Just a bunch of pictures of you and now the baby, too."

"We'll get more ultrasound photos at the next appointment. And the next one after that," you reminded him. 

"Good. We'll have enough to wallpaper at home, too." Eased himself back down into the chair as you sat up a little bit while Dr. Morris cleaned up her workstation. 

"When is the due date?" you asked suddenly. 

"March 24th," she replied, and you and Bradley shared a smile. "Do either of you have any other questions for me?" she asked as she handed a massive stack of ultrasound photos to your husband who looked like he just won the lottery. 

"When can we find out if it's a girl or a boy?" he asked, looking through the images with a crooked little grin on his face. 

"In the second trimester," she assured him. "You'll make a special appointment for an anatomy scan."

You cleared your throat and said, "So... I've been really quite... I'm sure it's the hormones and everything, but I've been extremely aroused for the past few weeks." Bradley gave you a wide eyed look as you asked, "Basically, I want my husband around the clock right now, and I want to know if that's normal?"

He let out a strangled choking sound, and his cheeks started to flush pink as Dr. Morris said, "That's totally normal. Have at it."

You pressed your lips together before you quickly asked, "And rough is okay? Like pretty rough."

"Yep," she replied, completely unfazed by your words as Bradley looked like he wanted to run out of the room with his stack of baby pictures. "Anything else?"

A smile crept to your lips, one that Bradley would have probably found alarming if he were looking anywhere else except the door at the moment. "Actually, yes. I do have one more question for you, Dr. Morris. Based on the size of the baby and the date of my last period, can you tell me when you think the baby was conceived?"

"Sure," she replied, turning the monitor back on and scrolling through all of the information in your electronic file. 

"You did not just ask her that," Bradley whispered, his voice deep with annoyance and maybe a little bit of desire as you grinned at him and bit your lip. 

"I would say you probably conceived right around June 27th."

You squealed with delight as Bradley groaned. "Thank you so much, Dr. Morris. We'll see you again in a few weeks."

When she left the room, you hopped off the table and started to untie your gown, pausing to pump your fist in the air while Bradley held his forehead in his hand. "Okay, okay. You win," he whined as he laughed. "You win."

"I told you the baby was conceived in the Honda!"

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

Later that night, Bradley kept reminding himself that Dr. Morris said rough sex was okay. That seemed to be the only way you wanted it as you got on all fours on the bed and said, "Fuck me hard, Daddy." And Bradley was never going to be one to deny his wife anything she asked for. 

Beads of sweat were rolling down his face, occasionally dripping onto your back as he leaned over you. He was panting next to your ear as he went as hard as he could, fucking you until your knees buckled and he had to hold you up. "You know, I used to have a wife who liked it sweet sometimes. I wonder what happened to her?"

"You knocked her up," you gasped as he rubbed your clit with his fingers. 

Fuck, he was getting close, and your words were not helping in the least. "Come on, Baby Girl. Come for Daddy." 

A few more swipes of his fingers and a little more dirty talk, and you were coming. Holy hell, you were coming hard, which was a good thing, because Bradley needed a break. You released an unholy moan as your legs gave out again, and this time, he let you sink down to the bed as he grabbed his cock in time to come all over your ass and your back. 

"Roo," you gasped as he painted you up, and you met his eyes over your shoulder. "That's so fucking hot!"

"I'm glad you think so," he grunted before he sprawled out on the bed next to you on his back. "I got nothing left in the tank, Sweetheart. Do not ask me for more tonight."

You crawled over to kiss his sweaty face and whispered, "You did so good," as you patted his abs adoringly. "You're already the world's best Daddy." Then you leaned down and cleaned his cum from the head of his cock with your tongue, and Bradley moaned as you climbed out of bed. "I'm going to shower and get ready for bed."

He raised his hand in a wave or surrender, he wasn't quite sure which. Forty-five minutes of nailing you until you screamed his name was the most intense workout he'd had in weeks. He needed to hit his home gym in the garage a little harder. Maybe he could invite Jake over to lift weights with him, and then he could sneak away and take a nap while you and Jake had one of your gossip sessions. That actually sounded pretty great.

Bradley managed to get out of bed long enough to let Tramp out and brush his teeth. By that point, you were getting out of the shower and drying yourself off,  humming and sighing softly. 

"I know what you're trying to do," he said with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. "And it's not gonna work."

You looked at him with one eyebrow raised as you ran the towel across your chest. "I'm sorry. What exactly am I trying to do that's not going to work?"

He spit out his toothpaste and rinsed his mouth, sending a glare at you in the mirror. "Look at your fucking tits, Sweetheart. Now you're just flaunting them."

"I'm literally just standing here."

He shook his head and kissed your forehead as he walked past. "You know what you did."

When you slipped in bed next to him, he pulled you close while you laughed softly. You were wearing nothing except for his old UVA shirt, and when you curled up next to him, he pushed you gently onto your back. Then he yanked the shirt up and shimmied under the covers so his lips were next to your tummy. 

He kissed up and down your side before laying with his cheek on your hip and one hand on your belly. "Listen kid, I don't know what you're doing in there, but I need you to chill, okay? Someday soon, you'll get to see how pretty and perfect your mommy is. Yes, I think about her all day long. Yes, I love her, but I can only take so much. Your old man is an old man."

You lifted up the covers, and Bradley felt your fingers in his hair. "No, you're not."

He kissed the spot just below your belly button before returning to his pillow. "I'll be close to thirty-eight when this little nugget arrives."

"That's not old."

When you curled up on him this time, he collected you in his arms. If you were surprised by his words, you didn't let on. "My dad died when he was twenty-nine. My mom died when she was forty-two. You're a bit younger than me, not that I mind. But my age is something I think about a lot. I'm older than all my friends. I like to be prepared for things before I jump into them. I like to feel out my surroundings. Except when it comes to you, apparently."

You snuggled in a little closer, voice soft as you asked, "What do you mean?"

Bradley kissed your fingers before lacing them with his in the dark bedroom. "I was all in with you as soon as you looked at me. Zero hesitation. No turning back."

You buried your face in his chest and moaned. "You can't just talk about me like that. It makes me insane for you," came your muffled voice, and Bradley laughed. 

"I guess I never had any hesitation about us having kids either. And I'm just saying... it's nice to have time to think about the baby before the baby actually gets here. But I'm also in my head a lot right now about my parents and how much more flying I've got left in me and how I don't actually know how the fuck to take care of a baby."

"Bradley!" Your voice was scolding as you propped yourself up on him. "We're a team. And I wouldn't lie to you. You're not old, and I'm pretty sure nobody actually knows how to take care of a baby until they have one in front of them. Then you just kind of do it, I guess. The fact that you are so excited about this pregnancy is at least half of what's turning me on so much. You will be the best dad imaginable, because you love me so well, and I don't doubt you have more of that to give."

He was exhausted, and your words settled over him like something he could physically feel. "I really am so excited. Today felt like a dream. I just want to cover the whole house in the ultrasound photos, and I can't wait to get another smaller paper airplane tattoo."

He felt your fingers trace his tattoo in the darkness. You knew exactly where it was without guidance just like he knew exactly where yours was. "You'll get it right here? With the baby's name on it?"

"Yeah," he whispered, starting to feel like he was going to doze off.

"I have a question," you said, and he squeezed your hand softly. "Earlier you asked when we can find out if it's a boy or a girl."

He smiled at the hesitation in your voice. "What's your question?"

Bradley could feel your heartbeat against his body, and he thought about how he had been able to see and hear what the baby was doing just a few hours ago. The beautiful sound of that rapid heartbeat that belonged to his child. 

"Do you care? If it's a boy or a girl?"

"No," he answered honestly. "Not one bit. I just care that it's ours."

"Me too. I'm happy either way." Your words sounded soft and dreamy, and he believed them.

"I love you both. Now let the old man sleep."

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

The rest of the week felt like a bit of a reality check. You tried taking the prenatal vitamins from Dr. Morris, but you threw them back up almost instantly every single time. "Just skip them," Bradley said on Friday morning as you threw up in the toilet when you were trying to get dressed for work. 

"I can't," you practically wailed. "They are supposed to keep me healthy so I can keep the baby healthy." You looked up at him from where you were sitting on the floor.

He sighed and checked the time. "Why don't you just stay home today? You're looking pretty green, and it's Friday anyway. Text Bickel."

Anger flared inside you. He was standing there looking nice and tidy in his khakis while you were on the floor turning yours into a wrinkly mess. And the reason for that was the fact that you had to deal with all of this shit. He just got to enjoy your libido while being excited about the baby. You really didn't want to start resenting him right now when you were leaving for Maryland soon.

"I can't just skip work on a whim like what I'm doing isn't important," you snapped. "I'm trying to get my presentation ready for Annapolis, in case you forgot you offered to help me with that."

He was on his knees in an instant with your chin in his hand. "Hey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want you overexerting yourself, especially since your work is important and you'll be traveling soon."

You still felt bitchy, even though he made you peanut butter crackers and took Tramp for a walk while you stayed curled up in bed for an extra twenty minutes. "That's right. I'll be gone for a week. I'm sure you're looking forward to having a break from the near constant sex."

You used the vanity to pull yourself to your feet while your stomach lurched, even though he was holding his hand out to help you. "Look at me," he demanded without touching you at all. You didn't want to, but you shifted your gaze to his face as he stood too. "If you really think that's true, then we have a serious problem. I'm going to assume that you feel the need to take your nausea out on me, and that's fine. I don't really mind. That's what I'm here for. But do not accuse me of ever wanting to be separated from you."

You pressed your lips together and just nodded as he leaned down to kiss your cheek. You didn't want to be away from him either, but you felt another wave of sickness rolling through your body.

"I need to go, Sweetheart. I'll stop and get you some of those ginger pills on my way home. Maybe they'll help. I love you."

After he left, you threw up again and fought the urge to throw the bottle of prenatal vitamins across the bathroom. Even now you were horny enough that you considered climbing back in bed with your vibrator to take the edge off, but you knew nothing would be as good as the real thing. And you'd have to apologize to Bradley before you could have that, and it would undoubtedly make you cry when you did. 

When you finally made your way back out to the kitchen, you found more peanut butter crackers arranged on a plate in the shape of a heart with one of the ultrasound photos next to it. Tears welled up in your eyes, and you tried to call your husband, but it went to voicemail. You listened to his raspy voice before ending the call and texting him instead.

I'm sorry. If you want Marry Me Rooster for dinner, pick up some chicken along with the ginger pills.

After you tucked the ultrasound picture in the new Bronco, you spent your whole morning sitting quietly with Cat, the two of you going over each presentation slide with a fine tooth comb. "Is that calculation correct?" she asked, pulling out a calculator. 

"It fucking better be. I did it myself. Months ago."

She looked at you with wide eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," you lied, anxious that Bradley hadn't responded to your text. Two days ago, you were having the absolute time of your life with Dr. Morris, and now you wanted to scream. "Can we just finish this?" you said through gritted teeth as Cat checked your math which was obviously done correctly. 

"That's what we're working on," she said smoothly, using her mom voice on you and making your nerves prickle. "Finishing the slides so we can spend next week practicing and getting our notes in order for all of these meetings and cocktail receptions."

The last thing you wanted to do right now was pretend you were drinking alcohol while trying not to vomit. Nothing about this trip to Annapolis seemed appealing. And you didn't want to have to try to hide your pregnancy from your parents if you drove to see them one night. 

"Are you sure you're okay?" Cat asked, and you had to steel your spine as you nodded. 

"I'm perfect." There was no point in making her mad at you when the two of you would be in close quarters for several days, so you rolled your shoulders and got back to work.

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

Asking Jake if he wanted to workout actually wasn't the best idea Bradley had come up with recently. It would be nice to have someone to spot for him at the weight bench, but if you were making his favorite dinner, he'd rather spend the time with you. 

"Fuck," he groaned as Jake followed him to the grocery store on his way home. Apparently he needed protein powder and didn't mind that Bradley had to stop for chicken. Of course now he had to try to discreetly grab the ginger pills that you wanted to try for your nausea. 

It ended up being easier than he thought since Jake took fifteen minutes to decide which flavor of protein powder he wanted. He was still looking at them when Bradley went back to that aisle. "Are you almost done?"

Jake shot him a nasty look from where he was squatting at the bottom shelf. "Listen, it would go faster if I didn't get hit on constantly when I'm wearing my uniform."

Bradley rolled his eyes so hard, he was afraid he'd get a migraine. "Keep it in your fucking pants. I'll meet you at my house."

Jake grabbed a container and followed him to the registers. When they passed a hot sauce display, he grabbed one and handed it to Bradley. "Get this for Angel, and maybe you'll get laid. Sounds like you need it."

"It's literally the last thing I need," he mumbled, but paid for it anyway along with the ginger and the chicken. When Bradley slid his credit card back in his wallet, he saw the corner of the ultrasound image he had tucked in there last night. He unfolded it and took a peek as Jake paid for his powder. You were everything. And the baby was everything. And he should have been a little more patient with you this morning. 

"You coming?" Jake asked, and Bradley shoved the nugget photo back inside his wallet before slipping it into his pocket. 

You were already home, and Bradley parked the blue Bronco next to the red one. Jake came careening into the driveway, stopping about two inches from the back of the new Bronco. "Show her a little respect, okay?"

Jake snorted as he climbed out. "You literally fucked the other car to bits. I didn't do shit."

Bradley groaned as he walked inside with Jake on his heels. The first thing he saw was you in the kitchen, feeding Tramp a treat. You had on some skin tight yoga pants and a little shirt without a bra, and you turned to him and said, "Can we talk?" He opened his mouth to tell you that you could have any damn thing you wanted, and then you said, "Hi, Jake," with a look of surprise on your face. "I didn't know you were coming over."

"Hey, Angel," Jake crooned, walking into the kitchen and pulling you in for a tight hug. Shit, Bradley forgot to text you and let you know he wasn't going to be alone. "Didn't see you at lunch today."

"I worked through lunch," you replied, your eyes on Bradley. "Are you staying for dinner?"

"Nah, just going to lift weights out in the garage with Rooster for a bit. I'll be out of your hair after that."

"You can stay if you want," you told him, but he was already heading toward the hallway bathroom with his gym bag. "Why didn't you tell me he was coming over?" you whispered. "I'm not even wearing underwear, and you left one of the ultrasound photos on the fridge."

Bradley quickly pulled it down and stuck it in the freezer on his way to get to you. "I'm sorry. I meant to text you, but then I got in the Bronco and forgot." Tears welled up in your eyes; he should be used to this by now, but he was not. "If you're horny, I'll take care of you as soon as Jake leaves."

You scoffed at him. "It's not that. I don't just want that. I wanted to talk. You're not just a gigantic, walking dick to me."

Jake cleared his throat, and you and Bradley both turned to see him standing there in his gym clothes. "I'll meet you out in the garage," he said with a smirk. "Take your time."

"I'll just be a minute," Bradley called over his shoulder, but you'd already started to open the chicken he set on the counter. "Do you want to talk now?"

"No." Great. You were giving him one word answers now. 

"Would you like me to get changed and get out of your hair?"

"Yes."

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

As soon as Bradley walked through the sliding glass door and headed for the garage, you broke out in tears. What the fuck was your problem? You didn't mind if Jake was here or if he stayed for dinner. You didn't want to completely discourage Bradley from hanging up the nugget photo. You just couldn't control your emotions, and you had zero patience today. And you couldn't stop running to the bathroom to pee. 

You decided to fill up some travel mugs with water and take them out to the guys to smooth things over. Tramp ran around in the grass as you walked across the yard, and you could already hear the two of them talking over their playlist as you approached the doorway. 

"Is Angel's ass bigger now?" Jake asked, pointing to the dirty calendar that Bradley hung on the wall and strategically covered part of with a post-it note.

Your husband shook his head. "Stop staring at my calendar," he replied as he added weight to one side of the bar. "And stop talking about my wife's ass."

"She's in a feisty mood today. You probably didn't even need that hot sauce to get laid, old man." Based on Jake's response, you were pretty sure neither of them had seen you in the doorway yet as you stood there awkwardly. 

Bradley's brow creased. "She's been a real handful, actually."

Jake hooted with laughter. "In the bedroom? Never mind, I don't want to know."

It took Bradley a few seconds to respond. "Can we talk about anything else other than my wife? Please? Literally any other topic would be great."

You turned on your heel and carried the waters back toward the house as soon as you heard Jake say, "Speaking of asses, you know who has a great one..."

They were out there for a full hour. You made what turned out to be perhaps the most incredible looking batch of Marry Me Rooster of your life while you stewed. Even your husband was already sick of you. Soon you'd gain so much pregnancy weight, your ass would probably be enormous. He'd probably have to close his eyes just to have sex with you. 

You froze as you were putting the chicken onto a plate. What if he couldn't stand the sight of you with a belly at all? All stretched out and weird? Bradley had probably glorified it in his mind, but you knew it wasn't going to be all that appealing when you were nine months along in the middle of March with stretch marks galore. You were already bloated enough that Jake noticed.

You were turning and looking down at your body when they both came walking back inside, out of breath. "Smells good in here. Are these for us?" Bradley asked, pointing at the waters on the island. 

"Yes," you whispered, afraid to meet his eyes. As soon as you heard his voice, you were horny again, but you didn't want to keep forcing him to have sex with you just because you couldn't help yourself.

Jake kissed you on the cheek, and when you told him he was welcome to stay for dinner, he said, "I'll take a raincheck. See you for golf on Sunday, Rooster," and headed out to his car.

"Do you think you can eat dinner?" Bradley asked you softly. When you turned away from him and nodded, he said, "You didn't have to wait for me if you were hungry. Do you want me to shower first?"

You burst into tears once again. "I don't know if I'm hungry. I don't ever know. Sometimes I just grow up. And I can't stop fucking crying! And I don't want you to be so sick of me that you'd rather talk about literally anything else with Jake, including someone else's ass."

"Whoa, whoa," he said quietly, spinning you around again. "I don't want to talk about anything else besides you, Sweetheart."

You shook your head and covered your eyes with your hands. "I tried to bring the waters outside. I heard you."

When you were pulled snug against his sweaty shirt, you felt slightly better. "Baby Girl. I was not about to get into a conversation with Jake about how I can barely keep up with you in bed. In order to keep my pride intact, I would at least want him to know you're pregnant if I'm admitting that you're wearing me out." He kissed the top of your head over and over.

"It feels like you're getting sick of me," you sobbed softly. "And you brought me hot sauce even though I can't eat it right now, and that made me so sad."

"I couldn't be less sick of you if I tried. I just needed to keep Jake off my back rather than let slip that you're pregnant, so I got the hot sauce. And it's completely my fault I forgot to tell you he was coming over, but I had a lot on my mind today."

"Like what?" you asked, inhaling how delicious he smelled even compared to the dinner you made.

"Like possible baby names and the look and feel of your pussy when I fuck you. Do you need me right now? Because I'm ready to go when you want me."

"So badly," you squeaked. "I'm sorry, Roo."

"Don't ever apologize again for wanting to have sex with me. I will be the one to apologize if I don't last as long as you need me to."

You nodded against him. "Well then I'll apologize for having a bad attitude."

"Do you need me to fuck the attitude out of you?" 

"Yes, sir."

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

Imagine how excited he'll be holding that baby in his beefy arms. Just stay calm, sweet Roo. The hormones won't last forever. Up next, we're going to Annapolis. Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 31

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#bradley bradshaw x reader #rooster x you #rooster x reader #rooster imagine #rooster fanfiction #bradley rooster bradshaw imagine #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x you #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw imagine #bradley bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw fanfiction #rooster bradshaw x female reader #top gun imagine #top gun maverick imagine #top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick fanfiction #roosterforme #always ever only you

[draemgal]

best buds | azriel

Az has a girlfriend who has a son, they have been dating for a while, but the reader has some kind of problem (illness, she was attacked,… whatever you want!!) and at one point with the IC the reader's son told her says Az dad and everything is very asdgjh

anon this is so cute tysm for requesting!

things in your life were perfect—up until you got the flu.

first it started with body aches and then quickly progressed to fever, vomiting, fatigue, the works. you tried to hide your sickness from your mate, azriel, but failed the second he looked at the bags under your eyes and the scratch of your voice.

you, like most of the world, hated being sick.

you hated laying in bed and sleeping your days away, hated only being able to be up on your feet for a few hours before you began to feel faint.

you hated it even more because you were a mom. you didn’t want your son from a previous relationship to catch whatever you had, so you distanced yourself. doing this was extremely hard because you two were joined at the hip.

your son was staying with rhys at his house, having an extended play date with his cousin, nyx. azriel was staying there with him, as well.

the two of them had gotten very close since you’ve been dating. your heart beamed with fondness as you watched the two of them play and the way your son would hold az’s finger when they crossed the street.

initially, you were worried about introducing them. a good relationship with your son was a nonnegotiable, but you knew not everyone wants a child right off the bat. azriel, however, was overjoyed when he learned of your son.

it only made him love you even more.

over at the river house, azriel sat in rhy’s office with the high lord himself and cassian. mor and feyre we’re playing with the children, a stream of endless slews of laughter filling the halls.

“how is y/n feeling?” rhys asked, turning his attention towards the shadowsinger.

azriel gave a small smile. “still pretty sick, her fever broke this morning though, thank the mother.”

you hated him doting on you, so you requested that he stay at rhysand’s with your son until you were no longer contagious. you did this not only so your son had him there, but to spare you from the constant routine check-ins. you knew me meant well though.

“she’ll be back to her normal self in no time.” cassian smiled, missing his partner in crime.

azriel peered down the hallway at the son that he was proud to now call his. so much love and pride pulsed through his veins that sometimes he thought he might explode.

“little man misses her. every night when i read him to sleep he asks how mommy’s doing.” azriel’s smile brightened. “i can’t wait until she’s better so i can see the look on his face when he sees her again.”

it had only been a few days, but for a child it seems like a million.

azriel’s thoughts were cut short when your son burst through the doorway, a huge grin on his face as he giggled.

“daddy! aunt mor keeps tickling me!”

daddy.

he had never called him that before.

azriel’s heart fluttered and he looked at the child clinging to his legs in awe. cassian and rhys exchanged a look, fist bumping each other behind azriel’s back.

his two brothers knew how long azriel had waited to get that validation.

azriel picked up his son and planted a kiss on his cheek, smiling ear to ear. “what did you say?”

your child giggled again. “i said, daddy! mor won’t stop tickling me!”

azriel spun and gave his two brothers a quick look of surprise and excitement before turning his attention back to his son.

“well, we can’t have that can we? let’s go have a word with auntie mor.” azriel mock scowled, and his son copied his expression.

before exiting the room, azriel shot a message through the bond.

“it finally happened.”

#acotar fanfiction #acotar x reader #acotar fic #azriel x reader #azriel x you #azriel fluff #azriel imagine #azriel one shot #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x y/n

[thedovesaredying]

Monsters in the Dark | Nikto x Reader | Part 1

First "official" part of Nikto x Reader fic set in the cowboy AU originally created by @ghouljams once again staring our darling Sputnik. Makes a lot more sense if you read the prologue which can be found linked below.

A/N: Did I spend several hours watching Kevin Richardson videos with him hanging out with his hyenas while writing this? Yes. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. This also ended up a lot longer than I was expecting lmao.

Warnings: Depictions of Minor Medical Procedures.

Masterlist: CoD Masterlist

Prev Part | Next Part

When working as a rural vet there’s a surprising amount of driving involved. Travelling from the clinic to farms and huge properties miles and miles away for in-person appointments and consultations can understandably take several hours out of your day. Most of the time you don’t even have working cell service to help guide you to your destination and you’re forced to either memorise the route beforehand or turn to your old reliable map.  

You’re new to the area, having decided to spend some time travelling across the US for the potential experience it could offer you. You’ve done plenty of work on stations in the north of Australia, helping jackaroos to manage any illness within their herds, always moving from place to place, and so Texas seemed like the perfect place to start your travels.  

While training, however, you had been given an offer to travel to South Africa to work with the numerous wildlife there both on reserves and in zoos. It was the best year of your life and ignited a passion for working with exotic animals.  

Travelling the US for work was an exciting opportunity to help rural communities with their livestock and to work with the numerous native species you’ve never had the chance to encounter in your everyday life. This little town was just another step on your travels and, so far, hadn’t really stood out to you more than any other small town.  

So, it isn’t out of place for you to be driving down a lengthy driveway through the woods and pulling up to a rundown old house. What is strange, is the huge creature sitting at the top of the porch.  

The hyena is massive. It’s powerfully built with pure muscle, and no doubt would be able to tear you to pieces if it chose to. It’s so distracting that for a long time you don’t even notice the huge man standing beside your car. He looks just as strong as the hyena sitting behind him and you’re not sure how you missed his approach.  

When the lady at the front desk informed you that there was a gentleman asking for a veterinarian with experience handling exotics, you were thinking perhaps a rare lizard, or an uncommon species of parrot. What you weren’t expecting was to see an adult hyena staring you down.  

You’re more than a little reluctant to leave the safety of the vehicle, but upon receiving a jerk of the head from the man, you cautiously exit the car. Not once do you take your eyes off the predator while you quickly grab your bag from the backseat.  

Having dealt with hyenas before, you know better than to show any kind of fear, forcing your shoulders down from your ears and starting to take calm, deep breaths. You offer your name to who you presume is the animal’s owner and hold out a hand for him to shake.  

The man, “Nikto,” as he grunts to you, takes your hand after a moment and gives it a firm shake. You’re used to farmers having a strong grip, so you simply offer the man a bright grin. “I take it this is the patient?” you ask, nodding your head toward the hyena in question.  

The man is clad head to toe in all-black clothing. Typical cowboy hat, black denim jeans, and a shirt that has a high collar and sleeves that reach all the way down to his wrists where they meet with a pair of leather gloves. All regular clothing, albeit a little dark for such a hot climate, but what really sets him apart is the dark neck gaiter covering most of his features.  

You would think it odd for him to be hiding his face on his own property, but you’ve heard that there’s several other ex-military men in the town that also prefer bandanas or masks to showing their bare faces. It looks intimidating, especially given just how huge the guy is, but at the end of the day he’s your client and it isn’t your place to judge.  

“да,” Nikto nods, “this is Sputnik.” He looks you up and down, before asking, “you are comfortable with her, yes?”  

“Uh, yeah, I’ve worked with hyenas before,” you confirm. That, unfortunately, doesn’t make it any easier or less nerve-wracking to be so close to an unrestrained predator. Normally, there’s at least a fence between you and any of the wildlife you’re treating, but hopefully the animal is somewhat friendly given it’s allowed to roam free.  

At your confirmation, he lets out a sharp whistle and snaps out a harsh, “КО МНЕ!” Causing the animal to leap to her feet and sprint across the grass to her owner’s side.  

You try not to jump when Sputnik runs directly toward you but manage to keep a handle on your reactions. Much to your relief, however, rather than tackling you to the floor and tearing your throat out, the hyena starts laughing excitedly and running circles around you. She’s clearly very curious, stopping every few seconds to try and sniff at you from a distance.  

You can imagine it would be an intimidating sight for anyone who has never encountered a hyena before, but she’s clearly just excited to meet someone new. “Is she normally this excited to meet new people?” you ask, unable to resist the smile that grows on your face as Sputnik starts to playfully nip at Nikto’s legs.  

The man huffs, crossing his arms over his chest, “no.” 

You’re beginning to understand that Nikto is not one for making conversation.  

As Sputnik calms again, you watch her wander around the area. The issue becomes clear to you quite quickly in the form of a slight limp on one of her hind legs. She seems to otherwise be bright, alert and responsive, only the sore leg causing her problems.  

You run through the basic questions about the problem, how long it’s being going on, and how her behaviour has been recently. You quickly take notes on her previous medical history while keeping an eye on Sputnik. After taking down her information, you ask Nikto to bring her to one of the old sheds so you can begin the exam.  

She’s a beautiful hyena, and despite not having the behaviour of a domesticated dog, she can somewhat follow her owner’s commands. After seeing Nikto tapping the top of one of the tables, she hops up into a bench for you to more easily inspect her body.  

With Sputnik firmly restrained by her owner, you gently reach out for her hind paw. You softly palpate the area, taking note of the large amount of swelling, particularly in the area between two of her toes. After glancing up to ensure she isn’t getting too stressed, you pull apart the toes, spotting a nasty yellow lump of what is presumably infection.  

As you check over the area, you notice something black sticking out of the wound. With your trusty pair of tweezers you take hold of the object and begin to gently tease it out of the swollen mass. Sputnik’s leg twitches slightly, clearly not happy about someone touching her sore paw, but after a few soft words of encouragement she settles once again.  

Your grip on the object slips a few times, but eventually you’re able to pull it free. It’s a nasty thorn, a whole inch in length that was buried in the poor animal’s foot. Just removing it causes a flood of pus to begin squirting from the wound and you’re thankful for the medical gloves you’re wearing, because it is far from a pleasant smell.  

Sputnik whines, trying to pull her paw away again, but with your client still holding her head in place you can continue to express the rest of the fluid without causing her much more distress. With a small syringe of saline, you quickly flush out the remaining chunks of hardened infection until the liquid runs clear.  

It’s a small enough opening that she won’t need the wound packed or any stitches to keep it closed. Instead, you spray the area with a thick layer of Blu-Kote to prevent any further infection.  

“I'll need to give her a quick antibiotic injection to make sure it won’t come back, just make sure she’s restrained, okay?” You receive a grunt of acknowledgement, then provide the needed shot. Sputnik tries to turn and snap at you, but with Nikto in the way she ends up biting at thin air and growling in frustration.  

You gently rub at the hyena’s back with a loving coo, “what a brave girl, you did so well!” 

After being released she turns to regard you for a moment, before squealing happily and trying to lick at your face. It seems you’re already forgiven for your cruel transgressions against the poor girl. “Looks like this was the cause of the trouble,” you explain, briefly showing Nikto the old thorn you’d removed.  

Nikto turns his gaze to Sputnik, rolling his eyes before gently cuffing her around the back of the head. “Долбоеб,” he mutters, ignoring the way she starts to playfully bite at one of his gloved hands.  

You’re not entirely sure what he said, but no doubt it’s some sort of insult. Not that Sputnik seems to care, hopping down from the table and trotting around the barn as if the last ten minutes didn’t occur.  

“I gave her a strong antibiotic, but spotted hyenas are pretty notorious for their infections being resistant to treatment, so if she starts getting worse or isn’t improving then be sure to give me a call and we’ll look at if there’s anything we need to do,” you explain, keeping an eye on how Sputnik moves on her feet now. 

“Understood,” the man nods, standing ramrod straight with his arms crossed over his chest.  

Clearly this man still isn’t very interested in a conversation, given he has nothing further to add and almost seems to be pointedly ignoring you. It’s a little uncomfortable, but he’s certainly not the first... interesting character you’ve dealt with in your career and he won’t be the last. “Do you have any other questions about the treatment?” you ask.  

“нет,” he grunts, before quickly adding, “no.”  

You nod, offering the man a genuine smile, “well, I’m glad I could help out.” You remove your gloves and quickly start packing away the tools you’d been using, “the office will send through an invoice to your email, so you can pay online or head down to the clinic to pay in person.”  

He just nods, watching you silently as you finish up collecting your tools and placing them back away into your bag. His eyes seem to burn into you, his icy gaze piercing through your body and directly into your very soul. You’re not sure how comfortable you are having your innermost self so openly exposed to someone you’ve only just met, but quickly shake off the feeling.  

As soon as you’re finished packing, you pull out one of your personal cards, handing it to Nikto. He stares at the piece of cardboard for a long moment, and you quickly explain, “my card, it’s got my number on it in case you ever need help.” You can’t imagine how difficult it must be for him to find someone with genuine experience treating large predatory animals and you’re more than happy to offer as much of your expertise as he wants.  

Nikto awkwardly goes to reach for the card with one of his hands, only to pause midway and reach for it with the other one. He fleetingly glances over the card, then tucks it into one of his shirt pockets.  

While you make your way back to your car, Nikto calls Sputnik back over and ensures the animal walks at his heels. She doesn’t seem happy with this command, whining and laughing as she looks between her master and you. She very obviously wants to run after you and play but knows better than to ignore her owner.  

Sputnik sits next to Nikto as the man watches you quickly pack everything back into your car. She keeps looking between you and Nikto, as if silently begging him to allow her to go back to you for more attention, but he stands strong against her sad eyes. It’s cute, really, since it likely means that weaponized puppy dog eyes are an effective tool in getting the stoic man to crumble if she’s still attempting to use them against him.  

Before you hop into the car you give Sputnik a wave, laughing when she cries at you. “Bye, sweetheart!” you coo again, before offering her owner a wave and a smile.  

Looking into the rear-view mirror on your way back toward the main road, you can see both Nikto and Sputnik watching you leave. They’re an odd pair, but it’s been a while since you had the chance to work with such a beautiful animal and you can’t help looking forward to seeing both her and her strange human again sometime soon.  

#writing #call of duty modern warfare #reader insert #fanfic #call of duty nikto #nikto x reader #cowboy au

[solarrclxud]

HAPPY VALENTINES

pairing : multi x reader (wriothesley , neuvillette , childe , ,xiao )

genre: fluff

warnings : not proofread , the use of " my love"

a/n: well guess who just got revived from the dead ! (its me hello) ALSO ill be getting to my inbox soon! thank you for the requests while i was gone !

Wriothesley watched you dust a shelf that held his extravagant and excessive tea collection . You were muttering something about how he really needed to clean more often when he shifted his head off of his palm to grin . You squinted at him . " You're being suspicious" you prodded him. He shook his head and looked down to the work he was supposed to be doing as you resumed dusting , moving to the shelf below , only to see a tiny box behind the usual boxes of tea. With a slight frown you attempted to move it to the front . As you put it down , something rattled within and u heard wriothesley get up from his chair . " Finally, i thought you'd never find it" he laughed. You stared at him confused . He smiled and made his way over to you , opening the box in your hands to reveal a keychain . One you'd seen in the market a few days ago but hadn't bought.

" Happy valentines my love "

Xiao was deliberate with his gifts. They were frequent and personal. Thanks to him, you had an entire box tucked away in your cupboard , full to the brim with charms to ward off evil, flowers he had picked up and chunks of ore he had carved while u slept. Today when you awoke to a piece of jade used as a paperweight for a small note on your side table, it was not a new occurrence. The note was written in beautiful flourish and u smiled as you read it. A simple good morning and a wish for a good day. You didn't think much of it through the day as you went about the Harbor , couples exchanging simple affection was a usual for you to see at the cafe u ran but today it seemed more frequent. In the evening you walked back to the Inn , to find Xiao pacing on the balcony, slightly red faced. When you called to him , he jumped like a startled animal before he smiled a little, holding out what seemed to be a hair piece fashioned from the same kind of jade he had given to u in the morning.

"i have heard that mortals have this celebration of love. i thought it fit hat we must take part as we are...in love."

Childe was out on a business trip. His absence felt strangely heavy that day due to the presence of couples around liyue harbour. You had longed to see him for a week now but all you had was a letter from a few days after he had left , dating his return to the next month. It was one of his longer trips no doubt . As you got home that evening, you unlocked your home and was met with the sound of someone already there. You frowned , grabbing a knife from the kitchen as you etched towards the sound of...singing? Now that you thought about it the voice was familiar. You entered your bedroom to childe leaning over a bouquet of flowers strategically placed on the bed humming a tune in obvious excitement. You began to laugh, causing him to turn around to see you and inevitably join in.

"the job finished faster than planned, thanks to my expertise so i thought id suprise you ! happy valentines!"

Neuvillette was a doting lover, and contrary to his professional persona, at home he was nothing but a tired man. That morning you woke up to him for the first time in what felt like ages. You checked the clock, 10am, he was late. You uttered his name softly in an attempt to wake him up. He just hummed and nuzzled further into you, it was obvious he was awake by the soft smile on him face. " Neuvi you're late" . He shook his head and pulled you closer. His voice muffled as he said,

"I took a day off...i have a reservation at a restaurant but can we go back to bed for now my love?"

slaying with the comeback (school is murdering me)

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #wriothesley #wriothesley fluff #wriothesley x reader #neuvillette #neuvillette x reader #neuvillette fluff #childe #childe x reader #childe fluff #xiao #xiao fluff #xiao x reader #genshin fluff #genshin impact fluff #genshin x gn reader #genshin impact drabbles

[anyasathenaeum]

Can i request vash & wolfwood his wife didnt know she pregnant, so reader do overwork until pass out in the end both of them know reader is pregnant, and the reaction his wife giving birth the twins i wanna see how absurd they face it 🥺���✨ thank you

And really love u writings anyway

A/N: WAIT THAT'S KINDA CUTE, headcanons coming up! Thanks for the request and thank you so much for reading my stuff! :D

Warnings: Mention of pregnancy, childbirth, blood, slight violence in Wolfwoods', reader is AFAB in this one

Vash the Stampede

Given that Vash is... Vash, there was no way either of you knew if you could even get pregnant in the first place.

Seriously - no known plant/human hybrids existed, so the two of you never really thought much of it. You both just kind of assumed hybrids couldn't exist because plants couldn't reproduce with humans

Well, how WRONG you both were

But of course, because neither of you knew it could happen, neither of you caught on when you eventually started feeling nauseous, throwing up at random points in the day and feeling gently under the weather

110% you and Vash both were like "aww dang a cold? That sucks" and Vash would cuddle you lots to try and make you feel better cause he just thought you were sick

You also didn't let this sudden "sickness" slow you down - you kept working hard, on the run with Vash and the others, moving constantly, sleeping under the glow of the worms in the warm sand, hauling your weight and then some as the group continued to travel across No Man's Land

However, what you hadn't anticipated was suddenly not being able to do as much as you used to be able to - suddenly the sun beating down on you was too much, the heat overwhelming, and before you knew it, you had collapsed

Vash and the others were definitely concerned, but the concern turned to confusion and disbelief when they accidentally got a look at your stomach when your shirt had ridden up as you sat up once you regained consciousness - your stomach was SWOLLEN.

Everybody was a bit freaked out, you very much included, until you started to put the pieces together - your "illness", your sudden inability to tolerate things as you had before, your stomach swelling

"Vash... I-I think I might be... pregnant?"

Honestly, I think Vash would be stunned at first but once he realizes that what you're saying makes sense (and after the confirmation of a doctor from one of the nearby towns you guys travelled through), he'd be DELIGHTED

Would be the type of husband/partner who would never let you carry anything heavy anymore, hovering over you protectively, always worrying and making sure you were comfortable and not endangering yourself or your baby

"You need to rest, (Y/N)! You're growing a whole new being, you and I have gotta make sure you're taking good care of yourself now!"

Would give you ankle/foot massages A LOT to help with discomfort

Vash would definitely spend a lot of time talking to your tummy as it grows bigger, pressing soft kisses to your stomach and caressing it gently

Vash would be excited but TERRIFIED simultaneously to be a dad - so much sadness, death and regret followed him everywhere he went, and he was terrified to bring you into it, let alone an innocent child

You would have to comfort him and reiterate that you were in it together and that you think he'd be a wonderful dad

Also, because Vash is a plant and they age rapidly compared to humans, the pregnancy would be faster than a traditional human pregnancy

Vash has seen births before, especially given how long he's been around, so that part of it all doesn't make him nervous. The fact that now, it's HIS child, THAT makes him nervous

Would absolutely cry during the birth of your twins, partially out of fear, partially out of joy, and also partially because you'd gripped his hand so hard that you'd likely broken several of his fingers (oops)

Borderline passed out when they told him there were TWO babies - he wasn't expecting that at all

IDK why but I can see him being a dad to either twin boys (like him and Nai), or 1 girl, 1 boy.

It doesn't matter though, cause Vash would love your babies from the moment they let out their first cry, the reality hitting him - he's a father now.

Would give anything to protect you and his children - you're his world. His family. <3

Nicholas D. Wolfwood

Unlike Vash, you and Wolfwood absolutely knew that pregnancy could happen

You and him both were sorta neutral about it - not actively trying to prevent a pregnancy, but not actively trying to conceive either.

"If it happens, it happens," Wolfwood said with a shrug when you brought it up to him

And so, you two just went about your lives together as always.

Of course, neither of you really bothered to keep tabs on your pregnancy status because you were busy travelling (and being on the run) with Vash and the others

Everything was as it usually was, with the group trying to escape from another disastrous clash with a police force of some kind, bullets flying past you all

You were hiding behind a corner, covering Wolfwood as he managed to fend off the cops coming after Vash and the rest of you, when a stray bullet struck you in the side, causing you to cry out and fall back

"(Y/N)!" You heard Wolfwood scream out your name, but you couldn't seem to see where he was anymore

Before you knew what was happening, the world went black

When you woke, your eyes opening to bright light, you quickly gasped and sat up only to cry out from the sharp pain in your side

Wolfwood was by your side, a deep scowl on his face, but you could see in his eyes that he was scared

"Mornin', sweetheart, nice of you to rejoin us in the land of the living."

Once you were more fully awake, the doctor came in to speak with you and Wolfwood, cheerfully reporting that "Thankfully, the bullet missed anything important, and the baby is just fine, too."

Umm, what?

Both you and Wolfwood choked slightly on your own spit as the doctor said that, with you coughing out "What baby?"

Yup, turns out you were pregnant and had been for a little while already at that point

From that point forward, Wolfwood becomes EXTREMELY protective of you, refusing to let you walk in front of him or even stand in front of him (he plans to use his body to protect yours if something bad happens)

He'd do his best to smoke less and not do it around you because it isn't good for the baby (he's trying hard but he still forgets sometimes)

Wolfwood would be the kind of guy who outwardly seems very relaxed and unphased by the situation but secretly has tried to read through every parenting book he could get his hands on

And when it's time for you to give birth? Listen, Wolfwood has seen a lot of things in his life, but he was NOT expecting birth to be that gruesome

Would become very pale, sweating profusely before dropping like a stone, out cold

Comes back to life when your baby begins to cry, announcing their arrival into the world

You would witness a rigid man bend and soften in front of you - you'd see Wolfwood's gaze soften and a genuine smile appear on his face as he holds your and his baby in his arms, a tiny hand wrapping around one of his fingers

Love at first sight for Wolfwood - he never thought a family would be something he wanted, but now that he has one? He's never letting go of it

Until the doctor announces that the second baby was coming

Thankfully the nurse had enough sense to take your baby from Wolfwood's arms shortly before the doctor announced that because he ended up back on the floor, out cold again

Kind of a wuss around childbirth but he loves his babies (and you) more than anything else in his life

I can definitely see him as a dad to twin girls (idk why he gives me girl dad energy)

#anya's athenaeum #vash the stampede #vash the stampede x reader #trigun stampede #vash x reader #trigun stampede x reader #trigun #trigun x reader #wolfwood #wolfwood x reader #nicholas d wolfwood

[sayafics]

Dance of Shadows - Chapter II

Thank you to everyone who showed so much love to Chapter I and waited so patiently for this chapter! I do hope you enjoy it. Reading all your comments and seeing your likes and reblogs made me feel so appreciated, so thank you again!

This chapter will be very Daemon/Saenyra focused, but please presume everything else happens as normal <3

This is quite a long chapter, but I hope it's worth the read!

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

Masterlist

The crowd roared in unison, a crashing wave of victory and excitement rolled through the tourney grounds as the people of King's Landing yelled in celebration - the tourney has begun, and so has Queen Aemma's labours.

Saenyra's father held the tourney in honour of her maybe-brother that was itching and turning to leave her mother's womb.

She wanted to be by her mother's side, to hold her hand, and ground her during the pains of bearing a child.

But Viserys had promised the girl Aemma would be fine, that it was of more importance she was to attend the tourney. As that was where her duty required her to be - an ornament, a prize placed at the forefront of a bloodied battle for men to lust for, soldiers to grovel for, and Lords to prepare bounties in exchange for.

Of course he had not said so directly to her, even his words, so gentle and kind, were not her's to listen to. Yet they were a silent command to follow.

Viserys had spoken the words to Rhaenyra, Saenyra had simply been there and nodded like the obedient child she was and obeyed an order they did not feel the need to grace her with.

In the back of her mind, Saenyra knew if her absence did not draw up the suspicions and whispers of the people, then her father would have paid no mind. Rhaenyra is heir, if not to the throne, then to Dragonstone.

She was simply a princess, with no power tied to her name nor land for her to cherish. All that came to her - all that would be her own, would first belong to the man her father asked her to marry. And, some nights, Saenyra feared she would not be able to deny her father's wishes, because she had always seen her father's words to her as they truly were - commands of a King, not the gentle whispers of a loving father.

The tourney had begun, and Saenyra sat next to her sister as she gazed upon the grounds, suppressing a flinch as she watched the men collide into each other with a violent crack. The sound was enough to snap her out of her reverie, realising she had already missed the introductions and did not know who was competing. She sat straighter, spine stiffening as she rolled her shoulders - it would not be good if the Lords and Ladies were to catch her ill-attention, cursing it as a lack of manners and a mockery to the Court.

She paid no mind to Alicent's and Rhaenyra's incessant whispers, knowing their words were not for her and to include herself would only lead to them drawing back until she stopped. So she sat, quiet and proper, eyes flitting over the game in front of her in feigned interest.

The man who had fallen was Ser Gwayne Hightower of Old Town, Alicent's brother. Saenyra remembers him well, recalls the whispers that Otto Hightower had proposed a marriage between his eldest son and one of Viserys' daughters, but it was Aemma who denied the match. She did not think it a coincidence when she had ran into the man the following evening in the library, and she was bound in suspicion when he offered to walk her back to her chambers.

To this day, Saenyra finds herself grateful that Ser Harwin Strong had found her in those moments, and she was gladdened to hear him offer to escort her back in his stead. Ser Harwin was a dangerous man, but he was also loyal to the crown and would do her no harm.

Ser Gwayne Hightower was his father's child, and Saenyra, despite all her years sharing the castle with him, had never known Otto Hightower enough to trust him.

She watched how Alicent held her breath as the armoured man knocked Gawyne off his horse with brutal ease. Ser Hightower conceded, and the man dressed in an armour of dark grey and riddled with red as dark as rubies cheered in victory.

Saenyra's eyes traced over the armoured man, following every curve and line that decorated the fine metal-work. She noticed him draw closer, and at his proximity Rhaenyra leapt up from her seat.

Rhaenyra exuded a familiar scent of childish glee at the sight of the man, and it was only then that realisation sunk in as gentle lavendar hues met the molten colour of vicious violet.

This was Daemon, dressed in armour fit for a dragon, so unlike the one she had seen him only before. He stood now, clean and shining. His eyes were bright, glowing with the fire of a new battle, his expression seemed eased, and Saenyra knew the tourney was nothing like the bloodbaths Daemon loved to seek.

"Nicely done, Uncle."

Daemon's eyes flitted to Rhaenyra, squinting against the sun as a pleased smile crossed his face. Saenyra couldn't help the jealousy that festered under her skin, to see her sister once again preen under the attention of their uncle who seemed to care for one sister more than the other - just like her father, just like her mother, just like the Kingdom and probably, just like her brother too.

"Thank you, Princess."

Daemon's words were spoken with a lilt, and any passerby would have assumed the man was enamoured by the girl who stood in front of him - the Realm's Delight.

Instead, his eyes bounced from Rhaenyra to her friend standing loyally beside her, and his mouth parted, ready to ask a question.

It was at that moment a glint caught Daemon's eye, and his eyes darted back to the quiet girl who sat in the shadows of her sister's tall and domineering presence. It was at that moment he remembered a call for a promise and a whisper to wait until the time came to be.

Daemon could have used such a promise to bargain some leverage, to gain the upper hand, and receive power or triumph in turn. But, eyes roving over the girl who avidly avoided his boring stare, he found he did not want to wait and see if a different opportunity arises. Not when he could live in a whispered moment of his desires right now.

"Now I am fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent," Daemon watched how Rhaenyra's face fell as he addressed her friend instead of her, knowing what question lay on the tip of his tongue, and for a moment Daemon truly felt pity for the girl. "But having the favour of one so kind and gentle would all but assure it," he watched Alicent radiate a warmth of eagerness at his words, despite her attempts to stifle it in Rhaenyra's presence.

As a man who abhorred the existence of her father and his twisted words, Daemon could not help the thrill that wracked through him as he continued his words and watched the Hightower girl deflate.

"Would you send for my dearest niece? I have a question for her."

Alicent looked between Rhaenyra and her sister, pulling herself together as she deliberated her next course of action. Daemon raised a brow, and she nodded hesitantly in reply. She stepped backwards - once, twice. As though she was waiting for Rhaenyra to stop her - she never did. So Alicent turned on her heels and walked ever so slowly towards Saenyra who determinedly looked towards her fumbling fingers and avoided the eyes of her sister's friend, dread settling in the pit of her stomach at the sound of the approaching figure.

"Princess, your uncle calls to you."

Saenyra looked up with a frown, "what does my uncle want with me?"

Alicent looked over her shoulders for a moment, glacing at Rhaenyra's tense shoulders and Daemon's narrowed eyes - "I believe it is something you must ask him."

Saenyra regarded her with suspicion, eyes flitting over to see her uncle and sister locked in a bout of seething words. She found she did not want to approach, worried of what she may hear and what she may be asked.

Did Daemon want to ask for his favour now? Was it truly to do with Rhaenyra? Was that why she was so angry? Did Rhaenyra not want her to overhear what Daemon plans to ask of her?

Despite all the questions echoing in her mind like a deafening storm, she finds herself standing in a graceful manner and making her way to them with Alicent lurking a step or two behind.

When they approached the pair, Daemon and Rhaenyra were sharing a gaze heated by the fire of dragons - Rhaenyra glared at the man as though they had shared venomous words, despite them not being overheard by others.

Saenyra waited a few steps back, hesitance clouding her mind as she waited - hoping Daemon would call to her.

And he did.

"Saenyra," her name sounded so sweet, rolling off his tongue, his anger that flowed in steaming waves now seemed to lull in the air of her presence. "I have something to ask of you," a knowing look crossed his face, a sign that he was referring to their meeting by chance a few short days ago, and it was as though he knew she had not forgotten about it either.

Saenyra glanced towards her sister, but Rhaenyra simply avoided her gaze and stood with a passive expression painted along her face. Saenyra cleared her throat, her voice almost a whisper as she spoke, unsure of what to say, "of course, Uncle. What is it that you desire?"

She had stumbled over her words, cringing as she spoke faster than her mind had been able to think. But Daemon paid no mind, though his lip quirked with amusement as he thought of asking for her, then and there.

Alas, he knew he could do no such thing. So he commanded, an air of reverence in his words, "give me your favour."

His words were simple, so close to the words he truly wanted to say, but knew he could not with his brother's watchful eyes upon him.

Saenyra's cheeks heated at his words, but she did not miss how Rhaenyra's fingers tightened upon the railing, nor how her jaw twitched as she clenched it in irritation.

She almost said no, a part of her even wanted to - fearful of hurting her sister's feelings and possibly losing her in some way. But there was a selfish part of Saenyra, so young and wanting, that had craved for a moment such as this, where someone would ask for her in place of her sister. And she would truly be mad to deny this moment, regardless of how fleeting it came to be.

She bit her lip in feigned contemplation, and Daemon found himself growing warm in the confines of his armour at the sight. She glanced back at Daemon, unable to stop the teasing smile slipping onto her face as she leaned towards him over the railing - "only if you say please."

A flare of pure, unadulterated want radiated through Daemon at her words, and he found himself leaning towards her without a care for the watchful eyes of his audience - "please."

Despite all his savage glory, his plea was close to a whimper, and it seemed to ignite something in Saenyra he had never seen before. Her eyes glance to his lips before moving back, she pulled herself back with heated cheeks and laboured breaths as she clears her throat.

Saenyra turned to grab her wreath, only to find Rhaenyra stood infront of her with it in her grasp.

She stared at her sister for a few moments, unsure of what to do. It seemed even her father was not sure if he should intervene, and Otto simply watched with an interested gaze.

Rhaenyra held the wreath tight, her unrelenting grip causing the flowers beneath to crumble and give in. Saenyra glances back to Daemon's waiting figure, a shroud of determination settles in her as she regards Rhaenyra again, taking slow steps towards her before holding the wreath firmly and taking it from her grasp, she spares her sister a stiff nod - "thank you, Sister."

Rhaenyra doesn't move, nor acknowledge her. She simply waits to see if Saenyra would truly go ahead with this, and give Daemon what he seeks.

Saenyra walks towards Daemon, her steps much more sure and confident. She leans over the railing and gives him a shy smile. He returns it with his own - a broad and mischievous grin.

She reaches towards him to place the wreath, and just as the flowers brush the tip of his sword, he cants his horse to step back away from her as a glorious laugh escapes him. Saenyra can't help the way her heart flutters at the sound, but she rolls her eyes all the same - "Uncle."

Her words were drawn out in feigned annoyance, and he pulled himself back closer at the sound, waiting for her to reach out again before moving away.

"Ugh, Uncle. I swear to the Seven, I will simply take my seat again, and you can fight without my favour."

Daemon tuts, "we can not have that now, can we? Perhaps to make it easier, you can come onto the grounds?"

He raises his brow in challenge, so sure she would not heed. But a look over her shoulder, into the eyes of her raging sister, was all it took for her to move towards the stairs and duck under the arms of a cautious guard.

She ignored the calls of her father and his Hand, the indignant call of Rhaenyra and her friend. She stepped onto the grounds with a huffed breath, but her lips were stretched into a traiterous smile as she walked towards Daemon, who met her halfway.

Daemon unmounted his horse, leaving his joust on the ground as he moved towards her in slow, deliberate steps. He paid no mind to the baited silence of their audience nor the exasperated calls of the Court. He stood in front of her, his armoured boots brushing against the billowing skirt of her dress - a pale pink that stood brightly against the sun.

Saenyra held the wreath out towards him, a simple ring of flowers decorated in shades of blues and yellows - her favourite flowers, irises and begonias, formed into a colourful cluster.

Daemon reached out to accept it. His fingers, encased in his harsh and cold armoured gloves, brushed slowly over the petals to then skim the skin of her warm and delicate hands. Saenyra shivered, goose-flesh running up her arms as she repressed the tremble that silently wracked through her body. His touch paused as metal met metal, and his armoured fingers glided against a ring made of familiar steel.

A ring, so dark and grand, sat on the Princess' hand in place of where her future bethrothed's would. And it was made of Valyrian steel, a shared piece of ancestry.

Daemon admired how the ring looked upon her finger, how the blood-soaked jewel hammered into it radiated against her skin as though it was proud of its wearer and yearned to be showcased because of it.

A shared piece of him.

***

Daemon had avoided Saenyra after his trysts in Silk Street, unable to meet her eye or hear her voice without his mind flashing back to his escapade with Myseria, where all he could think about was Saenyra.

The lengths he would have gone to have her, or someone that simply looked like her.

His stomach would roll with nausea, and his mind was heavy with questions. He found himself needing to apologise with no true need except for the guilt that plagued his mind due to his traiterous fanatasies.

The night after his venture with Myseria, he found himself lazing away in his chambers as the sun fell into the arms of the night sky and the moon rose in its place.

Daemon found himself staring up at the ceiling, eyes tracing over every animate shadow and ears on alert for every step and whisper that sounded at his doors.

His heart beat at a calm pace, but every thud brought a sinking feeling of unease to settle in the confines of his chest. His mind began to wander, his thoughts flitting between images of his night with Myseria, to his gift to Rhaenyra, to walking into his little niece.

Daemon remembers how he struggled to force his gaze away from her bare neck - a princess of a Kingdom so grand and powerful, and yet her father would rather have the girl dressed as a commoner than royalty.

Daemon scoffed at the thought - oh, how he wanted to adorn her in jewels and diamonds, to weigh her heavy in the best of refineries so others would see just how much her beauty was worth. How much she is worth.

But he had already given Rhaenyra a necklace, and he wasn't blind to Saenyra's stares of sadness and envy. He knew to give her the same gift he gave Rhaenyra would be nothing short of an insult.

He would do no such thing.

He closed his eyes in frustration, his racing thoughts barely allowing him to catch a breath long enough to lull himself to sleep. He sat up stiffly, throwing his legs over the edge of the bed as he held his head in his hands.

A deep sigh escaped him, thumbs digging into his eyes as though he was forcing away the images of Saenyra - trying to forget her moonlit hair, her pale eyes, her murmured words and her hesitant breaths.

Daemon glanced towards the fireplace that now burned low, the heat had dampened down, and a cold chill filled the air. It was a feeling akin to flying Caraxes in the winter sky, a scathing feeling that somehow brought a warmth to him all the same.

His eyes rested upon his sword, which stood defiantly against the hearth. Dark Sister looked almost black in the shadows of a dying fire, the rain-guard glinting a violent gold against the blade.

Rhaenyra's necklace had been a piece of shared ancestry.

But Saenyra deserved something more. For all she had done to be a dutiful daughter, she had not shared the grace of being a true dragon despite the blood of one burning through her veins.

When she was younger, a hopeful child who was so sure her egg would hatch as she aged, Daemon had pitied the girl. Even now, his heart would clench in sympathy for her. But he could see how such a loss of an opportunity had strengthened her.

She was just as much of a dragon as he was, despite never having one to call her own. She was just not able to see it yet.

Daemon saw a fragment of his soul in hers. The part of him that yearned for his father's approval, his brother's love. The fraction of him who had ached and begged for a dragon before he made it his mission to tame his own.

Daemon had called for a blacksmith the next day before daylight had broken and offered a pouch of Gold Dragon coins with one hand and his Dark Sister with the other.

Daemon knew exactly what his sweet girl deserved - what she needed.

Saenyra was a dragon, through and through - she simply needed a reminder of such.

The blacksmith had returned before dark, standing nervously with trembling hands as he offered Daemon his sword with one hand and held forth a cotton bag in the other.

Daemon glanced over his sword, his eyes easily catching the part that did not belong. The pommel was the same gold as his rain-guard, but it seemed dainty in comparison. He longed to hold his sword and test it for deficiencies, but his eyes caught the ivory bag clenched tightly in the hands of the blacksmith.

Daemon laid out his hand, and the bag was placed upon it with hesitance. Daemon rolled his eyes at the man's slow movements and snatched the bag away, pulling the ties open and tipping its contents into the palm of his hand.

A bejewelled piece of metal fell with a light thump. The metal felt familiar, even though it had been melted and twisted into something he did not recognise.

The band was simple, engraved with vines and flowers that were so quaint yet so detailed. And fitted perfectly in its centre sat a timid, glowing jewel likened to a pool of congealed blood.

Daemon thought back to the necklace he gifted to Rhaenyra, how its jewels were a bright and lively red. A mockery of who Daemon pretended to be.

This jewel, this colour, this steel. It was a part of him - a reflection of who he was. It was admiration and bloodshed and protection all in one. It was a silent promise and a vicious outcry.

It was a gift, fit for a princess. Fit for Saenyra.

Daemon reached for his sword, turning it over to have a look at the pommel of his sword where Valyrian Steel had been replaced by something else - it was a worthwhile sacrifice, he thought. His hands fisted around the ring, relishing in the feel of it imprinting against his skin.

Daemon had walked through the Keep with the ring settled in the pocket of his chemise for days now, unable to bear the courage to face her in fear of what his desires may ask of him.

It was not until the day of the tourney that he found himself in front of the youngest Princess' chambers. He nodded in greeting to her guards, not waiting for them to announce his presence before he marched into her chambers - he could not risk allowing hesitance to cloud his decisions and walk away.

Daemon held his breath as he closed the doors behind him. Saenyra sat at her dresser, combing through her hair before the sound of Daemon's loud entry forced her eyes to meet his in the reflection.

She was still dressed in her sleeping gown, a sheer shade of pearl that hugged against her figure. Daemon roved his eyes over her by instinct, hungrily drinking in the sight of her whilst he could. Saenyra was not blind to his devouring stare, clearing her throat despite her skin flushing under his heated gaze - "Uncle, can I help you?"

Daemon's eyes met hers, and the desire that pooled in them began to wane as he pulled himself together into the semblance of a gentleman.

"Saenyra," there it was again, her name passing through his soft lips with a gentle caress, "I have something for you."

She raised a brow in question, turning to look over her shoulder at him instead, "and what would that be?"

Daemon did not speak further, he walked closer towards her before stopping at the foot of her bed. He sat cautiously, waiting to see if she would object and send him away, but the girl was much too curious to do such a thing.

He beckoned her forward, and she hesitated for a moment.

"Come."

His voice was firm, as though he knew she would obey without question, and as she stumbled to her feet, she had the fleeting realisation that she would do anything Daemon had asked. She would follow him to the ends of the world and more, if he so desired.

She stood in front of him, and still she felt so small despite the fact that he had to look up to her. Her hands fiddled with the ends of her gown, which brushed against her thighs lightly - the idea she was so exposed in front of her uncle sent a shiver down her spine.

Daemon forced himself to keep his eyes upon hers, to not disrespect his darling niece when she had so politely adhered to his wishes despite the burning temptation to drink in the sight of her bare legs only a hairs-breadth away.

If he leaned forward, he was sure he could run his lips against her bare skin, and his body heated at the thought of her trembling under his touch.

He shook himself from his thoughts, looking upon Saenyra with adoring eyes as one of his hands took hers. He tugged her gently, tempted to pull her onto his lap but knowing it was a move much too daring.

Instead, she fell neatly onto her knees between his parted legs, and Daemon had to hold back a groan. She eyed him with such trust, full of so much naivety and innocence he found himself intoxicated with the idea of corrupting her and taking her as his own.

But he couldn't.

Shouldn't.

"I have a gift for you."

His words were a gasped whisper, spoken only between their shared breath that she had almost missed it, becoming so distracted by his warmth - by his dragon fire.

She blinked slowly, as though she was confused, "for me?"

He smiled at her, kindly. Something so unlike Daemon that even he was struck with the oddity of their circumstances. Still, he nodded.

She frowned, "why?"

His head tilted in sympathy to see his niece so surprised by such an act - "why not? Anything for my favourite niece."

Her eyes widened in surprise, "I'm your favourite?"

He grinned, "who else could it possibly be?"

Her head became down-turned, "everyone knows you love Rhaenyra more."

Her words struck a cord in his heart, is that what she truly believed? "And yet it is you I brought a gift for."

She looked back up at him, her face dead-pan as she spoke, "that is because you already brought her one. This is probably something gifted out of guilt."

She was close to the truth, but not entirely. This was a gift out of guilt for his wreckless thoughts and violent desires, but it was also a token of his devotion. Not that his dear niece needed to know.

He shook his head in turn, "this is so much more."

His hand reached into the pocket of his chest, nimble fingers pulling out the jewel he held so close to his heart as he waited for this moment. Her lips parted at the sight of it, and Daemon was sure he saw unshed tears pool within her eyes.

"That's for me?"

"Just for you."

Her eyes flickered to meet his disbelief, painting her expression - "Daemon," she spoke his name as though it was natural to her, and it sang with melodic delight causing desire to curl in his chest and hum contentedly. "Daemon," she repeated, so sweetly and softly, "I can't accept this."

"Yes you can."

"It is too much. It would not be fair to accept such a prize with nothing given in return."

Mischief raided through his heart as though it was a second nature, it clashed with desire and became pronounced - "then take it in exchange for another promise. A bigger one," his voice dipped, lowering into a whisper, "a dangerous one."

Saenyra didn't let her gaze fall from his, she knew she should deny him and his gift. She should send him from her chambers and pretend nothing had happened, but to have him so close and to see him act so daring, to challenge her so openly - it sparked a burning fire within her, setting her dragon alight - "so, what is it that you want?"

Her words felt like an echo of the ones she had said to him only days ago.

"I guess you shall have to wait and see."

She couldn't help the shy smile that slipped across her face at his echoing words, nor the heated flush that painted her cheeks as she felt him take her hand and slip the ring onto her left hand. It sat snugly on the finger where her future bethrothed's ring would have sat. And a small part of Saenyra, the one so selfish and greedy, knew no other man would have been able to produce a perfect fit for her apart from Daemon.

Saenyra couldn't pull her eyes away from his, she watched as his eyes darkened under her curious gaze. His own glanced towards her lips that she bit anxiously, and a thumb came to brush across it softly as he pulled it out before she could abuse it further.

His thumb sat on the bed of her lip, and he kept her gaze with a new ferocity. She glanced to his now, watching how he wetted his lips under her watchful gaze as his head grew heady with desire.

A knock on the door, loud and harsh, startled her from his grasp. His hand was still outstretched towards her, and his eyes never left her, even as she stood and brushed the gown straight.

Ser Harwin entered the room, a curious gaze passed between the unusual pair, before he focused upon the simmering figure of Daemon Targaryen- "my Prince, the King calls for you. The tourney is to begin."

Daemon lets out a frustrated sigh as he pulls himself to his feet, he walks towards Saenyra and pulls her focus back onto him. He holds the hand bejewelled with a piece of him and presses a longing kiss upon her knuckles - "I hope to see you on the grounds, Saenyra."

She did not get a chance to reply. He turned on his feet and walked out her chambers - not without sharing a sharp glare with Ser Harwin Strong.

After he had left, Saenyra shared a nervous smile with Ser Harwin before he prompted her to get ready as he would send the handmaids to help her. She nodded in agreement, returning to her dresser to brush through her hair, but throughout it all, she was unable to tear away her gaze from the fine ring that adorned her hand.

A flutter sang within her chest, and a traiterous smile and bubbling laugh escaped her as she thought of Daemon's glimmering eyes and bright smile.

***

Daemon had been knocked onto the grounds by Ser Criston Cole, the man was skilled in tourneys but Daemon was better - more experienced.

He launched from the grounds, demanding his sword before slashing and swinging against Criston's flail. He sent a frenzied attack that was oragnised yet doused with the fire of unbridled rage.

He admired the man's strength and his stubbornness, but Daemon was not one to lose.

He had knocked Criston to the ground, Daemon's shield had been shattered to splinters, but he swung his sword with ease, his golden pommel a shining beacon for the girl who owned the original piece.

He turned towards the audience, towards her - cheering and celebrating. He searched for the missing part of his sword in the victorious cries of the Court, in their waving arms and broad smiles. His sword usually felt light in his hand, as though it was an extension of him, but the longer he struggled to seek her out, the heavier it felt.

She had left the tourney before he had even succeeded, she had not waited to celebrate his victory, she had not shared a parting goodbye or stayed for a boisterous celebration.

And with her, she had taken her favour.

Daemon had let his guard down, and Criston had taken advantage of his wavering heart and beat him to the ground whilst his back was turned - the act of a coward, but the rise of a victor.

Daemon yielded.

His eyes closed in frustration as his mind flooded with flashes of her once more - why had she left?

***

Within the walls of the Keep, Queen Aemma's cries sounded loudly. Saenyra had wanted to comfort her mother, but they tore her apart before she could reach her.

They let her mother cry and scream and beg until her last dying breath. And the babe followed shortly after.

Perhaps her mother did not care for her as much as she did Rhaenyra, but Aemma was her mother.

Perhaps the babe would have preferred his eldest sister, the dragon-rider, to his other sister, the timid. But Baelon was her brother.

She had gained the affection of her uncle, but lost her mother and her brother as consequence.

Saenyra felt as though her body revolted in the shadows of a dark and humourous curse, one that took and took and gave so little.

Saenyra stared at the ring Daemon placed upon her finger, her eyes were blank and her face was streaked with tears, her breaths were coming out short and panicked and she tried her best to avoid her mother's gasping breaths, her pleas for a daughter who was absent and not the one who was present, her last tear and her father's wails.

She stared at the ring, and a piece of her - the growing envious beast within - wished she had never accepted the token, believing if she did not, she would still have the half-love of a mother and the possible love of a brother, in place of a displaced infatuation of an uncle.

She wanted Daemon, but she was not sure how.

She wanted Daemon, but she wanted her mother more.

I honestly loved writing this chapter, it was like the words just flowed. I really do hope you guys like it! Please comment, like, and reblog! Every single one is so greatly appreciated <33

I have so many ideas for the next few chapters, I can't wait!!

Taglist: @marihoneywk @ahristata @gracielikegrapes @luanasrta @pet1t3

#daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen smut #daemon x reader #daemon targeryan #daemon targaryen #daemon targeryen x reader #daemon targaryen fluff #daemon targaryen angst #hotd x oc #hotd x reader #hotd fandom #hotd fanfic #hotd #house of the dragon

[yanderambling]

Ohh my goodness, can we get more of crimelord and puppy-like reader, with time jump when the reader is receptive and soaking willingly in crimelord' love and loving them back? 🥰🥰🥰 (A huge time jump i suppose haha) Maybe reader even licks/kisses the once-wounded hand? Wagging their tail? Cuddling crimelord to sleep? Nuzzling? Omg now I have hyperfixation

ahh i’m so glad you enjoyed!! thanks for this prompt, i had so much fun with it! i hope you like this one too <3 (it kinda got away from me a bit lol)

pairing: Crimelord!Yan(gn) x Puppy Hybrid!Reader(gn)

words: ~1.4k

if you'd like to read the original post, you can find it here!

CW: 18+, yandere behavior, referenced past abuse, implied ptsd

As soon as you start warming up to them in any given area, Monty pushes a little more. They always move at your pace, but they just want to get as close to you as possible- they’re gentle but damn persistent.

Earning your trust instantly became their top priority, all their ill business delegated to their inner circle, and they don’t regret it a bit. They revel in watching you relax into your new life, and they take every setback in stride, meeting you with nothing but gentleness and endless praise. It’s infinitely gratifying to see you accept comfort and affection, and they give it to you in abundance.

You can be sure that they'll be petting you whenever they have a free hand, nothing calms yet excites them like the slide of your fur through their fingers, and they can’t get over the domesticity of simply sitting down and running their hands over you like it’s the most natural thing in the world (it is, for them at least). If you start getting closer, cuddling, crawling into their lap, they won’t be functional for the next few hours at least- the proximity alone is enough to make them fear hyperventilation, but the thought that you’re seeking them out for comfort (or even just some kind of entertainment in this giant, empty house) makes them dig their nails into their skin to make sure they don't float outside of their body. Sometimes you feel their grip tighten the slightest bit around the back your neck, their arms pull you a little closer, but when you look up they only meet you with a barely stifled manic grin.

Monty would also love to feed you by hand, they’ll do it for every meal if you let them. Once you’re more comfortable, they’d get a little less careful, letting their fingers slip into your mouth from time to time. The feeling of your teeth and tongue against their skin, so gentle now from when they first felt it, leaves them weak-kneed and lightheaded (if you suck on them even a little, they might just faint).

If you were to express remorse over their scarred hand, it would melt their heart, but they would discourage any guilt you might feel. They actually delight in bearing your mark (if you hurt any of their staff while you were still adjusting, they're lucky if all they left their service with was a scar- they weren’t worthy of even the illusion of your claim). Still, they would never stop you from licking them, they'll always take your “kisses” however you’ll give them (your tongue against their skin feels like the caress of an angel, a pureness they can feel cleansing them within, each motion a sacrament).

The first time you wagged your tail when they entered a room, Monty had to check their camera feeds to be sure it even happened. They had walked downstairs in the morning and greeted you in the living room, where you were most mornings you woke early, when they heard the soft, telltale thud thud of a tail against the couch. Sure enough, when they rounded the corner, there you were- a hesitantly friendly grin on your face as the end of you tail tapped a steady rhythm on the cushion. They nearly choked on the emotions that clenched their chest in that moment, and they felt newly rejuvenated in their quest to earn your love trust. Every time you show that same excitement at their presence from then on, it's all they can do not to melt into a puddle at your feet- and it only gets harder as you grow more comfortable.

They would love to give you a collar. They’d give you options, endless varieties of materials and colors and styles for you to try on- you’d probably have to make a whole day of it. They still feel their pulse pick up whenever they look at the proof of your bond, which you so proudly display (to their staff and the few shopkeeps in their pocket that have been sworn to secrecy to provide essential services, and to let you leave the estate on occasion). They often like to just hook their fingers through it and let their knuckles rest against your neck, a sort of subtle claim that settles some primal part of them, if only slightly.

Monty is a pretty big person, and remarkably strong, so you can bet they’ll be picking you up and carrying you around whenever you’ll let them (once they can stop their arms from going weak and shaky every time they feel your body against their chest). They take immense pleasure in scooping you up from wherever you may be- lounging on the sofa, standing in their garden, sleeping in their bay windows- and just carrying you about with them, or sitting you on their lap and stroking you until you settle into a doze (you’ve spent many evenings splayed across their legs or cuddled tot heir chest while they reviewed reports and receipts). They feel their heart soar every time your weight settles into their arms, so completely at their mercy, so hardened to everyone else yet allowing them your complete vulnerability; they could cry. (They have.)

This would probably take the longest, but Monty would never give up hope of getting you to share a bed with them. They might start by letting you sleep in their bed while they sleep on and watch you sleep from a surprisingly luxurious pullout. The sound of your deep, even breaths is almost enough to calm their racing heart- or maybe it’s actually making it go faster. They can't focus on anything else enough to tell, just knowing that you trust them enough to sleep in their room sends them into a flustered, shivering tizzy. They spend most of those nights obsessively memorizing the outline of your silhouette, struggling to convince themself that it wasn’t a dream (maybe they’ve snuck a few pets in when they just couldn’t hold back any longer, the feeling of your fur against their fingers always making their chest clench so wonderfully they've definitely taken closeup photos of your captivatingly peaceful face in the moonlight).

Once you two make it into the same bed for a night, they can hardly contain themself. You actually get a little worried, watching your sweet master shake and shudder in place beside you, their body sweaty and hot to the touch oh sweet lord you’re touching them but when you ask if they’re okay, they just nod fervently (their mouth is too dry to speak, and they’re fairly certain they wouldn’t be able to formulate words anyhow). They don’t really sleep that night either, and it would probably take them a couple nights to make any more moves forward unless you initiate (and that still would be so delightfully overwhelming).

They would try to hold you, ideally you two would cuddle up as close as you could be without being under each other’s skin (though they might actually prefer that). They would be happy with being the big or little spoon, too. Being curled around you makes them feel like they’re protecting you, like you want them to protect you, and they love feeling every line and curve of your body under theirs. But they would also delight in being wrapped in your arms, feeling your comforting weight around them, your breath against their back, letting themself be vulnerable to you.

It would probably take a couple nights before they get any actual rest in that bed. They’ll relish every second.

Waking up to you feels like a dream, and they always have breakfast delivered to the room so they can watch you lounge about, all rumpled and sleepy as you lazily nibble at the bites they hold to your mouth (so different from the frenzied way you used to gorge yourself, like you thought it might be taken from you and you weren’t sure when you’d get more. Monty intends to hunt down every last person that made you feel that way, and they’ve already made good progress).

They can, and do, spend hours upon hours just watching you- basking in a sunbeam on their sofa, napping in bed, exploring their vast estate- they’re basically always with you even when you don’t know it. The only time you two are apart is when they have to take care of business in person, which is pretty rare but still crushes their soul each time it happens.

But it’s necessary, in their mind, to keep you removed from all the sickness and violence in the world; they’re well-versed in dealing with violence, as they know you are too, and the thought of exposing you to anything of the sort is nauseating. They have a need to protect you from that darkness, to ensure that you never feel even a fraction of the way you’ve felt your whole life. And they do just that.

And, as long as you’ll let them (even if you won’t), they always will.

thanks so much for reading! feel free to send a request <3

check my pinned post~

#yandere x reader #soft yandere #gn yandere #gn reader #criminal yandere #hybrid reader #puppy reader #yandere oc #yandere scenarios #yandere requests #requests open #tw yandere

[dewedup]

would you be so kind as to provide us with a Mountain sick-fic bc I have the Flu and I'm projecting on my tall guy 😔🙏

please enjoy sick!Mount, pack dynamics, tour travel, and a concerned Zephyr 🖤🖤🖤

as per usual a huge and loving thank you to @jimothybarnes for betaing and making me feel like I wrote the next great novel 🥰

(i may or may not have started a part two of possessive mount breaking zeph's heat when he's feeling better, it ties into the ending of this one so if that's something anyone's interested in reading let me know!)

1.8k of fluff, comfort and cuteness below the cut or on AO3 HERE

It starts with a tickle in the back of his throat. Mountain finds himself clearing it periodically throughout the day, but never getting rid of the foreign feeling when he swallows. It’s a small thing though, something he can push to the back of his mind while he focuses on sound checks, travelling and performing- basically everything related to being on tour.

He wakes up a day or two later and feels exhausted. His bones ache, his brain is foggy, the cold grip of a headache approaching from the edge of his consciousness. The tickle has doubled down in its presence, now tender and sore with every breath, word, or swallow. He feels like getting hit by a vehicle on the highway they’re driving down would be swifter and less painful than the illness working its way through his immune system.

He’s like a zombie, sleepwalking through the motions. Luckily, it’s just a travel day, spent moving from their last location to the next venue. He’s stuck on the bus for the entirety of the day, tries to spend time out in the lounge area with everyone else. But Phantom is loud and overly excited, peering through the window in utter delight as he points out the unofficial eighth wonder of the world.

They’re driving past the Grand Canyon, which honestly isn’t that grand, Mountain’s seen bigger canyons in Hell. Being a ghoul of the earth means he’s very fluent in geographic abnormalities, erosion and rocks. Instead of giving Phantom a lesson in his rocky background, which Swiss seems to be anticipating, if the roll of his eyes as he looks at Mountain is any indication, Mountain simply pats Phantom on the shoulder. He mutters good ghoul under his breath, and retreats to the sleeping bunks.

His rest is pitiful, he’s hot and sweaty, then he’s kicking the blankets off only to be greeted with a chill that seeps into his bones, limbs shaking at the abrupt changes in temperature. He never succumbs to complete sleep, lingering in a half-state of lethargy and just feeling poorly.

It might be minutes, hours or days later, when he feels a cool hand press against his forehead. He’s hallucinating now, because it feels like the hand of his mate, the same one that’s still at home, a disgusting amount of distance between them. He knows it’s not real, their sweet scent of licorice and fresh linen doesn’t fill his nostrils. But then again, he’s pretty congested, hasn’t been able to smell anything in the last day and a half.

Mountain whines as the touch moves from his forehead, shifting down to his equally heated cheek and offering the tiniest bit of respite from the fever. He’s sweating again, wants to rip his own skin off to escape the burning inside of him, when a light breeze seemingly appears from nowhere. It dances across his body, giving him the first sense of relief since he laid down in his bunk.

“Pietra,” the demon caressing his face coos, and Mountain truly must have died and went to Hell, because there’s only one soul who calls him the Italian word for stone.

He squints open an eye, meeting the concerned face of his mate.

“Zeph?” Mountain’s voice wobbles, cracking on the singular word, as tears threaten to fall. Zephyr takes a second to assess their situation before climbing right into the bunk beside Mountain, pulling their mate close.

Mountain rests his head on Zephyr’s chest as he lets out a few pathetic sniffles, mainly just feeling sorry for himself.

“We’re at the hotel, love. The others went inside, they didn’t want to wake you. My flight landed early so I’ve been here for a bit, setting up our nest.”

Nest. That’s right, in Mountain’s deteriorated state he forgot Zephyr was scheduled to go into heat any day now. The Ministry opted long ago to pay for a flight for them if Mountain was away, rather than deal with an aggravated air ghoul who would take their frustrations out on the abbey and all who stumbled across their path.

If Mountain let out a few extra tears at the thought of his mate, already on edge from their own rising hormones, putting their needs aside to care for him, well, neither of them speak on it.

Eventually, Zephyr convinces Mountain to leave the safety of the bunk and retreat to their hotel room. It involves a lot of gentle encouragement and a few filthy promises for when he’s feeling better. Mountain can’t smell anything, so he misses the slight bite to Zeph’s scent, the telltale sign of the beginning of a heat that they push down forcibly with sheer willpower, knowing Mountain is in no shape to fulfill their needs at this moment.

They share a bath, slightly hotter than Zephyr would prefer, but the steam helps to clear Mountain’s congested airways and the warmth soothing the aching in his bones. It’s intimate in a nonsexual way, how Zephyr lathers up a washcloth and takes their time rinsing the sweat and sickness from Mountain’s skin.

Mountain’s soon dry and in his pyjamas, a steady hand at the small of his back guiding him to the bed in the centre of the hotel room. True to their word, Zephyr had created a fine nest, bringing blankets from their den at home to create a soft spot for them to connect with each other. Mountain falls into the pile, burrowing his way to the perfect spot and collapsing into the down pillows.

Zephyr seamlessly joins Mountain, wrapping their arms around him in a big spoon position. It is something Mountain usually takes up in their shared bed, but his need for comfort is apparent and Zephyr isn’t too put out by getting to hold their mate in their arms like this.

Mountain falls asleep to the soft hums vibrating from Zephyr’s chest, his own purrs mixing in at the same tempo, every single part of their being made for each other.

_________

Mountain wakes up, lying awkwardly on a couch too small for his big frame. He’s confused, disoriented, and doesn’t remember where he is for far longer than he’d like to admit.

His brain feels foggy, his eyes landing on a bottle of water left on the table in front of him, the condensation having dripped to the table, creating a small puddle of liquid around the container.

The bottle brings back the memory of Zephyr braiding his hair on this very couch, enthusiastically agreeing with Rain as the water ghoul tried to force some cold medication in Mountain’s mouth. He remembers putting up a good struggle, managing to knock Rain back a few steps before Dew intervened. With Zephyr yanking on his hair, tilting his head back and Dew lying on top of him, bodily restraining his movements, Rain was able to slide home a few of the abnormally large pills. Mountain fought valiantly, but Rain pulled a demonic move covering his mouth and pinching his nose until he was forced to swallow, begrudgingly and with a promise of murder in his eyes. 

Apparently, the cold medication was exactly what he needed. While he isn’t at one hundred percent, he feels the best he can remember feeling for the last week. His achy bones are no more, and he can even breathe through his nose a little, picking up the lingering scent of his mate all over his body.

A loud noise from out the hallway catches his attention, and Mountain realizes that he had the best nap of his life in the green room of the venue they were set to perform at tonight.

Except, no one else is hustling around in the usual pre-show panic.

The green room is usually filled with excitement and adrenaline, packed with bodies, as Swiss hogs the mirror to apply his black lipstick. But it’s empty, the remnants of the pre-show hurricane evident.

Mountain hears the opening rift of Kaisarion and bolts up from the couch, looking around wildly for his costume, but it’s nowhere to be found. He can’t believe they didn’t wake him up, what the actual fuck is going on. 

He gets to the side of the stage much quicker than he would have in the state he was mere hours ago, looking out from the wings as his band feeds the energy to the crowd before them.

His eyes shift over his pack, watching as they back up Papa who’s already pandering to the sea of people. A crash of cymbals pulls his attention to the back middle stage, to his drum set.

It’s like a punch to his gut, but in the best way possible, seeing who is undeniably his mate, in his costume, playing his kit.

Zephyr isn’t a small statured ghoul by any means, it’s just that Mountain’s well… Mountainous.

His costume fits his mate poorly, they’ve rolled the arms up, displaying the sleeves of delicate illustrations depicting the fall of Christ, ink woven in their skin that Mountain has spent countless hours admiring. The pant legs bunch up where they fall, too much extra material with nowhere else to go.

Mountain’s heart skips a beat when he realizes Zephyr is shoeless, exactly how he normally performs.

It shouldn’t surprise him that Zeph is a natural, they’ve spent long hours in the rehearsal room with Mountain, watching him work through tricky sections or just putting his own twist on Papa’s work. He’s filled with love, admiration, and just an all-around feeling of mine while watching his mate perform with his pack.

Mountain eventually just settles on the ground of the side stage, sitting cross-legged and just enjoying the show from his secret little viewpoint. He laughs along with the jokes Papa pulls out of his ass, his smile unshakeable as he watches Dew tease Rain from this angle. Swiss is chaotic, he usually only sees him leave his platform from the corner of his eye, unsure of what exactly the multi ghoul gets up to, but now he has his answers. He’s usually so focused on his own performance he doesn’t get the chance to just sit and watch the magic happen, and it is magical, the atmosphere they craft together and the beautiful music they create.

During Miasma, Zephyr opts out of a solo in favour of handing Dew and Phantom a drumstick each. Mountain grins wildly, watching lovingly as Zeph orchestrates with their free hands while keeping rhythm with the kick drum. They encourage Dew and Phantom to bang away at the snare and cymbals, Mountain cringing slightly at the force of some of the hits. A little wear and tear won’t tarnish the memory working its way into the deep recesses of his brain though, as the utter joy and happiness bubbles over into a delighted, trilling laugh when Zeph tosses him a smirk and secret little wave.

#gloom writes #gloom answers #fic request #mountain ghoul #zephyr ghoul #rain ghoul #dewdrop ghoul #swiss ghoul #mountain x zephyr #mountain/zephyr #the band ghost ficlet #the band ghost fanfiction #ghost fanfic

[iftheshoef1tz]

Remember when I asked for prompts? Well, i wrote the first one, as requested (ish) by @krem-does-stuff! I misremembered the prompt, so it’s not quite the “azris first kiss in the rain + eris in a white shirt” requested, but that just means i’ll get to write that one too! I suppose if i write enough drabbles, i’ll put them in a collection on ao3, but for now, it’s tumblr exclusive. Title from a poem by Robert Perry (that i don’t know the name too lmao) shout-out to @queercontrarian for finding the poem.

This is set in the Auld Lang Syne universe, though you don’t necessarily have to have read that one to get what’s going on here. (Long story short: modern music school AU, will-they-won’t-they neris)

my heartbeat and its racing

December in Boston is blustery and wet in the grips of a nor’easter, and the cold wind bites around Eris’s legs, searching for any exposed skin. The stage door of the Boston Opera House is just barely hidden from the rain by a jut of roof, and Eris stands there, nodding and murmuring approving nonsense to musicians as they file through the doors and into the muck.

He’d been left on door duty after the ballet while Feyre went with Rhysand to secure a table at Yardhouse. Lucien and Elain ought to have been here, but Lucien had “something” come up. With exasperation, Eris assumes the thing that came up was Elain’s ass. Lucien isn’t as sly as he thinks he is.

Nesta was supposed to come, too.

It’s mid-December, and she hasn’t spoken to him since his ill-advised attempt to ask her for drinkies. (His thoughts curdle at the memory.) She sits next to him in studio class, her back rigid, the curve of her jaw brutal and tempting. It shouldn’t intrigue him; it shouldn’t make him want her to be angrier, just to see what the explosion would be like.

The stage door opens, and finally, the person he’s been waiting for pushes through.

The top of his cello case bobs as he ducks slightly to make it through the door. Azriel’s hazel eyes widen when he sees Eris standing there, and he hefts his cello higher on his back. “It’s you.”

“Don’t be so excited, Azriel,” he returns dryly.

Azriel flushes. “Didn’t think you were the kind to enjoy ballet.”

“One cannot miss The Nutcracker.” He doesn’t say he has never missed a show except for his stint in Michigan.

Azriel shrugs uncomfortably, his eyes darting over Eris’s face. He’s always like this - a collection of perhaps ten words in a trench coat, more practice hours than personality.

But that’s not quite true, Eris thinks as Azriel steps towards the edge of the overhang. He likes to talk, but he doesn’t pretend to be interested when he’s not. It’s refreshing, if rude.

“It’s my favorite ballet.” Eris blinks, but before he can process Azriel’s words, the other man continues, “They went ahead, I guess?”

Eris nods, leaning back on the wall and facing Azriel. It makes it suddenly so simple to see the way Azriel has stepped closer to Eris than he needs to as he peers out into the rain.

A stray drop of water plops into his face, and Azriel swipes at it, still too close to be casual.

Eris pushes away from the wall, crowds close to Azriel and takes one cheek in his palm. Azriel’s breath gusts over him in a warm cloud, and then Eris is kissing him.

When Eris pulls back, Azriel takes a stumbling, hesitant step towards him. They hover there in that intoxicating, hanging moment, too close and too far away.

He swipes at another drop of rain working its way down Azriel’s cheek. Azriel’s eyes are incredibly bright, and his breath hitches, like he wants to say something. The words stay there, just behind his beautifully white teeth.

His silence tugs at something in Eris’s chest, so he lets himself be pulled back into another kiss. The sleeves of Azriel’s suit are starched stiff, so at odds with the softness of his mouth, the tentative swipe of his tongue against Eris’s lips.

One of Azriel’s hands cups the back of Eris’s head, and for the first time, Eris has the sense that something dangerous is happening. He lets his hands slip down to the bend of Azriel’s elbows, opens his mouth -

Someone clears their throat behind them, and Azriel jumps, crowding Eris closer to the wall and nearly braining him with his cello case as he whirls. “Sorry,” he says breathlessly, and victory crests low in Eris’s stomach.

“Merry Christmas,” is the violinist’s dry response. She nods at them once, and then her umbrella cracks open under the deluge of rain before she disappears into the night.

Placing a hand flat on Azriel’s case, Eris gives him a shove. His head is muddled, even with the space between them. He steps into the watery light of a nearby streetlight, relishing the freezing drops of rain that hit him in the moments before his own umbrella opens.

Azriel is still by the stage door, a sweetly pleased look on his face. Victory and something unbearably hopeful pinches in Eris’s chest again.

He ignores them both.

“Come along,” Eris calls, flipping up his coat collar. He doesn’t look back, but he can hear the patter of rain hitting Azriel’s cello case when he steps into the night.

#azris #eris vanserra #acotar #azriel #fanfiction #azris intensifies

[noforkingclue]

Can I please have a thomas thorne X reader where reader and Thomas are from the same time period and they where married and none of the other ghosts know about it? Thanks.

Note: requests are currently closed

Of course. Hope you like the fic!

Title: Secret Marriage

Ghosts tag list: @violetlucreziastuff, @mxacegrey

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @byebyebreezywrites, @spngingerbread21, @layazul, @lov3vivian, @simonsbluee

“It’s arrived!”

You had never heard Alison sound so excited before. She walked hurriedly into the room waving an envelope. Mike followed quickly behind her and he too looked excited. She sat down on the sofa and drummed her fingers on the letter.

“What’s that?” you asked as you came and sat down on the arm of the sofa

“Well,” she said, “It was Mike’s idea originally.”

“What was?” you asked

“We were watching TV one night,” she said, “And there was one sort of ancestry show on and Mike said-“

“Why don’t we try that for one of the ghosts.” Mike said looking at where he thought you were, although you were sitting on the other arm of the sofa

“Ancestry?” you asked

“You know,” Alison said with a shrug, “Family trees. See if there is anyone related to you who is currently alive.”

By now the other ghosts had come in the room. You felt a feeling of unease settle in the pit of you stomach and you made eye contact with Thomas. He too looked slightly nervous but Pat said,

“Ah brilliant idea Alison. Whose family tree have you got in there?”

“Well,” said Alison, “It was a bit tricky on deciding who to do first. These things aren’t cheap. In the end we decided to do Y/n.”

“Me?” you asked, surprised

“Oh how wonderful,” said Kitty, “Oh please do me next Alison. Please, please, please.”

“We’ll see.” Said Alison

You bit your lip nervously as she pulled the paper out. You looked down at your fingers as she read through the papers.

“Mother and father’s name,” she muttered, “Siblings. Didn’t know you had any?”

“Didn’t really get on with them.” You said

Alison was silent for a second. Then she said,

“Y/n, there’s something here that I-“

She trailed off and looked up at you. Mike frowned and looked over at the results.

“Says here she was married.” He said

That’s when the room exploded.

“You were married,” said Pat, “Why didn’t you tell us, love?”

“Secret lover I bet,” said Julian with a wink, “Mummy and Daddy didn’t approve.”

“All I can say is that I hope he was respectable,” said Fanny sternly, “But if you kept it a secret from us I don’t have much hope.”

Mike, who couldn’t hear the uproar, said,

“Thomas Thorne? Isn’t that-“

As quickly as the shouting start it stopped. Everyone was looking at you and Thomas and you put you head in your hands. Thomas stood up and put a hand on your shoulder.

“Who were married?” asked Pat, “Why didn’t you tell us? None of us knew.”

“Tell yourself that.” Grunted Robin

“You knew?” barked the Captain, “Then you should’ve informed us of this development.”

“Thoughts everyone knew.” Said Mary

“Kind of obvious.” Said Humphrey from the table

“But, why didn’t you tell us?” said Alison and you winced at the hurt in her voice

“It’s just…” you trailed off and looked at Thomas for help

“We didn’t mean to,” said Thomas, “It just, never came up.”

“I died suddenly,” you said, “Illness. Fanny was right about one thing, my parents did not approve of Thomas.”

“I can see why.” Fanny interrupted

“But we were happy,” you said, “You hurt no idea how much it hurt me to see him come back. I was stuck, dead, and he was alive. When he died-“

You broke off again and closed your eyes. Thomas squeezed your shoulder reassuringly and you rested your head against him.

“I was delighted to see y/n again after so long,” Thomas said, “But at the same time to brought up so much pain. We just-“

“Never mentioned it.”

You looked up and smiled at Thomas. You stood up and said,

“Excuse me, I think I need some time alone.”

As you walked out of the room Pat approached Thomas.

“Will she be alright? Shouldn’t you go after her.” he asked

“Give her time,” Thomas replied, looking at where you had disappeared to, “And when have known someone as long as I have you know when it’s best to give those you love space.”

“So,” Mike said to Alison, “What exactly has happened? Two of the ghosts were (are?) married?”

#fanfiction #bbc ghosts #reader insert #request #thomas thorne #thomas thorne x reader

[j1rosan]

mine. || chishiya shuntaro

the alarm clock went off as you stand up from the bed and went to your child's room. you notice the continuous coughing of your child, bringing out the thermometer from the drawer and put it in between his armpits. when the reading is done, the results was 103°F (39.4°C), it made you worried. it's already 6 o'clock in the morning, you called your boss that you'll be off duty since your son is severely ill.

you went off to get a washcloth from the drawer and placing a cool, damp water in your son's forehead. you proceeded to the kitchen to make a okayu (japanese rice porridge), so that he can feel better after taking a spoon. it was hard for you to become a single mom, there are days when you can't fall asleep since your son is wide awake. tiredness went all over your body, your sleeping schedule has been broken ever since you gave birth to your son. he was well-behaved and acts like his father sometimes.

chishiya shuntaro. the name you wouldn't forget after leaving you. to be honest, it's either his fault, you didn't tell him about your situation and at the same time he broke you off after he said he'll be way more busy and will have no time for you. after making a porridge for your son, you made him sit up for you to feed him.

"just rest, okay? let's go to the clinic tomorrow!" you said with a smile in your face. your son nodded in response and went back to sleep.

####

10/21/17

it’s been years since you and chishiya had been together. the thoughts of getting married and having a child. it was just like yesterday when both of you got chosen as the class president and the vice president. chishiya is the president while you’re the vice, both always together for the projects that was assigned to the both of you.

chishicat are you down for a drink?

yeunie♡ yeah sure!

a big smile formed in your face, the excitement that you couldn’t stop, a hint of red blush in your cheeks. chishiya is a type of person who doesn’t like to show affection in public, but in private he surely do like to play with your hair. he likes to show his emotion in different kinds of way.

08/10/18

college has become tougher as days goes by, you don’t even remember the times you and chishiya spent alot of time together. not gonna lie, you miss it. both of you rarely see each other lately, no text or calls at times. atleast just for once, you want to see his face again, maybe for motivation.

2 weeks has already passed by, no sign of chishiya could be seen. you already texting him or calling but he never answers. you understand that being a med student is more harder, have strict schedules, and they barely sleep at all. minds won’t stop working 24/7 without seeing chishiya. you are worried that he might not be taking care of himself. but what’s more is the mood swings you’ve been having these days, is my period coming?

you texted him again and waited. no replies or calls you have received.

11/09/18

positive. it had two lines.

the pregnancy test made you think it’s fake. you tried so hard to calm, a baby is in your stomach. your feelings are messed up, chishiya is not there and you have no friends to talk about it, kuina is there but you don’t want to disturb her.

okay let’s think positive and not let myself be stress for the baby.

01/10/19

“let’s end it”

that’s the first thing he said when he agree to meet up with you. your thoughts are bewildred, devastated, and angry. while you’re still busy standing there, chishiya has already left you and went back to his work. tears flow down in your face as you put your hands in your belly.

the baby. what should i do?? when you’re back to reality, chishiya is already gone. mind has still not yet done processing over what just happened, you were excited to tell him. the cold air brushed through your skin, the start of your year has gone bad. amout of time has been wasted, crying for hours and still in bed in sore.

in the end, you told it to kuina and helped you for the medications. she defended you so many times. the protection she gave to you made you feel relax.

“i’ll be the best aunt that baby could have!” she said as both of you walk through the hallways.

she made your worries thrown away so that you could focus on your studies. the patients she have sometimes puzzeled you. she always there for you and you’re happy.

★☆★☆

the following day, you took your son to a nearest hospital, sakurazaka university hospital. you went to the lobby for an appointment, they said to wait for your name to be called out. the receptionist told the direction of the pediatrics department, you gave a sign of thanks to the lady and made way to the area. both sat on the comfy chair as you both waited to be called out. your son was sleeping in your lap whilst you caressed his hair.

after an hour waiting, a nurse came to you.

“sorry, but the doctor you were supposed to meet suddenly had a emergency to go, but we can appoint you to another doctor who is available at the moment” the nurse said with a apologetic look.

“it’s okay! we can appoint to another doctor!” you said with a smile on your without knowing who the doctor was.

“um.. then, this way please..” the nurse said as she took us to the room.

“please wait for the doctor to enter!” she said as she bow and left the room.

both of you sat at the chair. a message notified, you check it was kuina.

hkwuin darling, is the baby ok? just don’t go to sakuraza university hospital ok?

yeunie why not?

hkwuin let’s just say that your ex is working there :))

the text you just received made you feel so anxious about the thought of facing the guy who broke you off few years ago.

door clicks open indicating that the doctor is already here. you’re still not yet ready to face him but at the same time, you don’t want to look coward. you looked up, he is still handsome as ever but a major change of his face. he looks so soft.

“y/n onikuma” the voice you can’t help but melt.

“yes?” you said with a steady voice.

“how long has it been when he got his fever?” he asked.

“it just happened yesterday” you smiled

“can you describe the symptoms that he had?” you could feel his eyes on you.

“his body sometimes aches alot, had headaches, his cough keeps getting worse, and have a stuffy nose” you said you caressed his hair once again because his still sleeping.

“what’s the color of his phlegm?”

“itch shometimes yellow!” the kid said while trying so hard not to fell asleep.

“would you let me hear your heartbeat?” he asked, as he passed by and went to your son.

“listen to me. inhale and exhale” he said while doing the gesture. he stands up after checking your son. he picked up a small cup in his drawer.

“i’ll be needing a urinalysis for your child and blood test to see his blood sugar.” he said

“please come back when you’re done” after he said that, you take your son to the bathroom and explain to him on what to do.

blood test? what do he need a blood test? urinalysis is enough to see, right? did his allergy triggers the flu?

the amount of questions flooded through your brain. your son came back after it and gave you the cup, cleaning it first before giving it to nurse. another test are needed so you went back to the office. chishiya was there standing as he get ready for the blood test, his hands with an injection made you shiver.

“you’re back”

“y-yes..” you stuttered.

“please sit down from here” he calmly said, trying so hard not to scare the child.

“would it urt?” your son ask,

“yes, but it would be real quick” he assured the child.

“just hold on to me and it will be okay, if you want you could close your eyes” you said to him, trying to loosen him up.

“please sit back and relax. inhale and exhale” he said, as repeated it.

“i’ll be injecting it now” he announced. without a second, he injected it and sucked the blood, chishiya quickly covered it with cottons after removing the injection from the forearm. your son tried so hard not to cry from the injection.

“please wait for the results outside” he said, fixing his things and ready to give the blood to the nurse.

“sure” you smiled but a phone ring interrupted the situation. his eyes were on you, observing the way you move around the room.

“i’ll be on my way now” you mouthed and gently pull your son outside the room.

“what?” you answered.

“what hospital did you went to?”

“sakurazaka university hospital! and wait- i was already here before you even texted me about it !! okay”

“so? what happened?” she curiously asked.

“nothing! just a normal doctor and patient examination” you said

“really?” she doubted.

“yes!? now will you please stop and just come here” you said with a irritated voice.

“sure sure! but i’ll go there hour later because maybe i might interrupted something” she said said, giggling.

“the fuc-” she ended the call.

“mom! i’m hungry!” you son called out.

“sure, i’ll buy you anything! what do you want??” you asked, a cute smile plastered in your face because of the cuteness of your child.

“i want dango! onigiri! and taiyaki!” he said with a cute smile.

“i’ll buy it for you okay? just stay right there!” you said and walked away but you still look back wanting to see that he is okay alone.

★☆★☆

you’re done buying stuffs that your son wanted, but sadly dango is not there so only onigiri and taiyaki are available. when you are close to your son, you saw another figure talking with him. the white blond hair man, he saw you and stands up from his seat.

“thank you for checking up for my child” you thanked him.

“ryutaro” he give him a smile before going back to his office. he explained the medication he need to use and the things that he shouldn’t eat for awhile. chishiya gave us the result, thank god his sugar level is far from diabetes.

“thank you. let’s go home” you said, and went first to the cashier to pay the bills, without a doubt that someone already paid the bills.

“oh no, it’s okay you can go home already!” she said, a hint of a smirk in her face. you fadely walk away from the entrance of the hospital.

“thanks mira” chishiya said as he looks at you.

“be grateful that you have a friend that will support you even though you’re the one who hurt her!” mira scoffed at her friend’s shameless act.

“so, did you get the results already?” she said, curious of the outcome.

“the dna test results has still yet to come” he said, before leaving mira alone in the lobby.

“i know for sure that he’s your child. his eyes is like yours” mira reassured, chishiya just smirked at her and walk off.

★☆★☆

it’s been a week and your son is back to school. late nights have increase after a week of your absents, more works has given to you. sometimes you’re more worried at your son than yourself. he always waits for you patiently whenever you’re late, he said that he understand. and it’s also been a week since your child mention about a guy who always plays with him and walk him home.

“darling, would you like to tell me his name” you asked kindly.

“no! he said i can’t say it to you!” he said while pouting.

“c’mon! you’re siding with that stranger rather your mom!” you whined.

“he is not stranger tho! neither a acquaintance” he said smiling at you.

“is it tatta?” you asked,

“no!”

“arisu?” you guessed again.

“no!”

“then who?”

“that blonde boy!” he shouted out of frustration.

blonde boy? chishiya?

the moment you know who is he, you started doubting that he knows but a part of you knows that chishiya isn’t easily fooled by an excuse so maybe he knows already.

“what did the blonde boy did to you?”

“he asked about you a lot!! he even asked if you’re doing fine or not! he is a good guy! he also told me that if ever you knew him, go to the place where you first met!” he said jumping around the bed with a smile on his face.

“what else did he say?”

“nothing but he always treat me food!! and.. and.. he also give me a new toy!!” he grabbed a stuff toy with his tiny little hand and show it to me.

a cheshire cat

“he said i look like a cheshire cat but tiny version” he said as he giggles.

“do you like him?” you asked curiously.

“yeah!! i want him to be my dad!!” a cute smirk plastered in his face like his dad.

“you act like your dad sometimes” you whispered it to yourself.

“mommy!! here!! he wants to give it to you!!” holding a small paper with a cute cat attached to it.

===

the shade of the lamp glows around the dark room, it was already night time. your son has already fall asleep after hours of playing, with all the reports and papers given to you for the past few weeks, his cute smile is your medication. you’ve been doing a good job as a mother.

sound of the door creaks as it closed quietly. your gut is telling you to read it but you don’t want to. you went back to your own room and lay down to your bed. for about 30 minutes, you’ve been shuffling around the bed. it’s not that you’re curious about something, it’s just that you couldn’t fall asleep. with no doubt, you gave up on your pride and read the note.

let’s meet me at our usual spot. — c.s.

crumbling the paper and throw it out to the trash can. you don’t why you did it, it just your instincts. after curing your curiosity, you have fall asleep not so peacefully.

★☆★☆

it has been a week since that happened, you’re gladly that ryutaro still doesn’t know about the fact his father is shuntaro chishiya. but there will be no day where you weren’t stress, and right now it’s raining as hell. you looked up at the sky, guessing that it wouldn’t stop.

why does it have to rain now? my son is left alone in the school!

a few minutes passed, a car stopped infront of you as they honk, making you jumped. the window rolled over revealing your son.

“hi mom!!” he was waving at you with a smile.

you look towards the driver’s seat, chishiya shuntaro. he fetch ‘your’ son, you were about to rambled but was interrupted.

“w-why a—”

“just get in the car, i’ll drive you home” he said while opening the passenger’s seat for her. you climbed and sit.

the drive from home was awkwardly silent. no one dares to speak up except from your son who is busy playing. neither both of you wants to take the move first. eyes only focus on the side view mirror to avoid having eye contact with him but the feeling of being stared at gives you chills.

“mom! look what i’ve draw!” your kid, standing up from the seat while holding up his drawing as he lean in to let you see.

“wow! so cute but who’s that g..uy?” you asked, eyes knitted in confusion.

“oh! it’s dr. chishiya! he is now part of the family!” those words made you freeze for a moment before looking at chishiya, who is smirking at those phrase.

“why though?”

“mm.. he’s always there to pick me up! his face looks kind of similar to me! plus.. plus i want him to be my dad!” those word made you stunned. you can feel the stare of chishiya with his smug smirk.

“really? i can make it real” chishiya responded while you’re too busy to know what’s going on.

“home is near. clean up your mess, taro” you said, while ignoring the man’s stare with that smirk.

===

picked up your child from the seat as you put him in the ground and started walking towards your house. you don’t look back to see him there, you can feel him staring at you. trying your best not to stumbled on the way.

“taro is sleepy!” he announced, giving a sign to carry him. you carried him with his bag.

“wanna help?” he shouted.

“no! no need to!” you said and continue walking.

★☆★☆

work is overload with paper, stressed out from getting scold at. you came back with a unexpected visitor.

as you walk towards your house, a voice you clearly heard a couple years ago is in your house, having a good time with your son. the laughter and small talks, it was really lovely but.. why does it feel so irritable. opening the door, you saw both of them cuddle at each other as they play. the bunny smile that you once missed showed up from your home.

“mom! you’re back!” he said, getting untangled from chishiya’s and running towards you, a hug was presented.

“what is he doing here?” you asked him, the awfully good minute of staring at him.

“i let him in!” he said as you slowly went to your room, trying to hide like a coward. your son run towards the person while you’re in room.

standing infront of the mirror, you touch the necklace in which chishiya gave to you in your first anniversary. mind going crazy over the fact he is here again, close to you, at your home. in a minute, you were to engrose with a thought to the point you didn’t notice him entering the room. only when he puts his hands around your waist and snuggle on your neck. cold air hits you like a bullet shot through you. it was too fast. the touch you missed, the warmth you’ve been craving for years is back again, arms wrapped around you like he doesn’t want to lose you again. you don’t want to hurt again, you tried to get away from his touch but he make it sure that he will not let you go again like what he did back then. to him, it’s a mistake.

“um.. can you please let go?” you tried getting away from him.

“i... i.. i’m sorry”

“just let go” avoiding the eye contact in the mirror. you look away, so that he wouldn’t see how weak you are when his around. you don’t to fall again to the same man who broke your heart.

“please.. i’m sorry!” he was now crying in your shoulder. you were looking at him in the mirror and you can see the sincerity in his action.

“let’s go back to where we started.” you said, both of you are now staring at each through the mirror.

“let’s restart our book and began a new chapter” a tiny hope has made chishiya smiled with ease. you just gave him a nod and he let go as he kissed you in your cheeks.

“meet me at our usual spot, yeah?” he said, before walking out the door.

after chishiya left, you suddenly fell down to your knees. a sudden heart beat made you feel so bewildered and confused on what’s happening to you. you promised to yourself but you broke it off. while you’re still spacing out at your room, your son enter happily with his toys.

“mom! mom! is it true!! that dr. chishiya is my father??” a cute eyes staring at me.

“did he tell you that?” asking calmly

“he kinda did tho! he gave me this piece of paper!!” he said while waving the paper in his hands. you snatched it from him, only to realize what it is.

the result of a dna test.

“that’s the proof that you are his child, darling” you said, caressing his face while smiling happily at him.

★☆★☆

every single day, chishiya would fetch you in the morning to have a breakfast near his hospital and take you to your office after. he mostly courting you at the moment, but your son was enjoying every moment that both were doing. a normal family.

as the years passed by, you accepted chishiya and move to his house. ryutaro has to change school because of that but he wouldn’t careless ‘cause he has a dad already.

both got married after awhile. kuina and ann was very kinda moody but happy at the same time while arisu is overly happy because he always wanted to see you in that dress and proud to be his artificial brother. mira was there too, clapping happily.

“let’s have another one again” he whispered within your lips.

“oh shut up!”

both giggled at each other until the wedding ceremony has ended. they had a wonder and twisted life they have to began with.

THE END.

© iaminlovewithnijiro ; tiktok (imagines, povs)

it’s my first fanfic.

#chishiya x reader #chishiya shuntaro #shuntaro chishiya #chishiya alice in borderland #aib chishiya #chishiya x you #chishiya fanfic #chishiya ff #chishiya imagine

[themuselesswriter]

A Mad Queen for a Mad King - Chapter 6: Unwanted Guest

Characters: King George, Queen Charlotte, Brimsley, Reynolds, Original Female Character

Summary: George reconnects with an old childhood friend, although him and Reynolds are excited to have her, Charlotte and Brimsley have other thoughts.

Word count: 1700+

Warnings: none

A/N: Hi guys! It's me again with another oneshot unhinged collection! Feel free to write down your requests, I have muse! and I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! P.S. AI might've helped me writing the letters and some chapters are less edited than the rest.

Credits: photos from Pinterest, editing app is Picsart

---------------------------Teaser------------------------

George had been on his nerves lately, he was pacing around, mumbling whenever Charlotte caught a glimpse of him, he preferred his solitude rather than her company, it began ever since he heard the news of his mother's illness, he had been quite distressed, regardless of what Charlotte said or did.

His odd behaviours caused Charlotte to feel anxious as well, at first, she thought he was going to have an episode, but it never came, she suspected that he was going through an episode but he seemed sane enough, then one day, she sneaked into his observatory and went through his papers and found letters, strange letter that seemed to be written by a woman.

My dearest George,

Pray accept my humble salutations, and may this missive find you in the finest of spirits. I pen this epistle laden with heartfelt remorse, beseeching your gracious pardon for my untimely absence and regrettable inability to partake in the sacred union of your nuptials, as well as the subsequent array of festivities that ensued. Yet, tidings reached my ears of Princess Augusta's ailing constitution, for though her grace may not always have exuded warmth, her profound affection for you, akin to the depth of your devotion, remains indelibly etched in our collective hearts. Her regal maternal presence remains a cherished treasure to us all. I implore you, dear friend, how fares your own well-being amidst these tumultuous times? Undoubtedly, the weight of conflicting emotions and the shattering of your worlds must be an arduous burden to bear. Is there aught within my power to alleviate your distress?

With all the ardour of affection,

Matilda

The trail of messages continued, the more Charlotte read the more threatened she felt, she asked many of Matilda, but no one seemed to know her, or perhaps they wished not to tell the Queen of her, she assigned Brimsley to learn of her but all he heard that she used to stay with George, she would come and go, until the news of his marriage to Charlotte, then she disappeared and she has been gone since.

Today at breakfast, George seemed odd, he was not his usual upset self, he was anxious but the good kind of anxious, the excited kind, when Charlotte asked of the reason, he told her he was expecting visitors.

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#original character #bridgerton #queen charlotte #king george bridgerton #king george iii #king george x reader #reynolds #brimsley #ao3 fanfic #fanfics #museless fanfic #ao3 #queen charlotte and king george #queen charlotte a bridgerton story