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baby-jaguar · 21 days

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Lust by Nature {Part 3}

Masterlist, Part 1, Part 2, Part 4

Read on ao3

Pairing: Captain John Price x fem!Reader

MDNI: 18+!

Warnings for this chapter: sex dream that verges somno, blood and injury

Word Count: ~7k

Summary: His lap is your favorite spot in the world, a sneaky little energy grab while dream-walking, and oh no! some blood :(

A/N: Chapter 3! I had so much planned for this, then wrote more and more so the original ch. 3 is now into two parts, meaning another chapter gets added to this. I hope ye enjoy

Price wasn’t caring for you. That much was certain.

Correction: Price wasn’t caring for your needs.

Three months.

Three months and still no sex. You expect he’s doing his best to fill his thick head with pure thought to ward off any boners.

He allowed small touches for technical purposes which gave a small boost of energy to you, but only barely. The previous feast on a mission in a drug ring fed you well enough, having been left with bodies barely alive before giving them the sickly sweet send-off to death while letting them taste the carnal sin you could procure.

John’s belief held you as being able to feed from the other men who desired you. Everywhere you went you could make a man or woman (a rare few on base at this time) hard and wet with desire. You trained with other soldiers, killed on missions, and while it helped and kept your energy up, it wasn’t enough. Sure, you took plenty enough of lives when the boys had so graciously left a straggler or two for you as they bled out, but the whittled-away energy of a man with bullets in him made the meal a bit dull.

Sometimes the question of Price being an angel himself would weigh in your mind, the hallucination of a golden halo crowning him in the darkness behind your eyelids as you watched him speak or bark orders while standing in the sunlight.

You remember that he certainly can’t be. He kills and kills again, the wolf himself still has a handler no matter how much he barks- never biting until directed. For the most part.

Price is cruel with the allotted sweetness he supplied. It's been driving you up a wall, a reluctantly familiar itch crawling in your chest. He’d pet your hair when deeming a job well done, sometimes even wrangling you by the horns when needing to re-direct your attention. Softer moments started to build up the more you learned and were able to help him complete his tasks, being sure to reserve time for only you and him during the day.

Yet he still wouldn’t fuck you. He wouldn’t use you, not even letting it get to that point.

And truthfully, it doesn’t matter. You could enchant anyone you wanted into getting your way, but already feeling and smelling the arousal these bone-dry soldiers felt for you. But you couldn’t do it.

Something inside your heart, filled with magic and sin, kept your sights on Price only. Long days had you passing by recruits with such ease of temptation just to take them into the locker room and let them relieve stress. Yet the moment you saw Price, you could feel your pupils turning into hearts. Theoretically.

Your military contract asserted your role into the new CO’s life, expecting easy sex and some sort of flippant attitude that would be a double positive. Meeting the man who does more than just take his commands to regurgitate them out onto his subordinates, Price showed resilience, respect, and a leading figure of someone who lived beyond each sacrifice he gave.

Sue you for having issues relating to the figures high in power and holding authority over you, but the stability he had to offer was the pillar the team used day in and day out. In terms of being the newest addition in an environment that offered more humanity than your past facility, your claws clung to him on the chance that he’d be attentive with guidance and any reprimands that are followed with assured praise.

It only made you burn for him more.

The feeling of his gloved hands tight on your sides while practicing stealth drills, walking as if glued to your back to teach you his gait. Hearing his voice first thing in the morning before he’s even spoken to anyone else, it croaks pleasing your ears to send a shiver down your legs. When you waited in the locker room on purpose just to catch sight of his pink skin that highlighted the various sized and placed scars over his body. The smell of his cologne when he brought you to the bar with the boys after a job well done.

That first taste you had of him, during the kiss two weeks in. Like a spiced honey, you wanted to drip all over your body and let it soak its way inside of you.

This man makes your demon quiver like she’s a holy saint sinning for the first time.

The days filled with paperwork, and not your Captain, made everything blur together enough to make your eyes tired, you’d whine over it being a task you never had to do before. It was frustrating for you and the team, making them feel like they were preschool teachers.

On the rare occasions that training would end early, Price would utilize this to spend time in the dimmed yellow light of his office as you sit next to him.

Papers were strewn over your small work area while he kept them in neat piles. The sound of your keyboards clacking fills the silence before the shuffling of papers interrupts, small hums from either of you when checking details and recording operations management.

The room fills with a lingering haze as his cigar burns slowly, settled in the ashtray while typing, and back to his lips when reading over his work. Finishing a large chunk of interpreting and typing the reconnaissance intel, you lean back to watch as the cherry lights up when he inhales. His eyes are somewhat blurred by the glasses he wears, reflecting the screen while his body bathes in the warm light.

“You need sumthin’?” He grumbles from around the cigar, looking at you once he pops it out of his mouth.

“Why do you smoke cigars instead of cigarettes sometimes?” There’s no stutter in your question as he calls you out.

“Makes me feel like ‘m not in a rush. No need to worry of the end when there's plenty to it.” He brings it back up, taking a drag while watching you watch him. After a moment, he sits up and leans towards your place; Adjacent to him on the end of his desk while he sits on your right in his office chair.

“You ever try one?”

The bridge of your nose crinkles, a faint memory playing behind your eyes. “No. The general would always be smoking one when I was brought in, didn’t like the smell.”

Price’s eyes widen for a second, quickly moving the cigar away and clearing his throat. “You could’ve said something, wouldn’t been smoking in ‘ere if I knew that.” He gently snubs the cherry but the grasp of your hand on his wrist halts him.

“It’s fine, it smells different. I like this one.” A reassuring smile plays on the edge of your lips, waving him off with no fuss. The sound of your voice is warmer than the buzz the first hit gives him after a long day, and you both can tell that his body likes it when you speak like that. Reserved for him. Hopefully him alone.

His hand pauses, holding it still as his eyebrow quirks. “Whats it smell like to you?”

It takes a second to think over. He usually tends to stick to something earthy in flavoring, having only changed up the scent on special occasions. You can remember the first one being sweet when you came to this base, and on his hard days were ones that reeked of wood tones.

“Like you.” A shrug accompanies your answer, looking up to meet his gaze that now stills while his breath fans over your hand that keeps on his wrist.

“Would you want to try it?” He offers the half-smoked cigar to you, gently balancing it between his fingers.

Sliding your hand up his wrist to take the cigar between your fingers only to watch him as it meets your lips. The feeling is heavy and a bit confusing. While cigarettes you could easily hold in your lungs if not do a quick trick, this was less familiar.

Sucking in, you quickly choke. Shaking your head as you hand the damn trap back to him, his light chuckle sounds out. “You’re not s’possed to swallow it, sweetheart.” His eyes take in steady heed of infatuation at your failed attempt, and the curly of his lips shows a genuine smile.

“But I always swallow, sir.”

You can never keep your mouth shut, can you? He pauses, mouth parting before clicking shut and narrowing his eyes. He looks away as the muscles of his mouth flex.

Trying not to laugh.

“I wonder if it's the lads getting to you, or just how you are.” Finally, he gives his attention back to you for a moment, watching as you clean up your work area. It's your turn to feel his stare at you. The sweeping of attention your body can feel prickling and preening at, loving his focus as it sweeps across your form. “And stop calling me sir.”

“I see it as a form of respect, Captain.” Your work area matches his now in two neat piles of papers before shifting back to your laptop. Readjusting the chair to scoot a bit closer to both him and the desk. When shifting your hips, there's a slight flash of something on your skin. Too fine to be a scar- far too intricate and detailed.

Out of nowhere, he tosses a pen to the other side of the desk on your left.

“You mind picking that up for me, doll?” If he’d thrown a rabid dog and asked in that voice, you’d surely say yes.

The questioning glare he receives doesn’t escape him, but you comply nonetheless. Now bent over, the hem of your shirt rides up to reveal the flesh of your side. A tattoo reveals itself.

Not just any tattoo. A succubus tattoo that’s erotic in the placement and in nature. The design is tribal to your being; a heart that seemingly has wings of sharp lines that curve on the bottom of your stomach- Your womb.

As soon as your hands grasp the pen from the floor, you startle at the touch of his hand on your stomach. “What-”

“This a tattoo?” His fingertips trace over the slightly exposed skin, taking a dive in and commanding the shirt to move from his touch as he brings his fingers under it.

Still slightly caught off guard, but the touch is so gratifying, that you almost purr in response. “‘S a succubus sigil. Mine specifically.” Leaning back and drawing your shirt up like a puppy asking for belly rubs, showing the expanse of it as it reaches from hip to hip.

“Did this come with your powers?” He asks after meeting your gaze, still not moving his hand away but tracing it with firm pressure as if to see it peel off or be raised.

“Mmm.” You nod, trying to contain the moan behind a tight-lipped hum. “Would come up on my mate too.”

The movement on your stomach stops just as you are a second away from moving your hips closer to plead for more. “Mate?” He stills, hand stopping and regrettably pulling back as he sits to look at you. “Whadya’ mean mate?”

Oh, that's right. You never told him. But there was a section in the contract! Your subconscious screams at you, and now irked at the daft man for not reading through a man-made document that was formative on a demon.

He stifles a cough when he looks back to you; The shirt still being raised to expose the soft and delicate-looking skin of your stomach meets him, legs spread, and head tilted down with a glare through your lashes. You’re pouting.

“Price…” You start, voice low with a bass in it while still having feminine notes. It sounds like the call of the wind when he’s posted in the mountains for a stakeout and brings a shiver to the inside of his ears.

“Why’re you looking at me like that, Saint.” The expression he gives is more of trepidation than shock. Face still seemingly neutral, but his eyes are widened slightly to scan over all parts of your being in case you take any unexpected moves.

“You didn’t read my contract.” The ethereal-sounding voice teases his ears again. He’s ashamed that he can feel his dick twitch in interest at this sudden flip of your attitude, now having to resist the urge to cross his legs to hide the blood filling it. You drop your shirt down, and a coy smile floats up to your lips. “Did you, sir?”

“I still have a few pages left.” He chuffs while looking away to distract himself and his mouth with the cigar. “You gonna explain?” He tries to shift the power of this conversation back to him as he asks in nonchalance, spreading his legs to seem comfortable.

“Being a succubi’s mate brings something shallow but deeper than what normal humans could give. Our mate is a safe heaven; Someone who loves us for what we are while understanding we’re more than what we’re created to be.” Like a tether, you shift forward to lean on the desk slowly standing before taking a small step to be between the desk and himself. “The mate understands that we have needs that keep us alive, while we understand that the humans rely on a relationship beyond physical cravings.”

Seating yourself on the edge of his desk, standing between his legs, the blue of his eyes sharply contrasts your red ones. “We sacrifice our innate, greedy and sinning hunger to fall in love.”

Tension sits in his eyebrow line, jaw, and in the air between you. “That so?”

“Very, much so.” Cheekily smiling back at him as you’ve firmly planted the idea in his head, the hem of your shirt rises to let the tattoo peak back out. “And, I think you’d look like a king with this on your body.” Sure, it's a slight jab to this whole situation between you, but maybe he was interested in having a sort of territorial design on his person.

“Now, can we get back to you petting me?”

“Petting?” He chortles as if to ease whatever tense emotion settled over his mind, a kind that had alarm bells ringing in his head. “You’re not a dog, Saint. I was jus’ looking at your mark.” He breaks eye contact to look at his monitors, waking them up with a wave of the mouse. “You’re more like a cat, anyways.” He adds with a mumble.

“Well, I’ve got a pretty kitty for you to pet.” The giggle that leaves your lips would be downright creepy if not for the sweet ringing it leaves in his ear. Even thinking about what you exactly meant, his dick twitches again, and this time with more blood flowing down at the image of your lips between your legs.

His hand comes up to take his glasses off as he discards the cigar in the ashtray, and then a stifled groan leaves his lips. “Cut the shit, Saint.” His elbows placed on the table make his back arch, and you can see his muscles traverse in waves over his shoulder blades. “You need to finish your report.”

“Just for a little bit?” While he’s distracted, you move closer to stand between his legs while trailing fingers over the sigil. “I’ll scratch your back.”

Price’s head snaps to the side, finding you much closer than he expected yet still not recoiling in surprise. Just narrowing his eyes. The motion of your tail swaying playfully behind you gains an advantage; You’re playful in all of this, all the while a beautiful woman creature that has a face worthy of melting hearts and a body that could melt dicks and cunts alike, there is a sort of black cat-like quality to you. Hunting for prey either in the shadows or wanting to toy with it.

An even steeper spike of arousal catches your nose, wanting nothing more for him to be as easy as Soap is on a bad day. You’ve never taken up the opportunity, but you still think about it.

Pursing his lips together, a sigh escapes him while rubbing his hands over his face. “If this gets you to shut up and finish your work, fine.” He leans back in his chair, re-situating himself before you move to straddle his lap. “Only for a little bit.”

To your surprise, a sound of content leaves him as you settle, and feel his large arms come to wrap around your waist. “You’re a furnace- are you sick?” The inside of his wrist comes up to check your forehead for a fever, finding it warm.

“I just run that way. Something with my magic.” Humming, and nuzzling into his neck, the huff of you breathing him in makes his skin prickle. His hand returns to your waist.

A moment of silence passes, breathing with each other with only the steady hum of his computer filtering into the background noise. “You gonna scratch my back or not, sweetheart?” You can feel the rumble of his words end with a chuckle against your chest and in the muscles of your throat.

At the queue, your hands slide down beneath his shirt to start sliding the tips of your nails across his skin. A small sound of surprise leaves him as you pull up his shirt but quickly cuts off by a groan as he slumps against you.

“Fuck- Haven’t felt that in a long time.” The pull of a smile on his lips against your neck as he leans into the crook of it. His body shakes in a full tremor and his hands squeeze tighter; A hiss is pulled out of him as you reach the top of his shoulders and bring your nails down in long, cruelly slow, strokes. “Feels so wonderful, angel.”

While the petname is ironic, it still did something to you. Being so close to him, the smell of his steadying arousal was getting you almost high. Repeating the motion, you relaxed a bit more onto his lap to settle your weight to settle yourself over his hardening cock.

“Glad you like it.”

Leading him into your warm embrace, the chills shivering up his spine misplace his senses as your added weight and plush ass on his lap doesn’t register until the first slow roll manifests a throaty growl from him.

One hand holds you still with an unrelenting squeeze of your hip as the other shoots up to grab at your tail. A sharp gasp sounds before your back arches, nails digging into his back while you can’t help but look to the ceiling with bowed eyes.

“Behave, Saint.” He husks from above you, the height difference still even allowing him to see your face as you sit in his lap. “I’m gonna kick you out of this damn office if you’re going to act like this.”

“Please, Price.” The tips of your fangs drop a bit lower at the ache to kiss him and drag them along his skin, your pussy already beginning to soak your underwear.

While you’d normally be in control of the entire situation when having sex, Price was different. When a succubus was able to crave someone and hold a significant want and lust, they became the pleasure sought after. You craved Price like no other because there was no other. You behaved just enough to know that if he didn’t actively want it, you’d be broken. Body, mind, and soul.

A click of your teeth has him watching as you attempt to bite at his face before fighting against his hold to grind down again. He pulls your tail tighter.

“I’m hungry.” A smile taints your lips this time, unable to hide the humor in how hard he fights against giving in while his dick is now rock-hard underneath you. “We both know how much you’d enjoy it.”

His eyes narrowed, chuffing as his jaw clenched in anger, at himself or you- probably both. Grinning like the devil you are, you take his lapse in concentration to bounce softly on his clothes lap.

“Fuckin’ hell.” He groans, and you whimper. Just dry humping and imagining him pumping inside of you, the pull of the seam against your clit, both make your folds plump with sensitivity.

Another bounce, ending with a roll that strokes his cock.

“It’s my lap or nothing. I’m not helping you get off.” His resolve cracks, releasing your tail down to knead your ass, fingertips digging in harshly.

Needing no further instruction, you set the pace in slow rolls that drag across his lap. Bringing out soft grunts, it revels inside of you as your walls flutter around emptiness.

When the grinding isn't enough, you settle for bouncing again; Relying on the rough material of your pants to pull at your panties and clit. His eyes dart up from your hips, caught watching how erotic you move, yet he’s not afraid to smirk as you cup his jaw, bringing his lips close.

“Kiss me.”

“No, sweetheart.”

Groaning from the denial, you keep moving. There’s still a chance for you to win him over, how trained can a man be when he’s got a beautiful creature spurring him on?

“It’s not like we haven’t kissed before.”

“I already said no. You ain’t gonna shake me.”

Your lips draw up in a sneer that coats your face at being told no, something that has never happened before.

“Did you not get what you wanted, sweet girl?” His hand moves from your neck to stroke hair away from your face, but still leaves the other on your ass to touch as you keep moving.

“You’re a prick”

The growl that leaves you is quiet. It would startle any human, but Price knows you. He only hums in response, moving to grab the cigar before inhaling and leaning back into the chair.

What a cocky bastard.

“Don’t be a brat. You knew I let you sit here not for that reason.” The hand on your ass leaves a sharp sting once it spanks you, the sound echoing in the quiet room. His reprimanding spank sends a shiver down your body and to your wet cunt, feeling a mini-tremor in it.

“This is my favorite spot, don’t you know?”

“This spot’ not on the map, Saint.”

“Being in your lap would be my world. Just gotta let me have it.” Angels above you are such a fucking tease.

When you left his office, you at least felt good about the wet spot on his lap.

~~~

On nights before a mission, you’d consider slithering your consciousness to Price, debating on dream walking to bring him dreams filled with you, filled of him. The promiscuity of diving into his dreams and allowing him to ruin you in a haze cradled your consciousness in a steady fire.

Tomorrow, you’ll be out for a long excursion with the team in the woodlands of Australia. You’ve been there before, remembering being fresh into your transformation and visiting a plethora of military bases. At the time, you were being shown off at Pine Gap like a traveling circus, bored from the land being too obnoxious for any fun- because of course, you had tried to fight a kangaroo when your handlers weren’t looking.

Dreamwalking was something you’d engaged with rarely, as the humans in the compound didn’t sleep there. You’d practice putting them in a trance and had gained enough experience in succeeding when they left your cell block rotation as a heavy flush coated their face.

Price was designated to keep you in the barracks room by his, at the end of the hallway where his only neighboring room was yours. The team that created a military position for a succubus knew what needed to happen, and they were not afraid to set parameters and expectations that Price had to follow before your arrival.

Tonight, as your body finds its tether to his mind, you're ready to cloud and confuse his logic with pleasure. A cloudy and warm rush to his senses makes Price’s body stir when the sudden feeling of you lying atop him settles on his muscles and mind. With a slow grinding roll of your hips, your fangs sneak out just a bit more to leave a light mark under his jaw as your hands knead at his firm chest. He can see you, feel you naked with him under the covers of his bed. Your soft but firm legs straddle his waist as a hand rakes through his hair to give a tug causing a soft hiss to leave him.

“How th’ fuck you get in ‘ere, love?” He manages to push out past his lips in a soft grumble, the rough calluses of his hands skimming down to the curve of your hips before squeezing the flesh of your ass.

And fuck, when the pet name slips out no doubt due to his drowsiness, it makes you clench on nothing while being in your own room a few yards away from his.

“You let me in, sir.” The answer comes back to him in a matched tone, working to slide your wetness over his growing arousal. “Hope that’s alright with you.”

Feeling the tip of him push against your clit and noting he’s already hard, your hand trails behind you to line him up with your fluttering hole. The grip on your ass tightens, his blunt fingernails dig in as he bucks in hazy anticipation. It's enough to catch the rim of your hole but slipping in the wrong direction.

Price, far too gone as your sense of lust clouds his mind, pushes your ear against his lips as he takes himself in hand and lines up with your entrance again. “Impatient thing, aren’t you?”

Not giving you enough time to answer, he pushes the tip in letting it settle before grabbing your hip while the other hand pulls your hair in a tight fist. “I’ll let you bloody ‘ave it.” He groans in your ear. You leave yourself amazed at how real it feels, seemingly forgotten of the unused power at the ready for your next meal.

A small hiccup leaves your lips as he slides in; Not too long but his girth made up for everything. It’s been so long, your inner demon laughing at you as if you were a virgin again but crying out in time with your pulses as you feel fed for the first time in months.

“Gods, so fucking hot-” Price drones on, sounding half asleep and drunk on lust by the way his speech slurs in soft whispers. “Hottest pussy I’ve ever had.” If you were in his bed you’d truly laugh at him speaking on your internal temperature.

“You’ve never had anything like me.” Moving to help the tired man, your hips go down to meet his ever-languid thrust up. His hand on your ass holds your lower back as his knees pick up once planting his ankles on the mattress.

“Ain't that right.” He retorts, a light scoff coming from him as he buries his head to find your neck to leave long, sloppy kisses against the soft skin. “Use my cock, baby, know you’ve been wantin’ it. Be a good girl an’ use it.”

With his permission and the subtle need to show him what he’s been missing out on, you take the lead. Planting your hands on his chest and sitting up, you bounce on his cock with steady vigor. Each clap of your skin hitting his sounds real. Enough to be more than just a dream. His grunts, shaky curses, and heavy breaths ring out in the space of his mind as he drives up to meet your soaked walls.

“Jus’ like tha- gonna make me come already. God, I’m gonna-” Snake down to lay your chest against his, bouncing your hips in quick movements.

“Inside. Keep it in.” His mind still fails to register that protection was nowhere near a consideration as his body runs hot. His hands grab control to pump himself up into you in rough and steady slams of one, two, three, before stilling and twitching inside of you.

The shiver that coils your spine in a curve is erotic; The way your mouth parts in a beautiful ‘o’ shape, tits pushed out for him to take in his mouth while your body shakes from the orgasm of being fed his spend. His breath pants over your pert nipples, biting them gently with a low groan before settling you over him. You wish you could stay more to hear his pillow talk but the more talking to happen and keep yourself there is a waste of time and energy.

“Goodnight, Price.”

~~~

Sunlight greeted Price when he awoke to his blaring alarm, grumbling while shooting a hand out to silence the forsaken thing. Usually an early riser and far too used to the normalcy of the early mornings, he felt like a cinderblock sinking to the bottom of the Boston River.

A right fucking tea party in his pants, that's for sure.

With every second his eyes are closed, he can feel the phantom movement of your hips on his which has him already twitching his morning wood at the memory. Price has had wet dreams before, plenty of times while a teenager or when he had a girl back home while serving as a Lieutenant. None of them had felt like this- like he was on a drug trip and feeling absolutely every movement and sense you rode out of him.

Letting a groan akin to a bear's roar echo in his room, his eyelids keep blinking to make the bleariness leave to welcome the light of day into his mind. And Price just… sits there for a moment.

Yes, he was asleep and didn’t have the control he would much rather prefer over you being in his bed, but by Satan himself that was just the last thing he needed.

There wasn’t much time for him to seek out physical attention or affection from others, constantly married to his job and watching his back for those looking at him. There had been a handful of women who were graced with hot nights, but he’d always be gone by the time they’d woken up. These women stemmed from the pubs far off town and closer to his home. Even a young recruit on a different unit had tried her luck but was instantly shot down without a thought to him.

He has a name and team to uphold, he wouldn’t earn himself a court martial just for an easy piece of ass. But now presented with your beautiful self while officials are giving him the green light, he has no idea what to do. You’re growing close to him already, something he tried to resist with all the boys on the team until they had bludgeoned their way to his heart by force.

He couldn’t let you do that.

To be used, having someone two steps ahead of him through reading his feelings and laying them out on a silver platter. It would be devastating to the way he functions, the way he holds himself, and how he carries out his mission. Manipulation is his greatest peeve. Protecting his heart is his greatest operation.

Price doesn’t see you until later; Making sure supplies and operations were starting smoothly, his mind was in a flurry of motions he subconsciously grew used to over the years. He knows what boxes need to be checked, being sure to be prepared for everything. He wasn’t prepared to find you in the briefing room before anyone else, looking right as rain and ready to go.

You’re a wicked piece of work, being able to act as if nothing was askew. Totally innocent. You could feel his glare before even looking at the man, and gods above so below, he was pissed off. Horny, and pissed off.

“Good morning, Captain.” The sound of his footsteps halting leaves the room quiet, making you look up to him. “Everything alright? Seems like you’ve seen the devil himself.”

Even with knowing this team for a short time, they could be impressed by how well you could read their emotions. Even Ghost, with just a look of his eyes and gauging what lays under his mask. Right now was not one of these moments.

Approaching slowly, eyes watching where he steps, the indent of his cheek shows where he bites at it. “Tell me, sweetheart. How’d you sleep last night?”

Once reaching where you sit, he leans on the table with a heavy hand as the other holds the back of your chair. “Because you seem mighty chipper this morning, eh?”

A wave of vexation washes over you from his tone and gaze alone. You’re beyond thankful you’ve taken a moment to not show your tail today or else it would have frozen in place.

“I slept fine, ready for the day.” Reverting to innocence was starting to piss Price off.

“Right, right.” Grunting in response, he moves in closer to your face. “Because I woke up tired, cum in my pants, and quite the feeling of a very warm weight over me. Would you happen to know anything about that, little devil?”

“Would there be an issue if I did? That's quite the allegation, Price.”

The wood underneath his hand squeaks with the strain his fingers pull at it.

“If you ever do that again, I will be contacting your owners and having your ass back on a plane faster than you can go to sleep.”

With the Captain’s anger solely focused on you, resentment stemming all from a dream and granting him pleasure, something inside of you breaks off into cooling embers. A cold shiver washes down your back. The mention of going back to your previous commanders makes your stomach roll with pinpricks at the mere thought of what they would do to you.

“Do. You. Understand. Saint?” He whispers once his lips press against your ear, and the bastard can see the fear running through you when your red eyes look past him at the wall.

“Yes, Captain.” It waivers on your tongue, thinking you’d have enough strength by the tightness in your throat yet it fails you.

~~~

A week later finds the team on the last stage of the op at a cell-tower outpost, and you’re fucking exhausted. It's horrible. Starving and beyond irritable. You’d compare it to the boys after it's been too long to have a cigarette or stiff drink, but even then some of them could be drama queens surprising to the rulers of hell.

The mission had gone tits up by the middle of the objective, with a high chance of needing to evacuate and re-group to determine if it was even salvageable to complete. Sweeping north on a downward mountain slope gave you a wide berth to the others as they began moving in by the north to coordinate the ambush. Soap and Gaz were stationed to sandwich you in the spread, trailing into the right of Ghost and Price. By the time the road gave way to the tower in a pit of land, the team had been spotted.

“Just get in and take the tower. Soap-”

“On it.” The Sergeant already loading his GLM with HE’s, calling out at the ready with every fire. Soap was a mastermind, having a sense of where exactly the explosives would launch, managing to aim in a ring around the tower while utilizing the shrapnel to make the hostels scatter.

You and Gaz had meant to cover him, make sure he could at least plant his charges with good enough cover to avoid getting down to the platform surrounded by enemies. Of course, there was always a problem.

It took about 30 minutes extra to even clear the line of fire, making a constant suppression with every flare you could throw in the process. Price instructed the bomb needed to be planted now, leading Soap to rush in, calling for Gaz to follow him. Yet, you pulled Gaz back by the bitch handle, keeping him rooted in place for treeline suppression.

“Saint-” Gaz’s sound of disagreement is overshadowed by Price’s yelling over comms.

“Saint, get your ass back to the peak!”

“Already gone, Captain. Watch that line.” You answer back with a pant, sprinting down after Soap to meet him at the base of the tall standing structure.

“Prices’ gonnae hae yer heid, bonnie.” He doesn’t even turn around while setting charges to see who it is. It takes 3 minutes worth for him to make sure it's set, detonator in hand, while you have steady eyes on the surrounding area for him. “Time to blow, Princess.”

“Say less.” You laugh, letting him lead back up the path towards the forest; The moment his arm snags around your waist and ducking his head, you keep your rifle up for precautions while bracing for impact.

“Say the line, love.” Fuck, that was the most romantic thing you’ve ever experienced on the battlefield.

“Fire’s in Hell!” Yelling the alert over comms, you send him a smile before the resonating sound and impact of the explosion make you stagger a bit in footing.

He keeps a steady grip on you while rushing up the steep terrain, ignoring the sound of metal creaking from the force.

Call it natural curiosity, you can't help but look back to watch it fall.

It’s a good thing you did.

As the steel crumples down beam by beam, it fails to put enough pressure on the corner opposite of where you and Soap are. At this, the heavy drums bring the heavy steel poles down faster and practically on top of your position. Pulling to the right to lead you and Soap into a side dash, your shoulder dips down to roll; Leading him to flow with your body to the ground, you pull just enough to roll twice before stopping while laying on his chest. The tower makes impact where you are just standing, a few pieces even disputing next to you as it crumples to its death.

“Soap! Saint! Do you copy?” Ghost’s concern bleeds through your earpiece, wincing as you have to change your mindset to survival by the means of your weapons and muscles.

“Good, L.T. We’ll be at rally point soon.” Looking down to check over the sergeant, he’s doing the same to you. Hands-on your waist, panting for a millisecond before moving to get both of you set and ready to run.

“Fuck…” His curse is a taut hiss, drawing your attention to his right palm that faces up. Stained red.

“Shit- we gotta go. Where are you hurt?” Frantically trying to get your gear sorted as your eyes dart over his body.

“This isn’t my blood, Saint.”

“Wha-?” Shaking your head quizzically while searching his eyes. It’s not his blood? What enemy got close enough to- oh.

Looking down, it's amazing how you can’t feel it. Not yet, at least. A large gash stems from the bottom of your ribcage down to below the crest of your hip. “Oh god damn it.”

There isn’t enough time to pack the damn thing, seeing as you need to get the hell out of dodge and meet with the others. Shaking your head and pulling him along, you can only work on tearing parts of your combat shirt off to cover it.

When you make it to the rally point, the blood has flowed into the fabric of your socks. It’s dark out and everyone has their night vision optics on, so you bank on the fact that they won’t see anything suspicious from you until you could give yourself attention. You’re greeted by the sight of the three others inside the ASV, waiting on you last two.

“There you fuckin are, get your asses in here.” Price seemingly will have your head by the end of all this, if not on the ride back to base. “Soap, up fron’ with Ghost.”

“Aye, sir.”

The arm supporting you turns into two hands around your waist, but as you wince and falter in step from it hitting the gash, Soap has to support you by the underarm.

“Fuck- Hang on, let's get you in here quick.” Picking you up to help you load in, Gaz meets him with arms out to set you onto the bench with him across from Price.

At the scene being far too caring and coddling of a demon, Price’s hair stands as he tries to break down what the fuck just happened.

“Are you damn hurt?” He hisses sharply, moving instantly to take a knee in front of you, and in between your legs.

As the vehicle rolls, you can only make sense of Price’s hands touching all over your body, stilling when he feels the cooling warmth of your blood. Unclipping your tac vest and shoving your shirt up, his eyes trace over the wound.

“Why didn’t either of you say something?” He so much as shouts while turning to get the med kit from your bag, startling you and the others for a quick second.

“Wasn’t gonna change anything. Needed to get here.”

“How bad is it, Price?” Comes Ghost’s voice from the front. Soap stays quiet as you answer but you swear you could see him share a look with Ghost.

“Halfway to back the way she came. Fuckin bleedin all over.”

“Saint, hey- Can you stay awake for us, love?” Gaz’s voice does just the opposite, finding it comforting in the way he speaks when knowing you’re vulnerable. “Shit- should we give her a stim?”

Price doesn’t even have the time to answer as you cut all conversation off. “I’m cold, John…”

Alarm bells ring in the four men’s heads, hearing your voice be so sweet with a whine, and that you just called Price by his first name.

You don’t see them panic as your eyes close.

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twistedmusings · 3 years

Text

Petting Dorm

A/N: I petted my cat for a good thirty minutes yesterday while I was watching the translation for the camp event and...surely the Savannaclaw members must like at least some pets, right? Like they must really want some pets after a good long hard day. Warnings: None, just descriptions of petting and three very happy boys u wu

The Savannaclaw members watch on as Grim gets the petting of a lifetime, wondering when the hell it is going to be their turn.

“Grim you are acting so spoiled.”

“Nyaha~! I deserve to be spoiled today! I aced my test while Ace and Deuce failed and me and Epel got a good grade in the potions assignment today!”

Grim leans back into your touch as you rub all the way to the tip of his ears before going right back down again. He lets out a happy grunt as his little foot starts to twitch, your hands now massaging right under his ears and near his cheeks before scratching right near the nape of his neck.

“Fgnaa...go a little lower!”

“Here?”

“Ah~! I really needed this. This is the reason I made you my henchman, [Y/N]”

“Because of how much I’m petting you?”

You press a kiss to Grim’s face, the other complaining for a moment before smiling as your finger rubs right on the top of his head. The two Ramshackle residents keep talking as they sit in the middle of the Savannaclaw lounge, many eyes staring at them but three sets of eyes in particular glaring at the cat currently laying his entire body on one of their pillows.

“[Y/N]-san...” Jack speaks up first as he watches Grim’s leg give another twitch, his eyes not even looking at you but focusing entirely on your hands.

“Hm?”

“Did you…” the wolf man can practically feel a shiver down his spine as you rub right under Grim’s ears, “Did you...uh...did you bring the assignment?”

“I did.” you play with Grim’s tail before running your hand up and down his back, “I thought you said you wanted to start when Ace and Deuce got here though.”

Leona growls when Grim lets out another satisfied sigh, watching your hands go right back up to play with his ears as you press the tips of them together and then watch them go back to their normal place.

“What is even keeping them so long?”

You shrug and rub a little circle right on Grim’s forehead, Ruggie following the movement with his head as he closed his eyes.

He could almost feel it--

Another slow and agonizing five minutes later and you sigh, shaking the shivers out of your hands as Grim is finally asleep, leg up in the air as you pull away from him and pull out your phone.

“Knowing those two they probably forgot…” you shake your head and stand up, “I’ll go get them--”

“NO!”

All Savanna claw members stand up as they lean towards you, eyes wide with different emotions as you do your best to understand their sudden outburst.

“What’s...what’s wrong?”

“You’re not leaving.”

You blink and point to the exit.

“I’ll only be gone for a couple of minutes, I’m not going to take long--”

“Sit down.”

It was frustrating that you couldn’t disobey this man even if you wanted to. The way he did anything was just so annoyingly confident that you weren’t even surprised when you simply sat down on whatever chair was available before Leona plopped himself in front of you and put his head on your lap.

“You have a lot of nerve petting that raccoon in front of me.” he glares at you before closing his eyes and leaning further back, ears twitching expectantly as you look down at him in, well, rather justified confusion.

“I’m...sorry?” you put your hands up and look at Jack and Ruggie, “I honestly do not know what to do, what is he talking about?”

You can practically feel Leona’s growl against you as he grabs your hands and puts them on his hair, letting your fingers reach deep into the dark waves as he visibly relaxes and lets you go.

“Whatever the hell you did to that cat monstrosity you better do for me...and if it isn’t as good that it makes me fall asleep in five minutes then I’ll be using you as one of my pillows.”

What...the hell?

Your eyes look over at Ruggie and Jack but they don’t even seem to be paying attention to you, simply looking on as you start to do some of the things you remembered doing for Grim.

He smiles as the petting finally starts, his ears being played with gently before your hands rub the tips and press them flat on his head. They give a solid twitch as they pop back up, twitching once again as they pick up your slight chuckling.

Now he understood why the raccoon had been so vocal about this treatment. Feeling your hands reach right under his ears and scratch made him let out a happy groan, tilting his head back as he gave you more room to play with.

You scratch the back of his head with one hand while the other does little cross shapes on his forehead, Leona opening his eyes to watch you work so diligently on putting him to sleep.

“Is this something you do every day for that thing?”

“His name is Grim.” you say and go back to playing with his ears, “And no, not all days. Only when he does really good.”

Leona closes his eyes as he moves his head to the right as your fingers scratch one spot in particular.

“Is that all it takes?”

“Yeah...I mean it keeps him motivated.”

He stays quiet for a few seconds before speaking up again.

“I stayed awake during one of Crewel’s lectures.”

You stop scratching to look down at him, amazed at what he just told you.

There was no way that was true.

“Awake?”

“Uh-huh.”

“As in fully awake? Listening to the lecture awake?”

“Uh-huh.”

“...what was the lecture about?”

Leona yawns and opens one eye to look at you.

“Advanced Magical History.”

You frown knowing for a fact that you cannot quiz him on anything since you still weren’t in that class. The reason for him telling you this was lost on you for a moment before you looked down in surprise and realized what this really was about.

No way...

Had he told you about that...just to justify you petting him?

“That’s really good Leona-senpai” you test the waters carefully, running your hand through his hair as he tilted his head back so he could feel the pull of your hands a bit more. Your eyes widen when the dorm leader nods along to the rather shallow praises you were sending his way.

“I didn’t know you were such a hard worker.”

“Mmmhm.”

“Or able to stay awake for so long.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I always thought you were just a lazy lion who liked to sleep all day.”

“Mmmmmm.”

It takes your entire will of strength to not laugh at Leona’s face. This man usually had his guard up so much that no one could ever get a read on him but give him some scratches and he opened up like a kitten to a new owner?

You knew you had blackmail material in your hands but the prospect of using it was still rather terrifying.

Leona’s threats should never be taken lightly.

You finish by rubbing his ears and letting go, the dorm leader’s head lolling forward as you stand up and grab whatever cushion you can get your hands on and putting it under his head so that you can lay him on the ground softly.

That was...weird.

“...I’m going to get Ace and Deuce now. If we don’t finish this assignment we are going to be screwed."

“[Y/N]!”

What should he say? He had just called your name out randomly and put himself in danger of waking up Leona. Dammit think of something, Ruggie!

He seems to come up with an answer as his usual playful smile comes back, standing up and walking over to you as his tail wags slightly.

“I can go get them for you.”

You smile and take his hands, shaking them twice before plopping yourself down on another available seat.

“Ruggie-senpai you are so nice! I think they might be at Heartslabyul? Ace might have dragged Deuce in on a game of cards or they most likely got caught doing something they shouldn’t. If you have any problems just text--Ruggie-senpai?”

Blue gray eyes look up at you, Ruggie’s trademark smile shining up at you as he giggles.

“Shishishi...you really think I wouldn’t do this without a price, [Y/N]-san?”

He grins and grabs your hands again, putting them right under his ears as he closes his eyes.

“Ruggie-senpai our assignment--!”

“Five minutes! That’s plenty of payment for the walk I’m about to do all the way to Heartslabyul!”

“It isn’t that long of a walk!?”

Ruggie shrugs as moves his head so that it is at the most comfortable position on your lap.

“Hm, but I also will have to walk all the way back to Savannaclaw so maybe it should be ten…”

You should stop talking at this point or else the times were going to go up higher, your hands getting to work as you scratch right in between his ears, Ruggie’s grin melting into a satisfied smile as you dug your fingers into his hair and started to scratch right under his scalp which earned you a giggle.

This sort of petting was so different than the ones he would use to get in the Afterglow. Just some slum kids trying to give each other love and affection because in the end, they all needed it after a hard day. Petting someone like this was a sign of close friendship and even romance, if done with that intent, but Ruggie never thought humans would be any good at it.

Yet the way your hands rubbed small circles right on his forehead, the very action you had done to Grim, he was still surprised he was half awake and not falling asleep on your lap.

“Mmm...is there anything else that needs to get done, [Y/N]?”

You smile when you see him so relaxed, surprised at how comfortable he looked. This hyena ran around the school doing errand after errand and getting buck after buck. It was almost inspiring if it wasn’t for the fact that some of his dealing weren't necessarily...legal?

Not like you knew about law in Twisted Wonderland so you let it pass.

“Not really, not for me anyway.”

Ruggie pouts but still melts when you run your fingers through his hair, starting right at his forehead and working all the way to the back. His ears twitched as you rubbed the tips before pressing both of them together.

“Well I am not charging for the walk back but if you want me to wrangle up those two first years I should charge a bit more, so when I come back I want what Leona-san got--”

“Ruggie-senpai it’s been five minutes.”

Jack’s tail is curled around him while he looks away, his eyes only barely making contact with yours as he looked at Ruggie and then back at, well, nothing.

Ruggie clicks his tongue before standing up and shrugging.

“Fine. I guess I will take that as a down payment.” he grins at you, “I will take the full payment later!”

You want to ask just what kind of payment he was talking about but you decide to keep quiet because that man would find some way to convince you that, yes, you do owe him something and that your payment was going to not be your money but your time.

And you didn’t have a lot of that to be spending it all in one place.

He walks off and you lean back, smiling as your hands finally get a break. Grim’s fur was always so silky and if you were to compare it you would say it was the same as Leona’s hair but Ruggie’s was definitely a bit more rough. It wasn’t a bad sort of rough but you figured this was the difference between long haired and short haired animals.

Although since Leona was a lion wouldn’t he also have short hair? Or was his hair more like his mane?

And what about Jack?

You turn towards your friend, tilting your head as you catch him staring.

“I don’t know why but I always feel like I have to apologize for Ace and Deuce, Jack. Maybe it’s because I met them first?”

He shakes his head, “You shouldn’t apologize for their actions.”

“Well they are also my friends so...I figured I could do this much for them.”

You wiggle your fingers in front of your face as you send Jack a teasing smile, “Want me to pet you too?”

The wolf’s tail goes right up before Jack pushes it back down with a growl, his cheeks burning a beautiful bright red as he answers back.

“We should just wait for Ace and Deuce, I want to get this assignment done already.”

“Me too. But it’s going to be a few minutes before they come back.”

“Oi!”

You are already standing up when Jack complains, telling you that you really didn’t need to do any sort of things like that for him and that he was perfectly fine and didn’t want to get distracted--!

“You’re the only one who didn’t force me to pet him, Jack. Just relax and unwind!” you smile and sit right behind him and open your legs so that you could pull him back and let his head rest on your stomach. His neck now burns bright red as you scratch right under his ears which only served to make his leg bounce slightly while he slowly got accustomed to your touches.

He wondered if you would pet him when he was using his unique magic as well, although knowing him he would get on his back and present his stomach if it started feeling this good and he didn’t want Ace, Deuce or even you teasing him about it! It wasn’t that his was enjoying this to that point--!

It’s just that somehow you knew just what spots to scratch and for how long to scratch them that he was starting to feel weak.

“Hm. So you would be a long hair…” you mutter to yourself as Jack closes his eyes, pressing his cheek against your palm as you rub circles right on his temples, “I think I like your hair the most...but maybe I’m just playing favourites here.”

The wolf wants to ask you a bit more about him being your possible favourite from the Savannaclaw dorm but his jaw snaps shut when he sees his dorm leader start to get up, glaring at the two of you with a dry smile.

“So you’re the favourite, huh?”

Jack blinks as he looks back at you and then at Leona.

“Leona-senpai--!”

The lion moves closer as he presses his body right against Jack’s shoulder, grabbing one of your legs and putting it over his own shoulder so that you would fit both of them in between.

“Ow--! Owowowowow--I’m not that flexible, Leona-senpai!!”

“He got his turn and now I want another one. Get to work, herbivore.”

“Hey!”

The three of you look to see Ruggie pointing an accusatory finger in your direction.

“What are you hogging [Y/N] for! They still owe me! Move over!”

He shoves at Jack’s unoccupied shoulder, trying to make his way into the little nest as you feel your other leg being raised up--!

“Stop! What in the world do you think I am--and where is Ace and Deuce!?”

Ruggie blinks before looking around.

“Oh right...I was supposed to go get them.”

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst imagines #twst scenarios #savannaclaw #leona kingscholar #ruggie bucchi #jack howl #twst mc #twst x reader #//also I think Im in love with Ruggie now?#//Is that a thing that happened?

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fanficshiddles · 4 years

Text

Butterfly Into Chains, Chapter 22

Esme went into her nest, absolutely devastated about what had happened. She shrugged the Alphas off and hit out at them when they tried to assure her. She just wanted to be alone in her nest.

‘I thought omegas didn’t use their nest after giving birth.’ Said Chris.

‘They don’t normally. But she’s been through some trauma so will be seeking a safe place.’ David said quietly.

‘We will need to get her out of there. Take her out somewhere to cheer her up.’ Michael suggested.

‘Not yet. Let her grieve.’ Tom said firmly. ‘But someone needs to be in here at all times, to keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s ok and doesn’t hurt herself.’

The pack nodded in agreement.

Michael sat outside the cupboard, he put his hand inside in hopes she might hold it. But she didn’t. He could hear quiet sobs coming from her.

‘Esme… darling. I know you’re upset, you feel like your heart has been ripped out... But I saw the faces of the couple when they held their new baby girl… They were so happy. You gave them a wonderful gift, a gift that they wouldn’t have been able to have themselves.’

‘Co… Could they not have kids of their own?’ She asked quietly.

Michael turned and pushed the blanket open a little to see her. She looked utterly broken and exhausted. He smiled softly at her. ‘Not an om’

‘Not a child of their own, no.’ Tom said over Michael as he appeared and crouched down to see her. He had a bowl of cereal for her.

Esme looked down, swallowing hard. ‘I just… I really became fond of the idea of having a child.’ Tears streamed down her face.

‘I know, lovely. But you’re young, there’s plenty of time in the future to have one of your own, to keep. Right now, you are doing something wonderful for other couples. Helping them to have children that they crave so badly.’ Tom spoke quietly.

She curled herself up, tucking her knees under her chin. She didn’t say anything, just stared at the wall. She was so conflicted. On the one hand she wanted to help people, so the thought that she made another couple happy was… nice… ish. But on the other hand, she felt betrayed by her Alphas. They hadn’t told her about what was going to happen, they just took her baby away from her without any explanation at all.

‘Esme.’ Tom said softly, stroking her cheek. She jumped and moved away from his touch. ‘Come on out, let us talk properly. Let us hold you.’

She shook her head and tried to move further into the corner, away from him.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ She asked, bravely looking at him. More tears falling.

‘We didn’t want to stress you out while you were pregnant. I know it may have seemed a little harsh the way we did it, but it was for the best. If you’d had time to hold her, it would’ve been a million times worse.’ Tom reached out and circled his fingers around her ankle, rubbing her skin with his thumb.

Esme didn’t respond, she leaned against the cushions at the back and closed her eyes.

‘Come on out and have something to eat.’ Tom sat up more, just half inside the cupboard.

She shook her head. ‘I’m not hungry.’ She whispered.

‘Esme.’ Tom said firmly. ‘You need to eat.’

Esme closed her eyes as she felt a shiver run through her, not a good one. She didn’t like it when Tom used that tone. But she really didn’t think she could stomach any food right now.

‘Tom.’ David said quietly as he came through to the bedroom.

Tom clenched his jaw but leaned out to look at David.

‘Let me. Michael wants to speak to you anyway.’ David said and nodded to the door.

Tom looked at Esme once more before handing the bowl of cereal to David, he gave him a look and then headed out to find Michael.

David crouched down and shuffled just inside of the cupboard, with the cereal. He looked at Esme and felt his heart sinking completely. He reached over and rubbed her arm, feeling a little hurt when she flinched at his touch.

‘I know you’re hurting, poppet. What we did to you without telling you has been… inexcusable. But we just want to help other people, and be able to give you everything you could ever need or want. To be able to spoil you… But we should’ve told you from the start, I know this.’ He sighed and ran his hand down his face.

He didn’t think it would be this difficult. He knew they would all fall in love with their omega, it was inevitable. But he never in a million years thought the process of actually selling the babies and dealing with the aftermath would be so difficult and heart breaking.

‘You need to eat, Esme. I know you don’t feel like it right now, but it will help you. And you need to get your strength back.’ He said softly as he moved further into the nest, glad when she didn’t lash out at him or cringe further away.

‘Please… I don’t want to.’ She whispered.

‘I know, but you need to. If you don’t eat willingly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tom forces you to. Come on, pet... Do it for me?’ He pleaded, begging her with his eyes when she actually looked at him.

She slowly sat up next to him. He scooped some cereal onto the spoon and started feeding her. ‘Good girl, Esme.’ He praised when she started eating.

Esme ate about half of what was there, then she just started crying again and pushed at David’s hand.

‘No more… please.’ She cried.

David put the bowl down and put his arm around her, he was relieved when she gave in and hugged into him. She buried her face into his chest and really started crying, letting it all out again. David rubbed her back and rocked her back and fore a bit. ‘Shhh, shhh. It’s alright, poppet. It’s going to be alright.’

David just held Esme for a while, soothing her until she was all cried out. He kissed the top of her head and then picked up the last of the cereal and started eating it himself.

‘What Tom doesn’t know won’t kill him.’ He winked at Esme and was happy when she managed a small smile for him.

Michael was in the kitchen waiting to speak to Tom while David sorted Esme.

‘Why did you lie to her?’ Michael frowned.

‘Why were you going to tell her the truth?’ Tom countered, earning a glare from Michael.

‘I didn’t want to lie to her.’ Michael huffed.

‘If she knew that the only reason we sold her child is because the couple wanted an omega or Alpha, that wouldn’t have made her feel any better. Having her think we sell the babies because couples can’t have children at all, will make it easier for her. It’s only a small white lie, one she doesn’t need to know.’ Tom said as he folded his arms over his chest.

Michael sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Ok, fine. I guess that makes sense.’

‘Has she eaten yet?’ Ben asked, leaning on the island counter.

‘Not yet. David is trying with her now.’ Tom sighed.

‘Is it just me, or does David seem rather effected by this too?’ Chris asked.

‘He does a bit, yes.’ Michael nodded. ‘I have a feeling the baby was maybe his.’

The Alphas all looked at him in bewilderment. ‘How do you know?’ Tom frowned.

‘Well… she did look a bit like him, his features. I get the feeling he maybe sensed more of a connection while Esme was pregnant and that’s why he seems to be taking this harder than the rest of us.’ Michael said and Ben agreed, since he was the only other one who actually saw Esme’s baby.

‘The whole idea of there being five of us breeding her is so that none of us get effected in that way.’ Tom grumbled and started pacing back and fore.

‘He seems ok though, nowhere near as bad as Esme.’ Said Ben.

‘He knows this is what the end game was all along, if he can’t deal with it, he knows where the door is.’ Tom said coldly before leaving the kitchen.

‘We should keep an eye on David. If it was his baby, he will be hurting to an extent too. No matter what Tom says, he’s still our friend at the end of the day.’ Chris said to the other two.

‘Yeah, you’re right.’ Michael said as he nodded and so did Ben.

The following day, David managed to coax Esme out of her nest. He got her outside for some fresh air and while they were out, Tom and Chris dismantled her nest in the cupboard. She shouldn’t need it anymore, so they decided to just take it away until she was next pregnant, then they would rebuild it for her.

She was upset when she returned to find it was just a cupboard again. But her inner instincts weren’t screaming at her to need one, so she didn’t make too much of a fuss about it.

The Alphas were happy to have her back in their bed that night. She was still a bit tense and iffy around them, aside from David. She kept seeking him out the most, snuggling into him when possible.

Ben, Michael and Chris understood and thought it would be best anyway. If the baby was David’s, they could both get through it together for now. Tom wasn’t best pleased, but he was giving them some space for now, thinking since it was her first-time giving birth it was bound to be difficult for her.

They were all having lunch together at the dining table one day, Esme was quiet, as she had been since the birth.

‘After lunch, let’s go into town. Get some ice cream and go to the beach.’ Tom suggested with a big smile as he looked at Esme across the table.

He had been expecting her face to light up completely and for her to wolf down her lunch at the thought of going out. But instead she just nodded, with a tight-lipped smile.

Esme felt a little bit happier when they did end up out and about though. She had been disappointed with the fact that David wasn’t coming, he had to go to work for a while with Michael and Chris. So it was just Tom and Ben who took her out.

They went for an ice cream first, Tom got her a double of her favourite which put a proper smile on her face. More so when Ben foolishly lost his ice cream to a seagull that came swooping down at him and stole it right out of his hand. Esme and Tom nearly peed themselves from laughing so much.

When they headed down to the beach, Esme had actually forgotten about her worries and upset. She enjoyed the sea breeze on her face and paddling in the sea. Tom and Ben gave her lots of hugs and kisses, making her feel a little fuzzy and happy again.

But it all came to a grinding halt when they were walking along the beach front and a couple passed them by with a baby in a pram. Esme stopped dead and watched as they walked by, everything suddenly came flooding back to her.

She started crying hysterically on the spot, shaking and falling to the ground. People around looked on, confused and worried.

But Tom and Ben swooped in and took hold of her arms, lifting her up they carried her kicking and screaming back to the car.

#butterfly into chains #fan fiction #tom hiddleston #david tennant #chris evans #michael fassbender #benedict cumberbatch

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dammitadolfnomorecake · 3 years

Text

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid 190

190

Lance went at things like a bat out of hell. Keith standing back and letting his boyfriend do what he had to do... in the middle of the night, and so caught up in his pet project that Keith’s presence didn’t seem to register on Lance’s radar. Completely focused on his task, Keith stood “guard” over his boyfriend in the nursery doorway. The way his boyfriend worked told him he’d done it so many times that it came almost naturally now. Pride left a soft smile on his lips, while a damaged ego left a small pinch in the corners.

Listening to Matt grumble, the fellow werewolf clambered up the stairs with two cups of coffee in his hands. Keith giving him a nod, not moving to take any coming conversation out of the nursery. Lance probably hadn’t even heard Matt and Rieva grumbling about the late night sudden impulse to renovate. Passing his mug to him, Matt indicated to Lance with a jerk of his head

“Is he okay?”

“He’s getting there. Being able to do the wall’s made him pretty happy”

Matt rolled his eyes. A sleepy Matt was a cranky Matt

“Did it have to be in the middle of the night?”

“Let him be. He’s been stressed about not having the nursery done”

“I’m just saying...”

Matt could kindly not say. Yeah. He and Rieva had work in the morning, but Matt didn’t have to make a scene about it. It irked Keith that he’d come up with a coffee as if trying to bribe him to his side

“Then think of it as revenge for all the times we’ve heard you having sex”

Wrinkling his nose, Matt didn’t look please

“That’s playing dirty”

“He’s nearly done. When the panel goes in, I think all that’s left is waiting for the glue stuff to dry. I’ve got no idea. He’s so caught up in what he’s doing, I don’t think he’s noticed I’m here”

Lance had cut the hole for the replacement. Then inserted panels that backed onto the good gyprock, Keith guessing because only one side had the support of the wood behind it... but then again, it could just be an old man approach to fixing things... Or Lance liked it like that? He didn’t know... It was beyond him, then he’d gotten lost and gave up understanding in awe of watching Lance worked. The smile on Lance’s face hadn’t left from the moment he’d taken up his spirit level and carpet cutter

“He does seem pretty intense right now. I’m pretty sure that’s not how they fix things these days”

Keith shook his head. Lance had smeared something around the edges of the repair patch then sanded it down, making the most of the noise... other than the dropping of things on the floor

“Don’t look at me, I’ve got no clue”

“Should we ask?”

“Nope. Let him be. He’ll be done soon”

Matt seemed to take that as an invitation to stand and watch with him. Lance jumping at the sight of them, clutching at his chest as his starter shaking his head

“Don’t do that to me! How long have you been there?!”

Keith shrugged, trying not to admit it was funny to see how shocked Lance was to see them

“I’ve been watching since you pulled out the carpet cutter. Matt got here as you were sanding”

“I’m putting cowbells on your necks. I might be dead, but you don’t have to sneak around scaring the last dregs of life out of me”

Matt huffed

“It’s not my fault someone decided to remodel in the middle of the ni-...”

Stamping on Matt’s foot shut him up, Lance still looked shaken as he ran a hand through his hair

“Sorry. I didn’t think about that...”

“Matt’s just being a douche. It looks good. If it was painted, you’d never be able to tell what happened”

Instantly he was rewarded with a bright smile

“That’s the plan. I’m so glad it’s done. Now we can prime it and paint over in the morning, then get the furniture done”

Turning to Keith, Matt punched him in the arm, hard enough to make him growl at the fellow wolf

“What the fuck?!”

“That’s from Pidge. For not telling her you were in town. I just remembered”

That wasn’t his fault. She would have been as eager as Coran if the pair had been there together, and dealing with one mad scientist was bad enough

“She’s over here more than she’s at home”

“Still. I’m just passing along the message. Now you’re done, I’m going back to bed”

“Good. Go already”

Matt poked his tongue out him, but still took his coffee cup away as he left the pair of them alone. Waddling over to him, Lance draped his arms over Keith’s shoulders

“Soooo... does it pass?”

Kissing Lance, he didn’t know why his boyfriend had to ask

“It’s perfect. A bit like you”

“Flirting will get you everywhere... but right now, I need a shower”

“Is that right? You know, flirting could get me everywhere in the shower?”

Lance wrinkled his face as he laughed. His lover should have looked dorky, but he was too cute for that

“Calm down, Casanova. I’m tired and I’m sore... my hips feel like my legs are going to fall off”

Before Lance could blink, Keith had him up in his arms. Kind of startling the both of them. Bopping him on the nose, Lance sighed at him

“Give me some warning before you randomly come along and sweep me off my feet. I don’t need to suddenly go into labour from surprise”

“I think I’d like at least 14 days written warning ahead of time”

“And I think it doesn’t work like that”

Keith faked a laugh

“Drats. Oh well, I’ll just have to be there for the birth”

“I’ll neuter you myself if you even think about being anywhere other than in there holding my hand. As romantic as this is, the twins are squashing my bladder”

“Bathroom, got it. Then maybe a massage for my favourite boyfriend”

“Keith, babe, love of my life. You keep talking like that, and you’re going to get everywhere with me”

A naked Lance beneath his hands sounded like the perfect situation

“Mmm... I like the sound of that...”

“I knew you would. Now, let’s go. I might not have much pride left, but I’d rather not pee on you”

“Honestly, I don’t think I’d mind”

“Well I do. Let me have some semblance of pride, pretty please?”

Keith swallowed hard. His mind already hyper focused on what was coming after that shower, or more correctly, who

“Only because you asked me so nicely”

“Mmm. Perfect boyfriend is perfect”

Keith blushed at the praise, ego swelling rapidly. Lance was the perfect one. Those long caramel legs of his... shit... yeah, they definitely needed to make it to the bedroom sooner rather than later.

Lance guarded the nursery as if it contained life and death secrets. Hunk and Pidge had picked up the chair of them, and though being Lance’s very best friends, neither of them were allowed to see the nursery when they dropped the chair off. Lance had woken up before him, already painting by the time Keith had stumbled down to retrieve caffeine, then back up the stairs to tell Lance to come back to bed.

With how Lance worked, the nursery was done in a day. Cots made. Stuffed toys and shelves in place. Stars painted in all colours of the rainbow across the back wall, the only MDF shapes to have made the final cut. The shelves placed there had been snazzied up with stars of their own. To Keith everything in that room felt incredibly surreal and incredibly real at the same time. They were going to be parents. They we’re going to be parents soon. Lance didn’t have another 31 weeks to go. He had something like 9... and now the twins had their own room, decorated with so much love that it reminded him of how unloving his own childhood had been.

Nothing had been placed without Lance triple checking he was okay with the placement. Knowing Keith didn’t have the greatest skills in mixing and matching bedding, Lance still insisted on asking him how they both should be dressed. Everything was so impossibly small. Tiny onesies folded and now in the change table, that was still just as much of a game changer as when they’d purchased it. Keith had cried.

Standing in the nursery, the emotions hit him hard. Guided by Lance, he found himself the first to be “nursed” in Lance’s dream chair, as he sat between Lance’s legs, kind of awkwardly yet held safe in Lance’s arms. How he wished Mami was there. She would have loved this. All of it. She would be fussing over Lance, and scolding him for being bossy. She’d have told them all sorts of stories about Lance growing up.

“Babe, what are you thinking about?”

Massaging Keith’s scalp, Keith pushed against Lance’s fingers. Life was so unfair. Miriam should have been there

“Mami. I really wish she was here. She would have been really happy”

“She would have whipped our arses into shape, that’s for sure. Pulled out the pink slipper of hers and had our arses black and blue for how long things took. She also probably would have called us idiots”

She would have. She probably would have smuggled in something alcoholic and had one of those secret chats with him

“Yeah... I’m closer than ever to Krolia, yet... I feel like... if she was here, I’d want Mami to see this space first”

Lance sniffled, Keith raising his head

“I miss her too. I miss her so much. I’d never give her the curse, but sometimes I can’t help but want to wish I had, then I hate myself for it. I really miss her. I feel like part of me died along side her, but I know she wouldn’t want me to feel like that”

“She loved you, babe. She loved you so much”

“She loved you, too. You should have heard her in Cuba. Bragging to the whole family over you. I know you’re not okay with your werewolf side... I think she would have smacked you, told you you’re still you, then started pestering you with questions about our sex life now you’re as strong as I am”

Keith let out a kind of choked snort

“I can see that. Oh, can you image her and Krolia baby sitting. Krolia would be like “oops I dropped the baby”, and Mami would have been like “it’s okay, I dropped Lance plenty and he turned out okay”

Lance chuckled with a nod, before squeezing Keith with a hug

“Part of me’s scared by how true that it is. It feels good to have this room done. It feels even better to have done it with you”

“I’m sorry it took so long”

He’d made Lance wait and wait and wait. Now the room was put together, he couldn’t help but wish he could go back in time and have done it sooner. Lance looked almost younger, as if the stress he’d carried had been washed away completely. The exhaustion was clear, but now it was kind of a peaceful exhausting. His own ego felt beyond proud of the space. Proud that they’d done things together and made such a nice space for their twins to sleep and grow in. Smiling softly, Lance shook his head at his apology

“It’s alright. Now we can go see your dad and you can tell him all about the nursery. I know you don’t believe he’s looking down on us, but I know for sure that if he was here with us, he’d be so beyond proud of you, babe”

“I wish... I could see him again”

He had so much to ask. So many things he wanted to tell his father. There were many things he’d only started figuring out since starting to date Lance, and so many painful memories he finally felt strong enough to talk about. There were still so many things he hadn’t told Lance, yet Lance didn’t push him for every detail. He let him come to him. He let him choose his own words when he could, and still loved him when he couldn’t. For the rest of his life, he wanted to cherish his boyfriend, who’d someday be his husband for the rest of his life. All those people who’d let him down. Who’d hurt him. Who’d laughed at him and mocked him... They could go all fuck themselves sideways with their douche canoes, because he’d finally found the place he belonged.

#ashratherose #oncebittentwicestupid #once bitten twice stupid

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whaticannotshowyou · 3 years

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Okay since you're drunk why not something with your fave kinks? Vomit and thick sticky cum i think those are two if your faves? How about Aiden tricks Lambert, spends years making the pup fall in love with him and once he knows he has him he invites him to winter with the cat's Lambert is happy his boyfriend wants him to meet his family but in reality the cats have wanted to get their revenge on the wolves after being shunned for their practices and adorn being the most attractive of them was assigned the challenge to capture them a wolf. He brings Lambert to the caravan and they proceed to spend the next year gas lighting him, raping him, using him as a toy, torturing him until Lambert is broken, doing anything to get the approval he'd always craved and they enjoy choking him on their cocks, filling his stomach with cum until he's vomiting on the thick sticky seed, they enjoy making him vomit and rewarding him for it until it becomes his default reaction to vomit when seeing a cock or smelling cum

Those sure are two of my absolute favourites 😍 and with Lambert as well? Now this is a treat!

Lambert just falls heads over heels with Aiden and is ready to do anything for him, years upon years of the two travelling together and then searching for one another when drifted apart. He is absolutely glowing as Aiden invites him to meet his family, not even for a second time hinking back on the wolves’ scepticism towards his new ‘friend’. Once there, Lambert is offered a nice meal and he puts on the only charismatic side he has to make a good impression, much too anxious about them disliking him to even realise how tired he is becoming and just how heavy his limbs are. He doesn’t go fully under, still awake as the clowder starts tugging off his clothes and inspecting his body.

He makes a pleased sound as Aiden pets his hair back, pushing his cock against the man’s lips while telling him to suck. All he can think of is how much he adores his cat, barely realising that the rest of them are defiling his hole and dumping their soend inside of him one after the other as he drifts in and out of consciousness. The plan’s been in the making for years giving them plenty of time to prepare, stocking up on drugs strong enough to keep a witcher gone for a month straight and constantly giving him more and more to keep him pliant. He doesn’t even realise when he started accepting anyone but Aiden knowingly using him, but when he protests weakly the cat shuns him and ignnores him for days, leaving him tied up and used by the others until he apologises for not letting his family have him as well. All his attempts to get them to stop is met by gas lighting, all of them convincing him he’s the one begging for it and eventually he thinks so as well.

As they run out of drugs, Lambert is already broken in. He can’t go long without the attention of the cats’, leaning into their lies and starting to beg for it whenever he’s empty and thanking them eagerly when they finally let him have them. He grows addicted to them, always craving a cock inside of him and only feeling good enough for Aiden when he’a choking on their members and slurping their come down his throat. Perhaps it’s a cat-thing having incredibly thick and pungent come, Lambert coming back from his drugged state and not even questioning the texture, smell or thickness as he swallows it down like he’s a dying man. It doesn’t stop him from growing nauseated and queasy from it filling him up though, his belly bloated from the sheer amount and the witcher fighting to keep it down.

The first time he throws it all up, the cats can’t help but adore his weak sobs and pathetic retching, needing more of it. That makes them keep fucking his mouth rather than his arse, pumping ungodly amounts of seed into him and watching him burp and whimper as it threatens to come back up again. They want him properly broken and unable to control his own body, want to see a mighty wolf nothing but a little crying slut that loses all of that witcher control. They starts rewarding him for puking, fisting his cock and praising him each time he retches. He is only allowed to come himself as thick, smelly come rushes out of his throat, sticking to his lips in long, disgusting strands as he gasps for breath. It does the work, Lambert eventually hiccuping and his head spinning at each and every possibility of their affection, the sight of their cocks alone enough to have him dry heave so they can call him a good boy.

Maybe that’s all they have for a plan, breaking him beyond saving before Aiden brings him up to Kaer Morhen at the last possible moment before daring his way down himself. The clowder offers their regard as they present Lambert to his pack once again, his mind shattered as his family has to see what a whore they made him.

#yes im a biologist and yes a group of cats is called a clowder #use that as you please!#answer #nc #misc #if #et #mc

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darylandbethfanforever9 · 4 years

Text

Downfall Of Us All: Chapter 8

Downfall Of Us All

Chapter 8

AN: Thank you, to everyone who is enjoying the story and thank you to @jtargaryen18 for sending me positive thoughts.

Link to master list:

Warnings: Character death, mention of past sexual assault and PTSD.

They reached the kitchen without anyone catching them, but Grace swore she could hear the soundtrack for Swan Lake playing in the distance. Maybe it was just her imagination. Clint grabbed a pack of chocolate cookies, while Grace made the popcorn, and some salted caramel brownies. There was plenty of stuff left over, as they sneakily went to Clint's bedroom. Clint was amused to see Grace's cats were asleep on the lounge near his bed, with Lucky settled peacefully on the large dog bed. He turned on Netflix, and found a film called Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. He waited until Grace was comfortable and played the film, as they sat together in a comfortable silence while watching the film. Grace felt safe around Clint, he reminded her of a fierce hawk. She smiled, and offered him the plate of brownies, he took one and bit into it with a smile of thanks. They both watched the film, and were impressed so far.

Bucky found himself unable to sleep again, his nightmares were constantly waking him, and it made him hate what he was even more. He hated HYDRA, and he hated the KGB for turning him into the Winter Soldier. At least he wasn't that anymore, he preferred the name White Wolf that the Wakandan children had given him during his stay with the kind, gentle villagers. He heard music playing from the ballet studio, and curiously went to see what was going on. He was surprised to see it was Sophie, and she was dancing to Swan Lake, her movements graceful. It was reminding Bucky of Natasha, if he thought about it. "You're up late, doll." Bucky said quietly, Sophie jumped at hearing his voice, and turned around to face him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake up anyone. I just couldn't sleep, my mind's just a jumbled mess," Sophie explained shyly, she was wearing a grey tank top with a pair of black sweatpants. Her eyes strayed to Bucky, he was in a pair of black sweatpants and shirtless, his left metal arm glowing in the dim lighting. She could see the gold outlines on his left metal arm. He looked intimidating but at the same time gentle, she cautiously put a hand on his left arm feeling him shiver against her touch. He swallowed roughly, and turned his face away. "Monster," he said bitterly, Sophie shook her head and squeezed his metal hand gently. She didn't think he was a monster, he'd been used as a weapon by HYDRA and the Soviet Union. "I think you should be calling me that, James. I was born out of rape, a lot of people would think I'm a monster." Sophie said quietly, feeling heartbroken at how terrified her mother must have been as had their father had been. "You weren't given a choice Sophie, your father...I remember him vaguely. My memories are slowly coming back, I write them in my journals," Bucky explained quietly, and Sophie looked at him quietly. "So, they're memory books?" She asked stunned, a part of her felt terrible for how Bucky must feel having to have these horrific memories of his crimes. He was a victim, just like her parents and Grace had been. The thought of what Grace had been put through, horrified her when they heard Jarvis speak. "Shall, I turn off the music Miss Sophie?" The AI asked politely, Sophie nodded in agreement at his suggestion. "Yes please, Jarvis." She said softly and looked at Bucky who was fussing over Raymond who'd come to visit. The Bengal rescue cat purred loudly and allowed him to stroke his chin.

Bucky nodded. "Yeah, I started journaling not long after S.H.I.E.L.D. fell and I was a fugitive for a couple of years." Sophie stopped to consider that. "You must have been… I can't imagine what that was like for you. All of a sudden you were free in a world that was so different from the one you came from. Was there no one to help you? Anyone?" Bucky shrugged, continuing to pet Raymond. "I could have gone to Steve. I should have gone to Steve. I spent most of that time avoiding him and he was just trying to help me." "Did you remember him at all?" Sophie wondered. "I know you were close before all of that happened to you." "In bits and pieces, Sophie," he admitted. "What I read about him in the Smithsonian seemed like an encyclopaedia next to what I remembered about him then. He said he was my friend but… I didn't know who to trust." His gaze met hers, the sympathy in her expression made him pause. "That's why I want to help you and your sister, I guess. I have an idea of what it's like to be tossed away when you're no longer useful and have to try and survive in a place you're completely unprepared for." He handed her Raymond, glancing around the ballet studio. "I'm grateful that you and Grace are here. This might not be what you wanted but it's better than falling into HYDRA's hands." Wrapping her arms carefully around her cat, she nodded. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about all of this, Bucky. I'm used to making cakes, not kicking ass." He laughed at that. "You'll do better than you think," he told her. "You showed a lot of promise today." "Yeah." Rolling her eyes, she put Raymond down at her feet. "I appreciate you trying to make me feel like I was… getting somewhere with that." "You did great," he told her. "And you weren't acting at all?" she said with a challenge. He'd kind of guessed that she was proud. He was starting to realize that he'd only just scratched that surface. "I wasn't acting at all," he said seriously. Sophie seemed to consider that. "I guess it wasn't terrible then. Grace showed me up." "She took down Peter." He snorted. "He wouldn't have gotten up off that mat so fast if you'd been the one who nailed him." She nodded, seeming embarrassed by the praise. "We could match you up with someone else to spar if that would help," he offered. "If that would make you feel better." "No," she said quickly, her face darkening. "No, I'd rather work with you. I don't want easier to feed my ego. You give me something to work towards. If I ever get to a point where I can take you down, well, I'll have some sense of accomplishment." "You will, huh?" Sophie was flustered, and it was adorable. "Don't make fun of me," she said with a nervous laugh. "Wouldn't dare, doll," he said with all honesty. "There's a lot of things I can't do. I couldn't make a cake to save my life. Hell, I can barely heat canned and frozen stuff when I have to." Her laugh was a warm, beautiful sound. "I sure couldn't dance like that," he admitted. "You can't dance at all?" She quirked a brow at him. "I didn't say that," he explained. "Used to love going dancing before I went into the army. I'd stay out on the floor with the dames—ladies for hours. Used to drive Steve nuts when I'd set him up on a blind date and drag him along." "Show me," Sophie challenged him. "We're up anyway. Dance with me."

"You're on doll," Bucky said intrigued, and he gently held her by the waist as Jarvis began playing slow jazz music on the speakers. He effortlessly spun her around, and pulled her into his arms, as they began doing a very intimate dance. He distantly recalled dancing before the war, and Sophie smiled at him as he threw her over his shoulder in an effortless move. She laughed, and they continued to dance. He didn't feel like a monster and smiled as the music changed to swan lake. He watched impressed as Sophie pointed her toes and leaned against the bar up against the mirror. She smiled at him, and he pulled her into him as they did pas de deux, and he smiled when she did the spin with attitude. She was like one of those miniature ballet dancers in a music box, spinning around delicately. "I'll catch you, trust me," he said quietly, she nodded at him and did the split leap, landing gracefully in his arms as the soundtrack finished dramatically. Neither of them had noticed Steve, and Natasha watching them.

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"It's like watching a Soviet Union version of Swan Lake, you know?" Natasha said softly, as they both watched Bucky and Sophie perform ballet. Steve nodded in agreement, he couldn't help but admire Bucky's dance moves, which clearly had ballet incorporated into the choreography.

Sophie performed a split leap, which would make any gymnast jealous as the music began ending dramatically. She landed gracefully in Bucky's arms, and Steve smiled.

Bucky looked relaxed, and happy. He was happy that Sophie had been able to make him, smile.

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Clint woke up to see that Grace was fast asleep, and it was three AM in the morning. He vaguely remembered that after watching Mission Impossible, they'd brushed their teeth and put the food away. He quietly put the quilt around her, and she curled up into him even more, seeking his warmth. He stilled, but relaxed and laid down beside her. Laura hadn't liked him holding her too much, that should have signalled warning bells, but he'd been in love with her. He had genuinely thought she had loved him and look how that turned out. Last night, Grace had comforted him and confessed that she felt the exact same way as he did about her son. She knew his pain, and the terrible heartache it left. Unlike Grace, he had closure, but she didn't have that small comfort. She'd been left in an agonising limbo with her sister, ever since S.H.I.E.L.D had taken Zach away. Hopefully they would find him, he felt Grace trembling in the bedsheets and saw she was crying fearfully. "Please don't do this, just let me go home. I swear I won't tell anyone," she sobbed frightened.

"Grace?" He muttered, his voice rough from sleep. "Please don't," she began to cry in her sleep. "Don't touch me. Please. I just want to go home—" "Grace!" Clint had firmly grasped her upper arms and shook her enough to awaken her but not enough to make her terror worse. "Gracie, wake up." Her eyes flew open, rolling around wildly until she began to focus on him. Her palm smoothed up to his face, staring hard at him for a moment as if she didn't know him. "Grace, it's Clint. It's me. Breathe," he whispered. Tears ran over her cheeks. Christ, she looked so scared. "Clint?" She asked, sounding so small. "Yeah, it's me," he told her, keeping his voice calm. "You're safe. I've got you." Her eyes scanned the room frantically, she seemed to be remembering how she'd got there and why. "He's not here?" "No, honey, he's not. Just me. You're safe with me," he whispered. "Please breathe. You're scaring me." It reminded him of the nightmares Cooper used to have when he was small, worried about monsters killing his daddy. She sucked in air before a sob ripped from her chest, a low painful sound that broke his heart as he watched her crumble. "Come here," he whispered, pulling her to his chest and holding her close. "It's okay. I've got you. You're safe with me." "Oh my God, Clint," she managed between sobs and breaths. "He's… he's still out there." "Not for long," he swore. Brock Rumlow's days were numbered. Clint would personally guarantee that. "What if he… f-finds me?" Her voice sounded so broken. "One day," Clint told her, rubbing small circles on her back, "he will find us. You and me. And we'll finish him, Grace. We'll keep him from ever hurting anyone else. I promise." Her arms wrapped around him, held him tight. He felt her nod against his chest. "Yes… yes, we will. I want to be there, Clint," she said, sounding stronger. Pulling back, she stared up into his face, her eyes filled with shadows of the pain he felt. "I want to be there to see it." Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he pulled her into his chest and stretched out on his back. "You'll be there, Grace. You'll see it." Nodding, she rested her head on his chest, throwing one slim leg across his own as she sought comfort. Trusting him as her sobs faded and her breaths slowed down into the cadence of sleep. Clint, who had a hard time sleeping himself, just enjoyed holding her. Her sleep seemed peaceful now and he'd take that. She'd need her sleep for the days ahead. He wasn't just telling her nonsense to get her to go back to sleep. He'd meant every word he'd said. He didn't care if Rumlow found him or it was the other way around. The outcome would be the same. Rumlow was already dead.

Clint had never hated someone as much as he did about Rumlow, and Laura but he did hate them. He'd make Rumlow suffer for what he'd done to Grace, and all of his other victims. He held Grace close and leaned back against the pillows as Starling came over and sat by his feet. The black cat purring lightly, as he lulled Clint into a restful sleep.

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Jarvis woke up the team for their morning training session, causing a bleary-eyed Tony to stumble out of his bedroom. His dark brown hair was tousled, and his Metallica t-shirt looked like it was covered in motor oil. "Eat breakfast, then we'll be doing team training," Steve said amused, when he saw Bucky and Sophie coming together, Bucky had a peaceful expression on his face while Sophie looked more at ease than she had yesterday. "Who's turn is it to cook?" Natasha asked curiously, the team had come up with a weekly rota, so each team member could cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. "Mine, Sam cooked yesterday." Bucky answered, as he began getting the ingredients out for Belgian waffles, pancakes and beef sausages. "Are we doing the training, and then eating?" Sophie asked tentatively, she didn't know how this worked out but was curious about how the team did it. "We'll be eating breakfast, and then doing training, shortly. We want you to build muscle, not waste away." Natasha explained patiently, and Sophie smiled in understanding. "Mr Stark, there are two police officers wishing to speak with you," Jarvis announced, Tony frowned but nodded at the AI. "Let them in, Jarvis." He said wearily, and they heard a car driving into the car park before seeing on the security camera two non-uniformed police officers entering. "Mr Stark, I'm Lieutenant Olivia Benson and this is my partner, Detective Amanda Rollins. I'm afraid, something has happened to Happy Hogan." The woman said gently. The room became quiet, everyone looked worried and Tony had paled considerably. "Is Happy alright? Where is he?" Tony asked worriedly, he cared a lot about Happy and the man had always supported him. "I'm so sorry Mr Stark, but Happy Hogan was found murdered this morning outside Stark Industries. Do you know where we can find Virginia Potts? She was the last person who Happy spoke to." Olivia explained sympathetically, her hazel eyes meeting his. Tony opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Happy was dead......someone had murdered his close friend, and he felt sick to his stomach. The others looked at him worriedly, wanting to say something to try and console him. "I haven't spoken to Pepper since yesterday morning, she wants a divorce and I'm signing the papers today," Tony said quietly, feeling distraught. Who would want to kill Happy?

"Are you… are you sure it's him? Has the body been identified?" Tony tried, praying with everything he had that this was a mistake, that he and Happy could laugh it off later.

"You can help us with that, positive identification," Detective Rollins told him. "If you'd come with us."

Natasha gently embraced Tony from behind. "Maybe this is a mistake," she whispered.

Tony felt fragile at the moment like Nat was holding him up.

"Stay here and manage things," Tony told her. "I won't be long."

To Steve he nodded. "Take care of things, Cap."

Steve's face mirrored the sadness that was crushing him from the inside. Steve clamped a hand on his shoulder.

"Whatever you need," Steve told him.

Tony saw Bucky and the one spider girl, read their concern. Since when did people feel sorry for him? Pity him?

At least he had his shoes on as he trudged after the two policewomen and headed out of the front of the compound. The detective – her name was Amanda, right? – turned back to him as she motioned to their unmarked sedan.

"Would you like to bring someone with you, Mr. Stark?" she offered.

Tony felt lost, realizing everyone was back up in the kitchen. Glancing up and down the sidewalk, he saw one small woman coming up the walk, lugging a bag as big as she was. Her dark brown hair had gold highlights in the sun and it looked like she'd spent some time styling it. Her blouse and skirt looked professional, the heels he could tell she wasn't used to walking in were scuffed already and there was a huge runner in her stockings as she carried the bag up to the sidewalk.

Deliberately he came to a stop in front of her. "Who are you?"

Her mouth dropped open when she glanced up at him, her grey eyes wide. "Lillia Dumitrescu."

"Do you work here?"

The young woman nodded. "It's my first day."

She was adorable, and she would do.

"You work for me?"

"Yes, Mr. Stark."

"Okay, we're going to the police station," he told her before opening the back door and ushering her in the back of the car, huge bag and all. "Get in."

Once they were settled, she sat demurely in the back with her hands folded in her lap. "Am I in trouble, Mr. Stark?"

Tony shook his head. "I just need someone to come with me to the police station."

"Okay."

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#Hawkeye Fanfiction #Ronin Fanfiction #Clint Barton Fanfiction #Clint Barton x OC #Winter Soldier Fanfiction #Bucky Barnes x OC

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malecsecretsanta · 5 years

Text

Merry Christmas, @raewrites98!

Merry Christmas! I hope you will enjoy this little something I wrote for you. I poured my heart into it. And also, because it is Malec, this is a gift that will keep on giving. I was at roughly 8,000 words when I realized the limit was 5,000 so I had to edit it. But, after Boxing Day, it will be uploaded to my AO3 and I will of course link you. What you are reading as part of your gift is about one half of what I have written (don't worry, it makes sense as it is and was stopped where I originally wanted to but Malec wouldn't stop being adorable!)

If I were on A03 these would be some of the tags: #Human AU #SingleDad AU #Christmas cheer all around #One Meet Cute #Two Meet Cutes #Three Meet Cutes #Baby #DOG #fluff fluff fluff

Read on AO3

*****

The Dog, the Toddler, and their Parents.

There's nothing better to become acquainted with a new city than going on runs to explore and Magnus has been doing just that for a couple of months. From regular parks to dog parks to running along the river or on the beach. From quiet greens to chasing squirrels -not him, his dog- to catching his breath while walking back to his apartment. Perfect to find quaint coffee shops and to wander the streets. One hand buried in the thick fur of the massive Newfoundland dog treading by his side, loyal, his tongue hanging out. Tail wagging whenever people coo because he's adorable.

It's a hot summer morning and Magnus has it in mind to get some iced coffee before going home. He deserves it. The bell jingles as he opens the door of the coffee shop, Buddy on his heels. Just before his eyes catch the No dogs allowed sign and he scowls, takes a step back, already cursing under his breath. Cursing even more when his back hits something sturdy. Yet warm.

He turns around to meet all 6 feet or perhaps even more of a very fitted, very smartly-dressed frame. Complete with a clean shaved face and fluffy hair and thick eyelashes. And dark eyes snapping from a phone to Magnus' studying gaze.

“Sorry,” the man mumbles, oblivious and he pockets his phone, lets Magnus step out. “Nice dog.”

“Thanks. He's not allowed inside, though.”

“I know. Most stupid rule.” He lets Buddy sniff his hand before the dog decides the stranger is friendly and lets him pet his head. “He's the most gorgeous thing.”

Magnus nods, well aware that his dog is a crowd-pleaser. Still very much thirsty.

“I better get going. Find a place where he's welcome and I can buy a drink.”

“I'll get it for you,” the stranger offers matter-of-factly, smiling at the dog then up at Magnus. Broad smile of white teeth and Magnus believes his swooning and racing heartbeat are largely due to the bright sunshine. Yes.

“You would?”

“Sure. It's not like it'll make me late. I'm already here.”

He shrugs and Magnus fishes change in his pocket, gives his order and watches from the street as the tall, handsome stranger waits in line for their drinks.

Buddy's head rests on his lap and he's drooling on Magnus' sweatpants when the bell jingles again and a much appreciated iced coffee appears on the small wooden table.

“You're an angel,” Magnus praises and maybe it's the sun, maybe it's not, but the man's cheeks turn a shade pinker.

“I gotta go now. Have a good one!” He balances his bag, his own coffee and strides down the street, his pace slowing just a tiny bit when Magnus shouts back.

“Maybe we'll see each other around! Wasn't he a work of art?” he asks more quietly to the dog, scratching his head and Buddy licks his hand. “Yes, I thought so, too.”

Magnus knows how to recognize art when he sees it, it is his job after all. The new art gallery is small but it fits the funky, free-spirited college district and it's not like he could refuse when Ragnor asked him to temporary come help while he was in Europe. Besides, Magnus enjoys it. The calm and people smiling. Not like a small town where everybody knows everyone yet not as hectic as New York.

He adores the architecture and taking Buddy on long walks in the historical neighborhood to look at the colonial houses, red bricks and adorable front yards. Students milling around the steep streets. Students coming to check out the new art on display.

Not the same crowd as the one they're expecting for the unveiling of a new series of photographs. A European artist Ragnor has found in Sweden that he simply adores. Magnus has to agree while he puts the final touches to the frames and the black bowties and the flowing gowns enjoying their evening in the building on this particular evening seem to agree.

Isabelle is almost set on buying a particularly gorgeous photograph portraying a frozen lake and a family of ducks waddling in the snow. It's captivating and radiates peace and it will be perfect in her practice.

She links her arm with Alec's, eager to hear what he thinks.

“You'd buy all of them if you could,” he teases and it's so true she can't argue with it. She could, though, buy them all. Except then she'd run out of room.

She reaches for another glass of champagne, offers one to Alec and her eyes sparkle.

“Aren't you glad you came tonight? This is so much fun!”

“I was going to have fun at home, too.”

“But not with your favorite sister!”

He can't help smiling down at her, at how she's not so subtly hinting at perfect Christmas presents even though it's only August. It's nice to mingle and to be out among adults outside of work, Izzy's right. And he's also mesmerized by the composition of some pictures. Art is beautiful and Clary will have to come check out the exhibition next time she's in town.

He snaps a picture to send to her later. He checks his texts to be reassured that everything is well at home and when he finds his sister again, she's in deep conversation with a somewhat familiar face. As he comes closer, Alec recognizes the hair from the red hightlights in it. It's more stylish than the last time they've met and the loose tank top has been replaced by a shirt with an intricate pattern and a velvet jacket but it's still the same handsome face, with less sweat and more make-up than that morning a few days ago.

Magnus' sentence trails off, unfinished when Alec stops by Izzy's side. He smiles, surprised.

“I did tell you we'd see each other again!”

“You did,” Alec laughs and shakes the extended hand. “Alec Lightwood.”

“Magnus Bane. I'm filling in for Ragnor Fell.”

“Do you know each other?” Izzy asks, confused. Intrigued. No longer interested in what Magnus was telling her about the artist's background.

“Your boyfriend was of very valuable help to me a couple of days ago.”

Izzy makes a face.

“My brother, thank you very much.”

“A real life saver, your brother,” Magnus grins and Alec shakes his head, finishes his champagne. It's warm in the room, people chatting all around.

“Magnus here has the most beautiful dog I have ever seen.”

“You do?”

“I like to think so, yes,” he beams.

“What is it?”

He shows her pictures of the Newfoundland on his phone and Izzy has truly forgotten about the art, gushing at the screen.

“Izzy's a vet,” Alec supplies.

“If you ever need something for...”

“Buddy.”

“...for Buddy, I'll be happy to assist.”

“I'll keep it in mind, thank you. No wonder you were interested in Winter Family, then.”

Satisfied that he has sidetracked his sister from growing too invested in Magnus as a person or to start poking at the fact that he obviously finds him to his liking, Alec relaxes and listens to their excited conversation. All the terms Magnus uses as he describes the photographs, the rhythm of his voice and the singing words. A very nice melody indeed.

Until his phone buzzes with Aline's number and he has to pick up.

“Sorry, home,” he apologizes to Izzy.

She waves him off and Magnus is distracted for a moment, watching Alec stop in an empty corner, phone at his ear, a worried look in his eyes.

“Is everything all right?” he can't help asking but Izzy doesn't look troubled.

“I'm sure everything's splendid. He's too tense sometimes. Family and all. But he's great fun when he lets his hair down!”

“I'm sure,” Magnus chuckles at the cheery tone and the not-so-innocent, pointed look she gives him.

Nonetheless, Alec doesn't re-appear for the rest of the evening and Izzy eventually excuses herself to join her brother. After she's made an appointment with Magnus to further discuss potential acquisitions.

Large dogs have plenty of energy to spend and Magnus is grateful for it because it means he goes outside a lot. He doesn't know many people in town yet, doesn't have many friends around. The most social he gets is thanks to Buddy. Running for miles in late September when it's still nice weather. Playing fetch, terrifying geese.

Flushed cheeks and short of breath, but loving the fall and crisp leaves and calling after the dog who's been distracted by a father and toddler on his way from bringing his ball back.

The dog is massive, beyond excited and the little boy is giggling to no end, trying to fend off the wet tongue attempting to lick his face clean.

“Buddy, here! I'm so sorry!” Magnus apologizes profusely, jogging to the blanket just as the man stands up, scooping the child in his arms. “Oh, it's you,” he says flatly when he recognizes Alec.

“Does this mean you're not sorry anymore?” Alec jokes, the dog pushing against his leg in the hope of being petted.

“I am. I truly am. He adores people.”

“We like dogs, too. But we already had a bath this morning, didn't we?”

The little boy squeals, reaches his tiny hands down to touch the big dog. Magnus grabs Buddy by the collar and yanks him back. The dog whines.

“Hello,” he says when the dog has settled down.

Alec gives a laugh. “Hi.”

“Having yourself a picnic, uh?” Magnus surveys the cozy blanket spread on the grass, the backpack with toys and the half finished sandwich that none of the men has time to save before Buddy wolfs it down. Magnus is mortified. He wants to crawl into a hole with his silly dog and disappear forever.

Alec finds his crestfallen face adorable and actually cute but he doesn't say it. He wouldn't want to further embarrass him.

“Bad dog! I am so sorry. Really. I'll buy you another one.”

Magnus spins on his heels looking for a food cart, or anything to save the day. The dog licks his chops, the toddler giggles as Alec bounces him in his arms.

“It's fine, really. I was done.”

“Coffee at least.” This is so embarassing and Magnus needs to repay Alec for that very first iced coffee anyway now that he knows he hadn't given him enough to cover the cost and that the then handsome stranger had paid the difference without telling him.

“Perhaps another time,” Alec declines politely. “Sundays are Max days. I don't see enough of him during the week.”

He makes a silly face at his son, kisses his giggling cheek and Magnus feels like he's intruding. It's the most precious thing he's ever witnessed though. Alec attacking his son with kisses and the boy leaning away from the stubble while still laughing to the point of hicupping. It's so cute it makes his heart swell.

“Have a good Sunday, then,” Magnus starts heading off and Alec's head snaps back in his direction.

“You too!”

“And if I see you again,” which he hopes he will, “you're not getting out of this coffee deal!”

“It's a date!” Alec shouts back, the words out before he can think, the hair on the nape of his neck standing with a shiver. Magnus gives him a thumbs up and a dazzling smile.

Alec doesn't bump into Magnus again. Not for weeks. It's getting darker and colder and the State Capitol is insane, work is overwhelming and socializing is out of the question. There's Halloween and that's it. Max in the evenings and the weekends, cuddling on the couch and playing. It's exhausting and Alec hasn't had a restful night of sleep since his son was born. He can't even remember what it feels like. When Max is sleeping he has to catch up with work and when Max is awake, he demands his father's entire attention.

Cries and screams and nightmares and tears and first steps and a baby crawling everywhere. Working out is overrated when all the exercise you need can happen at home. Besides, Max is clingy because he doesn't see his dad enough during the day and his tiny fist clutches Alec's collar as he attempts to have a normal phone conversation with his mother. Pacing the room.

“What the hell,” he exclaims suddenly, stopping dead. Max's babbles go on.

“You better not be swearing around my grandson.”

“He didn't hear it,” Alec lies. “Listen, mom, I gotta go.”

“Did he pee on you again?”

“That happened once, more than a year ago. Will you ever let it go?”

“Nope!” Maryse laughs in the phone and Alec rolls his eyes, says his goodbyes and hangs up.

He narrows his eyes at the suspicious shape on the wooden deck. It's black, hard to discern in the night outside but as he comes closer to the French doors, two bright eyes stare at him all of a sudden and a large tail starts wagging.

“What the hell,” he repeats, puzzled.

“Hell, Dada? Dada, hell?”

“Yes, no. We don't say that. Bad Dada.”

“Bad Dada. Oooh.”

Max's eyes grow as wide as the dog's when Alec opens the door and their unexpected guest quickly dashes inside. He clasps his hands gleefully and the dog barks, running in circles around Alec who is desperately trying to remember his name.

He knows whose dog it is, would recognize it anywhere. That size and that licking tongue. The dog looks thirsty.

“Easy there, buddy.” Buddy? That's his name, Alec thinks. “Buddy?” he tries and the dog's ears stand at attention. “Are you lost?” There's no collar on the dog.

“Dada! Dada! Dada!”

Max is wriggling in his father's arms, desperate to be close to the dog, delighted with the surprise and that's how Alec ends up sitting on the carpet, googling the art gallery to find Magnus' number while keeping a close eye on his son playing with the dog.

“Hello?” Thankfully, Magnus picks up quickly.

“Magnus? Bane? It's Alec. Lightwood? We met a couple of times? I bought your coffee and your dog ate my sandwich?”

As if Magnus wouldn't remember who Alec Ligthwood is. He'd be intrigued as to why he's calling now except he has more pressing matters at hand.

“I know who you are, yes.”

“I'm calling because I happen to have a new lodger who I think belongs to you.”

“What?”

“Your dog? I think your dog escaped and...”

“He did! Two days ago! Ran off during our run. Do you have him?”

Magnus almost strangles himself with his scarf in his haste to leave the art gallery.

“I think? He answered to his name.”

“Hold on. I'll Facetime you.”

He hangs up abruptly, manages to grab his cell phone with shaking hands and has to dial Alec's number twice before he gets it right.

“Show me,” he demands once Alec picks up again and his face appears on the screen.

Alec would scowl but he can understand Magnus' anguish at having lost his pet. So he directs the phone towards the dog intently observing the baby humming while he's stacking colourful cubes.

And just like that, Magnus can breathe again. The last couple of days have been hell and he's never going for runs in the forest ever again. He hasn't slept since he's lost Buddy.

“That's him! Can you...can I...your address...I'll...”

“I'll text you my address.”

“Thank you!” Magnus literally shouts at the screen before he hangs up and Alec has to smile tenderly at the phone.

The dog has been well-fed with leftover chicken and Max has adopted him by the time there's a knock on the front door.

“It's open!” Alec yells out and the dog scrambles on the hardwood floor as soon as he recognizes his owner.

There's a lot of barking ensuing, which leaves Max confused as to why his new friend doesn't want to play anymore. He cries out and Alec picks him up while Magnus calms the dog down. He's still shaking, not quite believing that his dog has been found. Buddy needs a bath and a bit of spoiling (or a lot). There are actual tears of relief in his eyes and that makes Alec a little emotional as well.

“Thank you so much,” Magnus' voice trembles a little. He's crouching to hug the dog, his face half buried in the fur. Yes, definitely a long bath.

“No problem.”

“I owe you more than that coffee now.”

“You remember?”

“I always remember the persons I owe a date to,” Magnus scoffs. “”Especially when they're as kind and handsome as you are.”

Alec scratches the back of his neck, smiling at the flirting.

“What do you say to coffee and dinner? To thank you?”

“You don't have to.”

“I want to.”

“And I never say no to food,” Alec admits, shameless.

Magnus clasps his hands, heart racing.

“Perfect!”

“Do you want a drink or something? After your emotions?”

The front door is still wide open but the dog is lying down by Magnus' legs, head resting on his front paws, calm and content. Magnus looks at the baby, his eyes survey the living room quickly.

“I wouldn't want to intrude on your family.”

Alec gives him a quizzical look as he walks by to close the front door. He gestures to the coat stand and Magnus sheds his jacket off.

“You're flirting with me, asking me out and yet you assume there's more to my family than Max.”

“I was just checking,” Magnus winks as he follows to the kitchen, taking in his surroundings. The messy living room, toys everywhere. The table which apparently doubles as an office desk. Pictures upon pictures on the white walls. Variations of Alec with different versions of Max. Them with his sister. Maybe a brother. His parents. “Now I know there's nobody else.”

“Well...,” Alec looks pointedly down at his son.

“Right. Sure. No husband or wife or girlfriend, I mean.”

“Definitely none of those.”

“Here, I'll take him,” Magnus offers when he sees Alec struggling to juggle his son and the two mugs for coffee. Max goes willingly in the foreign arms, instantly drawn to the shiny ear cuff. Magnus snags the little fingers away. “How old is he?”

“16 months old. He's a handful.”

“Looks like it.” Magnus winces when Max tugs on the chain around his neck, fascinated by the shimmers it makes in the artificial light.

“Dada!” Max complains when he's yanked away from the jewelry so he doesn't harm their guest. He forgets all about it once he gets to toddle towards the dog to hug him.

“He's going to make a scene when you leave,” Alec realizes.

“When Buddy leaves, you mean.”

“Right.” Alec isn't looking forward to it.

Magnus sighs with contentment at the first sip of warm coffee on his tongue, estactic at how the day has turned. He doesn't need all the flyers he was going to put up in town anymore.

“This is excellent coffee. I'll have to up my game for when I take you out.”

Alec smiles in his mug, steam in front of his eyes, stomach in actual knots. Close to blushing like a teenager. He hasn't flirted with anyone since Max was born. There's no time for it.

“I haven't been on a date in years,” he admits, shrugging. “We could go to a fast food restaurant and I'd be okay with it.”

Magnus looks appaled, shocked and he sets his mug down with a thud, processing the information.

“That would simply be scandalous, Alexander.”

“Alec.”

Magnus dismisses it with a wave of his hand.

“I will take you out for a night you won't ever forget.”

Alec really can't stop smiling, actually looking forward to it. Having Magnus in his house already feels nice. Comfortable. And Max doesn't mind him. One date might also stop Izzy from pestering him with hints about how dashing and fantastic and single the new manager of the art gallery is.

When Alec comes out of his meeting the next Monday, there are five texts waiting for him on his personal phone. Two from the same number.

Hi. It's Magnus.

My dog ate your sandwich?

Alec chuckles, heart thudding and headache disappearing.

I remember yes, he types, sitting down at his desk, trying to ignore the stack of memos demanding his immediate attention.

Would you be able to find a babysitter for this Saturday evening?

Magnus is so thoughtful already that Alec is suddenly very much aware that he'll do anything to clear this specific night.

Can you watch Max on Saturday night? He texts Izzy and also Jace, and Lydia. First one to reply will call dibs. He doesn't wait before texting Magnus back.

Absolutely. I've been craving coffee and dinner.

And a little something extra.

I'm intrigued.

Good. Dress smartly.

When don't I? Alec types then never sends because his phone buzzes with a call from his sister and he gets caught in a drilling inquisition about him having a date and how of course she volunteers to babysit her nephew and who is he going out with? She screeches in the phone when Alec eventually admits it's Magnus and her squeals of joy might actually reflect how Alec is feeling on the inside, looking forward to the weekend.

So of course the week drags on and Max makes a fuss as soon as he realizes his aunt is here but his dad is leaving and it breaks Alec's heart to have to sneak out while his son is bawling. He's only reassured when Izzy texts to say that Max settled down in a matter of minutes.

Magnus is already waiting in front of the restaurant, looking flamboyant and as attractive as ever. Alec is simply mesmerized, forgetting his words.

“You look...wow,” he manages to stutter and Magnus chuckles. He takes a step forward, feeling silly for wanting to reach out and shake Alec's hand yet not knowing how to greet him.

“You don't look so bad yourself.” He brushes an invisible thread off Alec's coat. Alec feels so stupidly brainless, unable to reply. A mess. He's been out of the game for so long. “Shall we?” Magnus offers and Alec follows him inside the brightly lit restaurant. He nods to several persons, greets a few.

“You're well-known,” Magnus can't help but remark. Their table is at the front and Alec sits so he doesn't have to face the other patrons.

“My family's lived here for generations. And I work for the Governor so yeah. You'll probably be fresh news by morning. I should have mentioned that earlier,” he realizes, eyeing Magnus carefully.

“That's okay. Only jealous people gossip. Are you telling me I'm dating the elite in town, though?” Magnus teases, eyes twinkling and Alec laughs out loud.

“We're scandalous all right.”

“Oh. Do tell me more.” Magnus bats his eyelashes on top of his menu and the gesture alone makes Alec enamoured.

“Well, talking just for myself, I'm gay, living by myself and I have an adopted black child. Is that scandalous enough?”

“Ah. You mean scandalous for old folks. Because I have personally always wanted to date a gay politician with an adopted black son. So you're my perfect match, Alexander.”

“A...,” but Alec stops himself from correcting him. Magnus sounds happy and not put-off, not that Alec thought he would be. And dinner is a blast. Up until Magnus stands up after the main course and Alec looks at him, puzzled. They're not having dessert?

“We're coming back later for your coffee.” And dessert, Alec must be thinking so loudly that Magnus corrects himself. “And chocolate lava cake. For now, we're going over there.”

He points to the other side of the street, to the theatre and Alec looks at him, awestruck this time.

“Is that your little extra?”

“It is.”

“I haven't been to a play in ages!”

“So good call?”

“Excellent!”

“Is it okay with your babysitter?” Magnus suddenly worries. He doesn't know what time Alec told them.

“It's Izzy. She'll crash in the guest room if she needs to. Thank you! What are we seeing?”

He distractedly listens to Magnus, feeling blessed with the best date ever. Magnus really delivered. They don't have fantastic seats inside but it truly doesn't matter.

“Thank you,” Alec repeats, more calmly once they're seated and Magnus has been studying the program. Alec doesn't know how to properly thank him. Well, he does but words feel flat and it is only a first date but then he really wants to and he does overthink things and just as the lights deem, Magnus finally speak up.

“You can kiss me if you want.”

Because Alec has been staring at him for a few minutes. So intently that Magnus could feel the gaze burning his skin and Alec was torturing himself so loudly he was literally screaming his thoughts at Magnus.

There's a smile tugging at Magnus' lips when he turns towards Alec and then soft, smooth, warm lips land on his cheek and Alec whispers another quick thank you as the curtain opens and people clap.

Magnus leans over, not letting Alec settle back in his seat. He kisses him again. Properly. On the mouth. Fast because there's no time but Alec is grinning throughout the entire show, Magnus' hand clasped in his after only a few scenes. Sweaty palms but tender fingers and this beats teenage movie dates.

“Tonight was amazing,” Alec professes as they're waiting for cabs after the play. After dessert. After coffee.

Magnus smiles at their locked hands and how Alec is standing so close to him, visibly eager to kiss again, which Magnus gladly obliges to because kissing Alec is as great as he'd imagined, even if it's just a peck on the lips.

“I'll never forget it.”

“Mission accomplished,” Magnus prides himself, beaming. His eyes smile.

Alec is aware of what he should say next, of what he has to say but he's conflicted between ruining everything now or letting Magnus have tonight.

“Magnus, I...you should know that I don't...really have time...with Max and all. To...date,” he decides to go with honesty.

“I'd say you're doing great.”

“That was just one night. What if in the future...”

“Oh. Because there will be future dates?” Magnus teases and Alec looks down at their hands, up at Magnus' face.

“I thought...I mean, it was...”

“I'll tell you what. What if we try not to worry about what could or could not happen? I already know about Max. I don't mind. I'm so admirative of you for being a single dad. Let's take it one date at a time, okay?”

“Okay,” Alec exhales and Magnus grabs the lapels of his coat, foggy breath washing over his face.

“Next one is on you, by the way.”

Alec nods, chuckling and he hasn't been kissed goodbye like this in forever. It's the best feeling. To part but to know they'll see each other soon.

He's positively glowing when he comes back home, thanking his lucky star that Izzy has fallen asleep in front of the TV so he can escape her interrogation until the morning. He wants to keep the memories to himself for a few more hours.

Alec felt boring for suggesting movies for their second date but Magnus sounded delighted to just be able to spend time together. Which is precisely why Alec hated having to cancel on the very day. But he didn't feel comfortable leaving a sick Max at home. Magnus did say he wouldn't mind the implications of dating someone with a toddler.

Friday night in in sweatpants, then. Until there's an unexpected knock on the front door and Alec looks stunned to find Magnus on the other side.

“Hi!”

“What are you doing here?”

“I thought, since we couldn't go to the cinema, the cinema might as well come to you. You have Netflix, right?”

“Yes...”

“Great! I have pizza and beer and wine because I wasn't sure which one you'd prefer.”

“Wow,” is all Alec can say. Magnus is still standing outside on the porch.

“Too much?” Magnus worries all of a sudden, and he takes an actual step back, bracing himself for rejection.

“What? No. No! Absolutely not. I didn't...I wasn't...This is nice. You're nice.”

“Why, thank you. May I come in?”

“Yes. Sorry.”

Alec motions him inside, relieves him of the warm pizza boxes, his stomach growling at the smells.

“Hi, “Alec eventually says, realizing he hasn't said it yet.

“Hi,” Magnus says back and then they're kissing again and Alec decides that's all he wants to do for the rest of the evening. Kiss Magnus. In between pizza slices and sips of beer. In the kitchen and on the couch. Cuddling by themselves or when Alec has to soothe a fussing Max who ends up dozing on the couch with them.

“I promise he won't crash our next date,” Alec whispers while he's heating up a bottle.

Magnus is rocking Max gently, the toddler's head lolling on his shoulder, a small hand weakly clutching his arm.

“Don't make promises you might not be able to keep.”

“True.”

“I don't mind him, though. It's not like he can help it, the poor thing.”

It makes Alec hopeful to see Magnus with Max. That maybe he can have both. That Magnus won't be jealous. Alec wouldn't be able to handle it. He couldn't. That's a worry for later he supposes but it's so important for him. Because Max is his future and he needs to do everything to protect him.

“Okay. Ready.”

“Hey, Max. Daddy's got you something to drink,” Magnus says gently, nudging the little boy who makes to grab the bottle.

He ends up drinking it snuggled against his father's chest on the couch. The movie is still on but Alec has no clue what it's actually about.

“Hey, Magnus?”

“Yes?”

“When is Ragnor coming back?” He's aware he might ruin the night, even everything, but it will ruin any chance they have if he doesn't have an answer to those questions soon.

Magnus smiles faintly, understanding very well what Alec is actually asking.

“Early spring, he thinks. I may actually settle here and partner with him long term. Regardless of how my personal life evolves. I like it here.”

“Oh.”

“Good answer?” He throws his head back and it lands on Alec's spread arm on the back of the couch. Alec is staring at him, not blinking and then his shoulders relax noticeably.

“Yes. I'm sorry. I know we said we wouldn't worry about later and...is this a date?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. This is only our second date and God knows what might happen but...”

“But Max. I understand, Alec.”

“No Alexander?”

“I thought you didn't like Alexander.”

Magnus shuffles closer on the couch. Their shoulders touch. Alec's arm wraps around Magnus' shoulder and his hand gives a tentative squeeze.

“I like it when it's you,” Alec admits.

“I understand, Alexander,” Magnus corrects. He kisses Alec above Max's head. “He's your top priority and I respect that.”

Max burps then, decides he's done with his milk and throws the bottle on the carpet.

“Perfectly dignified. Thank you very much. Time for bed, mister.”

By the time Alec comes back downstairs, Magnus has cleaned the mess, paused the movie and Alec only has to come cuddle with him under the blanket. Cozy and homey and Magnus' arms are strong and Alec is sure he gives the human equivalent of a purr.

He wakes up in the same position, daylight in his face, groggy. To Max babbling on the baby phone and to no more Magnus. His phone flashes with a text sent around midnight that he checks as he jogs up the stairs.

You looked like you needed rest so I didn't wake you up. Thank you for tonight.

You could have stayed. You should have stayed, Alec adds, unapologetic. He likes Magnus and Magnus likes him.

Magnus replies almost at once, with a happy emoji and Buddy would have made a mess.

Alec would facepalm if he wasn't currently holding his son. Looking no longer as sick as the previous days.

Do you want to come for breakfast? You can bring him.

Are you sure?

Yep. Unless you have work?

Dot will open. What are we having?

I cook a mean omelette.

You cook? I'll be there in five!

Alec laughs at his phone, kisses his son's nose. Max giggles.

“Magnus is coming back. You remember Magnus from last night? He's Dada's boyfriend now so you'll likely see him a lot. He has that big fluffly dog you like. You get to play with the dog today. Isn't that fantastic? Big, big dog.”

“Woof?” Max answers because he knows his animals. He has a book with all the sounds.

“Yes. Woof is coming.”

Max is playing more than eating with his fruit when their guests arrive, Buddy sniffing around, ready to catch any food available. Max squeals so loudly his father winces. Magnus leans over the counter to see what Alec is doing. Sweat shines on his forehead despite the cold.

“Did you jog all the way here?”

“I was already running when you texted. And I figured you'd already seen me without make-up so it wouldn't scare you.”

Alec barks out a dry laugh.

“I like your face no matter what,” he mutters and Magnus is smirking at him when he looks up from his frying pan. “Although I liked your... last night,” Alec points roughly at Magnus' face, making a vague gesture, “...brought out your eyes.”

Magnus rounds the counter to come lean by Alec's side, elbows resting on the cold marble. He watches in comfortable silence, the oil sizzling and how effortless it is for Alec to cook. It's domestic and feels natural, nothing awkward about it. No one would believe they've only been dating for a week. Magnus shakes his head. This is crazy. Better not think about it. Better to think about how secretly thrilled he was that Alec invited him again so soon.

He sighs and Alec looks away from his preparation.

“What is it?”

“Thank you,” Magnus simply says, standing up straight to kiss him.

“By the way, I told Max you were my boyfriend,” Alec mention matter-of-factly, cheeks heating up nonetheless.

“Did you now? Does he approve?”

The little boy keeps throwing pieces of brioche on the floor for the dog to eat and Buddy has perfetly understood what the game is about. Alec points at the scene and Magnus glances over his shoulder.

“He approves of the dog,” Alec says, “so I suppose that's a yes?”

“Good for me.”

Alec hums in agreement, Magnus' warming palms resting on his chest, sliding up to his shoulders and he forgets about breakfast for a short while.

“I think being your boyfriend sounds terrific,” Magnus decides against Alec's lips, hot hand on his hips as they share a smiling kiss.

#raewrites98 #malecsanta18 #*fics18 #*gifts18

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lilyvandersteen · 6 years

Text

Puppy Eyes Chapter 18

Nope, no smut yet, sorry, only more schmoop and fluff...

Thank you so much to everyone who sends me feedback - you’re wonderful and you spur me on to keep writing :-)

This story is also on AO3 and on Fanfiction.net.

The other parts can be found here: Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17

Chapter 18: A Lot of Firsts

When Kurt had to leave for a dog walking assignment later that evening, Blaine felt a prickle of dread. Blaine had declared himself now, and handed Kurt his heart for safe-keeping. Did Kurt believe him? Did he want to be with Blaine? Kurt wasn’t going to slip out of his life again, was he?

Blaine didn’t want to seem clingy, but he also didn’t want to let Kurt walk away without any reassurances on this matter, so he offered to come with Kurt and help him walk the dogs.

It wasn’t until Kurt pointed it out that Blaine realised he was still naked from the transformation. It cracked the both of them up, and that bout of merriment instantly made Blaine feel better. He dressed quickly, and held Kurt’s hand all the way to the dogs’ homes and then to the park. It felt amazing. He sneaked a few glances at their joined hands, grinning happily, and that grin only widened when he caught Kurt doing the same.

“I love you,” he said, the words tumbling out of their own accord for the millionth time that day, yet Kurt’s eyes lit up as beautifully as if it were the very first.

When Blaine gave Kurt the unicorn brooch and the accompanying letter, he got the reassurance he’d been craving. The letter made Kurt tear up and reel Blaine in close, murmuring that Blaine was the one for him too.

Blaine didn’t check if anyone was around before taking Kurt’s face in his hands and kissing him like his life depended on it.

Kurt drew away a few times to gulp in fresh air, and each time Blaine chased his lips as if Kurt provided the only oxygen he needed.

Blaine didn’t know how much time had passed when they finally remembered the dogs and took them back home, but he did know it wasn’t long enough by far.

Kurt was dog-sitting, so Blaine knew he couldn’t come back to Blaine’s apartment. But maybe Blaine could come with him? He needed to be close to Kurt. Preferably till death did them part, but he’d settle for right here right now.

Kurt seemed hesitant about letting him stay over, so Blaine gave him his most beseeching look. The one that even Pam had never been able to say no to.

“You don’t play fair,” Kurt grumbled as they walked towards the apartment where Kurt was staying.

Blaine, happy as a lark now, beamed at him. “All’s fair in love and war, beautiful.”

Kurt shot him a quick look, and a corner of his mouth ticked up. “Is that going to be my pet name from now on? What happened to ‘honey’ and ‘sweetie’?”

Blaine shrugged. “Those are generic, and I use them for everyone. You deserve a special name just for you. And ‘beautiful’ suits you.”

That made Kurt blush, and Blaine just had to kiss him again because he was so adorable.

It wasn’t until they were lying in bed that Blaine initiated phase two of his wooing plan, and asked Kurt out on a date. He fist-pumped when Kurt said yes, and nodded off contentedly.

Then Kurt’s voice jolted him awake again. “Just so you know, we have an appointment at The Sweetest Thing Bakery tomorrow at four p.m. Make sure you include that in your date plans.”

“You rescheduled? Mrs Peters wasn’t angry that we missed our appointment?”

Kurt chuckled. “I pretended that you’d written the date down wrong.”

“Clever!” Blaine praised him. “I’m glad. She has the best reviews. And the best designs.”

“And hopefully scrumptious caaaaaake,” Kurt yawned.

“Sleep, beautiful.”

“Sweet dreams,” Kurt slurred, and then laughed, “because of the cake, geddit?”

He turned on his side, his head on Blaine’s chest, and was out like a light.

Blaine kissed the crown of his head. For a few minutes, he basked in the feeling of having Kurt with him again. Then, he started going over his date options. Their first date had to be perfect.

K&B

Of course, mandating that the date had to be perfect jinxed it. From the moment Blaine woke, he knew he’d have to adjust his plans. He’d counted on cold but dry weather, not the rain and cold wind that assaulted him as soon as he opened the window in the kitchen. That meant the walk through Central Park was out. Bummer.

Blaine busied himself making Kurt a delicious breakfast, making sure it would be ready by the time Kurt’s alarm clock went off, but Kurt didn’t even spare the breakfast tray a passing glance when he rushed past Blaine mumbling, “Dogs to walk. Back in half an hour!”

Blaine looked down at the tray he was holding and sighed. By the time Kurt got back, the eggs would be a congealed mess, the toast would be unappetizing, the fruit salad would no longer look fresh but brown at the edges, and the mocha would be ice-cold.

Oh, all right then.

Blaine sat down at the kitchen table and ate the breakfast intended for Kurt, grimacing when he drank the mocha, which was much too sweet for his taste. After that, he showered and dressed, and then made a new breakfast tray, timing it so that it was ready just when Kurt was due back.

Kurt and the poodles returned in the best of spirits, despite the weather, and now Kurt did notice the tray. “You made me breakfast? Oh, you’re the BEST! I’m starving! I forgot to make myself sandwiches yesterday.”

Kurt kissed Blaine square on the mouth before sitting down and wolfing the whole meal down in five minutes flat.

Then, he looked up at Blaine expectantly. “So what are your plans for today?”

“Still raining?” Blaine asked, and Kurt nodded.

“I guess a romantic walk in the park is out, then,” Blaine mused, and Kurt laughed as if Blaine had made an excellent joke.

Blaine praised himself lucky that he’d asked Ashton if there were any good exhibitions in the NYC museums. At least he had that to fall back on.

He looked up, meaning to tell Kurt they were going to the Met, but Kurt had disappeared. His bowl and plate stood in the sink, already rinsed, and his voice floated out of the utility room, singing a French song.

Blaine distractedly petted one of the poodles while letting Kurt’s singing wash over him, and then started on the dishes.

An hour later, Kurt and Blaine were on their way to the museum. Blaine had first stopped by his own apartment for Kurt’s present of the day. He’d had an umbrella made with the same puppy pattern as the book bag, and Kurt could really use that in this weather.

Kurt exclaimed over the umbrella, calling it über-cute. Outside, he opened it and offered Blaine his arm.

Blaine had never shared an umbrella with anyone before, and found it cosy and intimate. The wind still howled, and the rain still beat down on them, but the umbrella was sturdy enough to provide shelter, and the heat from Kurt’s body was a welcome solace against the biting cold.

When they reached the Met, the queue at the entrance made Blaine’s heart sink. He knew that Monet always drew a crowd, but this was simply ridiculous. They’d be queuing for hours, and in this inclement weather, standing still for so long wasn’t an appealing prospect.

He ran through Ashton’s other suggestions, and flagged down a cab to take them to the Museum of Natural History instead. The exhibit there was about newly discovered deep sea creatures, and when a class of third-graders came by with a guide, Kurt’s eyes shone and he followed them, soaking up every bit of information the guide doled out.

Kurt was keen to discover the rest of the museum too, and in the end, he only let himself be led out of the museum when his stomach started growling.

“We can always come back another day,” Blaine promised him.

Blaine looked at the overcast sky and chose a nearby sushi restaurant for lunch. It still wasn’t close enough for them to escape a sudden rain squall that drenched them in seconds, and they ran the last few yards, Kurt squealing and trying to protect his hair when the wind blew his hood off.

They stumbled into Gari of Columbus with dripping coats and squeaking shoes, laughing and shivering a little. In the restaurant, it was toasty warm, though, and Kurt slipped into the restroom to try and fix his hair.

“Ugh,” Kurt said when he came back. “I can’t get it into a decent coif. You’ll have to make do with the hairstyle I had when I was a sophomore in high school. Floppy bangs and all.”

Blaine smiled at him and cupped his cheek to give him a kiss. “You do look younger this way. But just as beautiful.”

After lunch, Kurt had to head back to the place he was staying to pick up the poodles for their midday walk, and then a few other dogs as well. Blaine grinned when Snowball and Summer greeted him enthusiastically. It was still raining, but Blaine hardly felt it as he ran with the dogs. Kurt flashed him a happy grin and upped his pace a notch.

After their run, Kurt was shivering again. Blaine hunted for a blanket in the apartment and wrapped Kurt in it, installing him on the sofa and hurrying to the kitchen to make them both tea. When he came back into the living room, Kurt was watching Casablanca, and stretched his arms out towards Blaine. Blaine offered him a cup of tea, and chuckled when that made Kurt pout. “So impatient, beautiful.”

Blaine kissed Kurt’s pout away and sat down next to him, encircling Kurt’s waist and sipping his own tea.

“So where is The Sweetest Thing bakery?” Kurt asked. “We have to make sure we’re on time today.”

Blaine beamed at him. “It’s not far, beautiful. Four blocks or so. So you can drink your tea and watch Humphrey and cuddle me and get warm again. Plenty of time for that.”

Kurt’s answering smile was wide and toothy, and he wiggled a bit closer still. “That sounds perfect.”

They arrived at The Sweetest Thing bakery twenty minutes early, and Kurt used the extra time to inspect the shop window. “I see what you meant about the best designs. These cakes are gorgeous. If they’re yummy, too, I’m sold.”

A gust of wind made them both head inside the shop, and they told the sales assistant that they had an appointment with Mrs Peters.

“Anderson-Hummel?” she asked.

“That’s us,” Blaine confirmed, and he felt Kurt squeeze his hand.

“What is it, beautiful?” he whispered, and Kurt blushed and whispered back, “I like that there’s an ‘us’ now.”

The girl behind the counter cooed. “Aww, you’re too adorable. Have you been together long?”

“Nearly a year and a half,” Kurt lied glibly.

“And you’re already engaged? Wow, I’ve been seeing my man for five years and not a peep about marriage!”

Blaine gave her his most disarming smile. “When you know, you just know.”

A voice behind him made a retching noise, and then hissed, “You disgusting fags, why don’t you get out of here before I break your neck!”

Blaine whipped his head around and saw a burly middle-aged guy, red-faced and looking furious.

Before he could say or do anything, Kurt retorted, “Why don’t you back to the Middle Ages, where you belong? Last I checked, gay marriage was legal. We have as much right to buy our wedding cake here as you do.”

The guy came closer, his hands reaching for Kurt’s neck. Blaine quickly got in front of Kurt and took on a fighting stance.

“Cut this out RIGHT NOW,” a woman commanded.

Blaine recognised Mrs Peters’ voice, but didn’t take his eyes off the angry guy.

“Mr Miller, if you have a problem with my clientele, I suggest you go elsewhere. I’m not having this kind of scene in my shop.”

Mr Miller looked at Mrs Peters, affronted. He’d clearly expected her to side with him. “Oh, fine. Your cakes suck anyway.”

He strode out of the shop and banged the door with all his might.

“Good riddance,” said Mrs Peters. “Now if you two would follow me, please. Anderson-Hummel, right?”

“That’s us, ma’am,” Blaine said. He grabbed Kurt’s hand, and together, they followed Mrs Peters.

Soon after, Kurt was deep in discussion with Mrs Peters about the design he wanted on the wedding cake. He drew several versions on a napkin, and promised to send the baker a digital version of the design by the next day at the latest.

Then, it was time to taste-test the different cake flavours. Kurt took small nibbles and closed his eyes every time a new taste hit him, his brow furrowed in concentration. It made Blaine smile.

Kurt pronounced the chocolate delicious but too heavy, shook his head after tasting the red velvet and vanilla options, made a so-so gesture about the carrot cake, wrinkled his nose at the pink champagne cake, but lit up when he tasted the coconut and lime combo.

“This is it,” he whispered, “This is the perfect cake.”

Blaine nodded. “Okay.”

Kurt took another small bite and moaned. “No, seriously, it doesn’t get any better than this. So good.”

Mrs Peters laughed. “That’s settled, then. So I’ll write down coconut and lime for the cake, and your own design for the decoration. Do you have my e-mail address to send the file?”

Blaine assured her they had the address.

“And what’s the wedding date?” she wanted to know next.

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other.

“We haven’t decided on the venue yet,” said Blaine. “It depends which one we’ll go with. If we pick the Bowery Ballroom, it will be the 7th of June. If it’s at the NY Public Library, it will be on the 14th of July. And the date for the Loeb boathouse is 9 September.”

Kurt cocked his head to the side. “I thought we’d decided against the Loeb boathouse? It’s going to be either Bowery or the Library, Mrs Peters. We’ll let you know as soon as possible. We’re visiting both places again next week, and then we’ll decide.”

Mrs Peters made Blaine repeat both dates and jotted them down with a question mark behind them.

As they filed out of the back room, Mrs Peters put a hand on Blaine’s arm.

“Hey…” she said. “Don’t mind that guy, please. Don’t you worry your pretty head about him. Your fiancé is right. Love is love, and it doesn’t matter to me that you’re two men. It shouldn’t matter to anyone. It’s nobody’s business but your own.”

Blaine swallowed and tried to smile, but it probably came out more like a grimace. “I’ll go pay the deposit at the counter, then.”

Nothing like striking while the iron was hot, so Blaine called both wedding venues to ask if he could come by again, this time with his fiancé. For the Bowery Ballroom, he made an appointment for Monday evening. There was no appointment needed for the New York Public Library. “We’re open until 5.45 today, sir.”

That gave them a little over an hour to go discover the place, so they took a cab there. As soon as Kurt entered the building, he seemed to be vibrating with excitement, and that enthusiasm increased with every detail he pointed out to Blaine, in reverent whispers. They stayed until the library closed, and as they went down the steps, Kurt told Blaine, “This is the right place for us. I can feel it in my bones. We can go check out the Bowery, too, but I don’t think I’ll change my mind. I see us getting married here.”

They picked up Thai take-away on their way back to the place where Kurt was staying. After eating, they took out the dogs for their evening walk, and then curled up on the sofa again until it was time for bed.

When Kurt laid his head on Blaine’s chest, Blaine blurted out, “I’m sorry our first date was such a mess. I wanted it to be perfect, but it all went wrong.”

Kurt raised his head. “Blaine, what are you talking about? There’s nothing about today that I would have changed. To me, it was perfect. A wonderful first date. I couldn’t dream up a better one if I tried.”

“B-but the weather…”

“I loved that it rained. That meant I got to share an umbrella with you. That was so romantic. I’d never done that before.”

“Me neither,” Blaine confessed.

Kurt beamed. “I like sharing firsts with you. I want us to share a lot of firsts. I couldn’t give you my first kiss ‘cause that one got stolen, but the rest of my firsts are all yours.”

Blaine smiled tremulously and pecked Kurt lightly on the lips, but then went back to his grievances about the day. “And I meant for us to go to the Met, but the queue was too long.”

“Aww, Blaine. The Natural History Museum was a much better choice. I loved it there!”

“And your hair got wet!”

“Yep. Yours too, and you looked so sexy with wet curls. I wanted to grab you right there and then and make out with you.”

“And then at the bakery, that guy nearly throttled you!”

“And you defended me, you brave knight in shining Armani.”

Kurt batted his eyelashes at Blaine and pouted his lips.

Blaine laughed and kissed Kurt.

When Kurt came up for air, he breathed, “Perfect. I’m telling you, perfect.”

#klaine fanfiction #my fic #puppy eyes #chapter 18 #enjoy!#fluff overload

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dcarevu · 5 years

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DCAU #13: It’s Never Too Late

“Darn shame, they made the best cannolis!”

Christmas With The Joker was the Christmas episode of the series, and it was so enjoyable as such partially because of how obnoxious parts of it were. Y’know, in a fun type of way, almost like watching Gremlins. But if I were to pitch a Batman TAS Christmas Episodes set to Warner Brothers, along with Heart Of Ice I’d also include this episode, because it felt like a crime drama version of A Christmas Carol. It’s a much more subdued, serious, heartfelt episode, and I think it could easily round out and contrast against the bright and colorful Joker episode.

Villain: Rupert Thorne Robin: No Writer(s): Tom Ruegger (story), Garin Wolf (teleplay) Director: Boyd Kirkland Animator: Spectrum Airdate: September 10, 1992 Grade: A

I remember most episodes of this show very well I’d like to think. At least half of them. This was not one, to the level of this feeling like my first time watching it. The only bit I remembered was that it had something to do with drugs, which it did, although I expected a little bit more of a straight up “don’t do drugs” message for the kids. What we got was a dark, gothic, very adult story that does the “don’t do drugs” message in a way that anyone can enjoy, not even necessarily being the forefront. It’s an episode mainly about responsibility and admitting that change is sometimes necessary. The episode features a failed marriage, a dying son, PTSD, crime drama, and a complex character on top of that.

It’s also an episode that flows in a way where the viewer starts off a little bit confused, and gradually pieces to the plot are filled in one by one. By the time we reach the end, we know exactly what’s going on, who we’re rooting for, and this is all done with as little obvious exposition as possible. The episode does a great job at relying on our memory, not assuming that we have forgotten plot-points, even for the children watching. This is one thing that is so, so, so great about Batman The Animated Series. It’s not dumbed down. Yeah, it does have to manage to stay within censorship guidelines and be appropriate for all ages. But that is often as far into being for kids as the show strayed. Sometimes half the fun of some of our favorite shows is growing up and understanding what we’ve been watching even more. And kids are not completely void of understanding complex characters and feelings. People should be challenged and taught to question things, even at the average age of those who watched Fox cartoons. So while I think Two-Face is a better episode than It’s Never Too Late, I think that It’s Never Too Late may be the definitive episode when it comes to showing off this particular aspect of the show. No, it may not stick in our minds as much as a flashier episode. It may not be the darkest (it was really dark, though), the best-looking (it was really good-looking, though), or even the most entertaining (it was really entertaining, though), but I think if a compilation of, say, 5-10 episodes was put together to highlight individual strengths of the series one by one, this would be a not-so-obvious but really important inclusion.

As far as the technicals, I knew this was a Spectrum episode before I even looked it up. It just has that flavor to it that I can’t even really describe. P.O.V. was also done by this studio, as was On Leather Wings, and damn. People praise TMS’ work on the series (along with their work on other series) nonstop. But Spectrum is some tough competition, looking just as good so far. I almost couldn’t believe how great some of these shots looked. Especially the flashbacks to the train, and Batman pouncing on all of the thugs amidst the darkness. The train has this puff of fog that it breaks through to reveal itself that looks so dreamlike and mysterious, and it immediately sends me back to when one night I heard the night train from my apartment, put my shoes on, and ran over to the tracks just in time to see the tail end of it passing by. You feel like you’re there. Also the scene when Batman first talks to the priest was awesome looking too, appearing more spooky and noir than a lot of stuff we’ve seen so far. I’m hoping these guys ended up animating plenty more episodes! Of course, hats off to director Boyd Kirkland too!

On the writing side of things, I never would have guessed that Tom Ruegger would be the story guy for this one, particularly after seeing his last episode was the underwhelming Underdwellers. I don’t know if Bruce Timm took him outback and threatened him with his hulking muscles or what, but way to buck up and redeem yourself. We went from an episode about some weirdo with an eyepatch who lives in the sewer, keeps pet crocodiles, laughs maniacally, and makes children work for him to this episode. I think it’s safe to say that by this point, people were on the same page, and the kid gloves were weeded out. Well… Almost… Unfortunately we have next time’s episode to deal with, and I’m dreading this likely as much as you, the reader, are looking forward to it…

The detail in this episode was highly appreciated. What I mean by this are all of the little flourishes that I noticed to give this episode some seasoning mixed into the meatiness. One little thing was when Stromwell was stopped at the train track in his car, paralyzed with fear, I swear I could see the car trembling just as he would be on the inside. If you haven’t seen this episode (I do recommend seeing them before reading these posts, but you’ll do what you do, you goober), that might sound insufferably stupid, but it only added to what was already a very atmospheric scene. And I really don’t know, maybe it was actually just an animation mistake. But I prefer the term “happy little accident”. Another little detail? That weirdo that sees Batman and Stromwell escaping the blown up restaurant. He was awesome, and a nice moment of comic relief. Believe it or not, though, I did feel that he added something important aside from the “Whoa, heavy bbq action, man” quote (again, this is much less dumb when you watch the episode). He also mentions, “Whoa, he’s really out there!” when he notices Batman, and it goes further to show that to many, Batman is only a legend, with many people never having seen him. The average joe does not dare to walk the streets of Gotham City at night, and it’s mostly only criminals and a few select cops to experience more than mere hearsay. As one last detail, I noticed that Rupert Thorne figured Batman saved Stromwell merely to get information on all of the various underworld warriors that lurk in the shadows and warehouses of the city. And this is partially true, yes, but Rupert Thorne fails to realize Batman’s true motives and morals. But this is exactly what Batman wants. He wants to be seen as a feared, brutal, superhuman force that wants to do everything he can to rip the criminal scum apart. He wants to be intimidating. A black angel. Thorne likely figures that Batman in some ways is just as slimy as he is. Batman is not Superman, and looking like a goodie two-shoes boy scout would destroy his image.

These details do a lot to add to the already pretty delicious story that we have going on here, and as I said, it’s ultimately a tale of responsibility and being willing to admit irresponsibility and changing. Trying to rectify that too, of course. Arnold Stromwell is a stubborn man. But that makes sense. We see during flashbacks that even as a kid, he was still living a version of the life he lives in the present. It’s hard to say how it got that way. Maybe it was some friends in a bad neighborhood. Maybe it was his parents. Whatever the reason, growing up with a certain mindset and taught lifestyle can be difficult to overcome once you’re older. A real-life example is a lot of the old, racist bigots you find out there (not that they’re excused, but explained). This is a very similar situation, and right as you think that Stromwell’s mindset will be changed rather quickly (a dying son is pretty compelling, to be fair), he shows that it hasn’t at all, and he wants to take his son from the rehab center to personally make sure that his son gets better. This was pretty heavy, as Stromwell basically said that he didn’t at all believe in the power of the rehab center, a pretty questionable message to send to kids. But you also understand where he’s coming from. He’s a mobster that has been going against the law, selling drugs, and possibly using them since he was a kid. His son has been missing, and he assumed it was due to Thorne. Now, seeing his son, lying down in a bed seemingly fighting for his life, it can’t leave him thinking rationally. And living his whole life essentially taking care of himself in the way he did, yeah, someone like him probably would prefer to figuratively spit on the steps of the rehab building. He’s also in denial of his own impact on his son, and undoubtedly taking matters into his own hands to try and make this better would only end up leaving him digging a deeper hole. Yet, he still wants to prove that things aren’t his fault, and living the life he’s living will work out. This is a story of a man who needs to realize that what you live by can be challenged, much like how this show liked to challenge typical ideas that kids (and adults) may possess, and sometimes the responsible way to truly help is to work on yourself admit that the situation is not your expertise. This is also a story about doing the right thing, realizing your impact, and attempting to live the last years of your life a new man, much like Ebenezer Scrooge did that one Christmas morning.

Fire count: 7 Char’s grade: A

Next time: I’ve Got Batman In My Basement Full episode list here!

#batman the animated series #batman tas #it's never too late #rupert thorne #dc animated universe #dcau #batman

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sugar-petals · 6 years

Note

Wow! Your analyses are amazing and so well thought out - each post I read is so full of passion and care! Unfortunately, when I hit the ‘keep reading’ bar for your hogwarts sorting post, I couldn’t find the rest of it. Do you think you could share what their houses are again? I’d love to know what you think about their sorting!

Someone finally says something about the sorting I—

Jimin - Slytherin | ♦ Charming

“What will you be like in 10 years?” - “I’ll be on the world news, what else… I’ll be a man that the whole world wants.” That’s Slytherin aspiring to greatness. Like he wanted to be the #1 swordsman after watching One Piece as a kid and picked up fencing. That easily excludes cautious Hufflepuff who wants to be loved but only in their frugal sphere without bold ambitions. And Ravenclaw who’d be in analysis paralysis before they even thought of going global. Jimin lacks most aquiline traits in particular. Like he made fun of RM’s convoluted existential philosophy in AHL. Doesn’t mean he has intellectual disdain, consider how much of an ace in math/chemistry he was. But it wasn’t for curiosity. More like Jimin’s trademark goal-orientation, concealed behind this planet’s most charming smile. He hides a lot of fraternity bias, too, with a mask of Hufflepuff’s altruism. But inside, he is motivated by praise for personal gains. He goes about it in a perfectionistic way and won’t bother with Gryffindor’s cowardice issues… which points to Slytherin. Career comes first at all cost. He wants power over the audience, the applause. Not much adventure or savior complex going on. While daredevils Tae and Hobi always say after practice/filming how fun it was despite the challenge (Gryffindor heroism focus), pragmatic Jimin - just like JK and Suga - sees the shortcomings to work on (Slytherin competency focus). He wants to avoid public humiliation, see weight and voice struggles. Gryffindor would boldly say: suck it up, haters. But Jimin is different, too dark and vulnerable below the surface. He can’t handle malicious critique or being overshadowed. I was born in Busan first! Greed to dance center! Look at me only, or else I get angry. Slytherin claiming the top spot there, not afraid to threaten. He will change his manners, looks, or complete objective to achieve. No other house is that adaptable. And with his level of smooth like a snake flirting, without a doubt he has plenty of sexy cunning.

Taehyung - Gryffindor | ♦ Daring

Power or wisdom he does not crave. It’s a decision between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, and I argue for the former. His goal when he was young and couldn’t afford things was to have a “fabulous” life, to provide for himself and everything his relatives lacked. HP translation: chivalry and fighting for the underdog. He said he admired the heroism of his dad, or the sacrifice of the protagonist in one of his favorite movies, “A Wolf’s Temptation”. V wanted to become a singer because of the positive feedback from his peers when he was on stage. Disclosing his core values, he states wanting to be confident and not giving up. That’s Gryffindor’s will, social adventure spirit, and valor. Consider the wild things he does on live television in general. He eats things he shouldn’t eat, endlessly teased his pet dog by blowing on it, nae nae’d for KBS and the entire world, danced in stilettos, and once left in the middle of broadcast to go to the toilet walking through the entire venue. For me as a Slytherin: unfathomable, and Yoongi thinks the same since Tae’s Cypher performance. You probably spotted a Gryffindor when the Slytherins are not having it. It’s boldness mixed with a lax attitude that rubs snakes the wrong way: ”Grades are not that important”. I don’t see a hard-working, decency-loving Hufflepuff. It’s the impulse of Gryffindor that will not micro-manage or conform. There are some other few moments that made me think Gryff. In Run BTS Ep.32 he did not play fair at all, first protected Jungkook, then bluffed to betray him for the fun of it. Too much hilarity for consistent and just Hufflepuff. “Rescuer house” Gryffindor is a lot less focused on loyalty even in jest. Last but not least: Last time I checked, the “V” sign stands for victory so we really have a lion here.

Yoongi - Slytherin | ♦ Goal-oriented

No doubts about this old soul. The day Agust D finished everyone, the minute Min Yoonji entered the room, the moment Suga broke down receiving the 2016 daesang, his house was set. Need more evidence? “You need people like me to point your fuxxin’ fingers and say ‘that’s the bad guy’”. Verbatim from the mixtape cover. No Ravenclaw nor Hufflepuff would EVER promote that. Gryffindor is eliminated, too. He rather cares about the power behind the throne, the respect, the skills and resources that he will keep secret if he has to. He’d even want being feared which practically no other house desires or has use for. Yoongi operates in the shadows, literally at night. Slytherin loves the dark, the common room would be so perfect for him. 200+ songs a year? That’s what I call ambition. He knew what his purpose was ever since, too. No surprise he loves trophies, it was all in his past vision. His sharp tongue, “I’m a genius” antics, and stance of observation signify Slytherin’s cunning braggadocio style. All mixed with shrewdness, as does his fixation on the past. If you go through the house traits, yeah. He does have them all. He gets along with actual living snakes just fine as well, just like Jimin. I mean, Suga is so Slytherin he could straight up hang out with Merlin himself to talk about what it means to be at the top. If he wasn’t busy producing - read: goal-orientedness and self-preservation - he’d be a leader candidate. Suga has a lot of boss qualities and can guide things to success without disclosing everything. Confer his Festa hosting, he keeps the members on track. Most clear-cut Slytherin in Bangtan.

Jin - Hufflepuff | ♦ Caring

Loyal, hardworking, practical, cheerful, family-oriented, traditional, anti-competition, friendly, slept on. Jin meets each criterium to a T. He always seems like he just came to chill with his favorite people. Hufflepuff is often compared to the homely Hobbit culture, I find it absolutely dead-on and reminiscent of Jin’s mentality. He once stated that he envied his father’s “well-regulated life” and complained about such an ordinary lifestyle being difficult as he grew up. If that doesn’t ring a bell. Hufflepuff does not fit into the KPop industry at all, but they are the ones who really keep it running. Huff takes out the competition from Gryffindor/Slytherin social structures. Look at EatJin (Helga Hufflepuff also introduced food enthusiasm to Hogwarts). “252,031 people are watching me eat. Great. It can’t get any more uncomfortable than this.” Not much risk-taking or fame-seeking involved there. Worldwide handsome you say, he’s really digging it and shows all that confidence? I say that’s Jin getting with the program of what others say about him and projecting it outward to get their support - Hufflepuff first and foremost wants love. Yet it’s in a tug-of-war, it wants to be heard but also politely restrains itself so when they get a chance to self-advocate, of course, they take it! It’s to feel secure and to adapt, not because he’s arrogant or not modest. And Namjoon put him in Gryffindor. The rule-breakers and fighters. You had one job. But I bet it was to be in the same house with him or to give him some credit. If someone does not get the lines they deserve it’s Hufflepuff, because unlike Slytherin or Gryffindor, they don’t push their talents forward because they value a cozy and less eventful life much more.

J-Hope - Gryffindor | ♦ Passionate

Q: “How does it feel to be having this global success?” - JH: “Woo! It’s nice!” Gryffindor loves fame. Our Hobi did not hesitate to answer one bit there. He has a whole lot of nerve and boldness, fits perfectly into America’s very Gryffindor culture, did you notice? Don’t let the flinch game or horror clip reaction fool you. What he values is daring. The rest is just exercising what he is good at - expressing emotions, and you can be sure he amps it up for the entertainment. If there is one house who likes an uproar, it’s the lions. They’re just not into snakes, that’s all. Also, Gryff heroism - “I was so afraid, but I survived!” style. At the beginning, he was confident since he wanted to test himself. And then it backfired. Like on Corden he exclaimed “Wow!” and danced toward the glass when it was his turn, then got caught by surprise. Classic: Gryff’s volition overriding all planning or foresight. It lacks Slytherin’s or Ravenclaw’s consideration and cautious Hufflepuff’s comfort mentality. He always goes straight ahead to combat boredom for everybody while the other members would be too embarrassed or slow. His room apparently is the noisiest. Is it a Gryffindor trait that they are very loud? I do think so. Partly because it ties to their traits of being people-oriented, temperamental, and talkative, which definitely applies to Hobi. It’s a good point to attach similar Hufflepuff values to him. But he still has that one edge of chivalry and glee in winning that makes him a lion, while he is neither very grounded nor unafraid of toil. In fact, he’s not into the sturdy badgers’ extra hard work, Slytherin’s ruthless pursuit, or Ravenclaw’s intellectual experiments and projects. Guess why Suga (S) and Joon ® have their mixtapes out while he doesn’t. J-Hope excels more using a whim and scattered energy to charge into the situation at hand.

Namjoon - Ravenclaw | ♦ Intelligent

So he sorted himself into Gryffindor. Technically, you can’t say anything against that. You go where you want to go since it shows what traits you like the most. But in his case, come on. He has no Gryffindor qualities nor do his choices in life effectively show Gryffindor values. There is a reason why he always envies Suga’s trivia knowledge. Why he’s the only one in BTS who likes to spend time in the bookstore. Why he had his “Problematic Men” show. Why Namjoon raises the LGBT+ flag so high. Why his rap and puns show great wit and second thought. Why he goes on a galaxy-level tangent any time a deep topic comes up. Why ignorance is vitriol to him. He values Ravenclaw traits. Not that his high IQ would place him there, but rather how he expresses it. All for knowledge’s sake. He prefers to be in his intellectual sphere like a scholar which clearly distinguishes him from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. He’s formal, well-conceived, caught off guard when confronted with his fame. What’s quite interesting is that he represents the humanitarian slant of his house, Ravenclaw isn’t all books and no heart, “callous” as its main flaw is described. It’s about acceptance and conscientiousness for Namjoon. He’s an iconoclastic, wise romantic who loves to learn, and sophisticated as this house suggests. It shows whenever he writes letters for SNS. Yeah I’m all for going into the house you want to be the most - RM wants to be a Gryffindor - but if he has not one reckless bone in him and effectively does not choose courage by all means, it’s Ravenclaw which reflects him perfectly.

Jungkook - Slytherin | ♦ Self-Preserving

Typical Slytherin introvert. Shy, but determined. That sets him apart from Gryffindor in particular. If he had to choose between asking IU for her number or impressing her with his skills indirectly, he chooses the latter. Gryffindor wouldn’t even think about that and dive in head first even if the odds of rejection are high. Slytherin estimates their chances instead, looks for the best way to use their resources successfully. He’s tactical, economical, but doesn’t want to accumulate knowledge like Ravenclaws who can be equally calculating. Look at his shrugged-off responses to math questions on air. The only book he’ll ever pick up is a comic or manga. Given how much self-preservation he demonstrated so far, how much he emphasizes ambition, Slytherin is a no-brainer. Social house Hufflepuff would reach out to bond, meanwhile, Jungkook: showered alone in the early days, stays in his room, goes to Hongdae by himself, few tweets, mutes the group chat… On the other hand: Piano Tiles, wrestling, bowling, working out: JK comes out of his shell and gives it his all when he knows his efforts will be valued. He’s hypercompetitive even with small things, was not above shoving J-Hope aside mid-air to claim his title as #TheBunny in Run BTS Ep.33. If he’s forcibly pigeonholed as the baby maknae, then he’ll make it a freaking success. Delegate Slytherin an assignment that they are sure of tackling and they get active. Without a goal, what’s the use? Finally, there’s a pretty salient reason behind why he loves G-Dragon and was inspired by him to become a star in the first place. GD is the King of serpents. Slytherin family allegiance and aristocracy much? It also ties to how he treats his parents, this guy is on another level.

“♦” indicates a core quality for that specific house.

I wrote this ages ago oh my 😂Updated the link.

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lastpic21 · 3 years

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LESSONS FROM THE PACK: BECOMING PACK LEADER

Now we can apply some basic principles of wolf-pack life to the way you handle your puppy. By using certain exercises, we can mimic the natural integration of pups into a pack. Remember that puppies learn their proper place through constant contact with their mothers and the other pack members. Body language, proper physical dominance, and eye contact teach puppies the meaning of leadership and their role as followers. They are happiest when this is clear and consistent. Since every puppy needs a leader, the success of your relationship rests on your being a benevolent alpha figure to your pup. Start right away; leadership is much easier to establish with a twelve-week-old, twenty-five-pound puppy than with a sixty-pound adolescent.

We will concentrate first on physical contact. New owners often try to get pups to behave by explaining what is expected, by reasoning with them. They forget that puppies have no verbal skills, and when the pups fail to respond to spoken instructions, the owners become impatient and exasperated. Only later, through training, does a pup learn the meaning of specific words and commands. You will be a much more effective leader if you concentrate less on what you say and more on what you do.

Our first series of handling exercises focuses on teaching a puppy to be calm and relaxed when handled. Before advancing to obedience training, your pup must first be calm enough to pay attention to you. This may seem self-evident, but the majority of dogs brought to us for obedience training completely lack attentiveness. Their owners cannot get their focus. The dogs arrive unruly—dominant—and in human-dog relationships, that always spells trouble. To avoid this, you must train your pup to focus on you right from the start. Genuine leadership presumes attention, and when you get it, you will be close to becoming the alpha in your pup’s life.The following exercises are designed to establish you as leader in your puppy’s eyes and can begin a week or so after you obtain him.byteaching him to be calm and to hold still while you are handling him, you will show your puppy that you are the dominant figure in the relationship, and that you are a benevolent leader, worthy of his trust.*

Exercise One: Restraint

First, sit down on the ground with your pup comfortably placed between your knees or legs, facing away from you. Put your right hand over his chest and your left hand under his muzzle. This is a basic exercise in restraint. If he accepts this handling calmly, praise him in a soft, reassuring voice and gently massage him. If he squirms and fights to get free, hold him firmly and put him right back in position, saying in a firm voice, “No, stay!” As soon as he settles, resume massaging him, gently petting him from the top of his head down the back of his neck. Any additional struggling can be handled in the same way, with a quick shake that, though startling, does not hurt him. Make sure your hold is firm, since the message you want to give your pup is one of control, with no indecision. Do this for several minutes per session. We find that most puppies come to accept this handling during the first or second session and to see it as very pleasant. This also forms the basis for the stay command later on.

Exercise Two: Examining Mouth and Ears

When you are able to restrain your pup in a calm, relaxed manner, move on to the second exercise, which includes examining his mouth and ears. Throughout his life, it will be necessary at times to give your pup medicine, take inappropriate objects from his mouth, clean his ears, and check his teeth. Puppies who are not sensitized to this when they are young can grow very defensive about being examined when they are older, and may even bite. To prevent this from happening, you need to familiarize your puppy with examinations now, while he is still easy to handle.

Begin by practicing the calming exercise we have described. Allow your pup to relax his head in your hand as you massage him and then gently begin wrapping your dominant hand around his muzzle from underneath, gradually getting him used to the sensation. This may take a little time there is no need to rush things. Be gentle, and when he accepts the hold, praise him encouragingly as you manipulate his head from side to side. If he becomes restless, go right back to the calming exercise to settle him.

Once he allows you to hold his muzzle and move his head around in a calm and relaxed way, you are ready to open his mouth and take a quick look inside. To do this, put your dominant hand under his muzzle and your other hand over it, and lift his lip briefly. Praise and pet him. Then, to open his mouth fully, place the fingers of each hand between his jaws and carefully pull them apart. Take a quick peek and then release, giving him plenty of praise. Be brief at first, since your pup will not be used to this maneuver and may initially dislike it. After several episodes, however, he will accept it without protest. If you find your pup tries to mouth or nip at your hand, clasp his muzzle lightly and give him a swift shake, accompanying this with a firm no. Open your palm for him to lick, and if he does so, praise him cheerfully. This exercise is particularly useful for gaining control over your pup’s mouth and inhibiting the oral, nippy behavior common in puppies.

With your pup still relaxed, begin to examine the ears, first by massaging around their base with your fingers, then working over the surface of the ears themselves. This conditions your pup to having his ears touched and is invaluable for grooming sessions. Puppies should have their ears thoroughly cleaned once a week to prevent infections.

Exercise Three: Full-Body Massage and Repositioning

The third handling exercise, a logical extension of the previous two, involves examining your puppy’s whole body and moving him safely when he is in a reclining position. This is a valuable skill to have if your dog is injured or if you need to move him while he is resting. We know of a number of biting incidents that occurred when an owner tried to get his dog to move while the dog was sleeping. Conditioning your puppy ahead of time is a sensible way of preventing such accidents.

Start in the relaxed position of exercise one. To make your pup lie down, grasp both front legs and move them out from under him, gently taking him into a down position as you praise him. Move your hands around his neck and back, massaging him in a soothing manner, making sure that he is totally relaxed before proceeding any further.

When you sense he is completely at ease, kneel beside him, roll him over so he is lying on his side, and continue with your massage. Talk to him in a calm, reassuring way. If he starts to struggle, push firmly against his shoulder and say, “No, stay!” Then follow immediately with praise when he settles. At most, your correction should be a quick, gentle pin by the scruff, enough to let him know that you are in control. Continue lightly massaging his entire body with your fingers, paying particular attention to the feet and tail areas, which will help accustom your pup to having his nails clipped and temperature taken. Use eye contact to reinforce the connection whith your pup, giving a firm glance when he is restless, and a kind, affectionate look when he is relaxed and accepting.

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nyanzaya · 7 years

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A Day in a Life

5,209 words First person Honestly written on a whim Summery: Just a day in a life for Iza. Several references to other characters and his past. (Be aware that there are a few hallucinations, and reference to a bad sexual experience when it comes to his masters but it’s vague and out of the way fast.)

When I wake up it’s to a cold and empty bed I feel lonely but I ignore the feeling. It’s not that important to me I think. I don’t know what time it is and reluctantly I check my phone. It was early morning and decide that I can keep sleeping, so I close my eyes and snuggle under the covers of my blanket. I turn to lay on my stomach and it feels like there was something warm running down my sides, making me start to purr contently and soon felt them stop their movements and were on my hips. The words “Good morning pet.” Jolts me awake and I stop purring. I decided to get out of bed not feeling so tired anymore. Maybe I couldn’t stand laying in bed any longer but I push the thought aside and forget what happened. I grab my phone and put it in the pocket of my shorts I slept in.

I got into the bathroom and turn on the lights. It was bright but my eyes adjust quickly and I look at myself in the mirror. I couldn’t read my own expression but the way my ears were told me I didn’t feel good like something was bothering me but it was something I wouldn’t acknowledge since it was always easier to ignore how I feel most days. I sigh and turn away from the mirror and walk downstairs to my living room. The apartment felt empty despite how much furniture I had and how much space everything took up. I walk to my window to peer outside, it was a nice, early morning, despite the fact the colors were full of greys with small rays of off-yellow and I was trying to decide if I really wanted to go outside or not. It was a hard decision. There was plenty to do, like get some tuna or even watch people but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that.

My thoughts drift to Sinzuo, and I wonder where he could be and pressed myself against the glass window. It felt cold against my skin but the sun was shining through and it felt nice against my hair. My ears even twitched at the feeling of being warmed by the sun but I pull away soon enough and erase Sinzuo from my thoughts.

Eventually I wander into the kitchen and open the fridge to peer inside. I was hungry but I didn’t know what I wanted to eat. It wouldn’t be too hard to make something simple like fluffy eggs and some toast but then there was tuna I could eat in the fridge as well, remembering I had bought myself some on the way home late last night because I was out gathering information and considering several things. I frown because I remembered that I should report my findings to some clients but that wouldn’t be too difficult, it was just a report which I could tell them verbally and ask what actions I should take. I sigh. It was a lot of fun gathering information and giving information for a price. It was how I made my money, and then my side business of setting up hit men to take out targets was possibly my favorite side business in the world. Of course, I guess it did count as murder but I didn’t get in trouble so far and besides I do have some influence in the police force which I had always thought was funny because it just told me it was easy to corrupt people with the wave of a few hundred thousand yen but even I know I’m not safe from corruption since it was always easy to sway me with bribery.

I decide I would make eggs and toast, it was easy and I turn on the burner and pour a small amount of oil into the pan when I got it out of the cabinet. I get a bowl out of the top cabinet and crack the eggs into it and go to the fridge to get the slim jug of milk and pour a fair amount into the bowl. I quickly added salt and pepper, and when I saw paprika, I couldn’t decide if I wanted it with my eggs or not but I close my spice cabinet deciding not to add them. I would never admit but I do love cooking, it was always nice to get delicious smells from the food I would cook and it always did bring a small smile to my face, but it always did feel better to cook for someone else and see their eyes light up and praise my cooking. I frown at the thought since I was just cooking for myself but I knew my cooking always was good and didn’t need someone to tell me that but hearing it always did bring this feeling of accomplishment. I turn around and looked for the bread and I find it quickly and open it to get two of the slices and dropped them into the toaster. It always did feel like a small dance in the kitchen with so much turning and looking. I get a fork out of the drawers and stir the eggs until it was ready and pour it into the hot pan hearing a satisfying sizzling. I set the bowl aside and open the drawer next to the stove to get a spatula and begin to stir the eggs. Scrambled eggs were always the best, at least that’s what I thought.

I jump at the sound of the toaster popping and knew the toast was done. I get a plate and grab the toast. It almost burned my fingers but I managed to get them on the plate before I did hurt myself. Turning around to the eggs, I set the plate on the counter next to the stove and gave the eggs one last stir determining that they were done and put them on my plate. I open the fridge again and look at the strawberry milk I have. It was hard to decide if I wanted to drink it or not but I always did like strawberry milk and made a grab for it, holding it in my hand and turned to get myself a cup and pour myself a small amount. I didn’t want to make myself sick with how much milk I was going to be taking in from this one meal. Regardless, I pick up some chopsticks and carry my food to my desk and turn on my laptop. I sit in my favorite chair, and it was only my favorite chair because it could spin which I had always thought was amusing and amazing. While I was waiting for it to turn on I heard my phone buzz and took it out of my pocket. It was a message from Shizuo.

[You left without saying anything again.]

Is what it said and I frown at it. Did I really have to explain myself to Shizuo? It wasn’t like we were dating or anything. We were more like friends. Maybe friends with benefits since we did have sex a few times but it wasn’t like he told me he loved me. I know he cares for me and I guess that is just hard for me to understand but I do like his company but right now I’m not sure if I want to text him back or not. Maybe I did just lie to myself because there was that one time he did say he loved me and maybe I do feel the same way but I just don’t think he would appreciate the work I do. Besides why would anyone want to be with a cat? Let alone a cat who would murder for the fun or even just for work. I put my phone face down on my desk deciding to ignore it. My thoughts drift back to Sinzuo again. I wasn’t sure if I was comparing or not but I knew Sinzuo and Shizuo were not the same person and yet I can’t help but want to find a part of Sinzuo in Shizuo which I know would be pointless of me to do. No one would be like that damn wolf.

I couldn’t remember if Shizuo knew where I lived. I don’t think I have told him before and the only people who knew where my apartment was were Sinzuo, Melanya, another wolf named Kesuko and a young feline named Gakoo. I couldn’t help myself and I laughed. Only four people knew where I lived. Why did it hurt my heart that only four people knew? I shake my head and tell myself it was because I don’t tell people where I live. It was better that way, right? I don’t know. Looking at my living room. I just don’t know. I didn’t like this feeling, it didn’t feel nice and it hurt a lot. So, I ignored it and turned my attention back to my laptop and type in my password.

I go to several forums and news sites and check my e-mail. There wasn’t very much going on besides the news that the beast of Ikeburkuo was chasing down the informant of Shinjuku. I didn’t know why it felt ironic, if it could be called irony. Being chased by Sinzuo around the city had always been fun and there were a few times I had Shizuo chase me and that was fun too. I sigh and toss the thought out of my head. It was stupid to keep thinking about that stupid wolf when it was his own fault that he was so anti-social, but looking at it I wondered if I was anti-social for a moment. I thought it to be impossible, since I was just trained to be an indoor cat which is something I grew to dislike since I always felt like I would get in trouble when I came home, despite knowing I did have my master murdered.

Thinking about my master being murdered made me feel happier, the thought of him being gone felt nice but even then, his influence was still here somehow and that made me angry. I close my laptop and pick up my phone. I saw the same message Shizuo sent me minutes ago, but I ignored it. I instead call my clients and report my findings from last night and ask what they wanted me to do.

One client I was talking to sounded unsure of what to do and I couldn’t help but smile, “Ne, if you don’t know what to do. Why don’t you kill them? Wouldn’t that solve many of your problems?” I offer, speaking softly, almost empathetically. I knew a lot about their situation and they were in a gang fight over territory. I couldn’t help but think that if this person were to agree to killing the other gang’s leader it would surely cause an outbreak and get even more people killed. It was an idea I liked and hoped he would agree with me.

“I think that might be a good idea.”

When I heard those words, I couldn’t help this grin on my face, “Just tell me when and how you want it done. Don’t worry I won’t charge you for such a service.” I speak into the receiver, trying to sound normal, but I was so pleased by their words, I couldn’t help but make myself sound playful as if I was having fun. Truthfully, I was having a lot of fun with this.

“I’ll…call you again when I make a decision. Thank you, Informant-san.”

I frown. “Please do. I’ll be waiting anxiously for your call~” I say. How boring. That was the last call I had to make for the day anyway so I suppose it wasn’t so bad. Several of the clients had thought about killing the person to get them out of the way thanks to yours truly. I couldn’t help but think about Shizuo and truthfully, I doubt he would approve of half the things I do. It was always weird how he could tell easily that I was lying. I didn’t know if it was just an intense intuition or if I really do smell bad when I do lie.

I sigh and get off my chair and pick up my plate. It was empty now and I hadn’t realized I had eaten all of it already. I go into the kitchen and put my dishes in the sink. I didn’t want to clean them now and I didn’t exactly feel like getting my hands wet from the water and return to the living room spotting a ball of yarn I didn’t realize I had left out last time when I got home. I walk towards it and lean down to pick it up. I always did like the feeling of yarn. It was just something I couldn’t explain why. I toss the yarn in the air and catch it again. I do this several times before I drop it. My instincts kick in and I quickly pounce onto the yarn ball, rolling on the floor, batting at the yarn. I was having fun playing with my yarn and soon enough I got tangled up in it. My ears flatten and I meow, annoyed that I got myself tangled up. I meow again, not exactly sure who I was calling for.

“Aww, did my little kitten get tangled up in yarn again?”

My ears perked. I recognized that voice but I knew I was alone but it sounded very real and without thinking I meow again. As I thought, the voice didn’t speak again and I frown. I thought I heard the voice of my first master and I sigh. Slowly and carefully I untangle myself. It took me a while but I eventually got free and picked the yarn. It was still tangled but I guess that is what happened when I played too much with it.

Still I try to fix the yarn although I failed at that and the yarn looked haphazard. I wondered if I should invest in one of those yarn spinners but I would have to look into that later. My ears flick, and I decide that I would go outside. I was bored inside and I figured that if I was around people these distasteful thoughts would go away. So, I go to my closet and grab my favorite coat and before I left I made sure to get my phone and put it into my pocket. Being outside was fun, and being around people did make me feel better even though I didn’t exactly want to be around people but it wasn’t that bad.

I made my way to the park because it was one of my favorite places to go and lay around. When I got there the sun was high in the air, even though it was late afternoon but I didn’t mind it. With the sun shining down it just made napping easier since this would be around the time I would be sleeping anyway. I was trying to decide if I wanted to be under the shade of a tree or be on a tree branch; both did have their cons and pros. It wasn’t that hard of a decision, sleeping under the shade of the tree was much better and didn’t leave an ache in my back if I were to sleep on a tree branch.

The light breeze and sounds of people nearby was nice to hear. It was better than being in bed and hearing nothing but the occasional sounds of someone going up or down the stairs in the hallway outside my apartment. Just thinking about that made a shiver go down my spine but I relax and sleep under the shade of the tree, the occasional spots of sunlight would warm me up for a moment before disappearing. It felt relaxing and honestly, I would sleep like this every day, which in fact I do almost every day for a few hours before waking up or getting disturbed by people.

As I thought I did get disturbed and by a woman no less but I perk up.

“Ah... I’m sorry to bother you but I saw you laying under this tree and I noticed your ears.”

Listening to her speak, I could help but notice how she had this nervous stance, like it was awkward for her to talk to someone like me. I sit up and stretch till I hear a pop in my back and sighed. “What about my ears?” I ask, flicking one of them, but I think I knew what she wanted.

“Is it all right for me to um… pet them?”

Of course, a woman would ask to touch my ears. It really didn’t make any sense to me as to why women liked cats so much but I didn’t deny her. Instead I tilt my head as if to tell her to pet me. Soon enough I felt a hand stroke behind my ear and it felt nice so I started to purr. She said something about how cute I was and I already knew I was cute I didn’t need her to tell me that honestly. I tilt my head up when I felt both of her hands on either of my ears, and I was still purring my content. I felt her thumbs rub inside my ears and I meowed. It felt nice, and it felt good. I swore if she kept touching my ears that way I would accidentally get turned on at the sensations, but I didn’t want her to keep touching me. The thought of a woman doing that to me was distasteful. I knew my ears were a sensitive spot on my body but it always did take much longer before anything would happen. Besides, I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea and let her think she could do what she wanted with me so I pull away, and pull out my phone to look at the time. It was almost 5 o’clock.

“Did I do something wrong?”

I heard her ask and I shook my head to say no, “I have to go. I got some important things to do.” And by important things I meant getting away from her and go on a search for food because I was hungry. So, I get up from my spot and brush myself off after I pocket my phone, since I didn’t want any grass to linger on my clothes. Grass stains were more than enough to deal with anyway. I wave a good-bye and leave the park. The feeling of the sun was still apparent and it felt nice to feel it on my ears. Finding food wasn’t going to be that hard since I knew I could bother Shizuo to feed me or I could go to a restaurant of some sort and get food that way. Thinking about it, there were a lot of people I could bother for food and they would probably give it to me too. The question now was: Who do I want to bother to feed me? I think about it for a few moments before deciding that going home to finish the tuna I had in the fridge would be better.

I hum a tune to myself, remembering a song I enjoyed listening to and took my phone out of my pocket and decide to send Shizuo a message. I should have sent a message sooner but I would guess he thought I was still sleeping since it’s not too often I wake up early.

[Sorry about that Shizu-chan. I had to do some work.]

I stare at it, wondering if I should really send it. It wasn’t like there was a lie lingering in there because there wasn’t. I erase it and change the message.

[Sorry Shizu-chan~ I would have stayed the night again but work called for me ฅ(´-ω-`)ฅ]

That looked much better. Thinking about it again my original message did sound too professional anyway. I pocket my phone since I knew Shizuo was still working around this time so I wasn’t expecting a message any time soon.

It didn’t take long to finally reach my apartment. I keep my coat on, reluctant to take it off and head straight for the kitchen. All I really wanted at this moment was the sweet taste of tuna. I didn’t realize how hungry I was and from the looks of it, past me wasn’t very hungry for tuna and left current me plenty of tuna to eat. I thank myself for the meal and pick up one of the many delicious looking fish. The smell was driving me crazy and honestly, if I wasn’t careful I think I would have bit myself thinking it was part of the fish. I go into the living room and lay on the couch, my back on the cushions and my head rested on the arm rest and my tray of tuna was on my stomach. My tail was curling and my ears were quivering. Tuna was always a delightful treat for me to have. I knew I couldn’t have fish too often since I could make myself sick and that was something I would always want to avoid. The idea of getting sick never sounded pleasant even though I have gotten sick before. Still, I continue to eat my tuna like it was pieces of chocolate, and when I had my fill I still had some left over. I pick up the tray of fish and place it on my coffee table. I don’t think I would honestly have tuna for dinner but I wasn’t sure.

I felt bored but I was full and felt sleepy but I didn’t want to take a nap and instead look at my boring plain white ceiling. I never did like feeling bored because when I felt bored I would start to think and often in the end I would make myself upset, but I really couldn’t help myself. A distraction would be such a beautiful thing right now, but I decide to dwell in my thoughts and thought about several things even if for a few moments. I wasn’t sure what I was thinking about but I knew I was thinking. I run my one of my hands across my chest and up to my neck but I paused when I heard a chime, my hand flinching. It was the bell on my collar that sometimes I forgot I wore. I never took it off, unless I had to hide and didn’t want to be found but those were always brief moments in time.

It was such a vivid image to remember the day I got it from my master. I frown at the image in my head because it was sad to think that I was so glad to get a gift from my master. It wasn’t like he had to buy me anything since I was just his pet cat. My collar didn’t have a bell on it before when I first got it and the more I thought about this, the more I felt myself shake. I didn’t know why I felt so anxious or why I felt like I was in pain. I curl up and turn to face the back of the couch, there was another chime of the bell and my ears go flat. I felt a heat run over me and my heartbeat increase in rhythm. I knew what I was seeing wasn’t real, wasn’t happening but to me it felt like I was reliving that moment again. Being pressed against the bed, my back in pain from when I had gotten punished. I whine and then-

I hear a sound that brought me to my senses, but I don’t look for it instead getting up and stumbled towards the bathroom. It was difficult to get there, I used the walls to support me and when I get there the light was still on, I forgot to turn it off but I didn’t care about that and turned on the water. I cupped shaky hands under the faucet and splash my face with the water not caring at this moment if this distasteful feeling of water was on me. When I look at my reflection I hadn’t realized I had been crying, but my eyes land on my collar. I reach for it wanting to take it off.

“Don’t take that collar off, Kitten, or I will have to punish you.”

I freeze and got frightened. I knew the second image in the mirror wasn’t there, but I reacted too quickly and lashed out my mirror and shattered the glass. “You don’t own me!”

“Then why wear the collar?”

My own thoughts betray me. I had one hand on the collar and ignored the pain in my other hand. This collar that causes me so much agony.

No.

It wasn’t the collar. It was the bell. It was the same bell that my second master had given me. Why hadn’t I taken it off? I know I should let go but how do I do that? Where do I turn and where do I go? I just don’t know anymore.

I drop to my knees, and lean against the sink. I didn’t know what to think.

It felt like eternity before I heard another sound. It came from my coat pocket and it was Shizuo messaging me. I check just how long ago it had been when he messaged me earlier and it had almost been an hour. I frown because it made me wonder if I had a mental break down and I probably did. I was still a little shaky but I manage to pick myself up, knowing that I should hope for the best. I felt that I did deserve something good out of this world. I breath in a shaky breath and exhale a shaky sigh. I look at my shattered visage in the mirror I had broken. I look at the center, and I noticed one piece of the broken glass angled towards my bell. I didn’t want to touch the small silver metal and glancing at my phone again I wondered if Shizuo would take it off for me but I thought that if I were to ask him to do such a thing he would question why.

I would have to keep the thought in mind. If Shizuo were to take this cursed bell off my collar I think I would feel happier than if the bell were still there. I knew I was used to hearing a chime occasionally, and thought that eventually I would have to get myself a new bell, one that had a different tune and ring to it. Thinking about it, I couldn’t help a small chuckle since I thought it would be silly if Shizuo bought me one. I think it would make me feel special if he did buy me something like that since Shizuo wasn’t anything like a master but he wasn’t just someone I would have sex with either.

I don’t know if I would call this feeling love but I did care for that guy.

[Would you like to come over for dinner?]

Is what his text said and if I thought about it, company was what I wanted right now.

[Sure~ I would like to have some dinner with you.]

[I’ll cook this time. You always seem to cook when you are here.]

It wasn’t a lie, I did like to cook but if Shizuo noticed it then I wondered if that was a bad thing or maybe it was just him wanting to be hospitable in his own apartment.

[Nyaa~ All right you can cook instead then. What’s for dinner?]

After I sent that text I left my bathroom and turned off the light. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to change since the water I splashed on myself was almost dry but I decide to leave it. Looking at my phone it was almost 7:00 pm and it always did amaze me how fast time would go by no matter what you were doing. Although in my case that concept didn’t exactly apply. But I always did lose my sense of time and had trouble telling what time it was when I had no watch or my phone to tell me. In truth, I would have figured it was still the afternoon because I felt tired, although that might have been from when I was crying and the thought of that was distasteful, especially the reason as to why I was crying.

[Sukiyaki today.]

My ears perk reading the message. I wasn’t sure how long it had been since I had anything like hot pot and was glad Shizuo has offered that.

[That sounds yummy~ Nyaa I bet it’s going to be great. I’ll be over very soon then.]

After I send the message I go downstairs while I pocketed my phone. I close my curtains and look at my living room. For once it was actually clean. There would usually be cat toys and strings scattered all around the room but I suppose that was because it wasn’t a day off and I was busy with clients in the morning. I decide not to think much of it and noticed the tray of sushi on the table. As much as I loved sushi, today it really wasn’t on my list of things to eat for a while. I pick up the tray and put it in the fridge. I’m sure if I remember I’ll have to throw it out. Day old sushi was all right but any longer than that and I refuse to eat it. With everything settled, I go by the door and turn off the lights. I step outside and made sure to lock my door because I didn’t need people to go in my apartment without me there. A few clients have actually done that before and I was amazed they haven’t stolen anything- at least to my knowledge they haven’t.

Feeling my phone vibrate I check the message and it was from Shizuo.

[Great. Can’t wait to see you when you get here.]

I couldn’t help the smile on my face. It was always nice to be around Shizuo, he always did have this aura of protection and mystery about him. I couldn’t help but be interested and as kind as he was I knew he also had a temper although I’m glad he hadn’t exactly tried to chase me away or fight me. Honestly, I really didn’t know what to make of it but it always did make me feel good to be around him; it was contenting and did make me feel safe. Soon enough I pocket my phone and make my way downstairs. It wouldn’t take me very long to get to Shizuo’s apartment. I knew where it was by heart.

End(?)

#About Iza #v; Tranquility #Drabbles #que; the cat is asleep #I'm not sure what to tag this tbh lmao #I would love some feed back tbh lmao idk if there is anything wrong with spelling or grammar but I tried xD

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richardschibellracing · 5 years

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Are You Worried About how Your Dogs Will Interact With Your Horses? Follow These Tips

Horse enthusiasts tend to care deeply about all animals. Plenty of riders own dogs, cats and other pets. Unfortunately, some dog owners hesitate to bring their furry friend to the barn. Dogs and horses might seem like two peas in a pod yet improperly mixing these two animals has the potential to backfire in a big way. If the dog or horse becomes nervous or even slightly scared, the animals could become violent toward one another. Thankfully, there are some ways to teach dogs to be relaxed around horses. Pet owners who are proactive about animal safety really can prevent potentially dangerous interactions between these animals. Here’s how to do it.

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Be Careful When Mixing Dogs With Horses

“It is a mistake to let a dog or any other animal of significant size loose in a riding arena, paddock or other space near your horse” says Richard Schibell. It takes merely one mistaken kick to inflict a painful injury or even kill the dog. Some pet owners have found gradually acclimating horses and dogs to one another with the assistance of a trainer ameliorates socialization and obedience challenges.

Understand Canine Body Language

Take some time to understand dog body language. Look for signs that indicate the animal is defensive or fearful. The common signs of fear include tail-tucking between the legs, a flattening of the ears, growling and loud barking. These are the most obvious signs of an agitated or fearful dog. Pay especially close attention to your dog and you will be able to pick up on subtle cues that indicate fear. Everything from dilated pupils to panting, yawning, lip-liking, pacing and refusing to look at the horse indicate the dog is unhappy being in the horse’s presence. If you spot such signals, remain calm and make sure the horse and dog have ample space between them.

Learn About Your Furry Friend’s Background

Most dog-lovers are aware of the fact that canines evolved from wolves. Plenty of dog breeds hunt small animals similar to how wolves chase their prey. Thankfully, dogs do not view horses as prey. Rather, some dogs are intimidated by horses simply because of their distinct body language and remarkable size. However, there is the potential for the dog’s instinctive desire to chase other animals to trump his or her fear. This means a nervous dog might run in pursuit of a galloping horse.

Some puppies and other young dogs will attempt to play with the horse yet these two animals do not share body language so the horse will have no idea what the dog is trying to do. It is particularly interesting to note horses are naturally afraid of wolves. The average horse will flee the scene quite quickly if pursued by a wolf or even a dog. Some horses are even willing to kick dogs who get too close. Kicking can inflict significant harm on the dog as well as the rider.

Carefully Socialize Your Dogs and Horses

Do not rush the introduction of your dog to your horse. This process will take some time. Provide your dog with the opportunity to sniff around the horse barn when the horses are far away from the area. Walk the dog on a leash so you can control him or her when exposed to these new odors. It might help to give your dog the opportunity to smell a horse saddle blanket to improve familiarity with your equine friends. Position the horse within a paddock. Do not tether him as he needs to be able to move away. Slowly walk toward the horse with your furry friend on a leash. Heap on the praise and doggy snacks while observing for indications of anxiety. If the dog growls, barks or appears scared, back away until he settles down. It will take some time to gradually move the animals closer together. It might take upwards of several weeks for the animals to get used to one another in the paddock space. Once the two hit it off in this environment, segue to practicing in other situations such as the horse barn. Be patient and the animals should get along in due time.

Focus on Keeping the Animals Comfortable

Your dog deserves the opportunity to gradually socialize with horses until the point is reached when both animals feel comfortable around one another. Ideally, socialization will occur before the two animals are formally introduced. Socialization is particularly important for puppies. Trainers advise subjecting dogs to an abundance of situations in the initial formative weeks. Though it is possible to teach grown dogs to be comfortable around larger animals like horses, it will likely take longer as older dogs tend to be set in their ways.

Focus on establishing positive associations to socialize your dog with your horse. Remain below the dog’s threshold for fear so the animal stays calm. Slowly hike the intensity while ensuring the dog feels comfortable every step of the way. Bring your dog to an area where he can observe the horse from afar with a fence between the two animals to prevent physical contact. Keep the dog held tight on a leash, be quite and wait for the dog to see the horse on his own. Once he or she spots the horse, give him a treat. Give the dog another treat each time he looks up to the horse.

Return to the same area the next couple of days to continue practicing dog-horse socialization. Your dog will gradually become more comfortable with the horse as these interactions increase in frequency. Gradually move the animals closer to one another. If your furry friend shows signs of stress, ease up and go a bit slower. Keep trying and your dog will likely be content to be near horses in due time.

Above all, you should focus on inspiring positive interactions between the animals without spurring stress. Once your dog seems at peace near your horse, the two can be formally introduced without a fence between them. However, if the dog refuses to settle down after several attempts, you just might have to resign yourself to the fact that they might not get along no matter how hard you try.

Consider Crating Your Dog

Regardless of how much time you spend training your dog and horse, it will prove impossible to predict animal behavior. You can take some precautions to keep these animals safe. Consider crating your furry friend when horses are in the area. Crating your dog will prove especially important if in the vicinity of horses unfamiliar with dogs. You never know if a horse will detest your dog’s look, scent or other idiosyncrasies.

If you are grooming your horse or doing anything else in which you cannot keep an eye on your dog, the animal will likely walk around the area and possibly be mistakenly kicked or stepped on. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry. When in doubt, crate your dog! Thankfully, there is no need to pay through the nose for a costly crate. You merely need a crate with soft sides to confine your pet for a brief period of time.

Be Safe When Riding Your Horse in the Vicinity of Your Dog

Do not attempt to ride with your dog alongside your horse. Dogs must be capable of responding to your commands regardless of the situation. If another rider, dog, hiker or bike rider is in the area, it is imperative your dog follows your verbal commands. Every dog should be trained to sit, stay and walk. This way, you can guide your dog into the proper position without dismounting. You can practice with the horse in the vicinity as soon as your dog understands basic commands.

It might even help to have your significant other or a friend ride the horse as you perform dog training. The dog must be taught to walk behind the horse at a safe distance. Certain dogs are capable of walking at this distance without training. However, especially energetic canines will require some extra training. Above all, do not make the mistake of leashing your dog while riding as the leash could easily become entangled, forcing the dog beneath the horse or even yanking you off the saddle.

Conclusion

Few dogs and horses get along with one another in a natural manner. These animals can be taught to be civil in the presence of one another if you are patient and caring. Anticipate some conflicts during the socialization process, closely observe animal interactions and keep a close eye on the animals to prevent them from harming one another. Slowly introduce the two animals to minimize stress and the two should get along in due time.

With 35 years experience, Richard Schibell loves sharing his passion and knowledge for all things horses. Stay up to date with our content by following the blog at Richardschibellracing.com!

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sugar-petals · 6 years

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BTS Hogwarts Houses

Bangtan sorted with their ♦ core quality.

Disclaimer: Written by a Slytherin.

Jimin - Slytherin | ♦ Charming

Taehyung - Gryffindor | ♦ Daring

Power or wisdom he does not crave. It’s a decision between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, and I argue for the former. His goal when he was young and couldn’t afford things was to have a “fabulous” life, to provide for himself and everything his relatives lacked. HP translation: chivalry and fighting for the underdog. He said he admired the heroism of his dad, or the sacrifice of the protagonist in one of his favorite movies, “A Wolf’s Temptation”. V wanted to become a singer because of the positive feedback from his peers when he was on stage. Disclosing his core values, he states wanting to be confident and not giving up. That’s Gryffindor’s will, social adventure spirit, and valor. Consider the wild things he does on live television in general. He eats things he shouldn’t eat, endlessly teased his pet dog by blowing on it, nae nae’d for KBS and the entire world, danced in stilettos, and once left in the middle of broadcast to go to the toilet walking through the entire venue. For me as a Slytherin: unfathomable, and Yoongi thinks the same since Tae’s Cypher performance. You probably spotted a Gryffindor when the Slytherins are not having it. It’s boldness mixed with a lax attitude that rubs snakes the wrong way: ”Grades are not that important”. I don’t see a hard-working, decency-loving Hufflepuff. It’s the impulse of Gryffindor that will not micro-manage or conform. There are some other few moments that made me think Gryff. In Run BTS Ep.32 he did not play fair at all, first protected Jungkook, then bluffed to betray him. Too much mischief for consistent and just Hufflepuff. “Rescuer house” Gryffindor is a lot less focused on loyalty even in jest. Last but not least: Last time I checked, the “V” sign stands for victory so we really have a lion here.

Yoongi - Slytherin | ♦ Goal-oriented

No doubts about this old soul. The day Agust D finished everyone, the minute Min Yoonji entered the room, the moment Suga broke down receiving the 2016 daesang, his house was set. Need more evidence? “You need people like me to point your fuxxin’ fingers and say ‘that’s the bad guy’”. Verbatim from the mixtape cover. No Ravenclaw nor Hufflepuff would EVER promote that. Gryffindor is eliminated, too. He rather cares about the power behind the throne, the respect, the skills and resources that he will keep secret if he has to. He’d even want being feared which practically no other house desires or has use for. Yoongi operates in the shadows, literally at night. Slytherin loves the dark, the common room would be so perfect for him. 200+ songs a year? That’s what I call ambition. He knew what his purpose was ever since, too. No surprise he loves trophies, it was all in his past vision. His sharp tongue, “I’m a genius” antics, and stance of observation signify Slytherin's cunning braggadocio style. All mixed with shrewdness, as does his fixation on the past. If you go through the house traits, yeah. He does have them all. He gets along with actual living snakes just fine as well, just like Jimin. I mean, Suga is so Slytherin he could straight up hang out with Merlin himself to talk about what it means to be at the top. If he wasn’t busy producing - read: goal-orientedness and self-preservation - he’d be a leader candidate. Suga has a lot of boss qualities and can guide things to success without disclosing everything. Confer his Festa hosting, he keeps the members on track. Most clear-cut Slytherin in Bangtan.

Jin - Hufflepuff | ♦ Caring EDIT: I consider Jin a Gryffindor by now.

J-Hope - Gryffindor | ♦ Passionate

Q: “How does it feel to be having this global success?” - JH: “Woo! It’s nice!” Gryffindor loves fame. Our Hobi did not hesitate to answer one bit there. He has a whole lot of nerve and boldness, fits perfectly into America’s very Gryffindor culture, did you notice? Don’t let the flinch game or horror clip reaction fool you. What he values is daring. The rest is just exercising what he is good at - expressing emotions, and you can be sure he amps it up for the entertainment. If there is one house who likes an uproar, it’s the lions. They’re just not into snakes, that’s all. Also, Gryff heroism - “I was so afraid, but I survived!” style. At the beginning, he was confident since he wanted to test himself. And then it backfired. Like on Corden he exclaimed “Wow!” and danced toward the glass when it was his turn, then got caught by surprise. Classic: Gryff’s volition overriding all planning or foresight. It lacks Slytherin’s or Ravenclaw’s consideration and cautious Hufflepuff’s comfort mentality. He always goes straight ahead to combat boredom for everybody while the other members would be too embarrassed or slow. His room apparently is the noisiest. Is it a Gryffindor trait that they are very loud? I do think so. Partly because it ties to their traits of being people-oriented, temperamental, and talkative, which definitely applies to Hobi. It’s a good point to attach similar Hufflepuff values to him. But he still has that one edge of chivalry and glee in winning that makes him a lion, while he is neither very grounded nor unafraid of toil. In fact, he’s not into the sturdy badgers’ extra hard work, Slytherin’s ruthless pursuit, or Ravenclaw’s intellectual experiments and projects. Guess why Suga (S) and Joon (R) have their mixtapes out while he doesn’t. J-Hope excels more using a whim and scattered energy to charge into the situation at hand.

Namjoon - Ravenclaw | ♦ Intelligent

Jungkook - Slytherin | ♦ Self-Preserving

Typical Slytherin introvert. Shy, but determined. That sets him apart from Gryffindor in particular. If he had to choose between asking IU for her number or impressing her with his skills indirectly, he chooses the latter. Gryffindor wouldn’t even think about that and dive in head first even if the odds of rejection are high. Slytherin estimates their chances instead, looks for the best way to use their resources successfully. He’s tactical, economical, but doesn’t want to accumulate knowledge like Ravenclaws who can be equally calculating. Look at his shrugged-off responses to math questions on air. The only book he’ll ever pick up is a comic or manga. Given how much self-preservation he demonstrated so far, how much he emphasizes ambition, Slytherin is a no-brainer. Social house Hufflepuff would reach out to bond, meanwhile Jungkook: showered alone in the early days, stays in his room, goes to Hongdae by himself, few tweets, mutes the group chat... On the other hand: Piano Tiles, wrestling, bowling, working out: JK comes out of his shell and gives it his all when he knows his efforts will be valued. He’s hypercompetitive even with small things, was not above shoving J-Hope aside mid-air to claim his title as #TheBunny in Run BTS Ep.33. If he’s forcibly pigeonholed as the baby maknae, then he’ll make it a freaking success. Delegate Slytherin an assignment that they are sure of tackling and they get active. Without a goal, what’s the use? Finally, there’s a pretty salient reason behind why he loves G-Dragon and was inspired by him to become a star in the first place. GD is the King of serpents. Slytherin family allegiance and aristocracy much? It also ties to how he treats his parents, this guy is on another level.

Gif cr. x x x x x x x

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lastpic21 · 3 years

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THE FOUNDATIONS OF TRAINING

The first months of puppy rearing pass so quickly that before you know it your puppy is practically full-grown. From adoption to six months of age, your pup will grow to three-quarters of his adult size and pass through a series of developmental stages that will have a strong effect on his future behavior. Do not let this growth catch you off guard. Understanding how this period of development unfolds will allow you to anticipate your pup’s behavior and plan effective training methods. You must learn to harmonize your handling of your pup with the particular stage of growth he has reached, thus giving him the best chance of maturing into a happy, well-adjusted companion.

The Socialization Period Concludes

As we have seen, most people adopt their pups between seven and ten weeks, in the middle of the socialization period. Because of this timing, new owners often notice their pups manifesting fear and avoidance shortly after being brought home, usually in connection with new experiences. This fear/avoidance period (eight to ten weeks) is a normal part of socialization and is indirectly responsible for puppies’ bonding quickly with new owners. A puppy who experiences this touch of insecurity tends to seek the presence and security of his owner; he gladly follows you around and stays by your side.

Through this close contact the puppy’s self-confidence grows steadily, so that when he enters the final two weeks of the socialization period (ten to twelve weeks) he acts like a little adult. This is a particularly enjoyable time to spend with your pup. He learns quickly yet still looks upon you as the central figure in his life. Occasions of fearfulness are infrequent. Even though the pup appears to be well-adjusted, it is important not to adopt a careless, laissez-faire attitude with him. Within the parameters of safety, you should continue intensive socializing: invite friends and neighbors to your house to meet your puppy. Be sure to plan these encounters ahead of time so that your friends will know what to do. A good practice is to set up a greeting routine that your pup will quickly become accustomed to. When the doorbell rings, bring your puppy to the door on a leash, so that he is under control. After you open the door and greet your friend, have the person crouch down to meet your puppy, praising him in a pleasant voice. It is much easier for pups to approach a crouching figure than a person who is towering over them. Make sure your guest makes no sudden movements toward the pup that could be frightening.

Also, take the puppy on short car trips around the neighborhood to get him accustomed to the car. Use a portable crate (or have a friend stay in the backseat with him), and keep the trips short enough so that he does not get sick. If you follow up each excursion with praise and a session of play, he will learn to associate the car with a pleasant experience. Pups who are conditioned to riding in the car early in life become quitecomfortable as adults and rarely have difficulties with motion sickness.

If you can walk him safely (remember, until your pup is fully immunized you must be careful about exposing him to other dogs and areas where animals defecate), let him explore the area around your house while on-leash, and take him to meet people in the neighborhood, especially children. We cannot overemphasize the importance of socialization: providing your pup with as many new experiences as possible should be a major priority for you at this time in his life. This also includes conditioning to a wide variety of common household appliances: electric blender, dishwasher, garage-door opener, waste-disposal system, and vacuum cleaner. Keep the initial exposures gentle, switching on the appliance when your pup is well away from it and letting him make a gradual approach. Do not force or drag him. Instead, let your pup get accustomed to the noise and movement in his own time.

These daily episodes of socializing build his self-confidence and foster a healthy attitude toward life. Also, if you have not already started to teach your pup basic obedience exercises (see chapter fifteen), now is the time. Although a puppy at this age has a short attention span and requires plenty of patience, he is quite capable of learning and will benefit from short training sessions that are kept positive and nonpunitive.The above holds true for city pups as well, though it is easy to imagine how socializing a puppy under these circumstances can be a real challenge. Since urban apartment dwellers most likely will not be walking their puppies in public until at least sixteen weeks of age, they must provide safe alternative social experiences. Why sixteen weeks? Because many city veterinarians worry about the risks of allowing puppies to interact before they have completed their full cycle of vaccinations. The primary concern is canine parvovirus, a potentially lethal disease that is contracted when an unprotected puppy comes in contact with infected feces or with other contaminated organic material such as soil, where the virus can survive for more than a year. With the high population of dogs in our cities, the parvovirus threat on the street is very real. An even greater risk, however, is that of an undersocialized pup being euthanized or surrendered because he exhibits serious behavior problems related to lack of socializing. Since the critical socialization period ends at fourteen weeks, it is vital that newly adopted puppies be thoroughly socialized from the day they come into your life. Quite literally their lives may depend on it.

Fortunately, city owners are not without viable options to safely accomplish this. For clients living in apartments without private yards, we recommend several procedures to ensure proper socializing without jeopardizing a puppy’s health. As part of your daily routine, take your pup on walks around the neighborhood, using a large tote bag in which the pup can be comfortably carried. Small and medium-size breeds have no difficulty fitting in these kinds of carryalls throughout puppyhood, and large breeds can be easily carried until they are between ten and twelve weeks of age. Toting your pup around prevents him from coming into contact with urine and feces while also exposing him to the sights and sounds of city life. Urban puppies have to get used to honking horns, jackhammers, sirens, and busy traffic, as well as to large crowds of people walking along sidewalks. Often if an owner is sitting with a puppy on a park bench, people will ask to meet or pet the pup. These experiences will provide your dog with controlled exposure to the world and will nurture his normal development.

Another safe socializing exercise for pups in cities involves using the lobby area of your apartment building for random encounters with all sorts of people. With your pup on a leash, you can walk him around the lobby, letting him investigate and mingle naturally with the whole environment. Simply offering your pup the opportunity to see people coming in and out of the building has a very beneficial effect. If people come over to greet or admire your dog, introduce your puppy to them, taking care not to allow him to jump up. After the adjustment of the first several days, you can invite friends and relatives over to meet your puppy. This step is extremely important if a large number of your pup’s social experiences prior to sixteen weeks of age will occur in your apartment.

Finally, puppy classes are widely available for socialization purposes, although the safety of these has been called into question. Some veterinarians caution their clients not to participate until their pup’s vaccinations are complete. In a roundtable discussion sponsored by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and printed in the December 2009 issue of Veterinary Medicine, four veterinarians with expertise in animal behavior weighed in on the risks versus the benefits of puppy classes. Without exception, each of these experts underscored the importance of early socializing in puppy development, the minimal safety risks associated with attending puppy classes before the full cycle of vaccinations has been completed, and the absolute benefits to puppies in participating. The veterinarians believed that getting puppies properly socialized was paramount, even with the potential health risks of puppy classes. They discussed the safety protocols that most puppy classes have in place—such as requiring vaccinations (i.e., those appropriate for the age of each puppy), health certificates, and good hygiene, and not allowing ill puppies to attend class—and they reported the few, if any, instances of serious sickness they had witnessed as a result of puppy classes. They alsoencouraged socialization dates in safe areas with adult dogs who are known to be healthy and who are friendly with puppies, as well as car rides that can expose pups to a broad number of sights and sounds. The experts discouraged visiting dog parks and walking on sidewalks until a pup’s vaccinations are completed at sixteen weeks of age.

The Juvenile Period (12 Weeks to Sexual Maturity)

The juvenile period of development corresponds to that time in the wild when wolf puppies make their first excursions away from the nest area, showing a new curiosity about their surrounding environment. They become increasingly independent, and existing behavior patterns are refined as the pups grow in strength and skill. Prior to this, the pups have stayed within twenty yards of the nest, and their primary focus has been their mother. Now that changes: the nest is abandoned and the pups are taken to “rendezvous” sites, where they stay while the pack is hunting elsewhere. At these sites, which can be as large as a half acre, they become adventuresome and begin learning how to hunt, practicing on field mice and other small animals. Their running skills improve steadily, and their gait progresses from awkward bunny-hopping to a smoother, more coordinated trot. This results in greater stamina and higher activity levels. Social behavior also matures: by fourteen weeks the dominance order of the litter is fixed and the pups have developed a keen sense of their rank and status within the pack. Over the following months their permanent teeth will come in, and they will be introduced gradually to adult life—hunting with the pack around ten months of age, when their bodies have grown strong enough.

These same behavioral changes occur in the life of your puppy, though they can make for trying times in a domestic context. Many owners are quite unprepared for the challenge of these months, when puppy behavior fluctuates dramatically. Beginning at thirteen weeks, a pup will show more pronounced expressions of independence: the dog who only last week was your shadow, who seemed well on his way to being trained, now begins to ignore you when you call, and during training and play sessions you have to work extra hard to keep his attention. His rapid growth produces a corresponding increase in activity that makes him highly excitable and difficult to manage. While he does need plenty of exercise, for most owners this translates into walks with lots of pulling and lunging. Bad habits develop quickly. When guests come to the house, the juvenile pup turns into a juvenile delinquent, jumping up and making himself a pest, continually demanding attention. It is also common for pups of this age to become very mouthy, so that by the teething period (four to six months), they are chewing on everything, people included. To top things off, your puppy will probably go through a second fear period, when his behavior will swing from being independent and bratty (twelve to fourteen weeks) to periodically cautious and fearful (sixteen to twenty-four weeks), even of things with which he had formerly been comfortable.

Patience alone is not sufficient to get through these months. Now, more than ever, your pupneeds the guiding, stabilizing presence of a competent and understanding pack leader (see chapter fourteen). Take an active role in this process. Preliminary training, appropriate discipline, and a reassuring attitude are all key elements in helping your pup through this challenging period of his life. Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make with your pup is to put off this early training under the mistaken assumption that training should occur after six months. This common misunderstanding is responsible for all sorts of unnecessary behavior problems. When owners fail to begin puppy training as soon as they adopt their pup, the dog begins to train himself. After several months of the pup doing as he pleases, “untraining” will most likely involve sterner techniques that, while effective, could have been avoided had puppy training begun immediately. To illustrate this, we bring you the case of Rory.

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