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everydayyoulovemeless · 21 days

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FO4 companions attempting to give Sole a haircut but they fuck it up really bad? I just got back from a horrible hairdresser visit and I need the cope

Fo4 Companions Accidentally Giving Sole A Bad Haircut

➼ Word Count » 0.8k ➼ Warnings » None ➼ Genre » Platonic/Romantic, Hurt/Comfort? ➼ A/N » It's been a few months since you've requested this so I'm praying you're feeling better now!

You know MacCready messed something up when he begins chuckling nervously, rests a shaky hand on your shoulder, and starts talking way more than usual. He tries to stall you looking in the mirror for as long as possible but, when you eventually do, he’s biting his fist in awkwardness. He won’t lie, this is not his best work, but he never promised perfection. Nevertheless, he feels awful for what he’s done and will let you wear his hat to cover it until it grows back.

Nick will tell you flat out when he messes it up. He'll sigh apologetically, saying he should've just waited to have Ellie cut it or, I don't know, taking you to Kathy and John's Super Salon, right across the street from his agency. He doesn't do anything more to it and takes you straight to the salon to see if you can't salvage it. He feels awful about it, and will never touch your hair again.

Cait knows she isn't going to do a good job with it, but she doesn't tell you that and agrees to cut it anyway. Normally, when she wants to cut her hair, she'll just take any shape object she can get a hold of and start chopping away, and that's exactly what she does with you. She'll sit you down, pull out a pocket knife, and slice whole chunks off at a time. The worst part is that she's got no shame in it.

Preston will gasp quietly and cover his mouth with his hand. He refuses to move and will just stand there, completely still until you ask him what's wrong. He doesn't even know where to begin telling you how badly he's messed up and will instead, just apologize, rest his hands on the back of your shoulders, and rub reassuring circles into them with his thumbs. There are plenty of generals who don't have good hair! Nothing to fret over!

Codsworth will let out a silent 'Oh dear' and turn his buzzsaw off. Eventually, he'll begin reminding you of a separate time when you'd come back from the barber with you're hair all fucked, before explaining that he did exactly that. He tries to be light-hearted about it, but he's just as devastated as you are, possibly even more. He's a Mr. Handy, for Godsake! And he can't even do the basics!

Piper isn't even subtle about it. She'll just immediately begin comparing it to Atomites she's met through investigative journalism. She'll tell you that she's just giving you the 'wasteland special' and you shouldn't feel too upset about it. There are loads of people with this style! So, cheer up! It'll grow back!

Curie doesn't even realize she's messed anything up. In her opinion, any hairstyle any person has looks good. She doesn't quite understand the emotional attachment many people have toward it and just cuts it really short to help with mobility and whatnot. When you explain it to her, however, she starts to feel really guilty and will apologize nonstop.

Strong will just shave you bald. Now you look like him! What's there to be upset over? No support whatsoever from him.

Hancock will also just cut it with his knife, although, he's a lot more sympathetic than Cait. He'll hug you out of remorse and tell you it could be worse. You could be a ghoul and have no hair at all! Look at him! He can't even grow hair anymore so, don't feel too bad about it, alright?

Deacon will immediately fall to the ground in a squat, head in his hands as he simultaneously tries not to laugh or cry. He's cut his own hair so many times before with no issue - he cuts everyone in the Railroad's hair! - and it shatters him to know that he messed up on a craft he thought he perfected. He's supposed to be good at this! After a moment, he'll stand again and find you a wig in his collection for you to keep until your hair grows back. At least now the two of you can be wig buddies? Yay?

X6-88 will hum in defeat when he's messed it up before saying that he told you you should've gone to someone who actually knows how to cut hair. He can't comfort you for shit and probably just blames you for asking for help from someone who can't cut hair.

Old Longfellow knows how to cut hair. So, if he's messed it up, it means he was drunk. But, hey! Now you have a story to tell the folks at The Last Plank! So, he'll take you straight there so you can, hopefully, drink it off and laugh with the other regulars about it. No harm done!

Gage will tell you straight out that he's fucked it up badly, but he's not that concerned with it. If you seem upset, he'll just shrug and tell you it's not as bad as some of the other raiders in this place. If it bothers you that much, though, he'll get you a helmet for you to wear for the time being. It's safer for you anyway.

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wolven91 · 7 days

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Drifting - Part 6

There were *always* reminders that Casper was not amongst humans.

If a human child annoyed a parent, did something mildly wrong or endangered themselves, it was common for their offending hand to receive a slight swat. It was never meant to be enough to hurt the child or even sting. It was meant to be a sudden negative sensation that caught the child's attention and instilled an understanding not to do something.

However, when Casper reached up, wormed his fingers underneath his hairline to scratch at the itch that was burning his scalp, the geckin hairdresser merely poked the human's offending hand with her short, but still sharp claw as she would a geckin child. It felt like being pricked with a needle and had the young man whip his hand away as an instinct.

"Stop touching it." She ordered.

To be fair to her, she had spent ample time already ensuring that the wig was correctly set and Casper, worrying it, was threatening to undo her efforts.

"It's itchy." Casper complained, looking down at his fingers where a jewel of bright red blood had appeared on the side of his finger. Human flesh was not as protective as geckin scales. Already, he had picked up a myriad of small scratches, scabs and even scars; just from interacting with the other aliens amongst the stars and their sharp claws. He put the finger to his lips and ensured that the bright red liquid wouldn't stain anything.

"It's not itchy, now hold still." The black geckin ordered again, focused on her work as she applied make up to the young man's face. He watched in the mirror as the darkened patches around his eyes were brought back to a lighter shade, something resembling what he looked like when the human had first arrived.

"Why is it blonde? I had brown hair..." Casper asked, frowning at the mirror and the lightning yellow hair that topped his scalp.

"Just be glad there was even a wig of this type on the planet, we didn't have options *human*." Snapped the artist. She glanced back to the mirror, then back to his face, squinting. Appraising him.

A picture of his face as it was, was attached to the mirror that the stylist referred to often. It was supplied by the planet's administration so the geckin knew what she was aiming for with the wig and makeup. Casper merely sat in silence as his pale skin was returned to a healthier pinker shade. He'd changed a lot.

He had mildly expected her to overdo it, or make him look silly, but since it was the government demanding a stylist, apparently, she was very skilled at her craft, and it was evident in her work. Before long, Casper looked like a healthy human again. The young man remembered briefly, that this was what he was supposed to look like.

"Right! Is he ready?" Demanded a voice from the doorway, as it opened the same moment the voice spoke.

"As he can be..." The geckin mumbled, glancing from his face to his reflection. "He's so pale..."

"Ah he's fine! Fighting fit! Aren't you?" Demanded the voice.

Casper whispered a 'thanks' to the stylist who only shrugged and began packing her plethora of equipment away. The young man stood and found a government official in the doorway, stood atop a bipedal platform that was adorned with the government seal on the very front. The young man had no idea who this guy was, but the geckin was looking to him expectantly.

"Of course. Fit as a fiddle." Casper retorted, wiping his hands down the front of his outfit. It was of fine make, the materials felt expensive, but the fit was off. Made by alien hands who worked around the strange dimensions of the clothes they were making. It was obvious the tailer, albeit skilled, had biases. It was tight across the shoulders, a tailhole in the trousers had been hastily stitched up after being left in. It felt like the legs were overly tight on his thighs, but then drowned his calves in loose material.

Still, he wasn't expected to wear this getup for long. Long enough to fool someone. Just enough to get the GC off both his back and the geckin administration's. As Casper approached, the newcomer backed out of the room and began walking, gesturing for the far taller human to follow.

"Okay, so I know we've gone over this already, but one last time from the top." The diminutive alien demanded. Casper caught up and mentally went through the checklist. He all but physically ticked off his fingers as he spoke.

"The GC are checking up on me. Making sure I'm healthy and happy. I don't know this. I am to act 'mildly surprised' that they're calling. If they mention the fact the other humans are missing, I'm to be shocked and ask if they are okay. If they offer one of these new guardians or their program, I 'naturally' suggest assigning Qik, as she and I have become good friends and she's been looking after me." Casper summarised succinctly. "Happy, healthy, not using giant mechs."

"Excellent, don't forget to do that tooth thing. Lots of that tooth showing thing." The geckin continued, not looking back to Casper as they approached another door. Smiling, the geckins, nor the lopeljacks smiled. They weren't apes, teeth were a threat display to them, but they knew and understood that Casper smiling was a 'good' thing, at least his handlers did. The young man blinked, thinking back to when he had last smiled.

Three weeks ago? Qik had told him about a joke in the mess hall. He didn't go to the mess hall now.

The door they approached opened and the room beyond was revealed to contain a whole geckin media team, sat at various chairs, all with consoles that connected via wires to a lone console that sat in front of a backdrop and an empty chair, both sized for a human. The image of the backdrop was one of an ample living room with a 'lived in' feel. Tasteful mess spoke of a comfortable occupant. The layout looked somewhat like Casper's own living quarters, but his were still almost unused. Most nights he got home, fell into bed, then woke and left in the morning. The only 'used' part of his room was the bed and maybe the bathroom.

Blinking, he corrected; his kitchen counter had several empty nutrient slurry bowls, stacked several high.

Qik was sulking in an unused corner, her own personal thunder cloud keeping everyone away from her. The significant frown on her face broke briefly when she gave Casper as a smirk lifted her features before her face dropped again. It wasn't hard to guess why she was angry; she was dressed ridiculously, at least for her. He resisted the urge to itch under the stupid wig as he crossed the room.

In the few weeks that Casper had known Qik, she had never been one for wearing anything other than her Nerve-Suit, a leather jacket with merc patches stitched into the arms and back or a mechanic's jumpsuit to protect her brown fur from oil whilst she worked on her own rig. The bright white material that currently clung to her arms and legs, was out of the ordinary, not to mention that the fabric leotard that covered her body left little to the imagination. It gave her a very 'feminine' appearance, despite Qik being far from the stereotype. This was all covered, by strips of see-through silk that hung down off her body from around her neck, the material rippled in unseen air currents. It gave her a very clean, bright look, despite her face looking like she'd eaten a bee recently.

Casper joined her in the corner while the official went over to speak with one of the media team in hushed and hurried tones.

"You okay?" The young man asked the brooding figure.

"I hate wearing this shit." Qik snapped, glowering at the geckins who obviously had a hand in her current state. Casper glanced up at her and noticed a red dot had appeared around jewellery that had not been in her ears the day before. He touched his own ear and cleared his throat.

"You're bleeding. Haven't seen you with jewellery before." He said, adding his observation casually. She looked good.

"Course you haven't! I'm not taken." She snorted, pulling a tissue with red dots already on it and reached up to dab at her ear.

"Taken?" Casper asked, his brow furrowing. He knew so little of her, despite spending weeks under her tutelage.

"If you see a lopel with jewellery in the ear, it means they're not available. They.." she said, nodding to the geckins. "Say it makes me more appealing to the GC. Hurts like a bitch."

"Huh, you never had a piercing?" The human asked, mildly shocked this was new for her. She seemed so world travelled, he would have expected something like a piercing as a minimum.

"Obviously I have. If a contract needed me to sneak in somewhere, I'd use jewellery to pretend I'm one of the 'safe' ones. You know? Keep my ears up, act like I have a single braincell?" She explained, tilting her hand as if it was a normal conversation to talk about what amounted to espionage.

Casper couldn't resist grinning and adopted her stance, leaning against a wall, arms cross, one foot up for balance.

"You're going to need to explain all this before I join your merry band." Casper pointed out, the lopel to his left rolled her eyes and Qik sighed dramatically before speaking. Her tone was of a teacher, she wasn't being harsh with him, she was just on edge.

"Lopels with tall straight ears are non-combatants, they're the ones that have never had a hard day in their life. It's hard for someone like me, to re-straighten their ears once they droop. Without ear braces, I mean. Guards and security will look closer at lopels with dropped ears, like mine." Qik explained, briefly lifting one of her ears between two fingers. It appeared as if the ears had no cartilage in them and hung loose and low, completely floppy.

"Stress is the factor. It can be any kind of stress but get shot at enough times and your ears just fall one day. That's when most mercs switch from social covert contracts to overt contracts." She finished, waving a hand as if dismissing the subject. Casper had spent enough time with Qik now to have learnt he would only receive insults if he pressed the subject and merely filed the information away for later.

"Remember what we talked about." Qik whispered suddenly, straightening, and uncrossing her arms. Casper nearly asked her why she'd remind me now, when the geckin high commander walked in and room went still.

AS the same for all geckins of status, she too had a bipedal platform, but it made nary a whisper as it turned the corner into the room. How Qik had heard her, even with her oversized ears, was lost to Casper.

"Right. The call is due any minute. We ready?" The high commander demanded in a cold tone, looking over the room once before peering at the human and lopel together. She looked like any other geckin, only with black and purple stripes across her scales.

"We are." Qik replied, stepping away from Casper. She was distancing herself from him. He had to do this on his own. Casper mentally disconnected himself from his nerves, from his fear, just how Qik had shown him how to do it in combat.

"I need a quick word." The young man started with a firm tone, holding his stare with the commander. The black and purple geckin narrowed her eyes and bared her teeth. Not a smile by any stretch. The entire room went silent as all eyes were on him and everyone held their breath.

"I wish to talk about a contract." He explained curtly.

"Is now the-" The commander attempted to dodge, but the budding new pilot had been coached about how they would attempt to avoid dealing with him when he was holding all the cards.

"Now is perfect. I am striking when I have the most control. Any time after this and the geckin government has the upper hand. The GC are about to ask if I'm happy. I'll be happy if I have a duplicate of Qik's contract. Your next mission is mine as well as Qik's, afterwards I am free to leave or write up a new one." Casper summarised immediately, covering all his bases, and ensuring no time was lost. He had to get this deal *before* the wellness check, not during or after.

"This is-" The geckin commander attempted again, trying to manoeuvre away. With the lopel's guidance, the geckins were, as Qik had warned; predictable.

"Ma'am. This is not a bluff. You know I'm good, that's why you've let me train as I have, but I'm not *yours*. I never was, that was an error on your phycologist's part." The man repeated the lopel's words, whispered as they were whilst they had suited up for the mechs in the last few days.

"The lopel will betray you the second the price is right." The commander pointed out. Exactly as Qik had foreseen.

"Then I'll deal with it then and you can say 'told you so', but right now I need that contract." He pressed, tilting his head down a fraction. The geckin hissed again, but her eyes never left the human's. Casper may have blinked, if he was the same person he was when he had first arrived on the planet. But the young man that had arrived wasn't there anymore.

He felt his emotions were far away, sat inside a metal machine, just waiting for him to reattach. Any nervousness was lost to the grey fog that his mind had. The only reason he was so awake and aware was because of the stimulant Qik had slipped him weeks ago. He took a hit any day he wasn't planned to be inside his rig. He was at his weakest in this moment, yet could no show that to anyone in the room.

Seconds inched by before the geckin sneered and blinked, nodding to the human.

"Very well. You have my word. When this backfires, you might remember the geckin government was here at your beginning and allowed you to leave when asked. We could arrange recovery and a new contract. One you may find favourable." The small creature that could order his execution stated flatly.

"This was just business Ma'am. I know I had you over a barrel with this, but I'm not so dumb as to think you'd give me up that easily otherwise." Casper grinned a cold grin. One that 'showed teeth' but was devoid of warmth and happiness. It was a smile that the high commander understood and returned. Qik had said the geckin military would ultimately respect someone who can push their advantage in overwhelming odds. Any geckin understood that, especially after the ssypno hegemony had tried and failed to vassalize them as a species.

At least they hadn’t succeeded yet.

"You're going to be vicious." The high commander complimented, "With that aside, are you ready?" She asked curtly, all 'niceness' gone from her tone. Casper carefully let out a pent-up breath and mentally shook himself.

He was not a vicious person, not really...

But he did fine it...

Easier...

In recent times to be disconnected. Still, that could have all backfired and blown up in his face if they had called his bluff. Even if Casper had called out for help to the GC on the wellness check, it would still take time for their closest craft to come and get him. Ample time for problems to appear and accidents to happen.

Before he could respond to her though, one of the media team piped up.

"Calls coming in, it's marked for his attention."

The high commander tilted her head and appraised the human.

"Ready?"

[r/WolvensStories]

[Ko-Fi]

#conservationverse #cuddleverse #human #hfy #haso #humans are space orcs #furry #human x furry #geckin #lopeljack #rabbit

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mutantthedark · 1 month

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Headcanons inspired by @graveyard-party666 and @cloudofbutterflies92

Phew! That was a loooong shot. I know I wasn't tagged but I wanted to do this too.

In the future, Sigma will let her hair grow longer.

Soap proposes to Sigma when she was 28, then got married when she was 29.

Their marriage date is May 1st.

Soap let Sigma decide what filling cake she wants. She wanted coconut the most because she loves coconut.

Sigma's best friend, Michelle, helped her with the wedding dress. She choose shaped-like wings on her arms because Sigma was in the Air Force to remember her past.

Lala, Sigma's aunt, helped with the hair because she's a hairdresser 👀

Gaz, Soap and Price helped to decorate while Michelle made lots of crafts and even she prepared a bouquet for Sigma.

They didn't want to invite kids because they could make a mess and make a lot of noises while running around in places.

On honeymoon, everyone knows Soap is not a beach person. But he'll watch and listen to waves with Sigma.

Bonus!

According to Wikipedia, Soap received Gallandry medal, the Viktoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallandry Cross after an operation in Urzikstan, which his patrol was attacked by Al-Qatala. So he decided to wear them 😌

#call of duty #cod oc #call of duty oc #halia sigma connors #oc #original character #cod #cod mwii #soap mactavish #johnny mactavish #cod john mactavish #cod john soap mactavish #johnny soap mactavish #oc x canon #canonxoc #sigma x soap #wedding

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stephiramona · 8 months

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The tale of two cities according to Heiko and Stephi - Part 435

Today I decided to finally write about a difficult topic, at least it's a difficult topic when you have to write about it in a language that's not your own. I hope I will explain it all correctly.

In the first photo, you can see the "Chamber of Commerce" ("Industrie und Handelskammer") in Cologne. The "Chamber of Commerce" supports employers in finding qualified professionals, supports the launch of a company, and furthers the development of a company. They give advice for businesses in questions of foreign trade, energy, and environmental protection, and about law and taxes.

The second photo shows the "Chamber of Crafts" ("Handwerkskammer") in Munich. It's similar to the "Chamber of Commerce", but for craftsmen. They give advice concerning everything regarding apprenticeship. As a self-employed hairdresser, I'm a member of the "Chamber of Crafts". I had most contact with them when we launched our business, and later when I had questions regarding apprenticeship (I always have a few apprentices and there are some social laws and rules to obey) and employees. But also during the height of Covid, they kept us informed about the current regulations and laws. I'm grateful for all the help I got from the "Chamber of Crafts".

#photographers on tumblr #original photographers #cologne #munich

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drabblesandimagines · 1 year

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Kitty (part 3)

Part 1. Part 2.

Pairings: Rei Suwa x reader Mainly fluff and, hey, let's introduce some sexual tension... Warnings: Past descriptions of non-consensual touching , gun violence, descriptions of blood -----

You swallow down the yawn that threatens to escape your mouth. Your abductor’s voice circles round your head. “Oh, am I boring you?” That had always got you a smack pretty quick but, really, what didn’t?

Kazuki is engrossed on something on his phone and Rei is gaming as usual. It’s been a long weekend. You’re definitely Miri’s favourite new plaything and her energy is unrelenting. The weather had been pretty miserable so the three of you had tried to keep her occupied with endless games of hide and seek, crafts, video games, books, playing hairdressers – she was fascinated with how quick you could braid your hair – and endless questions.

Your second attempt at biting down the yawn goes a little awry and Rei gives you a look. “Sorry, I-I feel p-pretty ex-exhaus-ex…”

“Exhausted?” Kazuki cuts in, eyes still focused on the phone screen. You nod and get to your feet.

“I t-think I’ll go to b-bed if…” You stop, reminding yourself before they can that no, there’s no need for ‘if that’s okay’. “Erm, goodnight.”

“Sleep well.”

“Night, Kitty.”

Once you’ve made it up the stairs and closed the bedroom door, Kazuki puts his phone down on the coffee table, readjusts in his seat and sighs, waiting for his roommate to respond. He’d timed it with a particularly loud burst of gunfire from the game, so he sighs again but it becomes clear that Rei had, in fact, heard him the first time but is not reacting deliberately.

“She never says my name.” The blonde grumbles.

Rei replies after a beat. “Who?”

“Who?!” He scoffs. “Kitty!”

“Oh. I thought you meant Miri.”

“Miri says my name all day long, why would I be talking about her?” He crosses his arms. “Kitty hardly says that much to me, come to think of it. But she’s always talking to you and Miri. Is she scared of me?”

“No.”

“Does she not like me?” He pouted.

Rei thinks for a moment. You’ve never said anything to suggest so. “She likes you. She said you’re nice.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“You don’t listen.” Rei mashes the buttons frantically.

“Wha…? I don’t listen? I listen all the time!”

“No, you don’t.”

“Says you. Give me an example.”

“You don’t let her finish.”

“Huh?”

“If she stutters over a word, you interrupt and say it for her. You think it’s helping her, but she thinks she’s annoying you when she struggles. You just need to listen.”

Kazuki blinks slowly, “And how did you come to this conclusion?”

“I did research.” He shuts down the game. “And I listen.” Rei gets up and grunts, “Tired too. I’m going to bed.”

Kazuki is left on the couch, stunned, before Rei pauses.

“Your name has another syllable too.”

And then he’s gone.

The next morning, Kazuki returned from dropping Miri off at daycare. You were putting away the rest of the breakfast dishes and from the sounds from the bathroom, Rei was in the tub and not sleeping in it.

“Thanks, Kitty.”

“It’s o-okay.” You smile, before continuing on with your task. “I put on the w-w-w-washer too…” – Kazuki mouths along with ‘washer’ – is that why he’s staring at your mouth so intensely? – “..before Rei st-started his bath.”

“Aw, you didn’t have to do that!”

“I l-like keeping my hands oc-oc-occupied.” He mouths along again and you frown. “A-are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m great, thanks! How are you?”

“I’m all r-right.” A pause. “Is there some-t-thing on my face?”

“Oh, no, no! I, er… Never mind.” He scratches the back of his head and smiles, creasing up his eyes. “Hey, I was gonna go shopping for groceries later, if you wanted to come. I’m sure we can drag Rei along too, if we promise he get some snacks.”

You nod at that. “Y-yeah, sounds n-nice.”

“Er, great. Okay. I’m gonna go check my emails. Bye!” He darts up the stairs, cursing himself internally for being so weird. You still hadn’t said his name and surely he’d crept you out with his intense stare session. Ugh.

Later, you’re watching Rei game again, performing a particularly brutal combo on an opponent. Kazuki is still upstairs but you can hear typing from his room.

“I-isn’t that c-cheating?”

“No.”

“It d-doesn’t seem l-like good et-eti-et-etiquette.” You cursed inwardly for going for that word, but Rei never seems to grow impatient with you.

“Everyone does it, it’s a good trick.”

“Oh.”

A pause for a few moments.

“When does Kazuki want to go the grocery store?”

“I’m n-not sure. Later, h-he said.” You dug your nails into your palm – a habit you were trying to shake. “He was being a lit-little w-weird, though.”

“How?”

“He was s-st-staring at my mouth when I w-was talking.”

“Hm.” Rei mashes a lot of buttons in a combo. “Upset you never say his name - apparently.”

“Oh.”

“Cos it’s long?” He questions.

You nodded, though he’s staring at the screen. “I get stuck o-on it some-t-times and it’s fru-frus-frustrating.”

“You could use a nickname.” He pauses. “I’ve heard people call him Zuki.”

“Zuki?” You repeated, wanting to make sure you got it right.

“Yeah. He’ll like it.”

You’ve been to the grocery store before with Kazuki – he’d suggested you start to reacquaint yourself with the outside world and you’d jumped at the chance. The trip to the 398 yen store had been a lot of sensory overload, but you’d enjoyed it in reflection. It was nice not to be trapped in the same four walls every day.

“What was that other thing we needed?” Kakashi mused, staring down at the cart. Rei had dumped cookies and instant noodles on top and his meal plan has gone awry.

“C-cu-cuc-cucumber, I…“

“Jeez, just spit out already, lady!” A large man to your left spits out as he stomps by with his own cart. “No pretty face is worth listening to that.”

Your heart stops, your insecurities resurfacing instantly as you shut your mouth and look down at your shoes. Idiot, idiot, idiot. Kazuki and Rei must be absolutely sick of you butchering words.

“What the hell, man? Apologise.” Kazuki demands, but the large man is now halfway down the aisle, heading to the check-out.

Rei recognizes him from a few aisles – you’ve crossed paths a few times today. Truthfully, he wants to pull out his gun and shoot the man right between the eyes, but he knows he won’t get away with that in the store. So, he’ll follow him home, tail him for a day or so and then find his moment to strike, take him to one of those warehouses by the docks and put his extensive CV of torture techniques to use… An arm yanks at his and he’s pulled out of his train of thought of how many ways he could make the man plead for his life by Kazuki. The blonde knows exactly what he’s been thinking – you can’t work for that long together without recognizing each other’s tells. You’re now staring sullenly into the cart, annoyed at yourself. You’d never had a stutter before all this, why couldn’t you just shift it? It was an effort to get every single word out – your brain screaming at you that it was a mistake, that you’ll muck up and be punished, and now the man mocking you further down the aisle just seemed to prove it right. It was better to be quiet.

Rei squeezes your arm just below the elbow, offering a small smile before he wanders off down the aisle in pursuit of his target.

“Hey, don’t listen to him, okay? You’re fine.” Kazuki murmurs, putting a hand on the small of your back and pushing the cart in the opposite direction. “Let’s go look at ice cream, huh?” You want to go back to the apartment, go to the bedroom and hide under the covers. Kazuki tries to keep the conversation up through the freezer aisle, asking you questions or pointing out something interesting, but it’s very one-sided. You haven’t said another word since, resorting back to nods and shakes and staring at your shoes. He doesn’t want to push you in such a public environment either so you soon settle into companionable silence before he calls it a day and heads towards the counters to check-out, making sure the jerk is not in sight.

You leave the store, carrying a bag whilst Kazuki takes two. He doesn’t seem overly concerned by Rei’s absence, but you come across the assassin leaning up against their car, apparently waiting for you both.

“What did you get up to?” Kazuki raises an eyebrow.

Rei shrugs and takes the bag of groceries from you, waiting for Kazuki to unlock the car so they can deposit them in the trunk. You nod a thanks and as you slide into the backseat, you hear a man cry out that someone has slashed all four of his tyres. Kazuki can’t help but grin.

The car ride is silent, you preoccupy your mind by staring out the window. It’s only when you’re back in the safety of the apartment that Kazuki broaches the subject again.

“Hey, don’t take anything that shit said to heart, okay? He was a jerk.” The blonde reassures as you place the bags on the counter. Rei is heading towards the treadmill, throwing his shirt off onto the back of the sofa. He needs to run off his anger. Slashing the asshole’s tyres could only appease him so much.

“T-thanks, Zuki.” You whisper, and his face lights up.

“Zuki?” He repeats in disbelief, a little too loud. Rei’s feet begin to pound against the treadmill.

Your stomach twists. “Is that o-okay? Rei said it w-would be. I’ll keep trying, obvi-ob-obviously. I just get s-so stuck.”

“Of course! Anything you say is fine and in any way. You’re doing really well with it all – I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you. Don’t let some random asshole take away what you’ve achieved, okay?” He gives you a bright smile and starts emptying one of the grocery bags.

You follow suit before you catch sight of Rei, building up his pace. Your eyes are drawn to his toned abs, the scars that decorate his chest, the way his jeans hug around his hips…

It wasn’t like you hadn’t seen a man shirtless before but something about Rei just caught your attention more – perhaps the fact that he was kind to you? Your abductor’s security team had been in decent shape, but they had been more than a little handsy when they had a drink in them and they were hardly going to whisk you away from their boss in an act of love. A hand a little too high for comfort on your thigh, a smack, a grope – that was as far as it ever went since Kenzo. Kenzo was your captor’s right-hand man and he’d perhaps become a little too comfortable in the position, confident that the close relationship he and your captor held put him above such orders. He grabbed hold of you one night after they’d got through more sake bottles than you could count, crushed you against the wall, pinning your arms down by your side and forced his tongue inside your mouth as you’d gasped for breath. He’d tasted disgusting – stale cigarettes and booze and a lack of dental hygiene. A loud bang pierced your eardrum a moment or so later, Kenzo releasing his grip and falling to the floor, wailing. Blood pumped out of his knee cap, your abductor standing in the doorway, gun in hand. “I told you, she’s off limits.” You’d been punished too, naturally – scrubbed the blood off the floorboards before you were locked in the broom cupboard for two days. When you were finally permitted to leave, you’d had to crawl on your hands and knees, dehydrated and starving…

Kenzo walked with a limp till his dying day and no-one tried to kiss you again – a small mercy – not least your captor. Sometimes he made you stay in his room all night, on the floor at the bottom of his bed like a dog. He’d haul you up in the early hours of the morning, throwing you out into the corridor, stiff and disheveled and always when a contingent had arrived back after some sort of assignment. You’d suspected that your captor was not interested in you or any woman in that way, much more preferring the company of certain gentlemen and just using you, very much as he did until the end of his life, as a shield.

You wonder if Rei would taste of Kazuki’s cooking and soda.

“…don’t you think, Kitty?” Kazuki’s voice cuts through your thoughts.

“H-huh?” You tear your gaze away from Rei but you’re sure he’s smirking.

“I said, we should probably get this stuff put away.” You grab a bag and head to the fridge, with the hope that the cool air might hide the heat that’s risen in your cheeks.

Kazuki returns from visiting Kyu – no further information about you but a new assignment in hand. They’ve been meticulously planning it now for a few days, thinking about different tactics but all suggest that it’s going to take the best part of a day in which to complete. Part of it involved Kazuki broaching the subject of you picking up Miri from daycare for them. He reiterated it was not an order, or an obligation, or a command, just a favour and only if you felt comfortable enough to do it. You’d accepted eagerly, you were looking forward to getting out of the apartment a bit more, despite the grocery store incident. It had knocked your conversational confidence, but Miri has kept asking you to read her stories so much you can’t refuse – you suspect Kazuki’s bribed her with pudding cups as she usually favours Rei. For the past two days whilst Rei has been out sourcing equipment from Kazuki’s list of essentials, the blonde has walked with you back and forth from daycare, drilling the route into your mind. He’s terrified you’ll get lost, or Miri will pull you off course if she sees a dog or a sweet potato truck. He’s printed out a map and even bought you your own phone, put in his and Rei’s numbers – who else were you going to add, really? – and showed you the maps app that flashes a blue little dot where you are. You swear your dream last night was just you walking there and back.

Miri’s tucked up in bed and Kazuki has been on his laptop most of the evening, typing away. You thought initially he was working on some final mission prep but it couldn’t be, since Rei wasn’t involved and he’d been swigging from a can of beer, periodically chuckling. You’re sat on the sofa next to Rei as usual, watching him work his way through a game called Hitman. Kazuki bought it for him in the hopes it would make Rei’s work ‘less flashy’, but a lot of it so far has just been Rei shooting everyone and anyone. You’re sat cross legged as Kazuki comes over and sits down on the armchair, leaning forward with his chin in his hands.

“Kitty, I’ve been thinking,” you turn to him. “You need to learn how to say no.”

“I do?” You frown. You say no to things, it feels like you say no all the time these days.

“I mean, if someone tells you to do something you don’t want to do, I worry you’ll agree. It’s a big, scary world out there and there are nefarious people waiting to take advantage of your sweet nature. We want your independence and confidence to grow, but we want you to be safe.”

“Someone’s been on their parenting messaging board again,” Rei quips.

“It’s a useful resource! Let’s practice.” He stands up, pulling you with him and putting his hands on your shoulders. “Okay, say you’re out on the street and someone asks if you’d like to see the puppies in their van.”

You frown. “Does t-that really h-happen?”

“Well, it might.” He releases you before he deepens his voice. “Well, little lady, don’t you want to see the cute dogs? You just need to hop in my van here.”

“No, t-thank you.”

“Good!”

“Did you get Kitty and Miri confused, Kazuki?” Rei stares at his roommate as he gets up, heading to the fridge. He can tell Kazuki is now catastrophizing. His plans had been going a little south since Miri rocked on the scene but the route to the daycare is nearly a straight line and if he trusts Rei to do it on the regular, you’ll be fine.

“Well, okay. Er… Cults! There’s so many cults around here. They’ll try and offer you leaflets but you shouldn’t interact, okay?”

“N-no to cults and l-leaflets, g-got it.”

“Can I try one?” Rei returns from the kitchen with a can of beer in hand.

“Sure.”

“On your knees.” You’re going to have friction burn from the rug at the speed of which you obey.

“Rei!” Kazuki berates, smacking the assassin on the back of the head. “What the hell, man?!”

“I thought she’d say no.” If you were looking up, you’d have caught the flustered look on Rei’s face.

Kazuki rubs the bridge of his nose. He can feel a headache coming on already. “Get up, Kitty.”

“No…?”

“Good job.” Rei gives you a thumbs up and Kazuki curses.

“I’m sorry.” You get to your feet. “I-I think I understand, I do. I just… I don’t k-know what I want to do m-most of the time. But I w-won’t join any c-cults. Promise.” You hesitate. “Unless I really w-want to.”

Kazuki squeezes your shoulder. “It’s okay, Kitty. I probably went a bit too hard. I want you to be safe out there, get out of the apartment on your own, you know?”

You nod – you want that too, but there’s a sinking feeling in your stomach that he’s trying to set you up to leave.

The next morning Miri’s holding your hand and giggling at Kazuki, who has insisted on walking 30 metres behind you on the way to daycare as the final test before they head off for their mission. As you approach the gates, he jogs to catch you both up and gives you a beaming smile.

“L-look, M-Miri, Papa Zuki was behind us t-the whole t-time!” You tease and Miri winks back at you, pressing a finger up to her lips.

“Ms Anna!” Kazuki waves at the woman you presume is Miri’s daycare teacher. She smiles and waves back before approaching. Miri is still holding your hand but is bouncing on the balls of her feet, clearly excited.

“Hi, Kazuki! Hi, Miri,” she crouches down to Miri’s level. “And who’s this you’ve brought along?”

“This is Kitty!” Miri squeals. “She lives with us, in Papa Rei’s bedroom.”

“Miri!” Kazuki baulks as Anna laughs politely and you can feel your face flush red. The mothers surrounding you seem to now be all engrossed in their phones, typing furiously.

“The oil baron has a mistress?!” Someone exclaims from the other side of the playground, before slamming their hand over their mouth.

“It’s true!”

“No, no, not like that.” Kazuki waves his hands. “Papa Rei doesn’t really use his bedroom so he kindly offered it out to Kitty.” The mothers are still typing furiously around you.

“Papa Rei sleeps in the tub.” Miri nods, solemnly.

“Oh, children and their imaginations!” Kazuki rubs Miri’s head with a bit more force than is really necessary.

“Hi, Ms Anna,” you managed to get out without a stutter – thankfully - hoping to move the conversation on from sleeping arrangements.

“Nice to meet you, Kitty.” She bows her head politely. “I think I’ve heard Miri mention you before now.”

“Yep! We thought it would be good for you two to meet. Kitty is going to being dropping Miri off and picking her up some days when Rei and I out of town on work. It’ll be Kitty this afternoon, if that’s okay.”

“Oh, wonderful!” Ms Anna smiles. “Where are you off to?”

“They’re going to the Comedy In Oil Convention!” Miri exclaims and you bite your lip to hold in a laugh. Miri has often told you tales of her comedian and oil baron papas.

“How… niche.”

“How’d it go?” Rei is putting the last of the bags by the door when you get home. He’s dressed in another well-tailored suit, his hair tied-up and gloves on, similar to how he was when you first met. He looks good and you’re suddenly extremely conscious of the outfit you put together this morning in comparison.

“Miri told Ms Anna that Kitty sleeps in your bedroom.” Kazuki sighed.

“She does.” Rei doesn’t see his point.

“Well, yeah, but it made it sound… You know what? Never mind. We should get going. Are you going to be okay, Kitty? There’s lunch and dinner and breakfast in the fridge…” Kazuki starts listing off things and then pulling open random drawers to point out where things are kept – things you have seen or used a fair few times before by now.

“Dude, she lives here.” Rei sighs.

“I know, but this is the first time we’re leaving them both for so long!” Kazuki pulls you into his chest and hugs you tightly. The man is a hugger and a crier all right. “And you can call us at any time, okay?” You won’t – you know what their job entails and the last thing you’d want to do is interrupt.

“Kazuki, we need to go.”

“Okay, okay. I’m good. See you!” Kazuki sniffs loudly and rubs his eyes on his sleeve, before he picks up a load of the bags and heads out the door. Rei remains in position.

“Take care, Rei.” You smile shyly, not quite sure why hasn’t followed his tearful roommate.

“Yeah.” He stands awkwardly for a second before he pulls you forward and very lightly wraps his arms around you and squeezes, in what you assume is a copy of Kazuki’s embrace, your arms pinned down by your side. He smells nice and he’s warm, but it ends all too soon as he releases you, picks up the remaining bags and dives out the door.

Oh.

----

Lemme know if you want a part 4...

EDIT: Part 4 now here.

#buddy daddies x you #buddy daddies fanfic #buddy daddies fluff #rei suwa fluff #rei suwa x reader #suwa rei x reader #suwa rei #buddy daddies #kazuki kurusu #miri unasaka #rei suwa x you #suwa rei x you #ghostdogwrites

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