#misha writes

[superbattrash]

trick or treat! 🥹🧡🖤🎃

"Trick or treat!"

"Clark," Bruce huffs out a laugh. "It's already past midnight."

"Well, you weren't home and you hate it when I interrupt patrol-time," Clark mutters, a dejected look at his face. He's wearing the fluffy puppy-ears Dick's bought him and Bruce tries (and mostly fails) to suppress the smile on his face. Clark looks adorable.

"I don't hate it, it's just not convenient to always explain why Superman is in Gotham."

Clark hums in agreement and then sits back on his heels. He's still placed squarely in the open window, as if he's waiting for permission to enter Bruce's bedroom. He hasn't needed permission for months if not years now, which is why Bruce frowns when he doesn't move closer.

"What?" he finally asks.

"You haven't answered yet," Clark tells him with a cheeky grin.

Bruce rolls his eyes with a sigh. It's not a battle worth fighting, so instead he says: "Treat."

Clark leaps at him and covers his entire face in featherlight kisses.

[thefirstcourtesan]

My Favourite “Break Your Heart” Songs

I replied to a post of @jerzwriter ‘s about love songs and admitted that while I know a few, my writing taste leans towards songs about bittersweet or lost love. So I decided to make a list of my favorites. I’m sorry in advance.

1. I Would Have Loved You Anyway by Trisha Yearwood. This has been number one in my writing playlist for almost two decades now much to my husband’s chagrin. I think he could happily never heart it again 😂 but to me there is no better bittersweet song about love gone wrong. “… If I'da known the way that this would end/ If I'da read the last page first/ If I'da had the strength to walk away/ If I'da known how this would hurt/ … I would've loved you anyway”. There is just something so powerful about that. Not every love story lasts forever, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it.

2. Dynasty by Miia. This song is my unofficial theme song for “Portia: A Roman Tragedy”. The idea of we could have had it all but then we didn’t. “Thought we built a dynasty that heaven couldn't shake/ Thought we built a dynasty like nothing ever made/ Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn't break up”. The first time I heard the song (in a fan video), I went “ohh, that’s the tragedyverse”, it just sums it all up for me.

3. What Might Have Been by Little Texas. I have always been haunted by the possibilities of “what might have been” and this song just sums it up in such a beautiful way. “We could sit and talk about this all night long/ And wonder why we didn't last/ Yes, they might be the best days we will ever know/ But we'll have to leave them in the past./ I try not to think about what might have been/ Cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads/ we can't go back again there's no use giving in/ And there's no way to know/ What might have been”. You can’t go back, you can’t ever know what could have been.

4. Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac. Of course this song is on the list. The lyrics, the haunted way she sings, the video of her signing it in 1997. This song is heartbreak perfection. “Time cast a spell on you, but you won't forget me/ I know I could have loved you/ But you would not let me”.

5. Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift. This is just a beautiful song (and a great video). “Nothing lasts forever/ But this is getting good now/ He's so tall and handsome as hell/ He's so bad, but he does it so well/ And when we've had our very last kiss/ My last request is/ Say you'll remember me/ Standing in a nice dress/ Staring at the sunset, babe/ Red lips and rosy cheeks”.

6. Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter. I have loved this song since I was a teenager (and the “when 30 was old” line hits particularly hard at 40) and as I have grown the song’s impact on me has changed and now I really appreciate the bittersweet look back on first love and how that kind of love only comes along once. “There's nothing time hasn't touched/ Is it really him or the loss of my innocence?/ I've been missing so much”

7. Already Gone by Sleeping At Last (it is a Kelly Clarkson song, but the version I love is a cover). “Started with a perfect kiss/ Then we could feel the poison set in/ Perfect couldn't keep this love alive/ You know that I love you so/ Ilove you enough to let you go” but also “Remember all the things we wanted/ Now all our memories, they're haunted/ We were always meant to say goodbye”. This song just hits so hard and sums up the idea that some things are always meant to end (are you sensing a theme 😂?)

8. Didn’t We Almost Have It All by Whitney Houston. Another one that I have played over and over until my husband never wants to hear it again. “Didn't we almost have it all/ When love was all we had worth giving?/ The ride with you was worth the fall my friend/ Loving you makes life worth living”.

9. Don’t Speak by No Doubt. Another one that goes back to teenage Misha. I think this one got me a few break-ups once upon a time. “Don't speak/ I know what you're thinkin'/ I don't need your reasons/ Don't tell me 'cause it hurts”.

10. Beautifully Unfiniished by Ella Henderson. “But maybe all that we are meant to be/ Is beautifully unfinished/ And I hate you, and I love you/ And I wish you'd go away/ And I hate you, and I love you/ And I wish that you would stay”. I love the pain of this song, the love and the hate, the idea that something is ending when you don’t want it to but you know it has too.

Narrowing it down to 10 was hard and there are lots of other regular songs on my writing playlist, but these are my favorites (although honourable mention to “Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam). If you feel like writing some angst, I highly recommend putting on some of these songs. I definitely have a “type” when it comes to my favorite music, there is something about the end of a love story and looking back that really hits hard for me.

[mishamoonberry]

백망되 / LCF AU where before Original Cale Henituse (OGCale) switches place with Kim Rok Soo, he finds himself in the future where Cale Henituse is Kim Rok Soo

non-canon compliant | hurt/comfort | copy-pasted from twitter | ignores the existence of LCF part 2

When he wakes up in the black castle, he finds himself surrounded by kittens and... a baby dragon? They walk around him and call him so familiarly, and Cale's heart nearly drops into his stomach when he sees Ron walking into the room.

Ron offers him lemonade, but he's too busy staring at the old man who is supposed to be dead years ago because of Arm, alive, healthy and well.

Confused and shaken beyond belief, he jumps out of the bed, ignoring the calls of children he doesn't recognize and runs out of the room. He finds himself in a castle he has no knowledge of. There he sees a bunch of people he knows and doesn't know.

Rosalyn and Lark, who are part of that black haired hero's party. (Though this Lock is much younger and less destructive than the one he remembers--). Children from Wolf tribe he doesn't recognize, but calls out to him so very familiarly.

Vicross, as neat as always and seemingly comfortable in his presence--the chef who disappeared with Ron, and he remembers the shell the man became when Ron... when that old man died tragically.

He meets an elf dressed in white and gold-- a transparent white haired woman floating beside him-- (what the fuck?) a woman in black robe and spiderweb like marks on her skin-- (a necromancer, what the fuCK--)

and lastly-- he meets choi han. choi han, who looks at him and smiles like they're familiar with each other. choi han, who talks to him politely yet familiarly. choi han, who seems close to him. choi han, who calls him "Cale-nim" instead of "bastard"

it is at that point when cale remembers the voice he heard before that white star bastard shot fire at him. the voice of the god of death, offering him a deal. a deal to save his family and this god damn kingdom they live in. a deal to fix this mess caused by the white star.

a deal where he can meet his mother.

he remembers of that deal, and looks at choi han. the bastard who beat him up for the sake of harris village. ...the damn harris village. his mother. his mother's death. the reason why his mother had to die in the first place.

cale remembers, and so he coldly speaks to this man he has no fondness for, insisting that he speaks with him. alone. with no eavesdropping.

the last point is directed at the people who've chased after his running figure, his glare so cold and uncharacteristic of their young master cale that they can't help but to follow his orders, out of fear of offending him further.

in a room bare of anything aside from choi han and cale himself, cale curses choi han out when the other called him 'cale-nim', the disgust so stark clear on his face. enough for choi han to realize that this person is not his cale.

"you're not cale-nim." he says, wary.

cale scoffs. "i was born as cale henituse and grew up as cale henituse. who do you think you are?" that's when choi han realizes. this is the real cale henituse. the real owner of this body that kim rok soo woke up in a few years ago.

"...you're the real cale henituse."

"damn right, bastard."

choi han hesitates. "...where is kim rok soo?"

kim rok soo. cale remembers that name. thats the name of the person he's supposed to switch places with. the person the god of death said will help fix things up and save his family.

cale insists that he's the one who has the right to ask questions, because this is his body. and choi han reluctantly relents after confirmation that cale hasn't hurt kim rok soo, that he randomly wakes up here without knowing anything at all.

cale starts to ask about the war. the wyverns. puzzle city. the empire. the monsters. the sealed god. the golems. alchemy. arm. white star. although choi han is bewildered. he answers them all truthfully.

the empire is defeated, choi han says. the golems are destroyed. black despair is no more. the monsters are defeated. the sealed god is no more. the secret organization and white star are as dead as they can be.

hearing all of these, cale can't help but to tremble.

"then," he says, with a shaking voice.

"then, what about the henituse territory? what about my father? violan, basen and lily?"

seeing his trembling figure, choi han answers truthfully.

they're safe. the county is a duchy now. duke deruth is busy with territory management. basen is going to become the next lord. lily is shaping up to be a great swordmaster.

choi han sees the trembles of cale's shoulders, and only watches with shaking eyes when cale bursts into laughter. loud, maniacal laughter, though his shoulder is hunched, and he is trembling.

and then, much to his shock, he sees tears.

cale is crying. no, he's sobbing.

painful, relieved sobs. his sadness and grief bleeding out of his very figure. the original cale henituse stands in front of choi han, sobbing to his hands even as a smile starts to bloom on his lips.

faintly, choi han can hear him mumble.

"they're alive," cale sobs.

"they're alive. they're alive. that's great. that's great. that's really, really great."

then, as if no longer able to see choi han in front of him, with hazy eyes and tears streaming out of them, cale henituse looks up to the ceiling, his voice a soft whisper.

"i accept your deal."

chill runs up choi han's body at that point, and he watches in shock as cale suddenly falls to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut, unconscious.

the next day, cale henituse will wake up with kim rok soo inside of the body once more, with no recollection of what had happened the day the original cale henituse took over his body for a little while.

the deal has been set, and the gears of fate turn once more.

[moonlight-at-dawn]

part 5 of mid-canon fic, alphen contemplates pain. definitely the shortest segment, but it felt like something i should do, since it's largely alphen perspective

Aching muscles weren’t something he was supposed to deal with, yet he now understood why everyone had questioned his wearing of the armor so much before. His shoulders and lower back hurt more than he would admit after hiking up the cliff face. Even his ears hurt, the roaring of waterfalls taking their toll. How did people live like this? How had he lived like this, before that mask? Pain was everywhere. He tried to be grateful for it, but how could he be glad for the thing that had caused him to lose his grip on Shionne?

[itsupsidedownbyers]

I'm writing a Hopper Hates Mike fic (no homophobia), and I can't decide whats funnier

A) Hopper thinks they're dating but Mike and Will are still in the denial stage.

OR

B) Mike and Will are dating, and just wanna see how long they can drive Hopper crazy.

Thoughts?

[strawlessandbraless]

Possessive Castiel with a marking kink makes me feral

[sunglassesmish]

okay so a very long post incoming.

the shock still hasn’t worn off. i asked misha about bi buck after days. weeks. of talking about it as a hypothetical and i got the BEST answer ever and caused extreme disarray in the destiel fandom.

people in my discord group can attest how often i was like ‘ooh i hope someone asks misha in a panel this weekend.’ ‘maybe we can all go in on a cameo and ask him that way instead?’ i was pretty annoying about it, i just. i NEEDED TO ASK.

so i got to the con thinking if only i could ask a question. then i went to misha’s solo panel but didn’t line up for some reason and then by the end, i regretted it because there was no last question and even misha commented on it. i thought damn now i only have tomorrow’s panel to do it. but i wrote down my question anyways and i thought i’m already here, i have to at least TRY.

i complained to my mother about how i really wanted to ask a question, but no way could i tell her i wanted to ask about buck and tommy kissing and destiel. she doesn’t even know destiel is a thing and she would not approve if she did. but i went to the panel by myself, luckily she didn’t have a ticket to the con anyways so she just waited in the hotel lobby after checking out (which was her choice. she listened to misha’s first panel on saturday from outside the room and didn’t want to sit through one again)

anyways so i go to the tomer/karen panel that was before his panel, and i’m on the right side right at the back, the complete opposite side where the people who ask questions are. then towards the end of that panel i move to the left side. i’m still at the back but i’m at the end of the row so i can easily move when i need to. then when the panel ends i go to ask a person who works at the con about asking a question. she says there are still people who didn’t get to ask their questions yesterday so they get priority, and the rest aren’t lining up yet. now i’m pretty confused because there was a distinct lack of questions at the end yesterday but whatever.

so i go to sit back down but there’s a line of people right where the question line was on saturday, so i join it thinking just in case she was wrong. well more people start to line up and she says ‘nobody is lining up to ask yet!!’ and i’m like okay so it’s fine, we really aren’t going yet.

then i sit back down and a few minutes later i see her directing like 4 or 5 people onto seats after she raises a paper saying ‘reserved for questions’ or something like that. so i think okay it’s my chance. i go up and she directs me into these seats that are closer to the front and is filled with like TEN people who are sitting in that ‘reserved for questions’ section. i think oh my god. there are so many people here. i text the discord saying ‘IM IN THE LINE.’

then the panel starts and i’m like okay well i’m towards the end and i’m close to the front now, i’ll take some pics. and as people ask their questions and sit in their original seats, we have to keep moving along the row of seats so we keep getting closer to the middle near the mic.

but then there’s half an hour and one of the people working for the con comes and says to the girl after me in the queue and the people behind her that they weren’t gonna get to ask. she tells the people at the front of the queue ‘i think just the first few of you will get to ask’ - at this point i’m like the 5th/6th in line (after the person at the mic and the person waiting behind them) so i’m not very optimistic at all. and then.

so i tell my discord ‘yeah i don’t think i’m gonna get to ask’ because i’m still pretty far from the end by the mic.

and then the panel goes on and there ends up being two people, one at the mic, one standing behind them. and one of the people working for the con tells me, THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE, ‘sorry, you won’t get to ask.’ and i am DEVASTATED. i tell the discord ‘yeah i’m definitely not gonna ask.’

i’m thinking I SERIOUSLY just wasted this whole panel shuffling seats and worrying for nothing (i had also just left my bag with all my stuff on a random seat!) so i sit there annoyed and sad for a minute until i see sean (the con organiser) by the stage and he tells her that i can go up last i guess. so she comes up to me and tells me i will be up next and to stand behind the people at the mic and i’m SHAKING.

i get in the line and i text on the discord that i’m the last question.

then i stand there listening to the questions before me just thinking oh my god misha is right there and i’m gonna be the last question and oh my god it’s gonna be such a good question. because i saw how much chaos misha caused with his questions on saturday and in this panel i don’t think anyone asked about destiel. so i thought!!! this is gonna be good!!!

and then i get to the mic and they’re all on stage and sean is next to it and says it’s the last question so it’s gotta be a good one. and then alex and rob and misha are all like oohhh it’s the last question but then MISHA. FUCKING. comes off the stage and comes up to me holding the mic and is two feet from me and looks me in the eyes and says ‘don’t fuck it up.’ but i’m like it’s on my phone! i got it written down! and well you’ve all seen the pictures of him looking right into my eyes but i’ll show you again.

so the first two four of these next photos we were making eye contact. i remember when he came up to me i was looking at all the lines on his face thinking man he’s so pretty and he’s right in front of me what the fuck.

but in these last two i wasn’t looking at him. he was just looking at me. which is just insane to see in retrospect.

after this i think he went back to the stage and i was like okay this last question is for misha and he cheered i guess. i think i blacked out tbh.

now when he got back to the stage i think this was when rob started singing the last question song because i remember thinking like damn i need to ask this question before i cry or something. misha was just standing there and looking at me - from the stage this time and i was. freaking out.

after that singing was done i said ‘this question is kinda about destiel, just to warn you in advance.’ and then apparently rob said ‘perfect last question’ and i started asking my question.

i started with saying ‘so there’s this show called 911’ and SO many people started cheering. i was immediately so much more comfortable because i could tell people would know where this was going. especially when after i carried on with: ‘it moved networks from fox to abc in it’s 7th season. and there’s a main character named buck who in the 4th episode kissed another man’ and then people started cheering AGAIN.

and anyways you all know the rest by now. i said ‘the actor who played him reported that they wanted to do something like it earlier in the show, but when they moved networks they were allowed to make it happen. if supernatural moved networks earlier on, or if it was made later on, do you think something like that could have happened with dean and cas?’

and we ALL know misha’s reply by now. ‘if the cw wasn’t so homophobic, dean and cas would have been balls deep for sure.’ i vividly remember being like OH MY GOD (in my head) and then i put my head in my hands a little and apparently. so did misha. which is to be expected i mean that was wild.

after that he said he was gonna actually give a semi earnest answer and said some things that are shown in these tweets. i remember bits and pieces because i was trying to hold eye contact with misha but i occasionally looked down and played with the mic a little but didn’t want to seem too uninterested. i loved his answer. the thread in this tweet has the general gist of it.

and if you wanna see the question i had written down and open on my phone, which i edited RIGHT before the panel as you can see from the timestamp (don't judge me for the second question it was just a backup) and a picture of misha looking at my phone. here it is.

[hitmeupaep]

THEY SPELLED CAS NAME RIGHT?!??

[perseephoneee]

rest your eyes [castiel x reader]

synopsis: you can't sleep so castiel helps you

a/n: i am sick with covid and have been rewatching supernatural with my boo. castiel was literally my second crush ever, and i missed him so much, so i decided to write something (based on the fact i'm an insomniac who would totally sleep on an angel if offered)

↳ masterlist  ↳ ship exchange ↳ taglist

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. 

It was supposed to go: hunting a monster in the woods and returning to some dingy motel that Dean found at the end of the day. Instead, the chase led you and the rest of the squad so deep into the woods that it was wiser to set up camp than try and trek back to civilization. The camp included a rock outcropping to protect from the weather, a shitty fire, and a lack of comfortable sleeping arrangements. Sam and Dean were used to sleeping on almost anything so they could pass out immediately. You, on the other hand, had insomnia sleeping in a regular bed and knew you were going to struggle to fall asleep with nothing more than the moss covering the ground. 

Castiel didn’t sleep, so he was keeping watch. You had your jacket balled up as a pillow under your head, and instead of closing your eyes and trying to encourage rest in your body, you were staring at Cas through thick lashes. He looked up at the sky, a serene expression on his face like he was thinking about what each star meant. The light from the fire flickered across his cheekbones, the bridge of his nose, even his cupid’s bow. Sometimes, you were struck by just how beautiful he was, like some Greek artists, the idea of the perfect man, sculpted to perfection and thrown at your feet for just you to enjoy. You wondered how you ended up so lucky to be blessed with his presence. 

“Why do humans enjoy looking at the stars?” Castiel asks you in a soft voice to not rouse Sam and Dean. You should’ve guessed that he would notice that you were awake.

“I think…it’s nice to think about things far away from your own life,” you hum, giving up on your rock bed and sitting up, brushing leaves and other debris out of your hair. Cas looks at you, the blue in his eyes a shifting kaleidoscope from the dancing lights around you. “And the concept of stars is beautiful,” you sighed, curling your legs up and under. Cas tilted his head at that, brows slightly furrowed. It was your favorite expression on him. 

“Stars are just clouds of gas and light,” Castiel answers. 

“But they’ve traveled thousands of light years to reach us, even if they don’t realize it,” you smile, your eyes tracing the path of various constellations. You can feel Cas’ gaze, but don’t dare look over. Looking into Cas’ eyes is falling headfirst into an abyss you didn’t prepare for. 

“I like that,” Castiel exclaims, a hint of a smile on his lips. “That’s a…human way of looking at it.”

“I am human,” you chuckle.

“Yes, you are,” he resumes, staring at the stars. It’s silent again; the only sound is the crackling of the fire and your breaths. Sometimes, the quiet is interrupted by Sam’s snoring, but you don’t mind. Your boys deserve the rest. 

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” Castiel inquires.

“It’s hard for me to sleep, especially out here,” you say, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. Castiel looks troubled by that statement like he is personally responsible for your ability to sleep. “When I was little, sometimes my Mom would put me in the car and drive me around in circles, singing or telling stories until I passed out.” You remember fondly, smiling a little to yourself. “I don’t think the ground is as comfortable as a car seat, though.”

“Would you like me to tell you a story?” Castiel asks. “If you need a pillow…you can use me.” He looks slightly uncomfortable, and the tips of his ears turn red, making you grin. He never fails to be adorable when he wants to be, and you know he’s offering out of the goodness of his heart. Still, the ID part of your brain is brainstorming all the ways he could profess his love for you, something that you stamp down as you shuffle over to him. He leans his back against one of the rock walls, stretching his legs out. He had already removed his trench coat, offering it to you as a blanket. It was large enough to swallow you and smelled precisely like Castiel in a way you wanted to remember for the rest of your life. You took your makeshift pillow and set it on his lap, laying your head there and curling up under his arm, which he hesitantly rested on your shoulder. You knew you had to coax your ever-beating heart to calm down if you were ever going to sleep, but it was hard when you were lying on the lap of an angel you had a crush on. Still, Castiel was a gentleman who didn’t do anything to make you uncomfortable. 

“What’s your story?” you ask, voice small as you close your eyes and relax your body. 

“Early before humans won the race for my Father’s next creation, there was a pool going on for what Earth’s next great invention would be…”

Castiel’s voice, in its low timbre, started to lull you to sleep as you listened to his story. You liked listening to him talk, and he occasionally added funny anecdotes that would make you smile. You started tuning out of the story, instead focusing on the warmth from his lap, the smell of the open air and him, and especially how his fingers had started to absentmindedly stroke shapes on your arm. Eventually, you were pulled into a deep sleep, lingering in that space where you were only slightly conscious but not awake. That space was the only way you could feel Castiel petting your hair, brushing his fingers down your scalp to your neck and back to your shoulder. Even in your dreams that night, you swear you could feel his weight everywhere. 

You slept peacefully, without interruption, the whole night. Until morning, when the sound of voices roused you from your slumber.

“...did you get a girl in your lap?” Dean asked, sounding incredulous. 

“She is not in my lap. She is lying on half of my lap,” Castiel answered, ever the stickler for exact estimates. You could hear Dean’s groan and sarcastic retort. 

“Can you shut up? I’m trying to sleep?” you mumbled, screwing your eyes shut and pushing your face more profoundly into your pillow-jacket-thing. 

“C’mon, Sleeping Beauty, time to go hunting,” Dean called out. You let out a curse word, relaxing as you felt Castiel pat your head reassuringly. 

“You are much more Sleeping Beauty than I am,” you responded, finally opening your eyes to the daylight but not making a move to get up. Eventually, you realized you’d have to move, so you begrudgingly sat up, cracking your neck as you did so. “Thanks for the story, Cas,” you said, averting eye contact with the angel to avoid him seeing the light flush on your cheeks. You gave him back his coat, and he kindly removed a twig that got stuck in your sweater. 

“Did you sleep alright?” he inquired. You thought back to it and realized that for the first time in years, you slept through the whole night. 

“Yeah, I… slept well.” 

With that, Castiel smiled and helped you up. You were more alert on a hunt than you had been in a long time, all because a particular angel helped you achieve the best sleep of your life.

[chuckwon]

I was randomly thinking about this little tidbit again and realized I never posted this video on here, so I thought I'd give you all psychic damage tonight.

Misha: “Obviously Chuck would be younger [in The Winchesters], and he’d be played by a…” Jensen: “Somebody much younger than Rob Benedict, like Alex Calvert.” –August 2022 (The Winchesters started airing in October 2022 and ended in March 2023)

Yeah... that checks out.

[superbattrash]

Superbat: Safe Flight

Alternative title: another bridal carry fic, how original

Hi, this is for that sweet anon, who wanted more angry bridal carry Bruce. Enjoy! <3

“Don’t,” Bruce mutters.

“I didn’t say anything,” Clark says, despite his entire frame shaking with suppressed laughter.

“I can feel you laughing.”

“It’s not my fault you’re so close,” Clark singsongs as he tightens his arms. He’s enjoying his win way too much.

“Then carry me some other way,” Bruce demands. He squirms around in Clark’s arms but there’s no way for him to move around much in this position.

“I thought we concluded this was the most efficient way to carry you,” Clark says and he’s doing that thing with his eyes where you know he’s being earnest and truthful and Bruce wants him to drop him so he can fall to his death.

Bruce harrumphs which is enough to let Clark know he’s won. At least it’s usually enough to have him end the conversation, but not today, of course not. Why make it any easier on Bruce than he absolutely has to? Clark needs to take things just a little further.

“At least I covered you with my cape,” he says helpfully.

Like that’s any comfort.

“Why you do that, I have no idea,” Bruce mutters. It’s not like Clark has to wrap people in his cape. Bruce doesn’t do that whenever he saves someone. There are other ways to make sure people are kept safe. Shields for example or any other type of weapon or gear. Or in this particular case Clark could simply fly backwards.

“It’s to protect you from the wind,” Clark explains like Bruce isn’t already aware of this fact.

“I have my own cape, Kal,” he says, because he has to say something. He knows he’s just being difficult, but he isn’t happy with this situation, not at all. There’s a reason he usually says no to Clark.

“Well, mine is prettier.” Bruce let’s out another grunt and Clark grins like he just won a particularly amazing contest. “Red looks really good on you.”

“Shut up,” Bruce mumbles and crosses his arms tighter over his chest. There’s no need for it – he’s wrapped in Clark’s cape after all – but the movement makes him feel better. He’s physically telling Clark this isn’t alright with him which is the entire point.

He should’ve said no. He should’ve insisted, actually, but he doesn’t have the batwing nearby and he still hasn’t installed any type of wings into his suit. It’s an error he’ll rectify as soon as he’s home; there’s no way he’s letting Clark carry him home like this ever again.

It’s not even like he can blame Clark; Bruce did sort of willingly let him carry him home. Usually, he’d never approve such a humiliating scenario unless extremely necessary to his own survival but today’s different. Today he’s late for an event and even if he could magically find a way to the gala and get his hands on a proper suit, he’s soaking wet. Aquaman better handle the rest of the flooding or Bruce will be so pissed. He nearly drowned! There’s no way he’s going to let Arthur live that down. Stupid unreliable water-powers.

Either way Bruce has accepted a ride from Clark, and they did agree that this was the least humiliating way for them to travel. Now that he’s squished up against Clark’s chest Bruce is starting to second-guess their decision though. Clark’s heart is steady, his chest broad and warm and Bruce is terrifyingly aware of how easy it would be to settle against him and doze off. He blames this week’s lack of sleep for his thoughts.

“It’s still a long way home,” Clark comments like he’s been reading Bruce’s mind. “You can relax, you know?”

“I am relaxed.”

“My neck hurts just looking at you,” he tries. It’s a semi-successful strategy; Bruce is much more inquired to listen if it’s about someone else’s discomfort. Not today though.

“Look away then,” he says and turns his head away. Just because he’s stuck against Clark’s chest doesn’t mean he has to look at his face. His very attractive, very close face. God, if he didn’t have such extreme control over every single physical reaction of his body, he might’ve done something stupid. Like press his cheek against Clark’s shoulder. Or tilt his head up enough that he could reach Clark’s lips with his own and- nope, not going there. Lack of sleep is horrible for the brain, Bruce’s even more so.

“Bruce,” Clark says and there’s a scolding tone to his voice. It’s his ‘I wish you would just listen to me, it’s for your own good’ voice. He uses it more with Bruce than anyone else on the team.

“What.” Bruce still doesn’t look at him. There is a good chance he’ll feel those pesky butterflies in his stomach if he looks into Clark’s eyes right now. He’s not a teenager, this isn’t a silly crush. There’s no reason for butterflies, yet he still hasn’t found a way to get rid of them. In fact, they only seem to increase the more time he spends with Clark. Which is a lot. They are teammates, after all.

“We’re several hundred feet in the air,” Clark points out. He’s stopped trying to catch Bruce’s eyes at least.

“I’m aware,” Bruce says.

“There’s nobody else around,” Clark continues.

“I know.”

“I’m holding you in my arms,” he says, and Bruce wants to roll out of said arms and fall all those hundred feet just so he doesn’t have to be a part of this conversation. It’s almost like Clark is trying to get Bruce to confess. All that’s left is candles and soft music and it’d be as perfect as it gets.

“Yes,” he says instead of voicing any of his panic.

“The least you could do is try to enjoy it,” Clark says.

See that’s the problem right there. It would be way too easy to enjoy this, to get used to it. To accept Clark’s offer once or twice and then suddenly every other time he asks. Soon Bruce will start expecting Clark to fly him home and then he’ll start to offer Clark a cup of coffee before he leaves. Clark will be too polite to refuse, and Bruce will get used to his company. Will crave it and miss it. Miss him.

There is absolutely no reason for Bruce to kickstart the process his feelings are already doing their very best to never let him forget.

“Enjoy being suspended in the air?” In your strong arms, so close to you that I can feel the heat of your body, the strong beat of your heart. “Sure thing, Kal. I’ll get right on that.”

“You don’t have to put up a front, Bruce,” Clark sighs. “I know you’re exhausted. I can feel it in your entire body.”

“Don’t do that,” Bruce says gruffly.

“Do what?”

“Don’t… read me.” It makes it seem like you care about me. “It’s creepy.”

“I’m sorry,” Clark says quietly. “I’m just worried about you.”

“I’m fine.” He really is. Or at least he will be, as soon as he’s back on the ground on his own two feet.

He’s been getting more and more obsessed with these thoughts of Clark recently and he knows it’s only a matter of time before he says or does something stupid. Confessing is out of the question – there’s no way he’ll ever risk losing Clark’s friendship because of some foolish feelings – and it’s not like he can actually decide when he sees Clark. They work together, they’re the founders of the League. They have a responsibility to the team and each other. Not even the minimal possibility of Clark not rejecting him is worth jeopardizing that.

There are a few moments of silence before Bruce realizes that Clark hasn’t said anything back. He doesn’t usually give up this easily, but perhaps they’re both a little off today. He dares a glance towards Clark’s face and ignores the soaring of wings in his stomach. Clark is looking straight ahead, his mouth set in a tight line.

Oh. He’s upset.

Rightfully so if Bruce is really honest with himself. He’s being carried several hundred miles home – superstrength or not, Clark is carrying his full weight and flying slow enough that the wind won’t hurt Bruce at all. He’s wrapped Bruce in his cape, he’s trying to take care of him in his own way.

And Bruce… Bruce is too caught up in his own stupid feelings to make even the smallest of efforts. If he wasn’t well in his thirties, he might’ve just ignored it and pretended not to notice (youth is a strong, although shitty, excuse), but this is Clark. Sweet, caring Clark, who would move literal mountains for Bruce if he asked.

Bruce squirms around some more; he really can’t move around well when he’s burrito’ed into Clark’s cape. He wiggles his shoulders around so much that Clark stops in the middle of the sky.

“Are you uncomfortable?” he asks, because of course he does. He can’t ever not be nice and caring. Which is probably why Bruce likes him so much.

“No,” Bruce says softly and decides to hell with it. He flops his face onto Clark’s shoulder and nuzzles at it. He is reminded of Selina’s cats but tries not to think too much of it. “Sorry for being… like that.” It sounds better than ‘an asshole’ but somehow loses some of its strength. It’s better than nothing though.

“You’re like that a lot these days,” Clark says carefully. He starts flying again. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes,” Bruce says and then because he can’t keep pushing everything away: “Just a lot on my mind.”

“You can talk to me; you know that right?”

“You make that abundantly clear.” It’s supposed to come out sharp and a little sarcastic, but instead it just sounds soft and grateful, which… isn’t too bad, Bruce supposes.

“I’m going to keep reminding you though,” Clark says, and Bruce can tell by the movement of his chin that he’s smiling again. Good.

“I know.”

Flying Air Superman is much faster than any other type of transportation and within the hour Clark sets Bruce down on the manor’s grounds, very aware of not being visible from outside the fence surrounding the entire property. Or, well, he tries to set Bruce down. Getting unwrapped from the cape is a little tricky. While Bruce prides himself on being rather elegant in most cases, not even Batman can get unwrapped from a giant piece of fabric while being put on the ground without stumbling a little. Cue Clark’s very capable hands grabbing his elbow and making sure he doesn’t fall flat on his face.

While Bruce is grateful, he’s also acutely aware of how close Clark is. Somehow, it’s worse (better?) than when Bruce was pressed against his chest. This feels much more insistent than simply being in Clark’s arms. Bruce takes a small step back, proving to both himself and Clark that he can indeed stand on his own two legs, contrary to what his little side-step-dancing just showed. He finally untangles himself from Clark’s cape, pushing the fabric off his shoulders before handing it to Clark.

“Red really does suit you,” Clark says fondly before he clasps it onto his shoulders again. It’s a design he’s gotten from Bruce’s cape – very neat to be able to detach the thing in emergencies. Or if you want to wrap your best friend in it.

“Shut up,” Bruce echoes his earlier response, although his words are much less sharp this time around. It’s clear that Clark notices because his smile grows even if he doesn’t say anything.

Bruce looks towards the door. He’s still in the suit but it’s still early evening. He has a few hours to kill before he has patrol. He could go for a cup of tea in the study.

Don’t invite him in, don’t invite him in, don’t offer him a cup of-

“I was going to have a cup of tea,” Bruce says and doesn’t bite his own tongue off, despite his inherent need to do so. “If you’d like one?”

“Oh, yeah, that-” Clark starts and then promptly stops. He tilts his head just slightly to the side, but Bruce knows that look. Has seen it more times than he can count.

“Emergency?” he asks.

“A fire in Australia,” Clark says. He sounds sorry.

“Go,” Bruce says with a flip of his wrist. Clark looks like he wants to say something but then closes his mouth and nods before taking off. Bruce sighs. Better this way; he’s pretty sure his lack of sleep might’ve turned into a lack of brain-to-mouth filter.

He’s still going to sit down for a cup of tea. First, he has to change though. Clark’s cape might have kept him fairly warm but the evening winds of Gotham are unforgiving and he hurries inside.

Later that evening when he’s nestled in his favorite chair with a steaming cup of tea in his hands Bruce gets a text – and he usually doesn’t text with anyone but his kids these days, so he’s surprised to find it’s from Clark.

Would love a cup of tea next time. Are you free tomorrow? :)

Bruce smiles softly and for once doesn’t curse the butterflies in his stomach. It’ll be okay, it’s just a cup of tea. What could happen from a cup of tea?

[thefirstcourtesan]

Little Joys (Bryce/MC, past Ethan/MC)

Little Joys

By Misha

Disclaimer- Note Mine.

Author’s Notes- So I was inspired by this ask I saw @jerzwriter reblog and how Meredith and Bryce would celebrate international surfing day and I realized Meredith is extra enough that she would celebrate every single little holiday. I took her list of holidays from this site (even if it doesn’t have International Surfing Day on it 😂). This is set a year after Book 3. I have a full, complicated history for Meredith (and why she and Bryce took 3 years to be official) but have not written very much of it. All that is relevant for this story is that she and Ethan did have a thing, but never officially, and in the end she chose Bryce but she still had some wariness, commitment issues and they were taking things at her pace. Also, she is on the diagnostic team, but turned down running it and let Tobias take the job instead.

Rating- PG-13

Summary- There is a holiday for everything and Meredith Pierce makes it her mission in life to celebrate them all and to find as much joy as she can.

Word Count- 4170

“You are the only person I know who would schedule a girl’s night on a random internet day,” Jackie grouched as she settled into the sofa of Meredith and Bryce’s apartment. 

June 1- Dare Day

“I think it is fun!” Sienna said brightly, giving Meredith a beaming smile. 

“Sorry, I stand corrected, you are one of only two people,” Jackie aid dryly. She looked at Aurora, “why do we hang out with them?”

Aurora hid a smile by bringing a drink to her lips. “Sorry, Jackie, I think ‘dare day’ is kind of a fun excuse to get together.”

Jackie groaned. “I need new friends.”

“No, you need to do your dare,” Meredith told her, “Now write Tobias a text with ten things you like about him.”

“I can’t believe you are making me feed your boss’s giant ego,” Jackie grouched, but she picked up her phone. “Next year I am checking out your stupid calendar, so I can busy be all year.”

**

June 2- National Doughnut Day 

“Doughnut?” Meredith offered Ethan as she entered his office, a bakery box in her hands. 

He looked up from his paperwork. “Do I want to know the occasion?”

“It’s doughnut day!” Meredith said brightly, “so I picked these up this morning.” 

Jackie might have grouched about Dare day, but she had been pretty happy to receive multiple doughnuts that morning. 

“Of course it is,” Ethan said, rolling his eyes even as he reached into the box. “I assume this is not the only reason you are bothering me?”

There was a fondness in his voice that contradicted his words. Ethan and Meredith might not have worked as a couple, but Meredith knew the gruff man sincerely cared for her. 

“Tobias sent me to remind you that the diagnostic team is going to need temporary help the weekend of June 16-18.” 

Ethan glanced at his calendar. “Oh yes, Because he and Harper will be at a conference and you have vacation booked.” He looked at her, “I can’t persuade you to change your dates?”

“Nope,” Meredith told him, “Bryce and I are going to California. It is International Surfing Day and I am surprising him.”

“Of course it is,” Ethan muttered, “does Lahela enjoy being surprised by random holidays?”

It was a loaded question and they both knew it, but Meredith forced a bright smile. “He does, because he loves me.” It was a low blow and she knew it, but she also didn't care. Ethan had started it. 

Her response hit the mark and Ethan’s face immediately went blank. “Tell Tobias I will take care of the schedule.”

It was a dismissal and Meredith turned to leave, but paused at the door when Ethan called out her name. 

“Meredith.”

She turned around, but didn’t say anything. 

“Thanks for the donut.”

**

June 3rd- National Trail Day 

“This is a perfect Saturday,” Bryce commented with his trademark easy grin, “my favorite girls and a beautiful trail.” 

Kiki rolled her eyes. “You are so corny.”

She was visiting for the weekend, which was one of the reasons that Meredith had planned the hike. The other being that it was National Trail day. 

“You love it,” Bryce said, pulling her into a one arm hug.

“Gross,” Kiki muttered, but she was smiling. 

**

June 4th- National Cheese Day

“Have I ever mentioned you’re my favorite?” Tobias asked as Meredith came into the office carrying a cheese platter. 

“Meredith is everyone’s favorite,” Harper said with a warm smile, “what is the occasion?”

“National cheese day,” Meredith answered, setting the platter on the table, “it is also national applesauce cake day.”  She pulled a cake tin out of her bag. “Kiki and I made this last night.”

Bryce had had to go to work after their hike, so she and Kiki had been on the other. The younger girl had grouched a bit but she had actually  seemed to enjoy the activity. 

“I don’t care what Ethan says, I think all these national days are delightful,” Tobias told her, reaching for a piece of cheese, “I am especially fond of ‘dare day’, I’m thinking of printing that text from Varma and framing it on my office wall.” 

Meriden laughed. “She’ll murder us both.”

“Might be worth it,” Tobias joked, “but seriously Meredith, thank you for the snacks. It really improves the mood around here.”

Harper smiled. “Tobias  is right, I know I appreciate  your guestrues and I can’t wait to try that cake when I have my coffee later.”

“Did someone say cake?” Damien Blake, the fourth member of their diagnostic team, asked as he entered the office. His eyes widened as he saw the cake and cheese platter. “Cheese too, this is the best day.” He grinned at Meredith. “I assume, we have you to thank?”

Meredith nodded, pleased by the warm reaction of her colleagues. 

**

June 5th- World Environment Day 

“I heard this was your idea,” Ethan commented as he approached Meredith outside the hospital where employees were cleaning up the grounds. 

“I might have suggested it,” she admitted, noting  with pride at how many people had signed up for the activity, “it is World Environment Day.”

“So naturally, an employee trash pick up day makes sense,” Ethan agreed, he looked at the crowd, “it looks like there were a lot of volunteers.”

Mereidth smiled. “I guess a lot of people here care about the environment.”

“Or perhaps, it is the organiser,” Ethan said softly, “I think you underestimate your effect on the morale of this hospital, Meredith. I might grouch about your obsession with pointless holidays, but I have been told it brings smiles to a lot of people's faces.” 

Meredith blushed. “That is why I do it,” she said softly, “a hospital can be a bleak place and if I can bring a little joy to people’s lives, then I want to do that.”

“It is what makes you special,” Ethan told her softly, gazing at her with an intensity that made her bite her lip and look away. 

“I just do what I can,” she said softly, “and I should get back to the garbage clean up or Jackie is liable to start chucking it at my head if she thinks I am slacking off.” 

She hurried away from Ethan. She didn’t regret choosing Bryce a year ago, but sometimes she was very aware of what might have been. 

**

June 6th- National Gardening Exercise Day 

“This community garden is so cool,” Inez commented, looking around. “Thank you for inviting me along, Meredith.”

“You’re welcome,” Meredith said with a smile, “our apartment doesn’t have any green space, but I love gardening. Sienna and I try to come here at least twice a month.”

Sienna had been working that day, so Mereidth had to find someone else to accompany her on National Gardening Exercise Day. Inez had seemed like a natural choice and the other woman had eagerly agreed. 

“I can see why,” Inez commented, “there is something  very relaxing about working with nature. I will definitely be back.” 

**

June 7th- National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

“What’s this?” Meredith asked in surprise as Bryce handed her a bag. She looked inside, it was full of cartons of chocolate ice cream. 

“Happy National chocolate ice cream day,” he told her with a smile. 

She shot him a surprised look. 

“I peaked at your calendar,” he admitted, “I felt like someone should surprise you for once.” 

Meredith put the bag on the counter and threw her arms around Bryce, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he told her, holding her close, “and I am so in awe of you. You go out of your way to make every day special,for the people around you and I just wanted to give you back some of that energy.” 

Meredith blinked back tears, feeling unexpectedly emotional. She snuggled against Bryce’s chest, soaking up the feel of him. 

After a moment, he pulled away teasingly, “not that I ever get sick of holding you, but my grand gesture loses some of its impact if it melts all over the counter.”

**

June 8th- Best Friends Day 

“I approve of all the ice cream,” Sienna commented, lifting a spoon to her mouth, “Bryce did good.”

Mereidth smiled, “he did. And luckily today is National Best Friends Day, so I don’t have to eat it all myself.” 

She bit her lip. “But I had another reason for asking you over.” She got up and grabbed her purse, taking a box out and handing it to Sienna. 

Sienna looked at it and her eyes widened. “Really?” 

“Well, I haven’t taken it yet,” Meredith yet, “but I have been feeling a little off and emotional and my periods are always all over the place, so…” 

“Oh My God!” Sienna said, jumping up to hug Meredith, her bowl of chocolate ice cream forgotten. “You have to take the test now!”

Meredith nodded. “Yeah.” She took the box back. “I just didn’t want to do it alone and I didn’t want to tell Bryce yet.”

“He’ll be thrilled,” Sienna assured her, “as long as you are.”

“I am,” Meredith said,”I mean I will be, if I am. I want this, Sienna. I told you I was going to tell Bryce that I was ready for more when we are in California. So if this is real… I want to wait until then.”

Sienna squeezed her hand. “I think that sounds perfect, now go take that test and let me know if I am about to be an aunt!”

**

June 9th- National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day

“There’s my favourite doctor,” Nurse Sarah commented, greedily eyeing the pie in Meredith’s hands. 

“I heard that,” Bryce commented, detouring towards the nurses station. “I thought I was your favourite, Sarah.” 

She rolled her eyes. “Meredith brings me pie, what do you do for me?” 

“I am a big fan of Mereidht’s pie,” Bryce agreed with a lecherous grin that had Meredith smacking him. 

Sarah shook her head. “I don’t know how you put up with him.”

“Hey!”

“He is very pretty,” Meredith said with a grin. 

“You can have your pretty boy, I’ll stick to pie,” Sarah told her, “it’s a lot less trouble. What flavour did you bring me?” 

“Today is National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie day,” Meredith answered, “Sienna and I went strawberry picking yesterday and then baked the pie.” 

“You and Dr. Trinh are treasures to this hospital,” Sarah told her, eagerly taking the pie. 

“In that, we are in agreement,” Bryce said, placing a kiss on Meredith’s head, “Meredith is definitely a treasure.”

Sarah smiled at him. “And that attitude is hey you are my third favourite.”

“I‘ll take it,” Bryce said with an easy grin, “and now that you have your pie, I am going to steal our mutual favourite doctor away.” 

“I’ll warn everyone to avoid the supply closets,” Sarah quipped, causing Bryce to laugh and Meredith to blush. 

**

June 10th- Ball Point Pen Day

“Thanks for agreeing to this,” Meredith told Tobias as she unpacked the boxes of ballpoint pens. 

“Yes, because it was a hardship to agree to a clever marketing strategy for the diagnostic team that I didn’t have to do any of the work for,” Tobias said with a smile, “I definitely should be the one thanking you, Meredith. This is a great idea.”

“It’s not too cheesy?” She asked. She would never have suggested it when Ethan was in charge of the diagnostic team, but Tobias was not Ethan. 

“It is definitely cheesy,” Tobias told her, “but it is also clever. I had been meaning to order us pens for a while, handing them out on Ball Point Pen today, just makes it better. Plus the whole hospital waits to see what your holiday of the day will be, so these will definitely be widely received.” 

“That is not true,” Meredith said, trying not to blush, “I don’t think that many people pay attention to my silly little holiday thing.”

“Oh, they definitely do,” Tobias told her, “and it’s brightened up this whole place. People have even been searching the internet and taking brts over which holiday you will choose for what day.”

Meredith blushed. She had no idea that people were taking it seriously , she had just started doing it for fun. 

“I mean it when I say you have brightened this place up,” Tobias told her, “and on that note, lets go hand out pens.”

** 

June 11th- National Corn on the Cob Day

“So Meredith goes all out every single day?” Elijah commented, a cob of corn in his hand, “apparently I am missing out.”

He had come for a visit and Meredith had decided to throw a cook-out to celebrate, as part of National Corn on the Cob Day. 

“That is one way to put it,” Jackie said with an eye-roll, “or we could argue you are the lucky one because you miss all the corniness.” 

“Technically, I am not missing the corniness, just everything else,” Elijah said and Jackie groaned while everyone else laughed. 

“I hate you all,” Jackie muttered, even as she grabbed another ear of corn. 

**

June 12th- Red Rose Day

Organising enough red roses to give a single rose to every single on duty employee at Edenbrook was not an easy task. She’d had to do-ordinate with HR to get a list of who would be on schedule and she’d gotten a couple of the maintenance guys to help her meet the florist and distribute them. 

Although Meredith had been surprised by how easy it had been to get the flowers themselves. The florist had even offered a steep discount when she’d explained why she wanted them. 

“What a sweet idea,” the woman at the shop had said, “I am sure it will brighten everyone’s day and working at a hospital, they definitely need it.” 

And so Meredith got the flowers she needed and made sure they were distributed to all the employees. She hadn’t bothered to assign herself one, the point was doing this for others, which is why she froze when she got to the diagnostic office and saw the table literally covered in roses. 

“Did people give theirs back?” She asked, a little crushed by the thought. 

“Why don’t you go look?” Tobias asked with a grin. 

Meredith took a cautious step, realizing that there were various arrangements and not just loose flowers and that many of them had cards. 

Her eyes watered as she read all the cards. There was a boquet from Bryce (which was definitely unnecessary because he hadn’t already surprised her with one at home that morning), one from the diagnostic team, from Jackie, Aurora and Sienna, from the nurses,  from HR and even one from Ethan. 

“This is too much,” she said, taking in all the flowers. 

“So says the lady who made sure every single on-duty employee got a rose and who frequently brings in baked goods,” Tobias told her, “you deserve a little appreciation, Meredith, and apparently most of the hospital thought so.”

Meredith just nodded, taking in all the flowers (although mentally she was already figuring out how to divide them between in-need patients, but the cards she would keep and treasure). 

**

June 13th- Pigeon Appreciation Day

“Why are we throwing bread at winged menaces?” Zaid asked with his usual frown. 

“Because it is pigeon appreciation day,” Meredith said, although honestly she was shocked Zaid had agreed to accompany her to the park. Although, she knew it was mostly because  of Inez. 

Bryce had been going to go with her, but he got called into surgery and everyone else was working. She’d mentioned to Inez that she would be going alone and an hour later Zaid had appeared and grumpily told her he would be going with her to the park. 

So here they were.

“There really is a day for everything,” Zaid muttered and frowned as a bird came too close, “can’t we appreciate them from a distance?” 

**

June 14th- National Nursing Assistant Day 

“Thank you so much, Dr. Piece,” Hannah, one of Edenbrook’s nursing assistants, said as she took the package of baked goods that  Meredith handed her. Meredith and Sienna had teamed up to make care packages for all the nursing assistants for National Nursing Assistant Day. 

“No, thank you for everything you do,” Meredith told her, “you and the other nurses assistants are one of the reasons Edenbrook runs so smoothly.”

Hannah smiled shyly. “It is really sweet of you to say so. Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“The other NAs and I, we were more excited to see what you would do than what the hospital would do,” Hannah confessed, “the lunch the hospital provides is mice, but we all really love it when you and Dr. Trinh bake.” 

Meredith felt a warmth fill her at the compliment. “Thanks for telling me that, Hannah, I really appreciate it.”

**

June 15th- National Nature Photography Day

“Do I dare ask what you are doing?”

Meredith turned at teh sound of the familiar gruff voice. 

“I am trying to take pictures of birds for national nature photography day,” she told Ethan, “but it turns out nature photography is not my calling.”

“I guess you’ll have to give up your dreams of a career in photography and settle for medicine,” Ethan said in a dead-pan voice. He sighed. “Hand me the camera.”

Meredith did as he asked, handing over Bryce’s precious camera (she swore he had winced when she’d asked to borrow it, even though he tried to hide it). 

Meredith watched as Ethan evaluated the camera. “This is a nice piece of equipment,” he said after a moment, “I take it, it’s not yours?”

“No, it’s Bryce’s,” Meredith answered, “he likes to takes pictures as a hobby.” 

“Photography can be a rewarding hobby,” Ethan agreed, fiddling with the settings on the camera. He looked at the tree in the courtyard critically, obviously considering his angles. A few minutes later, he handed the camera back to her. “I think I got some Swiss story shots.”

“Thank you,” Mereidth said sincerely, “I know you think my holiday of the day thing is silly.”

“Perhaps,” Ethan agreed, “but it is important to you.”

Several unspoken things hung in the air before Ethan broke the silence. “If I don’t see you before tomorrow, have a good trip.”

Meredith nodded. “Thanks, Ethan. For everything.”

He looked at her for a long moment before turning and walking away. 

Meredith watched him go and then turned her attention back to the camera. Now that she had her photos, she should get it back to Bryce so he could stop secretly fretting. 

**

June 16th- Take a Road Trip Day

“Bryce,” Meredith shook her boyfriend gently and then with more force, “Bryce, wake up.”

He blinked up at her. “What time is it?”

“6 a.m.”

Bryce sat up with a scowl. “Meredith, baby, I love you more than anything, but why am I awake at 6 a.m on a day when I don’t have to work until 5?” 

Even as he complained, he was reaching out to grab her and settle her on his lap. 

“Because we’re going on a trip,” Meredith explained, “today is take a road trip day. I mean, technically we’re flying, but I have a rental car waiting for us, so I think it counts…”

“Babe, I have to work all weekend,” Bryce reminded her.

“So, actually, you don’t,” Meredith told him, “I arranged for you to have the weekend off ages ago. Julie in HR helped clear your schedule and also agreed to keep it a surprise. Harper helped too and Dr. Tamaka.”

“I guess it helps to be the hospital's favorite doctor,” Bryce teased, “and obviously I am referring to myself, not the woman who keeps the whole hospital in baked goods.” 

“It has it’s uses,” Meredith agreed, smiling down at him, “tomorrow is International Surfing Day and I couldn’t imagine my surfer boy trapped in Boston, so we are going to Califronia.”

Bryce shook his head in awe. “I love you so fucking much. You are amazing, you know that?”

“I like it when you tell me,” Meredith admitted, leaning forward to kiss him. 

Bryce gripped her hips as he deepened the kiss. “How long do we have before we have to leave for our flight?”

“Long enough,” Meredith assured him, rocking into him with purpose, enjoying the groan he let out. 

“Good,” Bryce said, his grip tightening as he suddenly reversed their positions so that he was on top of her. “Because I want to show you just how amazing I think you are.”

**

June 17th- International Surfing Day

“Are you sure you don’t want to surf with me?” Bryce asked as he prepared his board. 

Mereidth shook her head. “No, I am happy to watch.” 

When she had booked the trip, she had planned on surfing with Bryce, but then things had changed. So instead she would play spectator. 

Bryce nodded and disappeared into the waves. 

They had a satisfying day on the beach. Meredith enjoyed the sun and the sand and watching her hot surfer boyfriend. 

Later, when Bryce had finished for the day and they had returned to their hotel, he pulled her in for a long, steamy kiss. “Thank you for doing this for me,” he told her, holding her close, “the fact that you went to all this trouble, I still can’t believe it.”

“I would do anything for you, Bryce,” Meredith told him sincerely. She took a deep breath and then gazed into his eyes, “international surfing day isn’t the only reason I planned this trip. I’m ready, Bryce, I’m ready to be all in, forever.”

It had been almost a year since he had told her what he wanted for their future and then promised to wait until she wanted it too, until she was ready to go all in. 

Bryce’s eyes widened and then he pulled her towards him, kissing her deeply and hungrily. 

“I love you,” he told her. He suddenly let go of her and quickly crossed the room to his suitcase, pulling out a familiar black box. 

Meredith gasped. She knew he had a ring, but she hadn’t imagined he would bring it with him on this trip. 

“When you told me about this trip, I guess I hoped it might mean you were ready for this,” Bryce told her, taking her hand before popping the ring box open, “Meredith Pierce, will you marry me?”

“Yes!!!!” Meredith said immediately, her eyes filled with tears. She had spent a lot of time afraid of the future, of commitment, but now standing here with this man who loved her in a way she had never imagined possible, she knew that love was worth the risk. 

She was all in. Forever.

**

June 18th- Father’s Day

“Are we going fishing or out for sushi?” Bryce asked the next morning as they lay cuddled up in bed. He grinned at Meredith’s frown, “8 told you, I check your holiday site. I am prepared.”

Meredith shook her head. She loved this man so much. “I actually had a more mainstream holiday in mind,” she told him, wiggling out of his arms to grab the card she had out on her night table the night before,

Bryce took it with a puzzled look, his eyes widening as he saw the Father’s Day card. “Mer?”

“Open it,” she encouraged, watching him carefully.

She watched as he carefully opened the card, memorizing the expression on his face as he spotted the sonogram she had tucked in there. 

“You’re pregnant?” He asked hesitantly, his eyes glued to the sonogram. 

“6 weeks,” Meredith confirmed, “it’s not why I planned this trip.  

I had this weekend planned long before that, it was just a nice little bonus.”

Or she hoped he would see it that way.

“I’m going to be a dad,” he said in awe and then he let the card fall from his hands as he grabbed her and kissed her deeply. She sank into the kiss, wondering if it was possible to be happier than she was at this moment. 

“I love you,” she told him when they finally broke apart for air.

“You are everything,” he told her, his hand moving to rest on her belly, “I can’t believe how happy you have made me.”

“Hopefully as  happy as you have made me,” she told him, “because I feel like I am so happy I might burst.”

“That makes two of us,” Bryce assured her and then he sighed, “although, there is one downside, I was really looking forward to that sushi—ooof.” He groaned as Meredith hit him with a pillow. “You’ll pay for that.”

He grabbed her by the waist and tackled her to the bed, both of them giggling, all holidays forgotten as they got lost in each other and the life they were building together. 

The End 

[mishamoonberry]

I want more instances where the children averaging nine years old act more like children. Raon who doesn't like broccoli. On who talks back cheekily against Cale sometimes. Hong who eats too much sweets and gets a toothache. Children playing and being children.

Raon has to be bribed with coins or other stuff to make him eat broccoli. On learns to be more cheeky from listening in to Cale and Alver's conversation. Hong who pouts sadly because his sweets are confiscated by uncle Vicross and grandpa Ron.

They play with crayons and paint, filling their sketchbooks and sometimes even the wall. That's okay because Raon can just magic them away! Cale keeps some of their drawings on his bedroom wall.

They grind flowers and grass, playing pretend that they are chefs like uncle Vicross, presenting it to Choi Han who is nearby and giggling when Choi Han pretends to eat it

The children singing as they play, as they tend to the garden and the flowers. Singing as they take Cale by the hands and drag him along to walk around the garden to at least get some exercise

Cale telling the children to eat their vegetables and the children staring at his plate of steak VERY pointedly. "Human, you have to eat vegetables too!" Cale, who does not hate vegetables, shrugs. "Okay."

Then Cale develops a habit to eat fruit, drink juice, eat vegetables etc together with the children, so they can eat healthy too. Vicross is proud because his young master and the kids are eating healthy

[moonlight-at-dawn]

playing ng+ of arise and pausing to write mid-canon ficlets in a little series, what have i becoooommmmeeeee

anyways, alphionne cuddles in cysloden first, viscint soon to follow :3c man is it gonna HURT when I get to Pelegion... me and Alphen both XD

It would hurt, more than he could ever know. More than she could ever let him know. “My thorns…” “Don’t hurt me. Besides, I meant that figuratively. Though, if you need something more literal, I’m good for that, too.” She scowled up at him, but like much of this night, it lacked its usual heat. Perhaps he was getting through her defenses after all. “I’m fine, Alphen. Why don’t you go back to bed.” It wasn’t a question, no matter how she phrased it. He didn’t obey, however, continuing to watch her as she ate. “Have you ever been hugged?”

[marragurl]

Saxaphone player Gallagher has not left my mind since the jazz night art dropped AND THEN Robin saying Halovian’s innately have good voices and Sunday used to hum lullabies to her as kids happened in the 2.2 special program, and I’m sure you guys can see where my unfortunate Galladay heart is going with this.

Whoever decided to make this art, I love you. I hope your pillow is cool every night, you’re never stuck in traffic, and your water is refreshing with every sip.

Also the art of Sunday with the White Gentlemen drink in the S.P.A.R.K.L.E jazz night event has also spiraled into me delusionally thinking that’s his go to drink. Which is hilarious since Robin has hinted before that he seems to have a massive sweet tooth in her letters.

(Sunday how do you even make holding a drink menacing, Sunday please get some therapy-)

So imagine this:

Pre 2.0 Galladay, where they’re both wary and suspicious of each other but didn’t do anything outright. Sunday slowly began to visit Gallagher’s bar whenever he had time to observe the Hound, initially on the down low just to get a sense of what he was working with and what to keep an eye on. He always gravitated to that one corner booth that every bar had with the most privacy, and just stalked there for a few hours before leaving. (Smol menacing birb in a tree vibes)

Gallagher obviously knew that Sunday was doing this (even though everyone else seemed to somehow completely miss him, Gallagher wouldn’t be surprised if Sunday was doing some weird Harmony mind tricks), and after the first few “stakeouts,” he bit the bullet and actually approached the table to engage with Sunday, on the off chance this was some weird “test of loyalty” by the Halovian to see if the Hound would swallow his pride to serve his so-called masters.

Nothing terrible happened, but he remained passive-aggressively polite when serving him, and Sunday remained passive-aggressively cool-headed in response. There was some snark of what dear “sweet-toothed” Sunday would want at a bar, and an icy reply of “aren’t you the master drink smith? Why don’t you show me those skills you boasted about?” which led to Gallagher being petty and giving Sunday the White Gentlemen drink, both for the story behind it being such a metaphor for Sunday, and because it was on the more bitter side of alcoholic drinks.

Sunday wasn’t too against the drink; it wasn’t something he would have ordered if it had been his choice, but it wasn’t a bad drink by any means. He couldn’t help but continue to drink it even after Gallagher left his little hidey booth to go back to the main bar, but he’d never stoop so low as to complement the Hound. Of course, he never ordered anything else from then on, only White Gentleman. In fact, over time it seemed to slowly get better, the flavors grew on him, and he couldn't help but look forward to it during difficult nights in the Dreamscape.

If Gallagher tried to needle him into a different drink, Sunday just bit back a “oh? Admitting defeat? I thought this was your best drink for me?” with a little smirk while Gallagher had to use every bit of self-control to not punch him in the face.

As time went on, the bar slowly became a place Sunday frequented to not quite relax, but to get away from the hustle and bustle of Penacony and his duties as one of its main faces. The stresses slowly started piling up, especially with the Charmony fast approaching in a few months and all that came with it.

Gallagher didn’t seem to loosen up regarding his attitude with Sunday, but he did get better at shoving down the visceral hatred he had for everything to do with The Family and Sunday as time went on. He didn’t get soft with Sunday per se, but he definitely kept an eye out for him, and definitely knew when to cut off his drinks on days where it seemed that Sunday wasn’t all that there for their usual veiled comments towards one another when he went to serve him his drink.

It started small, with Sunday staying later and later until sometimes he was the last one to leave the bar to return to reality. Gallagher wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, still wasn’t quite sure this wasn’t some weird long-term test Sunday was devising, especially since he still seemed to be the same ruthless Family member, the same Head of the Oak Family, when Gallagher was working as a Bloodhound outside the bar. For some reason though, within the enclosed space of this strange sanctuary, it was almost peaceful between the two.

One night, there was something wrong when Sunday entered the bar during Gallagher’s shift. He saw a bit of a crowd near the small stage that was within eyesight of his little hidey booth, it seemed some of the musicians of the live band were arguing? He watched as Gallagher came over, seemed to try to speak with the group before honing in on one of the musicians who had been making the most noise and seemed to be about to get physical with the rest. Sunday watched as Gallagher picked up the musician by the scruff of their suit with one hand and carried them towards the doors and lightly tossed them out.

(It was the first time Sunday had actually seen Gallagher perform anything resembling the actual duty of a Bloodhound. It only hit him that he’d only ever seen the other when giving reports, orders, or at the bar. Why was this so shocking to him, he’d seen the man’s arms before, hard not to with his slovenly dress and messy clothing style, as if he couldn’t bother to hide away his imperfections from the world, not like Sunday who refused to be seen by the world, to dare to show one thing off about himself despite his countless failings- he’s getting far too distracted by one meager showing of strength, focus Sunday)

There had always been a live music segment. Sunday was curious to see what would happen with the band missing a member, but was distracted by Gallagher placing his usual White Gentlemen in front of him before heading back to the musicians without a single word to him. Gallagher took a moment to speak with the rest of the band, who seemed to be coming out of their shock and took on worried looks. Sunday could only watch in muted shock as Gallagher went behind the bar and came back with a case, opening it to reveal a saxophone. He then went on stage with the rest of the group, positioned himself further to the side and in the back amongst the shadows within Sunday’s line of sight, and played with the band for the rest of the night.

Sunday couldn’t look away.

He was frozen as he watched Gallagher seamlessly transition from song to song, taking only small breaks to continue serving the other patrons before heading back in. Sunday only remembered about his own drink when his gloves began to get wet from the ice melting into condensation on his glass.

Something felt off within Sunday, and for the first time since Robin’s debut, he couldn't help humming to the music of the band, music that wasn’t of his own sister’s making. He couldn’t help but remember those little concerts the two would have, taking care of his little sister, his only world. He would do anything to keep the Harmony, to keep their family going. When was the last time they truly spent time together? Before he became the Head of the Oak Family? Before he couldn't recognize his own smile?

He was so lost in his thoughts, in memories he thought he buried, that he didn’t realize that it was once again closing time, and he was once again the last one left. He only snapped out of it when Gallagher came by to grab his empty glass, only quirking a questioning brow at him before heading back to the bar.

Gallagher had been keeping a quiet eye on the Halovian that night from the back of the band, in the shadows he felt the most comfort in when in the Dreamscape of Penacony. He had watched Sunday’s eyes glaze over, and the only reason he hadn’t felt offended by the seeming disinterest was the look in the other man’s eyes reminding him of his own when he looked in the mirror. The same look of shame, regret, loss, longing, of the wishes to regain everything he had lost. The same look he strove to hide under every bit of the facade he had crafted of this new self, but came back all too often with every reference of the Family found within his prison in the Dreamscape.

Maybe it was the shared nostalgia within his own heart, that little bit of his true self that he thought died when the Family tore out everything that made him who he was, that made him return behind the bar and begin making Sunday another White Gentlemen, giving Sunday a small nod to beckon him over. He wasn’t expecting anything from it, and he masked his own surprise when Sunday actually left his little shelter to come and take a seat in front of him at the bar. Even while out of it, Gallagher made note of the quiet confidence the other still carried himself. Nothing seemed wrong to anyone else looking at him, only for the lost look in his eyes.

The first time in the many months that they’ve been skirting around each other, and finally they seemed to be face to face.

It was quiet as Gallagher made Sunday his usual drink, a drink he had been slowly changing over the months to be sweeter and sweeter that Sunday never quite seemed to notice, or if he did, he never said anything, only seeming to savor it more each subsequent night. Maybe not even Gallagher noticed his own changes to the drink, subtle as they were.

It was quiet as Sunday took the finished drink, and it was quiet as his eyes slid over the bartop to see the saxophone case laying open with the instrument inside. It was quiet as Gallagher followed his eyes, as he came out from behind the bartop to take the saxophone out and take a seat in a chair only one seat down from Sunday’s. It was quiet as Gallagher began to play to his audience of one.

It was quiet as Sunday quietly hummed along.

It was quiet as they both knew that it would not last.

OK yea so this was all because I heard ‘La vie en rose’ at the end of the Jazz night event and went “Damn I wish that’s Gallagher playing on his Sax” and then we spiraled.

Uh. Idk what it is with me having a small ship moment which then spirals into a full blown writing session. My mind blanked out and as I came to I find out that I made a whole ass little one shot over here then completely forgot about it WHOOPS

So yea, hope my fellow Galladay enjoyers… enjoyed! I think I’ve slowly begun to crave… not domestic or fluff per se from these two, but after every AO3 fic being super dark between them (which I get! They are the toxic yaoi kings of Penacony as of writing this, no one is denying that!) I think I want to see them be explored in a more melancholic sense. Not quite the “forbidden” love angle, but in the “damn we kinda have some parallels, and maybe in another life we could have gotten along but there’s too much baggage and anger, both historically and currently to really even try anything”

I have this feeling this may not be the last time I write about these two… is Galladay going to be the ship that gets me to actually use my AO3 account?