#me just now cause tomorrow by wings came on shuffle

[goldengoddess]

soooo the idea is a fic set during king of scars where the reader is nikolai's childhood best first and we stumble into his room one evening and we actually see him change into the demon and just absjajnsns

i am yours - nikolai lantsov

* KING OF SCARS & RULE OF WOLVES SPOILERS *

pairing: nikolai lantsov x reader

a/n: okay this is absolutely garbage rae i am so sorry pls forgive me,,, i KNOW this is not how nikolai’s demon works and he wouldn’t just like turn back but for the sake of this fic pls pretend <33333

for the lovley @wtfrae !!! i love u pls go read her work everyone <3

warnings: spoilers! some angst n like threat of violence but y’all know me, everything is good and happy by the end

nikolai had always been the one person you could turn to. since the two of you were kids, it had always been an unbreakable bond. something no one else seemed to understand. how to kids, tossed aside by their family, tested in every way possible, were able to find each other and bring out the best in one another. nikolai made you better, made you good.

life in ravka was never easy, it was a constant struggle. especially in the years leading up to nikolai’s reign. the two of you almost hadn’t made it out alive then, and while nikolai had been out fighting with alina in the fold, you had stayed at the spinning wheel helping the injured.

but when things finally settled down, alina and mal safe and away, nikolai had told you so many stories. the two of you had spent months apart. so out of nostalgia, every night you’d sneak into nikolai’s room and listen to your best friend tell you stories about everything. all the battles he’d fought along as sturmhond, what the battle against the darkling had looked like.

and even when nikolai ran out of stories, and you ran out of questions, you kept sneaking into his room to talk to him. he was the king of ravka, during the day he never even stopped to take a breath. but his nights were reserved for you. just so he could hear the sound of your voice before he was bound to his bed by chains.

nikolai loved you dearly, you were the only constant he had ever known. but he couldn’t bring himself to share what had happened to him during the battle with the darkling, what he’d become. instead, he told you the stories he told everyone else, how he was captured and tortured. it hurt him, to lie to you. but he couldn’t have you seeing him the way he saw himself, a monster. so even though lying to you pained him every night, he would do it to hear your excited questions and giggles as you snuck out of his room.

he always made sure you were gone before zoya came in. he wouldn’t be able to explain the drugging potion. or even worse, his horrible transformation into the demon that lived inside of him.

but secrets almost never stay secrets.

“saints nikolai,” you gasped, rushing off his bed to grab grab your coat, “it’s past midnight. i can’t be in here!”

nikolai sat up and looked out his window, you watched the color drain from his face. he cleared his throat and walked over to you, “you’re right you should probably go.”

you nodded and shuffled away from him, but before opening the door you paused. you turned back to the blonde haired boy, “nikolai?”

“yes sweetheart?” he answered, facing you.

“i could,” you hesitated, “i could sleep over. one night, i’m not saying tonight. just some night. i’ll sleep on the floor but, i spend all of my night here anyways. just like when we were kids.”

as nikolai slowly walked closer to you, you waited for his teasing remark and eventual acceptance. the two of you w had a sleepover since before he left ravka. of course it wouldn’t be the same, as he was now king, but he was your nikolai.

instead, he gently tucked a piece of your hair and kissed your forehead. “i don’t think that’s such a good idea sweetheart.”

your heart shattered at his words and his at the fact that he had to say them. there was nothing he wanted more. nothing that would bring him more peace than holding you in his arms until the sunrise. not just for a couple of hours right before bed, not having to pretend that everything he felt for you was strictly platonic.

“oh” you said defeatedly. “that, yeah that’s okay. i’ll see you tomorrow nikolai.” and with that you rushed out of the room.

later, as zoya gave nikolai genya and david’s potion to knock him out, all he could think about was the horrible look on your face.

at some point in the night you’d made the decision to go talk to nikolai. the two of you couldn’t go on like this, attempting to be way you have been before the darkling and alina while tip toeing around these new feelings you had for eachother.

but as you made your way to nikolai’s doors, hand on the doorknob, you heard a soft growl coming from inside. you covered your mouth with your hand to prevent a gasp from escaping your lips. you slowly turned the handle and stepped into the room.

on nikolai’s kingly bed was a dark giant looking demon. it’s wings were the color of the night sky seen in the window of the bed room. it took your breath away.

you pressed your back against the wall, trying to move back towards the door without making any noise. but the demon heard you and snapped it’s head in your direction.

every part of your body was screaming to run, to scream even. but something stopped you. the eyes. they stopped you. they were dark and pitch black but there was something familiar about them. not the color but the way they watched you. like they were trying to remember every single part of you just in case.

nikolai was the only person who you knew looked at you that way.

“nikolai?” you whispered to the monster.

the creature craned its neck to the side, similar to the confused head tilts that nikolai used to give you during lessons. you took a hesitant step forward, holding your hands up to show that you weren’t going to cause harm.

“nikolai” you tried again, with more conviction in your voice.

the creature let out a small growl as a response and you flinched away. at your movement it out a whine and moved away from you.

you shuffled closer, “hey no no i’m okay. nikolai?”

slowly, as you repeated your best friends name over and over, the creature became less beast and more man. slowly morphing into a messy set of blonde curls and body you’d hugged more times than you can recall. your nikolai.

he curled up in a ball and leaned his back against the end of his bed.

“nikolai” you attempted softly, falling to your knees in front of him.

he scrambled away to a corner of the room, “please. please leave. i’m begging.” his voice was raspy from misuse, thought the two of you had spoken only hours before.

“nikolai i’m not leaving, please explain to me. what was that?” you pleaded with him.

“that was nothing, now go. please please” he sobbed into his hands.

you crossed your arms over your chest in a stubborn gesture that he couldn’t even see, “you’re lying to me again! i’m not leaving until you explain what that was. why can’t you tell me the truth for once?”

“that was me!” he yelled as he lifted his head and met your eyes for the first time.

you let out a sigh of relief at the familiar hazel color of his eyes. you crossed your legs together, “that was you?”

“yes that was me. that is what the darkling did to me. now please,” he let out an exhausted sob “please leave sweetheart.”

you felt tears swelling in your own eyes at his voice. how broken he sounded. your nikolai never sounded so defeated. and if he ever felt that way, he had never shown you. you crawled over to him slowly and placed your hands on the sides of his face, rubbing away the tears.

“what are you doing” he whimpered and dropped his head into your hands, “i could hurt you. sweetheart, you have to go.”

“my nikolai” you whispered, pushing his damp hair away from his forehead.

he closed his eyes and you couldn’t tell if it was from anger, exhaustion, sadness, or a mix of all of it. “i cannot be yours. i’ve lied to you, i’m a demon, a monster. you can’t possibly want me to be yours.” he spit each word about himself as if it were venom, like the words ripped away a little bit of his humanity, or his confidence.

you shook your head and softly placed your forehead again his, still holding the sides of his face. “no. you’re my nikolai. you always will be.”

you placed two soft kisses on his cheeks, one on each side. “my” kiss, “nikolai,” another kiss.

“oh sweetheart, i am yours” he sighed and opened up his knees so you could fall into his embrace. “i am so sorry.”

“you should be” you mumbled into his chest. “what if you had died nikolai? and i wouldn’t have known what was happening to you until it was too late. i could have helped.”

he kissed the top of your head, still hesitantly. “im a fool, you can spend the rest of my life reminding me. i didn’t want to ruin this, us. it’s the last precious thing i have in my life.”

“we are still precious” you whispered and clung to his shirt like your life depended on it. “the same way you are still the nikolai i have always known, since childhood. you are still good. we will fix this.”

“and if we can’t?” he asked so softly that you almost couldn’t hear him.

“then i’ll have to get just as familiar with the demon as i am with you” you joked.

and the rumble of nikolai’s laughing chest told you that everything would be perfectly fine. demon and all, he was still your nikolai.

taglist;

@deardiarystuff @bookishcrows @kazsimp @vintagebitc @obiwansjedi @thegirlwiththeimpala @hybrid-in-progress @mrs-brekker15 @mrsbrekkers @simplyluvzuko @ode-to-joy @gallysonegoodlung @sixofshadowandbone @castielcouldbeasecretdentist @meiitanoia @caaarstairs @itisroe

if your name is in bold, it means i couldn’t tag you <3

#nikolai lanstov #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai x reader #nikolai duology #shadow and bone #six of crows #grishaverse #kaz brekker #six of crows imagine #shadow and bone imagine #leigh bardugo #rae <3

[bountyhunter-s-bane]

Thunderstorm

Pairings: Cad Bane x M!Reader

Rating: Teen

Word Count: 1.6k+

Summary: Cad Bane and his apprentice hunter (Reader) wait out a thunderstorm on Ryloth. Neither seem to have much fondness for the weather (content warning for astraphobia)

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

Your latest hunt brought the pair of you to Ryloth. Not perhaps the wide welcoming landscapes or the friendlier towns (under siege by the Separatist forces), but every planet seemed to have a hidey-hole for the less hospitable kinds of people, such as smugglers and bounty hunters such as yourselves. This one was a bar stuck into the side of a cliff and surrounded by dozens and dozens of ramshackle huts for refugees trapped on the planet, either trying to eke out a living or waiting for the first opportunity to get to somewhere safer.

Cad Bane left his freighter outside the outskirts of this shanty town, and instructed you to stay and keep watch whilst he got to business. As you were left sitting there and waiting, staring at the lack of scenery, you figured you would have preferred to join him at the bar. The air was muggy and heavy and the wrong kind of warm, all alluding to the thick black clouds gathering on the horizon. Where you were now however was bright sunshine, and to keep from melting you took shelter under the wing of the fighter with Todo as company. The droid kept up light conversation, both of you bouncing discussion back and forth regarding your latest job. This one was apparently meant to be person gathering over information gathering, something that Cad tended to interchange depending on the current prices going. Both were often available after all, and both could be equally dangerous and fleeting. But for now, you were waiting on your contact to gain the whole picture for what you and Cad would be collecting.

The clouds were almost overhead before Cad returned from his meeting, about as stormy as the oncoming weather.

“Trouble?” you asked.

“Our information and money source didn’t turn up on time,” he grumbled. “I commed him only to find out he’s not going to be in until tomorrow. Waste of time.” He turned and thumped a hand against the side of the freighter, face wrinkled up further from frustration. You remained calm, albeit disappointed as well. The waiting times between missions were often the dullest times you had to deal with. Being made to wait reeked of a particular kind of person that neither of you enjoyed working for, so long as they paid up at the end.

“So we stay the night, wait for him in the morning,” you said, folding your arms as you lean against the side of the freighter. Cad looked down to you, an expression of grim resignation on his face. Taking a moment to rub at the bridge of his nose, he heaved out a tired sigh.

“That’s right,” he replied. You watched him as he slowly sat down on the ground next to yourself and Todo, digging into his coat for a toothpick to start chewing on. His irritation was rolling off him in waves. If you disliked being made to wait, he hated it. Sure, he could be patient while waiting on a target to come out into the open, but there was a difference between patience and being practically grounded on the planet. As he stared up towards the line of black clouds, he felt a gentle weight lean against his side. You shuffled quietly into more of a comfortable position, thinking perhaps that the motion was subtle, up until he raised an arm away from you and draped it heavily over your shoulders.

“The view’s nice at least,” you commented.

“I can agree to that. ‘Least until that storm hits.”

 -

The storm finally broke a few hours later, the tension in the air about as thick as soup. Cad tasked you with going out and finding a place to get food from, which was much easier said than done when wandering about a ramshackle village. Eventually you were able to find a Twi’lek family serving out some wrapped up meals, a couple portions of which you obtained having bargained several credits and an hour of small-talk. It was difficult to bring in any information into this place, so people were getting what they could however they could. While the family seemed keen to move on, they weren’t going to risk getting a ride out with a bounty hunter and his apprentice, it seemed.

A sheet of rain cascaded down, causing you to flee back to the freighter, shielding several foil-wrapped parcels of hot bread and hunks of dried meat under your coat. There wasn’t exactly a kitchen or a section of the ship where a person would sit and eat, and so normally you and Cad would simply eat meals in the freighter’s cockpit where there were seats. Tonight Cad had set up a small burner for heat and extra light, over which you could hang up your sodden coat. With the majority dampness deposited to dry off, you handed over his portions in silence and plopped down into one of the seats. Raindrops pattered across the front viewport, filling some of the empty space as you both dug into the meal.

“It’s weird. It’s raining but still kind of warm”, you commented.

“That’s Ryloth storms for you. Be grateful for the warmth, it’ll get real chilly at night”, Cad replied.

Lightning flashed in the distance. You counted the passing seconds under your breath and around mouthfuls of food. Eventually the grrmmm of thunder sounded, but not before several other flashes of lightning had struck. The distant sound sent cold shudders down your back.

“Shouldn’t we be worried about the ship?” you asked nervously.

“It’s parked close enough to the cliff. Natural lightning rod. It’ll be fine,” Cad replied, hand-waving your concern. He trusted his own intuition on keeping his possessions safe, and so leaned back in his seat as he watched you sit back as well. 

“…I can’t actually remember the last time I saw a proper thunderstorm.”

“Don’t be sappy, lad. You get used to them, and sure get to hate them with some of the planets we gotta work on.”

“I’m not being sappy. I’m being grateful.” 

The lightning got closer, brighter. The thunder started to sound closer to each flash, becoming more harsh until it wasn’t a grumble and more of a CRACK. Cad blinked slowly, feeling more lethargic with the evening rolling in but still very much perceptive of the room. The lightning kept him on edge - too similar to a blaster flashing blue. He could see each flinch you made, the way you recoiled from the viewport in time with the loud thunder. It wasn’t the usual sort of fear he saw on your face when the pair of you faced a situation that had gotten out of hand, that sort of fear came with excitement and adrenaline. This fear was paired with a cold helplessness. 

“C’mon, get up,” he grumbled, getting to his feet and pulling you up from your seat as well, reaching out for the burner. “It’s getting late. It’s quieter in the bunk room anyway.” 

“It is?” 

“Yeah. Makes it easier to sleep and all.” For all his snark, there was an ulterior intent to Cad nudging you out from the cockpit. Discomfort remained in his gut even after moving you away, even now in the soft quiet where you relaxed. No rumbling thunder in here. True to Cad’s earlier warning, it’d gotten quite a bit colder, even in the cramped interior of the freighter’s bunk room. The burner was set on the holotable and cranked up, but that wasn’t going to keep anyone warm without hugging the little machine, and no-one wanted to burn the engine fuel for a cosy night if you were on ground instead of in space.

The silence turned weirdly heavy as you kicked off your boots and Cad draped his coat over one of the seats. You were already shivering from the change of temperature, and Cad wasn’t looking too hot either. By the time you’d set aside your jacket, you were glancing from your own personal bunk to the space that was blankets and leathers and pillows that Cad had built up for himself over time. While you were glancing at the bunk, Cad was looking at you. You were pretty sure you both had the same idea. And while you were hesitant to suggest it, Cad was anything but shy.

“Peh, get over here.” He grabbed your wrist and tugged you over the bunk. “If you got ill from the cold that’d cost us both credits and time.”

Your continued hesitation got you a firm nudge in the back that sent you teetering over to fall into the bedding.

“Kriff’s sake, that was uncalled for!” you snapped, much to Cad’s delight.

“Come on, you were acting like I was going to bite you.” His sly smile became a grin. “I mean, unless you-” 

“That is a conversation for another time,” you said, feeling heat rise rapidly in your cheeks. Cad snorted, sitting down into the bunk as well.

“Seems like the perfect time for this conversation.” Whatever response you had died on your lips as you felt a slight rumble through the ship, just noticeable enough to catch your attention. Cad noticed it too, the heated look in his eyes fading as the moment slipped itself into the cold room, and he settled in close to your side. 

“....So….” Your words trailed off.

“Just get your rest. And stay close to me.”

 -

Rain clattered softly off the metal overhead as the thunderstorm passed overhead. Sometimes you could feel another rattle in the metal of the ship, and you wondered whether it was thunder or your own imagination. Cad was fast asleep, but part of you knew that he’d be awake the moment something bad happened. He’d also managed to coil himself around you, contact generating warmth while one arm rested heavily over your chest. Possessive. Comforting. For all his grit and teeth (and you did think about those teeth more than you probably needed to), he pulled out stops to keep you alive and well under his wing. You’d noticed this protective streak with all his possessions, and wondering if he considered you as such. And really, how bad was that in the end, when he held you like this and gave you that smug grin that caught your tongue so often.

You relaxed and let yourself fall asleep as well, to the sound of the rain.

#cad bane #cad bane x reader #can you spot the moment I backed out from the moment of confession #alas I am a romantic and I love the pining

[statticscribbles]

Bird Knowledge

Summary: Theseus/Reader;Just because Newts studying to be a magicalzoologist doesn’t mean Theseus isn’t good with creatures

While Newt would complain about the lack of magical creature classes, dumbledore had managed to snag a group of students for free period to hopefully subdue Newts desperate need to sneak off to the forbidden forest. “Now we’ve managed to bring in a hippogriff for you all to study and learn from. Hippogriff’s are very proud creatures and you must show them proper respect.” Dumbledore drones on and you shift until you’re standing next to Thesues who had been dragged by Newt to the meeting. He seems bored but you can see he way his gaze moves around the group; and settles on the hippogriff with slight disappointment.

“Now will each of you come up in a line and bow to the hippogriff and then we will see if he considers you a friend if he bows back.” “Hey Y/N; glad you could make it.” Newt nods and you smile getting in line behind Theseus who’s disappointment seems to lessen. “Hey Y/N. What’re you doing here?” “I wanted to see a Hippogriff in person; I’ve only ever heard you two talking about them and I feel left out.” You pout and Theseus has a small smile on his face. “You could have said something; you’re not missing much they’re just like any other creature.” You don’t even have to look at Newt’s face to feel how offended he is.

“Come on Newt I’m just trying to save Y/N from disappointment; I don’t want all our talking to have gotten her hopes up.” His arm drifts around you slightly before he pulls back shrugging. “There’s not much excited besides riding them.” He says nonchalantly and Newt rolls his eyes. “You cried when one of the baby ones sang to you.” “They can sing?” Theseus nods. “Like birds; they sometimes have specific songs for each other; or people they like.” You grin at Theseus. “Wow that incredible; have any of the ones your mom bred sung for you?” Theseus laughs nodding.

“They like to wake me up with it; which is helpful in the weeks before school; but not at five in the morning when a tree branch falls.” You nod shuffling forward as Newt finishes bowing to the Hippogriff which allows him to stroke his head. Newt grins nudging you when Leta walks back from curtsying and the hippogriff offers a half bow Dumbledore advises her not to try to pet him. Theseus is next and you hold your breath; before he can bow the hippogriff nods, almost dropping its front half to the ground. Theseus sighs. “Duncan; really?” He chides and the hippogriff pops back up chirruping slightly. “Duncan?” Leta rolls her eyes and Theseus smiles.

“I’m not good with names; Newt’s much better than I am.” “You know each other?” You question before Dumbledore nods to you and you step forward curtseying as Leta did confused when the Hippogriff bows fully and nudges its head into your hand. “Oh, um; hello Duncan.” You hum as the Hippogriff greets the rest of the students and most of them move away; both Newt and Thesues move closer and you follow both of them towards Duncan. “Duncan here was Thesues’ before he left for this year.” “Your hippogriff? You have your own hippogriff?” You stare shocked as Theseus strokes Duncan’s head.

“Well sort of; Newt and I help our mom raise the babies that she breeds during the summer; Duncan was a little smaller than average; still is.” You glance to the Hippogriff that’s almost level with Thesues’ head and he grins. “He’s only a little smaller than average.” You shake your head. “He’s much more impressive than average to me.” Duncan seems to puff up and you watch Thesues frown. “Y/N; don’t say that to him; he has a big enough ego as it is already.” “Well if you’re the one spoiling him that’s your fault; but I do think he’s incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a creature so impressive.” You nod earnestly and Duncan chirps again; nudging his head away for Theseus to step towards you.

“Duncan; Duncan no.” Theseus glares but Newt grins. “What?” You question and Newt glances back to where Dumbledore is talking to students. “He wants to offer you a ride. Here.” Before you can say anything Newt’s half lifted you onto Duncan’s back, you settle behind his wings and let your fingers run into his neck feathers. “Don’t pull his feathers out. Stay low.” Newt warns before he offers a whistle and Duncan takes off. Theseus returns from where Leta had called him over and you find yourself stunned into silence at how the sky looks. “This is incredible Duncan; thank you so much.” Your voice is quiet with awe as he hovers letting you take in the sunset over the lake. You can hear shouting from down below and you laugh a little. “I think we should go back down; I’ll protect you from Theseus; don’t worry.” You grin as Duncan swoops down. you climb off his back stroking his head and turning to see Theseus glaring.

“I’m sorry about-“ “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was! How easily you could have been hurt!” Theseus sighs shaking his head. You grin carefully keeping yourself in front of Duncan who’s head bows to rest on your shoulder. You stroke his head feathers and he makes a pleased noise as you continue.

“Y/N You could have been hurt.” He sighs in the common room after class and you shake your head. “I don’t think Duncan would have hurt me.” “Of course he wouldn’t have! He won’t hurt what I care about.” “Really?” You tilt your head and Theseus nods shrugging off your curiosity. “Of course Hippogriffs usually respect the leader; to Duncan I’m his leader.” “What does that make me? The leader’s friend?” Theseus doesn’t answer instead choosing to retreat to the boys dormitory. You turn to Newt when he appears.

“Newt; I had a question about hippogriffs that Theseus ignored!” You pout and he grins. “So he said that Duncan wouldn’t hurt me cause Theseus is like the head hippogriff leader to him or whatever; and I asked what does that make me; and he just left!” Newt laughs, shaking his head. “Hippogriffs live in a sort of herd life until they mature; so to Duncan, Theseus is like an older brother; and you’re basically his girlfriend; so Duncan wouldn’t hurt you.” “I’m basically his girlfriend?” You turn to look at the boys dormitory and then back to Newt. “Well yeah I mean Thee talks about you all the time; and;” he drags out watching the doorway before he grins back to you.

“He talks about you to our mom; he asked for advice about talking to you; I saw the letter.” Newt’s face lights up as he hasn’t been interrupted yet. “He said he wants to date you.” You’re about to respond. But Newt falls forward his legs bound by a rope and Theseus glaring from the doorway wand lowering. “What was he saying about me?” Theseus narrows his eyes as Newt struggles to stand back up. “I was just telling her about that time you got locked in with the baby hippogriffs and they puked on you and you-!” “You said you’d never tell anyone that!” Theseus hisses as he helps Newt up and you giggle. “It’s okay Thee; I’ll take it to my grave.” You grin at him noticing how he stutters slightly. “Thanks Y/N; you’re such a good person.”

“I know; it’s why you love me.” You watch Theseus swallow nodding. Newt returns to the dormitory and you realize you’re alone with Theseus with the knowledge he wants to date you. “Thank you for letting me ride Duncan; it was incredible.” “It was nothing; really it’s not that impressive if you’ve been on a broom before.” “I have; and being on Duncan was incredible!” You nod sternly and Theseus sighs shaking his head before he sits on the couch; you sink next to him and bump his shoulder with yours. “Seriously Thee; thank you.” “It was nothing.” “No please; let me pay you back somehow. Pleaseeeeee.” You whine grinning at him when he pinches his nose. “Okay.”

“Great; think about what you want from me!” His face pinks slightly and he chews his lip. “I have an idea; if you don’t want to I understand.” “Okay; tell me?” You grin and he huffs. “Will you go out to hogsmeade with me?” He rushes and you grin back. “I’d love to Theseus.” He smiles and you nudge him, trying not to think about the implications of a date on his end; or how you’re a little more than excited about it being a date. You groan pulling out the transfiguration homework you have, he rolls his eyes fondly and offers you out his notes. “You know I owe you for this as well right!” You shout up and Theseus grins. “We can settle your many debts tomorrow.” He laughs when you release an over the top sigh and sink off the couch, to return to your dorm trying to avoid the thought of the not date tomorrow.

“Ready to go?” You grin at Theseus who nods, you follow him out towards hogsmeade and wondering what he’s planned for you to pay him back. You laugh a little, understanding dawning as he makes a beeline for honeydukes. “Really Thee?” He grins back at you as you walk through the doors. “We have to have something from here. You know we do; it’s tradition.” You smile and nod; grabbing a chocolate frog and hesitating before grabbing two more; you’re not expecting Theseus to buy much; he’d usually only ever by the lemon drops that lasted for hours and the pumpkin candies that he never admitted he bought for the tiny pumpkin shapes they came in.

“What is your obsession with those? You already have all the cards twice over.” “I’m determined to find you on one of these one day, better start looking now.” He laughs shaking his head and you grin heading over to the counter. “Not so fast.” He plucks the frogs from your hands pushing them forward with his things. “Theseus!” You frown and he just grins. “It’s part of the payback.” “Okay; fine.” You pout when he walks you towards the three broomsticks. “You better let me buy you a pumpkin pastie.” “Or what?” “I won’t look for you on any of the frog cards.” He arches an eyebrow. “I can live with that.” He grins and you scowl gathering snow into a ball to pelt him with it.

“You’re awful Theseus! This isn’t me paying you back at all! This is me getting into more debt to you.” He laughs throwing one back at you but you manage to dodge it. Of course you don’t dodge the one after that it splattering fully on your face and you stumble back. Theseus offers his hand out and you look slightly confused before taking it walking forward to the three broomsticks; jerking slightly when he doesn’t move with you. “Thee?” “Sorry.” He mumbles and you turn looking confused back at him.

“For what?” You step closer and he turns slightly. “I messed you hair up.” He nudges a loose strands and you laugh. “You didn’t mess anything up; now come on.” You grin tugging his hand as he follows you towards the door. You shake off the last bits of the snow and Theseus drags you to a table in the back grinning when a plate of pumpkin pasties and two butterbeers are pushed onto the table. “Theseus what did I just say?” “Well before we got in it was that I didn’t mess anything up; have I?” he pouts and you sigh angrily biting into one of the pumpkin pasties. “I have an idea.” He perks up leaning forward. “How about; in order for me to pay you back; we spend tomorrow doing anything you want. We can go flying; or sit in the great hall or library all day.” “Okay. That’s it?” Theseus looks slightly confused.

“Yes; is that okay?” “Well isn’t that what we’re doing today?” You nod at his question. “Well yes; but I mean I’m sure you’re not too fond of dragging me around hogsmeade and getting hit with snowballs.” “I mean the snowballs aren’t the best; but I get to spend time with you.” Theseus freezes slightly and pulls his drink over chugging half of it. “Mum says you should come over for Christmas break to see Duncan.” “Your mum said that?” “I said that?” He amends and you grin. “I would love to come over for break; if your parents are okay with it.” He sighs slightly and nods.

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#theseus scamander #Theseus scamander imagine #Theseus scamander x reader #Theseus scamander reader insert #Theseus scamander x you #fantastic beasts and where to find them #fantastic beasts and where to find them imagine #harry potter imagine #harry potter #Theseus x you #Theseus x reader #Theseus x y/n #stattic

[travellingarmy]

║Venti║Rest of Time

Requested from Wattpad.

Female reader as requested.

Fluff. Slight maturity?

Word count: 3.5k

---

It is common knowledge that even if a star wishes to move within its own galaxy, it would take light years for it just to do so. But, it didn't apply to when two peculiar stars that had lived long suddenly collided in mere seconds, causing them to be one.

When you have awoken, you found yourself lying down in a midst of grass for miles and a blue sky that you had never seen before with strange creatures flying past it, flapping its wings as it makes strange noises. Where were you? You sat up, suddenly feeling a pain shot through your ears. It was ringing and giving you a headache.

"Nngh..!" You covered an eye with a hand out of reflex of the pain while trying to recall how you ended up where you were and what happened. "Ah, that's right.. My home.." You stop your sentence and snap your head upwards to the unnatural green and blue around you and come to a realization that the place..

Was not your home.

The place you knew and loved for many years was crumbling down at your feet, but the place you had awoken to was the opposite and free from the havoc that had suddenly raised. You felt the flow of time change and that's when you recalled your travel- no, your escape through time and space. You remembered how you then came to a stop by an unknown force and suddenly being pulled by it and fighting against it didn't make a difference in your weakest point.

After a soft sigh, you stood up and looked at your surrounding. With a gentle breeze blowing past, you notice more of the winged things on the ground and not too far from it, a small, four-legged creature that was running around the field. Beside you was a large tree that was helping you adjust to the blinding light from above by stretching its large and long branches outwards. Its leaves rustled when another breeze was blowing past.

You looked at your clothing and see that your once celestial clothing is now basically a rag and without your shoes. Your skin was covered by scratches and blood of the war you faced, but surprisingly, the pain wasn't there-- maybe it's because it was numbing your body that you felt as if the pain were one with you.

Left leg forward then the right.. You repeated it until you could fully well walk with your aching feet without hissing at the pain. Just beyond the horizon, you see walls and windmills within it. You were happy that there was a place not too far from where you awoke. When you arrived in front of the gates, the two knights who were usually on guard had a look of questioning.

And since that moment, Mondstadt came to be your forever home.

-

"Venti, slow down!" you say, grabbing his arm and reaching for the glass in his hand- which he did not let go of. "I think it would be best to give up, (Y/N)," Diluc says behind the counter, his arms crossed as he stares in disbelief and annoyance at the bard. "You better have money to pay for that."

The boy had chugged his 28th drink for the day and he doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. "I, I'll pay for his drink," you say defeatedly, knowing that your dear ol' friend don't even have a single mora on him. "I don't care who pays for it as long as it is paid." The fiery-haired male sighs irritatingly and turned around to do his job, leaving the two of you to chat alone.

"Venti, you should really stop now. You'll have a headache in the morning," you said, putting a hand on hi shoulder and watch him gulped down yet another glass before setting it down. "Hehe, this isn't even much," the boy states. "Rest assured, (Y/N), that I will be fine tomorrow so.. Another glass for me, Master Diluc!" He waves his empty glass which earned the taller male to grunt before making another drink for the bard.

You weren't worried about the ombre-haired boy being sick in the morning- what you really were trying to do was to make him stop drinking any more and making you pay for it. You cried internally, feeling the pain of the huge hole in your wallet already by the time you two head out and it turned out just as you feared. Diluc had asked you to leave and to drag the now drunken bard along since it was time to close the tavern, but not before reminding you of the payment.

"One more, please!" the drunk bard says, raising a hand in the air as if he was holding a glass. How many glasses he took, you did not know as you lost count. However, you can say that your dear friend really knows how to hold his drinks. You sighed and fix his arm around your shoulders lock.

In the dead of night- where there is no one but the two of you- the sky above was calling for you, glimmering away so proudly as it does so. You looked at the brightly lit things that dusted the dark sky and felt sudden sadness in your heart, knowing that the stars don't hold your home anymore. In the many years that you were in Teyvat, not once was there a day where you did not think about your home. The colour red dusted your home's sky along with smoke, shouting, cries of agony from both young and old.. You remembered how the place you happily walked upon turned to calamity and feeling the guilt, again, that you couldn't do anything when you had the power. You stood in the centre of the chaos, stupified and unable to think.

"Hehe, hey, (Y/N)-- Woah!" You were drawn back to your new reality when Venti leaned all of his weight onto your smaller body when he was trying to balance himself and causing both of you to fall over. You hissed at the pain of your skin scraping the ground, but the drunk male was laughing on the other hand- because he landed on you. "Venti..!" You looked at the giggling male. "Shh, (Y/N)." He boops your nose and giggling even more. You sighed. Now you were going to have a hard time removing him from your body.

Your house was not too far away and decided it would be best to let him sleep on the couch, rather than leave him unattended on his own. Your house was small, yet comfortable and cosy. When you got inside, you went for the couch and flopped his body on it, repositioning his body so that he sits upright. "I'll get you a glass of water, okay? I'll be right back," you said, knowing that he won't listen to you in his state. You returned just as fast as your left, but see that he was passed out.

"Venti, wake up. Please, drink some water before going to sleep!" You shook him awake and get him to drink before letting him go to sleep. You then went and look for an extra blanket and a pillow for him in your room and return to the dimly lit living room. Slowly, you lifted his head and place the pillow underneath and lay his head back down and covered his body with the blanket.

You look at the sleeping male and feel your heart race the more you stared. When you first came to Mondstadt, he was one of the first few people that you've talked to. You remembered the first time you two met- how he suddenly clasped your hands and smiled, saying how you looked like a goddess that wasn't from anywhere in Teyvat. The rest after that was a blur and you don't even know how you two ended up being as friends.

You were about to walk away when you heard him shuffle and moaned in his sleep, then holding onto your hand closest to him. You turned around and see that he was awake. Awake, but still not in the right mind. "Where are.. You going, (Y/N)?" he asks. "I'm going to my room," you answered.

He sat up and groaned, not letting go of your hand. "Venti, you should go to sleep," you urged. Then, without knowing he would, he tugged on your hand with force, bringing you close to him and being cradled between the arms that he soon wrapped around your waist. "U, uh, Venti..!" You put your arms on his shoulders to balance and keep the two of you at a distance. However, your frail arms weren't strong against him when he leans in and put his head between the crook of your neck and shoulder.

His breath on your skin was enough to send tingles all the way down to your toes and made you unable to think. Your heart raced faster than it did before and it felt as if it was about to pop out of your chest. "Ven-- nngh!" You were interrupted when he nibbles on your ears, earning himself a moan from you. "(Y/N), you shouldn't make noises like that.." he says underneath his breath, making a circle notion on your back. "It's dangerous."

"I, I--.. Venti, you should--" Again, you were interrupted, but this time, when he pushes you on the couch. He hovers above you, staring down at you with eyes that you couldn't comprehend. His breathing was becoming unstable and you were scared of what will happen if you can't escape from under him.

His head lowers down to your shoulders and left a couple of kisses, sending fear throughout your body. This was not something you were down for, even if you like him. There was just a difference between him liking you in his drunk state and in his normal state; you don't know if it would be the drunken mind that takes over his body or his heart. You wish it was the latter, but you wouldn't know since he wasn't in the right mind, to begin with. "Venti, please! Stop!" You tried to push him off, but to your fear, he did not budge one bit.

His head was on your chest and tears started to blur your vision as you pleaded. He stops when he heard your sobs and look up at you, sadness hitting his heart, but for a completely different reason. He decided that it would be best to stop and rested his head on your chest, ears resting where your heart was and hearing the irregular heartbeat that lulled him to drowsiness. Truth be told, he wasn't drunk just yet. Tipsy, but not drunk.

When your sobs died down, you look at him to see if he fell asleep, but it was difficult since you could only see the top of his head. You were thanking all Archons, but soon know that he wasn't asleep just yet when he spoke. "Hey, (Y/N)?" he calls out, his voice audible in the still night, and you hummed as a response. "Your heartbeat.. It's irregular. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it's beating for me.." He hit the bullseye on the comment, but you didn't say anything that would give him an answer. He sighs sadly. "I kind of wish it was because.." He stops and took a breath, contemplating if he should say it. But since he had made you think that he was drunk, he took that as a chance.

"I like you, (Y/N)."

-

The next day when you awoke, he was no longer on top of you, nor was he in your house. You were kind of relieved that he wasn't around since you couldn't bear to look at him in the eyes- let alone talk to him. Last night, when he said those three words, your heart fluttered and you were sure he knows of it. You wanted to say it as well but decided it wasn't the right time and will wait when he was back to normal.

You're sure he doesn't remember what happened last night so it might make him confused when you suddenly confess, but you wanted to clear this clear wall that stopped the two of you from being together. However, when you went to your usual spot to meet up with him, he wasn't there. It was strange since he left the house long ago.

You walked around the city until you came across the famous, purple witch, Lisa, who had asked for some assistance at the library. You thought about it before hesitantly nodding your head, fearing that Venti might be a bit sad when he sees you're not there waiting. By the time you were done helping out at the library, it was quarter past noon, but when you went to the plaza, he wasn't there. You were a bit disappointed and thought that he was at Angel's Share so you went there first. "Hm? (Y/N), you're not here with that bard?" Diluc greets with his usual, rock expression. Usually, he'd expect you to only show up at the tavern when Venti wanted a drink, but you were alone.

You shook your head. "Actually, I'm looking for him. Did he, perhaps, come here at some point?" you asked. Now it was the redhead's turn to shake his head. "I'm afraid I can't say. I came here 2 hours ago, but he didn't show up." You became disheartened of looking for him and wanted to just go home. However, the sun was still out which means that you still have time. Your legs were already tired from all the walking back and forth that it didn't take long for you to completely give up and just sit on a bench and read a book.

The sun was setting down and you were disappointed that he wasn't in sight anywhere, and you looked everywhere- even making laps around the city and having the same people stare at you weirdly. You got up from your seat and decided that you weren't going to wait any longer and go home. There wasn't a soul in sight anymore. But when you passed the fountain, you see a familiar someone whom you had been looking for coming in from the gates.

"Venti!" You ran up to him, happy that he has shown up. "Where did you go?" you ask, clasping both of his hands, but Venti didn't answer or even look at you which made you worry. "Hey, you okay..?" When you were about to reach and touch his face, he flinches, backing away and removing his hands from yours.

"Oh, uh, yeah.. I was at Starsnatch Cliff to, uh, think about things," he answers, scratching his cheek whilst not once looking at you directly, but you didn't notice it. "What, really? How come you didn't let me join you?" You pout.

"I, I just needed some time to think alone, is all," he answers. His answer made you really curious. The carefree bard who doesn't have a single mora on him, has things that he needs time to think through? It was almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that he is human and like any other human, he needs some alone time to think. But for what reason, you don't dare ask.

"Oh, okay, well, um.." There was silence followed after and you were back checking on the decision of confessing to him, now feeling the fear building up. In your many years of life, not once have you felt fear such as the one you have now. It was kind of embarrassing. "Hey, (Y/N), I think you should go home now. I'll see you tomorrow." He was walking away in the opposite direction of your place. You suddenly panicked and without thinking, grab his wrist which stopped the male from going. He looks at you over his shoulder, your face suddenly a deep red while it stares at the ground. "I, I like you, Venti."

Everything in that moment felt as if it was frozen in place and only allowing the flow of time working on the both of you. You were sure that he would return your feelings, but at that moment, you were scared.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)."

A heart silently broke within one's heart- that heart being yours. It only takes those two words to ruin a friendship and have one coming out of it the most heartbroken. Your heart came crumbling down to ashes like your home many years ago. Was the words you heard last night false? Why hadn't you know of it when you know a person doesn't think straight when their drunk? You felt stupid.

"It won't work out for us," Venti continues, but you were off in your own world, dazed by the rejection. Venti could see your heart squeezing itself to nothingness. In a ruined friendship, one would come out heartbroken, but in this case, two came out of it. Venti wanted nothing more but to like you and spend the rest of time to be with you. But since last night, he decided to go to see Dvalin- his dear friend- whom told him the dangers of an Archon who have lived for many years liking a mere mortal. In the end of Dvalin's words were, "Liking a mortal will only go one way: heartbroken."

He was too mesmerized and caught up with you that he forgot about his eternal life. This, he thought, was a selfish thing. He shouldn't have clung onto you and make you feel something towards him. He should have made sure to keep a distance so that you would use those feelings on someone else. An Archon doesn't deserve to be loved intimately.

".. Why?" It was barely audible, but he still heard it nonetheless. You raise your head and look at him with your saddened eyes that made the bard's heart feel like it was going to be squeezed out. "How do you know if we don't try?" you ask, looking at him with saddened eyes that just made him feel like he wants to hug you-- to make you stop looking at him with those eyes, but he had to do what is best. For the both of you.

He looks away. Should he tell you? If he wanted to build that wall, he should. He opens his mouth. "I am the god, Barbatos.." he says. "You and I can't be together, (Y/N)."

"So, what does that have to do with us not being able to be together?" you ask almost quickly. He looks at you with sad eyes. "I.. Look, I really like you, (Y/N), but this isn't right," his voice slightly cracked, finding it hard to reject you. You look down. Both of you stayed silent, letting what little light there slowly disappears. Then, "If it is eternal life then you and I will be forever together," you whisper and look at the male, eyes not saddened but with fire. He looks at you, confused. Were you not a mortal?

"Do you remember when I first came to Mondstadt?" you asked, but continued, not letting him have an answer. "No one knew where I came from, even when I told them my home's name." You smiled sadly. "I am not from here, Venti. Not from Teyvat or this planet." The god was more confuzzled than he already was. "My home.. Was destroyed.. By my careless hands."

"Just like Teyvat, my home had many gods.. And I'm one of them," you finally confessed. "If you are scared of losing me, then don't worry about it as I have the gift of eternal life." The words that spout out of your mouth was almost unbelievable if it wasn't for the fact that your eyes held the truth. Your eyes were confirmation and Venti took it and hugged you tightly. "A-ah, Venti..?" You were caught by surprise, but soon return it, wrapping your own around his. You felt something wet trickling down to your exposed skin and knew that he was crying. "I, I'm so happy.." he whispers, tightening the hug. "Me too," you say, doing the same, a smile forming on your face.

"We'll be together for the rest of time."

---

#genshin venti #venti x reader #venti #genshin impact #genshin #genshin impact oneshots #genshin impact venti #venti x y/n #venti x you #venti oneshot #x reader #female reader #venti x female reader

[captainamericasbeard]

Empathy Ch. 2

Pairing: Bucky x Empath!Reader

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: nightmares, a little blood.

Summary: Y/N is an empath tasked with helping the Avengers but healing only comes if you want it.

A/N: Why yes I’m posting chapter 2 just 2 days after chapter 1. I have no self control. Tags definitely aren’t working so reblogs would be deeply appreciated.  If you’d like to be tagged just send an ask and I’d be happy to knock up a list.

Empathy MASTERLIST ll MASTERLIST

The door shut behind you and you heard Steves soft steps retreat. You looked around your new room and were grateful to see little homey touches. The bed was made with a clean, fluffy, white duvet. A few books had been placed on the bookshelf and there was a couch and tv. A sweet bouquet of flowers sat on the nightstand. Signs of welcome that did not extend to the team’s attitude. You sighed with a shrug of your shoulders. That was a problem for tomorrow.

You quickly emptied your overnight bag into the chest of drawers and your toiletries in the bathroom. You tossed your book onto the nightstand and flopped down in front of the tv. It had been an exhausting day and you were ready to switch your brain off for a little while. You flipped through channels pausing here and there but you found yourself unable to settle on anything. Instead your mind kept wandering back over the conversation after dinner. You had expected resistance, you were just a little sad about how much resistance you encountered. And while Bucky’s attitude was not unexpected it was disheartening. He was clearly in a lot of pain and wanted nothing to do with you. Your stomach did a little flutter when you thought of his blue eyes on yours and you rolled your eyes at yourself. It was just like you to crush on a man who actively hated the sight of you.

You gave up the tv and your pointless stream of thought and got up to change into your pjs and cozy up under the blankets with your book. You were soon lost in its pages, the thrilling tale pulling you in and washing away the day. Hours passed and eventually you realized the words were blurring together and you were having to reread sentences to make sense of them. You glanced at the clock on your nightstand and were shocked to find it read 2:30. You marked your place and put the book down. You turned the light off and rolled over and you were asleep in seconds.

What felt like moments later you were ripped from your sleep by an excruciating pain cutting its way through your stomach. Your eyes flew open and landed on the clock which only read 3:30. You barely registered the time before another wave of pain took over you and you squeezed your eyes shut to block it out. Your head was full of voices screaming and that’s when you realized this was no ordinary stomach ache.

“No stop! Please,” one voice begged.

“Please, please don’t kill me!” another voice begged.

You were inside Bucky’s nightmare and it was the last place you should be if you were ever going to earn this man’s trust. You rushed to block out the voices with your mind, closing them behind a door you knew you should never open. The voices stopped but your pain redoubled and you retched. You tried to get out of bed but you got tangled in your sheets and fell to the floor with a sob. As you lay there clutching your stomach and sobbing you heard doors fly open down the hallway. Your door was wrenched open flooding your room with light and blinding you. You felt someone kneel next to you.

“Don’t touch me!” you cried out in warning and there was a shuffle of feet as someone backed away from you.

“What is it, what’s wrong?” came Steve’s Captain voice. You opened your eyes and there was Steve standing in the doorway feet apart and fists clenched ready to leap into action. Bucky knelt close to you. His hair was matted with sweat and he was still breathing heavily. You met his gaze and he understood.

“I was having a nightmare,” he murmured. You nodded as tears continued to stream down your cheeks.

“I caused this?” Bucky asked. His features were lined with guilt.

“Bucky this is your own pain your looking at.” You wiped the tears from your face and sat up. The pain was subsiding now that Bucky was awake.

“Have you experienced something like this before, Y/N?” Steve asked.

“Not to this extent. When I’m reaching out to someone who’s in pain I can have physical symptoms. But I’ve never experienced it like this before,” you answered. You desperately wanted to beg Bucky to let you help him but you were afraid you’d scare him off. You were surprised he was even sitting here talking with you and making eye contact. The three of you sat in silence for a few moments before Bucky spoke up.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“It’s not your fault,” you reassured reaching out to place a hand on his but he flinched and pulled back standing up quickly. “I’m sorry Bucky, I wasn’t going to do anything.”

“I don’t want you touching me,” he said, reverting to his gruff manners. With that he stalked out of the room. Steve moved aside to give him space and you both flinched when the door slammed.

“I wasn’t going to do anything I swear. I would never do anything to any of you without your permission,” you pleaded with Steve.  

“I believe you,” Steve said, “but Bucky’s not the trusting type.”

“I understand. He’s been through a lot. More than most,” you said.  

“More than you know,” Steve said. “Can I help you up?” he offered.

“Yes, you can touch me now. I’m calm.” You extended your hand to Steve and he pulled you to your feet. Your head swam and the room tilted so you quickly reached out to grab Steve’s shoulders. He held your arms and waited for you to steady.

“Sorry. I’m just a little rocky,” you explained.

"That’s alright. Let’s get you to bed,” he said. He wrapped an arm around your waist and moved you to the bed, throwing the covers back for you. You climbed in feeling achey all over and curled up in a ball letting Steve pull the covers back over you.

“Try to get some rest,” he said and you nodded feebly, your eyes already pulling closed of their own accord. Steve chuckled. “Goodnight Y/N,” he said, walking to the door and pulling it closed behind him.

…

It was late morning when you opened your eyes again and you still felt exhausted and tender all over. The night’s events had taken its toll on you. You dressed slowly in a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt from your alma mater. You grabbed your book and padded down the hallway towards the kitchen. It was Saturday so at least you didn’t have work to worry about. You planned on spending a thoroughly relaxing day on the couch with your book.

The kitchen was abandoned when you arrived though the evidence of a hurried breakfast remained. You fixed yourself a fresh cup of coffee in the french press and found some cereal in the cabinets. You ate standing against the counter waiting for your coffee to brew. You finished your cereal, placing the bowl in the sink for later and doctoring your coffee with cream and sugar.

As you snuggled into the couch with the coziest blanket you could find and took a sip of your coffee you realized just how quiet it was.

“Where is everybody?” you wondered out loud.

“The team was called away on mission early this morning,” came a calm, ambient voice. It was a testament to your agility that you didn’t spill coffee all over yourself in surprise.

“Who was that!?” you asked in shock, sitting upright.

“I am JARVIS. I run the house and can answer any questions you may have,” the voice said.

“Oh, ok.” You’d heard of JARVIS but had completely forgotten about him until this moment. “Um, when will the team be back,” you asked hesitantly. You weren’t sure what information might be off limits.

“That I can’t say with certainty, though it was not expected to be a long mission.” JARVIS answered.

“Ok, well, keep me posted if you can,” you replied.

“Of course, Y/L/N.”

You took a steadying sip of your coffee and tucked into your book. In the back of your mind you were nervous to see Bucky again after last night but you pushed those thoughts away. You read for a couple of hours until your neck started to ache. Getting up and stretching you decided to clean up the kitchen and take a shower. As you were stepping out of the bathroom, wrapping your hair in a towel, JARVIS’ voice came to life again. You were more prepared for it this time so it only mildly startled you.

“The team is 5 minutes out from the compound. You are requested in the medical bay,” he said.

“Is everything alright,” you asked, panic rising in your belly.

“Captain Rogers received some injuries that will be attended to but there were civilian casualties. Your services may be required.” Your heart sank into your stomach. You could only imagine how this would affect the team but you were about to find out first hand. You dressed in a rush and threw your hair up and out of the way before you set out for the medical wing.

You arrived just as the team was being helped through the doors. Everyone had a sullen expression on their faces. Sam was limping and Natasha looked pretty beat up but Steve was clearly worse off. He had an arm slung over Bucky’s shoulder and was bleeding freely from the side. Bucky got him over to a table where Steve sat down with a groan. Bucky caught your eyes.

“What are you doing here,” he asked. You felt like you were intruding on something private.

“My presence was requested,” you said defensively.

“By who, Fury?” Natasha asked.

“JARVIS, actually,” you said. Steve chuckled.

“Damn meddling A.I.”  Steve said.

A technician rushed into the room ignoring the rest of the team and focusing on Steve. They reached for a pair of scissors but Steve quickly held out his hand

“Can we not with the cutting? This is my favorite suit.” Bucky rolled his eyes.

“He’ll be fine,” he said to the rest of the team and they moved through the room to the other beds to get checked over. Apparently this was a post mission routine. A technician came up to Bucky who tried to blow them off but they were insistent, attaching a blood pressure cuff to his arm and sticking a thermometer in his mouth before he could object. You took his distraction as an opportunity to get closer to Steve.

“You gonna be ok,” you asked worriedly

“I’ve been worse. Don’t worry, Y/N.” The technician had pulled his suit off to reveal a bullet wound. You looked away from the wound and back at Steve’s face to find him watching you intently.

“Why are you here, Y/N,” he asked quietly.

“I keep telling you, I’m here to help. JARVIS said… well he said things didn’t go well.” Steve’s face turned to stone and he looked away from you. “I can already feel your pain Steve, there’s no point trying to hide it from me.” He looked back up at you and the breath went out of your lungs. There was so much hurt in his eyes.

“I tried,” he whispered.  

“I know you did. Everyone knows you did.” You realized the attention of the team was on you once again so you chose your next words carefully. “Can I offer you some peace?” Steve held your gaze for a few moments before nodding. You reached down and locked your fingers with his calloused ones and closed your eyes. Slowly you reached out, letting him feel your presence in his mind. The pain of the day was fresh and right on top so you scooped it up and took it away. Your grip on his hand tightened briefly and a tear rolled down your cheek. You opened your eyes to find Steve watching you intently with a blissful look on his face.

“Sorry,” you said wiping the stray tear away with the palm of your hand, “emotional transference happens sometimes.”

“What do you mean,” Steve asked.

“I mean, it hurts a little,” you answered with a shrug.

“It hurts when you help us,” Bucky asked, his usual steely expression softened for just a moment.

“It always hurts,” you reply simply.

“Then why do you do it?”

“Because you’re in pain and I can take it away. Better?” you ask turning your attention back to Steve.

“Much. Thank you. I think I might actually sleep tonight,” he said with a small smile.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Rest up.,” you say patting him on the shoulder. The technician is finishing their last stitches as you turn to leave. You catch Bucky looking at you and his expression is unreadable. You smile at him softly and leave the team to the hands of the med bay techs.

TAGLIST (Just tagging those that showed interest in the last chapter.)

@alyxkbrl​ @sirenphrynne​

#Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #empath #empath!reader #bucky x empath!reader #sam wilson #natasha romanoff #Steve Rogers #fanfic #marvel fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction

[simpsiren]

Not every day.

wong yukhei x reader

description. After coming home from a failed date, I found a stranger drinking and sitting on my sofa. The stranger explained that he’s a Cupid and he’s about to get fired because of my inability to get a second date.

genre. angst, fluff, cupid au

word count. 1.5k~

warnings. nonee

a/n. struggled with coming up an idea and i just saw this prompt so i decided to use it chxndndn i might have a continuation since this is interesting in my opinion but we’ll see since im starting to get hella busy :( but ENJOY!

I found myself dragging my feet down the dark streets of my town. How’d I even end up here? I was having a date with the guy I met on Instagram just a few hours ago. I scoffed to myself, thinking about how I got dumped yet again. I dated him for at least three months. And just like that, I was thrown away by him. One night, one big blow.

Though at this point, I was too tired to think anymore. I already had a long day at work. And just as I thought I was about to have a relaxing night with a lover, I guess that’s how I ended up in this situation. I didn’t have him drive me as he’d always would so I had to walk home. My slouched posture and slow steps inched closer and closer to my apartment.

I stopped, letting out a sad sigh as I looked up to the sky and closed my eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath to inhale the cold night air. “Why are you like this...” I muttered under my breath. Life has been stable for me don’t get me wrong. I guess the only problem to the completion of my successful life was the absence of a successful lover.

I continued walking till I ended up at the front of my doorstep. I dug a hand into my purse lazily to find my keys, eventually grabbing it from the bottom below all my other necessities and took it out. I unlocked the door in the split of a second, knowing that this was the last obstacle I had to go through before I could just pass out.

I locked the door behind me as I entered, throwing my shoes carelessly off to one corner. I didn’t bother turning on the lights as I stepped in, immediately making my way to my room.

“Rough night?”

I froze in my spot. Did I hear that correctly? I was too scared to turn around. The voice sounded like it came from the living room. I gulped nervously, thinking that it’s all in my head and that I was just hearing things.

I shuffled my feet deeper into the hallway, only to have the same voice sound out a, “Aren’t you going to acknowledge me?”

“It’s not every day you get to meet me.” I heard him say, but I didn’t even take it into consideration with what I said next since I was starting to get panicky.

I spun around sharply, dropping my purse and holding both hands up in the air. I shut my eyes closed, my lips pursed into a thin line. “I didn’t see your face. You can rob anything you want. I won’t report you so please get out.” I scrambled out of fear that shook under my skin, thinking it was some robber.

The person doesn’t answer and instead kept quiet for a whole twenty seconds before he bursted out laughing. Not the sinister or intimidating kind, but the one that actually expressed that the person thought that I was genuinely being funny.

“You think I want to steal? I have way better valuables.”

Slowly but surely, I opened my eyes. It took awhile for them to adjust in the darkness but once they did, I saw a figure sitting casually on the couch, legs crossed with one hand sitting on his thigh while the other rested over the back pillow. His posture looked relaxed and lazy.

I blinked my eyes rapidly. Unsure if what I was seeing in front of me was even real. A stranger is in my house. “Who the fuck are you?” I asked, now that I knew he wasn’t a robber out to rob who knows what since I didn’t even have anything of value here, I had the slightest bit of confidence to sound angry and or annoyed.

He chuckled, which gave me a questionable look with my head tilted just a few degrees to the side. “I’m a Cupid. Heard you got thrown off the man’s list and I’m about to get fired if I don’t help you.” My mouth gaped open as I tried to repeat his words to myself in my head. Cupid? Those actually existed? And one’s sitting right in front of me?

With a sudden snap of his fingers, the living room light was switched on and it revealed him. He had his hair braided to the back, wearing a white shirt wifh tons of pearl necklaces all in different sizes and lengths under an expensive white blazer jacket that had extreme textured details to it. Yet, he wore plain light washed jeans and black sneakers, which didn’t affect his overall high class outfit. Not to mention his very beautiful and charming face. I would have done a double take if I saw him on the streets.

“Uh what? Cupid? Is there something wrong up there? Need me to take you to a mental institution?” I asked, bringing my hand up to my head and tapping my index finger beside it lightly. He looked at me with an unimpressed look on his face.

“Or should I call the police? Cause’ you’re a stranger in my house and that’s called a break in.” He cocked his chin up, scoffing loud and arrogantly. “Didn’t I tell you that I’m Cupid? People can’t even see me. Unless I make myself visible that is.”

“Anyways believe or not, yes I’m Cupid. Specifically your Cupid. And I’ve been tasked to make sure you get a second date or else I lose my job. You get it?”

I ran a hand through my hair furiously as I tried to suck in all this sudden information that’s just been thrown at me. I couldn’t believe it at first. But he seemed so real, I couldn’t be imagining things.

“So I call you Cupid?” I voiced shook a little as I tried to speak up, my confidence dying ever so slightly as I took into consideration that this is real and it sounds like it’s no joking manner from the way he explained himself ealier.

“Lucas will do, thank you.” I sighed, not sure what to do with the current situation. My plan of plopping myself onto my bed and knocking out has now been completely thrown out the window. I really wished that I could just walk away from all this and do so.

“Um I honestly have no brain power to process any of this...” I swirled my hand around his figure lazily. “This shit. So can we do it tomorrow or something?” I groaned, rubbing my temples as my eyes began to feel heavy, the sleepiness already starting to kick in.

He didn’t answer but rather stood up and walked towards me slow and steady. My head tilted down slightly but I still saw his footsteps drawing in closer with his hands shoved in his jeans. “Sure. But I don’t have much time. The Neos won’t be happy if I don’t get this done.”

“Neos?” Great, another information that I accidentally asked about and now Lucas has to explain it though I think it’s going to be irrelevant.

“Its basically the other Cupids. We’re called Neos from NeoZone. It gets confusing since we all have different roles so you aren’t needed to know that.” I heaved a sigh. Thank God.

“Wait there are other Cupids?” The sudden question hit me as I tilted my head up to meet his gaze, brow raised. Lucas hummed and nodded simply.

I pucker my lips as I gave it a second thought. “Are there any other hot Cupids than you?” A slight smirk appeared on my lips. Not sure where I was heading by asking these questions if I’m being fully honest here.

“You think I’m not hot enough?” Lucas let out an exasperated gasp as he placed his hand on his chest, puffing it up as his mouth gaped open. “I mean the other Cupids are too popular and are currently too busy.”

Lucas folded his arm, weight shifting from one leg to the other as his head tilted to the side, giving me a blank and cold expression. “So you’ll have to make do with me.” He gave a cheeky eye smile afterward, which made me laugh due to how sudden the change was.

“Don’t even think of falling in love with a Cupid anyways even if you did get the popular ones. That’s already dangerous.” Lucas added. I narrowed my eyes on him, squinting them as I leaned my body forward. “How so?”

Lucas huffed, placing a hand on his forehead. “We’re suppose to help people in terms of love and romantic relationships. Falling in love as a Cupid would cause major disruption. It happened before.”

Lucas paused for a moment, looking up in the sky for a moment as if recalling something to add on. “The cupid has to become a human if they were to be in love with another human. Basically giving up their wings and abilities, advantages.”

“And trust me. I do not want that.”

“It’s not like we’re falling in love.”

I shrugged plainly. But boy was I extremely wrong as I went on the journey with Lucas, our objective and main purpose slowly shifting into something else the more we spent time together.

#nct x reader #nct #nct 2020 #nct imagines #nct 127 #nct ff #nct fluff #nct imagine #nct scenarios #nct angst #nct lucas #wong yukhei #nct lucas x reader #nct lucas fluff #nct lucas imagines #nct lucas scenarios #wong yukhei x reader #wayv yukhei #nct yukhei #yukhei x reader #yukhei scenarios #yukhei au #nct wayv #wayv ff #wayv imagines #wayv lucas #wayv fluff

[achliegh]

Golden

Yeehaw Leo… it's all because this song came on one day (I don’t even really listen to country anymore so it really is fate). Leo is based off that song, each chapter is going to be based off a yeehaw song too.

Characters belong to @lumosinlove

Beta: @the-most-slyterin-hufflepuff & @punkkkboi

TW/CW: Smut, terrible yeehaw sayings and jokes, injuries, mentions of past death/suicide, minor character death, underage drinking, mentions of past arrests, cringe

Chapter Songs (listening in order is recommended):

By The Time I Get To Phoenix

Chapter 18:

The night was perfect, a long month of the media up their asses and still no one has found out that it was Leo in the video. Rumors of rock stars and actors have come and gone but Leo will always know they are wrong. He is leaving for home tomorrow morning, but that was to worry about in the morning.

Leo was resting with his head in Finn’s lap as he read his new book out loud mostly to himself. Logan was straddling his waist coloring his tattoo with the brand new markers Leo got him when they were visiting his family. Glen Campbell was playing softly in the background. After weeks of stress and traveling Leo felt like the silence of their voices and the soft playing of By the time I get to Phoenix flowing in from the kitchen radio, Leo felt the tension melt out of all of them when they fell into their familiar positions.

Logan sat up a bit to admire his work. Leo’s back wasn’t the smoothest but he was human, that didn’t change anything. Logan had the right markers to make these flowers on Leo’s back look pretty realistic. He was happy, leaning down to kiss the shield in the middle of his boyfriend's back. He could tell that Leo was almost asleep, his breathing was starting to even out. Finn must have noticed too because he looks up from his book and meets Logan’s eyes. Smiling at each other they both lean over on either side of Leo’s head.

“Hey, Sunshine?” Finn whispers in his ear, Leo makes a noise of acknowledgement from his throat letting the other two know he is still awake. Both taking a shaky breath they speak at the same time.

“I love you.” Leo's head shot up so fast he whacked into Logan's shoulder.

“What? Did you just say…” He looks between them, they are just looking at him, having similar looks on their faces. He has heard them say they love each other a million times, and he loves it. Seeing his two boys madly in love with each other makes him feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, it was like watching the best memory of his adult life play out over and over again.

He was crazy for them, and they were crazy about him.

He was so caught up in his own head that he didn’t notice the soft, adoring looks his boys were giving him fell into worried glances between Leo and each other. Finn runs his hands through Leo’s hair and that brings him back to the moment. Leo’s eyes get a little misty as he realizes his boys just confessed to him. He feels like a child in their room all excited about plucking flower petals off a flower while saying: “loves me” and “loves me not” about their crush. Squealing happily when he ends on “loves me”.

“Leo?” Logan says, trying to keep his voice steady but Leo just staring ahead as water fills his lash line and sticks to his lower lashes makes him a bit scared.

“I love you too.” Leo sniffles and laughs a bit as Finn and Logan blink for a second before they start covering his face in sloppy kisses. “I love you so much. I can’t believe you love me back.”

“Well believe it, mister!” Finn pokes his nose making Leo smack his hand away and scrunch his nose a few times. “We have been meaning to say it for weeks but it never felt like the right moment.”

“We love you so much. Mon Soleil, we have been wanting to say it since we watched you ride the mechanical bull at the bar the first night we met you.” Logan shuffles around so he is just fully laying on Leo’s back, not caring if his flowers get smudged.

“You pushed me away-”

“I was scared back then, I was scared of feeling things in a way that was so intense I have never felt them before. I had done that to Finn so many times even when my family just assumed we were dating the first time I brought him home… We weren’t but I let them think that because deep down that’s what I really wanted. Then I met you…” Logan pushes Leo’s hair back off his forehead and kisses the exposed skin. “You made me scared, yes. But you also made me realize that I can’t run from my feelings my whole life.”

“Leo, you are the glue to this relationship. Logan and I could be together just the two of us, but without you, we wouldn’t be nearly as happy as we are. You. Are. Everything.” Finn punctuated his words with a kiss between each of them. Leo smiles and rests his head back on Finn’s thigh and just sighs happily. “You are the best thing that's ever happened to us.” Finn and Logan are both looking down at their ray of sunshine, then they look at each other and share a sweet kiss.

After that they fall into comfortable silence, falling back into what they were doing. Logan goes back to finish the shield and wings while Finn goes on to finish his chapter. Leo falling asleep not long after, with a small smile on his lips. Once his boys finish what they are doing they wake Leo up enough to move him to bed, laying on either side of him. They fall asleep after tracing circles on his chest for a bit just talking in little burst about how scared they were when Leo wasn’t answering.

They didn’t want him to leave tomorrow.

Logan was the first awake that morning, slowly sitting up to admire his boys; he can't help but smile. Finn was lightly snoring with his face smushed into Leo’s shoulder while Leo was sleeping quietly next to him with his nose in Finn’s hair. Finn’s pale freckled skin contrasted against Leo’s lightly tanned, inked skin was like paintings of different genres next to each other in a museum. Both beautiful, both so different. He looks at Leo’s neck noticing his hickey’s have mostly faded away, then he remembers that Leo leaves later in the afternoon to go back to Louisiana.

Looking back at the digital clock on their side table he sees how early it is. A light bulb goes off in his head.

Leo is deep in sleep when he is suddenly cold, starting to wake up he feels that the covers are gone. Slapping his hands around on the bed a bit he feels two bodies close to him. They had to have stolen the covers off him. He feels something on his neck and stops moving, the lips on neck go from fluttering kisses to sucking on his old marks that he has memorized in the mirror. Then he feels a hand on his dick his eyes snap open and a moan punches it way out of his body.

“Holy fuck!” He puts a hand on who he now knows is Logan’s head on his neck. Gripping his hair as Finn is looking into his eyes and tugging on his hard dick. Twisting at the head like he always does. Leo goes to sit up but Logan puts a hand on his chest and pushes him back down. Leo’s mind is still foggy from sleep but also reeling from all the stimulation. Leo barely notices Logan putting him in the fancy leather cuffs they use for Logan.

Leo goes to reach and then notices them, Logan looks him in the eyes. Asking if it's okay, Leo nods letting Logan know he wants this. He relaxes and closes his eyes, letting the noises that he usually keeps quiet out like he does have a filter. He feels himself getting close and goes to tell his boys that when they both back off suddenly. He opens his eyes curious as to what is about to happen when Logan swings his leg over Leo and straddles him leaning down, giving him a searing kiss. Leo kisses back quickly and only pulls away to gasp when cold lube is spread on his cock. Finn is on his knees behind Logan, wiping his hands off on a little towel that Leo does not remember being in their bed last night.

Logan goes to sink back on Leo when he speaks up.

“Whoa! Did you prep!?” Logan and Finn both smirk at him. “Without me! When did you even do this?”

“Leo, did you forget that you sleep like a brick?” Logan says as he lets himself sink down on Leo, shivering as Leo’s hip’s meet the back of his thighs. “Oh god.”

“It’s more like he sleeps like a whole ass brick house.” Finn puts his hands on Logan's hips and helps him come back up before letting him go back down again. “How good does he feel Lo?” Finn looks up at Leo and makes eye contact. Leo is trying to keep his eyes open as they follow Logan’s movements.

“He feels so good, always so good.” Logan grinds down again and sits there for a moment as he readjusts his knees, gasping and leaning forward to put his hands on Leo’s chest. He hit his spot perfectly. Moving himself faster with the support of Finn he brings himself down harder.

“I’m close! I-” He didn’t know where the urgency came from but he wanted this moment forever. He blames it on them using his morning wood! Damn it! Leo’s eyes roll back and his toes curl to catch some of Finn’s leg hair as he cums on the last sink down of Logan, causing Logan to spill all over his stomach and some on his chest. Logan sits on his hips with him still inside for a moment as he catches his breath, gingerly pulling off and landing on the bed next to him.

Logan and Finn both shuffle up the bed so they are kneeling on either side of Leo’s torso. Logan grabs Finn's head and starts kissing him deeply, Leo is watching with wide eyes. Finns hand’s land on Logan’s waist holding tightly, pulling him closer causing his back to arch towards Finn as they lean over Leo.

“Please.” Leo manages to spit out, absolutely tongue tied at what he is watching. Seeing Finn bite and pull at Logan’s bottom lip then trailing his kisses down his neck, making eye contact with Leo as he sucks on Logan’s collar bone. Causing both men to groan. Pulling away from Logan they look down to see Leo starting to fatten up again, then both reach down and grip Leo. wanting to feel him become solid again. Leo is trying to thrust up into their hands but they both place a knee on his hips with just enough pressure to keep him from thrusting.

Finn leans over and kisses Leo before moving to make marks on the other side of his neck from where Logan was earlier. Logan moves between Leo’s legs and keeps his grip on Leo. Still pretty covered in lube, Logan takes the extra precautions to add just a bit more to be safe. He takes his time running his hand all over Leo’s already sensitive cock. Running his pointer finger from the base to the tip just to watch him squirm.

“He’s ready, Fish.” Logan watches Finn swing his legs over Leo before pulling away from his neck with a theatrical ‘pop’. Finn scoots back and makes eye contact with Leo whose irises are being swallowed by his pupils making his baby blues just about disappearing into the void. He takes all of Leo in on swift move and tips his head back.

“Jesus I did not mean to do that but it felt great!” He starts moving while Logan moves up the bed. Finn is in his own little world fucking himself back on Leo at a steady pace while Logan straddles Leo again, leaning down to kiss Leo. Leo does not hesitate to kiss back, their kissing is fast and sloppy but he wouldn't have it any other way. He is grunting and moaning into the kisses like he never has before. Logan cups his face with one hand and wraps his other around Leo’s neck to add pressure to the sides. Leo lets out another moan, this one more excited that the last and Logan chuckles on his lips.

“Like that?” Leo just nods as he starts thrusting his hips to meet Finn half way. Logan sits up, keeping his hand on Leo’s neck and reaching behind him with his other. He finds Finn’s cock and grabs it causing Finn’s hips to stutter. Finn doesn’t push himself back up but instead lets Leo keep thrusting into him and Logan jerks him off.

“I-I’m gonna cum! Oh FUCK!” Finn releases hard, splattering onto Logan's back. Leo feels him clench around him and it sends him over the edge when Logan tightens his grip just a tad bit more. Leo’s arms flex and his hips keep moving until he is completely finished. Logan leans up to release Leo’s hands as Finn pulls off. Leo grabs them both pulling them into a tight embrace.

“How long until I need to get up.” Logan looks at the clock again. He can barely see it over Finn with Leo’s arm pinning him to his chest.

“An hour.” He feels Leo relax and pull away a little cupping each of their faces with one hand. Just looking at them like that are the most precious things in the world. Tortilla is awake now too, running around her charge with the zoomies.

“I love you.” Smiling and smacking a fat kiss on both of them. They all lay down, holding each other closely for the last time before he leaves. Logan is still on top of him while Finn has snuggled into his side. Finn and Leo’s hands meet on Logan’s back, interlocking their fingers.

They were gonna miss this.

Logan wiggles out of their arms after a while, skipping over to the dresser and snatching his phone off of it then flopping back next to them.

“You recorded that?” Leo looks over at his screen and notices it's a video of everything that just happened. He watched for a few moments before looking up to meet Logan’s eyes, that sweet pea color he loves. “So soon after one of you got hacked?”

“Is that okay that we filmed it? I can delete it if you want.”

“Hell no! Send it to me.” Finn snorts and moves his head to be resting so his nose is in the crook of Leo’s neck. Logan tosses his phone to the side and turns on his own. Looking at his boys again.

“I love you. Both of you.” Finn smiles and Leo just leans forward to give Logan a small kiss on the corner of his brow.

“I love you too.”

“I love you… uh… three?” Logan can’t help but laugh at Finn who is looking at him offended. “What!? I didn’t know what to say!” Leo rolls his eyes and leans back to let them playfully argue in between kisses. He felt so at home here, He wasn’t ready to leave.

Logan was looking around the apartment, he didn’t live here but it felt empty with most of Leo’s stuff packed up again. It wasn’t all of his things but it was most of them. The place felt bigger without Leo’s books and clothes everywhere. He was organized but liked to fold his clothes out of the dryer and then forget them until he needed them again. Those piles were gone.

Finn took the task of taking Leo’s bags down to the parking lot where Reg, Clay and Noelle all waited in the car to drive to the airport. He was walking as slow as he could next to his boys. Logan had decided that he was going to have a piggy back ride down to the car, but Leo doesn’t like people behind him so instead Leo was carrying him like the baby he is. Finn couldn’t help this dreadful feeling pooling in his stomach as they got close enough to actually see the car.

“Leo, can you let me down?” Leo sets Logan down but Logan just stares up at him. “I don’t have a good feeling about this. Maybe you should stay?” Leo smiles sadly down at his boyfriend, he takes one of Logan’s hands and puts it over his heart.

“Logan, do you remember what I said about promises?” Logan nods, Finn lets go of Leo’s giant rolling bag and steps closer to them, not wanting to miss a chance to be close to both of them. Leo takes one of his hands and holds both of their hands to his chest. “I always keep them, and I promise nothing bad will happen. Okay?” Logan and Finn both share a look. Leo kisses their hands and lets go after a moment before they start their way back to the car.

Getting his bags to fit in a trunk that was mostly full was a challenge but as Finn likes to remind everyone. He plays Tetris so he managed to get all the bags in after a bit of maneuvering. He closes the trunk giving it a bit of a tap as Leo gives Logan a kiss and a hug goodbye. When they pull away Finn takes his turn.

“I love you both.”

“We love you too.” Leo smiles at them and can’t help but pull them into one last hug before he gets into the back seat of the car next to Reg. He watches out the window as they pull away, Logan standing next to Finn. Their pinkies linked but nothing else was touchy, like they were afraid to hold each other while Leo was still looking. He turns away from the window once it is impossible to see behind him. Sighing he rests his head back on the seat, not even noticing the cute back and forth banter between Noelle and Clay which he normally enjoys. Seeing his friend so happy makes him happy but right now, he noticed them sharing a kiss at a red light, it made his stomach churn.

The flight was an easy one, Leo tried to sleep for most of it but it was really shit sleep. Doze off for a few hours until he was too cold to stay asleep. He kept asking for his friends' blankets until we had all of them. Flying private had its perks but even with all the blankets he was still shivering. He had gotten used to sweating in his sleep from the two space heaters always by his side so now everything was cold. Everything seemed more grey as well. It was a dreary day in Gryffindor when they took off, it seemed to follow them all the way home. Walking out of the airport they are met with a smiling Eloise who just opened her arms as the cloud split and the sun poked through

Leo fell into her arms without hesitation, Reg and Clay taking his bags without a word and putting them into the back of the vehicle. Eloise just held her son, his head in her chest as she petted his hair and shushed him as he started to silently cry. Leo’s arms were down by his side as she held him, he wanted to but his body wouldn’t listen to him.

Eloise just lets her son cry, it isn’t very often Leo let’s his emotions out and she appreciates the others just getting into the vehicle and not mentioning anything. Wyatt always did something similar when they were younger, he would bottle things inside because he didn’t want to distract other people from their own problems. Leo was more and more like him everyday it seems.

“Let’s go home, Marigold.” She whispers to time after she notices the security guards not wanting to interfere with the tender moment but also trying to keep the flow of traffic at the pick up. Leo nods after a second and pulls away wiping his eyes but not looking her in hers. She pulls his head down and kisses his forehead softly. They pull away after a few seconds and both get into the vehicle. Eloise pulls out of the spot she has been hogging for a good fifteen minutes as she waited and held her baby. It was a quiet drive home with the radio playing ads and terrible talk show hosts.

They start to pass the pastures of the Knut ranch, Leo relaxes as he sees the horses running in a familiar gait, watching his cousins training and riding in the pastures. His mother coming from a family of two parents and six older brothers, the amount of cousins he had was obscene to most people. But being the only child of his father and uncle on the Knut side of the family leaves him to be the last Knut… He was going to keep it that way. Knut’s always seemed to be cursed, Leo didn’t even believe in superstitions or magic or horoscopes or anything like that. But he did know that with his family name came tragedy.

They pulled into the parking lot and Leo watched as his mother hugged Reg and Clay just as tight as she held him. He smiles to himself, he couldn’t ask for better people in his life. There was the familiar ring from the walkie on his moms hip, someone was at the gate. Not wanting to pull off of Clay she just hits the button to open the gate and let whoever it was in. No one who didn’t like the family came to the ranch anymore after Wyatt’s passing. Eloise pulls away from Clay And smiles at Noelle who was standing a bit awkwardly off to the side, opening her arms it takes a second for Noelle to step into her embrace. Hugging her back because Eloise has a way of letting people know they are safe within her arms.

“Who do you think is at the gate?” Reg walks over next to Leo and looks out down the driveway to see the dust kicking up just down the way. He looks up at Leo with his sunglasses still on.

“Honestly I don’t know, I would guess Judy or maybe even Garland.” Leo looks back at him, snapping his gum that he chewed on the plane to pop his ears when they took off and landed. Looking back to the gravel he sees a car he hasn’t seen before, it looks like an old station wagon. Not slowing down much as it pulls in next to one of his cousins trucks it lurches forward as it slams on the brakes, the person inside barely shutting off the car before he storms out. It was David Johnson, the sheriff's son. Stomping his way over to Clay he catches him off guard and grabs the collar of his shirt from behind throwing him on the ground and pinning him down, he was just about to throw a punch but Noelle catches his arm.

“What the fuck!? Who even are you!?” Noelle looks at him shocked and angry.

“Who's this?” David's furious gaze hasn’t left Clay who is still confused on the ground and is feeling rather awkward that David, his ex-girlfriends brother, was straddling him. “This the bitch you replaced Ashley with?” Clay’s nose flares and his brain becomes hot with protectiveness, rolling them over, surprising David who has the wind knocked out of him as he hits the ground.

“Don’t talk about her that way!” He is also about to throw a punch when a similar situation happens where someone grabs his arm. This time it's Leo. Who is giving him a look that says ‘take a breath’. Clay sighs frustrated and stands up. “What are you even doing here?”

“Like you don’t know.” David rolls his eyes and stands up dusting off his pants and shirt. Readjusting his hat. Clay has his arms crossed, standing between Eloise and Noelle who is looking so lost. “Whatever, I guess if you really want to act stupid and act like you don’t know what going on then be an asshole. But stay the fuck away from my sister and her family.” Clay raises an eyebrow at the fact that Ashley has a family, walking back towards his janky station wagon and driving back out of the ranch without another word.

“Clay, What is he talking about?” Noelle is looking at him just trying to find answers he can see the wheels turning in her head but he honestly doesn’t have any idea what the fuck is going on. He turns to Eloise who has a look on her face like she knows something but doesn’t want to say.

“Ma? Do you know something?” Clay asks her and she seems to stiffen, then she sighs, dropping her hands from her hips and waves them inside.

“Let's eat while we talk.”

They bring all the bags inside except Noelle's and Clay’s putting them in the back of his truck that Garland dropped off last night. They all make their way inside to find food already made and waiting to be warmed up. Eloise warms it up in silence as the others sit at the island. Leo and Reg on one end Noelle and Clay on the other.

“Okay,” Eloise places a plate of nice warm food in front of all of them and then leans her forearms on the cool countertop. “Clay I need you to know that there has been a lot of talk in the town recently about you and Ashley.” Clay swallows before he even takes a bite of food and then shovels some in his mouth to keep him from answering. “When was the last time you… slept with her?” He coughs for a moment after breathing in a piece of food and chugs the glass of water next to him before he looks up, everyone is looking at him.

“When the team was down here… before I got with Noelle and Thomas. Why?”

“Well, she got a new boyfriend right after you left, you know him. Jacob Manners, the scrawny white kid from the year above you two that would always get drunk and try and fight whoever was closest. Anyway, She got pregnant not long after they got together. Everyone was so happy for her, congratulating her and giving her special treatment because she was now pregnant. I’ll admit I even congratulated her when I saw her a few weeks ago because I thought she would finally get over you and leave the family alone.” Eloise takes a drink of her water watching as Clay just stares at her, Noelle is poking at the food on her plate and Reg hasn’t even touched his own. Leo was already finished and just looked at the patter of the granite. “Well, she had the baby last week. A month premature but still a big child, 8 pounds big. The baby is nice and healthy though so people are wondering if maybe she lied about when she got pregnant.”

“What does that have to do with me? If she, being a white woman, and her boyfriend, being a white man, had a baby then how would people even think it's mine when I’m black?” Clay tries to prove a point but he sees Eloise shift a bit awkwardly and interlock her fingers as her hands are palm down on the island.

“Because the baby isn’t white.”

“What?” Clay knows he heard her correctly but he still doesn’t believe it. “There is no way, we used protection and everything. It couldn’t have been me.” Clay pushes his plate away and puts his hands in his head. “Why wouldn’t she have told me? No! It isn’t my kid, show me a fucking picture Eloise, maybe the kid is just tan because of genetics or something.” Eloise pulled out her phone while he was rambling and scrolled through Facebook to find pictures of Ashley in the hospital. She pics a picture of just the baby wrapped in a hospital baby blanket in the weird plastic cradle thing they have in the room right after birth. She turns the phone and shows Clay.

This baby was beautiful, she had golden skin. Lighter than Clay’s but much darker than Ashley’s or Jacob’s. The small amount of her tiny head is coily and tight to her head. Clay looks at the little name ankle on the baby: Faye Johnson. He feels sick to his stomach but also can’t look away from the picture, gently taking the phone from Eloise he just stares.

He might have a daughter.

Setting the phone down and scooting it over towards Noelle who picks it up, taking in the picture she is able to pick out the similar facial features between the baby and Clay. Their noses are similar and so is their eye shape. She puts the phone down in front of Leo and turns to Clay who is still looking shell shocked from the news. She gently places a hand on his arm, he looks up at her.

“Let’s go home.”

Judy was so happy to see them home. She must have known something was off because she just hugged Clay and let him slip out of her arms to take his bags back down to his room. Leaving Noelle and Judy alone as Garland was still out in the field.

“It’s good to see you, Noelle.” She pulls her in for a tight hug and Noelle just melts into her, hugging back tightly. “I’m so glad you are here, I knew if he came down alone he would go and try to seek them out. Which isn’t the best idea with that family. He needs you.” Judy squeezes her one last time before letting her go, cupping her face a bit before letting go and walking into the kitchen. Noelle goes downstairs to find Clay laying face down on his bed like a starfish, she smiles a bit and climbs over him, sitting on his back rubbing something hands up and down from his shoulders to the middle of his back. Helping him to relax.

“Clay, I just want you to know that I love you.” Clay whimpers a bit from all the emotions clogging his head, he reaches his arms back and rests them on her legs. Squeezing her so she knows he heard her but can’t respond with his voice at the moment. She understands and doesn’t mind, Leaning forward to press a kiss into his hair. “Let's get ready for bed.”

The next two weeks fly by Leo and Clay helping teach young neighbor kids how to properly ride and groom horses. It was very sweet watching Clay and Leo play around with them. Noelle and Reg would watch, sitting on the top of the fences. They bonded over how confused they were and how they missed the team back home.

But now Noelle was watching them pack, the air was thick that day. Clay and Leo were sniffing the air like hounds before telling them it was gonna rain. Reg and Noelle looked at each other like the other two were crazy, but they appeared to be right. It started to rain around a half hour later. Clay didn’t hesitate to drag Noelle out into the rain, spinning her around and dancing with her like there were no cares in the world. They were soaking wet when they got into the barn, Clay showed her a side of him she has never seen before, taking charge as they made out in the loft. Making her feel like she was on another planet as they made love in the hay. It was the most hick fantasy but she loved every minute of it. His hands winding their way up her body in deliberate touches, treating her like she was a piece of fine china with the way he held her gently but firm enough to make sure she knew she was safe. Kissing her with meaning, making sure she knows she is loved. How much she means to him.

They came down after the rain stopped and it was obvious with the hay in Noelle’s hair and clothes. Clay didn’t look much more put together. Leo and Reg were smirking at them the entire time as they put their bags in the truck, the trailer was loaded last night. They were dropping her off a bit away from the airport because they can’t pull a trailer into the drop off zone of the airport. There was a shuttle she could take to the drop off area and they would wait until she was safely on the shuttle.

Clay and Noelle are sitting in the back seat, holding hands tightly as they make their way back into the city. They didn’t want to let go as Leo pulled into the parking lot where the shuttle waits for people. They all just sat there for a moment in silence. Clay felt as though one of the rain clouds from earlier was over his head as he got out of the truck to help Noelle get her bags. They were just a backpack and a carry-on suitcase but it still felt like she was taking the whole world with her.

“Have you told Leo yet?” Clay shakes his head as he takes her hand again.

“Make sure to tell Thomas I love him, I won’t be back for a few months longer than Leo and Reg because I will be leaving for bootcamp right from Brazil.” He pulls her into a tight hug and kisses her temple. “I love you too.”

They pull out of the parking lot after watching Noelle get on the shuttle.

It was a quiet ride to Texas.

#leo knut #finn o'hara #o’knutzy #logan tremblay #sweater weather #lumosinlove #clayton bruss #coast to coast #coops

[cursestothemoon]

You’re My Best Mate

Requested: yes

Ron Weasley x platonic!reader (gryffindor)

Word count: 1522

This was my first request and first platonic!reader so i really hope you guys enjoy this :)))

✧✧✧

“Blimey, Y/n! If I had known that your potions essay was going to take this long I would’ve made sure to get my dinner first.”

Ron was, yet again, complaining about how long it was taking for you to finish your potions essay, an essay he was so keen to copy off of just yesterday.

“You can leave if you want, ya know?” You grunted without looking up from your parchment. “Also how do you spell ‘chizpurfle carapace’?”

The silence causes you to look up, only to be at the receiving end of a look telling you that he was in too much of a mood right now to help you.

Snorting you turned back to the parchment, “Nevermind, I’ll sound it out, mate. No need to get your knickers in a twist.”

“My knickers are not in a twist. Thank you for your concern.” Ron said, sarcasm oh so evident.

It had been an hour now, you guys had taken all of your free period and were now cutting into your dinner to finish the potions essay that would be due not tomorrow but the day after. Ron had already been in a foul mood after hearing about Hermione and Cormac McLaggen going to a Slug Club party together.

“Just go eat and you can copy off of Hermione later.” You knew it would rile him up, it’s why you said it.

Ron scoffs at the suggestion, “Please, she’s probably off snogging McLaggen.”

“Maybe if you weren’t a right git and just asked her out already she would be snogging you instead, Weasley.”

Ron huffed at your pointed look but decided against arguing, he knew you were right and he definitely didn’t like it.

The next twenty minutes, thankfully, went by mostly in silence which allowed you to finish your essay. No one was more excited for the announcement that you were done than Ron, who quickly stood up and helped you stuff your books into your bag claiming two was faster than one.

You handed him your bag as you both started to walk out of the library, Ron absentmindedly swinging it over his shoulder, ushering you out.

“Oh, by the way, mum’s asked about you. Wondering if you’ll make it over for Christmas this year? She’s making your favorite for dess-”

“I’ll be there.”

You didn’t need to be asked twice, especially when you knew Molly was making an English Trifle and not just any trifle, this was Molly Weasley’s English Trifle.

“Yeah, alright. Assumed that much, I already told her you’d be coming.”

You were suddenly giddy thinking about seeing Molly and Arthur again, they were like your second family and she was making a trifle.

“Made you shouldn’t come, you won’t leave any trifle for me. Like three years ago, remember that, when you came over and ate all the pie?”

The thought of that warm pecan pie made your stomach grumble, maybe you shouldn’t have cut into dinner for the essay.

“Oh yeah, that pie was great. Reckon she can make it next year?”

Ron shook his head with a laugh, “If you were the one to ask, probably.”

The Great Hall echoed with the voices from all four houses, dinner was well on its way already and Ron made sure to groan his disapproval at the already empty plates of rolls. Lucky for him, you were an incredibly thoughtful friend and only a mild kleptomaniac.

“No biscuits either, bloody hell.”

You pulled the roll out of your pocket and handed it to him with a knowing look.

“You're the best, Y/n.”

“Just shut up and eat it, Ernie Macmillan is starting to wonder where his bread went.”

Ron was quick to take a bite as you rushed to sit down at the Gryffindor table, Ernie seemingly none the wiser that it was you who swiped his roll.

You started to pile food onto your plate, quite hungry considering last you had a full meal was during breakfast. You thought to reach for the bowl of potatoes, but before you could push your arm out to grab them Ron thrust a spoonful on your plate.

“Thanks.”

With a quick glance at his plate you noticed what he was missing and was quick to grab it.

“Ron, you want some chi-”

“Yeah, throw me a wing. You want so-”

You shook your head, “I’ve got some already, mate.”

Ginny and Dean Thomas watched the interaction with furrowed eyebrows, it was odd how you two seemed to speak without words.

“How do you guys do that?”

Dean was the one to ask, Ginny having been rather used to it. Over summer she watched this happen during breakfast, somehow you and Ron would simultaneously fill each other's plates with little to no words spoken.

“Do what?” Ron and you both asked at the same time, looking up with identical looks of confusion.

“You guys talk...without talking. It’s weird.”

Ron seemed to look even more confused than before, “They’re my best mate, why wouldn’t I know what they want to eat?”

“Yeah, I’ve known Ron for ages. We’ve had meals together before.” You said matter of factly.

“It’s just...nevermind.” Dean shrugged figuring he wasn’t going to get anywhere with the two of you.

Ron turned to you with a grimace.

“Blimey, git doesn’t think I’d know what my best mate would want to eat.”

“Reckon he’s not that great of a mate then.”

Ron shuttered but made sure to whisper, “Not after I saw him snogging my little sister.”

You made Ron promise to tell you what had happened later in the common room, you were far too close to the culprit now to talk openly about it and knowing Ron, he could get rather loud when angered. You two carried on eating, occasionally joining in conversations around you but as the night grew older, your eyelids grew heavier.

The walk back to the Gryffindor towers was mundane, Harry and Hermione (busy with Slug Club stuff) joined you and Ron on the way. The new addition caused Ron to grumble next to you, your hand shooting out to pinch his side as a way of telling him to behave himself.

“Oi, pinch me one more time and I’ll whack you with a broom.” Ron said quietly.

You subtly turned to answer, “Stop mumbling like an angry git and I won’t have to pinch you.”

“Fine.”

He seemed to keep his word the rest of the way to the common room and plopped onto the couch, your bag hugged in his lap as his expression contorted into one of a very grumpy old lady as he watched Hermione go up to her dorm to knit a few more elf hats.

You reached a hand out to grab your bag, “Can I just get this ba-”

“Maybe I’m being too forward. I should cool it down, right Y/n? It’s a bit much, isn't it?”

The eye roll you couldn't help, along with the groan of annoyance was enough for him to realize that you didn’t agree.

The friendship between you two has been strong since first year. Your families got along, and you had a knack for being able to understand things from a different view than he did, often offering up pretty sound advice because of this. He trusted you, a lot, and vice versa. Ron was like your brother, your taller, ginger brother and you knew he saw you as another sibling. The friendship was sound and strong, leaving you two to be able to have little to no fear of speaking your minds to each other. So when your disagreement was as vocal as it just had been, he had no choice but to listen.

“Ron, you're my best mate, I love you, and I’m going to be completely honest right now, alright?”

Ron nodded leaning forward, “Get on with it then.”

“You are the most emotionally constipated person I have ever, in my years, met. She likes you Ron, a lot. And she has reason to, good looking bloke, you've got the red hair going for you.” You said motioning to his hair.

He nodded, a hand coming up to touch his hair, “Yeah, you’re right.”

“But you are tragically dense. Just talk to her.”

The conversation shifted after Ron agreed with you, he was emotionally constipated. He broke into a retelling of the time he beat Cormac McLaggen during the tryouts and turned to look at your reaction but he turned to face you with eyes closed, lips slightly parted, and even breaths. He smiled to himself and took it as his queue to go to bed also.

Before going however, he moved off the couch and gently shuffled you into a more comfortable lying down position on the now free sofa. He grabbed a blanket from the trunk by the fireplace and draped it over you, careful to cover your toes (he took your shoes off also) and your shoulders.

With a final pat to your shoulder, Ron muttered a quiet, “Night Y/n.” And made his way to his dorm.

#Ron Weasley #ron weasley imagine #Harry Potter #harry potter imagines #weasley #platonic!reader x ron weasley

[xo-phile]

Tides (M!Mer x Fem!Reader) p2

╔═════ ∘◦ ☟ ◦∘ ══════╗

Excerpt: “Why are you telling me this now, Willow?” you asked, chewing on your straw.

“I can’t keep my nose out of other people’s business.”

You glared at your friend and she snickered under breath, elegantly swirling her drink with a perfectly manicured hand.

“I just want you to be happy. And I don’t want to see you missing out on a good thing.”

Word Count: 4.7k

Warnings: thalassaphobia, situational anxiety, some spice

Author’s Note: To the readers who left such sweet messages, liked, followed, reblogged, and to the person who sent me my first ko-fi ever... YOU LIVE IN MY HEAD RENT FREE ಥωಥ. Life has been crazy with job interviews and school starting soon, so I appreciate your patience! If you would like to be tagged so you get notified for the next update please let me know!

Part 1 ✦ Part 3 🍋

╚═════ ∘◦ ☝︎ ◦∘ ══════╝

༻✦༺　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Ancient skeletons of long dead trees haunted the sands of Driftwood Beach. Petrified branches bent in all directions, reaching toward the sky, celebrating that even in death, their bodies served as an organic playground and haven for the living. Children and adults alike climbed along the writhing branches of trees fallen centuries before. Even in death, the haunted were kept loving company by the living.

You stood at the edge of the water, relishing in the way your toes pressed further into the sand as the cool water rushed past your ankles. The sun was low, coloring the skies a soft sorbet pink and orange. Out of the corner of your eye, you watched as Teddy victimized the seagulls making their way inland for the night.Your eyes drifted toward the open water of Lake Obsidian, its deep blue darkening as they day neared its end. From your point of view on the beach, the water was calm. Inside, you felt a tumult in your stomach, churning at what Dresden could possibly have planned when he asked to meet you.

Suddenly, Teddy was yapping at the water and in the distance you saw a familiar, finned form waving in the distance.

"You gonna stand there all day? We're gonna lose sunlight!"

You shuffled your feet in the sand.

"I was thinking we could start small! Here seems like really good progress already!"

Even from yards away you could see the exasperation on Dresden's face. You turned to see Teddy run head-long into the crashing waves, doggy-paddling toward Dresden, big brown head bobbing happily in the water.

"You're really gonna let your beast show you up like that?" the merman chided.

Show off, you thought ruefully. You stripped yourself of your jean shorts and jacket, down to bikini bottoms and rash guard. Despite the buzz of anxiety in your stomach, you picked up your paddle board and made your way out into waves. With every step you took the water rose higher and higher, until you stopped in your tracks. Waist deep in the water, your body refused to take a step further, muscles locking up in place.

"You're doing great! Keep coming towards me!" You looked up to see Dresden’s lopsided grin cheering you on.

"Dresden, I can't do this," you blurted clutching desperately at your floating paddle board, "I want to go back."

The water around you ebbed and flowed, swaying you with a force you weren’t familiar with and there was a gentle push at your back that you resisted. If it weren't for the death-grip on your board, your hands would have no doubt been shaking. Even when you were a kid, there was not enough candy or promises of gifts in the world that would have cajoled you into swimming in deep water. This was the farthest you had ever been and the newfound sensations were overwhelming.

"Wait wait wait! Just wait for me! I'll come to you, don't move!" He dove below the surface of the water, his flukes flashing before disappearing completely. Moments later, his head resurfaced in front of you.

"How're you feeling?" Dresden asked, eyeing the no-doubt panicky expression on your face.

"Like I'm about to crawl out of my skin."

He let out a little chuff at which you glared at.

"You're making jokes. That's good," he laughed. You held his gaze, trying to ignore the vast expanse of water around you. But also out of sheer resentment.

"I feel like if I say anything else, we won't be friends anymore," you ground out through gritted teeth. A stray current, made another push at your back and you clenched even tighter to your board for what little semblance of stability it could find.

"Okay, well I swear on our friendship that I won't make you go out any farther today. Climb on your board."

Your brows furrowed in confusion, but you still clambered on, lying on your stomach like a surfer would. With your body out of the water, the overwhelming apprehension subsided. The board still rocked as it floated in the gentle water and your body tensed nervously. Dresden was beside you now, a large hand on the nose of the paddle board keeping you from floating away.

“Good, now take a deep breath and close your eyes," he said. You looked at him, aghast.

"I'm not gonna let anything happen to you," he promised.

"Dres, I don't know about this," you faltered. He considered your expression for a moment and instead of acquiescing, his bigger hand took yours and wrapped around it tight.

"The worst that will happen, is that you feel a little stupid.”

You looked at him once more with doubt but promptly shut your eyes, laying your forehead down on your arms. The board's unstable rocking made your stomach turn and the occasional wash of water sent shivers up your spine.

"Okay, now tell me everything you're feeling right now," came Dresden's calm voice. You gripped his hand tighter, the only source of stability you could feel.

"Scared. I'm really scared. I don’t like that everything’s moving.”

"Okay, that's okay. Tell me why."

“I-I feel like, I’m gonna get washed away. Or that I’m gonna get pulled under.” At your words, Dresden’s hand tightened in yours and you let out a breath that you didn’t realize you were holding. Self-consciousness washed over you at your admission. Dresden was right, you did feel stupid. You felt stupid for your irrational fear, for coming out onto the water. You should have stayed on land where things didn’t move beneath your body and the world wouldn’t threaten to swallow you up.

How lame.

“You know it’s okay to be scared right? There’s nothing wrong with how you’re feeling right now.” Dresden’s voice was much closer now, his breath ghosting your ear and calming your unwelcome thoughts. Now all you could hear was the crash of the waves on the shores behind you and your heart thumping in your throat.

“Okay, now take a deep breath in. Three-two-one.” You inhaled through your nose, the rush of cold air of the dusk filling your lungs.

“Deep breath out. Four-three-two-one.” You pushed out a controlled breath, your diaphragm straining. Your heart was not not so loud but there was still a pit in your stomach.

"Now I want you to name three things you can smell."

You hesitated at his words for a moment but focused on finding any scents you can trace. With your head buried arm, you smelled the faint coconut scent of your sunscreen. In the air, a soft sharpness of pine wafted through the breeze. Finally a scent of clean, crisp water filled your senses.

"Sunscreen, Pine Trees, and Water."

"Okay, now what can you hear."

Blood was rushing through your head and your heart was still loud, but you pushed past the sounds of your anxiety to listen to the sounds of Driftwood Beach. Beneath you, water lapped against your board, causing a soft hollow knock against plexiglass to echo under you. Above, you birds called out to each other as they soared overhead, crying into the open sky.

"Water under my board and birds."

Despite the darkness behind your lids, the world around you came into clear perception through your senses. You lifted your head and opened your eyes to find Dresden watching you intensely, mossy green of his eyes darkening faintly.

The moment between you twisted like a knot tightening with every quiet second that passed.

“You’re not gonna ask me what I see?” you murmured softly. Dresden’s hazel eyes went and wide blinked, snapping out of his reverie. He let go of your hand, and for a moment, you mourned its warmth.

“No-no, I think that works,” he stuttered, a faint blush warming his sharp features. “How are you feeling?”

The sky above you both was now fiery orange set behind the darkening green of sequoias. The water around you moved with calm purpose, still but teeming with a quiet life. A faint sense of calm overtook you and you allowed your body to feel the gentle rocking of the water with the board between you.

“Better. A lot better.“

A comfortable silence settled and you sat up on your board, admiring the white moon in the sorbet sky. The idea of leaving your board still terrified you but your gorgeous surroundings were a welcome distraction and made a mental note to come back with your camera and a sketchpad.

From the shore, you heard aggravated squawks and a sudden burst of flapping wings. You and Dresden turned to see a sopping wet Teddy, galloping across the sand chasing a flock of irate seagulls.

"I better get back. If I don't feed Teddy soon, one of those seagulls might turn into dinner."

"Right, we wouldn't want that…” the merman averted his eyes, nervous to look you in the eye. “This was probably a lot for today, so I was thinking we could meet up again in a couple days? Whatever works-"

"No let's meet again tomorrow," you blurted, "This really helped a lot." Your face reddened. Your mouth had spoken before your mind had a chance to process what you were volunteering to do. Still, Dresden’s face lit up in a big grin.

"Okay, great. I'll see you tomorrow."

The two of you said your goodbyes and you made your way back to the shore. You could feel Dresden's eyes on you as you paddled towards land. It wasn't until you were standing on the solid shore did you see him wave from a distance and then disappear under the water.

You replayed the last half hour in your head. You had always known Dresden to joke and laugh at the expense of other people and you weren’t used to the care that he took with you and the warmth of his large hand in yours.

As you walked to your car, with Teddy in tow, you wondered how you never noticed that the soft curves of his boyish face turned into angles and edges.

༻✦༺　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Despite every ounce of fear screaming at you, you spent each sunset with Dresden, wading out into the water, pushing yourself farther and farther from the shore. And like the tides, your fear ebbed and flowed. On bad days, you would be paralyzed, muscles stiffened as you lay on your paddle board. Dresden would always hold your hand, his grip firm and solid with a silent pledge to keep you safe. His voice, coaching you through the worst of your panic, would be uncharacteristically gentle.

On the better days, you two would work through the breathing exercises and then spend time reminiscing on childhood memories or talk about your respective work. You would sit on your board, mindfully allowing yourself to drift on the water, and talk about your growing frustration with your paintings and the inescapable deadline of the gallery opening. Dresden would then tell you about how his work mapping the underwater caves of Lake Obsidian was going with the local university, complaining about one particularly grumpy selkie lead researcher and the various ineptitudes of the doctoral students.

"Wait, wait so even the mer don't know how deep the lake is?"

"Nope, at some point it gets too dark to even see. Makes it dangerous. You lose your sense of direction." The thought of endless darkness and thousands of pounds of pressure on your head gave you a full-body shiver. Dresden laughed.

"Still it's not a bad gig. Helps with relations with the land folk and sometimes, you find cool stuff you can keep for yourself."

You thought about the fossilized ammonite that sat on the mantelpiece in your living room. The opalised fossil shimmered in the light when the sun beamed through your curtains, and you would stop to admire it when the stress of emails and showing dates overwhelmed you.

You tried not to think too much about how Dresden saved something that special just to give it to you.

༻✦༺　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

It was an early Sunday morning, a misty fog was just dispersing as the yellow morning sun warmed the chill in the air. You were wandering through the stalls of Talon Point's farmers market, admiring the vast variety of produce. Some you recognized: bright red and orange tomatoes, plump as a baby's cheek, broccoli and sprouts green and freshly picked, but there were also other varieties you didn't recognize, bright purple and magenta spices that sat in a pile as tall as you were and some sort of blue fruit perfectly cubed and shiny.

Even with your giant grocery tote filled to the brim with your usual fare, you still liked to wander through aisles, admiring the strange sights and shiny crafts of the local artisans. With a sudden pull, Teddy tugged you by his leash towards the specialty bakery that made treats for humans and non-humans alike. Warm smells of fresh croissants and chocolate eclairs wafted through the air and he made a dead stop just outside the door plopping his giant behind in an obedient sit, knowing better than to barge into a doorway without your express permission. You had to chuckle lightly at his polite adamance.

"Alright, but only one today. You're starting to look a little fluffy and I don't mean the fur," he seemed to harumph in protest but stood his ground. Inside the bakery, you saw a vast array of baked goods: doughnuts, croissants, tiny cakes, and even dainty cake pops. Behind the glass counter was an orc with an immense frame, balancing two gigantic trays of honey buns in both big arms.

"I'll be with you in a moment, miss," he gruffed, sidling his way through what looked like tiny walkways.

"That's okay, take your time. Just browsing." The orc let out a soft grunt in response and made his way to the back kitchen. As you made your way down the aisles, you started to realize the variety of baked goods was immense: green pandan waffles, taro puff pastries, and Mexican conchas in a variety of colors lined the trays in the glass case. Finally, you came upon some pastries in the shape of fish with ogling eyes.

"Any questions, miss?" You looked up to see that the orc had returned and was waiting patiently behind the register for you to make a decision.

"What are in these fish pastries?" you asked, shyly. He made his way over to you to check the display.

"Ah, those are taiyaki. Normally made with red bean paste inside, but this batch has Nutella." You smiled to yourself, wondering if Dresden had ever tried chocolate before.

Can merfolk even eat chocolate? you wondered, absently, already coming up with ways to make fun of him for having the hazelnut paste stuck on his teeth.

"Can I get two of those and one dog treat, please?"

You watched the gigantic orc as he packaged your pastries, large chords of muscle sliding under smooth green skin, delicately placing your order in a crisp paper bag.

Behind you, you heard a familiar voice call your name and you turned to see Willow dressed in a baby blue sundress and gigantic sunhat.

"Fancy seeing you out and about, stranger," she smiled and pulled you into a hug. Before you two could even make conversation the orc behind the counter cleared his throat and you turned sheepishly to pay for your order. Willow smiled up at the orc coquettishly, and requested an order of a dozen cheese croissants, and then proceeded to brazenly leer at his admittedly toned behind when he bent over to pick out a cardboard box.

"Thanks, Gil," she winked as you two exited the shop. The aforementioned orc rolled his eyes at Willow and gave another huff before making his way to help out another customer. Your ears warmed and you hid your face as you exited the store.

"Excuse me, I seem to recall that you have a whole-ass husband," you chided, teasing her as you made your way through the main street, passing shop displays filled with antiques and other handcrafted arts.

"I'll have you know Romero and I have a mutually agreeable 'look don't touch policy'. Like window shopping!"

You rolled your eyes but smiled at her antics. “Is that what we’re calling it now?” You chuckled softly when her lips formed a pout at your chiding.

“Maybe you ought to consider shopping around, yourself.”

“I really don’t think I need more clothes.”

“Okay, now you’re being obtuse on purpose,” Willow huffed exasperatedly and you couldn’t stop the smug smile from tugging at your lips.

“Will, I already have the exhibition breathing down my neck. I don’t really have time to entertain any gentlemen suitors,” you sighed, stretching the tell-tale tingle of anxiety out of your neck.

“Who said anything about dating though? A fun little romp does the body and mind wonders. It’s a wonder how you stay sane when you never leave the house.”

“I leave the house! I walk Teddy all the time and me and Dresden-”

You clapped your hand over your mouth before the last of your words could tumble out. But it was too late. Willow didn’t miss your words and she honed in on you like a hawk.

“You and Dresden? You two have been hanging out? How?” Willow probed, a wickedly gleeful expression on her face.

“Oh my god, Willow it’s nothing like that. He’s been…” you sighed, trying to find your words, “We’ve been doing exposure therapy out on the water. He’s been helping me after the accident.”

Willow studied your face thoughtfully and smiled like she knew something you didn’t. You grabbed her by the elbow to look her in the face.

“Willow, what?”

“Nothing! I just didn’t think he had it in him to make a move.”

You sputtered, ears warming again with embarrassment.

“He’s not trying to make a move!” you cried indignantly. Willow smiled at you like a child who still believed in Santa.

“He looks at you like you put the freaking sun in the sky. Like, he’s literally had a crush on you since we were children.”

She smiled wickedly at your stunned silence. Despite her deceptively air-headed appearance, you knew Willow to be highly perceptive. And blunt. Willow pulled you by your wrist to the nearest cafe and sat you down in a chair of a patio table. A young tiefling waiter rushed out with menus and a water bowl for Teddy and Willow ordered two iced coffees while she waited for your brain to reboot.

“I feel like I would have noticed,” you quavered, still processing this revelation.

“You’ve been hung up on Micah for years. We didn’t think it would matter.”

The young tiefling came out with your orders, setting the sweltering cups on the table before, making his way back into the cafe. You and Willow took several silent sips.

“Why are you telling me this now, Willow?” you asked, chewing on your straw.

“I can’t keep my nose out of other people’s business.”

You glared at your friend and she snickered under breath, elegantly swirling her drink with a perfectly manicured hand.

“I just want you to be happy. And I don’t want to see you missing out on a good thing.”

You looked her in her icy blue eyes, earnestness shining through.

༻✦༺　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

All through the ferry ride back, all you could think about were Willow’s words. How could you have possibly missed something so huge? Your relationship had always seemed so simple and easy…

Or so you thought. Your mind wandered to all the sunsets you two spent together out on the water and the soft looks of concern he gave you on your worst days, when you couldn’t handle the anxiety.

You thought about the day of the accident, when he pulled you out of the water and held you shivering and wet, murmuring reassurances that you were safe. And then you thought about how angry he got at Micah, his oldest friend.

“Why else would he have gone ballistic like that?”

Willow’s words echoed in the back of your mind as you unlocked your door and made your way into the kitchen to put away your groceries. As you put away the produce you’d found the white paper pastry bag holding the Nutella taiyaki you had bought for Dresden and you eyed the crumpled paper bag cautiously.

Dresden would probably laugh when he saw the funny looking pastry. Maybe his dimples would show and the coppery fins that framed his face would twitch as he tried it.

Your thoughts halted to a stop. Why were you daydreaming about your friend? Instead of letting your thoughts whir along, you decided to do what you did when you couldn’t feel at home in your own head: you painted.

You padded to the art studio and rifled through your things for an empty canvas and acrylic paints. Instead of your usual set-up with an easel and a stool, you set the 18x24 on the ground and squirted paint onto a plastic palette. You started with a soft sand color, not unlike the sands of Driftwood Beach at sunset, and let your arm guide itself across the blank canvas. Lately, you rarely ever let yourself waste paint and a canvas without a plan, but right now you didn’t feel like thinking anything through.

You added purple shadows, painting in subtle planes of an angular face, detailing in soft cheekbones and an elegant jawline. Blues showed soft shadows cast by dark curly brown hair and a proud nose, while reds added depth and dimension to a clever face. For a playful arch of dark brows, you added grayish black to brown and touched up the curve of a playful smirk with pink an white.

When you started work on the eyes, your mind wandered to strong hands gripping tightly at your hips and back, keeping you from getting swept away. You remembered how warm hazels watched you, dark with concern and then intense with yearning.

A pleasant shiver ran down your spine at the memory. His inner irises were a rusty brown that glittered when he laughed and outer irises flashed a brilliant coppery green when serious.

You painted his facial fins to match with eyes, a uniquely striking coloring.

By the time you finished the piece hours had passed and the sun was lowering in the sky and you cursed to yourself before changing quickly and rushing out the door.

༻✦༺　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

You made your way out into the lake, this time paddling out on your knees, carefully balancing the bag of pastries on the tail of your board. It had been a few weeks and you weren’t scared to navigate your way farther and farther from shore anymore. Still, fear overtook you whenever you tried to swim out so you settled for adventuring through the water safely on your board. As you waited for Dresden, you straddled your board, letting your feet kick gently in the water, an accomplishment won once Dresden convinced you that plesiosaurs didn’t survive past the Cretaceous Period and wouldn’t try to take a bite out of your calf.

You watched as idly as the soft clouds rolled through the pink sky, noticing how the breeze shook the tips of gigantic redwoods. The final days of summer were flying by and soon Autumn would be upon Lake Obsidian. As you mused quietly about another year passed in this bustling little town, you saw a flash of a shimmering tale and a hand ghost up your ankle and calf. A surprised yip escaped your mouth as you flinched. Dresden popped up on the other side of your board shaking water out of drenched curls.

“Jesus Christ, Dresden, give me a heart attack why don’t you?”

“Sorry, couldn’t resist. You didn’t faint. I’d take that as a win.”

The merman smiled up at you with a big lopsided grin and you couldn’t help but notice the soft divot of dimples in his cheek. You looked away before you could get flustered, remembering your earlier conversation with Willow.

“I was in town earlier today and I saw something you might like.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed the way the merman lit up and your ears warmed at his adorable expression. You reached behind you to grab the white pastry bag and reached in to hand your friend the little fish pastry, “It has chocolate in it though. I wasn’t sure if mer can even eat hazelnut spread.”

He hung onto your board while he observed the fish-shaped confection, turning it every which way before taking an eager bite.

“It’s wonderful,” he moaned, mouth full. You giggled as you ate yours, enjoying the crisp outside and gooey inside. You two munched in comfortable silence and you folded up the white paper bag and tucked it into the shoulder strap of your bikini under your rash guard to throw away when you got home.

“You humans are creative, I’ll give you that. Bring me more of those. I’ll consider it compensation for my services,” licking the remnants of chocolate off his lips.

“Excuse me?! This was your idea!” you cried, indignantly.

“And yet, you reap the benefits and get to enjoy the pleasure of my company,” he smiled up at you cheekily. Like you predicted, chocolate had dripped down onto his chin and you let out a soft snort.

“Pleasurable company with questionable table manners. Dres, you have something here,” you pointed on your own face where his face was dirtied and Dreden swiped on the wrong side of his own. You let out a little giggle at his confused expression.

“No, other side,” you tried again, laughing even harder when he wiped his arm across his jaw and made an even bigger mess. Dresden pouted but smiled nonetheless at your laughter.

“Why don’t you come down from there and help me,” he teased, splashing some water up at you making you shriek indignantly.

“Catch me then!” Before you realized what you were doing, you swung a leg over your board and pushed yourself off, awkwardly hopping into Dresden’s surprised arms with a big splash. Your hands found purchase on his broad shoulders as you got used to the chill of the water, and you enjoyed the way his arms instinctually wrapped around your waist and under your ass to keep you from sinking in the still waters. Your legs wrapped around his waist, steadying you in the gentle current.

“Good catch,” you joked teasingly, although you felt your heart rabbit in your chest a mile a minute. Still, you couldn’t help but grin at the dazed expression on Dresden’s handsome face, eyes wide in confusion and mouth agape. You reached up to his face with a wet hand and wiped at the chocolate staining his chin until it was clean.

“Thanks,” he murmured softly. You looked up to see his hazel gaze locked on yours, waiting in anticipation for your next move. Your fingers moved on their own, tracing the sinewy muscles under the smooth, tanned skin of his shoulders and you found them making their way up to a strong neck where they traced the delicate slits of flattened gills. At your soft touch, the merman let out a low moan that sent molten heat straight between your legs. His arms tightened around you, pulling you flush against a hard torso in an iron brace. You gasped softly, a whimper threatening to escape your throat.

Dresden dropped his head onto your shoulder and let out a deep shuddering breath. With strong, wide hands gripping your hips, he gently hoisted you back on your paddle board and pushed you to arms distance.

Embarrassment and self-consciousness crashed down around you, shocking you out of your haze.

Was Willow wrong? Did you make a mistake? He doesn’t actually want you like that.

“Oh god, Dresden, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have…” you tried, but the merman was already shaking his head, a warm flush flooding his face.

“We should take a break for a couple days,” he ground out firmly. Your heart dropped to your stomach at his words.

“O-okay… Dresden, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“It’s okay. I’ll see you around,” he blurted, before diving under the water and swiftly swimming away.

You didn’t remember paddling back to shore or making your way back to your car. All you felt was the sting of rejection and the burn of tears as they filled your eyes.

༻✦༺　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

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#exophilia #monster boyfriend #monster boy #monster lover #my writing

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Jingle All The Way

Summary- 1.6k Sam x You. Christmas is being spent at Clints farm with the Avengers. Sam takes up Clints offers to use his draft horse team to take you on a quick around the farm winter ride. 

A/N- its a mess, I dont know alot of horse terms, just the basics. But this was one of my favorites things to do when I was little and got to ride with my great uncles logging horse team through the woods after it snowed. Used two of the prompts from the Winter/Holiday Challenge Sage and I are hosting. Thanks for the horses names @what-is-your-plan-today​

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ❄️❄️❄️

“Sam what is this?” You ask as you tighten your scarf around your neck. Laurie had insisted you get dressed and go outside, there was a surprise waiting for you. Unaware of what he was up to, you were shocked to find Sam holding onto one of the draft horse's bridles while you came out of the house, grinning at you. 

“Will you come for a sleigh ride?” He asked while you stepped off the porch and your hands came up under one of the horses nose, letting him snuffle your palm looking for a treat, the soft velvet and whiskers making you giggle. Sam let go to give the horse freedom of his head, while you scritched along the length of his jawline and up to his ears. 

“Do you even know how to drive a horse team Sam?” you asked as you nuzzled your nose against the velvet muzzle and whiskers, giggling when the lip wriggled against your face like he was feeling you out. 

“Of course, like driving a slow moving car.” He said and you arched a brow at him in disbelief. “I asked Clint if he minded we take ourselves a ride around the property. He said Twist and Shout knew the way so we just enjoy the ride.” Each horse knickered hearing their names, bobbing their heads as if in agreement. Your face split in a huge grin watching the gentle giants get excited to pull the sleigh behind them. 

“Twist and Shout?” You laughed softly at the names, offering your hand to the other horse who lipped at your fingers and then stretched to grab the ball of your winter hat and pull at it, playfully swinging her head to wave the hat around before dropping it at your feet before you could grab at it. 

“You are sure you know what you're doing with them?” you ask as you reach down to grab your hat and put it back on your head. Sam pulled you back towards the old looking sleigh, pilled with blankets inside for the two of you, and which Sam kept you moving till you were climbing in. 

“Promise, Clint gave me a crash course. Also…” Sam reached into the pile of blankets and pulled out a walkie talkie. “He gave me this just in case our cells don't work.” 

You settled into the sleighs seat, rearranging the pile of blankets so they settled on your lap while Sam walked around the front of the sleigh, pausing in front of the two horses who patiently waited for the signal to go. Reaching in his pocket he snapped off pieces of candy cane and held them in his palms, whispering just to Twist and Shout. “Keep me on the trail you two.”  

Giving one last stroke along a muscular neck, Sam made his way to climb into the sleigh himself, and gathered the reins in his hands while sitting down next to you. 

You didn't even pretend to know how to get the horses moving, so you waited while Sam cleared his throat, glancing at you for a second. “Okay, I've never done this, so… don't laugh.” Sam warned and you bit your lip with a grin, shrugging at him. Sam gave a light snap of the reins while making a loud clicking noise with a “Go On”. Twist and Shouts ears twisted hearing the command, and both horses strained forward in the harness, the sleigh jolting forward behind them. You jumped in surprise at the sudden movement, grasping Sam's arm with a laugh. 

The bells on the harness jingled in the cold winter day while the runners underneath made a whoosh noise. You twisted in your seat to see the farmhouse and barn quickly going out of sight while the team moved a bit faster with each moment, obviously used to doing this for their owners' family. 

You settled into Sam a bit more, his arm sweeping around you while the horses steadily followed the trail into the woods lining Clint's property. The branches were heavy ladened, the sunlight streamed through the branches enough to make the snow glint and the woods were filled with a heavy snowy silence that seemed to magnify the jingle bells on the horses harness and the steady beats of their hooves hitting the fresh powder from the night before. Your head tilted back to watch the trees overhead glint and sparkle in the snowy wonderland. 

Sam couldn't help the feeling of warmth that blossomed in his chest seeing you so happy in the moment, swaying slightly at the sleigh's movements, and your hands tucked into his jacket for warmth while excitedly pointing out little things you saw along the way. Animal trails had busted through the snow banks and glimpses of white wild rabbits scuttled ahead of the horses till they leaped for the safety of the treeline. 

“How did you know I always wanted to go on one of these?” You finally settled down, Sam grinned down at you and gave a roll of a shoulder. 

“Hmm, a snowbird told me.” Was the only hint he gave you and your brows furrowed thinking who could possibly know that a sleigh ride was on your Holiday Wish List. You had certainly never shared with anyone. 

Where had Sam gotten the idea? The night before when he was down in the kitchen looking for the cookies you had baked with Laurie, Pepper and all the kids earlier that day. Rummaging through the tins on the counter, Clint happened to be talking to Steve and Bucky about Christmas on the farm traditions, of what they should be prepared for Laurie insisting on happening. “Yes, she insists on a Christmas Eve sleigh ride. I deck the horses out and the sleigh with lights and such, then drive them down into town to go caroling.” 

“Sounds like it is a very special moment for her.” Steve said and Sam with a couple cookies folded in a napkin piped up. 

“How hard is it… taking the horses out on a sleigh? Sounds like something Y/N would really enjoy doing.” 

“Not hard at all, Twist and Shout know where to go as long as you let them just go, they will follow the trail around the property and bring you right back up to the house.” Clint said while Bucky and Steve sat across the table, shuffling through some cards to start playing a hand. 

“Can be just Y/N and Myself?” Sam asked to confirm which caused an Awww from Bucky as well as a sharp elbow to his gut from Steve to shut him up. 

Clint ignored them while confirming. “Sure can, want me to set them up tomorrow for you?” 

“You know I owe you a favor.” Sam no so subtly flipped Bucky off and Clint laughed. 

“Don't worry, I will collect. Have them ready around 10 for you.” 

With that Sam's spectacular Christmas surprise came to life and you scoffed with a playful roll of your eyes at him. “A little birdie? Sounds like a Hawkeye looking out for a falcon told you.” 

Sam glanced away a moment not wanting to give himself away as they started to leave the forested area for a clearing near the house. Sam’s eyes widened as he shifted your attention with a point of his finger at the edge. “Y/N, look.” Standing there near a snowman that the kids had loaded the day before with carrots, nuts instead of coal for eyes and birdseed dusted all over him for the birds, were two deer sniffing at it to inspect it and making a grab for the carrots. Sam pulled lightly on the reigns to slow the Twist and Shout down, while you twisted in your seat to look. 

“Do you think I can lead them home? I want them Sam!” your eyes Sam could have sworn had turned into those giant heart eye emojis and he looked at you doubtfully. 

“What are you going to do with a couple deer in Washington? Or the Compound?” 

“What wouldn't I do with them?” You bit your lip excitedly while watching one of them tug off the carrot nose and Sam laughed deeply, his deep baritone bouncing off the snow covered clearing. Both the whitetails lifted their heads, ears flicked forward before spinning back towards the woods, their tails flashing in warning before disappearing from sight. 

“Damn Sam, now they are gone.” You playfully pushed against his chest, but he just pulled you in closer to him regardless, still laughing as you huffed at the loss of the deer. 

Twist and Shout shuffled a bit and Sam gathered the reins once more, giving the command of “Go On” which sent the team forward again. “How about I make it up to you Babe, and let you drive?” Handing you the reigns, you straightened. “Clint said snap them once and they will pick up speed.” 

“You are going to let me drive? And here I have to fight to get behind the wheel.” Wriggling in position, you flick your wrists to move the reins and the horses give a slight surge forward, making you fall against Sam with a surprised laugh. 

“Because you're a goddamn daredevil. Every time you take off with the wings, just about give me a heart attack woman.” Sam retorted, his arm tightening around you while the horses galloped through the snow, bursts of soft powder busting up around them. The wind was chilly against your faces while the sleigh pulled back into sight of the house, the jingle bells twinkling merrily. 

“Like you're any better, jumping out of planes whenever you please. Don’t worry… Bucky is sure to fill me in.” You smirk at him and Sam rolls his eyes at you good natured. 

As the sleigh pulled up towards the house, Morgan and Clint's kids burst out of the house tugging on their winter jackets and stuffing hats on there heads. “Us next! Us next.” 

Sam looked hesitant, but you pulled in closer to him and waved them up in the sleigh to join you and Sam. 

“One more time around Captain.” you say excitedly while the kids pile in around you two, Twist and Shout happily shaking their heads about going around again, sure to shake the jingle bells in a joyful manner.

#sam wilson #christmas #holiday #holiday 2020 #winter sleigh ride #amber writes #sweater writes

[marvelmymarvel]

Myself

??? x Reader

Keigo Takami x Reader

Synopsis: Keigo Takami... Everyone was in love with him it seemed, everyone but you. The winged hero annoyed you especially when he kept hitting on you. He didn’t seem to quite understand why you were so cold to him, till he learned who you were in a relationship with.

Trigger Warning: Forceful and relentless flirting (aka he doesn't get the hint)

Song: Myself by Bazzi (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytqVrVeCFx0) Basically Keigo lying to himself ;)

A/n: I love Hawks like the next breathing human, BUT LET ME HAVE MY MOMENT

“WHATTUP EVERYONE”

Your groan was loud and audible to everyone around you, as the number 2 hero burst into the Endeavor Hero Agency. Endeavor shot a glare your way, as the other sidekicks scoffed at your reaction. How could you not be swooning at the man?? He was literal walking sex, and yet you were annoyed by him. They would love to have his attention, have his arms wrapped around them... He was perfect.

As if on queue, Hawks swung his arm across your shoulders before cooing your name in your ear. Your rolled your eyes and shot a glare his way, “What” you growled, already done with the whole interaction.

“Y/n” Endeavor grumbled out, shuffling through papers as if you had no right to be acting the way you were. You fought the urge to roll your eyes at your superior, not wanting to get fired again like last week when the same exact scenario happened. Keigo seemed to have learned his lesson though, which meant that your outrage was well worth it because instead of greeting you with an ass slap this week, he was only greeting you with an awkward hug. 

But you knew your boyfriend wouldn’t like it either way.

“It’s alright Endeavor!! I like em fiesty... Makes em harder to tame if ya know what I mean” he gnarled in your ear. Your nose scrunched up in disgust as you pushed him off you. “In your dreams pretty boy,” you snapped back, angry at the thought of him ‘taming’ you in the place he was referring. “What you wouldn’t sleep with me?? C’mon, every girl in JAPAN wants to get with me-”

“I’ll pass on the std’s thank you” you muttered out, walking towards Endeavor in hopes that he could let you go home early. You wanted to surprise your fiancee with dinner but you also wanted to get away from the stupid bird. “Mr. Todoroki, is it alright if I take a half-day? I can stay late tomorrow-”

“That's fine, you only have a week left. You should enjoy your time” he muttered out, too focused on signing the papers being handed to him by all the other sidekicks. The other sidekicks shot you a glare, knowing that you were the only one truly allowed for ‘half-days’. It wasn’t your fault that Endeavor liked you the most, and it didn’t even matter anymore if he did or not. He knew you weren’t going to stay forever like he hoped, so he hoped that maybe, just maybe, being sweet on you would persuade you to stay. 

But you were leaving in a week.

“Thank you Endeavor, sir, I’ll make sure to bring your coffee tomorrow morning” you stated sweetly before twirling on your toes towards the door, hoping that maybe you could make a clean break. But no, of course not, you thought as you spun right into Keigo's chest. “Move bird brain” you growled out as you pushed past him and sped towards the door. The faster you got away, the faster you got home, and the faster you got home, the faster you would feel okay again.

Keigo once again didn’t seem to take a hint and followed you to the elevator. The door closed but he slipped in before they did. “GOD Keigo!! Get the hint!” you snapped out, finger slamming against the ground floor button, hoping and praying that it would make it go faster. Silence filled the elevator, and for once, he didn't have a retort.

“You’re leaving?” 

For some reason, the sadness in your voice broke your heart. How could this kid, who was only 4 years younger than you, be so infatuated with you? He was 21 for Christ's sake!! So many women wanted him and yet he tried again and again for you. While Keigo annoyed you, he never made you feel uncomfortable. He was just a kid after all.

“Kei-Hawks... You gotta let me go, man... I’ve told you many times that I don't want to date you-”

“But maybe I can change your mind?! Just one date! That's all I’m asking for” he begged, red eyes growing big as he looked like a puppy with wings. You sighed, wishing that you didn’t have to break the kid's heart here and now. “Hawks, honey... I’m engaged” 

The air grew stale, making you look uneasily at what floor the elevator was at. Floor 14, fuck, at least another 30 seconds. “You... Oh,” he stated sadly, now making the energy in the confined space feel tense. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to tell you and break your-”

DING

The elevator cut you off and you finally noticed the anger on Keigo's face as he stared straight ahead at the doors. “It's fine. I’ll leave you alone. Didn’t need you anyway” he snarled out, before storming out of the opening doors. His wings slammed against the metal, causing a loud clank to sound out. Your nose was scrunched up, quite uncomfortable with how angry he was about being truly rejected by something he couldn’t control. You knew he was just throwing a hissy fit and would be over it soon like every other guy at his age, so you brushed it off and exited the elevator. 

You often wondered how your fiancee acted at that age. Would he have reacted the same? No, not your baby... The man hardly showed a reaction unless it concerned you... So then maybe he was like that. Your thoughts wandered as you made your way home, ignoring any villains on your way and just hoping to get to your home soon. Technically, it was your lovers ‘home’ first, but now that you were going to be joining the same career, it would also be yours. 

The big 1A sign for the dorms finally came into view, causing you to let out a breath of relief as you finally reached the main door. Opening it, you were happy to hear silence throughout the dorm. Principal Nezu liked your current hero work, and since you were a previous UA student, getting a teaching position was a piece of cake. As a teen, you would have never dreamed of teaching hellions how to be a hero, but as a 25-year-old, it sounded like heaven. Working for Endeavor was crazy, time-consuming, but rewarding. 

And it was time to move on-

You let out a yelp when arms encircled your waist. You had walked into your apartment with little to no thought but didn’t expect your lover to be there yet. “Well hello there” you purred out, turning in his arms to see him better. Shouta’s dark circles seemed to be lighter but his eyes were still full of tiredness causing you to believe he just woke up from a nap. “Took a half-day?” Shouta cooed out before dropping his head and nuzzling it into your neck. The warmth from your neck caused him to groan out and hug you tighter. 

Your fingers went to his hair and began raking through his waves. “Yeah... You?” you cooed out, letting one hand fall from his curls and allowing it to run up and down his spine. It caused his eyes to flutter and his body to relax even further. You were the only one who could calm him like this, so much so that it helped with his sleep. “I felt sick at lunch, Hizashi covered the rest of the day” he murmured out, pressing kisses along your neck causing you to giggle lightly as his scruff tickled your skin. 

“Good lord, you left Hizashi with your kids?? You must really have felt sick” you teased as you pulled his head out of your neck so you could get a better look at him. “You do look kinda pale... Have you eaten anything?” you questioned while your hand roamed his forehead, trying to gather an estimate of his temperature like your mother once did. 

He let out a huff, knowing you were about to baby him now that he let you in on the situation at hand. Hoping to steer the conversation and attention off of him, he turned his thoughts back to you. “Did you tell Keigo yet?” Shouta asked, hoping that he didn’t have to intervene and get his hands bloody. He didn’t care for the winged hero either, especially not after what he’s done to you, and because you know that Shouta could kick his ass, you decided to handle it alone. 

“Yea... He was kinda tense after, claiming that he didn’t need me anyway” you joked out, rolling your eyes at how childish it all sounded. When Shouta first approached you only 3 years ago, he did it with grace. There were no awkward touches and it was just him treating you like a queen, something you deserved.

“Well, I need you so, he can fuck off anyway” Shouta grumbled while pulling you into his embrace. Your head rested in his neck and you could tell instantly he was running a fever by the sheer fact that he was causing you to sweat. “You’re sweet baby, but I think you need medicine more than anything” you stated firmly, pushing out of his embrace in order to go get the medicine he needed. 

You began to hear chatter outside, signaling that the hellions were home. You went to the door, locking it so that none of the kids would interrupt Shouta’s relaxation time. Shouta didn’t move from his spot as he watched you walk around the kitchen gathering your supplies. Turning from your spot, you marched back over with a determined look on your face. “Alright mister, you’re going to take this medicine, take a shower while I make you soup. Then we are going to eat and finally cuddle... Got it?” you stated firmly as you shoved the medicine bottles into his hands, determined on getting him to a better state of health. 

He cracked a half-smile at how adorable you looked when taking charge. He nodded his head, not daring to argue with you when in this state of mind. “Fine, I’ll let you take care of me... But I want you to know that if that bird brain tries to take you from me-”

“Lord it's not going to happen-”

“I’m not finished” Shouta cut you off, gripping your chin and forcing you to hush. You fell silent in submission, and in the silence, Shouta moved his hand from your chin and cupped your cheek lovingly. “If he tries anything else, I may just have to get my hands bloody... Because I’m yours and you’re mine”

His firm statement took your breath away. Your pupils dilated in love, you felt so secure in this relationship and you couldn’t believe you were so lucky to have him as yours. “Okay” you state finally as you let out the air you were holding, “Okay, now you go take a shower, damnit... The faster we move the faster we can cuddle” you tease, a bright smile stretched on your face as you shoved him away from you. 

He shot you a boyish smile before walking towards the bedroom, leaving you alone in the living room. “God I love that man” you whispered to yourself. Your hands traveled down and gripped your fluttering tummy, no other man-made you feel this way. 

And it was going to stay that way.

#keigo takami imagine #keigo takami imagines #hawks imagines #hawks imagine #keigo takami x reader #shouta aizawa imagine #shouta aizawa imagines #shouta aizawa x reader #aizawa imagine #aizawa imagines #aizawa x reader #mha imagine #mha imagines #mha x reader #imagine #fanfiction #eraserhead x reader #eraserhead imagines #eraserhead imagine #shouta imagine

[chaoticbi-cheesecake]

Paper Airplanes and Face Masks (Hournite)

Summary: Beth has Rick over for the night and is determined to get him in a face mask.

Warnings: Mild allusions to abusive gardian.

Category: Fluff

Note: this is my first attempt at fanfiction, please leave your thought about it below:)

Training lasted longer than usual that day. By the time it was over, the sun was already saying goodbye and slowly receded to the west. Pat had tried his best to make the obstacles more difficult in an effort to mirror what he believed was to come in the battles ahead.

The new JSA tried their best to work with and without their abilities, all while trying to work together as a team. It was challenging to say the least, not many of them had much experience working with others.

Curly blonde locks stuck to Courtney's face as she asked Yolanda if she needed to be driven home. The other girl thankfully accepted the offer before running off to grab her things.

Pat, hearing he was now driving Yolanda, went to the next girl who had no mode of transportation.

"Do you need a ride?" He asked Beth who faced away from him, her eyes instead on the boy leaning on the entrance of the building.

"Oh, no thank you." she replied sweetly.

"Okay, just make sure to get home safe." the man instructed, making his voice loud enough for the boy to hear him as well.

Rick turned his head to Pat, giving him a single nod before pushing himself off the wall and walking out toward the road.

"Will do Mr. Dugan." Beth replied brightly before briskly walking in the direction of the boy, goggles slung around her neck, the straps of her backpack gripped in broth her hands.

She found him standing still outside of the building, staring at his path home with a scowl.

He wasn't all that fond of going back to his house, knowing who would be there when he arrived, though with the hourglass he would be able to defend himself if need be. He quickly found himself sinking into his own mind, the multitude of reasons why that was a very bad idea taking over his thoughts.

His dark thought process was interrupted by a hand delicately brushing against his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Beth asked in her sweet, yet concerned voice.

Rick nodded curtly and turned his gaze to the ray of sunshine beside him. Beth wore her wide smile and big doe eyes, wearing him down and making him want to tell her everything.

But he didn't, thinking better of it.

"I'm just getting ready to walk home."

"Me too!" she shook her head eagerly.

He nodded once more, awkwardly, in a gesture of understanding.

The two stood in a thick silence, Beth's hands were now shoved deep in her jean pockets as she contemplated opening her mouth again.

Rick began to walk in the direction of his house when Beth let out a quick, "Do you want to come over to my house?"

The boy stilled wondering if Beth had actually offered.

"I mean, you can if you want to. My parents are working tonight, and tomorrow night, and most nights. They've been doing that a lot recently." she laughed in an attempt to hide her sadness.

"It's getting dark, my uncle won't like me out for so long."

He heard the girl shuffle closer.

"You know, if he tries anything, Pat can always take his robot and exchange some...words," she tried. "Or any of us could suit up and do it. Not just for this, just any time you need."

Rick almost laughed, the image of Beth in her costume coming to his door to threaten his uncle, huge goggles and all, entering his head.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm still not sure that's the best ide-" he stopped himself at the sight of Beth, shoulders slumped, but eyes still bright as ever.

He realized in that moment that she was just like him, lonely and in need of some company.

"Umm...maybe just for tonight." he gave in.

"Yes!" Beth squealed excitedly, hooking her arm through his and turning them in the direction of her house.

As they walked, Beth rattled on about everything from homework to superheroes. Rick had to hold back the smile that threatened to make it's way onto his face at the sound of her enthusiasm.

They made it to Beth's house quite quickly. The girl unlinked their arms and began to rummage through her bag in searched of her keys. Rick wouldn't admit his disappointment at the lack of contact, but he would make note of how he suddenly felt the warmth leave his body when Beth pulled away.

They entered into darkness, no one was home and all the lights were off, Beth haphazardly used her hand to search the wall beside her for the light switch. As she flicked it on, brightness washed over the two. Rick squinted his eyes at the sudden intrusion of light.

"Okay, you can put your stuff here, or you can take it to my room, or just keep it with you. Whatever you want to do." Beth supplied as she began speeding to her kitchen. "Alright, what kind of snacks do you like? We have a bit of everything, sweet, sour, savory. Unless you wanted some dinner, I should have some leftovers from the other day that I could heat up for you." she offered.

"No thanks."

"Are you sure, I have cookies." she called, walking out of the kitchen and holding a clear container filled with some cookies she had caught Rick eyeing the day prior.

This time he couldn't stop his lips from turning upward in a small grin, he nodded his head.

Beth pumped her fist in the air before grabbing Rick's arm and dragging him to her room. She plopped down on her bed opening the container and taking a bite out of the sweet.

"So what do you want to do first?" she questioned, extending the box for Rick to take from. "We can do homework, watch a movie, Chuck has this great karaoke setting-" she gasped. " Ooh, we can do face masks. I was going to do them with Court and Yolanda next weekend but there's no time like the present."

"No."

"What why?"

"Cause I don't want you putting anything on my face."

"But it'll be fun." she tried.

"Nope. Let's just finish the homework and then you can pick a movie." Rick countered.

" How about we finish the homework and then we do face masks."

"Not happening."

"I can help you," she sang "and Chuck knows all the answers."

"Still no." Rick shook his head calmly.

Beth's shoulders slumped but she soon fixed her posture and shrugged. She grabbed her backpack from the side of her bed. She shuffled through it and pulled out her folder full of assignments. She grasped her geometry packet and began working on it. Rick sat down at the foot of the bed, he too got out the homework and began start on the page.

They worked in mostly silence for half an hour, Beth occasionally looking to Chuck for guidance, earning a long and extremely detailed account of every question and answer she asked about. Rick tried his best to focus on the paper in front of him, but he was just plain disinterested in the numbers, letters, and shapes on the page. He instead opted to scribble down the first answers that came to his mind, accuracy be damned, just wanting to finish as soon as possible.

He rubbed his eyes in an attempt to restore the little energy he had before taking out the assignment to no avail. When he looked back to the work, he was surprised to see a paper airplane made out of a sticky note set on top of his work.

He stared at the small plane in front of him before turning his gaze to Beth who was laying on her bed, appearing to be concentrated on the packet on her bed, tapping her pencil on the comforter as she looked over the page.

Rick moved his eyes back to the paper airplane, gingerly unfolding the wings to see in neat handwriting the words,

Face mask plz:)

He snapped his head to the girl who's face was now hidden behind her folder. She peeked her head out shyly only to see Rick rolling his eyes playfully and once again shaking his head no.

Turning his attention back to his homework, Rick wrote down the solutions to three more problems before an airplane landed on his lap.

He haphazardly opened the paper up to read the words,

Please. It'll be really fun. Please.

Before Rick had the chance to reply with a no, yet another airplane cascaded across his field of vision landing just beside his shoe. He leaned to pick it up and undid the neatly folded paper.

Pretty please with cookies on top?

Rick furrowed his brows and turned his body to face to girl, who was now at the foot of the bed, her chin was resting atop the box of cookies from before. Her big eyes and hopeful smile pleaded with him to reconsider.

He caved.

He let his head fall to his chest and pinched the bridge of his nose. He raised one hand and lifted his index finger.

"Once, we do this once."

Beth's entire face lit up as she squealed "Yay!" dashing off her bed she leaned down to give Rick a quick hug before running to get the supplies from her bathroom.

Rick begrudgingly made his way over to the side of her bed and sat down uncomfortably. But if he was being honest, he would do this a thousand times just to see the overjoyed expression that overtook her features at his compliance.

She returned holding a tube in one hand and a brush in another. Rick guessed to brush would be used to apply the mask.

"Okay, you ready?" she asked, popping open the cap and squeezing out a dollop of the mixture onto the brush.

"Why is it green?" Rick interrogated.

"Because it's matcha." Beth said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. At Rick's confused face she explained sweetly, "it's a type of green tea that's really popular to use in face masks."

He nodded cautiously as Beth stepped closer to him. She was directly in front of him as she softly touched the brush to his face. He hissed and pulled back quickly.

"Why is it cold?"

"It's not necessarily that it's cold. It's just that you're hot." Rick's eyebrows shot up. Beth didn't even realize what she had said until he made the gesture. "I didn't mean it like that! Not that you're not, it's just that- ugh, I meant body temperature. The average human body is between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit and this," she held up the face mask tube, "is very much below that temperature." she rambled. "Besides, would you rather this be warm?"

Rick just stayed silent.

Beth gently brushed all around his face, sometimes imploring him to stop scrunching up his face. Rick hated to say it, but it was actually kind of relaxing. There weren't many times where someone tried to take care of him for a change.

"Alrighty, all done." the girl announced, removing the brush from his face and stepping back.

"How long do I have to keep this on for?"

"Until it's completely dry."

"And when is that?"

"Ummm..." Beth searched for an answer. " once it's hard to smile, you should be good to wash it off."

"I don't smile."

"I'm well aware, you can just wait till I take mine off."

She moved over to her mirror and began applying the mask to herself.

"I feel like an idiot." Rick complained.

"You are not, you look super cute!" Beth chided.

"I'm not sure if that's worse."

The boy watched her apply the mask all over her face, he couldn't control the expression of love and adoration that graced his face as he observed her.

He stayed like that for God knows how long until Beth turned to fully face him. He could say with the utmost confidence it was the most adorable thing he had ever seen in his life. Her face was green like his and a wide smile lit up her face.

There was no denying the smitten appearance he held as he gazed at Beth.

He was ripped from his trance when he heard the snap of Beth's phone camera. She smiled cheekily and clasped her hands behind her back.

"Beth." Rick began dangerously. "Don't do it Beth." already knowing she would share the photo.

"Just let me send it to Court and Yolanda." she pleaded.

"No, Beth."

Beth gripped her phone tightly behind her back as her eyes wandered to her open room door. Rick saw the plan forming in her mind and raced to beat her to the door. She ducked under his arm and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Rick knocked on the door frantically, "Come on, Beth. What's the point?"

"The point is you look adorable and that is not something that should be hidden from the world. And by world I mean the team." she called from behind the door.

"Beth Chapel I will turn this hourglass over right now and take this door off it's hinges." he said in an attempt to sound threatening.

"We both know you won't," Beth stated matter of factly.

"Dammit." Rick grit his teeth knowing she was right.

He heard the door unlock behind him, Beth wore a wide grin. He groaned, knowing he was completely incapable of actually being mad at her.

"Was it at least a good picture?" he asked, defeated.

"You tell me," Beth instructed, handing over her phone to the boy before slipping past him and back to her room.

The screen showed a picture of Rick, covered in a green face mask. But that's not what really got him. Plastered on his face clear as day was a lovestruck expression that could rival that of Beth's favorite rom-coms.

He sighed, accepting his fate. There would for sure be hell to pay the next day. He was certain Courtney and Yolanda would never let him live it down. But at the moment he wasn't to bothered.

"Is it okay if I put on 'The Breakfast Club'?" He heard from the other room. He lowered the phone and walked back to the room, prepared to spend the rest of the night with the adorable being that was Beth Chapel.

The End ♡

Again I will reiterate, this is my first time posting a fanfic so I would really appreciate some positive feedback, or if there was something you saw that you didn't really like please leave it in the comments, politely please. I am but an emotionally fragile egg trying my best. If you want to see more hournite oneshots or headcanons let me know. Thanks

Sincerely, Tessa.

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[stattic-writes]

Bird Knowledge

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[eatsoaps]

Husk Sickfic

Paring (Husk x Angel)

Stomach flu/hangover 

WARNING FOR VOMIT/PTSD MENTIONS

    Sitting alone in the dim lighting of the bar served as small lonely comfort to the reluctant bartender in attendance. The day was slow with him mindlessly shuffling his cards around and nursing several bottles of alcohol while Charlie blabbed about her dreams and how to achieve them with the hotel. Now, everyone had gone to their rooms for the night except him. Zoning in and out with mindless drinking had him only a little tipsy. By two in the morning he had registered that he should probably go to bed as well….. Or just sleep on the bar. Nah, maybe not this time. Whenever he did that he was rudely awoken by Al or someone else with a scolding. He decided that he’d go to his room. 

    “Fuck!” he hissed when he finally moved. His body cracked every which way from the sudden movement, but that wasn’t the concerning part; he was hurting in his gut. It really hurt and was very sudden. He held his alcohol well and it was now he noted that the pounding headaches usually came after drinking. Trying to shake it off, he went upstairs to his room. 

    He didn’t care what room he had so long as he could drink; however the sudden twisting in his upper abdomen prevented him from wanting to dive into that random whiskey bottle. Again, trying to shake whatever the feeling was, he crawled into bed and did his best to sleep it off. It normally didn’t take long to get comfortable, hell he never even paid attention to comfort! Tossing and turning was what he was left with tonight, and boy did it puzzle him. Lying on either side gave him an annoying pressure that he couldn’t quite place, on his back only made him feel nauseous while face down just wasn’t comfortable in general and he couldn’t breathe well. Finally, he grew pissed and swung his legs over the bed holding his head in his hands. 

    “Fuck is wrong in there?” he asked himself. Softly placing a paw over his stomach he ran his claws through the fur on his head. Sitting upright made his guts flip and he let out a pathetic groan. Why was it hurting? He didn’t think he had eaten anything out of the ordinary, he didn’t remember what he ate in all honesty. He just wasn’t hungry. He took a few deep breaths and swallowed a little before lying back down on the bed. Like it did any fucking good. Another 30 minutes of rustling around in his bed he shot up like a bullet and eyed the broken trash can in the corner of the room. He looked away, remembering what a former soldier told him when he went overseas during his human life. 

‘If you think about it, it will happen.’ 

Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. Fuck it. 

He got up and moved to one of the public restrooms down the hall; in not caring about his room, he failed to recognize that Alastor gave him the one without a bathroom. Each step had him sweating and at one point he even needed to stop and take a pause for the sake of not ruining the rug and waking everyone up. He heard a door creak open. 

FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK

He immediately straightened himself out and tried to look normal. Footsteps sounded, trying to be as soft as possible. Were those….pink slipper boots? They were, and who better to own them than Angel Dust. Now he really needed to act normal! 

“Oh, hey Kitten! What you doing here?” Angel softly purred as he caught eye. 

“Minding my own business bitch, take a lesson.” 

“Nah that don’t pay well. Wassup? You look like a shit had a shit.” 

He rolled his eyes, “Thanks.”Angel cocked his head and stared at Husk, he looked green in the white of his fur and the grey was duller. Was that sweat? “What are you doing up anyway?” 

“Well I got the day off tomorrow and I planned on stocking up on some junk food Veggie keeps hidden.” 

“Isn’t it Vaggie?” 

“Same thing.” 

“Whatever just go away.” 

Angel huffed, “You’re clearly sick though.” 

“No I’m fucking not, just mind your own fucking business for once instead of barging in and ruining everyone!” his stomach clenched which left Husk fighting every muscle in his body from grabbing it and doubling over. 

For a brief moment, Angel dropped, but picked right back up. “Come on. Let me help ya. It’s a sad sight right here, kinda funny too.” 

“Can’t you take no for an answer? I thought whores understood rejection?” 

Okay, that stung a little. “Did you drink perfume or some shit? 

“Why don’t-” Husk took a pause, his stomach was churning. It hurt and he felt the acid creep up his throat. He could swallow only so much. “-you...fuck.”

“Husk?” Angel had a soft spot for the cat, he was hot and gave him drinks! He also knew what it was like to be under an overlord. They had talked about it one night. “Hey man you good?” Angel’s voice was like water: garbled and incoherent. Husk lurched and clasped a hand over his mouth. He pushed Angel away and dashed to the bathroom. Tossing a stall door open, he crashed to the ground and began to heave. The stomach inside him contracted, but after his second unproductive heave did he finally manage to bring something up. He coughed and spat out more of whatever had caused this. He slightly jumped when he felt a soft pair of hands rub up and down his back, another set massaging his wings that tensed up every time he puked or gagged, the last set of Angel’s arms kept his ears back while rubbing the nape. He didn’t even have the energy to push him away. 

“There ya go kitten. Easy.” Angel softly soothed. Husk gagged and brought up more vomit into the toilet, coughing and sputtering. He thought his head was about to burst, the throb was so painful. Another wave of vomit, this time with tears mixing in. He spat the remainder into the bowl. 

“Ugh, fuck.” he grit his teeth and tried to even his ragged breathing. An arm draped across the toilet, one was positioned carefully on his stomach. He had forgotten what it felt like to be so sick, the last time was when he had food poisoning in a camp somewhere. He had also forgotten that this was literal HELL. In hell, everything bad was doubled. Broken leg meant worse pain and longer heal. Stabbed? Well you’d heal faster but it would still hurt like no other. And sick? Well if anyone got sick in Hell it lasted longer than it would a breathing human. Part of punishment. Husk reached up to flush the contents down and placed his head on the cool toilet lid. 

“Are you done kitten?” 

“...Yeah.” 

All that strain made Husk lethargic and apathetic. He no longer cared about what happened, that was fucking horrible. He just wanted the bad feelings gone. 

“Come on.” 

Angel helped Husk stand on his feet and had him rinse his mouth out in the sink as quickly as possible. They left the bathroom and went further down the hall. 

“Where am I going?” Husk asked. 

“My room.” 

Husk tried to push Angel away, “Why?” 

“It has a bathroom inside, your’s don’t. You also can’t spend all night in a public bathroom. Plus you can barely stand as it is. Don’t act as if Charlie wouldn’t have my head for not doing a thing.” 

Husk wanted to throw Angel onto the ground and run back to his room so he could curl up and die again alone. Nah. That wasn’t going to happen and he knew it, the muscles and energy had all gone into making him feel like shit and left him walking on a tightrope with a tilting wheel above him. When the two arrived in the room, Husk wasn’t all surprised by the look of it. A stripper pole, soft furniture, different shades of pink and black, of course a vanity covered with makeup and a shelf of sex toys. He rolled his eyes. 

“Mention this to anyone and you can kiss all the booze in the world goodbye you fucking pest.” 

“Daw~ for me only Husky? Don’t mention it. I’ll tell Cha you’re sick and too drunk to tell whose room is whose. I’ll say I tried to throw ya out but you wouldn’t budge. Sound good?” 

Husk had crawled onto Angel’s bedsheets, mmm…. warm and soft. He didn’t even reply to whatever the spider said, the sheets and mattress felt amazing, he started to purr and it was only when he caught Angel smiling down at him did he realize the situation. Shit! What the fuck am I doing? He made a sorry attempt to get out of the bed, he knew the slut would talk and he’d be humiliated. He didn’t want things to be worse than they already were. Quickly jumping off the bed made him double over in pain as a giant cramp rolled through his abdomen. 

    “Hey, watch yourself. I ain’t gonna tell anyone, I learned from Pa that snitches get ditches at five years old.” 

    “Fuck you.” 

    “Maybe when you’re better. Let’s go, come on! Back to bed kitten.” Angel guided Husk back into the bed, he noticed that his gut looked tense, he could practically see the muscles cramped up through the fur. “Jesus you’re tense.” 

    “I know. Now shut up. Why’re you even helping me dumbass?” 

    “You remind me a lot of my sis when she’d get sick. I’d always be the caretaker and she’d be mine. She’d fight me tooth and nail until I gave her something comfortable, then she’d melt like Mama’s garlic butter. Just a nice nostalgia feeling I guess. Besides, maybe you’ll owe me?” he ended with a tease of course, but after a warning glare from Husk, he backed down. “I’m kidding! Jeez! Here, just get on the bed, I’ll even rest away from ya.” 

    The bed felt amazing and warm, and it didn’t smell horrible in this room either. Angel had even been so kind as to place a bucket right next to him in case his stomach decided to abuse him again. Zoning back in, he realized that Angel had gotten into the bed and put considerable distance between them. Another cramp seized Husk’s body and he curled in harder on himself. He felt a gag coming on and groaned when he had to drag the bucket closer to his face.

    Angel glanced over at the bartender and felt a pang of sympathy. He placed a hand over Husk’s back and tried to massage the muscles that were bulging out. Thankfully they did relax as Husk threw up again into the can. He felt a lot warmer than normal? Angel had no idea what the temperature for a cat was let alone a demonic one. He could only guess it was a fever high enough to cause discomfort. After throwing up the remainder of vomit from his mouth, Husk rinsed with the warm bottle of water Angel had sitting next to him (unopened) and then plopped back down on the bed softly panting. The spider stopped rubbing his back in order to take care of the bucket; the cat needed to bite back a whimper from the loss of comfort while the cramping came back. He felt ashamed when he let pained moans come from his throat when he wrapped his paws around his middle. 

    “Think ya got a stomach bug which means you got about four days until it’s gone.” 

“Cool.” 

    “Molly liked it when I rubbed her back or stomach.”

Husk rattled as a shiver blew past him. Angel pulled the covers over his body. “Don’t fucking try anything or I’ll poison your drinks.” 

“Please, a whore may know a lot about rejection, but they know more about consent and roofies.” 

“Smartass.” 

Angel shifted to where one set of hands massaged the back and only one hand went over Husk’s stomach, the other was used to scroll through his phone. Within minutes, the cat was out like a light and purring louder than a racecar. Angel smiled and snuck a picture or eight. When he started to feel a little drowsy, he noticed that Husk had moved in a way that made it to where Angel was basically holding him sideways. CUTE! A few more pictures saved onto his phone and he was set to sleep. His rest may have only lasted an hour or two since he was woken up by Husk bolting up to vomit. The cycle was repeated until there was literally nothing in his stomach. Angel continued to rub his stomach. 

    Come morning, Husk awoke to the sound of rustling. “Fuck is that?” he mumbled. 

    “Sorry babe! Just gotta get Fat Nuggets some food and then a walk, it’ll be thirty minutes. Charlie knows about the story I told her last night.” 

    “Fuck you what did you tell her!” Husk reared up with his wings fluffed up and defensive mode on. If only he looked as threatening; truth be told it looked more like a tiny kitten was trying to roar like a lion. Angel couldn’t help but laugh. 

    “Relax, I told her you got sick last night and were too drunk to notice you were in the wrong room. I told her moving you wasn’t an option and said you tried to claw my normal eye out. She said she’d give you the next three days off and sent up some ‘get well’ shit.” he gestured over to the nightstand next to the cat. Placed on the tray was a set of medications that would barely do anything, but it was better than nothing. After vomiting all night, the waters she gave him looked amazing.

    “Hmm.” 

    “Do you wanna try to eat?” Angel asked. 

    A baby gag, “Ugh fuck that.” 

    Angel walked over and placed a hand on Husk’s forehead, almost astounded that he didn’t wack him back. “Definitely certain you got a rising fever.” 

    “In Hell, wow.” 

    “Shut up.” 

    Most of the day was nothing new. Charlie put Angel on caretaker duty (much to Vaggie’s concern) just to make things easier. Hopefully. It gave Angel bonus points, Husk got taken care of, Angel out of the way, the place would be quiet. In honesty, while Husk reminded him a lot of his sister when she was feeling down, he also wanted a chance to get closer to the cat. He was curious and also bored. Kinda wanted something to do. Being a sex worker meant that he had to care and cater to whatever the clients wanted, this time it was for something nonsexual. Sure he enjoyed sex, but it was nice to do something other than it. His day off would otherwise be spent wandering around and getting into trouble. Not looking to get chewed out was his aim. 

    “Shit babe how do you still have something inside you?” 

    “I’m not *huurk* babe you himbo.” Husk retorted with a pathetic spit. “Fuck. This is worse than when the boat was on the sea towards the battle….” 

    “Battle? What battle?” 

PTSD WAR FLASHBACK TW

    Whether it was the increased fever or what, Husk had no idea, but he had seen this many times before. Back in the war, not knowing which battle. He was instructed to shoot whatever came that wasn’t wearing US Military garb. A rustle among the trees, he turned, saw uncovered skin and lanky build. They were carrying something. A bomb? He shot at them straight in the head and they fell. Crying could be heard, but the person was dead, he went to inspect whatever was the sound and his heart dropped when he saw it was a toddler. The child ran towards him and then fell over as a fellow soldier shot them down. He turned and threw up right there, crying and praying it wasn’t real and apologizing over and over.

    PTSD WAR FLASHBACK TW OVER

“Husk, hey, it isn’t real. Whatever you seein’ ain’t real. It ain’t real right now.” 

Husk snapped his head back at Angel hyperventilating with wide eyes and then quickly bent over the fresh bucket that was being held in front of him. He gagged and spit and heaved and threw up whatever left he could. All the medicine, water, one single bite of toast was all gone; even then he still tried to bring up something until he was reduced to dry heaving. 

“Hey now, in and out. Breath in, then out. There ya go. Va bene (it’s okay in Italian).” 

It took a while, but Husk was back on track, the fever had definitely spiked and now he was experiencing shellshock again. “-ter.” 

“Huh?” 

“Wa-er.” 

His throat had been puked raw by the acid he could barely speak, but Angel managed to understand what he said and gave him an uncapped water bottle which he gratefully gulped down. 

“Hey go slow or you’ll-” the water didn’t stay in his stomach, “- puke it back up. Baby sips.” 

By the time the bucket was cleaned out, Husk was cared for and Angel got him as comfy as he could, he noticed that the cat was clingy when he was sick. Angel was the big spoon whether Husk knew or not. Belly rubs and back massages felt great after the whole ordeal. Unfortunately, he had three more PTSD episodes after that. 

***

“I gotta go to work or Val’ll have my head!” Angel sighed, trying to pull his many limbs out of the cat’s grip. 

    “No.” 

“Husk.” 

    “No.” 

Husk had reached his peak in the fever and acted like a kitten starved for attention. Angel knew sick clingy people made some of the best and worst patients depending on the situation. Eventually, the spider managed to pry the other off and set on for work where he spent the day modeling and having only one film session with a guy that loved being stepped on. He managed to avoid any conflict with the film crew and Val, so he finally left early with an abundance of praise. Quick and easy! Once he was back in the hotel, he went straight to his room where he found Husk sleeping bent over an empty bucket with fresh tear tracks along his matted fur lines. Angel gently shook him awake. 

“Rise and shine moonpie! Get your head out of the bucket.”

Husk blinked up at the spider and turned away into the blankets. “Not now.” 

“Well you can either lay your head in a horrible position that is sure to rattle yer neck to bits and pieces or you can-”

“Angel. I-....Can-” Husk was really struggling with what he was about to say next. “Can you…. rub my head a little?” he asked shyly. 

Faster than a bullet, Angel was right there getting to pet the cat, he was amazed at how soft the fur was. Of course it was to make him feel better. “Think you’re stomach wants to stay inside ya?” 

“Shh.” 

“Okay babe.” 

Husk did not throw up anymore after that night; by the time the four days were over, he pushed Angel away and got himself sorted out. He hated to admit that the spider was a good caretaker, and he would be a liar if he said he wasn’t comfy (sometimes) during the stay in Angel’s room. Once he was back working the bar, he handed Angel a free drink. 

“Here.” 

“Oh really Husk! Thank you!” 

“Shut up.” 

Angel winked at him and understood. The drink was a thank you, and he was happy to oblige. The two carried on a calmer setting around each other now. Husk still grumpy as could be, but with more sarcasm towards Angel rather than pure annoyance 100% of the time. 

Oh my Lord you can tell where I gave up trying to write good. My brain was absolutely dead. But I've noticed there's a lack of sickfics in this fandom so I'm deciding to fix that as best I can. I haven't written in a long time so I am sooooo rusty. Oh well. ❤️❤️

#sick whump #hazbin hotel husk sick #angel dust hazbin hotel #vaggie #husk sick #charlie hazbin hotel #mollydust #fat nugs #fat nuggets #angelhusk #hazbin angel dust #huskerdust #ptsd #vomiting #male vomiting

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: Crooked Crooks and Awkward Angels

Summary: Gideon is performing in the school nativity play, and Belle and Rumpel are very excited to see his starring role. Obviously, there are a few mishaps along the way.

Written for the @a-monthly-rumbelling November non-smut prompt: anticipation, anger, angels.

Rated: G

Crooked Crooks and Awkward Angels

It was the eve of Storybrooke elementary school's nativity play, and as Belle approached the gates to pick up Gideon, she was halfway convinced that the traditional nativity had in fact been replaced with a re-enactment of Gladiator this year. The hall appeared to be in complete chaos, with half-costumed kids running hither and thither and back again. The large star over the stage was hanging precariously from a thread, and Belle was very glad it was made of cardboard and would not cause any injuries were it to fall on an unsuspecting pupil, teacher, or parent. 

Mary Margaret looked like she was ruing the day she decided to put the nativity on, and Belle had to sympathise. There was something about Christmas that brought out the worst in everyone, including children who one would have hoped would be on their best behaviour ready for Santa to come. It was clearly not going to be the case, and as she stepped into the hall to collect her son, she was dismayed to find him at the centre of one of the many disturbances. 

"Mama!" He rushed over as soon as he saw her, and Belle quickly saw that he was wearing an expression of utter, incandescent fury that only Rumpel could better.

"What's happened, Gid?"

He held up his crook, which was in two pieces. Although he had wanted to be one of the wise men with their bejewelled crowns and cloaks made out of old curtains trimmed with tinsel, or the starring role of Joseph the carpenter, he had been mollified at landing the role of Shepherd One when Rumpel had explained that way back when, he'd kept sheep himself, and there was no shame in it. After that, Gideon had thrown himself into his role, and had insisted on the stuffed sheep sitting at the dinner table with them of an evening. 

He was incredibly proud of his crook, which Rumpel had made for him by hand to the old specifications that he had used in his sheep-herding life. Naturally, Belle was disappointed to see that it had broken. 

"What happened? Was it an accident?"

"Well, Tommy said that it was an accident, but I saw him do it on purpose! He's jealous because I've got more lines than him."

"I'm sure that Papa will be able to fix it, don't worry."

"But the play is tomorrow!"

"He can fix it tonight."

Not entirely convinced of this, Gideon nonetheless followed her out of the hall. Belle decided not to mention the dirty look that he threw Tommy over his shoulder. Like his father, Gideon was quick to anger and had a fierce sense of justice, but it usually burned out within a few minutes, and sure enough, by the time they were at home and the crook had been spirited away out of sight and mind, he was back to his usual bright self. 

"How was the chaos?" Rumpel came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishcloth. Belle pulled the crook out of the hall closet and Rumpel sighed. 

"I'm not even going to ask, but fear not, it will be as good as new by the morning, and no magic will be required. Except the magic of superglue."

Belle laughed, leaning in to press a kiss against his cheek. It had become something of a running joke between them now, the whole magic thing. Rumpel had barely used it since Gideon had returned to them and they had begun their happy beginning together; there had simply been no need, and Belle had firmly stated that she did not want frivolous spells forming part of their son's upbringing. 

"Thank you, Rumpel. You're so good about these things."

"When it comes to children, I have infinite patience. Even for the ones who break my handiwork."

"It wasn't Gideon's fault. I'm not sure whether it was an accident, or deliberate sabotage as he claims, but apparently responsibility lies with Tommy, alias Shepherd Two."

"Ah, the classic shepherd's crook jealousy. It's a real thing among farming communities, you know."

He was so deadpan that Belle had to laugh, but then the moment was broken as something boiled over on the stove and Rumpel rushed back into the kitchen to rescue their dinner. 

The play was the only topic of conversation throughout the rest of the evening, and there was a definite air of anticipation. It was Gideon's first starring role, aside from the little performances he had put on for his parents over the course of his childhood. He was practically bouncing up and down in his seat with excitement, and Belle had to admit that she was feeling pretty excited about it herself. When she thought back to Gideon’s birth and all of the drama that had unfolded at the time, there had been a large part of her that had thought that she would never have the chance to see all of these childhood milestones of his, and now that she did have the opportunity and everything had worked out for the best, she was determined to make the most of it all. Having come so close to missing out on it, she knew that she was not going to miss out on it now.

After dinner, Gideon was happily playing with his stuffed sheep and practicing his lines – Belle had told him not to put his costume back on for fear of something happening to it without enough time for it to be washed – and cries of ‘Look, what’s that up in the sky?’ and ‘We must take our sheep to Bethlehem!’ were ringing out from the living room as Rumpel carefully fixed the crook with superglue and packing tape. It wasn’t exactly as good as new, but the join was carefully hidden, and it would hopefully hold up until after the performance. Belle wondered if he’d ever had to fix his own crook like this, and what he had done in the absence of superglue.

Rumpel let out a sigh as he put down his handiwork, and Belle caught the sound.

“Is everything all right?”

He nodded, running his hands over the crook. “It just reminds me of a very long time ago, that’s all. Sometimes I do wonder what would have happened if I had never taken on the Dark One powers, and I had just lived out my life as a spinner with Bae.”

“And what would have happened, do you think?”

“Well, life would have been a lot shorter, and a lot simpler. But at the same time, I would never have met you and we would never have had Gideon, so I could never regret the path that I chose that led me to this moment.”

Belle smiled and leaned in to kiss her husband, just at the moment when Gideon raced into the kitchen to see if the crook was repaired. He scrunched his face up at the sight of them kissing and immediately ran out again, much to Belle’s mirth.

“It’s probably for the best,” Rumpel said, eyeing the open doorway. “If he’d seen that the crook was mended he’d probably want to start acting with it straight away and I don’t think it’s ready for his exuberance just yet.”

Belle just laughed and kissed him again. She couldn’t wait for the next day when the crook would be seen in all its glory.

X

The day of the play dawned bright and early – well, it was early, certainly, but given the time of year it was not at all bright when Gideon woke them before seven, fumbling and thumping around in his room as he got his costume on ready, despite the play not being until two in the afternoon. He insisted on remaining in the classic combination of bathrobe and tea-towel until it was time to go to school, and even then, Belle had a trying time getting him into his normal clothes. She kept busy all morning, trying to put off her anticipation with practical matters. Surely, the kitchen had never been cleaner.

Finally, it was time to go, and Belle made her way to the school via the pawn shop. She slipped her arm through Rumpel’s as they walked, and he leaned into her side.

“Ready for Gideon’s grand debut?” he asked.

Belle nodded. “I know that he always says he wants to be a sorcerer like you when he grows up, but I think that this experience might have made him rethink. He’s certainly very happy treading the boards.”

The hall was almost full to overflowing with parents and other family members by the time they got there, even though they were early, and Belle could only giggle as little faces kept peering out from behind the curtains, searching for people they knew in the audience and waving excitedly before Mary Margaret pulled them back. At last, the lights dimmed, and the spotlight went up on stage as a young girl in an angel costume with cardboard wings shuffled into view.

“Welcome to our…” She looked out at the audience, then back at the curtain. “Welcome to our… Harvest Festival!”

“Nativity Play!” Mary Margaret hissed from behind the curtain, but it was too late, the little angel had already tripped off the stage, and the first scene was set.

Gideon was in the third scene, and he took his role very seriously, never once looking for his parents in the audience and focussing on his two lines. Belle was pleased to see that the crook was still in one piece after its repair job, and it made her smile to imagine Gideon guarding it all morning. She knew that every parent would think that their child was the star of the show and all of the other kids paled into insignificance, but she didn’t care; she was so proud of her son and she thought that his performance was a triumph. After the final bows had been made and the curtain pulled up so that the children could go down to meet their parents in the audience, Gideon bounded up to them.

“What did you think?” he asked. “Was I good?”

“You were wonderful,” Rumpel said. “You looked every inch a shepherd after my own heart.”

Gideon beamed. “Miss Blanchard says we’re going to do another play in summer,” he said. Personally, Belle thought that Mary Margaret might be having second thoughts about that announcement now, but she didn’t voice that to Gideon. “I hope I get a part. I really like being an actor.” He paused. “Maybe I could be on TV one day!”

“If that’s what you want, Gideon, then I’m sure you’ll find a way to get there.”

The three of them made their way home hand in hand, Gideon chattering on nineteen to the dozen about all of the backstage antics that had happened before the play had started – it was a miracle that the thing had gone off without a hitch considering all the mishaps that seemed to have gone on – and Belle just exchanged a look with Rumpel over the top of Gideon’s head. It was one of those moments that would stick with her forever. It was nothing momentous or life-changing, just another little milestone in Gideon’s childhood, but something for which she was grateful, nevertheless.

Hopefully, there would be many more moments like this to come.

#rumbelle fic #rumbelle #A Monthly Rumbelling #Belle French #Rumpelstiltskin #Gideon Gold #fluff family #family fluff #Fic: Crooked Crooks and Awkward Angels

[ikemenvampire]

Let’s Make Christmas Cookies Together (Day 1)

Masterlist AO3

Part of the 2020 Winter Drabble Prompts by @obeywho-meduh Pairing: Solomon x gn!MC Note: Trying to get my writing skills back so it might be a little rough right now. Also my first attempt with a gn!MC. I also have no idea how to format in tumblr. Please note: the stickers they use are in accordance to the stickers in the game. Summary: 

"Let's make Christmas cookies together!"

Is what they'd said so excitedly to Solomon a few days ago that they'd completely forgotten one very crucial fact.

Solomon has no skills in the kitchen.

"Let's make Christmas cookies together!"

Is what they'd said so excitedly to Solomon a few days ago that they'd completely forgotten one very crucial fact.

Solomon has no skills in the kitchen. 

Unless you of course counted his ability to turn anything he makes inedible to the point that even Beelzebub, the avatar of gluttony, couldn't keep it down a skill. 

But they'd already agreed to have Solomon come over to the House of Lamentation tomorrow to bake some cookies together (Luke had texted in their group chat with the angels to please, please not bake in the kitchen in Purgatory Hall when he overheard their conversation while Simeon contributed a scared and shaking sticker in response) and they couldn't exactly back out then. Solomon seemed to think there was nothing wrong with his creations and they didn't want to make the sorcerer feel bad by suddenly cancelling.

With that all said and done, MC had no other choice but to prepare the House for Solomon's arrival to try and mitigate some of the damage they're expecting to come as a result of Solomon's... concoctions.

The first thing they do is head to Lucifer's office, all the while practicing their apology in hopes the eldest brother doesn't get too angry with them. But no matter how much they'd practice their speech, the resounding 'Enter' that they receive after knocking completely causes them to blank out.

"Er, hey Luci," MC greets awkwardly as they shuffle inside, hands fiddling with the hem of their uniform nervously. "Are you busy right now?"

Lucifer simply raises a perfectly arched brow at the human, taking note of the way they fidgeted under his gaze and sighs, setting down the papers he'd been examining. Clasping his fingers together on top of his desk and resting his chin upon them, he asks, "What is it, MC?"

Sheepishly, MC rubs the back of their neck and directs their gaze anywhere, but the demon in front of them as the words tumble out of their lips. "So you know how Christmas is coming in the human world, right?"

Lucifer blinks, but nods in return. For once, he's unsure exactly what about the jolly holiday caused the human so much grief, but he lets them continue speaking.

They take a deep breath and—"ImayhaveinvitedSolomonovertobakeChristmascookieswithmepleasedon'tgetmad."

It takes him a second to parse through the jumble of words, but the moment he does he could feel his wings burst out of his back as his demon form took over before it's gone, tucked again in his human form underneath a very thin layer of patience only brought forth by the human's scared 'Eep!'.

Lucifer pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out an exasperated sigh. Of all troubling things he’s had to deal with recently, not even Mammon had brought him this much grief.

"Pray tell, why?"

"I completely forgot that Solomon's a menace in the kitchen," MC explains, fiddling once more with their sleeves, "I was just so excited to celebrate the holidays with someone who would understand."

Lucifer purses his lips.

Of course, their human would begin to feel homesick. They've been here for a majority of the year, but it still doesn't erase the homesickness they must've felt since the beginning. And this Christmas holiday was usually celebrated with close family, friends, or a significant other so it made sense that those feelings would hit hardest during this time of year.

With a heavy sigh and plans to schedule a time for someone to come in and fix their kitchen afterwards, Lucifer reluctantly agrees to let them use the kitchen. "Just... Make sure you warn the others not to step foot in the kitchen that day. Please. I don't want to have to cart all of them to the hospital afterwards."

The bright, thankful smile MC sends their way is almost enough to make up for the fact that he's willingly letting chaos step foot into their kitchen. Almost.

He waves MC off with a reminder to let the others know as well and returns back to his work.

Suddenly, the weight on his shoulders felt a lot heavier than before MC came in. Though, the heaviness in his heart has lightened up considerably.

~°~°~°~

House of Lamentation (New) (8)

MC: *smiling sticker*

MC: Hey, everyone!

Mammon: *question mark sticker*

Asmodeus: *question mark sticker*

Leviathan: *question mark sticker*

Beelzebub: What's up, MC?

Satan: Did something happen?

MC: Ah, well...

MC: You could say that...

Belphegor: Spit it out.

MC: So, you know the Christmas holiday I was telling you all about a few days ago?

Mammon: The one where you get lots of gifts?

Asmodeus: The one for couples right? 

Asmodeus: *hearts sticker*

Beelzebub: The one where you get to eat lots of good food

Beelzebub: *eating sticker*

Belphegor: Beel, you're drooling.

Leviathan: Speaking of, I should get my list of merch to buy when things go on sale after

Leviathan: Thanks for the reminder!

Satan: Yes, MC

Satan: What about it?

MC: You know how I mentioned I liked to bake cookies to give out to friends and family as gifts?

Beelzebub: Are you making some for us?

Mammon: I mean, of course they are. Why wouldn't they?

Asmodeus: A gifted cookie from MC? 

Asmodeus: Filled with their hard work and love???

Asmodeus: I look forward to receiving some ;)

Belphegor: Hm.

Belphegor: There's a catch isn't there

MC: Ha... 

MC: How did you know, Belphie?

MC: Anyway, yes. I'll be baking some cookies tomorrow afternoon

Beelzebub: *awed sticker*

Mammon: A cookie from MC!

Asmodeus: *hearts sticker*

Mammon: Not that I want one of anything. I'd just feel bad since you’ll probably cry if I don’t eat it, that's all.

MC: The catch is Solomon is helping me

Beelzebub: *scared sticker*

Asmodeus: *scared sticker*

Mammon: *scared sticker*

Leviathan: *scared sticker*

Satan: *scared sticker*

Belphegor: It can't be that bad, can it?

Leviathan: Trust me.. it's that bad.

Satan: Beel won't even eat it

Beelzebub: It makes my stomach hurt

Belphegor: Okay. That's pretty bad

MC: Yeah, so

MC: Do you guys mind staying out of the kitchen while we're in there?

MC: I don't want you guys to get roped in as taste-testers

Asmodeus: Does Lucifer know?

MC: Mhm, yeah. He's the first to find out

MC: I think he was muttering about getting someone to come in afterwards and fix anything Solomon breaks when I left his office

MC: So we should still have our kitchen once we're done with it

MC: And I'll try to make a few good batches to share with you guys, don't worry

Beelzebub: *thank you sticker*

Asmodeus: *thank you sticker*

Satan: Thanks MC :)

Leviathan: Yeah, thanks!

Mammon: *smile sticker*

Belphegor: Good luck tomorrow

--- end --- 

MC tucks their phone back into their pocket and eyes the clock wearily. 

"I guess I should check and make sure we have everything we'll need for tomorrow. Then," they pause and take out their phone, smiling at the text they just received. "We wait."

~°~°~°~

Solomon

Solomon: Looking forward to tomorrow 

Solomon: *Whoo! Sticker*

MC: *dance sticker*

 --- end ----

 ~°~°~°~

The House of Lamentation is quiet. Quiet enough that the eerie creaks some of the doors made rang through the silent house. 

Anyone stepping foot inside would think that the house must be empty aside from their host.

But it's not.

No, in fact, MC was 99.9% sure they know exactly where each demon brother had locked themselves up in. 

Asmo is no doubt having a long soak in his bathroom, music turned low, candles lit, and flower petals floating in his bathwater. Levi on the other hand is probably having a quiet marathon of one of his shows—he often got loud when he gamed and catching Solomon's attention was just not it for him today.

Lucifer is likely in his study, getting some more work done (though MC has an inkling the eldest is also having a few glasses of demonus to try and deal with the whole 'Solomon is in my kitchen' issue) while Satan has his head buried in a new series in his bedroom. 

The twins are likely in the attic; Belphie having a good nap while Beel tries to pace himself with the snacks he and Belphie had brought up with them to tide over his hunger while Solomon was around.

Mammon, MC knows, is out doing a modelling gig as recommended by Lucifer. In the eldest's words: "No matter what, Mammon has no idea how to be quiet so it's best if he leaves the House while Solomon is here" which had been followed by Mammon's offended "Oi! Quit talking about me like I'm not here!"

In conclusion, the House is definitely not empty, but its inhabitants are playing 'away' to try and avoid becoming taste-testers.

It is, after all, finally time for MC and Solomon to bake some holiday cookies. 

MC passes Solomon a black apron while they grab their own purple one and tug it on. Reaching behind them, they begin to gather the strings when Solomon's fingers gently brush theirs aside.

"Here, let me," he whispers into their ear as his fingers deftly begin tying the strings into a pretty bow. "There. All finished," he murmurs into their ear once more, causing MC to bite back a shiver at the caress of warm air. 

Solomon steps back as MC turns and begins to busy themselves with organizing the ingredients in front of them.

"Thanks," they end up murmuring, bowing their head down in hopes of hiding the flush of their cheeks from their companion.

Solomon simply smiles and doesn't comment on it as he tugs on his own apron. Once done, he turns to them and tilts his head curiously. "You're measuring the ingredients?"

MC's hands freeze mid-pour into the bowl on the scale and their brows furrow in confusion. "Wait, hold on. Why does that sound like a question."

"Because it is?"

Blinking, MC rights the bag of flour and turns to Solomon with a frown. "Do you measure your ingredients?"

"There's no need to. I trust my potions skills."

"But you're not making potions??" To their credit, MC only sounds half-hysterical when all they really want is to grab the man by his shoulders and shake him to try and get some sense into his brain. "You're literally baking. Having measured amounts of stuff is what makes sure it'll turn out good."

"But potion-making and cooking are practically the same. You add ingredients into a heated surface and then you get something out of it." 

Nevermind. That half is slowly climbing into full-blown hysterical.

"That's—Okay, that's fair, but you should still measure stuff."

"Whatever I make always ends up fine to eat, but if you say so then I guess we can measure things out based on the recipe." Solomon eyes the recipe for chocolate chip cookies and hums. "I'll go ahead and measure the sugar while you finish with the flour."

MC barely manages to stifle their cry. "But they don't turn out fine. That's the point." 

"Did you say something, MC?” 

They let out an exasperated sigh, close their eyes, and pinch the bridge of their nose.

'Please, God. Grant me the patience I'll need to deal with this man.'

When they feel their skin warm slowly and a feeling of peace settle within them, MC knows that, had they not just received that blessing, they would be freaking out. After all, the fact God granted their prayer immediately meant even he knew there was nothing else that could be done concerning Solomon’s abilities in the kitchen.

"No, let's just get this done," MC mutters in defeat.

Solomon grins. "We'll make the best cookies, yet."

"Really, I'm just hoping they'll be edible."

 "Did you say something again?"

"No, nothing."

"Hm, weird. I must still be feeling the side-effects from one of my spells."

MC simply shakes their head and readies themselves for a long afternoon.

~°~°~°~

When the cookies are taken out of the oven, MC could barely stop themselves from tearing up.

Somehow, someway, the cookies look fine. No, not just fine, they look perfect!

"Let's let them cool and then we can start packing them into bags," MC suggests once the final baking sheet is out of the oven. 

"Should we try some first? They look really good and they smell really good," Solomon says as he scans the dozens of cookies. "I wouldn't mind having one right now, actually."

"It might be too hot so be careful," MC warns as Solomon reaches to pick one up. They watch him blow on it to cool it before holding it out to them with a smile. 

"Why don't you take the first bite?" Solomon asks. "You did do most of the work, after all."

Hesitantly, MC leans over and takes a bite of the cookie. Eyes widening, they beam happily at Solomon as they chew.

Swallowing, they gesture for Solomon to take a bite excitedly. "It tastes amazing! Have a bite!"

"Don't mind if I do," he responds and, with a sly smile, bites right where MC had bitten, causing red to bloom on their cheeks. He chews thoughtfully, staring up at the ceiling before redirecting his gaze to MC as he swallows.

"Yes, I have to agree with you," MC swallows at the heat in Solomon's eyes as he murmurs, "That particular bite was deliciously sweet that I can't help but want more.” 

"Um, go ahead then. Have some more," they gesture at the cookies shyly.

Solomon's lips form a sly smirk as he takes a step closer. "Are you certain you want to say that? I’m not exactly referring to the cookies." The hand holding the cookie falls, treat forgotten as Solomon takes another step, and another until they're so close to each other that they can feel the light puffs of air as Solomon speaks. "Well?"

This wasn't about the cookie anymore. Maybe it hadn't been since the start. Maybe this was a way for them to get to know Solomon even more and find out just what's in that brilliant brain of his. They didn't know, but while they may not know the answer to that question, they certainly knew the answer to this one.

"Kiss me," they whisper.

"With pleasure."

And when their lips meet oh so gently, MC lets out a pleased sigh. They can taste the chocolate on his lips, just as addicting as the rest of him. When he nips at their bottom lip teasingly, MC lets out a quiet sound of pleasure.

They don't know how long the kiss took, but when Solomon pulls away, all they could think of was that it hadn't been long enough.

"Let's put these away and then we can get back to what we really want to do. What do you say?"

And really, with an offer as enticing as that is it any wonder that all they can say is—"Yes."

~°~°~°~

Bonus 1 

"Have some cookies!" MC grinned as they passed around bags of the treats they'd made earlier with Solomon.

When all they received were apprehensive looks in return, they rolled their eyes. 

"I swear to my soul and to Diavolo that those cookies won't harm you. I've tried them myself and they taste delicious."

The brothers exchanged looks before Lucifer let out a sigh and opened the bag. Immediately, the delicious smell of cookies filled the air, causing Beelzebub's mouth to water.

Taking out a cookie, Lucifer studied it carefully before finally taking a bite. MC and the brothers held their breath as the eldest chewed and swallowed. Then,

"It tastes good. Almost as good as one Barbatos made.” 

"That's good enough proof for me," says Beelzebub as he opens the bag and shoves a cookie into his mouth without care. The rest of the brothers take a second of stunned silence before they began to hesitantly open their own bags.

As they snack on the gifted treats, a chorus of thank-yous leaves their giddy lips. Even Belphegor who'd been sleepily clutching his pillow earlier is wide awake, munching quietly on a cookie. 

"I'm glad you guys liked it," MC says as they shuffle to sit beside Lucifer. Leaning in, their eyes glitter with mischief as they share a secret. "Honestly, I didn't think they would end up tasting good since Solomon was helping, but he really surprised me today."

Lucifer carefully seals the bag again, planning to save the rest of the cookies for later before turning to face them. "Oh? How so?" 

"Mhm, well, for starters he doesn't measure his ingredients, which is probably why his cooking always turns bad. Another thing that he surprised me today was his ability to actually end up producing something that wasn't just edible, but good too." 

They hesitate to say their next words long enough that Lucifer picks up on it and, raising a brow, asks, "What's the last thing?"

"He's quite charming," MC says with a light blush.

"Charming," Lucifer repeats, his eye twitching subtly in annoyance. "In what way?"

"Well, in a way that ended up with us kissing for a while afte—Luci, where are you going?" MC quickly pushes themselves off the couch to follow Lucifer as he heads out of the room, a menacing aura following him.

"I need to pay Purgatory Hall a visit. There's a certain pest I need to deal with."

"W-wait, no, Luci—!"

 ~°~°~°~

Bonus 2

"I don't understand," MC raises their hands in the air in confusion. "You followed the recipe right to the gram. I watched you measure and put things in. How did it end up like this?"

The thing the two humans in Devildom were staring in silence at is a block of gray matter inside the pot that would bubble ominously at times, releasing a gas that smells like fish every time a bubble broke the surface.

"I literally watched you the entire time. What happened?" MC bemoans. 

Solomon sighs and covers the pot with its lid, his nose wrinkling when another bubble breaks the surface. "I don't have an answer for that. It seems that the cookies were merely a fluke. Perhaps a once in a lifetime kind of miracle."

MC covers their face in bewilderment. "I don't understand."

Patting their shoulder, Solomon shakes his head quietly. "Some things just aren't meant to be understood."

“MC! What are you cookin—" 

The two glance up and spot a frozen Luke at the doorway. The younger boy's face slowly goes from curious to horrified before he's sprinting out of the room.

"Simeon! Simeon! Solomon's in the kitchen again!!"

Solomon and MC hear the clatter of something falling and a yelp before the thudding footsteps resume.

Blinking and simultaneously deciding to ignore what had just happened, they turn back to the pot in concern.

"What should we do about the thing?" MC asks.

Solomon shakes his head. "We have to get rid of it."

"Even the pot?"

"Especially the pot."

#obey me #obey me fanfic #obey me solomon #obey me! #my writing