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bokettochild · 3 years

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Apples the Pink Bunny

Did someone ask for this?

No.

Did I have an anxiety/emotionally overloaded evening?

Yes.

For this reason I am awake at 2:44 am on a school night to write myself a 13 page comfort fic. So, enjoy or don’t enjoy, but here’s Legend being a soft bunny with the chain for 6,268 words.

(Inspired by this and this.)

There is a bunny on the edge of camp.

It crouches in the shadows, eyes glinting gold and red in the firelight, nose twitching as it watches them.

Wind watches it back.

He doesn’t think that the others have seen t, no one’s said anything, and they all know how Warriors hates rabbits. So, he doesn’t say anything, not to them, he only wanders around the camp casually before settling down close-ish to where the bunny hides.

There aren’t many wild animals in his Hyrule, aren’t many animals at all, but Four’s taught him how to convey that he’s friendly to the minish and some of the forest life, so he tries to employ that knowledge now. He doesn’t look the rabbit directly in the eye, but he does force his ears forwards towards it, letting them flick away here and again, fingers rubbing softly as he glances casually as velvety pink paws.

He waits until he can see the rabbit watching him before he begins to whisper soft and quiet. “Hello, hello there lil’ guy.”

There’s a huff from the bunny, but it takes a single agonizingly slow step forwards, body stretched out and nose twitching as it watches him, ears pricked up curiously. When Wind doesn’t do anything different, just keeps speaking low and soft, the bunny lops its way over, ears up and attentive as it stops beside him, eyes turned up to stare into his own with a surprising amount of boldness for a creature close enough for him to smash in one blow.

“Hello.” Wind murmurs softly, moving slowly as he raises his hand over the rabbit, only to find himself starting as the bunny simply stares at him with the most unimpressed expression on it’s fuzzy face. Even Wolfie, who is strangely intelligent even for a dog, or so he’s heard has never looked so unimpressed with something, and the sailor finds himself lowering his hand sheepishly as if scolded, meeting the rabbit’s eyes and starting when it doesn’t flinch away, instead watching him intently with shivering nose and twitching ears.

“Hey Wind, watcha got there?” The rancher calls over, drawing the attention of the rest of the camp and making the sailor’s heart race.

The bunny’s going to be startled! It’s going to run away! All that work to get it to come over and he won’t even get to touch it!

But the rabbit doesn’t move, or rather, it doesn’t bolt away. Soft lavender eyes stare across the camp, unusual in their shade but lovely to gaze into as Wind finds himself transfixed with watching the silky sheen of the petal-pink fur and the glimmer of stars in lavender and golden eyes.

“Wind?” The rancher’s voice rings with concern, and the sailor snaps bac to attention, a warm smile easily falling over his face as he turns to the camp. “It’s a rabbit.” He says quietly, careful not to startle the beast. “Twi, do you think it’ll let me pet it?”

The rancher’s brows furrow as he looks over, markings shifting with the rest of his face as he stares at the rabbit warily.

To their surprise, and apparently the rabbit’s too, the tiny animal freezes in place for all of a second only to have the slight tilt of Twilight’s head sending it diving into Wind’s lap, startling the sailor enough for his to blink in surprise, but not so badly that his hands don’t instantly bury themselves in the pink fur.

And oh! It’s softer than he thought it would be! It’s nothing like Wolfie’s rough pelt or the feathers on Wild’s winter gear. The bunny’s fur is like fine down, or maybe silk, or- He runs his hands through it again, eyes widening with every stroke as the rodent shivers in his lap, eyes fixed on Twilight and ears pressed low as he huddles in the space left between the sailor’s legs as he sits criss-cross on the ground.

“I guess that’s a yes.” Twilight chuckles, low and deep. It’s a sound that makes warmth flow through Wind’s chest, but the rabbit only shivers, huddling lower the longer Twilight’s gaze rests on it.

“I think you’re scaring him.” The sailor hums softly, gently pulling the rabbit into his arms with an ease that comes from years of cradling his baby sister when she was small. The rabbit nestles close, eyes still on Twilight as it seems to shake itself, bt its doesn’t struggle against him, and Wind takes that as his cue to pull himself gently to his feet and cross the camp towards where Time and Wild sit playing a card game.

The champion is explaining the rules for the nth time as Time chuckles low and soft, purposefully asking questions that Wild’s already answered and earning pointed stares in return. The sailor’s approach lands just as Wild looks instants from pulling out his hair, and instantly cornflower blues are locking onto him with a strained smile, the champion apparently desperate to escape the game he’d asked for in the first place. “Hey, Wind, watcha have there.”

“A rabbit.” He replies, moving one arm to let lavender eyes peek out and stare at the champion, who’s eyes fall open in awe as his cards spill from his hands.

“It’s...you’re...” Wild’s eyes sparkle with awe as he looks from Wind to the rabbit in his arms. “How did you catch it?”

The rabbit shuffles closer to Wind’s chest as the words are spoken, and the sailor has to settle a hand on it’s back to calm it again as it edges away from the cook’s glimemring eyes.

“It was on the edge of camp.” Caution leaks into the pirate-hero's voice as he scrunches up his nose. “You better not ask if you can cook it.”

Blue eyes shoot wide as Wild shakes his head violently, earning a soft laugh from Time as his apparent orrer at the idea. “No! It’s-” Wild’s fingers twitch. “I couldn’t- Can I hold it?” The second-youngest's eyes travel up to stare up into Time’s leadingly, wide and innocent and so terribly like Aryll’s face when she’s asking Granny for another bowl of soup or piece of bread that Wind can’t help but giggle as he gently scritches the rabbit’s ears.

“That’s up to Wind.” Time answers gently. “But I don’t see why not.”

Softly glowing blue turns to meet his own as Wild stare up, pleading, at him. “May I?”

“Sure” He giggles, crouching low in front of the champion. “Have you ever held a baby?” Wild’s brow furrows, considering for a moment before shaking his head. “Okay, how about a kitten? A pup?”

The champion only shakes his head, and Wind finds himself frowning as he looks first at the bunny in his arms and then up at Wild, who’s face is quickly falling to one of disappointment.

“Here,” Time offers, gently arranging Wild’s arms properly. “It’s like this.”

Between the two of them, they get the bunny situated in Wild’s thin arms, and within seconds the champion’s free hand is dragging through plush fur as awe shines across his face, Time and Wind both laughing fondly as they watch and occasionally reaching out themselves to scritch the rabbit’s long ears.

Between them, there are eight heroes, and as of late, a rabbit has joined the mix, slung easily in Sky’s sailcloth as they travel.

The creature didn’t seem keen on leaving, and while it’s in no way fond of Twilight, the others find that they can’t resist sneaking to the back of the group to gently scritch it’s ears, or laugh as it hops about exploring the land around them when they stop for a break.

The Hyrule they’re in isn’t one that anyone recognizes, the forests strangely rich and the land both better kept than Wild’s while still more wild than the others. Fights in this world are intense, and only their two wanderers seem to be able to battle the insane variety and numbers of monsters with anything resembling ease.

It’s strange too, having to hide the rabbit whenever battle comes, but the creature is smart, darting away when battles come, a scowl in its fuzzy face as it burrows beneath tree roots or into the brush, waiting until the battle is over to re-emerge, hopping slowly across the blood soaked ground without trepidation, not once blinking at the blood and grit that gets in its fur as it hops from one hero to the other, eyes flickering between violet and lavender as it analyzes them, chirring angrily at any of them when they try to hide wounds, and nestling in the laps of the younger hero’s with a put upon look when Warrior’s has to stitch something up.

...

“He needs a name.” Wind declares after the second battle, his good hand petting the rabbit’s long ears while Sky helps to wrap the sprain in his wrist.

“Isn’t bunny enough?” Warriors eyes the rabbit disdainfully. “You didn’t give the wolf anything fancy.”

“He’s not just a bunny though!” Wind protests with a well-placed pout. “He’s our bunny-friend!”

“And the wolf isn’t your wolf-friend?” Twilight cocks a brow, something like hurt flashing through his eyes before he actually winces, hissing softly as Warriors continues to stitch him up.

“The wolf comes and goes. Besides, he’s a wild thing, so it’d be wrong to name him like a common dog.” Wind explains, shrugging lightly but stopping when Sky pushes his shoulder back down with a whispered reprimand for moving. “The bunny stays with us though,” Wind continues, holding still this time save for the hand that continues along the bunny’s pelt. “He needs a real name.”

“Agreed.” Wild sounds, shuffling over with a leafy vegetable in his hands that their rabbit friend takes with a pleased chirr, glancing up at the champion appreciatively before setting his sharp teeth to the plant, earning a smile from the champion.

“Any ideas?” Time starts, glancing around camp and earning a flick on the ear from Hyrule, who’s still trying to clean a wound on the man’s face.

“Seriously Time?” Warriors protests, but it’s too late, the others are already musing quietly and beginning to consider ideas.

“Petal?” Sky tries, glancing down at the rabbit in Wind’s arms. “Like, cherry blossom petals?”

“Cherry!” Wild gasps, eyes glimmering hopefully.

“Pinky.” Warriors snorts distastefully, earning an angry chitter from the rabbit, but the captain only glares back at the animal, as if it had just insulted him, mimicking the chitter pathetically and drawing laughs from the others.

“It’s a boy, right?” Twilight questions, cocking a brow, and the others exchange looks. “I think so? I’m not sure I want to check....”

“Nothing too feminine then.” Sky nods slowly.

“Floor.” Four suggests solemnly. “Floof the Poof.”

Eight sets of eyes, including the rabbits, turn to stare at the smithy disbelievingly. Red glimmers in his eyes for all of a second before he starts and flushes. “Sorry,” The smith rubs at his neck nervously, red blooming over his face and down his neck. “I was thinking aloud, Intrusive thoughts, you know?”

“What about Apple, for apple-blossom?” Time speaks slowly, eyes still on the smithy as he speaks, concern but fondness in his eyes.

The rabbit in Wind’s lap looks up, staring at Time and munching in a way that almost looks considering, violet eyes fixed on the eldest hero’s single one, the two locking gazes, neither blinking until Warriors sighs and snaps his fingers, startling them both.

“Aaaand, that’s a yes for Apples.” Warriors rolls his eyes. “No angry chitter, no arguments against.” The captain’s gaze levels them all. “Unless anyone has any objections?”

“Nope!”

“I think it sound’s cute?” Sky chuckles, patting Wind’s arm to signal that he’s finished and scratching the newly named Apples behind the ears. The rabbit huffs in his rabbit way, but they've all grown too used to the grouchiness of the animal to do anything other than laugh at it.

...

Apples is a wonder, and they are so very happy to have him.

There is nothing so convincing to make Sky finally relax than to have a pink mess of fur barrel into his lap and force heavy eyes to close under the soothing feeling of fur on his fingers and a small warm body pressed against his own.

Sky’s restless sleep and eternal exhaustion ease with every night and Wind giggles as each evening after dinner the bunny climbs resolutely into Sky’s lap, glaring pointedly up at the Skyloftian until long fingers are dragging through his fur and crystal blue eyes are falling shut contently.

When Sky shoots awake at night, there's a rabbit there that presses tiny paws to his chest, dark eyes staring up into his face in the darkness as ears flick and a tiny nose twitch, worry in the rabbit's expression as Sky sighs, a light smile on his face as he raises a hand to run through long fur. “I’m good, Apples, it was just a dream.”

The rabbit always snorts, scowling lightly and buffeting Sky’s chest with its head, but the Skyloftian only chuckles lightly, wrapping the bunny in his arms and shifting to lie on his side, the rabbit held close as he fades back into sleep.

...

When Time broods, brows low and frown lines pulling at his features and aging him by decades, most of the others know not to disturb him. They let each other have their space and they never press. Wolfie will, at time, curl up at the old man’s feet or sit at his side, allowing callused fingers to run through his thick fur as Time sits and stares at the ground, mind a world away where none of them ever wish to see, if the pain and sorrow in his gaze is to be read properly.

Perhaps a rabbit cannot be expected to understand this law of privacy though, even if he is unusually intelligent.

Time’s hair falls into his face as he perches on a stone on the edge of camp, gaze fixed on Lake Hylia below them as his elbows rest on his knees, face downcast and frowning as pain glimmers in his single blue eye.

Apples, who had been stretching his legs after being carried in Sky’s arms during their traveling that day, pauses, ears flicking up and towards the old man, paws freezing just off the ground as he watches, nose twitching.

The heroes watch, Wind darting up worriedly as the bunny lops closer to Time, but he freezes when the pink ball of fur pulls himself up next to Time with surprising agility, head butting carefully against their leader’s armored thigh as a soft squeak break through the air. Time doesn’t stir, not at first, but then the rabbit settles next to him, one paw on the old man’s leg, eyes following Time’s down to Lake Hylia.

Scarred hands twitch before finally landing in silky pink, pulling through the long fur as tension bleeds from Time’s shoulders, a breathy sigh escaping their leader before a soft tune begins to drift through the air.

The rabbit gently settles down, head resting beside his paws as Apple allows Time to pet him slowly.

The others are to far to understand the words, but Time’s soft murmurs break the silence, Apple’s ears twitching while an intelligent bunny face stares up at the tear-streaked face of the hero of Time.

When Time rejoins the rest of them for dinner, it’s with Apples nestled in his arms, a sad sort of peace in the hero’s gaze as he settles down to join in the meal, never once releasing Apples while they eat and joke, and by the time the meal is finished, the pink bunny is soundly asleep in Time’s arms.

...

It’s Four that seems the most curious about their little friend, and while the rabbit doesn’t seem particularly playful, the smith will occasionally catch up the animal, laughing s Apples sighs in an almost reluctant manner, and carry him off into the woods near where they are.

The Minish love Apples, and Four himself delights in diving amidst the pink fur or the first time while the bunny looks at him in utter shock.

Air enough, it was unlikely that Apples had ever seen a Hylian shift into a Minish before. But at this size, Four can enjoy Apples’ fur far better than as a Hylian, and it’s delightful to lead the rabbit around, chattering lightly as Apples lops along behind him, ears pricked and nose shivering as they move through Minish towns and groves, exploring the tiniest nooks and crannies they can find and having all sors of adventures.

Of course, there are dangers to being smaller than a rabbit, and the first time a spider attacks them, freakishly big and easily big enough to rip off Four’s head, it’s Apples that darts to his rescue, chirping and scolding in his rabbit way as he thumps his feet and pins back his ears in a strange imitation of Wolfie’s growl.

The spider is in no ways eager to give up her prey, and Four finds that, despite killing monsters on the daily, he has to turn away in disgust as Apples tears the spider apart, eyes flashing with gold as the seemingly harmless pink rabbit unleashes mass destruction on not only the one spider, but also her sisters that emerge from the burrow beside them. Long legs and venomous maws stretch over the top of him, reaching out to grab the Minish Hero, only to have a rabbit dart over, teeth flashing and harsh chatters sounding as legs and bodies are torn asunder.

When the spiders stop emerging, the small patch of grass is full of the remains of spiders, and Apples is rubbing at his nose and sneezing softly, absolutely covered in the remains of the monstrous insects.

“Thank you...” Is all the smithy can breathe out as Apples’ eyes meet his own.

He’s replied to with a sneeze.

Four shifts back as soon as possible, carrying his bunny savior back to camp and carefully helping to clean the rabbits long fur, murmuring softly and thankfully all the while. And if he shares a but about his previous adventures, and Ezlo, who while being a hat shared some things in common with the grouchy rabbit, well, it’s not like Apples will be able to tell anyone!

...

It’s Wild that seems the most enraptured with their new little companion. Always asking the older hero’s questions as he sorts through his inventory, offering all sorts of foods and treats to the rabbit and cooing in delight each time something is accepted. No one knows what it is exactly what it is about watching Apples eat has Wild so happy, but there’s no denying that the easy grin that steals over his face is better than the solemn frown and sad thoughtfulness that takes over on occasion.

The first time they see Wild go into a memory, it’s Apples that catches their attention, the rabbit shrieking worriedly as he bumps against the champion’s still hand, concern filling his violet eyes as he stares up at the champion, paws raised to press against the hero’s stomach while ears and nose twitch and shiver worriedly.

Apples doesn’t even panic when Twilight steps over, although he does shrink back, wary as the rancher gently shakes Wild’s shoulder before sighing and sitting next to him. The rabbit mimics the motion, but on the other side, eyes flicking from Twilight to Wild with nervous concern and wariness, but when neither move he contents himself with gently rubbing against the champion’s limp hand.

When Wild blinks awake again, eyes darting too and fro to take in his surrounds and breathing harsh, Apples jumps up, paws settling on the kid’s thigh and catching his attention, making the young hero still and stare. Tears well in cornflower blue eyes, and the rabbit doesn’t even sigh when Wild scoops him up, burying his face in Apples’ fur and sobbing quietly.

Were their hearts not aching for their brother, soft chuckles would have sounded around camp when Apples had freed a paw to gently pat the champion’s cheek.

...

After the first few weeks and a few more switches, Sky will come to find Apples every time that bedtime draws near, scooping the bunny out of the lap of another hero with a chipper “My turn now!” as he almost skips over to his bedroll, bundling both himself and his emotional support bunny into his sailcloth with a smile as Apples rolls his rabbit eyes and presses his paws to Sky’s own blue eyes, pushing them closed before settling against the Skyloftian’s chest. The Chosen Hero is always asleep within minutes, sleepily singing Zelda’s lullaby between snores as Apples’ violet eyes watch the rest of the camp.

When Time need space, the rabbit will follow, gently resting a paw on his leg and sitting with him, eyes filled with an understanding that is ridiculous in a rabbit, but somehow believable as Time’s callused fingers work through pink fur, songs and stories drifting from tired lips as long ears twitch ever so slightly to catch the words.

When Wind is playful, he’ll dart up and after the rabbit, who will always sigh in his rabbit way and either dart away or give chase, running the youngest hero ragged until Wind collapses, giggling and breathless, with Apples hopping up on his chest to bat at his face, as if to say “I win, I beat you, you lost so give me pets” and Wind does, eventually hauling himself up, and inevitably knocking Apples over before administering thankful ear scratches and pets until Apples springs free and continues going about his rabbit business.

Hyrule, though quiet, will often be found with the rabbit beside him, sometimes with Apple’s pushing his nose against the traveler’s hands and guiding them to better hold a knife while he’s carving, or a needle while he sews. It’s strange to see a bunny of all things unroll a bandage and offer it to the healor, but be it Hyrule or someone else that’s injured (provided it’s not Twilight) the rabbit will be springing over with his bunny brows furrowed as he scolds and fusses, nudging things over to Hyrule before the traveler can even ask someone for them, and climbing into bags and pulling out potions when the Hyrule’s healing glow begins to fade.

Sleeves are tugged at when the Traveler is exhausted, unreleased until Hyrule agrees to rest, and when they eat the bunny will chitter and fuss and kick up a riot until Hyrule will humbly ask for seconds or Wild will offer them, stern indigo eyes following the travel’s movements until his bowl or plate is empty.

When Wild is cooking, the rabbit will sit at his side, watching the process and chittering or nipping when the champion goes to add something dubious to the food, or begins to spice it too much for the younger ones to handle. Wild only ever laughs, offering bits and bobs of food as he works, and chuckling with delight when the bunny accepts them, Apple’s sharp teeth working away at leafy greens as stern violet eyes watch the young hero work.

And when memories strike, harsh and horrid and often sad, the bunny climbs his way into Wild’s lap and sits until the hero stirs again. Apples’ fur is drenched time and again with tears, and every time, without fail, tiny paws gently pat the Wild’s head, lavender in normally violet eyes as a tiny nose nuzzles against a reddened and drooping ear.

Four delights in exploring with Apples, and whether it be carrying the bunny off with him and chattering, or shrinking down and riding on Apples’ back, the two never fail to find something interesting to do.

Through all of it, Twilight will gaze sadly at the rabbit who avoids him like death, and Warriors will scoff and roll his eyes, although fondly, as the younger heroes all fuss over their new friend.

It’s only so much time before the captain breaks.

It’s a nightmare, blood and blades and shrieks of two little boys and many trusted friends echoing in the captain’s mind, making him start awake with tears in his eyes. Warriors shivers in the night air, drawing his scarf around his neck and wrapping himself in his arms as he moves towards the fire.

To his surprise, Apples sits before the flames as well, ears flicking towards the captain’s movements but gaze fixed on the flames with an almost sad air.

The captain merely snorts and dismissed the rabbit in his mind, but with ever second the world around him presses closer and Warriors becomes more and more agitated. And still, the rabbit doesn't move, doesn’t look at him, Apples only sighs deeply as he stares into the fire, and when Warriors shoots the rabbit a confused look he starts when he sees what looks to be tears in lavender eyes.

“You too huh?” Exhaustion loosens his tongue as he hunches before the fire, watching the flames dance. “Bad hunt? Lost mate?” The rabbit chitters something unintelligible, tiny body stiffening almost like Twilight’s does when he gets defensive. It draws a laugh from the captain’s throat, barking and bitter as his gaze rests on the burning remains of a log. “I feel you there, didn’t expect a rabbit to have trauma though.”

An unimpressed glare is leveled his way, this time drawing a genuine but startled laugh from the captain. “So it’s like that huh? Too tough to talk about it?”

One ear twitches Apples wrinkling his tiny nose before stomping one of his feet agitatedly and huffing a short and sharp little breath at the flames.

“I hear you.” Warriors laughs, a little broken and a little teary, eyes returning to the coals, shimmering with the ghosts of memories as screams echo in ears too used to their calls.

Apples twitches, hesitant, ears flickering and feet stomping grouchily for a moment, before Warriors finds himself with a lap full of rabbit as the pink bunny pushes his head into Warriors’ hand, nearly demanding to be pet.

“Oh,” Warriors scoffs, voice wet and harsh. “That’s how it is, huh? All your other Hylian’s are asleep, so because I’m awake from nightmares and goddess darned trauma, you figured I was available to pet you?”

Another insistent nudge, and Warriors is rolling his eyes, pushing his hands through long fur with a sigh.

It’s like silk, he muses to himself, blinking in surprise and running his hands through again. Like the finest of fabrics in the castle, like Artemis’ dresses that she wore when the war was over and they celebrated with dances and feasting and speeches of honor to the dead. Apples’ fur is like glinting red hair, oiled and brushed every night before bed. It’s like baby’s hair, impossibly soft and delicate.

There’s a small body curled in his lap, and Warriors’ hands run over it curiously, stroking impossibly soft fur as he becomes lost in the wonder of the color, in the texture. Screams and blood fly from his mind as the captain’s fingers trail through the fluff, and warmth floods trough his chest when he takes Apples’ face in his hands and rubs at the rabbits' cheeks, laughter bubbling in his chest, warm and bright as the bunny scowls up at him.

The next morning, when the heroes awake, its to find Sky shaking his head as he looks down at his usual sleeping companion held tight in Warriors’ arms, a blissful smile on the captain’s tearstained face. Apples scowls up at them, but he’s curled close to the man’s chest, with ample room to escape, and no one believes for a minute that he’s there against his will.

The jabs and eye rolls continue from both parties, but on long nights, when the others are asleep and rabbit and soldier both find themselves awake, Warriors will scoop the bunny into his lap, losing himself in Apples’ fur before drifting off again.

Wild has the pictures to prove it.

...

Twilight sulks the entire time, the sadness in his eyes turning into a full-blown pout as he tries time and again to win Apples’ affection, earning teasing from all parties, but especially Wars.

“I didn’t even want the thing, and he insists on climbing all over me!” The captain jests. “Yet you court him with more care than a knight with a lady he favors and he still rejects you!”

The rancher’s scowl and accompanying growl always sends Apples closer to whatever other hero is nearest, the rancher’s eyes narrowing as he huffs out retorts that go from being teasing to being genuinely hurt. The captain stops after a time, apologizing, but Twilight blows him off, excusing it as teasing while clearly looking hurt.

No matter what he tries though, food, cuddles, gentle words and careful movements, nothing will win the rabbit over, and when they again land in a world that none of them recognize, it’s too late to keep trying.

...

Ravio blinks down in surprise as the rabbit that sits in his living room. It’s raining wildly outside, and the animal is positively soaked, so he can hardly deny it access, but even so, it’s not every day that woodland creatures are entering the house.

…..Alright, not anymore. Not with Mr. Hero having gone missing.

Only Sheerow flies about the house, chirping and singing as he helps Ravio with the housework and keeps the merchant comfortable, and while he doesn’t ind in the least being with only his bird friend, he does rather miss the constant presence of birds outside the windows and deer wandering in from the forest to graze in the front yard. Mr. Hero never minded them, claiming that the beasts kept the grass short, but Ravio knows his friend, and he’s seen Mr. Hero dozing while surrounded by woodland creature enough times to know that the affection the animals feel for his friend is mutual.

Even so, Mr. Hero isn’t here, so there really shouldn’t be any forest creatures flocking into his house, especially not one that’s going through his things.

“Hey! Stop!” The merchant protests, darting forwards and scooping up the creature in his arms, only to be met with familiar violet and golden eyes staring back at him. “Mr....Hero?”

The bunny squeaks something that sounds like it might be in the affirmative, and Ravio stares.

“How did you...” He’s leveled with an unimpressed stare that is all he needs to see to know for sure it’s his friend. “Were you cursed?”

There’s a firm nod in return, and concern bubbles in his heart as the merchant holds his friend a bit tighter. “Can you reverse it?”

Violet eyes roll, but Mr. Hero isn’t panicking, and he even points towards the chest in the corner where he keeps most of his adventuring things, which itself is enough reassurance that one of his many items (some of which are Ravio’s own handiwork) will do the trick to turn him back.

“Oh good.” Ravio sighs, sagging in place and taking In his friend properly. Again, Mr. Rabbit Hero points at the chest, and he’s getting the idea that his friend wants him to let him go so he can change back but...

Soft fur rubs at his fingers and the feeling of a small body held in his hands is just so pleasant!

“One minute, please? Just one?” He pleads, turning on all the power he can as he aims a sorrowful look at his friend. “Your fur is so soft and I- can't I pet you for just a little bit, before you change back?”

Mr. Bunny Hero sighs, but the huff and nod are easy to read and Ravio clutches his friend to his chest with a cheer. “Thank you Mr. Hero!”

...

“Apples? Apples?” Wind’s voice is breaking by now as he calls out into the underbrush. The last switch had them all separated, and while the heroes have successfully regrouped, they’ve failed to be able to locate their fuzzy ninth member.

“He’s got to be here somewhere!” Wild whispers, scratching at his scars worriedly and prompting his mentor to gently push his hands back down again, it does no good, the habit that died with fur to play with reappears in its absence, and Twilight’s pelt is too cumbersome and heavy to be carried and stroked while they walk.

“Apples?” Sky chokes out, staring at the path before them, but nothing can be seen except a lone traveler who stalks along stiffly towards them.

“We’ll ask this traveler.” Time sighs, eyes heavy with worry as he pushes to the front of the group, raising a hand in greeting. “Ho there.”

“Ho.” The traveler returns, sharp violet eyes staring at them all from under pink and rose-gold bangs that peek out from beneath a blue cap. “What brings fighters like you into these parts?”

“we’re looking for a rabbit.” The captain says, taking no consideration for how ridiculous he sounds. “Normal size, but as pink as a cherry tree, you can’t miss him.”

Hopeful gazes turn to the stranger, who’s gaze darts away for a brief moment. “Sounds like my boarder’s pet.” There’s a strain to the man’s- or is he a boy?- voice as he speaks. “He disagreed a few months back and only came back yesterday. His-His owner was delighted.” The stranger speaks slowly, flushing slightly as he meets their eyes with an awkward attempt at a smile.

“He...he already had a family?” Wind and Wild both droop, and the other’s all sigh in collective disappointment as the stranger shifts before them, the light catching in the hilt of the sword on his back.

“Yeah... Sorry if you got attached.” The stranger winces, incredibly awkward as his eyes dart over them all, as if desperate to find anything else to talk about. “Why so heavily armed, just to look for a bunny?”

“Monsters.” Sky answers softly, eyes downturned as he twists his cloth in his fingers.

“Aren’t those for heroes and soldiers to bother with? Not common folk?”

“We aren’t exactly common.” Time explains. “Monster fighting is sort of our job.”

“Uh huh.” The stranger shifts back on his heels. “Last I checked, the only person the royal family was hiring to get rid of monsters was me, and I don’t recall hearing any changes about that recently.”

“Why you?” Wild tilts his head to one side, curiosity mingling with his sadness as he takes in the stranger.

“Hero’s duty.” The other drawls,, scowling slightly as his nose scrunches up, wiggling the tiniest bit in distaste.

“You’re a hero?” Warriors deadpanned, disbelief tainting his voice as he looked from pegasus boot clad feet up to red and green tunics, fluffy golden hair and sharp violet eyes. Said eyes stared back with an intensity that was strangely familiar, irritation glinting in their depths.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

And just like that, the Hero of Legend joined their group.

...

BONUS

Twilight blinked down at the pink rabbit in front of him in shock. “Apples?”

Apples- Legend? -The pink bunny- shuffled his feet, ears twitching as violet eyes flickered from the rancher's blue eyes and back down to the ground. “Um...chances that this is kept a secret?”

Disbelief pained the Ordonian’s face. “Do you know how much they’ve missed you?”

“I was right there.”

“And you never told them?”

“Well, you never owned up to being Wolfie, not last time I checked!” The bunny hero shot back, nose shivering in frustration.

“They don’t need to know about that,” The rancher dismissed. “That sort of power isn’t something I feel comfortable sharing.”

“Well newsflash,” Legend scowled. “I didn’t either. And it’s not like I could change back to prove myself or something, I was cursed! Anyways, can you imagine how absolutely off the hook crazy I’d sound if I just waltzed up to you and said ‘hey I’m the Hero of Legend and I’m also the bunny that’s been with you for the last two months. was cursed but now I’m not, want me to join?’”

Twilight scowled. “Fine. Valid. One question first.”

“Deal.” Legend groaned.

“Why did you never let me pet you?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Violet blinked up at the rancher in confusion.

“Why did you never let me pet you.” Twilight repeated simply.

The veteran bunny stared up at him, blinking slowly. “You are a freaking wolf. Did you not notice? I may not have known it at the time, but do you think a rabbit can look at a wolf and go ‘hey look! New friend’?” At the wolf shifter’s silence, Legend scoffed. “Yeah. That’s why.”

“Okay, valid.” Twilight nodded. “But one last thing, why didn’t you never talk?”

“Cursed.” legend rolled his eyes. “The nature of this one is different, I’m just my soul's reflection, not an actual animal, there’s a difference, and it’s one I’d like to not have to worry about for much longer. Now, how do I change back?”

“Well,” The rancher offered a weak smile. “We’re gonna have to ask Sky for help.”

That night, rather than sitting by the fire until he drifted off, Sky settled down next to Legend, pulling the hero into his arms happily as the vet had put up token protests before snuggling against him. Sky hadn’t slept as well in months, and Twilight took no small amount of joy in being able to play with the vet’s silky hair all through his watch.

#bunny legend #linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu legend #lu time #lu twilight #lu wind #lu wild #lu warriors #lu sky #lu hyrule #lu four #lu ravio #bunny legend my beloved!#fluffics #cuz I'm sad so I love on Legend #defensive legend #idiot writes fluff #hugs legenda

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httpjeon · 4 years

Text

lovebug — jimin (m.)

jimin/reader | angst, fluff, smut | hybrid!au

wordcount: 12k

contents: spider hybrid!jimin, hybrid mistreatment/bullying, love self esteem/self-worth, arguments, crying, physical altercation between jimin & reader, name-calling, attachment anxiety, possessiveness, kissing, scenting, dom!jimin, manhandling, size kink/difference, fingering, dirty talk, cunnilingus, sensitivity kink, wet & messy, lots of cum, cumflation, jimins duality

— synopsis: hybrids are lovable companions for humans. unfortunately, most people simply want a cat or dog with which they can cuddle and love on. while looking for one to adopt, a lonesome hybrid of an unusual breed catches your eye.

note: part of the unadoptable series; masterlist will be coming soon!

blog masterlist

Deciding to get a hybrid is a big responsibility. They require abundant care and love — having been genetically modified as an attempt at a 'super species' when the human race was close to dying out as an attempt to preserve the DNA of humanity.

Now, however, through years of evolution, they have simply become a daily part of life as companions for humans.

After moving out of your college dorm and into a new apartment, you found yourself extremely lonely. So, you decided that perhaps you could look into getting a hybrid. You saved as much money as you could — hybrids were expensive after all.

"Are you sure you want to get one from the shelter?" your friend, Minah, asked as you walked with her on the bustling streets of Seoul, "I mean, a couple more months of saving and you could find a hybrid breeder—"

"I don't really care about that," you waved her off, "I'm not looking to get the best hybrid out there. I just want someone to keep me company."

"Still...a shelter...you don't know where these hybrids have been," she cringed, opening the door which made the bell above it ring to indicate the store there were customers, "They could have diseases or be aggressive."

"I assure you, all our hybrids are tested for diseases and aggressive ones are rehabilitated to become suitable companions," a lady wearing a uniform smiled, hands clasped behind her back. Her name tag read 'Nayeon', "Can I help you with something?"

"I'm looking to get a hybrid," you said sheepishly, heart pounding in excitement as she grinned.

"Excellent! Do you have a type in mind? We have an excellent selection of feline and canine hybrids," she looked at you expectantly as you thought it over.

"I...didn't really think about it," you shrugged, "I just figured I'd look and see if any caught my eye, you know?"

"I understand," Nayeon nodded, seemingly unbothered by your indecisiveness, "Well, you can go through those doors and have a look at the hybrids available."

"Thanks," you smiled, tugging Minah's hand until she began to follow you.

Once you pushed the doors open, you were met with a long hallway that seemed to divert left and right. The floors were white linoleum and the fluorescent lights made the white walls seem glaringly bright. The walls were lined with large viewing windows that allowed you to peer into each hybrid's room.

As you walked, you could see the cat hybrid sleeping and dog hybrids busying themselves energetically. You reached the end of the hallway and paused, looking both ways to decide where to go.

"It looks like it's mostly empty down here," Minah said as she walked a couple of feet into the left hallway.

"Then we'll go right," you smiled, taking a look in the windows. It seemed they were mostly rabbit, rodent, and reptile hybrids in this section.

You were just beginning to give up when something caught your eye — a quick flash of purple. Pausing, you backed up a couple steps to look in once again.

"Whoa...creepy..." Minah squinted into the room that was seemingly covered in webbing with a purple haired hybrid sitting with his back to you.

He didn't have any hybrid ears or a tail and he looked strikingly like a human. Minah picked up the clipboard that held the information on the hybrid inside.

"Spider hybrid?" Minah cringed and made a sound of disgust, "Have you ever heard of such a thing?"

"I haven't, no..." you tore your eyes from his vibrant purple hair to look at the clipboard. "He's 24...no specific breed."

"Don't you think the concept of having a hybrid that'd older than you...strange?" Minah asked thoughtfully, "I think I'd have to get one that’s younger than me...the power balance seems weird otherwise."

"I haven't really thought about it..." you mumbled as you looked around his room.

There was no bed, instead there was a concentration of webbing in one corner that you assumed he probably used for a bed. You could see that he was messing with something in his hands but since his back was to you, you couldn't make out what exactly it was.

"Do you have your eye on anything—" Nayeon approached the two of you and paused. "I see you've found Jimin."

"Yeah, what the hell is up with him?" Minah asked, tapping on the glass. The hybrid inside showed no signs of caring. "I didn't even know spider hybrids existed."

"Ah yes...Jimin is quite special. It's very rare to have insect hybrids," Nayeon said.

"Spiders aren't insects," you said suddenly, taking the clipboard from Minah's hands, "They're arachnids."

"Same thing," Minah mumbled, "Quit looking at him."

"There isn't much information on him," you said, looking to Nayeon as Minah scoffed at you ignoring her.

"Oh um...Jimin is..." Nayeon shifted on her feet, "Well, he's a spider...not many people want a spider hybrid. They'd prefer one they can hold and hug and show affection to. Also...he makes webs and it’s such a huge mess...just not a very house-friendly pet, you know? Most people are creeped out by him."

"Me included," Minah mumbled, side-eyeing Jimin inside his room as Nayeon nodded in agreement.

"I can't go in there...he gives me the creeps. None of the staff really go in there and to be honest he's not very social," Nayeon explained. "Jimin, can you say hi?"

"He can hear us?" you asked, eyes widening as she nodded. You were shocked to hear her speak meanly of the hybrid when he could hear her words.

"See? He doesn't really care about anyone," Nayeon explained, motioning towards where Jimin kept his back to the window as he continued to mess with whatever was in his hands.

"What can you expect from a spider? I'm pretty sure spiders are just like..." Minah motioned vaguely with her hands as she spoke, "Emotionless. They don't have like...consciousness like cats and dogs do, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah," Nayeon nodded with a sigh. "So, have any hybrids caught your eye, ma'am?"

"I actually..." you smiled lightly towards Jimin's figure.

"Oh...you really don't want him. Trust me," Nayeon shook her head. "Lots of people think they do but the second you go in there and meet him..."

"He's weird and creepy, I swear to God _____ if you get a spider hybrid I will actually beat you up," Minah grabbed your arm and tugged on you, "Please just get a cat or something I won't ever be able to come over if you get him. He's gross!"

You sighed, placing the clipboard up as you got fed up with Minah's whining. As she began to tug you away, you caught sight of what Jimin had been messing with in his hand — a little figurine made of web.

"I swear I'm never going to get the idea of a spider hybrid out of my mind now," Minah mumbled as you made your way home, "Are you seriously not going to check out any other shelters today?"

"Nah," you waved her off, "I'm pretty tired. I'll go tomorrow and see if I can find anyone."

"I have work tomorrow, I won't be able to come!" Minah whined, tossing her head back as she groaned.

You smiled, shrugging your shoulders, "I'm sure I can survive on my own. I'm a big girl."

"You say that as if I didn't stop you from getting a spider as a hybrid!" she cried, shoving your shoulder playfully, "Promise me you won't get any weird hybrids."

"I promise nothing," you turned your back to her, ignoring her whining your name as you disappeared into your apartment building.

You held your bag by your side, swinging it mindlessly as you stood in the elevator on the way up to your apartment. For some reason, your heart felt heavy and you couldn't help but flop onto your bed with a big sigh the second you stepped into your bedroom.

Staring up at the ceiling, your mind drifted to Jimin — unsure why the hybrid left such an impact on you.

When you woke up the next day, you still felt that heavy feeling hanging over you. As you got ready, you were looking up hybrid centers you could stop by to look at their selection.

Instead of going to the one you decided, a small family owned adoption center, you walked the same path as yesterday until you ended up in front of the same hybrid place you went to with Minah.

Biting the inside of your cheek, you looked at the door as you tried to decide what to do.

Suddenly, the door opened and a couple walked out snickering.

"Did you see it? How weird," the woman mumbled, "I couldn't even look at it without feeling sick."

"A hybrid like that should just be put down, no one's going to adopt it..." the man added, shoving his hands in his pockets, "It's probably just going to die in there."

"It probably doesn't even care...it's just a bug," the woman said before taking her partner's hand as they walked away.

After hearing them talk like that, you found yourself filled with determination to enter the building.

"Hi welcome!" a new woman was working at the main desk — her name tag indicating her as Yuri, "What can I help you with?"

"I'd like to adopt Jimin," you blurted out, watching as she froze where she stood blinking as if your words had thrown her through a loop.

"You...the spider, Jimin?" she asked, mouth falling open in surprise when you nodded, "I...are you sure? I mean there are plenty of other suitable hybrids—"

"I want Jimin," you said, crossing your arms over your chest.

"This has to be a joke," Yuri scoffed, customer service attitude dropping as she stared at you, "No one wants Jimin. You're just going to regret it."

"Whether I do or not isn't any of your business," you snapped, growing tired of her refusal to let you adopt him.

"How can you want a hybrid like that? Are you crazy?" she spat, narrowing her eyes to glare at you.

"What's going on here?" a sudden, masculine voice emerged from a once closed door behind the reception desk.

Yuri visibly tensed, her eyes going wide as she turned around to look, "M-Mr. Namjoon, sir...I-I didn't know you were in..."

"Right..." the man named Namjoon frowned down at her before looking at you, "Is everything alright?"

"I want to adopt Jimin and she's not letting me," you quickly ratted the rude girl out, not caring for her job after her attitude.

"Jimin?" Namjoon asked, shock evident on his face. "Are you sure?"

You were getting ready to argue again, when he suddenly reached over the reception desk to pull out a form. As he handed it to you, you realized it was an adoption form.

"M-Mr. Namjoon...surely you can't—"

"Yuri, you're dismissed," Namjoon snapped, pointing towards the door without giving her a single look. She scoffed, angrily grabbing her bag from by her chair before storming past you, muttering under her breath as she left.

You grabbed a pen and began to fill out the information on the page, acutely aware of Namjoon's eyes on you. He didn't say anything, however, so you tried your best not to pay him any mind.

Just as you were about to sign your name on the bottom, he placed his hand on the paper to stop you.

"If this is a joke..." he said, looming over you with a frown on his handsome face, "Then it's gone far enough."

"Why does everyone keep criticizing me," you mumbled, standing up straight to look at him.

"No one has ever...genuinely adopted Jimin or even really tried to adopt him," Namjoon explained, "He has been here for over 10 years...in that room, alone," you were shocked to see the way his eyes became glassy with tears, "So if you're planning...to get his hopes up for a sick joke...I really don't think he can handle it."

"I thought no one cared about him here?" you asked, watching his brows furrow,

"Who said that?" he asked.

"Girl named Nayeon," you shrugged, "I came here yesterday and she and my friend told me not to adopt him. I got annoyed so I left and came back without Minah so I could do this without her yelling at me."

"Well she's wrong," Namjoon said, "I own this center. I care for each and every hybrid that comes through those doors no matter where they come from, what breed or species they are, or how they act. Jimin is..." he sighed, "Jimin is special. No one ever looked twice at him unless it's to belittle him."

"Do people...try to adopt him as a joke?" you asked, your heart aching at the sympathetic pain that was in Namjoon's eyes as he nodded.

"A couple times," he said, "Stupid dares or attempts to look cool...they always get his hopes up only to be told it's a joke and that no one really wanted him to begin with."

"That's terrible..." your eyes burned with the appearance of tears at Namjoon's story.

"So please..." Namjoon whispered, voice cracking, "I am begging you to only do this...if you really want him."

"I really do," you said, meeting his gaze as he stared at you for several seconds. He seemed to be thinking it over, whether to believe you or not. Slowly, he removed his hand and nodded, "I'll go get him."

You nodded, watching him disappear down the hallway before signing your name on the indicated lines. Standing there, you couldn't help but think back on Namjoon's words. No doubt Jimin faced a lot of cruelty and ugliness in his lifetime. The very thought of him being shut in a room, forced to listen to people call him names for 10 years had your eyes filling with tears.

You would do everything in your power to make him happy with you.

"You're still here..." Namjoon's voice had you jumping and you spun on your heel to find him standing there — alone.

"Um...of course..." you shrugged, "Where's Jimin?"

"I didn't get him yet," Namjoon explained, walking up to you with his arms crossed over his chest, "Usually when I leave to get him...people run away. So..."

"You decided to test me," you said, chuckling when he nodded, "Did I pass?"

"You'll pass when you pay for him first," he said, rounding the reception desk to take a seat in front of the computer.

"Locking me in with the cash, huh?" you shook your head, slightly offended that he believed you were such a bad person but also understanding his desire to protect Jimin.

You opened your purse and pulled out your wallet, passing your debit card over to him. He held it in his fingers for a moment, looking at it with his jaw clenched. As you were about to question him, he punched a few things into the keyboard and slid your card into the chip reader.

"Alright," he printed the receipt and stood, handing it over to you.

"Hey..." you stopped him before he could get too far, "You only charged me $100. Isn't it supposed to cost $1,000?"

"Keep your money for Jimin," Namjoon said, giving you a dimpled smile before turning and disappearing into the double doors leading to the hybrids once again.

You stuffed the receipt into your purse and inhaled deeply as you waited for them to come back. The doors were pushed open and you turned around to see Jimin face-to-face for the first time.

He met your gaze for a fraction of a second — long enough for you to get a look at his face. His eyes were a striking amber brown with split pupils — two in each eye. The vibrant color seemed even more so against his black sclera. You could see the faintest sign of fangs poking out from between his lips. He quickly looked down at the floor as he and Namjoon approached you.

"Hi Jimin," you greeted with a smile. He didn't respond to you and you deflated slightly before looking to Namjoon, "Thank you so much. We should probably get home so he can get settled in."

"I think that's a good idea," Namjoon said, placing his hand on Jimin's back to urge him forward. The hybrid easily moved closer to you and you were able to see the wisps of web that were attacked to his hair, clothes, and skin. "Bye Jimin."

Jimin froze for a moment, looking over his shoulder at Namjoon. You watched for a second as Namjoon's eyes grew glassy and it occurred to you that Namjoon was losing Jimin after 10 years. Jimin reached out to place his hand against Namjoon's arm.

"You know..." you paused, making both of them look at you, "You have...my address and phone number on the file now. So...if you want to visit any time...you are more than welcome to. I don't live far from here...just a few blocks. I walked here today."

"Really?" Namjoon brightened up, smiling until his dimples appeared, "I appreciate that. I promise I'll visit you, Jimin, okay?"

The hybrid nodded, a smile of his own appearing — letting you see the sharp fangs in his mouth. The way he smiled caused his eyes to scrunch closed and you couldn't help but smile alongside him. He was cute.

"It's not much..." you mumbled, suddenly feeling self-conscious about your little apartment, "There's a spare room you can have but you'll have to share the bathroom with me."

He stood in the entryway, looking around with wide eyes at the living room. His mouth was open a bit and he looked amazed.

"It's...nice," he said, speaking the first words to you. His voice was soft, holding a gentle melody to it.

"Thank you," you smiled, waving him over to follow you, "I'll show you your room."

He eagerly trailed behind you, hot on your heels as you made your way down the small hallway to the last room — right across from yours.

"Is this it?" he asked as you pushed the door open, "My room?"

"Yeah, mine's across the hall," you said, stepping aside to let him step into the room. "It uh...doesn't have a bed but...I saw you didn't have one at the center so..."

"I don't need one," he said, confirming your suspicion, "Is it...alright for me to...web?"

"Um...yeah, it should be," you bit your lip, accidentally meeting his curious gaze.

"Do you not like the webs?" he asked, the happy glow around him vanishing, "I-I won't web anywhere else in the house, I promise. Or...if you think it's gross I can try not to but—"

"Hey, it's alright," you chuckled, shaking your head, "I was just worried that the web might mess up the walls or something. If there's damage then I won't get my deposit back on this place."

"Oh..." he relaxed and looked around, humming, "I don't think it will do anything. It's really soft and it's never pulled paint or anything."

"It should be fine," you waved him off with a smile, "If something happens we can lie or something," he smiled, a soft chuckle leaving his lips, "I'll leave you to do...whatever you gotta do."

"Okay," he said, a smile still lingering on his lips as you stepped out and closed to door behind you.

As you stood in the kitchen, you suddenly realized that you had no earthly idea what Jimin would eat. You hummed, going over your options before deciding you'd just ask him.

He'd been holed up in his room for a couple hours so you hoped it'd been long enough. Stopping at his door, you knocked a few times as you waited for him to answer.

"Come in!" he called and you pushed the door open.

"Whoa," you paused, looking around at the changed room.

There was a thick cave of web in the corner that he was sitting in front of, softly smoothing his hands over. He looked over his shoulder with a smile.

"I got my nest done," he explained proudly, "I didn't get to do anything else but...oh well, I have time."

"Yeah, you do," you nodded, "Hey Jimin...what do you eat?"

His smile disappeared immediately and you were worried you'd offended him somehow but before you could apologize, he spoke up, "What do you eat?"

"Um...mostly ramen or cereal, not really healthy stuff," you shrugged, "I get take out a lot — chicken or pizza."

"I eat whatever you eat," he smiled, nodding his head.

"Are you sure?" you asked, crossing your arms over your chest, "If you're just saying that because you're worried about bothering me, please don't. I have money saved up specifically for you so if there's anything special you need, Jimin..."

Jimin looked anxious for a second, twirling a piece of his web around his finger, "I really do eat anything you do but...there is something..."

"What is it?" you urged, kneeling on the floor beside him.

"It's really hard to get a hold of and I think it's kind of expensive..." he meekly met your gaze, giving you a small half-smile, "There's a special treat that Namjoon sometimes got for me — it's called SpiderSnack...it has supplements and things in it that...help web production and other stuff..."

"Do you know how to get it?" you asked, which Jimin hummed in response.

"I think there's a website online, Namjoon always told me it was delivered so..." he shrugged, sitting back on his hands, "You really don't have to get it though."

"I have no problems getting it," you smiled, patting his shoulder before standing up, "Now come on and help me decide what to get for dinner."

"Alright," he stood up and quickly followed you out of the room and into the living room.

It didn't take long for Jimin to decide he wanted a cheese pizza, which you happily ordered for him.

Once you were both finished eating, he decided to head back into his room to rest. After bidding him goodnight, you curled up on the couch with your favorite movie playing.

At some point, you'd fallen asleep. However, you were woken up by a soft sniffle coming from beside you. The sound had your eyes fluttering open, frowning as you saw Jimin sitting on the floor watching the TV play.

"Jimin?" you asked drowsily, sitting up.

He looked over his shoulder and you could see, off the reflection from the TV, there were tears on his cheeks, "S-Sorry...did I wake you?"

"What's the matter? Are you okay?" you asked, sitting up and kneeling on the floor beside him. "Why're you crying?"

"I...I don't know," he chuckled humorlessly as he wiped his cheeks, "I was trying to sleep and came out to get a drink and saw you sleeping here...I just...got emotional."

You smiled, placing your hand on his back, "A lot happened today, it's okay."

"Why did you adopt me, ______?" he asked suddenly, turning his teary gaze to you.

You were quiet for a moment, staring into his eyes — his double pupils trembling slightly, "I don't know...I couldn't stop thinking about you when I went home. I woke up that morning and I just knew that...I wanted to have you here with me."

He smiled, more tears falling from his eyes as he leaned forward and engulfed you in a warm hug. You smiled, wrapping your arms around his middle to hug him back.

"I'm so grateful..." he whispered, "No one but Namjoon has ever treated me the way you have. Even if you decide to give me back...I'll be happy because I've now felt kindness from someone."

"I won't give you back, Jimin," you promised, your own voice becoming watery with your tears, "You're here to stay and I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Hey...how old are you?" Jimin asked, taking a bite out of his toast.

"22," you replied, jumping when he gasped.

"I'm older than you!" he laughed, fangs glistening in the sunlight.

"Don't let it get to your head," you mumbled, a slight pout evident in your voice.

Jimin laughed happily, his smile contagious.

"Hey, can I watch TV?" he asked suddenly.

"You don't have to ask, go for it," you said as you collected the dishes to prepare for washing them.

Just as you turned on the water, however, your doorbell went off. Jimin was standing in front of the TV, remote in hand as he stared at the door. You noticed the strong frown on his lips and the dark look in his eyes. He watched the door as if he were ready to attack whoever was on the other side.

Opening the door, you gasped when you saw Minah's beaming smile.

"Hey!" she giggled, stepping into the apartment. "Did you—" she froze when her eyes landed on Jimin.

"Um...Minah..." you swallowed nervously, "This is Jimin. I adopted him yesterday."

"You did what?" a look of what you could only describe as disgust crossed her face as she looked at Jimin.

Jimin had lost all light to him, curling in on himself as he kept his head down. You could see his hands were shaking as he held the remote. Your heart ached at the sight.

"_____, this is ridiculous!" Minah cried, turning to you almost angrily, "You got a spider hybrid? What is wrong with you? Who the hell goes to adopt a hybrid and thinks 'hmm gee a gross webbing freak would make a good pet!'"

Before you could say anything, Jimin dropped the remote to the floor and took off down the hallway — slamming his bedroom door shut.

"Minah!" you snapped as you turned back to her, "Just because he's different doesn't mean there's anything wrong with him! He's been called names all his life, I'm not going to let someone come into my house and do it to him!"

"_____, I'm sor—"

"Just save it," you hissed, yanking the front door open as a signal for her to leave.

"You can't be throwing me out over him!" she gasped, offended, "I told you if you got that bug—"

"Just get out!" your words made her flinch and she pursed her lips before storming out.

Slamming the door, you let out a sigh. Running your hands through your hair, you realized you were shaking. You took a few deep breaths to calm yourself before making your way down the hallway to Jimin's room.

"Jimin?" you called through the door, tapping on it a couple times. He didn't answer and you sighed, "I'm coming in, okay?"

He still didn't respond and you pushed the door open. You jumped when your face was met with wisps of web. Waving your hand in front of your face, you broke the strands and stepped inside the room.

It was basically fully webbed and it felt almost like cotton beneath your feet — soft and fluffy. Making your way across the room, you stopped at the opening to his nest, kneeling down to peer in.

He was sitting down, knees drawn to his chest as he cried. Your heart ached at the sight and you sighed.

"Jimin..." you reached inside the nest to touch him but were met with a sudden, sharp slap that had you retracting your hand. You hissed in pain, bringing it to your chest as the skin burned from the impact.

"I should have known you were just like the rest!" he hissed, the glare on his face was nothing short of hateful.

"Wh-What're you talking about?" your own eyes becoming teary. You felt hurt that Jimin had hit you and was now speaking and looking at you like he couldn't stand you.

"Bringing your friend over to make me feel like shit!" he snapped, a curse surprising you, "I know you think I'm just a disgusting little insect you can step all over but I'm not!"

You gasped, flinching when he shouted the last word. Quicker than you could react, he was shooting from the entrance, knocking you to the side as he stood above you. His shoulders were heaving with anger but there were still tears falling from his eyes.

"Jimin—"

"Don't!" he shouted, shaking his head, "You're just like every other human. You're never going to accept me...I should have known you could never love me..." his anger seemed to dissipate as quickly as it appeared, "I'm not a cat or a dog but...I feel just like they do. Why...why aren't I deserving of affection and care like they are? I always have to watch normal hybrids go to good homes and find someone who will hug them and make them happy. I thought," he paused as a sob broke through his lips, hanging his head, "I thought I could be like that but instead I get stuck with a bitch who thinks it's fun to hurt me for a good laugh!"

Your mouth fell open at the insult, unable to say anything as he turned his back to you. Scrambling to your feet, you breezed past him, pulling the door shut behind you before going into your own room to cry.

The impact Jimin had on you was incredible. In just a day, you already felt nothing but love for him. But in the same amount of time, you'd managed to become the source of hatred. His words continued to bounce around your head as you stayed holed up in your room. Your phone went off, showing a few texts from Minah but you ignored them, intent on letting her know you weren't willing to forgive her for this.

What hurt the most, however, was the guilt you felt over allowing him to be hurt so severely. You'd brought him into your home to make him feel safe and just one thing went wrong and that safe space was shattered for him.

A few days went by with no sign of Jimin. You could hear him leave the room in the middle of the night to get some food or to use the bathroom before he shut himself away once more until the next night. He was doing everything in his power to shut you out and you were too scared to try and corner him. You didn't want to upset him like that again — listening to the way he cried and talked down about himself broke your heart.

He was so wrong, thinking he wasn't good enough to be loved. You wanted to tell him, but there was no way he would listen to you.

You sat on the floor of the living room, typing away on your laptop as you had an essay due for your class. You were on a roll when the doorbell ringing broke you out of your groove. Sighing, you got to your feet and opened the front door.

There was nobody at the door, however, instead there was a package sitting on the floor. Bending down, you scooped it up and brought it inside, kicking the door shut with your foot before bringing the package to the kitchen. With the help of the scissors, you managed to slice the tape and pull the cardboard flaps open.

The words SpiderSnack popped out in bright red letters and you smiled. Pulling it from the box, you took a look at it. Inside the bag looked similar to Chex Mix.

Tapping your fingers on the counter, you debated what you could do. You took a look down the hallway. He most likely wouldn't answer if you knocked on the door.

He would come out later that night, however. Taking a sticky note from the magnetic ones that were on your fridge, you wrote a quick note and stuck it onto the bag.

An olive branch, perhaps.

Smiling, you went back to your computer to attempt to complete your essay.

Entering the kitchen the next morning, you paused when you saw the SpiderSnack still sitting on the counter. The sticky note had been pulled off, crumpled, and tossed away like trash. You bit your lip to keep your tears at bay as disappointment washed over you. Attempt apparently not accepted.

You were laid in bed, watching a stupid reality TV show to pass the time as you had no desire to be up for the day. Suddenly, your phone being to angrily buzz from its place on the nightstand. Jumping, you snatched it up to see an unfamiliar number calling. Swiping to answer, you brought it up to your ear.

"Hello?" you asked through a mouthful of Lucky Charms.

"_____! It's Namjoon," you froze and sat up.

"Oh...hey, Namjoon," you winced at how stiff you sounded.

"How is Jimin doing?" the dreaded question had you casting your eyes downward in shame. How were you meant to tell the man that entrusted you with Jimin that you'd essentially broke his heart, "Is something the matter?"

"I..." before you could get any further, you burst into tears. Namjoon hurriedly spoke from the other side, urging you to calm down and tell him what was going on. After a moment of you attempting to get your breathing under control, he fell silent.

"You regret it, don't you?" his voice was dark, "Thought you wanted him and now you realize...you're trapped with a creepy hybrid you don't actually like as much as you thought you did."

"No!" you cried out immediately, your own volume startling you, "Th-That's not it at all! I just...something went wrong and now he just...he won't come out and I'm pretty sure he can't stand me now."

"What happened?" Namjoon asked, sounding less angry than he did a second ago.

"My friend came over...she got mad that I chose to get Jimin instead of another hybrid," you explained, sniffling as another wave of tears came over you, "She started saying awful things in front of Jimin and now he thinks I set him up for that."

Namjoon sighed, "What'd she say?"

Um," you thought back, "She called him a freak...I can't really remember it, Jimin and I got into a fight afterwards."

"He's rightfully upset," Namjoon's words had a sob breaking from your lips.

"I know...I-I'm so sorry, I didn't think it through. I-I was so caught up in-in getting him settled I forgot to let anyone know," you explained tearfully, covering your mouth as your breathing stuttered slightly, "Maybe I should just...give him back..."

"That would only hurt him more," Namjoon said, "Jimin's more fragile than he looks and when he's hurt he gets tunnel vision...he only wants to see what he thinks it the truth and refuses to listen to anything otherwise. I don't think giving him up is the right thing to do."

"He's only miserable here now," you mumbled, "He stays in his room all day and only comes out for a few minutes each night. It's not fair for him to live like that so he can avoid me."

"I see..." he fell silent once more, "I'm going to hang up now. Please call me when you've made a decision."

Before you could reply, he hung up and you were left with just the TV once more. You buried your face in your hands and cried out everything you needed to before laying back down to try and nap.

You heard a door creak open, rousing you from sleep. Your eyes burned as you opened them, feeling swollen from crying. Sitting up, you realized the TV was still on and night had fallen. You'd slept the day away.

Sighing, you grabbed the remote and began channel surfing for something more interesting to watch as you flicked the lamp on. It was going to screw your sleep schedule up but you didn't feel like sleeping anymore.

As you sat against the headboard, holding a pillow in your lap, you heard three delicate knocks on the door. Your heart stuttered in your chest and you called for him to come in.

He pushed the door open slowly before peeking his head inside, the mop of purple hair untamed and hanging in his face.

"I saw...your lamp turn on..." he said as he stood in the doorway anxiously.

"Ah...couldn't sleep," you explained, shrugging your shoulders.

It felt so tense and awkward around him now and that broke your heart. You bit your lip to keep yourself from breaking into tears again. Jimin slowly approached the bed, weight causing the floorboards to creak beneath him. He was silent as he stood beside you, running his tongue over his fangs.

"Please don't send me back," your head snapped up when you heard him whimper out the words. "I-I heard you on the phone...I'm sorry, ______. I'll do anything, I don't want to be put in that room again to have people stare at me like I'm a freak show."

"Are you sure?" you asked, your own tears breaking free, "I don't want you to have to live with me when you hate me."

"I don't hate you!" he cried, tossing his head back in frustration, "I'm such an idiot."

You watched as he reached up to knock himself on the head with his fist. Reaching up, you grabbed his wrist to stop him, causing him to look at you before sobbing.

"Th-The first person who takes me in and I-I go and ruin it," he whispered, breathing stuttering, "I knew I didn't deserve this."

"Jimin..." you tugged on his wrist so he would sit down on the bed with you, "I don't want you to go either. I-If you'll stay then I want you here."

He paused, meeting your gaze before wrapping you up in a sudden hug, "I want to stay here with you for as long as you'll have me. I'm happy here and I love you."

"I..." you smiled, burying your face in his neck as you smiled, "I love you too, Jimin."

The two of you exhausted yourselves from crying and you both decided to lay down. You reached over and turned off the lamp, snuggling beneath your soft fleece blanket with Jimin pressed against your side. You were pleasantly surprised by how warm he was.

"_____," he said, voice vibrating in his chest where you head lay, "I'm so sorry..."

"Hm? For what?" you mumbled sleepily, vision blurring as you watched the TV. His heart was faster than a humans and calming to listen to.

"I...I hit you and I shouldn't have done that," he said, his hand finding its way around your waist, "And I had no right to call you a bitch. I was angry but there's no excuse so I'm sorry."

You smiled, snuggling closer to him, "It's okay, Jimin. I forgive you."

Things seemed to calm down quickly and you fell back into an easy rhythm. You were happy to find Jimin eating out of the SpiderSnack that you had bought him.

"I really appreciate this, you know, ______," he said with a mouth full, "I'm sorry I didn't eat it earlier I just..." he sighed, "I felt bad for how I treated you and it felt wrong for me to take these."

"It's okay," you reassured, patting his back as you sat down with a bowl of cereal, "As long as you can eat it now."

You and Jimin dissolved into a conversation about the dream he'd had the previous night, wondering if he could look up the meaning of it. Just as you pulled out your phone to open google, your doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," you said, missing the anxious look on Jimin's face as you made your way to the door.

Pulling it open, you were pleased to see the glasses-clad face of Namjoon. He smiled sheepishly, hands tucked into his pockets.

"Hey! Come on in!" you grinned, opening the door wider, "Hey Jimin! Namjoon is here!"

There was a momentary pause before you heard the loud scrape of Jimin's chair being pushed back. His hurried footsteps grew louder until he came into view with a huge grin on his face.

"Hey Jimin!" Namjoon greeted, opening his arms as Jimin threw himself towards him for a hug, "How are you doing?"

"I'm great," Jimin breathed as he stepped back, "How are you?"

"Really good," Namjoon replied, nodding his head, "It's really good to see you. I really hope you don't mind me stopping by. I had you address from the adoption form."

"No, it's perfectly fine," you smiled, closing the door before motioning the man to come inside, "We were just eating breakfast. Would you like anything?"

"No, I'm fine thank you," Namjoon said, taking a seat on the couch.

"_____ found SpiderSnack for me," Jimin blurted out excitedly, making Namjoon smile.

"Really? That's great, now you can gorge yourself on it," he teased, making the hybrid laugh.

The atmosphere became one even brighter with the appearance of Namjoon. You could tell how happy he made Jimin and you felt thankful that Jimin at least him him outside of you.

As you stood in the kitchen, eating your cereal to give them some time alone, an idea came to mind and you smiled.

When it was time for Namjoon to leave, you asked to speak privately with him. As you stepped out and shut the door, you met his gaze.

"Do you think it'd be a good idea to introduce him to others...you know — get him some friends," you asked, flushing when he smiled.

"I think it'd be a good idea," he nodded, "Either your own trusted friends or some hybrid friends. There's lots of groups that actively get together in the community for hybrids to get to know one another."

"Really? Other hybrids don't...think badly of him?" you asked, frowning.

"Not typically," Namjoon replied, "They're typically quite uncaring of other hybrids' species...all they really care about is that they're hybrids as well."

"Alright," you smiled, "I have some friends with hybrids of their own. I'll meet with them and see if I can set something up."

"It's a good idea to slowly introduce them," Namjoon advised, "Too many new faces and scents could freak him out and make him insecure. Just expand his circle slowly and at his own pace, okay?"

"Alright, thank you, Namjoon," you smiled, bidding him goodbye.

When you stepped back inside, you were filled with a new found determination to brighten Jimin's life even more.

Your friend Taehyung and his dog-hybrid Jungkook were the first ones you contacted. They lived nearby and you had worked with Taehyung at a local cafe for about 2 years where a friendship had budded. His adoption of Jungkook was what opened your eyes to the possibility of getting your own hybrid.

"Jimin," you called from the front door, pulling your shoes on as you heard his door open. He came into view with bedhead and tired eyes, "I'm going to see some friends so I'll be gone for a little while, alright?"

"Alright," he yawned, "Be safe."

"I will," you waved him goodbye and left.

"_____!" the overexcited voice of Jungkook had a smile spreading across your face as you walked into the ice cream shop that you'd decided to meet at.

"Hey guys!" you greeted, walking up to the table but pausing when you found them, only to pause at the two new faces.

"I hope you don't mind..." Taehyung chuckled nervously, "I brought a couple friends...Hoseok and his hybrid Yoongi."

"You mentioned you have a new hybrid you're looking to integrate?" Hoseok asked, an almost blinding smile on his face.

"Um yeah, that's right...it's nice to meet you both," you smiled, taking a seat.

"What kind of hybrid is he?" Yoongi asked.

"He's actually a spider-hybrid," you said, watching all four faces turn to that of surprise, "I know it's unusual...but he's really sweet."

"Hey I didn't say anything," Taehyung chuckled, "I've just never heard of a spider-hybrid."

"They're like...crazy rare," Jungkook gasped, leaning forward, "I think they're basically an endangered species of hybrid now. There are so few of them, to be honest, I thought they were extinct."

"How'd you find him?" Hoseok asked in interest, leaning forward.

"I found him at a shelter," you explained, "He'd been there for like 10 years because no one wanted him. People are...surprisingly cruel to him."

"Poor thing..." Yoongi sighed, shaking his head, "I think it's great for you to introduce him to some friends."

"Humans can be so cruel..." Hoseok sighed, shaking his head.

"I guess we could hang out at your place in the future?" Taehyung asked, looking towards you.

"I don't think that's a good idea..." Jungkook mumbled, "He probably won't like having strangers in his space right off the bat."

"How about a park?" Yoongi asked, "If he spent pretty much all his life in that shelter then...I'm sure he'll enjoy being outside for a while."

"You know...I haven't taken him out yet..." you admitted, "Do you think I should?"

"I don't see why not," Yoongi replied, "Expand his world, he may enjoy the bonding with you."

You smiled, thanking them for the advice before you all finally ordered your ice cream.

When you returned home, Jimin was sitting in the living room with a plate of pizza rolls while he watched TV.

"I'm home," you said, closing the door behind you as you kicked your shoes off and hung your jacket up.

"Hey! Welcome home!" Jimin greeted, looking over his shoulder as he stuffed a pizza roll into his mouth, "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah!" you grinned, making your way over to the couch to have a seat.

As you did however, you felt Jimin stiffen beside you. You reached forward and stole a pizza roll, popping it in your mouth with a sigh.

"You..." he turned to look at you, a dark look on his face that sent a chill down your spine, "You smell different."

"Eh?" you raised a brow, looking down at yourself, "I...have a new body wash..."

"No you..." he leaned forward, his nose meeting your neck before he took a slow inhale, "You smell like other hybrids."

"Oh," you smiled, shaking off the flutter in your chest from his proximity, "I met with my friend Taehyung and his hybrid Jungkook and they brought their friends Hoseok and hybrid Yoongi."

"I don't like that..." he growled, running his tongue over his fangs, "I don't like their scents on you, _____..."

"I..." the deep tone of his voice has your heart skipping a beat and you flushed hot in response, "D-Do you want me to shower then?"

He didn't say anything, simply nodding his head. You could feel his gaze burning holes into you until you disappeared down the hallway. When you reached the bathroom, you placed your hand over your heart to steady it as it continued to race.

There was something about sweet, soft Jimin acting so dark and commanding that just had goosebumps rising all over your skin. You quickly decided to jump in the shower before your thoughts could go any further.

Once out of the shower, you towel dried your hair as you made your way to the living room once again. Jimin was still sitting on the couch, elbows on his knees as he gazed at the TV. He didn't seem to notice you and as you looked at him, you couldn't help but admire his features.

A sharp jawline and pretty, plump lips that he mindlessly ran his tongue over up to the soft slope of his nose and pretty eyelashes that fluttered against his cheeks.

You stepped up to the couch, finally getting his attention and he turned to look at you. His eyes traveled up and down your body, as if inspecting you, the golden glow of his eyes making those double pupils even more prominent.

He stood up, gazing down at you intently, making you shudder. Reaching up, he cupped your jaw and roughly turned your face away to expose the column of your neck. He leaned forward, nosing at the skin. Your breath hitched as you felt his lips ghost of your pulse, pausing to inhale deeply there.

"Much better..." he breathed, suddenly pulling back and dropping to the couch with a smile, "Come on, I was just about to watch A Star is Born."

As he patted the seat, you couldn't ignore the flame he'd lit within you. His sudden behavioral change left your head spinning but you took your seat beside him anyway.

"Hey Jimin?" you asked, a few days after that incedent. Jimin hadn't brought it up and you pretended it never happened. The two of you easily fell back into a rhythm.

"What's up?" Jimin asked from his bedroom.

"Do you want to go shopping?" You asked, smiling when you heard his muffled footsteps before his bedroom door opened.

"Really?" he grinned, bits of web stuck to his hair.

"Yeah, come on," you reached up to pull the whisps from his hair before he stepped out.

It was endearing how excited Jimin was as you made the short walk to the nearby shopping district. He had his hands shoved in his coat pockets as he talked animatedly about anything that came to mind.

The place was bustling, you and Jimin having to weave in and out of the many people you passed. Jimin looked around in wonder at all the shops.

"Do you want to stop inside?" you asked as he paused in front of a men's clothing shop, "You haven't gotten any new clothes since you came here..."

"Really? Can I?" he asked, eyes sparkling when you nodded.

You followed behind him into the store, the scent of cologne in the air making you wrinkle your nose. Jimin disappeared into the racks of clothing as he located the hybrid section. You decided to follow his lead, taking a look around to see if anything stood out that you could make gift him.

You reached the back of the store, finding a wall of shoes. You heard muffled voices from up front and you turned around to see the top of Jimin's purple head. Frowning, you realized there was someone in front of him.

As you approached, you could make out the words, "What are you?"

"Um...wh-what do you mean?" Jimin asked timidly.

"Your eyes...they're fucking weird..." the stranger mumbled.

"I'm a uh...spider..." Jimin replied, though you could hear his voice tremble.

"Ew, seriously?" the man, you realized, asked in disgust, "Can you make webs and shit?"

"Hey!" you snapped, making both men look at you. Jimin relaxed in relief and the stranger raised a brow, "Leave him alone."

"This bug yours?" he asked, a cocky smirk on his face.

"Don't call him that!" you spat, breezing past him to grab Jimin's hand, "Come on Jimin."

"Careful and make sure he doesn't end up splattered on a windshield!" the man laughed.

You felt Jimin's hand tighten around yours as you both left the store.

"Jimin..."

"I want to go home," he mumbled, releasing your hand before slowly making his way in the direction of the apartment.

"Okay..." you whispered, trailing behind him.

His form looked so sad, head hung and shoulders hunched. You cursed that man for ruining what could have been a perfectly lovely and fun day for the hybrid.

Once you entered the apartment, he made a beeline for his bedroom but you grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Don't, Jimin," you sighed.

"Don't what?" he asked, sounded so dejected that it broke your heart.

"Don't shut yourself away," you begged, feeling the prick of tears when he pulled away from you and made his way down the hall once again.

Instead of going into his room, however, he turned and went into your room. A small smile played at your lips in relief before you followed his lead.

He was sitting on your bed, hands folded in his lap when you entered.

"It's just a stupid name...I don't know why it bothers me so much..." he mumbled as you stood in front of him.

"It's okay..." you mumbled, running your fingers through his hand, making him shiver, "Your feelings are always valid, Jimin. If the name makes you hurt then...we just have to find a way for it not to."

"How do we do that?" he asked, looking up at your with teary eyes.

His lashes fluttered as you brushed a stray tear away, "How about we turn 'bug' into something positive?"

"Positive?" a small smile was finally playing at his lips as he looked at you, his glassy eyes shining once more, "What, you going to start calling me a love bug?"

"Jimin the love bug," you cooed, watching how face turn red until he had to break his gaze. You giggled, "Does that make you happy? Being called a lovebug?"

The way he wrapped his arms around your middle, hugging you as he laughed. You couldn't resist wrapping him up in a hug in return.

It had been such a long week and you felt drained. Jimin was bustling about as usual, happy as could be. You were bored, thinking of something to do when your phone went off.

You were elated to discover some of your girlfriends were going out to party.

"Hey Jimin!" you called as you began digging through your closet for something to wear, "I'm going to go out!"

"Huh? Where?" he asked, startling you as he appeared in the doorway of your closet.

"Out drinking with some girlfriends," you said, finally picking out a dress.

"Drinking? Will you be safe?" he asked, following close behind you as you picked a pair of shoes and placed the slowly forming outfit on the bed.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," you reassured, feeling giddy at the idea of going out to have some fun.

Jimin lingered, watching you almost anxiously until you shooed him out so you could get dressed. Keeping your makeup light, you opened the door to find Jimin leaning against his bedroom door.

"Alright, I'll be back late okay?" you said, making your way down the hall as you slid your phone into your purse, "Don't wait up."

"_____..." Jimin whined as you opened the door, making you pause. You could see he wanted to say something but he only sighed and gave you a fake smile before saying, "Have fun."

You did feel bad leaving him alone when it was clear he didn't want you to, but you needed to go out and have fun. You adored Jimin but you needed some time away from him, just some simple girl-time with your friends and drinks.

You got buzzed pretty quickly — not wasted but you were feeling pleasantly buzzed. Naturally, such a state interfered with your inhibitions and logical decision making.

Which is why you ended up bringing a man you'd met at the bar home.

It didn't occur to you, as you kissed the man and let him pin you down to your bed, to think of Jimin. He pushed the hem of your dress up and roughly yanked you close to him, making you squeak in shock.

Pinning your wrists down, he began trailing his lips across your exposed collar bones. Before his hand could reach your panties, there was a low growl that ripped through the room.

"Oh shit!" the man gasped, jumping back in shock at the appearance of Jimin standing in the doorway, "Who the fuck are you?"

"Jimin," you mumbled, sitting up to push the hem of your dress down properly.

"Get out," Jimin snarled, approaching the man aggressively.

"Wh-What the fuck are you?" the man sputtered, scrambling out of your bed as he met Jimin's eyes — his double pupils easily following his every move.

"I...y-you should probably go..." you mumbled from the bed, biting your lip as you watched Jimin bare his fangs in warning to the stranger.

"Y-You're kidding right?" the man scoffed, shaking his head, "Fucking freaks."

With his departure, you were left with a very tense Jimin. His chest was heaving with anger as he stared at you, taking a few easy strides to you.

"Did you enjoy that?" he growled, crawling onto the bed. The way he crawled over you was predatory and you couldn't help but squeeze your thighs together in response.

"Wh-What?" you breathed, keening at the feeling of his lips meeting your neck.

"Making me angry," he whispered, "Letting him taint you with his disgusting scent when you know...my scent is the only one you should have on your skin."

"I-I'm sorry Jimin..." you whimpered, your panties growing damper by the second, "I'm drunk I wasn't...thinking straight."

"Right..." he scoffed, the dominance he oozed nearly had you moaning, "I want you to go take a shower, wash his stink off of you and when you come back...I'll make you smell like you should."

He leaned back to let you slide off the bed. The way he scanned over your body, tongue sliding over his bottom lip made you clench pathetically in your panties. As quickly as you could, you made it to the bathroom and haphazardly stripped.

When you stepped back into your bedroom, Jimin was still sitting on your bed. The shower had significantly sobered you up and as you stood in front of him, you felt shy with his dark gaze on you.

"What's the matter?" he asked, a smirk growing on his face as you shifted on your feet, "You look nervous..." he stood up, the way he walked was confident and he had his head held high, "Do I make you nervous, _____?"

"I..." you licked your lips as you looked up at him, "I just really want to touch you."

"Oh?" he chuckled, cupping your chin, "Don't you mean you want me to touch you? Hm?" he leaned closer to you, his nose brushing against yours with his close proximity, "Isn't that why you brought him here? I saw the way you let him treat you, pin you down...is that what you like? You want to be treated roughly?"

Your eyes fluttered as you whimpered in arousal, the very idea of being pinned beneath Jimin's powerful form so tempting. Licking your lips, you met his gaze. You were able to see his eyes so much better and they were so beautiful and unique you could get lost in them.

"Is that a yes?" he asked, breath fanning over your lips. It took a second for you to remember where you were before you quickly nodded.

Then a fraction of a second later, his lips were on yours. The kiss started out soft, like Jimin was taking his time to enjoy his first kiss with you. Quickly, however, it turned hotter until he was licking feverishly into your mouth.

As your mind was occupied with his mouth, he reached up to pull at the hem of your towel. It easily came undone and fell to the floor — leaving you completely naked. You gasped at the cool air against your damp skin. He grinned against your lips and stepped away, leaving you feeling vulnerable.

Those enchanting eyes traveled over every centimeter of exposed skin. The urge to cover yourself was tempting and your fingers twitched by your sides.

“You are…” he breathed, tongue sliding over his bottom lip, “Stunning.”

“Jimin…” you breathed his name and you saw his jaw clenched at the desperation in your voice.

He could hear your heart pounding, could see the way your pupils displayed, and could smell your building arousal. His own cock was hard in his pants, dripping precum and no doubt making a mess.

“On the bed,” he ordered, watching as you scrambled to crawl on.

You turned and sat down, facing him. He grinned, showing those sharp fangs, at the sight of you sitting so prettily — waiting for him. You were under his control, giving your body up for him — trusting him to take care of you. The thought made his cock throb and he released a slow groan.

You bit your lip as he began to approach you, taking his time while keeping his eyes locked on you. When he was within arms reach of you, he inhaled deeply and grinned.

“I can smell how wet you are for me…” he whispered, making your cheeks flush hot.

“Y-You can?” he nodded, reaching up to gently wrap his hand around your throat. Your breath hitched as he leaned in, nosing your neck before inhaling deeply.

“Of course,” he breathed, “My senses are much more acute than yours are…and might I say, you smell delectable.”

“Y-You sound like you're going to eat me,” you whispered, making him pause.

He leaned back and met your gaze, his beautiful eyes trembling slightly as he rested his forehead against yours. Then, his eyes slowly scrunched up and he let out a little giggle that had your heart skipping a beat.

How could he go from taking your breath away with starling dominance to making your heart skip a beat with how utterly endearing he was? But as soon as that cuteness appeared, it vanished again.

“Of course I wouldn't eat you,” he whispered, slowly sinking to his knees, “But I wouldn't say no to a taste.”

You gasped as you were suddenly pushed flat onto your back. Rough hands roughly gripped the back of your knees, yanking you forward with surprising strength before pinning them open.

Your cunt was completely exposed to him and he groaned at the sight. There wasn't even a second for you to feel embarrassed before his tongue was diving between your folds.

The first thing you noticed was how hot his tongue was. The second thing you noticed was the foreign texture — similar to a cat's tongue only much softer. You could feel the barbs slide over your clit, making your hips jump.

Jimin moaned, sliding his tongue against your entrance to collect more of your sweet arousal. His lashes fluttered, enjoying the way you tightened around the intrusion.

Your fingers found purchase in his hair, not pulling but holding on. He grinned against your pussy, using two fingers to spread you open. Pulling back, he watched your hole spasm and your clit twitch in arousal.

“So small…” he whispered, bringing two fingers to your entrance, “How will you take my cock?”

“Fuck…” you gasped as he worked the two digits in. Your eyes rolled back at the light stretch, biting your lip as soon as he started scissoring them.

“Does that feel good?” he asked.

“S-So good...another finger, please,” you whined, a beg he quickly abided.

Jimin let out a soft moan of his own as he worked to fit the third digit in. Your walls were squeezing him tightly, trying to suck him in deeper.

“Y-Your tongue, please make me cum, Jimin,” you begged, lightly tugging on his hair.

He groaned at the feeling, the slight pain making his cock pulse. He had never been harder in his life.

Leaning forward, he swirled his tongue around your clit. Your reaction was instantaneous, your back arching as your walls squeezed tight.

He felt your body trembling, tensing and your breathing picking up. Working harder, he worked his fingers inside of you. Suddenly, he hit a spot that had you exploding.

You cried his name, arching so beautifully as you gushed around his fingers. He groaned at the feeling of his fingers becoming soaked in your cum. Diligently, he worked your spasming clit until you were pushing him away from the sensitive bud.

Pulling back, he pulled his fingers from your cunt. Your thighs immediately snapped shut as you trembled, coming down from the high.

He brought his fingers to his lips, enveloping them one by one to lick your cum off of them. He could feel his underwear sticking to his length from the amount of precum he was leaking. His cock ached, desperate to be buried inside of you.

He stood suddenly, gaining your attention once more. You had more or less settled down while he was in his own world. Sitting up, you watched as he stripped.

His shirt was first, dropped to a pile on the floor. Then he pushed his sweatpants down, revealing his boxers. You licked your lips at the sight.

He was big and it made your throb with want.

Finally, he pulled the last article down and he was as bare as you.

His cock was very similar to a humans in shape. It was thicker than any you'd ever taken and it was drooling precum in strings to the floor. Your mouth watered at the sight and you shuffled forward.

Jimin watched you curiously as you grabbed his hip, urging him to the edge of the bed. You looked up at him and wrapped your hand around the base — your fingers not able to touch around him.

He shivered visibly, goosebumps rising all over his skin as he reached out to grab your wrist.

“F-Fuck…” he whimpered.

“Are you sensitive Jimin?” you teased. The glare he shot you sent shivers down your spine.

Leaning forward, you took the thick head of him into your mouth. His head fell backward and he moaned — a long, drawn out moan you'd only ever dreamed of hearing a man make.

You sucked the head of him, mouth already stretched without going any further. His cock was so fat and drooling precum on your tongue with every pulse you could feel of the thick vein on the underside.

Swirling your tongue around him, his breathing hitched you could see his body tense before a bitter taste coated your tastebuds.

Your cunt was soaking by then. He had cum just from you sucking the head of his cock.

When you pulled off, his cheeks were flushed and his lips were parted with his heavy breathing. You swallowed his cum down, the consistency a little more watery than a human’s cum.

Things were still for a moment before you noticed he was still just as hard as before — and leaking more precum. He moved forward, wrapping a hand around your throat to maneuver you into moving you backwards.

You were laying with your head in the pillows, Jimin sitting on his knees. He wrapped his hand around his cock and stroked himself with a sigh.

“Pull your knees up to your chest, show me your little cunt,” he whispered.

You did as your were told, hooking your hands beneath your knees to pull them to your chest. You were completely exposed, your dripping pussy utterly vulnerable to him.

He shuffled forward, positioning his cock at your entrance before pausing.

“Will you even be able to take me?” he asked, the fat head of him sliding over you sensitive clit.

“Y-Yes please, please give it to me,” you begged, watching the way his length parted your folds.

“Are you sure?” he asked, finally looking up at you, “I don't want to hurt you.”

Your heart fluttered as you smiled, “It's okay, Jimin, it'll feel good.”

He seemed to relax slightly before the tip finding its way to your entrance once again.

Neither of your breathed as he began to sink into you. The stretch burned, your pussy not used to taking something so big. Reaching down, you circled your clit as he stuffed you full.

He watched as more and more of his cock disappeared inside of you. Quickly, he bottomed out — bumping against your cervix. You gasped at the feeling and he pulled back slightly.

“Does that hurt?” he asked, cocking his head to the side curiously.

“A-A little…just don't go all the way, okay?” you asked, making him smile and nod.

Of course he wouldn't do anything to hurt you.

Replacing your hands on the back of your thighs, he pulled out — your juices clung to his cock and made his mouth water. Pushing back in, he was mindful to not go all the way just like you asked him.

Your moans rose in volume and he could feel your body tremble beneath him. His eyes were on the way your cunt was stuffed so fucking full with him. He didn't know how you were even taking him but it was the hottest thing he'd ever seen.

You were so wet that every movement was mingled with the slick sounds of your arousal. Reaching down, he brushed his thumb over your clit, making your mewl in pleasure. He could feel the way you clenched even harder around him as he circled the bud.

“Jimin...y-you'll make me cum…” you warned, voice wobbly as your body was jostled with the movement of his thrusts.

He looked up at your face finally, your mouth was open and your eyes were glassy with pleasure. You were beautiful and it made his heart flutter.

“Want you to cum,” he whispered, working his thumb in circles as he continued to fuck you. His cock was so big he didn't even have to try to touch your spot — he couldn't avoid it.

He worked you for less than a minute before you were cumming. Your walls spasmed around him and he felt the hot gush of your cum sprinkle across his skin and over his cock. He cursed, his own cock throbbing in pure arousal at the sight of your squirting for him.

Your cries were of pure ecstasy and it sent him to his own high.

You felt him still, his mouth falling open before a low whine escape his lips. His cock pulsed a few times before he was filling you with cum.

You were surprised by how much there was — much more than he'd released in your mouth. It filled your cunt up and kept coming. His cock plugging your entrance made it impossible for it to leak out.

It was hot and you could feel his cock throb with every spurt of cum he released. You felt so full and for some reason it turned you on to be so full of his cum.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, he began to pull out. As expected, his cum gushed out once able to. It leaked to the bed and you mentally cringed as you realized what a mess it'll be to clean.

Jimin seemed transfixed on the way your ruined cunt drooled his cum. He had marked you as his — it was his scent on you now.

“_______…” he whispered, crawling up to cover your body with his.

He leaned down and pressed his forehead against yours, meeting your eyes. You were still obviously recovering but you still reached up to cup his cheek.

“I think...I think I really love you,” he whispered, watching as your eyes widened, “You're the only person who has ever...cared for me. I want to stay with you forever.”

You smiled, wrapping your arms around him in a hug, “I love you too, lovebug.”

He beamed at the nickname, pulling back to press his lips against yours. It was soft again, he was pouring every ounce of his love into it.

His touch was soft as he treated you like you were the most precious thing in his life.

And to him, you were. You were his everything.

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heli0s-writes · 4 years

Text

Artichokes

Summary: A peek into the beginning of Bag of Tricks

Pairing: Chaotic Dumbass!Reader/ Exasperated! Bucky

A/N: ~2k words. Written for @sunmoonandbucky‘s challenge! So sorry it’s late! Congrats on your milestone, you deserve it and so much more! ✨ My prompt was “Even artichokes have hearts”

Warnings: Canon-level violence, cursing. StupiT stuff.

“Hey.” It’s not a greeting.

The flight is still long, at least another two hours until the destination is reached. Behind his seat, you poke with your foot, other leg stretched over Natasha’s knee as she dozes off.

“What.” It’s not a question.

Fifteen minutes since the last time you opened your mouth and Bucky knew he wouldn’t make the half-hour mark; it was too good to be true.

“If you were an animal, what would you be?”

“Don’t like animals.”

A huff as you glare out the window and into the clouds, cross that he’s decided to be cross first.

“Okay. If you had a kid, boy or girl?”

“Don’t like kids.”

Natasha chuckles, eyes still closed, hand gently rubbing your knee in consolation because sometimes Bucky just gets this way, and he often gets this way in prolonged flights or car rides—when he’s showcasing his most winning personality trait: patience. Ha-ha.

And he gets this way, especially, with you.

The new addition, after a disastrous mission where you almost blew everyone’s cover by getting into a near-scuffle at the bar. It’s not your fault you were dragged into that impending train-wreck on your day off—never even having met the Avengers to begin with, and then immediately being thrust into an asinine high-profile mission requiring you to wear an evening gown with heels.

And if the situation couldn’t get any worse, as you were stuffing yourself into spanx and tacking fake eyelashes to your lids, you were informed that you’d be Bucky Barnes’ date for the night. Discomfort in itchy and too-tight, clothing, a room full of strangers, remanded to being someone’s mute eye-candy. It was the perfect cocktail for fisticuffs with the very man assigned to be your date.

Moving on.

With a heavy roll of your eyes, you lean right, let your shoulder press up against Nat, trying to find a comfortable position. “It’s probably a good idea,” she soothes, cracking her neck a little and the light flickering through the window makes her wince before it’s cut off by her hand closing the shutter.

“Stop looking at the squirrel,” Bucky shoulders his rifle. You’re sprawled out on your stomach, eye pressed against the scope, as he clocked—looking at a squirrel. It’s just so damn cute, stuffing that acorn into its cheek where the nut joins about three more. Beady little eyes flit back and forth before it takes off and you retreat from the show, crawling back on your elbows and lifting yourself up.

“You scared it!”

“Shut up. Let’s go.”

Nat crackles in your ears, “Stop arguing.”

You do, because Bucky yanks you away by the back of your suit, and because you (kind of) listen to your superiors. Might as well, you’ve only been a part of the team only two months and Bucky’s been here since the goddamn Stone Age, it seems, with the way he struts around so fucking stoic and grim. Me Bucky Barnes. Me Crush Newbie Into Dust. Me Don’t Like Fun. More Hulk than Winter Soldier. You snort.

Even Natasha will spend a little bit of time with you, watch a movie or do something that doesn’t require staring into the eyes of the same people every. Single. Day. She’s glad to have another woman around, anyway. You’ve been told Wanda and Vision (a robot, or something) have taken a sabbatical from the life.

Steve will go on runs and let you tag along for the first twenty minutes. Tony will let you put on the booster boots and clap when you careen yourself into a table because it warms his little troll heart to see you nursing a welt on your eyebrow. Sam? Sam will tear it up at a club; he will dance on top of the goddamn bar. Sam Wilson is a riot and a half, but Bucky?

Nothing. Looks at you disparagingly from across conference room tables. Rolls his dead-eyes at every opportunity when you open your mouth. Granted, your mouth doesn’t have a lot of helpful information and most of it is a deflection from true answers because that’s your stupid coping mechanism for when people get too close—but everyone else laughs.

Bucky Barnes doesn’t laugh. Bucky Barnes doesn’t like jokes.

Doesn’t like animals. Doesn’t like kids. Doesn’t like fun. Doesn’t like you.

Doesn’t help that you tried to strangle him with an evening gown two months ago, but, pish-posh, past is in the past.

“What’s the timeline for when I can graduate from newbie-status?” You ask breezily, inflecting your tone just the right way so that he knows you’re not that invested in this conversation.

“Whenever you can run a solo.”

“I can.”

An exasperated huff as he sticks his arm out in front of your collar. You look at him in irritation, ready to swat it away until your feet trip over a loose root and Bucky catches you by the shoulder.

“No,” he says calmly, setting you on your feet, “You can’t. You were on probation for a reason. Still on it, even if you moved jobs.”

Okay. So maybe calling it a “day off” was giving yourself too much credit. Fury was – haha—furious with you after The-Mission-That-Will-Not-Be-Named (lots of explosives, your boredom, paranoia, and inclination for entropy) and took you out of the field. Desk duty was the only apt punishment, until your immobility spiraled out of control and led you down the rabbit hole of hacking into your co-workers e-mails. He put you on probation after that. Took all your toys. No laptop. No badge. No gun.

Smartly, you shut up, letting Bucky walk ahead in case any more errant roots might make you eat your words again.

The path to the hideout is thick, full of stupid twigs and branches and you repeatedly brush spiderwebs from your face. Keeping close to Bucky, you let him shoulder most of the burden, only putting your hand up when a branch he snaps off with his hand flies too close to your eyes.

“IF—” You start loudly, and Bucky bristles at your volume, “If you had to go back into a burning building to sav--?”

“I wouldn’t.” He retorts, “And you’re being annoying.”

Three bullets whizz over Bucky’s head. He ducks immediately, snatching your arm and taking you down, too. If only this were one of those moments in the romantic comedies where he cages you in with his arms and you have a brief and blessed second of staring into his blue eyes where the world goes quiet and he realizes maybe you’re not that bad.

“ROLL--” He yells, instead, as he ducks behind a boulder. “--OUT OF THE GODDAMN WAY.”

Alas, not meant to be.

His gloved hand pushes into the air sideways, like he could push you, too, across the bed of fallen leaves and to safety. You’re quick enough to flip on your side, but not quicker than a third bullet and it streaks through the top of your forearm, carrying a fast stream of blood with it.

Your reach into the side holster on your thigh, pulling out your knife and launching it past the barrel squeezed between two trees. A clink as it misses and ricochets off the gun. Bucky does the same motion and it goes right into a shoulder with a firm squelch. He’s up on his feet, rushing across the leaves in a blur. Throwing the rifle down, you start sprinting right as an elbow jabs itself into Bucky’s chest and he stumbles. Then, a quick turn and you hurtle your weight across the air, spinning both feet into the man and landing on top of him. Bones crack beneath your weight.

There go the shoulders.

The agent gurgles again as you roll your sleeves up, ignoring the blood that splatters onto your knee.

Bucky steps back when you grab a fistful of dirt and throw it into his face, “Pocket sand, motherfucker.” Then, the butt of your handgun meets his temple with a loud pop. “Goodnight, ya dumb bitch.”

More rustling ushers in more lackeys and Bucky is dodging behind tree trunks, weaving knives and dodging bullet hailstorms. He warily looks around the bend of a tree, breathing through his mouth, assessing the situation. There are about four guys, armed to the teeth, well-trained as far as he can tell. Bucky should be able to take them out, and it would go easier with yo—Where the fuck are you?

Your shriek makes him flinch and he dashes across the way behind another trunk, heels digging into the dirt ready to charge. Guns are firing off, grunts and yells, and not even one second after Bucky comes out from behind the tree, he watches you punch a goddamn grenade into the thicket before shooting its previous owner in the neck.

The explosion rocks the ground slightly, but you’re unfazed, instead, focused intently on your hand. There is something wrong with your left arm. You hold it close to your side, fingers curled gingerly under your rib.

You look up at him, eyes brimming with tears.

Dread boils up from the pit of his belly. Bucky calls out to you, asking if you’re okay. You turn around and he hisses at the sight— shot through the bicep, cut over your cheek, but your gaze keeps falling downward.

Inside your cupped hands is a hedgehog, nose frantically twitching like a tiny rotten gumdrop. A sniffle as you slowly set the creature down, waiting for it to scurry away, but it never does.

Bucky groans. Shoulders his rifle with a disappointed sigh, exasperated that you tricked him into being concerned for your well-being, “Fucking-- you’ve got to be kidding. You got shot for that rodent?”

“He’s helpless! Look at him! Little baby! He could have a family! A hedgehog wife and hedgehog kids!” A wilted blubber, and good God, you’re completely serious about it, “Even artichokes have hearts, Barnes!”

“I’m about to artichoke you,” Bucky retorts, irritated, and the first comeback that pops into your head isn’t ideal for a family setting, but your mouth moves faster than your brain and there aren’t any kids around anyway.

“How’d you know that was my kink?” And then you brace yourself for the moment when Bucky Barnes annihilates your entire life, but there is only silence. Then, a snort. Then, finally, a series of low chuckles before he gasps, “Jesus Christ.”

You’re stunned into silence, and it’s a wonder, since he’s never known you to be silent for anything. Two months of no-filter commentary that makes him physically ill at times, and you’re shocked quiet.

“Holy shit,” you murmur, “You laughed. You don’t like anything. You don’t like kids. You don’t like animals… I don’t really know if you like to even laugh. God knows you don’t like me very much.”

“I like you just fine,” Bucky grins, and-- it’s a little blinding. His eyes shine brightly, midday sun in a mischievous blue sky, framed perfectly with those dark, long eyelashes. For a second you regret almost pummeling that nice-looking face in the first time you met it.

“You can’t keep that thing. I can see you.” Your hands freeze, one opening a pocket on your thigh, the other halfway sliding the creature in. Bucky glares when you continue, pretending he’s not there.

“Barnes, I’ve decided,” you declare, hoping it would throw him off, “This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

A beat passes as he chews on his next response, deep in contemplation. Bucky’s not sure what being your friend would entail— his annoyance, at the very best. His literal death, at worst.

“Hm,” he grunts softly, edge of his voice giving way to amusement, unable to fully keep his stoic demeanor. One eyebrow raises your way, corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly when your forehead furrows in wait.

“What?” You ask.

“Don’t like friendship.”

Taking a note from your book, Bucky punches the back of your hand, launching the hedgehog into the thicket, cackling at your screech all the while.

tags: @whothehellisbucky @serpentbaby @badassbaker @alagalaska @cake-writes @crist1216 @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @infinity-saga @jamesbarnesthighs @pinknerdpanda @xoxabs88xox @imsoft-barnes @momc95 @typicalangel @wretchedgoddess @readeity @iwannasail @ya-lyublu-tebya @geeksareunique @wildefire @satanxklaus @jhangelface0523 @wkemeup @ixcantxdecidexwhosxmyxfave

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #reader insert #fanfiction #marvel #5kconstellationswc #bag of tricks helios

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jaskiersvalley · 4 years

Note

I just thought of the shelter getting a pet goat that was rescued from a farm and theyre like ???? We do cats and dogs and the occasional rodent but like, a goat??? And Geralt is like "I know the EXACT person for this job" and that's how Eskel ends up with Lil Bleater, and any other unusual animal that gets handed in.

You. I love the way your mind works. Especially because this gives me an excuse to write more Eskel. (Like I need an excuse. I totally was going to write a serial killer AU if my head hadn’t been turned by this ask...) But anyway. You’re right, Lil Bleater absolutely needs to make an appearance in this AU.

Predominantly, the shelter was for cats and dogs. Sometimes someone brought in a guinea pig or rabbit but it wasn’t often. Usually, the owners of those could be redirected to a more suitable shelter and everyone was happy. What Jaskier couldn’t stand were the people who tied their beloved pet to the gate or left some poor creature in a box on the doorstep. Those animals were almost always in need of Geralt’s attention, traumatised by being so literally dumped. A few hours tied to a gate without water or attention never did anyone any good and turning up to work to find a stressed and scared animal tied up was never a brilliant start to the day. However, it was something that happened with a disheartening frequency but nothing could have prepared Jaskier for arriving to open up, only to find a goat on a leash, standing next to the gate. The leash was so short, the goat couldn’t chew through it but it couldn’t do anything else either, other than stand on shaking legs.

“Oh you poor thing,” Jaskier approached slowly. He had no idea what to do with the goat. If he put it into a kennel, the dogs would probably stress it out but a cat pen was not big enough. Untying the leash, he watched it walk, making a beeline for the grass.

After a minute of letting it graze, Jaskier tugged the leash gently, intent on at least giving it some water and making up a carrier to rest in behind the front desk while he figured out what to do. It was still early, Jaskier got there for seven to do morning rounds before the shelter officially opened at nine. At least Geralt was going to be in at half past to help with the morning rounds.

Sure enough, Geralt was there on time, greeting Jaskier with a small kiss, Roach trotting at his heels. She zeroed in on the carrier with the goat immediately, snuffling it until told to leave alone.

“Who have we got here?” Geralt asked with a sad voice. He knew a carrier meant someone in need of a vet. Crouching down, Jaskier saw the moment he registered their unusual guest.

“I have no idea what we’re going to do with a goat.” The admission hurt and Jaskier shrugged. “Found it tied to the gate. No note, poor thing couldn’t even lie down.”

Geralt stayed crouched, looking thoughtfully at the goat. Roach sat down by his side and stared too, just as serious.

“Trust me on this?” Geralt asked, already pulling his phone out, knowing Jaskier would say yes. However, he waited until he was actually given a verbal confirmation before dialling a number. “It’s me- yes, I know it’s early- No, just put him on- It has to be him, yes- Fuck you three are a nightmare- Just come to the shelter- I’m okay, just hurry.”

Twenty minutes later there was a knock on the shelter’s door and Jaskier opened it to Eskel, Lambert and another man. They all marched in, looking a little rumpled as if they’d been woken up from sleeping in a puppy pile. Geralt nodded at them as he came to the foyer, Roach left behind for now.

“Eskel, there’s a carrier behind the front desk, it’s one for you.”

Without questioning it, Eskel moved to look while Lambert and the other man hung back with Jaskier who was giving them a look, trying to figure it all out. Seeming to remember his manners, the stranger stuck his hand out for Jaskier to shake.

“Cahir. I have zero clue what’s going on. But I’m here and I’m supporting my boyfriends because it’s too early in the morning to do anything else.”

That had Lambert snorting and snaking a hand around Cahir’s waist. “Babe, you never have a clue what’s going on. And you never do anything but support our idiocy.”

Jaskier had many questions, predominantly about the fact that he’d last been introduced to Lambert and Eskel as though they were Geralt’s brothers. It was confusing. However, his attention was absolutely snatched up by a veritable coo from behind the desk as Eskel discovered the goat. There was the sound of the carrier being opened and soft words of encouragement.

Standing up, Geralt beckoned the others silently closer and they quietly approached to peer over the edge of the desk. Eskel was sat on the floor, goat with two hooves on his knee, sniffing him.

“Aren’t you a gorgeous girl?” Eskel murmured. Deemed friendly enough, the goat hopped into his lap and he gathered her to his chest with a small bleat that was too quiet for a goat of her size. If Eskel had been besotted before, he was positively melting, holding the goat to his chest as he stood up.

“Well, she’s definitely used to being handled,” Jaskier commented as he watched Eskel walk to Lambert and Cahir with the goat.

“He’s not named it,” Lambert muttered to Cahir, “We have a chance here.”

“Guys,” Eskel was staring down at the goat, “meet Lil Bleater.”

“Fuck!” Lambert cursed but he didn’t look mad. If anything, he was smiling just as badly as Eskel.

Cahir seemed horribly entertained by the whole thing. He reached to give Lil Bleater a scratch between the horns. “So when you were saying that the garden looks empty, even with the chicken run, what you were trying to tell me is you want me to build a goat pen next to it, right?”

The innocently hopeful look Eskel shot Cahir had Jaskier’s heart melting. He didn’t think Cahir could say no to such a look, even if he had wanted to.

“Told you I have a solution,” Geralt murmured, wrapping around Jaskier from behind. “She’ll be doted upon now.”

“Geralt, your brothers-” Jaskier had no delicate way of asking without sounding like a dick. “Are they fucking?”

Suddenly Lambert laughed and he turned to look at Jaskier. “You didn’t actually think we were brothers, right? Do we look anything alike?”

Come to think of it, there was only a passing resemblance between Eskel and Geralt. He was trying to think of a polite way of digging his way out of the situation rather than make it worse.

Thankfully, Eskel beat him to it. “Brother is quicker and more accurate than best friend.”

“I know I’m kinky but even I draw the line at incest,” Cahir piped up, looking far too amused. “My standards may be low but come on, do I really look the type? We just met! Do I give off such vibes?”

Jaskier blushed and tried to apologise and deny it and make amends all at the same time. Snorting, Geralt gave him a squeeze around the middle.

“They’re just fucking with you.” Turning to look at the other three, he smiled. “We have work to do. Take your goat and get her settled in. Thanks for helping out with her.”

Bidding their goodbyes, Eskel carried Lil Bleater out, wrapping his coat around her carefully, making a warm cocoon against his chest. Geralt hummed as he watched them leave. “I’ll bet you a blowjob the goat pen never gets built and she will sleep in their bed.”

Three weeks later, Jaskier was on his knees and had never been more happy to lose a bet.

#geraskier #eskel/lambert/cahir #geralt of rivia #jaskier #lambert #eskel #cahir mawr dyffryn aep ceallach #lil bleater #animal shelter au #tldr: lil bleater finds a new home

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lady-divine-writes · 3 years

Text

Good Omens - “Risks and Consequences” (Rated PG13)

Summary: Crowley surprises Aziraphale with a surprise skating excursion on Christmas night during a suspicious snowstorm. (1436 words)

Read on AO3.

“You do enjoy shoving me headfirst out of my comfort zones. Don’t you, my dear?” Aziraphale asks, warily watching his husband strap a stiff black boot to his foot.

“Poppycock,” Crowley grumbles, struggling to unknot long laces he accidentally macramed while attempting to navigate the rows of eyelets and hooks. “Consider this an adventure.”

“This is certifiable! You do know that?”

“How? You’re an angel! What on Earth could happen to you?”

“A great many things, I imagine,” Aziraphale replies. It’s a thin response. Crowley can tell Aziraphale has a thought, a vivid one, of something plausible.

Something that has him concerned.

Crowley stops messing with the skate and looks into Aziraphale’s face. Aziraphale's gaze ducks and dodges, bouncing from his hands to his knees to other random things inside the confines of Crowley’s Bentley. But Aziraphale can’t avoid Crowley’s gaze, nor Crowley himself, for too long. “Sometimes, I feel as if, one of these days, I’m going to snap my fingers, and nothing will happen. Heaven will have found a way to make me mortal or …”

“Or abandoned you altogether?”

Aziraphale nods sadly. “Yes.”

“I get those thoughts, too, sometimes,” Crowley admits, going back to fixing his angel’s skate. “Too often, really. Which probably explains why you use your magic so rarely, and I use mine all the time.”

“You’re always double-checking."

“And you’d rather not know.”

“Losing my powers wouldn’t be the worst part. Inconvenient, yes, but not terrible. Abandoned by Heaven …” Aziraphale's words drift off, but their meaning lingers, clinging to Crowley's heart and building like the snow outside their windows.

Crowley winks at his husband, trying to get him to smile, to laugh, to roll his eyes and groan Oh Lord! “It’s not so bad ..."

“... once you get used to it. So you keep telling me,” Aziraphale teases, gifting his husband with the tiniest of grins, gone all too swiftly. “Are you truly afraid of being abandoned by Hell?”

"Ngk ..." Crowley’s shoulders bounce a shrug back and forth as he thinks over his answer “... nah. Not really. They've already tried to exterminate me once, haven't they? It’s the consequences that come with it that would really suck: being mortal, having no powers, growing old …” Crowley’s eyes meet Aziraphale’s - melancholy blue eyes exposing those same fears, a subject his angel hasn’t felt comfortable bringing up before tonight. He still doesn’t seem comfortable with it, tight-lipped as an oyster. “But let’s not talk about that now,” Crowley suggests. “Tonight is for having ridiculous amounts of fun. Stirring up a little mayhem.”

“We’re going to get into trouble,” Aziraphale laments. “With the humans, I mean.”

“Nonsense. They'll never even know we were here."

“There are security cameras everywhere!”

“When was the last time you got caught doing anything on CCTV? It would be all over the Internet if you had! I'll fix it. You'll see.”

“By wasting another miracle? Or do you have a small army of rodents positioned on light poles, waiting to do your bidding?”

“Besides,” Crowley continues, overlooking the jab at what was one of his more masterfully executed, if not elaborate, schemes, “I’m not sure this is actually illegal. As long as we abide by all traffic laws and posted speed limits.”

“Where did you even get this idea?”

“From YouTube. The youths do it - barrel down frozen roads wearing bicycle helmets and hockey skates.”

"You're getting your evil ideas from children?" Aziraphale tuts. “Aren’t you supposed to be the bad influence? Not the other way around?”

“No shame in finding inspiration outside your own head.”

“Yes, well, I hope you skate better than you drive.”

“Oi! I am an excellent driver!”

“I know two rabbits and a squirrel who might disagree with you.”

“That wasn’t my fault! You’d think they’d know to get the Hell outta the way of a moving vehicle!”

“Speaking of which, we’re going to get hit by a car.”

“What car?” Crowley stops fiddling with Aziraphale’s skate to wipe down a fogged window and take a look around. Beneath the glow of the street lamps, he sees nothing but snow - a veil of flakes wafting down from the sky, pushed into swirls by the frigid wind. “No one’s out here! It’s three in the bloody morning after one of the worst storms London has had in years! You’d have to be insane to be outside!”

“My thoughts exactly,” Aziraphale mutters. “Bit early for a storm like this though, isn’t it?”

“Uh … maybe,” Crowley says, abruptly returning to his task.

“London isn’t due for snow until January.”

“Is that so? Strange.”

Aziraphale's brow furrows as he watches his husband focus intensely on basically nothing. “Crowley …”

“Wot?”

“Are you responsible for this?”

"Wot would make you think that?"

"Crowley. Look at me."

Crowley's head slowly lifts, eyes aimed everywhere but Aziraphale's face. At one point, he even closes them, assuming that, behind his dark lenses, Aziraphale won't notice.

But Aziraphale does notice. Even if Crowley were speaking to him from a completely different room, Aziraphale would notice.

Because, for a demon, Crowley happens to be an atrocious liar.

“It’s Christmas night!" Crowley pleads, unable to hold back any longer. "The perfect time for a lock-yourself-indoors-and-get-sloshed sort of snowstorm, a'right?"

“So why are we not inside getting sloshed then?”

“Because this is something I’ve wanted to do for a while! And I was gettin' tired of waiting for Mother Nature to accommodate. Plus, with climate change and global warming, nothing's guaranteed, is it?” Crowley moves on from Aziraphale's right foot and begins sliding his reluctant left foot into its skate. “Live a little!”

“I aim to live a lot, which specifically requires avoiding activities such as this." Aziraphale pauses his complaining to watch Crowley work, beyond curious what was going on inside his husband's demonic mind when he hatched this plan. "So," he says, working through the mystery out loud, "you conjured up a snowstorm, froze the streets, are in the process of strapping these awful contraptions to my feet ... would you like to tell me why?”

"Do I have to?"

"It would be nice."

"I'm a demon. I'm not nice."

"Crowley ..."

“Alright! It's because I wanted us to be together like this."

"Like what?"

Crowley sighs. "Like humans. And do the stupidly wonderful things humans do when they’re in love: take moonlit strolls, hold hands, kiss in the rain, all that sappy shite. Humans go skating at Christmas! It's, like, number three on their list of Yuletide activities. It's almost a requirement! Even if they can't stand steady in regular shoes, they go skating. And they cling to one another, and they laugh, and they kiss, and I … I didn't want to take the chance that if I waited, I might miss ..."

Nothing's guaranteed, Aziraphale thinks as he watches Crowley sink in on himself, head bowed over Aziraphale's feet, curling as if he wants to disappear. And Aziraphale begins to understand.

Crowley has been a ball of anxious energy for as long as Aziraphale can remember. Aziraphale doesn't blame him. Crowley has been tiptoeing through minefields since the beginning - making innocent mistakes and paying huge prices for them. As supernatural entities, it's easy to get lulled into the false sense of security that nothing bad can happen to you.

But that's not true.

Not at all true.

Because even a demon and an angel with magical powers aren't anywhere near the top of the food chain.

Crowley destroying Ligur with Holy Water proved that.

So did his belief that Aziraphale had been extinguished by Hellfire.

The fact that he hadn't been didn't prove Crowley wrong.

Hellfire would most definitely annihilate his angel from the face of the planet.

Crowley and Aziraphale helped save Earth for humanity, but every day, the humans work harder and harder towards their own destruction.

Nothing's guaranteed.

Not for anyone.

"If you don’t want to go skating, that’s fine. I know it’s risky. Probably the last way in the world you’d want to discorporate."

"I can think of worse ways," Aziraphale says with a chuckle.

"We can go back to your bookshop, make hot cocoa, listen to your gramophone or ... or something.”

“The biggest risk I’ve taken is sitting right here with me. And that’s worked out so far. For 6000 years, as a matter of fact. I don’t mind taking another one. Just … try not to let me fall.”

“Just hold on tight.” Crowley scoots down the bench towards his husband and wraps his arms around him. “I promise I won’t let you fall.”

#good omens #good omens fanfiction #ineffable husbands #aziraphale #Crowley #crowley x aziraphale #aziraphale x crowley

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kibybun · 4 years

Text

Pocky Game

Yandere Hawks x reader

Tw: Yandere, murder, implided non con/rape

Enjoy!

You huffed as you lean against a tree to help you catch your breathe. You had been hiking for around an hour now trying to find a private area to camp.

Today was a long awaited day for you and your two bestfriends. For them it was a much needed vacation while for you it was your chance to actually talk to them due to the fact they were always busy. Busy saving the day as two of the most popular heros.

Hawks and Mirko, but of course they go by Keigo and Rumi when they are with you.

The three of you have known each other for years now, becoming nearly inseparable.

"Hey guys... is this far enough?" They both laugh at how out of breathe you are.

"Hehe c'mon (y/n)! Who knew you were so lazy!" Keigo pats your head and leaves his hand there.

"Hehe be nice to (y/n), they brought all the food!" Rumi's hand falls onto your shoulder.

Little did you know that Keigo was scowling at Rumi as she stared at you with odd look on her face.

"Yeah Keigo! Be nice to me or no chicken!" You swirl around to look at the rabbit and the bird.

Keigo looks hurt that youd even say that. "No! I'll be good I swear!" He flings himself onto you and almost knocks you over.

"Woah there Keigo, dont hog (y/n) all for yourself!" Rumi pries him off of you only to trap you in her embrace.

"Hehe guys~! I love you guys too but we need to set up our tent!"

They stop fighting over you and blush, thinking you ment it differently than you did.

The two of them start to set up the tent while get the fire started. While they put up the tent it almost seems like they're competing. It's very subtle but evident due to the fact that you've known them so long.

Everytime the three of you do something the two of them always make it a competition, and everytime they made you chose someone. Whenever they make you do this you choose to reward one with praise. Then when the next competition happens you choose the other, so everything is fair.

Keigo jumps up and looks at you. "(Y/n)! Look, the tents up! Who's side is better?"

He gestures to his side suggestively while Rumi points to her's. You take a second to decide. Keigo's side was better but you let him win last time.

"Rumi's! Sorry Keigo." You try to smile at him but he turns his head and scowls.

Odd.

You were about to ask him what's wrong but you were interrupted by Rumi tackling you in a hug, again. You laugh it off and hug her back, unable to see Keigo staring angrily at the two of you.

You eventually escape her grasp and start to cook the food.

"How cooked do you guys want your chicken legs?"

"Crispy with a side of you~!" Rumi sends you a flirty look but you just laugh it off.

"Of course! Only if I get a piece of that!" You continue to laugh unable to see Rumi blushing while Keigo's face is flushing red with anger. "How do you want yours Keigo?"

"I dont care." His answer was short and harsh leaving you stunned.

"Keigo what's wrong?"

"Nothing." He gets up and starts to walk away. "I'll be back."

"Uh.. ok be careful though!" You and Rumi look at each other confused as Keigo goes to release his anger.

When he comes back the chicken is cooked and his knuckles are bloody. He sits and tries to grab something to eat but you stop him.

"Oh my god Keigo are you ok?!" You rush over and hold his hands to examine his knuckles. You notice the tiny bits of bark in his wounds but his smirk went unnoticed.

"I'm fine but it would be better if you kissed it."

You and Rumi were both taken aback by his statement. But he had the most innocent smile you've ever seen, so you do it.

His smile only grows as your lips gently press against each wound and smear a tiny bit of his blood onto you lips as Rumi has to sit there and watch.

Once you've kissed each knuckle you lick you lips, cringing at the metallic taste of his blood.

"Uh ok, l-lets eat now..." You try to pull away but he pulls you back into his lap.

You tense, not sure what he plans for you. His arms tighten around your waist and he nuzzles his face into your neck.

You look at Rumi for help but she looked just as panicked as you did.

"Keigo can you please let me go? I n-need to eat..."

"No. You can feed the both of us." You weren't able to see the dangerous glare he sent Rumi.

"Uh ok..."

The three of you spend the next ten or so minutes eating in awkward silence.

The sun was starting to set as well and you were getting cold.

"Keigo?"

"Hm?"

"C-can you let go? I wanna grab my hoodie." He looks upset but let's you go nonetheless.

While up, you grab your hoodie and a box of pocky. You already ate dinner so it's fine to have dessert.

When you return with the box Rumi's face lights up.

"No way! You got pocky!?" She jumps up and reaches for your snack but you pull it out of her reach last moment.

"Nope! These are mine and I'm not letting either of you eat them!"

"But we can play a game with them!"

"What game- hey!" You let your guard down and she stole you snack. "The pocky game!"

"The pocky game?" Both you and Keigo ask in unison.

"Yeah! It's basically a game of chicken!"

"Oh?" Your interest was peaked.

"Yeah! Come here (y/n)! You and me demonstrate!"

"Ok."

You get closer to her and she sticks one end of the pocky into your mouth as Keigo watches intensely. Rumi takes the other end in her mouth and takes a bite.

You understand how to play now.

You take another bite and she takes another. Now your faces were close but not close enough for you to pull away.

Suddenly the pocky was pulled from you lips and hers were pressed against yours. You were startled but were even more startled when Rumi was tackled to the ground by Keigo.

"How could you!?! How could you do that!?" His voice rings out but no one hears but you.

Keigo uses his feathers to hold her in place as he begins to saw off her lips. You wanted nothing more than to go help her but her ear shattering screams left you frozen in fear.

How? Why? Why would he do this?

He finishes and throws Rumi's lips into the fire.

You can hear them sizzle.

nShe tries to speak but was stopped due to the fact she was gargling her own blood.

"R-rumi..." You voice trembles as you try to hold back sobs.

"Say her name again and I'll cut your lips off too." His voice was low, like a growl, as he continued to look at Rumi.

That's when you lost control you body as your knees bend and the tears flow.

Rumi tries to say something again but was cut off as Keigo stabbed her chest. You can never forget the sound of her screams and the squish of his blade into her gut oh so many times.

After what seemed like minutes, he stands. Blood dripping from his as he turns to you. You cry even harder as you see his face splattered with her blood and the tiniest bit of her white hair sticking to him.

"Now that that annoying rodent is out of the way I can finally have you to myself." He steps towards you with open arms and a wicked smile plastered on his face.

You take a step back terrified but that only seemed to upset him. He looks at you and scowls before pinning you to the ground harshly.

"I just got rid of that rodent. Why aren't you happy?" You squirm under his grasp trying to get away. "Tell me you love me, just like you did earlier."

You look away from him as you speak, too terrified to look him in the eyes.

"I l-l-love you..."

"Again but look at me."

You look at him.

"I love you..."

"Again."

"I love you..."

"Say my name too this time."

"I love you... K-keigo..." You choke out a sob.

"Awe, what's wrong? Sad you couldn't kiss me? Dont worry, I don't need a stupid game to do that." He kisses you gently but it still makes you freeze.

"Now I have you all to myself..." His voice was hushed and excited.

"N-no... please..." Your voice was shaking but he didnt seem to notice.

"Shhh I'll go gentle. I want to treasure this. Oh! And if you try to scream no one will hear you, you know that right?" He smirks as he starts to kiss down your jaw line.

You cant run. He's too fast.

You cant hide. He's too smart.

You cant scream. No one will hear.

You were stuck with a soon to be rotting corpse and a full box of pocky. Out in the hills. Where no one could find you. All because you wanted to be with your friends.

You wish you've never met them.

Kiby~💚

#bnha hawks #hawks #hawks x reader #keigo tamaki #mha hawks #my hero academia keigo takami #yandere keigo #yandere hawks #yandere x reader #yandere

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bunnykitty13 · 3 years

Note

hi migs!! I wanted to make a demon of amber oc and I was curious if there's anything I needed to know before making one!!

hewwooo!! there aren’t any real ‘rules’ cuz i’d love to see what unregulated creativity can do!! so you totally can make a super overpowered lost princess of amber character with rainbow hair and sparkly angel wings and id say HELL YTEAHHHH

but i definitely can give world lore so it can give a rough idea on how a typical citizen of the Demon of Amber universe (specifically Amber Kingdom) would interact with their world and possibly turn out!

SOME DEMON OF AMBER LORE;

- if your character is from amber, they’re very aware that magic is not openly accepted and EXTREMELY frowned upon. even dangerous/fatal if you’re caught using it or speaking in support of it.

- so if you’re born a magic user, you’re taught straight away by your family to hide it in public. it’s not something you’d do out in the streets cuz someone WILL snitch to authorities. this can be difficult depending on how your magic works, cuz some people feel it’s activated by heightened emotion which is not something you can always control.

- i say magic users, but the actual term people use in Amber is witches! they are used interchangeably though

- their planet isn’t exactly our earth (though it still is called Earth!), it’s more like an alternate universe where humans don’t exist. animals just evolved to be more human-like but kept their ‘animal’ traits! so that explains why theyre all furries

- but this also means certain species didn’t evolve in the same way, like reptiles and aquatic species for example!

- canines and felines are the most common groups but theres more! like mustelids, rodents, marsupials, some avians, etc.

- species mixing is very possible! typically they’ll turn out as one species or the other, but there is a possibility they’ll be a hybrid! example: ren is jackalope because of this! mother rabbit and deer father.

- they’re not categorized by ‘carnivore or herbivore’ either! as for diets they mainly eat fish, plants, fruits n veggies, and some DOA specific creatures that can be eaten! but there is no beef or chicken unless you’re some sorta sicko cannibal cuz cows and chickens are evolved JAKHSFSHFG

- the year is 1313 when the main plot begins! and since their Earth isnt our Earth, different technological advancements and time periods are a tad mixed! the setting can be described as a sort of midpoint between medieval and steam punk. so they have some technology but it’s not super advanced! same goes with medicine. they’re not sticking leeches to you to cure a fever but they don’t have IV drips either

- average occupations aren’t anything too world specific! teachers, blacksmiths, doctors, bakers, chefs, royal staff (less common since there’s only so many openings), guards, etc!

- if your character lives in the woods (which im debating renaming Ash Wood), there aren’t laws there! this is where most criminals and caught witches (innocent or not) are sent, and have since built their own society over the years. there’s very little resource, and its very hard to get by in the woods (hence why its named Ash Wood, the soil is so infertile it might as well be ash.) but they find a way! for the most part there’s a sense of helping thy neighbor but there are some real criminals in there that do make it unsafe. such as the cult >w>

#IM SORRY THIS IS SO LONG i felt like info dumping kJHDGFKDJFHGF #asks #anonymous #demon of amber #long post #info dump #demon of amber lore #BUT YEAH OCS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED!! HAVE FUN

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bruhimaunicorn · 4 years

Text

From a Grimes to a Dixon

Paring : DarylxReader

Summary : Daryl falls for Ricks daughter and this follows their story all the way to Alexandria.

Warnings : Fluff. Death ( It’s TWD so).Cursing.implied smut. Violence.

A/N : I do give the reader a certain look since she is supposed to be Ricks daughter. Such as eye color and hair type, but besides that this is still a reader insert!

He doesn’t know how you did it. How you managed to break down every piece of him so easy. Because as far as Daryl knows, he’s the complete opposite of easy and he tried to push you away,but you didn’t let him. Every time he tried, you gave him that look. That deep world altering look. The one that told him you aren’t leaving. You were the first person to make him believe it. Hell, he can’t believe that Lori’s daughter would be the very one to hold him close at night, but you were completely different from her. He knew it from the moment he met you. It’s still so clear in his mind.

It was the first night at camp. Everyone was so tired and scared, but not you. You we’re standing guard on top of Dale’s RV with your dad’s pistol with that same look. It was like you were daring one of those things to come for you or your family. You’d end them. Just like you’re dad taught you. And Daryl didn’t understand why you weren’t cowering with your mother, or hell cowering with Shane. But you didn’t need a man. You were just fine without one. And you had this black cap on, like someone who didn’t want to be seen. Another thing he didn’t understand. You were breath taking. Something Merle did not forget to let you know as soon as he met you. You had your fathers long brown curls, his clear blue eyes, and a body that should have a warning label on it. But you aren’t broadcasting it.

“ Y/N Grimes, Nice to meet Ya’ “ You responded with a grin when Merle had hit on you, holding your hand out for his. Merle shared a look with his brother as if he was going to get lucky with you and eagerly shook your hand, but what neither of the two expected is that you would almost break his hand. You twist his arm out to the side and force him to his knees, coming close to his face “ Talk that way to me again and you’re goin’ to find out real quick what it’s like to sip soup through a straw”. Daryl wanted to stop you, to demand you to take your hands off of his only family, but he didn’t because Merle deserved what you gave him. “ Do we have an understanding? “ You turn your head to the side, something Daryl would find that you learned from your father. That turn of the head? It meant you really, really screwed up.

Merle nodded slowly, the only time Daryl has ever seen him give up a fight, and you release him quickly after you are satisfied. “ I hope you’re not as delightful as this one? “ You ask, Daryl now with a wipe of your hands. Seeing as how you just made a little girl out of his brother, Daryl decides to answer you correctly “ Nah’ “. He watches you search his person as if you aren’t sure about him, but you say nothing about it. “ Y/N ! Come on! “ Shane then calls for you — his watch over you concerning Daryl. Don’t get him wrong, he didn’t know who you are or who Shane is to you or your family, but he didn’t trust it. “ Damn … What a broad “ Merle laughs in his brothers ear as you walk back to your family. Shane meets you with a smile—like you’re his whole world—and Daryl waits for you to return it, but you don’t.

And that made him curious.

—

A few weeks passed by after the altercation with Merle, but Daryl never stopped watching you. You are like drugs to him at this point. Everything you do is just .. strange. You’re a good sister—a great one even with the age gap between you and Carl. He learned Lori had you at 19 and Carl at 28, making you twenty yourself, but you still played with him. He wasn’t the annoying nine year old that Merle saw Daryl as. He’s your best friend. You make him your equal. And you pull your own weight. You hunt, fish, do laundry, and take most of the night shifts without complaint. Most women around camp gripe about everything, but no not you. He wants to know why.

You’re currently talking to, Shane about something he can tell Shane doesn’t like, but you don’t bat a eye at his argument with you. Daryl continue to skin at his squirrel from his recent hunt, but listens carefully to your conversation. “ I don’t remember asking for you to watch after me like I’m some fuckin’ kid! “ You growl at a man twice your size, but Shane doesn’t budge at your anger. “ Yeah—you didn’t ask me! But guess who did? Your dad! “ He points out and Daryl watches your face fall at the mention of your dad. Your lips twitch downward like you want to cry just at the mention of the former deputy, but instead you collect yourself and throw a glare up “ One day that line won’t work for you “. Shane falters slightly from your intensity, but stands his ground “ Yeah—well todays not that day huh? The rules stay the same. No one goes out by themselves “.

If looks could kill, he’d be ten feet under. You don’t continue the argument and Daryl figures you’ll go back to watch, but instead you stalk over towards him. He raises a eyebrow at the sight, but you’re the first to speak “ Will you come hunting with me? Apparently, I can’t go by myself anymore “. Daryl can’t hide his shock, are you actually asking him to come with you? You take his hesitation as a no, but you aren’t accepting it “ Look—I know you like to go alone and I do too,but officer do good over there won’t let me leave the premises without a man “. Tucking the squirrel away, Daryl nods “ Alrigh’. We can go now. Gettin’ real low on meat anyways”. He watches the anger fall off of your face and a small smile appear in its place. You aren’t stupid. Daryl has a whole bag of different rodents that could easily last a week. But he knows you need to get away from Shane. Or maybe everyone.

“ Thanks. I’ll owe you one “ You promise, turning on your heels to retrieve your weapons.

—

The hunting trip was quiet, but you didn’t seem to mind. You didn’t push him to make small talk like every other girl would. The quiet was nice to you. And you didn’t need him to kill for you, if you saw a squirrel you shot it. If there was a rabbit, you trapped it. It was getting close to dark when you both decide it’s probably best to head back, but you don’t seem to want to. You’re walking slower than before as if this was your death march, causing Daryl to turn back and give you a look “ You comin’ ? “. You purse your lips as if it’s a actual question “ Yeah,yeah “. You catch back up to his side , but he can still sense your reluctance. Somethings bothering you. He isn’t going to ask though—that would be weird. But you don’t need him to ask, you just come out with it “ Can I ask you something ?”.

Daryl avoids eye contact, but nods in response. “ Do you ever think about leavin? “. This stalls Daryl in his steps. He never thought you were the type to ditch your whole family. And you aren’t . He knows that. But the question still concerns him “ Why?”. You sigh through your nose as if this subject is tiresome for you “ Don’t get me wrong, I’d never leave my family behind. I’d die first. But—I— I don’t know . Forget I asked ok? “ . You begin to walk again and Daryl doesn’t push you on the subject. He just follows beside you. But he has a feeling it has to do with Shane. The whole situation rubs him wrong. Your dads best friend saves his family from geeks and says it’s what your dad would want, but then looks at you and your family the way he does… And you wanted out.

Just as you both approach the quarry and the group can be seen through the branches of the trees, Daryl stops you “ If Ya’ ever need to hunt again, come find me “.

And you smile at him again with that look, and it draws him in even deeper.

——

He got to know you a lot better with each hunt. He learned about your dad, your first dog who’s name was robber because he use to take your food, how you were going through the academy when everything fell apart to follow in your dads footsteps, and how you are one hundred percent sure big foot is real. “ Big foot? Really? “ Daryl had smirked at you, but you just rolled your eyes at him “ Alright , chupacabra don’t start something you can’t finish “. That was the first time you truly heard him laugh. He wasn’t offended and you weren’t scared to joke with him like everyone else was. He was a person when he’s with you. And it took everything in him to keep that in mind when you’re father came back.

He missed your joyful reunion—off hunting since Shane ironically put you on day shift, and he was happy for you at first. He knew how much you missed him and you were stuck to his hip at every waking moment once he was back in your life. Which caused you to start missing your hunts with Daryl, but he understood. But when he found out about Merle and that your dad had a part in it—he had to dig down deep to not hit your father in his throat. And he managed, but it was agreed that you all would help him find his brother.

And oh what a trip that was.

——

Then the CDC came, and so did the alcohol. You were all smiles at the dinner table as Daryl challenged Glenn to keep drinking, but not partaking yourself as well—your dad use to be a cop. But you knew how to have fun without it. And once you were out of the shower, Daryl found you with the kids and you proved it to him. You’re currently counting to ten as the kids squeal and try to hide whilst Daryl smiles and leans against the door frame. Once at ten, you peel your hands off your face to find him pointing to the closet where undoubtedly Sophia is hiding. You roll your eyes at him and mouth ‘ cheater’ before slowly approaching the closet “ I wonder where Sophia is? She’s so good at all this… I wonder if I should go tell everyone she’s missing! “. Giggles flood from the closet and you rip the door open, causing her to squeal.

You scoop her up and tickle her sides “ I found you! “. The girl in your arms is laughing so hard she’s crying and maybe it was the alcohol talking—but this suited you. You had a way with them. “ Now we’ve got to find Carl! “ You smile down at the girl, allowing her to climb on your shoulders. “ Be my look out Sophia! He’s a sneaky one , my brother! “. She giggles once more and you begin to search the room for your sibling. Daryl once again points out the hiding spot and sure enough Carl’s foot is sticking out from beneath the couch. This time you just wink at him , causing Daryls heart to skip for just a moment and you drop down to grab his little ankle “ Aha! There you are! “.

Your brother screams and tries to kick you out of his grip, but he’s not match for you as you gently drag him out from underneath the couch. “ And now you have to face my rath! “ You scream dramatically, and then tickle his sides as well. He laughs so loud that it attracts the attention of their mothers, who mirror Daryls actions. Your mother smiles at this brief moment of happiness between her children before he kicks at you again and you try to bite his arm “ Y/N Grimes you are a adult! Do not bite your brother! “. Daryl watches your mother go to break up your play fight as Carol follows to collect her child for bed. He wonders what you looked like as a kid. Same doe eyes most likely, but you seemed like the type that caused a whole lot of trouble.

He watches you mess up your brothers hair before giving him a goodnight hug and you then let your mom still kiss your cheek—not ashamed of the affection. Lori now marches a tired Carl out of the room, but makes sure to give Daryl a look of her own. It was the ‘ don’t hurt her’ look and he’s truly never gotten it before. It was strange. He just nods , not comfortable with the fact that they are catching on to how much he’s beginning to care for their daughter, but let’s your smile wipe away all of the doubt “ Did you come to sneak me some? “. He smirks at the second wink you give him and offers you the bottle of whiskey. You take a swig, letting it burn down your throat, before handing it back to him “ My hero “.

You’re joking, but Daryl liked the sound of it. He wouldn’t ever let you know that though. You then sit down on the couch with a content hum before motioning for him to join you. He sits as far as he can from you, but you ignore his awkwardness by putting your bare feet in his lap. He scoffs at you with a buzzed smile, but doesn’t push you away. You were comfortable with him. And he knows that’s not true for everyone around you, so he’d let you do whatever you wanted. He just wanted you near.

Rick would be the one to find you both asleep on the couch, separate, but his hand around your leg protectively. It catches him off guard at first—and he wants to rip you from his grip, but then it hits him. How he always finds you next to him, how you seem to be the only one to calm the hot head down, and how Daryl always watches over you. This wasn’t someone preying on his only daughter, it was love. Even if it was unspoken.

—-

After the cdc, there was Sophia getting lost in the woods. And that was a bad time for you. You cared for the little girl as if she were your own. You were the first one to fling yourself, unarmed, into the woods after her as the two walkers chased after her and when you couldn’t find her—you blamed yourself. This put a weight on you that wouldn’t be resolved until you found her. So, Daryl took on the task with you. But then, Carl got shot and he watched you go pale. The woman on the horse claimed she was just trying to help, but Daryl didn’t want to let you go. He didn’t know it was safe. He couldn’t protect you if he wasn’t there. “ It’s my brother,Daryl! “ You had yelled at him when he tried to stop you, yanking your arm away from him as you climb up on the horse.

You could see he was scared for you, but your brother needed you. Even with Daryl looking at you with sad eyes. This is what’s right. You rode off with the stranger, causing Daryl to curse and kick the dead walker that attacked Andrea “ So fuckin’ stubborn! “. And that’s when everyone started to realize there was something going on with you two.

Even if he didn’t want to admit it.

——

The next morning, after Carl survived the surgery, you waited for Daryl to arrive at the farm. You hope he understands why you had to go—just like he did when it came to Merle. That you can’t live with loosing your brother. “ Boy troubles? “ Maggie asks you, bringing you out of your anxiety filled thoughts. You want to deny the woman and tell her to mind her business, but she did let you all in her house so you decided to just shrug your shoulders. She smiles softly and watches you watch the dirt path anxiously “ I know that look, Y/N”. You still won’t give her the satisfaction of telling her your love life or whatever this is with Daryl, but don’t drop your eyes from the road. Kindly, she sits and waits with you since you’re not up for talking right now. That’s what made you realize that she’s good people.

Once you hear the familiar loud motor, you just about jump out of your skin. He was here. He’s followed by the rest of the group that was still at the highway and you don’t hesitate to go to him. You probably look like a stupid school girl, but you don’t care. “ Hey “ You smile at him as he gets off his bike, but he doesn’t smile back. He just gives you a stare “ Now Ya’ wanna talk? “. Your stomach twists uncomfortably, Daryls never been mad at you before. “ He made it through, he’s going to be ok “ You offer him news, but he turns that down as well. “ That’s great, Y/N . Real great . How ‘bout you go tell Shane all about it “ He spits at you. Your eyebrows knit together at the mention of Shane “ Wha- what are you talking about ? “.

He rolls his eyes like it’s obvious and turns to stalk off in another direction, but you grab his elbow as he tries “ Daryl wait- “. He then yanks his elbow from you and the look in his eyes intimidates you. He doesn’t have to say anything as him harshly removing himself from your touch says it all. He wanted to hurt you. Like watching you leave hurt him. He then continues to storm off and you blink away the tears in your eyes. Thankfully, no one was paying attention to you as everyone was just concerned about Carl. Except for Shane, he was watching the whole situation and took the chance to swoop in. He figures if he can suck up to you, you won’t mind when he figures out a way to win your mom over.

“ You alright? “ He asks, hat in hand like he could make everything better. You just shake your head and give out a cough “ I’m fine- just worried about Carl is all”. Shane knows you’re lying, but let’s you. “ He’s going to be fine. I made sure of that “ He then tells you, playing on your feelings for your brother . You want someone who understands your situation and he was going to be just that. You offer him a smile even though you’re crumbling on the inside “ Thank you”. He points to his cheek like he use to when you were a little girl and you roll your eyes “ I’m not a little girl anymore, Shane “. He just continues to smile “ I don’t care how old you get girl, I still get my kiss on the cheek”. You give him the harmless kiss as you always have and walk off to get some space , but Shane took it as progress and let you wonder off.

Leaving him to plots concerning your father.

—-

The following week, Daryl doesn’t talk to you. He ignores your existence entirely. And you begin to wonder if you imagined all of this. You thought this was going somewhere. That he understood you, but maybe you were wrong. Maybe you were wrong about all of this. And Shane was trying to hang around you more and more, only adding to your agitation. Sure, he was a family friend, but the way he looked at you and your whole family was beginning to creep you out. So, you began to look for Sophia by yourself. Even if you’re dad didn’t like it. You want to be alone. At least when you’re alone, you can hear yourself think. Even if it’s about Daryl…

You hadn’t found much on her whereabouts yet, but you aren’t giving up. Even if it kills you. And that’s what you set out to do, from sun up to sun down that’s where you are and it causes concern within the group. You hear their whispers as you pass by them at dinner, but you don’t care. You can take care of yourself and it’s better than just sitting on your ass like their doing or playing tough guy like Andrea is. The thought of the woman makes you roll your eyes, but she hadn’t hurt anyone so far. So you let it go.

And then the next day the sun rises and begins to set before she does, and it all happens so fast. First, she spots the so called walker and you demand she doesn’t fire as does your dad, but she keeps her aim set. You ignore her though, writing her off as she’s not the biggest concern right now, and you run towards the supposed walker. You’re closest, so you reach the figure before anyone else and you raise your gun on it. “ You gonna shoot me now? “ Daryl rasps at you, causing you to lower your weapon as the guys catch up to you. “ Daryl?!” You now rush to his side as he’s barely standing in front of you, and hold him up. “ How bad are you hurt ?! “ You ask him, your dad coming to help you hold him. “ Why do you c- “ He’s about to be snappy with you before a gunshot rings out, and Daryl suddenly goes limp in your arms.

Your eyes go wide “ DARYL?! “. Your dad is already yelling for help as you have no choice ,but to start moving him as fast as you can. “ Did she get him?! “ You panic at your dad, but he shakes his head no to your relief. “ Just grazed him “. Your shaking as you help drag him to Hershel, who takes it over from there. You have his blood on your hands and just from the look of it, it sends a shiver down your spine. Yes, you know he’s going to be ok, but this scared the absolute shit out of you. He could’ve easily.. This could’ve been a whole different situation if she was two inches to the left in her aim. Andrea now runs in as if she can hear your thoughts, causing a ugly side of you to boil over.

She’s pulling at her hair and holding her chest as if she’s scared. As if this could’ve hurt her. And never in your life have you felt this anger for another person. Dale walks her out of the room as Hershel needs less bodies in the room and you watch as Dale comforts her. As if she’s the one who needs comforting. Andrea finally feels your eyes on her, but it’s too late. You’re already half way to her , arm cocked back ready to punch that scared expression of her face . And you do, you get one really good punch into her mouth before your dad grabs you by your arms and she’s screaming bloody murder. “ What the fuck, Y/N?! “ She’s holding her mouth as blood begins to drip from it.

You thrash against your dads arms as he moves you all outside as inside hershels home was not the place for this to happen. “ Oh— I’M FUCKING SORRY DID YOU FORGET THAT YOU DERSERVED THAT?! THAT HE COULDVE DIED?! “ You scream, the thickness in your voice let’s her know that if you get out of your dads arms she better run. “ SOME FUCKING TOUGH GUY YOU ARE! CANT EVEN TAKE A PUCH! “ You’re yelling at her like a lunatic and your dad has to shove his hand over your mouth to keep everyone from hearing. You want everyone to see her for what she is right now.

But in reality they see you for what you are, a girl in love.

——-

The next days are spent at Daryls bedside, even if he’s still mad at you, and you even sleep at his side in the most uncomfortable chair. Which is what you’re currently doing as ,Carol brings in his dinner. His eyes dart over to the woman and he motions for her to keep quiet. Even if he was upset with you, he didn’t want anyone to wake you. You looked so tired. Carol smiles at your sleeping figure. You deserved it. Besides Daryl, you are the only one that hasn’t truly lost hope in finding her daughter. “ She’s a good one “ Carol whispers to Daryl, setting his food on the table beside him. Daryl just nods, but carol decides to push the subject further “ You know, she punched Andrea that day you got shot“. Daryl gives the older woman a confused look. When did you do this? And why hadn’t you mentioned it to him?

“ Yeah, she was so mad that Andrea shot you. She went ballistic on the poor girl “ Carol confirms, shrugging as if it’s not big deal. No one blames you for punching her. She broke the rules Hershel set and almost killed a valued member of your group. It was justified. “ Can’t imagine her doin’ that “ Daryl mumbles, looking over at you as if he’s trying to. Carol laughs slightly “ You’ve seen the way she takes down walkers, this isn’t too far fetched “. Daryl doesn’t argue with the woman and she realizes she should probably give the two of you some time to rest. But she stops just before closing the door “ You know, the two of you have done more for my little girl, than her father has her whole life “.

And with that she shuts the door, leaving Daryl alone to be with his thoughts of you. He watches you stir slightly in your sleep , moving uncomfortably in the chair, and he realizes how you deserve this bed more than he does.

You did punch someone for him.

——

The next day, you help Daryl move back into his tent. He’s currently poking holes in the net while you tidy everything up for him, but you can feel him staring at you. “ Well I’m going to get out of your hair now. Yell if you need me “ You sigh, getting back on your feet. “ Aye “ He stops you just as your about to leave and you turn to see him still staring at the holes he’s made. “ You’re talking to me now? “ You ask, hand planted on your hip. You watch him nervously toy with the holes before he takes a deep breath “ M’sorry”. You can tell this makes him uncomfortable so you let your anger slip away. He wasn’t good at this and you don’t want to push him into anything.

“ I-it’s fine, Daryl. I get it “ You tell him, your voice showing him just how tired you are. He looks up from the tent to examine your face. There’s bags under your eyes, undoubtedly from sleeping in that chair, and your cheeks are sunken in like you haven’t eaten in a couple of days. “ C’mere “ He pats the spot next to him. You shake your head “ I can’t I’ve got- “. He stops you from rambling your list of duties “ They’ll be fine for an hour. Now c’mon “. You give him a half sigh, knowing how much your needed right now, but give in and lay beside him. He moves his pillow so that you can be comfortable and you smile up at him. He narrows his eyes down at you “ Why are you smilin’”. You just shrug and let your eyes close, his scent filling your nose as you snuggle into the pillow “ Nothing “. You can hear him mumble to himself that that’s bullshit, causing your smile to stretch.

But once he believes you’re asleep, you can feel him pull his blanket over you and brush your hair out of your eyes.

——

From that point on, Daryl made it a point to be near you again. He felt bad how he treated you. You didn’t deserve that. Not for wanting to be with your brother. He was just scared to loose you. But he didn’t have to say anything, you understood him without words. When he would bring food to you at night, or when he would check you for scratches after a search for Sophia it meant I’m here. That he’s not going to let anyone hurt you. And when his hand would graze the small of your back when you looked stressed or when his hand grazed yours when you were close to him, it meant he was checking on you. And you never question him about it, you let him do as he pleases. This is how he shows his love.

But the day did come where it was known that there’s walkers in the barn. And then the day that that Sophia walked out of said barn as one of them, came as well. And you couldn’t believe your eyes. There was the little girl that you had been chasing now for weeks. The little girl who you put on your shoulders just a month ago at the CDC. Your breath caught in your throat as her dead eyes glance your way and it kills you to see her like this. She was just a kid.

The only thing that tears your attention away from the little girl, is her moms cries as Daryl holds her back. You couldn’t even imagine. Your heart breaks for the woman who had already lost so much. This wasn’t what the world was supposed to be like. That little girl was supposed to out live you all. Not this—whatever cruel joke this was.And once Sophia’s second life is sent to an end, Carol runs off in the other direction. And in that moment, you expect Daryl to walk away. That this would surely send him over the edge, but he doesn’t. Instead, he walks over to you and places his hand on your back. Instead he checks on you.

But he would push everyone else away, just not you. He’d bite everyone else’s head off, just not yours. He just made room for you. He let you sleep next to him , even if he wasn’t ready to hold you.

——-

And then the farm fell, and he couldn’t find you. And he’s never been so scared in his life. Not even when his dad use to beat him. This was you. All he could do was yell for you, kill walkers, and repeat. But you were gone. Everyone was gone. His heart is beating a thousand miles an hour, but he can’t accept it. You had to be ok. You’re a fighter. You wouldn’t give up—you wouldn’t leave him. And as fate would have it, he would find Carol who convinced him to go back to the highway. Sure enough, they you were. You were on your knees, holding Carl’s hands as if you were trying to tell him something he wouldn’t like,but as soon as you heard his bike you got off of your knees and ran straight to him.

He barely has time to get off the bike before you’re throwing your arms around him “ Oh god—I thought..I didn’t see you! “. And even though you both hadn’t said anything yet, hadn’t made anything official, he grabbed you as tight as he could. “ I know” he whispers into your hair as he can still feel your body shake against him. “ If anything would’ve happened to you- “. “ Shh”. You press your face into his chest and he smoothes your hair back from your face, catching your fathers gaze. Rick looks over the two of you, but says nothing. He only gives Daryl a nod and let’s the man comfort you.

He’s glad you have someone who will take care of you if he’s not around.

——-

The next seven months aren’t the easiest. Your mom is due any day now and you can’t find a place for longer than an hour before the dead are running you off to the highway again. Food is low, water is low, and game is scarce as it seems the walkers found out that deers taste good. You scoff to yourself as you think back to that time back at the quarry, but do nothing as your stomach rumbles. Your standing guard over your mother as everyone is trying to plot where to go next and she grabs your arm “ You ok? “. She offers you a small smile and return it. Your father and brother haven’t been the nicest to her lately after Shane. Turns out she was having a whole fling with him before your dad got back. And it just put them at odds.

And while you couldn’t understand how she could even touch another man with your dad so recently gone, you didn’t judge. She needed someone in her corner and you’d give her that. “ I’m fine mom don’t worry about me”. She rubs your arm softly “ I’ll always worry about you. That’s what moms do you know? “. You place your hand on hers and try to comfort her the best you can before Daryl waves you over. “ I’ll be back “ You promise her , giving her a small squeeze before joining him. “ Gonna go hunting with your dad. Wanna come? “ He asks, collecting his stuff. Giving him a nod, you look around to keep track of everyone. “ C‘mon” He tugs on your wrist, ripping you from your worry.

You follow him off into the woods , where your dad has already gotten a head start. Both of you are quiet, the world around you the same, and you wonder if there’s any actual game out here. Usually you’d at least hear a frog, but right now ? Nothing. It was odd. Daryl seems to notice the same thing and protectively walks before you, but finds nothing wrong as you catch up to your dad. He’s got a hard expression on his face, as always, and you let him talk with Daryl as it’s obvious that’s what he wants. You don’t mind though.You just walk infront of the two and try to pin point any game whilst they talk about the true next steps.

You can only hear a little of what their saying, but it doesn’t matter as you look to your right and spot a prison. And you knew that this is why it was so quiet. Your dads in mid speech about something when you turn and point to the building. Daryl follows your gaze, but is quick to dismiss it “ Ain’t that a shame “. Yes, you can see the walkers—and there is a lot of them—but you can also see the potential. There’s gates, guard towers, undoubtedly a commissary which meant food, and hopefully a safe place to welcome your little sibling into the world. Rick is already thinking the same as you and the look on his face gives you hope. He hasn’t looked so relieved in such a long time.

——

And it would be a home. Four an entire two days before a ex inmate let the walkers into your walls. And ended up not only killing, T-dog, Possibly Carol, but your mom. As soon as you heard the baby’s cries… There was no doubt. She was gone. Daryl watches your face go pale and his stomach twists as you fall to your knees, mouth gaped open as if you’re trying to find the words. Carl runs to you instinctively and all you can do now is hold your brother tight. You have to be his rock now more than ever. Especially as your dad looses all of his will right before the both of you. Tears poor down your face, but you don’t let Carl see them. He needs you to be strong. Something your dad can’t be right now.

You watch as he runs into the prison, undoubtedly to find your mother’s body for himself and it’s like your life is on auto pilot. That everyone’s moving around you and talking, but you’re not controlling any of it. There’s a gaping hole in your chest the size of Texas- and everyone can see it - but it didn’t matter. “ Hey - hey “ You pull your brothers face up from your chest, his tears pooling from his blue eyes. “ We’re ok. We’re going to be ok “ You promise him. His lip quivers, but you just shake your head at him “ We need to take care of our little sibling now, ok? It needs us to be strong for it ok? “. He’s shaking like he’s ready to stuff his face back into your neck, but you force him to look at you “ We have to do this for mom “.

He nods slightly, but it’s clear he’d be crying himself to sleep tonight. “ We’re going to need formula—fuck do we even have clothes for it ? “ You’re brainstorming your list out loud, looking over your shoulder at Daryl. “ We’ll get sum’. There’s a daycare up the road. Bout’ twenty miles out “ He confirms, his eyes glued on you. You nod and turn back to your brother “ I’m going to have to go- “. “- No! Don’t leave! “ Carl interrupts you, his eyes as wide as the sea. You place both of your hands on his cheeks, wondering just how to get him through this, but you find the words “ I will never leave you, Carl. But this baby won’t make it without food . It won’t even survive the night “. He’s shaking like a leaf , but let’s you go. He trusts you.

You feel like you’re going to vomit, but push past it and force yourself over to Maggie. She’s holding your little brother or sister with a terrified gaze, but you just scoop her from Maggie to let her grieve. Someone should get to. You adjust the squirming baby into the proper position “ H-hi there “. It calms at your voice as if it was waiting for you and you grab it’s little hand, tears forcing their way out of your eyes. “ She’s a girl “ Maggie informs you, as it’s obvious you’re trying to find out by picking at a thin cloth someone gave her. A girl. “ I see “ you force a smile down at your sister “ So you’re here to steal my spot, huh?”. Carl’s now at your side and your comment cheers him slightly “ Y-yeah, she is “. You’re both smiling now, but Daryl can tell it’s all an act. That you’re falling apart on the inside.

And the moment you two reach the daycare, he finds out just how right he is. You’re the first to get off his bike, but as soon as you do you’re chest is heaving like you’re going to be sick. “ Y/N - “ Daryl tries to calm you, but you just rush over to the nearest bush and empty you’re stomach. Daryl runs after you and holds your hair back for you, the only thing he can truly do for you at the moment. He can feel you shake,but it’s short lived as you didn’t have enough on your stomach for it to last long. “ Fuck me “ You groan and give a wipe to your mouth, before turning back to Daryl. Your eyes are now strained,but he doesn’t expect any different. “ I can do this “ He offers, his hands coming to your hips in support. “ N-no. I can do this. She needs me “.

There’s fresh tears covering your red cheeks that say other wise and Daryl has no idea how to make you ok again. You’ve been the one putting him back together again all this time and he’s never even seen you cry. Not once. You’re grabbing at the roots of your hair now, looking to the sky for answers “ How- What do I do now, Daryl ? “. Again, he doesn’t know. His minds screaming for him to help you, but he doesn’t move. What could he possibly do? A sob finally escapes your lips “ Oh God- she’s really gone isn’t she ? What the fuck do I do?! “. And without any idea, Daryl just grabs your face so you’ll look at him. You’re eyes meet his quickly as you have no other choice. He’s inches from your face and you feel his heart beat against your chest. He wants to tell you that’s it’s going to be ok, but that’s not going to be enough. You were smarter than that.

So, he just kisses you instead. Even though you just threw up and your lips are covered with tears, he doesn’t care. He just wants to hold you together. Just like you always do. And he’s never kissed you before—not even with sleeping next to each other every night,but you take it. You let his lips move with yours for as long as he’s willing. And he knows Nothing has ever felt so right. He only pulls away to catch his breath,but let’s his forehead rest on yours. Oh, how you take his breath away so easily. “ I-I don’t know, Y/N. But we’ll figure it out “ Daryl finally gives you an answer.

You trust his words and hope to God this will all work out.

——

Months go by as obstical after obstacle presents its self, but Daryl was right. Together, you both figured out how to make it ok. Through the governor, through the fear, through Andrea and Merles deaths, and even through welcoming all of the governors people into the prison. You made a way. And now the prison is thriving. There’s running water now and plenty of food. A place for baby Judith to grow and for Carl to remember how to be a kid again. He even has a friend. Your days are full as you have plenty of people to care for now, which put you as a prime member on the council. But all of the responsibility does keep you and Daryl separate for most of the day.

You aren’t a big fan of that, but it made the nights something to look forward to. You’d always get back to your cell last, since you try to squeeze in a kiss for Judith at night, but Daryl always waits up for you. Tonight’s no different as you quietly open the curtain to your shared cell, giving him a small smile “ Hey stranger”. He looks up from a book with a smirk of his own “ S’that what I am now? “. He moves to the edge of the bed, motioning for you to come his way. “ Let me check Ya’ “. You let him do as he pleases and smile as he checks you for scratches. He knows you haven’t been outside the gates in over a week. Once you’re in the clear, you turn to face him and he raises an eyebrow at your shirt. Completely forgetting that Judith spit up on you, you laugh down at your shirt “ I’m so tired I completely forgot”.

He smiles— How precious you are sitting there with puke on you. You smile back and move to change your shirt, revealing your back to his gaze. He traces your back , his hands gripping the bottom of the bed, and you pay him no mind. This is one of the ways you show him how comfortable you are with him. And no, he’s not good at all of this. But he does notice all the little signs you give him to reassure him. Like how you’re fine undressing infront of him. And he’s never touched you in that way, but you let him know with these little actions that when he’s ready he can. “ Oh- shoot” You gasp, when you’re dragging your jeans off of your legs. Daryl automatically locks his eyes on your leg where a large bruise is forming and he’s quick to help you.

“ It’s ok , I’ve got it Dare “ You insist, hopping slightly as you try to pull the clothing off of you. He ignores you, moving forward with his instinct to take care of you and helps you tug them off “ Stop bein’ so stubborn”. You grab his shoulder for support “ You’re the one to talk “. He grumbles something at you, causing you to smirk, before he tosses your jeans to the side. His eyes drop back down to yours once he does, and you wait for him to come back at you with your usual playful banter, but it doesn’t come. And then it hits you, that even though there’s only light by candle, you can see how un-easy he is. And not because he doesn’t enjoy his view— He loves it actually. But having you this close? Without clothes?

You offer him a smile, this didn’t have to turn into that. “ Hey, lets go to bed “ You offer, completely content with having him next to you tonight. You pull a shirt over your frame and lead him to your bed, but you can tell he’s upset with himself. You can always tell when he’s upset because he won’t hold you. Sighing, you sit up on the mattress “ Daryl, it’s fine.Really “. You can practically feel him roll his eyes at you. “ Not fuckin’ fine “ He groans, turning on his side and leaving you alone for the rest of the night.

———

The next morning, you wake up alone. Which isn’t surprising since this is how it always happens, but it feels different after the small argument— or whatever that was last night. Mentally, you groan at the situation, but get up and begin your day anyways. Just cause you had a fight with your boyfriend doesn’t mean the walkers will stop for you. Tossing clothes on, you shove your M9 into your waist band and exit the cell to find Carol holding Judith. You smile at the sight of your sister and it’s clear she sees you as she squeals for you. “ Every time “ Carol laughs, offering you the girl. You accept her into your arms and Judith places her hand on your mouth. She does this every time now knowing you’ll make pig noises and bite her hand, just like your mom did with you. You grant her wishes and she giggles at you.

These little moments you cherish more than anything, but you have to give her back as you have to get to your list of many things to do. “ You ok? “ She asks once you are free of the baby. Nodding, you move towards the perch to leave, but stop as you wonder why she’s asking. She tilts her head slightly, like she was a caring mom “ Daryl was in one rare mood this morning is all. Wanted to make sure you two are good “. You just shrug at the woman you consider family “ We’re all good, Carol. Thanks for asking though “. You can feel her gaze on your back as you exit the cell block. He must be in some mood for Carol to warn you like that. You brace yourself for it as you walk towards Beth who is currently cooking something Daryl killed yesterday. Her boyfriend is there with her and you offer them both a smile as you approach “ Morning “.

Beth smiles in return, but obviously has the same thoughts as carol did. You choose to ignore it and pick at the deer meat that’s already cooked “ You coming on the run today? “. Zach nods eagerly, trying to sneak his own piece like you just did “ Yes mam “. You smirk at his choice of words and leave the couple to begin picking off the walkers at the wall. They’re starting to look overwhelmed so this would be task number one of the day. Maggie is already picking some off as you join her, but it doesn’t take long for you to notice she’s wearing a frown.You know she’s scared that she might be pregnant. She hasn’t told you, afraid of your reaction because of what happened to your mom, but you could tell. There’s just a certain look. “ Anything you want me to pick up for you on the run? “ You ask hoping she will confide in you, shoving your knife into a walkers head. You pull your arm back and continue the same action two more times before , Maggie looks at you.

You can feel her looking you up and down, before she groans “ How do you know?”. Smirking, you continue to assault the walkers “ You know I grew up with cops right? For god sakes, my dad was the sheriffs deputy. I got pretty good at reading people “. She’s glad you aren’t mad at her, but grabs your arm to stop you so she can have your full attention “ After your mom- “. You stop her by holding her hand that she grabbed you with “ Maggie it’s fine. I’m fine “. She’s searching your eyes for any sign you’re not fine, but you squeeze her hand for effect “ You and Glenn are married. I expect you to have my nieces and nephews “. She laughs as you clearly want cute little Glenn’s running around and that she’s definitely your family. It seems to relive her of her stress and you go back to picking the line. She follows your lead and shrugs to herself “ Maybe you and Daryl can give them someone to play with? “.The idea makes your heart feel warm, but you don’t respond to her.

After last night, you don’t know if that’s something he’d want for the two of you.

——-

When it came time for the run, you gave your dad and Carl a hug before finally coming face to face with Daryl. He’s currently filling up the bike with gas, but you know he can sense that your near. He just doesn’t want to face you. You believe he’s mad at you, but truly he’s just embarrassed about the whole situation. He doesn’t understand how he could have you infront of him like that, but not act the way he wants to. You fold your arms over your chest and you debate asking Zach for a ride, but it would just make this all too obvious. Daryl then drops the cap to the gas and you reach to help him, but he’s quick to make sure you can’t. You furrow your eyebrows at him. Is he really being childish ? Your lips purse and leave him to his assholeness.

Your half way to Bob and Tyreese before he’s finished with his task and calling for you “ Aye “. You turn to find him giving you a questionable look. You never rode without him. “ What? You obviously don’t want me around “. This catches Bob’s attention, but he thankfully gives y’all privacy. He narrows his eyes at Bob before you, and then rolls his eyes for you to see “ Fine! “. He swings his legs over the bike and starts it up, obviously telling you to ride with them instead and you can feel your stomach twist uncomfortably. You can feel your face drop as well, but Bob comes to your side to try and defuse the situation “ Hey, you can sit with me! We’re playing the alphabet game “. As much as you appreciate Bob’s easy going ness , right now you can’t imagine spending the next thirty minutes listening to the stupid game.

But you would. And the run wouldn’t put you in a better mood either. Usually, you love getting out of the prison even if it was just for a little bit. But that was mostly because of getting alone with Daryl. Yet, you do your job and search the stocked store. You’re in the hygiene aisle tossing soap and other necessities in your bag, but stop when your eyes land on the pregnancy tests. You debate on grabbing one for Maggie, but as you grasp one in your hands you can feel eyes on you. You know exactly who they belong to and roll your eyes mentally, deciding to just shove it in your bag and move on.

You move onto dry goods and grab a couple of jars of baby food before you hear Bob yelling for help. Your eyes widen at the sound and you rush towards it to find him pinned under a shelve.There’s a walker under it as well and you quickly try to pull the shelf off of him, groaning as you need help “ Anybody!! “. There’s loud foot steps heading your way, but they aren’t fast enough as Bob screams in fear. Daryl finally reaches you and the two of you attempt to free the man, but then you start to hear the groans. And light is starting to appear from holes in the roof. “ Daryl! “ You point out, causing him to try and lift even harder. Finally, you feel as it’s moving, but then a walker falls through the roof and the whole store descends into chaos. Daryl has to rip you away from your task as a walker gets too close to you and you slam into a near by shelf. Daryl quickly sends a bolt into its head and you have no time to catch your breath before another one staggers towards you. You push off of the shelf and shove your blade as hard as you can into the top of its head, kicking it back as soon as it’s life less.

Daryls quick to grab you again and push you towards the middle of the store, but there’s too many and you’d both have to kill at least six of them before being able to go any further. Thankfully, you can see Zach and Tyreese helping bob so this is your prime objective. You stand back to back with Daryl and begin your assault, coating yourself and the floor in various fluids. And as is if this wasn’t bad enough, you can now see a helicopter trying to fall through the roof. Daryl obviously notices too, but the two of you are getting backed up into the exact spot it’s going to fall. “ Daryl! Y/N! “ Glenn yells, clearing a path for you . You rush to take it and Daryl is right behind you.

And then you see it, Zach gets bit and there’s nothing any of you can do but run.

——

That night you waited on Daryl to come to bed. He wanted to be the one to tell Beth about Zach, so you granted his wish and gave him the space to do so, but what you didn’t count on was him getting stopped by your brother on his way back to you. Daryl was just leaving Beths cell, a distant expression on his face, and Carl knew it all to well. Daryl begins to head back to you, not realizing your brother is watching him, but stops as Carl stands infront of the perch “ I need to talk to you “. Daryl nods up to your cell “ In the mornin’. Need to talk to Y/N “. Carl puts his hand on Daryls shoulder “ It’s about her “. Daryl raises a eyebrow at the kid, but follows his lead to just outside the cell block. Carl paces slightly before announcing his reasons for stopping the hunter.

“ I wanted to say thank you for bringing Y/N back safely.. I heard it was really bad “. Daryl gives your brother a nod, but waits as there’s obviously another reason he pulled him aside. “ And- I saw what was in Y/N’s bag and I need you to know that if she is.. if she’s pregnant that it’s going to be ok. I think she’ll be a great mom “. Daryl looks your brother up and down as if he has two heads, but remembers you stashing a test in your bag. Obviously you aren’t pregnant, but looking at the hope in his eyes made Daryl wish it was true. “ She’s not. T’s for someone else “ He explains, the kid infront of him slumping slightly at the news. At this moment he looks just like you. “ Well, that’s cool too I guess “ Carl accepts. His lips are pursed slightly, but he lets the idea go. Carl begins to leave Daryl to go back to his task, but stops just to tell him something Daryl needs to hear “ You make her happy you know? And I think you’d make a cool brother in law. Even if she’s not pregnant “.

The kid smirks at the taller man and leaves the hall way to probably go hug you goodnight. You two have a nightly ritual after all. Even with Carl getting older, he never misses it. Most nights, Daryl would listen from the hallway as you let him lay on your shoulder. You’d tell him that you’re proud off him and that it’s ok to miss mom too. And that you’ll never leave him. But Daryl wonders would he make a great brother to Carl? The whole conversation leaves Daryl second guessing everything. He eventually climbs the stairs to over hear your nightly ritual. “ I told Daryl that he’d make a cool brother in law “ Carl confesses as you rub his back, just like mom use to do. You smirk down at him “ Oh yeah? You want him to be your brother now? “. He can hear Carl laugh softly, but not at any harm to Daryl.

“ Dad said you’re happy with him. That Daryl is a good man. I just wanted him to know that it’d be kinda cool to have him be one of us “ Carl explains to you and you can feel your heart swell at his words. Never before has Carl liked any of your boyfriends. Ever. “ He is one of us “ You agree, but Carl seems to have a different opinion. “ He has to propose first, stupid “. You send a fist into his shoulder “ First off, I will and can beat your ass Carl. And second, it doesn’t really work that way anymore. Family isn’t defined by a ring or a piece of paper. Especially since I’m pretty sure the aliens dropped you off on our door step and we were just too kind to leave you there “ . Carl laughs at your threat and punches you back, but doesn’t miss the fact that you consider Daryl family already.

“ So you don’t want a ring? Just dating is fine with you? “ He asks after the two of you call a cease fire. You shrug slightly, not ever really giving the idea any thought “ I don’t know. I feel like Daryl and I are good. He can give me a ring if he wants and if he doesn’t I’ll be ok. I know where we stand and that’s enough for me “. Carl seems to be confused on all of this, but is glad you know what you’re doing. “ Relationships are really weird “. Hugging him goodnight, you give a kiss to his head“ You’re not wrong,Grimes. You’re not wrong “. He leaves you to find his bed and you begin to lay down, only to sit right back up when Daryl enters the cell. He looks so tired, eyes straining to stay awake, but you resist the urge to hug him. There’s still a weird feeling in the air.

He looks your frame over before setting his things down , not really giving you a idea of what is going through his mind. “ How’d it go with, Beth? “ You ask quietly, not really knowing what else to say. His shoulders roll “ Went fine “. Mentally you want to skip to the part where everything’s good and that all this in between won’t matter. He looks over his shoulder at you, noticing that you let your hair down and that you’re scrubbed clean, and remembers the girl he met that day at the quarry. The girl who never treated him like anything other than good. It makes him sigh. God, he hated disappointing you. Those doe eyes of yours search his for any sign of a white flag, he notices. You didn’t want to fight. You just wanted him. But it’s hard for him to accept. His doubts are miles long, but you seem to always make it through them.

Shyly, you creep off of the bed and hug his back tightly to prove this point. No matter the argument he tried to put up earlier, you know his heart. Your hands smooth over his chest and he can feel you place a kiss to his back , ever so careful in your movements. His eyes close tightly in response. Always so careful with him like he’s something special. All the demons in his mind scream otherwise, but feeling your head rest on his back seems to melt them down somehow. “ I know this is all new for you, but I want you to remember that all I’ll ever need is you. You can be mad at me for the rest of my life— god willing it’s a long one— but you’re going to have to accept that. You’re my family”. Your kisses continue “ I’m never going to let you go, even when you push me away “. Your words promise a future to him. And for the first time he can feel how bad you want him to be apart of it. That you’re going to be with him and only him.

“ Just tell me that’s all you want. That you’re in this forever with me “ You ask of him. And this is the first time you’ve ever asked him to confirm his feelings for you. And fuck, he never realized how this must be for you.That he’s never asked you to be with him. That you’re just supposed to love him without any confirmation given. He slowly grabs your hands and holds them close, hoping his touch feels just as right as yours does “ Yeah, I want that “. You smile against his back, content in this alone, showing him that you have no ulterior motives. That you’ll have him in every way and never leave. “ Can we go to bed ? “ You ask , but don’t leave his grasp. He can hear a small yawn escape, but he doesn’t give you what you want.

Instead, he turns around and smoothes your hair out of your face resulting in you grinning at him like you’re just eating up any affection he’s willing to give you. And it feels good to have someone look at him like that and mean it. He places his hand on your side, slightly grabbing it so you’ll come closer, and you gladly take his hint. You take the opportunity to kiss him and he can smell the vanilla wafting off your skin, drawing him into your lips even more than before. This smell always makes him feel like he’s at home. But, you pull away all too soon reminding him of your wish to sleep. And he can’t explain what you did to him by pulling away from him, but he quickly pulls you back to him. You raise your eyebrow at him, but don’t have a chance to question his actions as his hands find your hips and he’s quick to grasp at the skin that lays beneath your shirt.

Your eyes fall to his hands as the trace their way up your ribs and you notice his eyes asking for permission to remove the shirt that stops him from continuing. You remove the item without hesitation— as far as your concerned you’re his. And no, you didn’t have a ring or some piece of paper, but you would only be his for the rest of your life.You let the item fall without care and in the candle light, he counts all the little freckles he’s never noticed before. He traces them with his finger and this night would end with him finding every one of them.

—-

Every night after would be similar, until the prison fell and once again he’d loose you. You’d be know where to be seen, but he’d have to abandon the prison without you. Luckily, you got out with Michonne, but neither of you knew about each others where about. And it scared you. Days would pass by before you even caught up with your dad and brother, and while that was a joyous reunion, they could see the sadness in your eyes. You didn’t bother to talk a lot, only when needed, and it felt like you were dying inside. It was the unknown that killed you. Daryl wasn’t any better as he tried to provide , Beth with safety, but it wasn’t a life she wanted.

She hated sitting in the middle of the Forrest, eating snakes and she was quick to let Daryl know that, but he wasn’t much of a chatter box either. She wants to push him to admit he misses you and that he’s upset about the way things happened, because he’s just acting like none of it happened. And she eventually does, hitting him like a curse word with your name “ Y/N would hate to see you like this! She would be right in your face telling you to suck it up! But you don’t care right?! You don’t care that she’s gone! That Maggie’s gone! “. “ Don’t say her name! “ He would yell at her, but Beth wouldn’t let up. He needed to believe that you’re alive again. That this wasn’t all truly over. “ Why not, Daryl?! Huh? She’s out there and we’re sitting in the Forrest like bait! “.

Luckily, your family wasn’t pushing you the same way. They gave you your space and you still gave Carl the attention he needed, but you are just going along with whatever they choose. And eventually it would be terminus that they set their sights on, after your dad had to kill that man in the house you were holding up in. You don’t know what to feel about terminus, but they seemed to think it’s where everyone else would’ve headed.

Daryl would see the sign too, but it would be without Beth as she had been taken already. He was with a new group now, but it wouldn’t last. He was just surviving at this point and hoping Beth was right. That you were out there and waiting for him. And as fate would have it, he’d find you that very night. Just not in the best of situations. You were sitting around the small fire with your dad and michonne, listening to their small talk when a man would come behind you all and aim weapons at your heads. You thought this was it. That this was how you were going to die. And all you could do was look to Carl as he was pinned to the ground beneath an older man. Rick would look to you and his son in fear, but it’s Daryl that stops the scene playing out to escalate.

“ Wait— wait! “ He pleads, revealing himself from the woods causing your eyes to go wide. He briefly makes eye contact with you as the man behind you grins and grips your neck tightly. The leader of this little group would hear him out for a moment before proceeding to call him a liar and sick his men on him, causing you to scream for them to stop. You jerk in the man’s grip, but it was of no use. He grazes the knife across your skin like it pleased him and your dad was sickened at the sight, but you don’t let out any signs of fear. You needed to be strong. If you were all going to die, Carl’s last picture of you shouldn’t be crying and begging for your life. His knife would trail down your shirt as he makes it obvious he would do more than just kill you and it’s then that, Rick bites a huge chunk out of the leaders neck.

You take the opportunity to send your head back into the mans face and it sends him stumbling behind you , before picking up a large rock that was next to your foot. He looks from the rock to you “ And what do you think you’re going to do with that? “. He doesn’t think much of you, but his night would be sent to an end as you bashed his brains in with it. You let the rock drop as you finish your task, his blood covering your hands, but you don’t let it faze you as you turn to find Carl still in the grips of one of them. You’re ready to attack him, but your dad holds out a hand. He wasn’t able to kill your captive, but he would make sure to kill Carl’s. Michonne comes to your side as she holds you protectively, but you quickly rush to Carl when he’s free.

He runs to you on instinct and you accept him gladly as he’s trembling “ I’ve got you. You’re ok “. You can only rub his back and shield his face as your dad finishes off the man , the terror of the night truly at its peak. Michonne is quick to join you as you notice Daryls slumped form against your vehicle and Carl gives you the ok to go to him. You run to him and once you get to him, you’re searching him all over. Your hands come to his face, finding a forming black eye and a busted lip, but he doesn’t let you fret over it “ M’ ok”. Instead, he worries for you “ Did he hurt you ? “. He attempts to check you, but you just push his hands away and hug him to your frame.

He thinks briefly back to the time at the highway, but this was different. Men had tried to kill you. To take you away from him. You’re holding him like he’s a security blanket this time. He tries to hold you in return and give you the affection you need, but he couldn’t give you his all at the moment. “ I thought you were gone “ You whisper for only him to hear. You’re shaking against him and he realizes you must be crying, truly showing your love for him. And it’s in that moment he realizes he’s never told you he loves you. That you could’ve died without hearing those three words. “ Hey “ He whispers, bringing your teary eyes out from his shoulder. “ M’here now. S’ok “ He promises, but your lip is still trembling.

“ Don’t leave me again. Promise me. Promise me I’ll never have to live without you again “ You demand even if you sound like a child. He nods at you as he’s never seen you so panicked. “ Say it “ You demand again. He can’t believe how bad your shaking and he’d tell you anything to make you feel ok again. The fact that you were held by that man and were faced with a fear bigger than death, but you only cared to hear him promise you he’d never leave is all he needs to finally tell you. “ I’ll never leave you again” he promises grabbing your cheek so you’ll calm down “ I love you “. He expects you to be surprised as you always are when he shows you this type of love, but you just nod your head at him and lean your forehead against his “ I love you too “. There was no hesitation in you and it made this all worth it.

You don’t leave his side that night and eventually fall asleep on his chest, causing your dad to smile from Daryl’s side. Daryl looks him up and down for an answer, but Rick just shrugs “ Haven’t seen her sleep in days “. Daryl doesn’t respond to his friend, only rubs your back instead. “ She’s good with you, you know? I trust you with her life “ Rick continues making sure to acknowledge his approval. “ I almost got her killed “ Daryl objects, referring to the group of men he had been traveling with. Rick scoffs as if it’s complete lunacy “ Would you have been with them if you knew this was the outcome? Would you willingly put her or us in danger if you knew ?”. Daryl shakes his head no “ I didn’t know they were looking for you. They talked about some guy who killed one of theirs and I was just with them until.. “.

Rick throws his hand up as if this proves his point “ Exactly. Daryl I know you. She knows you. You’re not them “. Daryl has a hard time believing his words, but Rick grabs his shoulder to emphasize it “ You’re my brother, Daryl. I know you”. Daryl nods in return, agreeing with him. He then tosses his water bottle to Rick for him to clean the blood off of his face. “ We should save it “ He begins to disagree, but Daryl nods back to the car where Carl sleeps. “ They don’t need to see you like this “. Rick then splashes his face and tries to rid of the substance before you wake up and see him. After, he looks back to Daryl and bluntly asks “ You going to marry her ? “.

Daryl isn’t caught off guard by this question as he already felt that way with you, but it’s obvious Rick wanted him to make it official. “ If that’s what she wants “ He responds. Rick grabs his shoulder again “ I want to walk her down an aisle. She deserves that “.

—-

Terminus would then come and once again, you’d have to face being ripped from Daryl , but this time you fought. You fought hard. Now being reunited with your family and even some new faces, you slaughtered your way through the madness of the place. It would be a hard day, but you’d all make it through. And once outside the fences, you held Daryls hand proudly. Sure, now you had no plan and no where to go, but you had him. And that was enough. Carol eventually revealed herself to be your savior and everyone took her in a happy hug, but she would have a even bigger surprise for you.

She led you all to a small shed where Tyreese would reveal himself, holding little Judith. You couldn’t even believe your eyes. Carl and your dad told you she was gone— that walkers had gotten to her, but there she was. You rushed after her as did your dad and brother, but you were the first to hold her. She grins at you and automatically puts her hand on your mouth, but you don’t grant her wish as you have tears pouring down your face. Carl is right at your side as he grabs her foot, but you pass the baby to your dad as he truly needs to hold her at the moment. You couldn’t even imagine the pain of thinking you lost a child. You and Carl both happily cry over the baby as your dad extends his arm for the both of you. And this made the following days bearable.

You’d then find a priest in need of help , who’d invite you to his church and give you a safe place to rest your heads for the night. Everyone found their own places to rest as the sun began to set, but you sat outside where you could take a moment to catch your breath. Carl soon joined you, but he just leans on your shoulder instead of trying to make small talk. He seemed to always know when to talk and when to just sit in silence with you. Just like when you were younger. And whilst you thought he just wanted your company, really he was just keeping you busy whilst Daryl and Rick took advantage of the fact that there is a real live priest in their finger tips. And no, Daryl isn’t planning on some big event in the middle of a apocalypse, but he wanted to give you the chance to have your father walk you down the aisle.

It doesn’t take much persuading to get Gabriel to officiate the wedding, seeing as he was just about itching to redeem himself for reasons unknown to you all yet. Now all you had to do was say yes. Daryl began to walk to ask you the very question, but Rick stopped him by sliding something in his hand. Daryl looks to his hand where a small silver band is and he questions it. “ It was her moms, should fit her “ Rick explains, his eyes far away at the moment. Daryl just nods and continues to exit the church, but stops as your still sitting on the steps. You’re sitting with your brother, a tired expression on your face, but you seemed to have a small smile even with the fact that there’s barely any food or water.

Carl looks up as he notices, Daryl and gives him a nod before leaving your side. You watch your brother leave and don’t think too much of it as , Daryl takes his place. “ I was thinking we should go on a run “ You tell him. His eyes graze your neck where there’s small bruises from where that man had held you and you can tell he doesn’t like the idea. “ I’m not asking you for permission “ You smirk, pushing his shoulder slightly. He catches your hand and holds it in his own, smirking slightly his self “ Later “. You let him make that decision, but question it “ Got a hot date or something? We can go now before we loose the light “. Your choice of words is ironic. “ Mhmm “ Is all he replies with, making you narrow your eyes at him. He’s being vague and he knows your about to give him that look, but he just nods to the left “ C’mon “.

You follow him out to the empty field beside the church, holding his hand as he leads you to a non specific spot. You shiver as the wind blows for a moment, but look to Daryl as he’s obviously brought you out here for a reason. And his eyes are far away at the moment as if he’s thinking back to a different time , but he snaps back to reality “ I’ve got sum’ to give you “. He digs into his pocket , bringing the item out before placing it in your hand. Your eyebrows raise as you open your palm to find the silver band, noticing it’s your— was your mom’s. You can tell by the date initialed inside. And you can’t help, but think of all the times she’d play wedding with you and let you wear it as your dad would be your groom. He watches you blink away the tears and you look away from him “ Why are you giving me this? How did you find it? “.

You’re trying to fight the urge to cry as this band means more to you than your own life. “ I want you ta’ wear it “ He answers, so calm and steady in his words. You snap your head back to him , wanting to make sure you heard him right “ Wear it ? “. He nods, wiping the tears from your face “ Marry me “. You examine his face, your hair blowing in the breeze and those blue eyes questioning his actions “ You don’t have to do this. I told you , you’re all I need “. And that’s why he wanted to do this. You never asked him to be more than who he is or demand he change for you. His hands grab your shoulders “ I want this “. You close your palm on the ring and look up to his eyes “ Are you sure? “. He makes a humming noise to assure you before placing the ring on your finger his self.

Finally, a smile cracks on your face as you examine it on your ring finger. He doesn’t know how much having this ring means to you and for him to give it to you? It heals your heart a little more. It made you feel close to her. “ Then— yes, I’ll marry you “ you agree. And while you believe this all he has up his sleeve, you happily kiss him until your lungs demand air. You don’t miss the happy smile on his face, but you don’t have time to appreciate it as your dad and Carl make they’re presence known, little Judith already squealing for you. You turn , Daryl’s hands never leaving you, and you wonder how they seem to know what just happened. They have big smiles on their faces and you think they were watching, but when your dad hugs you and asks you “ You ready? “ you realize there’s been a whole lot of plotting behind this proposal.

“ Ready for what? “ You ask him, before turning back to Daryl who doesn’t give you the slightest hint.

——-

And that day, would be the best day you’ve had in years. Rick would walk you down the aisle and tell you how happy your mother would be right now, Carl would grin at you from Daryls side and mouth to you ‘ Loser ‘ , Judith would throw fake flowers that Gabriel had found, And Daryl would gladly say ‘ I do ‘ even though you can tell he gave Gabriel a weird look when he asked him to. The guy just rubs him the wrong way. But it was perfect. That night you’d both go out, finally taking the time to go on that run, but as soon as you two were out there and alone, you’d gladly push him against a car you found. “ I believe you owe your wife a wedding night, right? “ you’d whisper to him, already yanking his vest down his arms.

“ I believe I do “ he’d agree and kiss you hungrily. And you’d both laugh— finding the back seat of the car as good of a place as any . You felt like a teenager sneaking around again, but this time you were with the one you loved. He’d kiss you and leave marks down your chest with an “ I love you “. And you both spend the next hour showing each other how much. You’d tell him the same once it was over, smiling as you lay on his chest. His lips find your head and you’re enjoying him playing with your hair when you hear it. Daryl sits up automatically , looking out the window as a car drives by without a single thought of the two of you. And you’re relieved, but Daryl seems to recognize it. “ That’s the people who took, Beth ! “ He explains, shoving on his clothes. You do the same and climb to the passenger seat.

And if he knew how this would end, he wouldn’t have chased the car…

—-

The two of you ended back up in the streets of Atlanta, fighting not only walkers, but some guy who steals from you and then later needs you to save him. Daryl doesn’t want to save the kid after all he’s done, but you ignore his attitude and attempt to help the guy out from underneath the shelf. Though you’re not strong enough, and the walker gets through the door to end the poor guy, but Daryl finally steps in and sends a bolt into its decaying head. Once he’s safe, he reveals his name and at the sound of a car outside it’s found out that he knows where Beth is.

It turns out they were both being held in some hospital, and that would be your next destination, but first you’d all have to escape the building without them seeing you first. Your first to exit the building, seeing as Daryl needs to keep watch on Noah, and all too suddenly your hit with said car that you all were trying to escape. Daryl’s eyes go wide as you bounce off of the car and hit the pavement, your eyes shutting as soon as your head lands on the concrete. Instinctively, Daryl tries to run out to you, but Noah stops him. He’d explain that the hospital has a doctor and that this would be your only chance to survive something like that, but he couldn’t wrap his mind around watching you being taken.

Noah realizes who you must be to him and tries to walk Daryl through the next steps to save your life.

And this would include getting your father involved.

——

“ Tell me something, Y/N “ Your mom smiles at you as you help her peel the potatoes in hershels kitchen. You don’t look up from your task, but hum in response so she knows your listening. “ Do you remember, Jake ? “ She asks, causing your peeling to stop. “ Jake? The kid from around the corner “ You question, vaguely remembering the kid that use to pick on, Carl. She nods, popping a slice of cucumber in her mouth “ I’m surprised that’s all you remember about him. Seeing as you beat the poor guy so bad he had to get ten stitches in his head “. You grin to yourself as you think back to that day. You were walking down the street to retrieve the boy from his friends house, but it’s when you heard his cry that you began to run.

You’d find him surrounded by some of the neighborhood kids as they watched your brother getting kicked in the side repeatedly. Your eyes went wide and you pushed by the kids his age, only to push the teenager off of him. “ Y/N ! “ Carl yelled as you would proceed to climb on top of the guy, and lay punches into his smug face. Luckily, your dad would be pulling down the street in his patrol car and stop you before you could break his nose, but he’d end up with ten stitches anyways. Shane would grab Carl as your dad tried to make sense of the whole situation. Why would his sixteen year old daughter beat a guy only two years younger than her ? “ Next time I catch you around my brother, I will make you wish for sunlight you little shit! “ You’d scream from your fathers arms, the guy holding his head with a scowl on his face.

“ Watch your mouth! “ He’d hiss down at you, but you’d just glare up at him. “ Where were you ?! Both of you ?! “ You’d yell at both of the officers, as your brother has blood dripping from his nose.

You grab a slice of cucumber yourself and wonder why she’s bringing it up “ I felt like I had to be his protector , you know? That morning he’d heard the two of you arguing. Just like you had the past weeks and I felt like seeing him getting hurt more— I wanted to stop it “. Lori nods at you, the statement causing guilt to cover her face, but she goes back to the reason she’s bringing it all up “ Daryl looks at you the same way. Like he’s your protector “. Your lips purse and you find yourself thinking back to the hunter, but your mom continues “ You’re different around him “. You’re about to slam her with an argument as you believe she’s criticizing you, but she holds her finger up at you “ Don’t you look at me like that. You look just like your dad “.

You let the urge drop as told, but would defend Daryl if she dared to say anything bad. “ I didn’t mean anything bad by it— I think you’re happy with him. And I like that he takes care of you. One day, I won’t be able to and it gives me peace that you’ll be ok”. What was she talking about? “ Don’t say things like that “ You mumble, not liking the turn this conversation has taken, but she suddenly grabs your hand so you grasp the reality of her words.

“ Fact is, Y/N. One day, I’ll be gone. Your dad will be gone. And in this world that can happen so quickly. I know you’ll take care of your brother, but I need to know someone will take care of you. So, be good to him. Don’t ever doubt him— not even when all the odds are stacked against it “ She advises you, her face full of regret like she had failed her own advice.

Beth watches you stir in your sleep and holds your hand, hoping you can feel her near you. You looked so different from the last time she saw you , hair longer and bruises littering your skin now, but it makes her smile to see the wedding band on your finger. Daryl must’ve found you. She had been right. “ I don’t know if you can hear me, Y/N, but I just want you to know I’m not going to let them hurt you. And that I’m here “ She tells you, just in time for Dawn’s footsteps to echo in the hallway. Beth would then scurry to the floor and pretend to have no interest in you, but Dawn always seemed to see right through her.

“ You knew her, didn’t you? “ She asked, sitting next to you on your bed. Beth kept a straight face, not to let anything slip, but it seemed to answer her question. “ She looks strong, we can use her. What was she good at ? “. The question reminds her of the fact that you had once told her that you were going through the academy before all of this, but there was no way she’d give that information to Dawn. Your fate would be sealed. Luckily, for both of you the next day would bring your salvation. And you’d never forget that moment. Beth would push you in the wheelchair towards your family, causing relief to show on their faces, and you’d grip her hand to warn her to be careful. You couldn’t protect her in your state and you could feel the anger radiating off of the girl.

She squeezes back, but your attention then falls on Daryl. He’s watching your movements like a hawk as , Rick and Dawn discuss how this will go down. This could end very badly and he knows you can’t even get up to defend yourself, but you try and smile for him. “ One of mine, for one of yours “ Is declared, and it’s decided you’d go first. Beth rolls you as far as she can before it’s taken over by someone you don’t know the name of, but it’s short lived before your lifted from the chair by your dad. He gives you a relived look before passing you to, Daryl and you have to lean on him to keep from falling.

And just as it’s Beth turn, Dawn announces she wants Noah too, causing Beth to shove a pair of surgical scissors into her chest.

And on reflex, Dawn sends a bullet into the girls brain.

——

After Beth’s death, it seemed like all you could do was loose. Starting with Bob, then Beth, and then Tyreese. It was killing the group slowly and it didn’t help that there was no food or water in sight. But you’d all push through, you had no other choice. You’d been through too much to die now. And when you all stash away in the first barn you see, the message couldn’t be more clear. You take the time to sit in the hay and shut your eyes for just a moment only to have your small moment interrupted by Maggie. She plops beside you and you offer her a squeeze to her shoulder, telling her in no certain words that you’re here for her. She tries to give you a smile, but you know it’s hard for her right now. “ You look awful “ You joke, eyeing the dirt on her face. You seem to always know what to say to her and she retorts “ Oh yeah? Have you looked in the mirror lately ? “.

You don’t have to look to know you look weeks past a shower “ I know, it’s hard to be this hot “. This earns a genuine laugh from Maggie and you catch Glenn’s thankful nod from the corner of your eyes. You return the gesture as Glenn talks to your husband. “ So hows married life treating you? “ Maggie tried to keep the conversation going seeing as it’s better than thinking about how empty her stomach is. You eye your wedding ring and let a tired smile stretch across your lips “ Well, I spent my ‘ honeymoon’ getting hit by a car and I’m pretty sure I have a permanent bruise on my ass, but between you and me ? I wouldn’t change a thing “. As if Daryl knows you’re talking about him, he looks over his shoulder to check on you. He watches you chat with Maggie and attempt to keep her in a good mood even though you’re fighting to keep your eyes open. He admires your strength, especially in the coming days.

You’d limp your ass from that point on with a smile and still find the strength to tote Judith, but even you have your limits. And thankfully, just as your about to pass out from borderline exhaustion, Aaron reveals himself to the group with promises of salvation. And god help Daryl when he saw the way you held Judith when you felt the urge to protect her from the strange man. To a strangers eye, you looked like a mom protecting her small child. And in a sense you are Judiths mom. But, Alexandria proved to be true and little by little he saw you begin to relax. Daryl didn’t really feel the same way, but didn’t turn you down when you suggested he shower with you. You took his hand and lead him through the house everyone was hold up in still, earning a grin from michonne. “ I think everyone is asleep by now “ You tell him, locking the bathroom door behind you. You can tell he’s still on edge about this whole place and you don’t blame him, but you just wanted time to be with him without any of the outside world on his mind.

“ Hey “ You smile and place your hands on his waist. He offers a small smile back “ Hey”. There’s a small moment where you two just enjoy looking at each other while the water heats up and in the silence you could see a life for the two of you here. One where Judith could grow up, where Carl could sleep with both eyes closed, and where death wasn’t something you all had to be afraid of. And of course that was a life Daryl wanted to give you, but he couldn’t be sure this was where it was going to happen. “ Come on, join your wife in the shower and lets pretend my dads not in the other room “ You let out a smirk, ridding yourself of your clothes. He follows in suit before he watches you bask in the hot water with a peaceful smile. He wonders how you’re just so sure about this place, but joins you instead of asking. You hum in content as he wraps a arm around your frame and his eyes trace down the wet curls that cling to your back “ This place is going to be good for us “. Daryls eyes narrow at the back of your head “ Whys tha’ ? “.

“ It Just has to be “ You simply put. His free hand moves your hair to the side of your neck and he softly rubs your shoulder “ If it’s not? “. And like the grimes you are you reply “ I’ll make it “. You’re dead set on this being a home for those kids, but he doesn’t realize that it’s for you too. You lean your head back onto his chest and reveal those blue eyes of yours “ I know you’re skeptical and I don’t blame you, but I want this to work. I need this to work “. Just by the look on your face, Daryl knew he had to make sure this worked. Your face then twists the way it does when you’re thinking about something too hard and Daryls beginning to question the real reason you need this to place to work. “ I have to tell you something “ You sigh, turning in his arms so that you’re facing him. Whatever you have to tell him doesn’t seem to upset you much which gives Daryl a sense of relief, but when you cup his face in your hand he knows you’re trying to soften the blow.

He knows you well enough to know your tactics. “ Spit it out “ He urges you, causing you to smile softly. “ Ok.. ok, but just promise me you won’t freak out “. He gives you no such promise, but you expect as much “ You remember about six weeks ago when we got stuck in that wine cellar ? “. His eyebrows knit in confusion, of course he remembers. He can’t exactly forget the sight of you on top of him with a wine bottle in your hands. “ Yeah ? “ He questions you, trying to figure out what you’re trying to spell out for him. There’s flashes in his memory of your laughter and moans, but what did that have to do with anything? “ Well— uhm “ You didn’t know exactly how to tell him. You’ve never had to do this before, but this is what you get for thinking just one time without protection wouldn’t catch up with you. “ Y/N “ He gives you a impatient look. “ You’re going to be a dad “.

Everything clicks together in the hunters mind and he realizes why you’ve been trying so hard to stay positive. His eyes search your face before dropping to your stomach and then back to your face again “ Are you sure? “. He watches you nod “ Took three tests. I’m sure “. He tries to think when you disappeared to take a test, but it’s not what he needs to be concerned about at the moment. He watches you drawl your bottom lip between your teeth and it’s a rare sight to see you nervous. He vaguely thinks back to the prison when Carl thought you were pregnant and could only imagine how happy the kid would be now to be a uncle. “ Daryl? “ You bring from his thoughts, obviously wanting some type of reaction.

But he can’t find the words just yet. All he can see is that girl you were on top of the RV. The one who drew him in and could have any guy she wanted, but choose to love him. He doesn’t know how he got lucky enough to marry you let alone be the father of your children. “ You want this right? “ He finally asks. You’re now the confused one “ Of course I do. Loving you is the best thing I’ve ever done and this baby is a result of that. How could I not? “. There’s no mistaking the small smile that appears on his lips after hearing those words and you let a relieved smile of your own come through as he leans his head down on yours “ I love you “.

“ I love you “ You repeat before your lips reach his and the next moments are spent blissfully in the same fashion that created your child.

—-

You waited some time before announcing the news to your family, but after everyone adjusted to this new life you decided it was time. It’s not like people weren’t guessing it by now since Daryl pulled out a whole other level of protection on you. If you moved, he moved. And when Spencer had the nerve to hit on you, it took all of two seconds before Daryl put him on his ass. Alerting everyone that something had to be up. So, you gathered your loved ones around after dinner one night and held Judith happily on one hip “ I’ve actually got some news for you all “. This catches everyone’s attention and you smile back at Daryl who has a hand on your hip “ We actually have some news “. Your dad looks you up and down before setting his glass down, a curious smile on his face.

You have the feeling he already knows just from that look, but you say it aloud anyways “ We’re having a baby “. Smiles spread through the room, but it’s Carl who speaks first “ Really?!”. You nod at your little brother who wasn’t that little anymore and he excitedly rushes to hug you. He’s almost eye level with you, but you can still sit your head on his own “ It’s about time! “. This earns a laugh from your husband and your loved ones line up to congratulate you both. Your dad is next to hug you and you can see the tears in his eyes “ Oh dad “. He gives you a sappy smile before pulling you into his larger frame “ I wish your mom could see this “. You cling to his shirt as it brings tears to your own eyes, but you hold them in. This was supposed to be a happy moment.

“ You’re going to be a grand pa “ You laugh lightly into his shirt at the sound. Grandpaw Rick sounds so silly. Especially since you saw him bite some guys neck out. He reluctantly pulls away to laugh at the name, his eyes flickering to Daryl’s “ You two are making me feel old “. He then proceeds to hug Daryl as well and you couldn’t deny how right this all felt. Michonne is the next one to hold you and place a hand on your stomach even though there’s no bump there yet “ I was wondering when you were going to say something “. Maggie joins at your side and the three of you begin to talk about baby names as the guys seem to congratulate the father. But all Daryl could do is nod as they did, his actual attention on you as he watched you bounce Judith on your hip whilst you seem to glow at the idea of baby names. He never thought this would be his life. A girl like you was never supposed to fall for him and give him a family.

No one ever stayed long enough to show him he deserved a night like this. Only you did. You pushed past all of his walls and all of his defenses to bring him to this very moment. And Daryl was never one to believe in fate or soulmates, but as you stood there and managed to feel his eyes on you and give him a smile, he knew that he was wrong. It was typical of you to prove him wrong though so he shouldn’t be surprised. It was the Grimes in you.

But if he thought you were special and the most hard headed grimes he ever met, he had another thing coming when you’re daughter was born…

#DarylDixon #TWD #Y/N #Reader #Daryldixonfanfiction #fan fiction #the walking dead #zombies #love #daryl dixon imagine #daryl x oc #daryl x you #daryl x y/n #norman reedus #oc #imagines

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ominousunflower · 4 years

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(toi)let me in

Written for the APS server’s first birthday! Thank y’all for creating such an amazing and fun space.

Summary: One lesson Adrien Agreste should have learned by now: Never ask what are the odds when you have the luck of a black cat.

Rating: G Word count: 1767

Read on AO3

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Adrien Agreste is wide awake.

He’s been lying in Marinette’s loft bed for ten minutes now, one arm slung over Marinette and his chin tucked against her shoulder, sure that if he just waits, he’ll fall back asleep.

This isn’t the first time that he’s sneaked into her room as Chat Noir and slept beside her. In fact, ever since they found out each other’s identities two weeks ago and started dating, it’s fairly commonplace.

It is, however, the first time he’s woken up desperately having to go to the bathroom.

He doesn’t want to disturb her, and what’s more, he doesn’t really want to risk going downstairs. What if someone sees him? The chances are slim, but then, Adrien’s never had the best luck.

Adrien groans and squeezes his eyes shut, trying to ignore the ache in his bladder. It’s no use, though: despite the grogginess in his head, he can’t fall back asleep, and there’s no way he’s going to last until morning.

With a sigh, he eases the covers back and crawls out from under them. As he does, Marinette mumbles and rolls over to face him, her fingers tugging at his shirt sleeve.

“Where’re you going?” she asks, words slurred by sleep.

“Bathroom,” Adrien whispers. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be right back.”

He smooths back her bangs and kisses her forehead, then crawls to the foot of the bed and descends the ladder. Walking lightly so that the floor doesn’t creak, he crosses to the trapdoor and opens it ever-so-slightly.

Holding his breath, Adrien listens for the sound of voices or footsteps below.

Silence greets him. Satisfied, Adrien eases the door open and lowers his body through it.

He can get there and back in less than a minute. The chances that either one of Marinette’s parents will also decide to go to the bathroom in the forty-five seconds it takes Adrien to pee—well, the chances are so low, in fact, that they might as well be nonexistent.

And so, moving as silently as his superhero namesake, Adrien creeps downstairs toward the Dupain-Cheng bathroom.

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

Tom Dupain awakes with a need.

He had a feeling he shouldn’t have chugged that bottle of water before bed, but what’s done is done; now he is awake in the middle of the night and forced to deal with the consequences.

With a heavy sigh, he rolls out of bed and drags himself to the bedroom door. Sabine’s quiet snores fill the room, assuring him that at least he hasn’t woken her up.

He opens the door and steps outside, moving as quietly as his weight will allow—and that’s when he sees a figure standing outside the bathroom door, frozen with its hands raised in surrender.

The stranger is too tall to be Marinette, but too small to be an adult. Nonetheless, adrenaline courses through Tom’s veins, and he takes a threatening step forward. “Who are you?” he asks. He reaches toward the wall and taps the light switch, bathing the room in dim amber light.

The stranger doesn’t say anything, but Tom’s question is answered: because standing in front of him, hair sticking up, eyes wide, is his daughter’s classmate Adrien Agreste.

“Adrien Agreste?” Tom says.

Knowing the intruder’s identity does not make things any clearer. Why is a teen idol who lives several blocks away standing outside Tom Dupain’s bathroom at three in the morning? Is this a dream? And if so, why is Tom dreaming about his daughter’s crush breaking into their apartment in the middle of the night?

“I, um…” Adrien’s eyes flick toward the kitchen window, almost as if he’s considering that as an escape route. “Our toilet is broken.”

Tom stares at him, not sure he’s heard correctly. Maybe there’s too much wax in his ears again. “What did you say?”

“Our…toilet broke, so…I came here?”

As the parent of a fourteen year-old, Tom Dupain is well-acquainted with teenagers and their bizarre excuses. On a scale of one to ten, he ranks Adrien’s a three. While a broken toilet is not unheard of, there are too many holes in this story: how did Adrien get in, if their front door is locked and everyone is asleep? If Adrien lives in a mansion, shouldn’t his father be able to afford twenty-four-seven toilet fixing?

And the most unbelievable part of all, which is how Tom knows for a fact that Adrien is lying: there is no way the Agrestes only have one toilet in their house.

“How did your toilet break?” Tom asks, narrowing his eyes.

“Uh.” Adrien clears his throat. “Water…rabbits.”

“Water rabbits.”

“They’re not actually rabbits,” Adrien says. “They are bugs. That…eat metal. And toilets.”

Tom squints at him. Maybe this is a dream. Isn’t Adrien supposed to be at the top of his class? This excuse is so disappointing that Tom is tempted to call Adrien’s father, just to tell him that Adrien needs to work on his improvisation skills.

“Water not-rabbits ate your toilet, you say,” Tom says. “Do I look stupid to you, Adrien Agreste?”

“No!” Adrien says. “They just got in the pipes. And…” He grimaces. “Okay. I lied. I clogged the toilet.”

Ah. Tom was once a teenage boy who did not understand how to use toilet paper in moderation. He’ll give Adrien the benefit of the doubt, although two questions still remain. “And you only have one toilet in that big mansion of yours?”

“There’s something wrong with the tank in the downstairs one,” Adrien says, his voice steadier than before. “It overflows if you flush it, and we can’t get someone to look at it until tomorrow morning. There is another one in my father’s room, but I didn’t want to wake him up to tell him that I clogged the toilet. He’s gotten mad about smaller things.”

Tom’s stubborn parental streak rears its head, and he fights the urge to spontaneously adopt Adrien Agreste. He can’t do that, of course. After all, Marinette can’t date Adrien if Tom adopts him, and since Marichat doesn’t seem to be happening yet, he supposes Adrienette is the second-best option.

Of course, Tom knows Adrienette won’t last. Especially not if Adrien is the type of boy who breaks into people’s homes and attempts to surreptitiously uses their toilets.

Which brings Tom to his final question. “Why our toilet? And how did you get in?”

“Oh, um, well…” Adrien rubs the back of his neck. “I texted Marinette, and she was kind enough to let me in. And she didn’t see a need to wake you up, since she was sure you would say yes!” He smiles tightly, eyes wide. “Um. You would have said yes, right?”

“I would,” Tom says, leaning forward. Adrien cowers slightly, and it occurs to Tom that maybe his stature is a bit intimidating.

Good. Let all teenage boys (or girls) cower before him. Tom Dupain doesn’t need a shovel talk; his body will be the shovel talk.

“But where is she?” Tom asks. Adrien’s excuse is approaching an eight or nine on the scale, but some loose ends remain. “Why didn’t she wait down here with you? My daughter is responsible. She must have known this would look bad. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were…”

And then it hits Tom: it looks an awful lot like Marinette sneaked a boy into her room in the middle of the night.

OCCAM’S RAZOR, his mind booms.

Adrien flinches, and that’s all it takes for Tom’s Papa Senses to start tingling. “Adrien,” he says, his voice low. “Did my daughter—”

“No!” Adrien says. “No. Marinette would never do something like that. Neither would I! I—I’m not like that. I’ve never even seen Marinette’s room! Or, well, I have—but only once, when we practiced for that gaming tournament. Technically twice, since it was on TV that one time—”

“Where is she?” Tom repeats. He can practically feel his mustache trembling with suppressed fatherly rage.

“Oh! Right.” Adrien’s throat jumps as he swallows. “She just, uh, heard something skittering around upstairs, and thought it might be a mouse, so she went to—”

“There are mice in my bakery?” Tom bellows.

“No!” Adrien says. “Or, I mean, I don’t know. Maybe it was a squirrel!”

“That’s still a rodent!” Tom says. His concerns about Sabine’s sleep evaporate, and he turns to pound on their bedroom door. “Sabine! Wake up! There are rodents in our bakery!”

“Maybe there aren’t!” Adrien says. “It’s probably cockroaches—no, wait! Dust mites! I’m sure it’s just dust mites. I’m sure if you had enough of them they could make some noise—um, actually, could we continue this conversation after I’ve gone to the bathroom, please?”

And then a familiar figure appears at the bottom of the stairs, yawning as she tugs at one of her pigtails. “Adrien,” she says, “when are you coming back up? You’ve been gone for more…than…” She trails off, eyes widening as they focus on Tom.

Tom feels like his eyes are glowing red, and judging by the look on Adrien’s face, they very well might be. “You were upstairs, were you, Adrien? That’s strange. There’s not an entrance to our house upstairs.”

Adrien’s eyes dart to the bathroom door, then to Tom, then to Marinette—then, again, to the window for some reason. His hand creeps toward the bathroom door, fingers curled to clutch the knob.

“Don’t you dare,” Tom says.

Adrien pauses, hand lightly grasping the handle.

Tom glowers at him, a low growl building in his throat.

“Adrien,” Marinette squeaks. “Please don’t leave me to explain this by myse—”

“I’m sorry!” Adrien yelps. Fast as lightning, he wrenches the door open and ducks inside.

Tom lunges forward, hand grabbing the knob—but it’s too late. He hears the tell-tale click from the other side as Adrien locks himself in the bathroom, and the knob refuses to twist.

“You can’t hide in there forever!” Tom says.

“Tom,” Sabine’s voice says, from behind him. “What’s going on? Did I hear you say something about rodents?”

“Rodents?” Marinette echoes.

In a desperate display of strength, Tom twists harder at the knob, and harder—until it pops right off the door with a cracking noise.

“Oh my god,” Marinette says. “You sealed him in.”

“He did what?” Adrien’s voice cries.

“Enjoy our toilet, Adrien Agreste,” Tom says, with his most menacing voice. He raises the door knob like a sword. “Enjoy it, because this is the last time I let you near my toilet—or my daughter—ever again.”

#ml fic #ml fanfiction #miraculous crack #miraculous ladybug #aps first anniversary #aps anniversary #aps events #technically adrienette #my fic

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cranetreegang · 3 years

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OC Witcher Fanfic: Part 2: First Night Together

A/N: Part 2 of the series I'm writing. I'm really enjoying writing this piece and I can't wait until we get a bit further in. Big plans!!! I'm trying not to give too much away right now, but I'm doing my best to hint at it. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think and all that good stuff.

Summary: Lanas and Nis spend their first night together on the open road. Lanas has serious doubts about Nis, and Nis is testing Lanas' limits. Nis finds out a bit more about Lanas, despite Lanas' best attempts to keep to himself.

Word Count: ~2,000

Warnings: Dead animals, skinning and eating of animals, and mentions of blood

Read Part 1 Here

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The pair managed to travel far enough down the road to not feel the shaking of the lumber mill underneath their feet. The fresh air of the Magpie Forest made Ivalo a distant memory. Lanas' sour mood was lifted for a few moments before Nis’ mouth brought his mood back down again. She felt the need to tell him how nice of a day it was, and pointing out every flower and tree she thought was interesting.

Once the sun was dipping past the tree line, Lanas figured that making camp would be a better option than continuing. He wasn’t in the mood to hear Nis complain about being tired or sore. And he also didn’t want to deal with protecting her from any monsters that may be lurking in the dark. He dismounted without a word and Nis was quick to follow.

“Good idea. This seems like as good of spot as any.” She beamed.

They led their horses off the dirt path towards a clearing just out of view. They tied their horses to a low hanging tree branch and removed their saddles. Nis let her horse feed out of a burlap sack while Lanas brushed out Horse’s dusty fur.

“Who’s a good girl, Pip? You are!” Nis cooed repeatedly as the horse ate. Once Pip got her fill, Nis patted Pip on her neck then shot off into the woods. “I’ll get us a rabbit! You make the fire.”

Lanas was about to argue, but she was already gone. He let out an annoyed sigh as he fed Horse some apples. Pip nudged Lanas’ arm. Her cognac eyes begged for the same sweet treat as Horse. Lanas’ lip curled for a brief moment before his shoulders sagged.

“Fine.” He patted the grey nosed mare as the gentle beast ate the apple with glee. Pip licked over Lanas’ hand and snorted. He wiped the sticky slobber onto his pants then set off to find wood.

His mind wandered to Nis as he gathered various sized sticks and logs. He was somewhat thankful that she didn’t talk too much this afternoon. He could only stand her babbling for so long, and he had only known her for less than eight hours.

She wanted to know more about him, like most that briefly traveled with him. Trivial small talk was something he never understood the point of, nor wanted to partake in. Him and Nis would part ways after dealing with this cyclops, so there was no point in him divulging her. He could tell she wanted to press him into talking, but she relented to talking about the things she saw on the road after he refused to answer her questions. He also had no desire to learn anything about her. He’s seen enough of her type to know.

She’s a young wannabe; looking to make a name for herself in the monster killing business. At least she wasn’t totally stupid, since she hired him to help her. Most wannabe’s couldn’t sacrifice enough of their pride, or coin, to admit that a quarry was too much for them. Lanas mused to himself that she must just be getting started. In fact, this cyclops was probably her first job.

She probably asked her father to give her some crowns to buy some gear and weapons. The father, more than likely, thought it would be frilly dresses and rings she’d come home with. Lanas chuckled to himself when he pictured Nis’ father in horror staring at his precious daughter in her leather armor and a bow far too large for her. And Nis was probably smiling proudly back at her father with not the faintest idea of what she was getting herself into. She’d know soon enough. If she lived that long anyways.

By the time he created a well-sized fire, Nis emerged with two rabbits in her hand. She threw them on top of Lanas’ boots with a proud grin.

“Gott’em right between the eye. Didn’t even know what hit’em.” She bragged. His eyes flickered from the dead rodents then back to her.

“Good work. You killed two little bunnies.” Lanas kicked the rabbits away from him. Nis rolled her eyes with a slight scoff.

“These weren’t ordinary little bunnies.” She grabbed the rabbits and pulled out a dagger from her belt. “They were practically rabid. Monstrous ‘lil beasts.”

She started to slice and skin the rabbits until she was satisfied. She stuck a stick between the both of them and set them over the fire. She washed her hands with her leather flask of water, but it did little good. She frowned as she stared at her still bloody hands. She wiped her wet hands on her legs then went about sheathing away her bow and quiver to her saddle. She sat down next to Lanas with an exaggerated sigh.

Lanas leaned his head back against the tree they were leaning on. The bark chipped away onto his messy hair, not that he cared. He felt a nudge on his side that was gentle and probing. He thought about swatting Nis away. But, he stayed his hand and instead chose to glare down at the freckled woman.

“So, that bear amulet. I’ve never seen one like that on a witcher.” She said.

“Probably not.” His gaze focused on the roasting rabbit over the lapping fire.

“Why’s that? Are you a rare breed of witcher?” She asked.

“Something like that.”

She nodded in feign understanding. Her eyes scanned over his features once more. He shifted under her gaze despite not wanting to show it. He didn’t like the way she was peeling back layers of him when she had no right to. He decided to keep his attention on the crackling fire and ignore the way the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

He was different under the fire’s dim light; much more animalistic in her opinion. His dark brows were constantly formed into a scowl of some sort. His nose was pointed with a hint of bump on his bridge from being broken on more than one occasion. His sharp cheekbones further accented his diamond-shaped face. His amber eyes were dangerous. Predatory. She found herself being dragged back to them more times than she would like to admit. He was more like a wolf than a bear, she mused to herself. A jagged scar came across his nose then harshly down his scruffy cheek that put his other minor nicks to shame.

When her eyes landed on the tips of his ears peeking through his dirty black hair, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Oh! I didn’t know you were an elf.”

Lanas’ lip curled into a snarl when he stared at her. “Is that a problem?”

“Of course not. I was just merely observing.” She held her hands up to ease the bristled man. He snorted and turned his head back to the fire.

She bit her lip before saying, “I didn’t think they let elves become witchers. But, I suppose you aren’t a full elf, are you?”

Lanas hummed in agreement. “Yes. I was… an exception.”

“Interesting. You must’ve been quite remarkable then.” Nis stated.

His dark brows furrowed. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

Nis couldn’t stop an amused laugh from escaping her lips. She rested her head on her knuckles with a thoughtful expression. “I’m not trying to fill your head with false pleasantries. I was merely stating the obvious. They would’ve never trained you if you weren’t special.”

Lanas rolled his eyes with a slight shake of his head. “I suppose. Not like I can ask them.”

“Because they’re dead?”

Lanas let out a sharp exhale that was similar to a brief laugh. “Something like that.”

Nis let out a gentle laugh that made Lanas squirm in place. It felt like she was in on a joke at his own expense. She leaned further back until her head was angled better to look up at the sky.

“You’re quite the chatty one, aren’t you? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think your tongue was made of steel instead of silver.” She teased.

“Fortunate that you’ve hired me for my blade, and not my tongue then.” Lanas turned over the roasting rabbits.

“Mhm… fortunate indeed.” She hummed to herself. “Truth be told, I am surprised you took the job. Figured you’d turn me down.”

“If I had another job lined up, then yes.” Lanas grumbled.

“Really? Even if I would’ve offered you more crowns than your other job?” Nis’ gaze landed on the witcher. His back straightened. He was feeling far too on edge from Nis’ seemingly innocent eyes.

“Yes.” His answer strained through his clenched teeth. “I prefer to do these things alone.” He stressed the last word with a pointed stare right back at Nis.

“Ah. I see. So, you’d’ve taken the job in a heartbeat if I wasn’t tagging along. Even though I’m more than capable of helping you.” Nis sat up and crossed her legs. She turned her attention on the fire, and Lanas let out a breath he’d been holding.

“I like working alone. Easier that way.” He stood up and grabbed the roasted rabbits. He handed one stick to Nis before chopping down into the rodent’s crispy flesh. Nis raised a brow at Lanas’ lack of manners, but chose not to comment on it.

“‘Easier that way’. What does that mean? How could working alone be easier? Wouldn’t it be easier to have someone watching your back?” Nis asked her questions between bites.

“Just is. Less stress.” Lanas growled. “Less annoyances.”

“I see.” Nis grinned as she added, “So, is this ‘lone warrior’ attitude an elf-thing, or a witcher-thing?”

Lanas chunked the skeletal carcass of the rabbit into the fire. The fire roared for a brief moment before settling back to its calm crackling. “A me-thing.”

“Mhm. I like that. A ‘me-thing’.” She laughed a bit more to herself. “I wonder what my ‘me-thing’ is.” She thought out loud.

“Annoying people.” Lanas replied.

Nis tossed her finished rabbit into the fire with a giggle. “I think everyone annoys you, Lanny. So, that can’t be it.”

Lanas felt a growl bubble up in his chest from the nickname. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He couldn’t lose his composure over her teasing and arrogance. Even if he wanted to teach her a lesson. He knew she didn’t know any better. Because if she did, she wouldn’t be testing him this much.

“You’re very tense, Lanny. Would you like me to make you a tea? I have a good blend. You'll be sleeping like a baby and wake up extremely refreshed.” Nis offered.

Lanas pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s getting late. You should rest. I’ll take watch.”

Nis bit her lip before nodding. “Fine, fine. Although I was looking forward to us telling scary campfire stories.”

“We leave at daybreak.” He gruffly replied.

She went over to her pack then set up her bedroll across from him. She settled into her bedroll with a content sigh. She stared up at the nighttime sky in seemingly deep thought. Lanas watched her until her eyes slowly drifted shut. He let out a relieved sigh and settled more comfortably against the tree.

He wasn’t sure if the crowns were worth having to deal with this child of a woman. He prayed that the cyclops would be there tomorrow. Then he could continue on to Dorian and find more work. He let out a sharp exhale through his nose at the possibility of her following him all the way to Dorian. He glanced over to Nis’ sleeping form. Her breathing was soft and she looked utterly at peace.

He scoffed to himself at how easily she lets her guard down. The fight with the cyclops tomorrow would more than likely get her killed. Well, he wouldn’t have to worry about her tailing him all the way to Dorian then, he grimly thought. He crossed his arms and stared out into the shadows that surrounded their camp as he waited for tomorrow to come.

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

Read Part 3 Here!

#the witcher 3 #witcher fanfiction #witcher fandom #witcher 3 #the witcher #witcher oc #original character #oc #short story #fanfiction #fanfic #3 wild hunt #tw3 #writing #writers

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slashiest-slasher · 4 years

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oho! may I ask for Bubba, Brahms and Michael with a s/o who is obsessed with taking in any and all strays? and i mean ANY stray. little baby kitty? ur welcome here cutie. pig that was supposed to be a "teacup pig" before it got too big and got dumped? i will protect you with my life.

I'm in class right now filling some of these, rip my grades

tw for animal death/killing

Bubba Sawyer

□ Ha! You fool! As if Bubba doesn't already do this!

□ Sadly it has happened more than once that Bubba has taken in an animal, only for them to die because he doesn't know how to properly take care of them, and hides them from Drayton and Nubbins, or the animal is already dead.

□ But with you!! /You/ know how to take care of animals! And so swiftly, you become Bubba's favorite person ever, and the bane of Drayton's existence. He has always known about Bubba taking in animals, but God, now there's two of you.

□ Bubba's fine handling the normal animals you bring in; lost little kittens and puppies, maybe a rodent that was friendly. When he sees how soft and loving you are, he falls in love with you all over again.

□ You have to teach him to be very careful with the more fragile animals, like the babies and rodents, and once he gets a fine tuned control of his strength, he loves sitting there with you late at night comforting and taking care of the strays.

□ But from time to time, you'll bring in an animal that absolutely boggles everyone, even Bubba. Like the time with emaciated horse, or the whole ass longhorn that you found lost, or the baby vulture, or the wounded coyote (which Drayton flips his lid over, but you assure him coyotes are necessary for the environment, you fucking /hippie/).

Brahms Heelshire

□ Mummy absolutely lied when she said Brahms isn't very fond of animals. He absolutely is! Just not wild animals breaking into the walls. Fuck squirrels man. He is fond of the rats in the walls, because he was never allowed to have a puppy, and the affectionate rats are as close as he's going to get.

□ Before he reveals himself, he's a bit peeved about you bringing in animals, but at the same time delighted. Aww, look at the cute little kitty cat, or the rabbit you found, or the turtle! When you aren't around, he leaves the walls to pet the animals, though scurries back in if they bite or scratch him. Which is often because he isn't very careful.

□ At the same time, the animals mean you aren't spending as much time with the doll that you could be. And if you bring the animals near the doll, they get a penchant for trying to nibble on it, which Brahms isn't very fond of at all.

□ Once Brahms reveals himself, things on the animal front gets better. He get chastised a lot from you for not being gentle, but he also gets to spend time with both you and the animals. And you're always so soft and gentle whenever you're handling them.

□ If he plays his cards right, he can catch you at the right time and you treat him just as soft and gentle as you do with the animals. You'll stroke his hair, whisper to him, give him tons of kisses. You hold him in your arms, and he absolutely melts. It doesn't matter how bratty he's been all day, there's never a time he feels more loved than this.

Michael Myers

□ Oh man you have absolutely the wrong guy here. Please, under no circumstance, bring animals near Michael. He'll behave himself, if he's in a good mood, but there's a good chance he'll either throw the animal back outside, or kill it.

□ Nothing will sway him, not even- oh Christ you're crying. And beating on his chest and calling him a monster.

□ Hmmm, that's on par with him. And as much as he would say he doesn't care that you're so upset, deep inside him something feels off. It's not guilt, because Michael is incapable of feeling it, but he doesn't like seeing you so upset.

□ But still, he's not fond of animals. Please refrain from bringing animals near him. Because he will leave the house until you get rid of them.

□ The only exceptions for this if you bring home an animal he find truly intruiging. Like a snake, or hawk, or that time he came in through the garage, and there was an injured wolf just chilling there.

□ Yeah, he doesn't like animals, he feels no empathy for them. But he does respect efficient killers, and will sit there and passively observe them, perhaps even touch or stroke them if they approach him.

#bubba sawyer #brahms heelshire #michael myers #texas chainsaw massacre #leatherface #the boy 2016 #halloween 1978 #bubba sawyer x reader #brahms heelshire x reader #michael myers x reader #cannibal hc #brahms hc #shape hc #Anonymous

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wangxiangiftexchange · 3 years

Text

Winter Solstice Gift for arisprite

I hope you find something to enjoy in this, @arisprite :)

Read On AO3

*****

This Piece of You

The forest was dark around him, but Wei Wuxian had walked the path often enough that he was confident of finding his way back.

The fruit wine dulled his senses and made his strides loose and careless. At the edge of his awareness he could feel the spirits of the Burial Mounds like a lingering tension in the air, more restless in the night than the day. Enough to know that they would come if he called, and that they would not bother him if he didn’t.

He came to the end of the clear path, to the wards that marked the boundary of the modest haven they had carved out for themselves, and continued past. The path was narrower here, overgrown and in some places nonexistent. He weaved languidly between close-set trunks, the occasional low hanging branch catching at his hair like it wanted to draw him close and hold him there. He brushed them away, and they let him go.

He walked, and his mind swam with thoughts.

He thought of his sister in fine red robes he would never see, and the sting in his side from his brother’s blade. He thought of Wen Ning, pale as death, and Wen Qing’s happy tears, and the indulgent smile she had given him before heading to her bed. He thought of Yuan, the cling of his small hand, his smile as he pulled himself into Lan Zhan’s lap - and Lan Zhan, he thought of Lan Zhan, and he ached.

Only the occasional sliver of moonlight managed to penetrate the thick canopy, and much of the time he made his way by touch and instinct alone. It didn’t matter; he had no destination in mind. He had simply wanted to walk, to be away, just for a while, even as exhaustion and alcohol had dragged at his limbs.

He stumbled, his foot catching on the uneven ground. He caught himself, tree bark rough against his palm.

He thought about duty, and justice, and the kindness of the people he had sworn to protect, and their gratefulness. He thought of the slow, suffocating feeling he dared not name for fear it would overwhelm him. He thought of lakes crammed with lotus leaves, and a table littered with peanut shells and half-drunk cups of liquor, and the crisp air of a mountainside where he and Lan Zhan had - where Lan Zhan —

A rustle of movement ahead of him stopped him in his tracks. It was too regular to be the whisper of the wind through leaves. Anywhere other than the Burial Mounds it might have been an animal of some kind, but none larger than the occasional bird or rodent deigned to live here. As he listened it became louder, and finally coalesced into something recognisable. Footsteps.

He considered hiding, but then, what could truly be a threat to him here? He planted his feet more firmly, his balance swaying only slightly, and pulled Chenqing from his belt.

A breeze shifted the branches above him, scattering moonlight onto the path ahead. It caught on something pale, shifting in the darkness: a figure, familiar to him even at a distance, even in the low light.

He lowered his hand, Chenqing dangling loosely from his fingers, and stared.

Lan Zhan strode towards him, unhurried but purposeful. If he was a hallucination created by Wei Wuxian’s desperate mind he was an eerily accurate one, but it was more likely than Lan Zhan actually being here. Only hours earlier Wei Wuxian had watched him go, and known in his heart that he would likely never see him again - that there was no reason for him to return.

Lan Zhan continued towards him at the same steady pace, and Wei Wuxian realised, belatedly, that in the dark he must not have seen him, though he stood on the path unobscured. He should go to him, or call out, but he found himself frozen where he was, staring dumbly, until they were only a handful of strides apart - when Lan Zhan stopped abruptly, his whole body going tense with surprise, his gaze locked on Wei Wuxian’s.

Wei Wuxian briefly forgot how to breathe.

“Wei Ying?”

His head felt thick and hazy, his thoughts clamouring for attention then slipping away before he could focus on them. Lan Zhan was dressed as he had been earlier in the day - had he gone all the way back to town before returning? What reason could be so urgent that it could not wait until the morning? What reason could be so urgent as to make him come at all?

A shock of concern, suddenly. Had something happened? Was he - no, he looked well, not even a little fatigued, despite the late hour and having apparently made at least some of the journey on foot. He looked wonderful in fact, real and solid and close enough to touch.

His voice returned to him in a rush. “What are you doing here?”

Lan Zhan looked at him for a long, breathless moment. Even with the wash of moonlight it was too dark to read his expression properly, but it seemed clear that if he had an answer, he was struggling to find the words to express it. When he lowered his gaze there was an uncertainty about it, perhaps a hint of sheepishness. He took something he had been holding in his left hand, along with his sword, and held it up with his right.

It took a few seconds for Wei Wuxian, squinting at it through the gloom, to recognise what it was: a thin wooden stick with the shape of a rabbit sitting at one end, the back legs hinged so they moved when shaken. It was one of several toys Lan Zhan had bought earlier that afternoon. He gave a confused laugh. “I don’t…”

“I found it,” said Lan Zhan. He definitely looked uncertain now, but the hand holding the toy didn’t waver. “When I returned to my room. It was in my bag. I must have put it away and forgotten.”

Wei Wuxian laughed again, but it sounded sickly even to himself. Of course. Of course. For a blissful, hopeless moment in between his question and Lan Zhan’s answer he had imagined - well, it didn’t matter. “This is why you came all this way, in the middle of the night?”

With Wei Wuxian having made no move to take the toy, Lan Zhan lowered his arm. “I am due to leave tomorrow.”

“Right.” It shouldn’t have stung the way it did. It shouldn’t have made any difference at all. “You know you shouldn’t have bothered. You bought him so many, he probably wouldn’t have noticed this one was gone.”

“Even so.”

“Aren’t there any children at Cloud Recesses who could have had it?” He felt off-kilter as he spoke, as if the effects of the wine, previously faded, were flooding back to full strength. “Surely even Lan children play with toys.”

An emotion too quick to parse flickered across Lan Zhan’s face. There was a tight pause as he considered his response. “Yes,” he said finally. “But I bought it for him.”

They looked at each other for what felt like too long.

Wei Wuxian’s reactions were sluggish and his self-control weak, but then, Lan Zhan wasn’t breaking eye contact either.

His mind felt crowded again, too many thoughts, moving too fast. “It’s so late,” he said, without really deciding to. “It’s - it’s dangerous to be here so late.”

It was true. For anyone, even someone as powerful as Lan Zhan, to be in this part of the forest alone so late at night was to put oneself at the mercy of the spirits who resided there. They might not attack as such, but they could disorientate, confuse, weaken. A journey that could be taken safely during the day became an entirely different matter in the dark.

Lan Zhan blinked. “You are here.”

“It’s not dangerous for me.” He saw Lan Zhan preparing a response and spoke again quickly before he could give it. “You can’t go back alone.”

This was also true. He couldn’t in good conscience allow it. He could walk with him to the safer road, maybe even further than that, as far as Lan Zhan would let him. They could talk, or not, if Lan Zhan preferred it, it would be enough just to be with him. They could say goodbye properly, again, like friends. He could watch him walk away until he could no longer see him. Or…

“It would be quicker to come back with me, than go back into town.”

Wei Wuxian half expected an argument. Lan Zhan had already refused once, and must know that if he had insisted on heading back to his lodgings, Wei Wuxian would have gone with him.

Yet Lan Zhan nodded without hesitation.

Instinctively he had reached for Lan Zhan’s wrist. It had felt good, a visceral confirmation that Lan Zhan was truly there; the way Lan Zhan did not resist, allowing himself to be led along the path. How many times had they done this? How many times had he pulled Lan Zhan along with him, and how many times had Lan Zhan followed, maybe with a little resistance at first, but always staying with him in the end?

He held on for longer than he needed, buoyed by the excuse of the darkness and the rough path. It was only when they reached the wards, and the clearer path beyond, that he reluctantly let go.

“What was your plan, really, Lan Zhan?” He glanced at him, before returning his eyes to the path. “Break the wards, sneak in, wake me in my bed?”

Lan Zhan kept his eyes forward. “I would not expect you to be asleep at this time.”

“Ah, I see.” It was funny, really, the idea of Lan Zhan doing something so spontaneous, so positively reckless, but it didn’t make him feel like laughing. Instead he pictured himself waking to the sight of Lan Zhan at his side, and the thought hurt. He pushed it aside. “You should have stayed, before.”

Lan Zhan didn’t answer. Wei Wuxian, prompted by his silence, turned to look him. He was still staring straight ahead, apparently focused intently on picking his way through the winding path.

“Wen Ning had prepared a feast. They hung lanterns - well, you’ll see when we get there. There was wine.” He watched Lan Zhan duck deftly under a grasping branch. “Though I suppose you wouldn’t care for that.”

As if on cue, the warm glow of the lanterns became visible up ahead, twinkling through the trees.

“Almost welcoming, isn’t it?” He turned to look at Lan Zhan and was overwhelmed, once again, by the sight of him, clear now in the lantern light. It hardly felt real that he was there at all, and perhaps that was why he felt able to reach for him again. There was no excuse for it now the way ahead was well lit, and there was certainly no excuse for him to take Lan Zhan’s hand instead of his wrist, clasping their fingers together. Wei Wuxian found himself grinning, elated at his own audacity.

He led Lan Zhan inside, lighting candles as he went. When they reached the space which could modestly be called his room, he stopped and turned to him.

Lan Zhan looked out of place. It was more stark now than it had been during the day, when Wei Wuxian had played the proud host, covering any shame he felt at his circumstances with stubborn bluster, daring Lan Zhan to pity him. Now, though they stood together almost exactly as they had only hours earlier, he felt exposed. Exhausted, worse for drink, wearing the rough clothes he had walked and run and sweated in for a full day.

And Lan Zhan - Lan Zhan was radiant.

His cheer left him all at once, and he dropped Lan Zhan’s hand.

Instead he reached over and plucked the toy from Lan Zhan’s other hand, more for something to do than for any other reason. He recalled Yuan had not favoured it as much as some of the other toys, which would explain how it got missed. It had been ridiculous, really, the amount Lan Zhan had bought. But it had been sweet, too.

“I’m sorry for what I said before.” He gave the toy an experimental shake, making the rabbit run. “I know Yuan will be pleased to have it back.”

He glanced at Lan Zhan, catching a hint of a smile.

“He asked when you would visit again, you know. Maybe you - I think he would like it, if you gave it to him yourself. He always wakes up early - not as early as you, but - if you stayed. Just until then.”

Lan Zhan swallowed visibly. “Wei Ying, I…”

“I know, I know.” He turned and walked purposefully away to place the toy on an empty ledge near the bed. “You need to leave early tomorrow. I understand, forget I said anything.”

He waited for a response for as long as he could bear. When none came, he took a second to gather himself before turning round. “You must be tired.” He waved awkwardly towards the bed. “It doesn’t look much, but it’s actually quite comfortable.”

Lan Zhan didn’t look tired, as such, but there was that uncertainty in his posture again. His held his right arm a little stiffly by his side, as if unsure what to do with it now Wei Wuxian was no longer holding his hand. His eyes followed Wei Wuxian’s gesture before returning to his face. “I will not take your bed.”

Wei Wuxian should have expected it, he supposed, but it still caught him off guard. “Of course you will,” he said after a beat. “You’re my guest.”

“Where will you sleep?”

“Oh I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I can take a spare blanket on the floor. Or…there’s where Wen Ning— ”

“No.”

Wei Wuxian huffed. “Will you insist on making me a poor host, Lan Zhan?”

It came out more sharply than intended, and while Lan Zhan didn’t quite flinch, his expression tightened in a way that indicated the words had hit their mark.

Wei Wuxian felt suddenly very tired. He turned to the bed - a simple, narrow frame pushed up against the wall. It was in no way designed to accommodate more than one person. He shrugged again, and said lightly, “I suppose we’ll have to share, then.”

As much as Lan Zhan tolerated his touches in small doses, Wei Wuxian knew this would be a step too far. He would relent, Wei Wuxian would spend one uncomfortable night on the ground - far from his first - and it would be worth it.

“Alright.”

“What?”

“I agree.”

Ridiculously, Wei Wuxian felt his face flush. “Okay. Fine. You settle however you like, in that case. I can sleep any way, I don’t mind. How about I go nearest the wall? That way if you’re uncomfortable - I know you don’t like…” The way Lan Zhan was watching him, something in his expression, made him stumble over the words. “What I mean is, you won’t be…hemmed in.”

Lan Zhan seemed to change his mind several times before settling on a quiet, “Thank you.” Then without ceremony, he carefully placed Bichen against the wall and began unfastening the sash at his waist.

There was nowhere for him to put his clothes, Wei Wuxian thought suddenly. He tended to simply bundle his own at the foot of the bed, on those nights he bothered to properly undress at all. But Lan Zhan’s robes were beautiful, he would want to fold them neatly somewhere, where they wouldn’t get covered in dirt or candlewax or…

“Wei Ying.”

“Hm?”

Lan Zhan had removed the sash, which he had indeed folded and placed on the ground beside his sword. His hands hesitated on his outer robe. He made eye contact, briefly, then glanced away. “Are you…”

“Oh. Right, yes.” Wei Wuxian flashed him a smile he didn’t quite feel, and began to undress. A flicker of memory. A different cave. A different time.

If they had found themselves sharing a bed back then, or even a year ago, would it have felt like this? It would have been as unexpected. It would, he was sure, have caused the same spark of excitement. But there was a weight to it now that would not have been present before. An illicitness. Lan Zhan should not be here. Wei Wuxian should not get to have the honour of his company, let alone his touch.

Lan Zhan did not strip to his underclothes, stopping once he was down to a plain white inner robe and ensuring each removed item was folded and placed perfectly atop the pile. He seemed intently focused on doing so, his face turned away from Wei Wuxian to complete the task. Lastly he removed his hair ornaments, until only a single hair tie and the ribbon across his forehead remained.

When Lan Zhan finally turned round, Wei Wuxian was struck by the intimacy of it. He looked - not younger, exactly, but softer, bare in a way Wei Wuxian did not recall ever seeing him before. Even on those rare occasions when they had shared rooms, they had always allowed each other a certain level of respectful privacy. If Wei Wuxian had ever glanced Lan Zhan in a less than put together state, it had been accidental or a necessity.

This was the first time, he realised, that Lan Zhan was not only allowing it, but offering it.

The process of getting into the bed was fraught. He insisted Lan Zhan lie down first, then once he was settled, slid himself in the space between him and the wall. Even with Lan Zhan clearly making an effort to allow him as much room as he could, neither of them were small men and there could be no way for them to avoid being pressed up against each other.

He tried not to look at Lan Zhan as he arranged himself in the small space, but he caught a glance of him regardless: lying stiffly on his back, arms tucked close to his body, eyes resolutely downcast, and the faintest, barely there blush across his cheeks.

He turned to face the wall, tucking and untucking the blanket around himself, until Lan Zhan very quietly said his name in a way that he understood as a polite but firm request for him to lie still.

He tried to remember the last time he had shared a bed with another person. He recalled, vaguely, a couple of occasions when he and Jiang Cheng had still shared a room - his brother, scared from a nightmare, wordlessly shoving Wei Wuxian over until there was room for him under the covers, never mentioning it the following day. He remembered how it was to be squashed together with another person, not comfortable, exactly, but comforting.

There was the ache again, that hollowness he tried to ignore, flaring at the thought. When he had first noticed it he had pictured it where his golden core had been, as if he was cold there because that piece of him had been scooped out. But in truth, the feeling was more recent than that. Since he had left Lotus Pier. Since Jiang Cheng had put the wound in his side.

The Wens were so good, and they worked hard, all of them, to make this home. He could not claim to be uncared for. There was always Wen Qing’s hand on his shoulder, Yuan’s small arms wrapped tight round his thigh.

He thought of Jiang Cheng, arms crossed grumpily but leaning into his embrace anyway. He thought of his sister’s hand smoothing down his hair.

Then he closed his eyes and could only think of Lan Zhan: the outside of his arm pressed between Wei Wuxian’s shoulder blades. His quiet breaths, shallower and faster than they should be at rest. The warmth of him.

He slipped into sleep by degrees.

He dreamed of fractured things, flickering images, fleeting emotions. Lotus Pier, the courtyards washed red. Cloud Recesses in flames. Bodies hanging from gates, not daring to look closer to discover their faces. Wen Qing, pale and tight-lipped, tearing out the very heart of him. The forest closing in, skeletal branches reaching for Wen Ning, roots dragging Yuan beneath the soil. Corpses clawing their way out of the earth and turning to him, expectant.

You cannot protect them without us.

Don’t you want to protect them?

Wei Wuxian.

You need us.

You need…

“Wei Ying.”

It was a whisper, so quiet he thought he might have imagined it. He listened in case it came again, but he heard only a heartbeat, steady against his ear.

His head lay not on the pillow, but on something firmer, warmer. Silk-soft fabric against his cheek. A touch, light against his hair, the weight of an arm across his waist, keeping him in place. If it was a dream - if it was a dream, he —

He opened his eyes and saw his own hand a short distance from his face, resting against Lan Zhan’s chest, fingers curled into the neckline of his robe. He should probably feel awkward, but he did not. He felt loose with sleep, calm even with the vestiges of the nightmares lingering in his consciousness.

He felt, for the first time in many, many months, safe.

Still, he must have shifted without realising, or his breathing changed, because after a moment Lan Zhan’s hold on him loosened and the hand on his hair moved away.

Reluctantly, he lifted his head. Dizziness rushed at him and he squeezed his eyes shut against it until he had shifted back far enough to lay on the pillow.

Lan Zhan remained on his back, looking up at the ceiling. Sharing the pillow like this, he was close enough to see the flutter of Lan Zhan’s eyelashes. Close enough that when he felt a tickle along the bridge of his nose, he could not be sure whether the cause was Lan Zhan’s hair or his own. Like this, it would take hardly any movement at all for Wei Wuxian to press his lips to Lan Zhan’s cheek, or nuzzle against his neck.

As soon as the thought formed, he struggled to think of anything else.

“Lan Zhan...” His voice cracked, and he could taste the residue of wine on his tongue.

“You kicked me.”

It was such an absurd thing for him to say it dragged a dry chuckle from Wei Wuxian’s throat. “I kicked you?”

“While you slept.” His chest rose with a deep breath, and it was only then that Wei Wuxian realised he still had his fingers gripped loosely in his robe. “I tried to wake you, but…”

Wei Wuxian stared at his own hand, unable to look away. Lan Zhan’s skin was so warm against his knuckles.

“I could not. It was the only thing I could think to do. Sorry.”

“You don’t need to be.” He smiled, forcing lightness into his voice. “I was the one being a terrible bedmate. I had no idea that was something I did.”

Minutes passed, and Lan Zhan did not answer. Wei Wuxian wondered if they could go back to sleep like this, if Lan Zhan would allow it, their faces a breath apart and Wei Wuxian holding on to him like an anchor.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s gaze remained on the ceiling, and there was a pinched tension faintly visible around his jaw. “What did you dream of?”

It was only then that his sleep-slow brain caught up with the implications of what Lan Zhan had told him. What must he have looked like, kicking out in his sleep hard enough to wake the person next to him, but not waking himself despite that person’s efforts? What ugly state must he have been in, that the only way Lan Zhan - of all people - could think to calm him was by effectively holding him down?

Embarrassment bubbled up inside him - embarrassment, and that familiar defensive defiance that had told him to push Lan Zhan away time and time again. If he had listened to it earlier when they were still in the forest, if he hadn’t been so weak, he could have saved them both this discomfort.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan was looking at him now, his head turned on the pillow to meet his gaze.

“Nothing. I mean, I don’t remember.” There was concern in Lan Zhan’s eyes and Wei Wuxian hated it, and craved it. “Just a nightmare. You must have them too.”

Lan Zhan frowned and glanced away.

If only he would start talking about calming music again, Wei Wuxian thought. About the dangers of using resentful energy. If Lan Zhan would only judge him, he would have something to fight against.

But Lan Zhan said nothing, a worried line between his brows, looking like everything Wei Wuxian wanted and couldn’t have. He walked through a forest of graves in the dark to come to Wei Wuxian’s home. He slept beside him without disgust or fear. He let him touch - he let him keep touching.

“Lan Zhan.” He swallowed, and it did nothing to relieve the sudden lump in his throat. “Did you really come back because of the toy?”

Lan Zhan’s gaze snapped back to his.

Then without warning he was turning, shifting gracefully onto his side to face Wei Wuxian, a mirror of his position. Wei Wuxian’s hand slid from his chest but now they were touching in so many other places - his toes brushing Lan Zhan’s ankle, Lan Zhan’s knees up against his - and their faces were so close they could see nothing but each other. There was still concern in Lan Zhan’s expression, but there was heat too, and a fear that matched Wei Wuxian’s own, and a bravery that Wei Wuxian did not possess.

He only caught a glimpse of this, before Lan Zhan slid closer and brought their mouths together.

It was almost chaste at first, a stillness that came from Wei Wuxian’s surprise, and possibly from Lan Zhan’s as well. It was the sense that Lan Zhan might be moving away, a slight lessening of pressure, that spurred Wei Wuxian to action. He moved without thought, his hand returning to the front of Lan Zhan’s robes, clutching fervently at the material before skirting higher to slip fingers between the collar of the robe and the juncture of his neck and shoulder. He gripped him there, hot skin and taut muscle beneath his palm.

They kissed, and the feel of it thrummed through every part of him. Lan Zhan’s hand was on his arm before moving up, up until he was cradling his jaw. Lan Zhan’s mouth was soft and persistent, and he was trembling - Wei Wuxian could feel it everywhere they touched, and hear it in the breaths that slipped free in those brief moments that their lips parted.

He felt the sting of tears behind his eyelids, an overflow of emotion that he could not control. He pushed through it; the alternative was to stop, and that would be worse.

Eventually they slowed, their grip on each other loosening. Wei Wuxian was the one to separate them, tilting his head so their mouths were apart, but their foreheads rested together. He could feel the metal of Lan Zhan’s ribbon pressing on his skin.

“I did find it.” Lan Zhan’s voice was low, a hint of hoarseness that made Wei Wuxian’s heart skip. “When I was back in my rooms. I did want to return it.”

Wei Wuxian inclined his head in a small nod. His nose brushed against Lan Zhan’s, a barely-there touch, and he had to resist the urge to kiss him again.

“I was not going to. But I - I could not stop thinking about what you said. You told me you had no choice. And I realised - that I do.” He stroked his fingers tentatively along Wei Wuxian’s cheek before resting there, then pulled back to look at him. “So I chose.”

For all Wei Wuxian searched his gaze, he could find no doubt there, not a shred of uncertainty. Lan Zhan looked at him unwaveringly, stubborn, his fingers gentle on Wei Wuxian’s face.

He wanted to laugh, at Lan Zhan’s foolishness. He wanted to cry, at his earnestness.

In the end he did neither. In the end, he let Lan Zhan kiss him again. And finally, for a little while, his thoughts were filled with only this.

#arisprite #wangxiansolstice20 #*fic20 #*gifts20

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