pastel0rchid

[pastel0rchid]

Omg, good luck with your finals! U can do it fosure

❤️❤️❤️

Guess who passed her finals and even graduated Cum Laude!!

[pastel0rchid]

Big Update!

(Update under the cut, plus a face reveal!)

I GRADUATED!!! 🎉🎉🎉

I finally walked across the stage last night and received my diploma!

Am I done with school? Yes!!

Am I done student teaching? Not yet, still have another week

Am I certified yet? Also no, still working on it

But after May 13th, I’ll be able to update much more in between studying for my STR and my PPR.

I want to thank everyone so much for the support over the years and across all of my stories. Throughout my college years, seeing your heartfelt comments always kept me going!

You are all a part of my support just as much as my family and friends. So thank you!

See you all in the next update!! (hopefully of Serendipity!)

[pastel0rchid]

UM. HI!

I'm the creator of Fear Me Or Die, and I just wanted to say hi, and give you the world's fattest kiss I can possibly manage.

I don't know how Bluebonnets went under my radar for SO LONG (I am beating myself over the head as we speak) but just know that I am looking at it like this

UM, HELLO!?!

I literally had to pause writing my final philosophy just to process seeing the notification of this ask, and then take another pause to make sure this was actually happening.

Please don't beat yourself up! I never expected that you would read Bluebonnets, but it feels like the highest honor ever.

(Sorry if response is small, brain is still processing)

[pastel0rchid]

Life Update in Meme Form

(Something to show I’m still alive and kicking 🫶🏻)

[pastel0rchid]

👀👉👈

[pastel0rchid]

Taglist Reblog <3

@spiderlily-w1tch-blog

@millie--billie

@persipeoni

@honethatty12

@oscarissac2099

@up-l4te-4t-n1ght

@morishitoshi

@nctikki

@vexis-world

@fries11

@victoria-rue

@moejoeflow

@darlingcharling-blog

@abadonkori

@doodle-with-rhy

@hasai69

@cossettecherries

@justmoniesworld

@shadowentity6

Should I make an updates blog? Would that be easier in the long run? Who knows XD

A Gift from the Gods (5)

Hiccup x F!Reader

Word Count: 1.5K

Warnings: None

A/N: Hello everyone! I finally got the time to work on and finish this chapter. It's been so hectic since I started student teaching, most days I just come home and immediately go to sleep, others I just have no motivation to even open my computer. I just want to thank everyone who has waited ever so patiently for this chapter to come out. I hope this was worth the wait <3

Previous Chapter .~.~. Next Chapter

Days pass excruciatingly slow, filled with eyes constantly following your every move.

Somebody was always nearby.

Stoic’s orders. 

Usually, it was either Hiccup or Gobber, but there was the occasional moment where neither was available, leaving you with somebody else of Stoic’s choosing.

Now was one of those times.

Sitting on a rock near the edge of the forest, your wings wrapped once again by the rope that also bound your wrists together, you watch Astrid use a small stone to sharpen her axe. Her eyes were locked on you, just like yours were on her.

Like two predators, wrongly thinking the other was prey.

Your wings twitch against the rope, both from being uncomfortable and from the unease of the silence, so thick you could cut it with that freshly sharpened axe.

Hiccup constantly tried his hardest to argue your case with his father, most of the time only granting you moments of freedom to fly that were few and far between.

You felt like nothing more than a pet, occasionally taken out for a walk.

The sound of the stone against the axe suddenly stops, causing your focus to return to the blonde across from you. The same silence prevails as she watches you, her gaze scrutinizing.

It was as if she was looking for something within you, something that you knew wasn’t there.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

Your voice cuts through the silence, finally becoming tired of the tense air that felt like it was suffocating you the longer you sat in it.

She scoffs in response, an action you had somewhat expected from how she had been constantly reacting around you. Her body was always poised in a position as if she was ready for your attack, waiting for the moment you would undoubtedly strike against her or her friends. Her hand always hovered over her axe that was hooked into the belt wrapped around her waist when you were in her line of sight.

It has grown to become a tiring sight.

“Why would I believe that?” Astrid asks in that same defensive tone she used around you too, another thing you’ve come to expect, “How do we know you’re not working with an enemy of Berk? You’ve given us nothing about you that could even potentially gain our trust.”

“I’ve gained Hiccup’s.”

Astrid’s face scrunches up like an anger you’ve only seen briefly from the dragons with spikes on their tails when being confronted by another dragon for territory. Hiccup had said that they call them ‘Deadly Nadders’, a fitting name for such a powerful dragon.

It seems that Astrid and her dragon are more alike than meets the eye.

She’s about to respond, her lips parted with a rebuttal to your words.

But both of your gazes suddenly snap towards the forest when a twig snaps and a deep growl rumbles.

—

Hiccup had to be dragged towards the blacksmith's hut by Gobber, wanting nothing more than to spend more time with the dragon hybrid they had come across, wanting to learn more about her and where she came from.

He found himself growing a form of attachment towards her, whether it was from his innate curiosity, or something deeper, he had no clue.

His father, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to be rid of her, seeing her as a threat to their village. Gobber seemed like the only one who truly understood Hiccup’s side, albeit a little reluctantly.

His mind was nowhere near as focused as it should have been while he tweaked with one of Toothless’ spare tail flaps, having gotten less busy after he helped with the weaponry that had been brought in.

Hiccup knew Gobber had noticed this, earning him a few smacks to the back of the head from the Viking himself throughout the day.

“Where has your mind been today, Lad?” The older Viking finally asks after the blacksmith has only been filled with the crackling sounds of the fire and the screeching sound of metal for a long while. His tone was filled with displeasure, his arms crossed across his chest as he turned to face the young adult, “You almost impaled yourself today on that sword I had you sharpen.”

The brunet looks over towards his mentor, stopping his adjusting of the tail fin with a small sigh escaping him. He knew his brain had been preoccupied, less focused than he usually was, less fine-tuned.

He’d been like this for a few days.

“I don’t know. I just can’t help but worry about her since she’s with Astrid today.”

“That dragon lass?”

Hiccup gives another sigh. He was obvious, he always was about certain things.

“I know Astrid doesn’t seem to trust her, but-”

“Astrid has every right to be, Hiccup. The lass is new, strange, she’s not like the rest of us. She hasn’t even told us who she is.”

Gobber walks over towards Hiccup, placing his human hand onto the younger Viking’s shoulder, his displeasure melting away to reveal a look of understanding.

“I know you trust her, I can see it in the way you look at her… but you have to understand that not everyone thinks like you, just like with Toothless.”

Hiccup frowned. Gobber was right, he usually was in times like this. It had taken a while before all of Berk fully accepted having dragons as companions, but they had known of dragons and had studied them for centuries.

But her… she was new, unheard of… a new adventure.

“Gobber-”

A roar interrupts him, sounding loud and too close for comfort. The tone wasn’t like the tamed dragons that resided in the village, it sounded rougher, meaner.

The two rush out of the blacksmiths, looking towards the edge of the forest and finding two familiar figures, an untamed Monstrous Nightmare towering over them with its wings spread wide.

Hiccup’s heart races, watching as Astrid grips her axe and gets into a fighting position while she is left defenseless, tied up, basically being fed to the dragon on a silver platter.

—

The dragon roars again as it towers over you and Astrid, who is now gripping her freshly sharpened axe, her body tense with a readiness to fight.

You managed to stand from the rock, moving a few steps back as the dragon stalks closer to the two of you. You knew how dangerous this species could be, having seen them engulf their bodies in flames in times of distress.

You begin to struggle against the rope around you, trying to find a weak spot like you had once before. Stretching your wings only gets you so far before the rope pushes back, unwilling to let you escape. Astrid had tied them this time, it only made sense that they were immaculate.

The dragon, whose name you had learned from Hiccup to be the ‘Monstrous Nightmare’ (another fitting name, you think), fully engulfs itself in flames like you know them to do. The heat instantly shocks you, causing you to take a few stumbled steps back.

It seems to be more focused on Astrid than yourself, its head reared in her direction and stalking mainly toward the blonde. Her grip on her axe tightens, raised to defend herself.

As the dragon’s jaw opens, ready to unleash the heat from its mouth, you rush to stand in front of the blond. Your wings, having pushed past the sting of pain due to the adrenaline coursing through your veins, stretch it just enough to where the rope snaps and they spread in a defensive position.

A growl, deep from your chest like your father had taught you, rumbles out of you. One that dragons would give when guarding another dragon, one that parental dragons would give with their young behind them. It was one of the first dragon-like sounds your parents had taught you to make when you were younger.

The Monstrous Nightmare shuts its jaws with a grumble escaping it, the fire on its body slowly dying out until all that’s left is the smoke billowing off of it. It copies your growl, leaning down to look into your eyes, huffing its hot breath into your face.

Your eyes glance off to the side, noticing something hiding off in the bushes behind the Monstrous Nightmare… a baby dragon, it’s baby. You had gotten too close.

This dragon was nothing more than a mother protecting its young.

When you look back into the dragon's eyes, you give a small nod and begin to slowly step back, using your hand and body to move Astrid with you as well. Your growl, once protective and deep, had lightened into one of understanding, showing that you were backing down.

You watch as the dragon looks between you and Astrid while you move further and further away from her and her young, before huffing out once again and turning to return to the forest, seemingly satisfied with how the encounter had ended. Its young keeps its eyes on you two before turning and rushing after its mother.

Once the dragon and its young are out of sight, you stop pushing Astrid backward and turn to face the blonde, ready to ask if she is okay, but you pause…

And you watch as her gaze softens ever so slightly into something other than hate.

[pastel0rchid]

A Gift from the Gods (5)

Hiccup x F!Reader

Word Count: 1.5K

Warnings: None

A/N: Hello everyone! I finally got the time to work on and finish this chapter. It's been so hectic since I started student teaching, most days I just come home and immediately go to sleep, others I just have no motivation to even open my computer. I just want to thank everyone who has waited ever so patiently for this chapter to come out. I hope this was worth the wait <3

Previous Chapter .~.~. Next Chapter

Days pass excruciatingly slow, filled with eyes constantly following your every move.

Somebody was always nearby.

Stoic’s orders. 

Usually, it was either Hiccup or Gobber, but there was the occasional moment where neither was available, leaving you with somebody else of Stoic’s choosing.

Now was one of those times.

Sitting on a rock near the edge of the forest, your wings wrapped once again by the rope that also bound your wrists together, you watch Astrid use a small stone to sharpen her axe. Her eyes were locked on you, just like yours were on her.

Like two predators, wrongly thinking the other was prey.

Your wings twitch against the rope, both from being uncomfortable and from the unease of the silence, so thick you could cut it with that freshly sharpened axe.

Hiccup constantly tried his hardest to argue your case with his father, most of the time only granting you moments of freedom to fly that were few and far between.

You felt like nothing more than a pet, occasionally taken out for a walk.

The sound of the stone against the axe suddenly stops, causing your focus to return to the blonde across from you. The same silence prevails as she watches you, her gaze scrutinizing.

It was as if she was looking for something within you, something that you knew wasn’t there.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

Your voice cuts through the silence, finally becoming tired of the tense air that felt like it was suffocating you the longer you sat in it.

She scoffs in response, an action you had somewhat expected from how she had been constantly reacting around you. Her body was always poised in a position as if she was ready for your attack, waiting for the moment you would undoubtedly strike against her or her friends. Her hand always hovered over her axe that was hooked into the belt wrapped around her waist when you were in her line of sight.

It has grown to become a tiring sight.

“Why would I believe that?” Astrid asks in that same defensive tone she used around you too, another thing you’ve come to expect, “How do we know you’re not working with an enemy of Berk? You’ve given us nothing about you that could even potentially gain our trust.”

“I’ve gained Hiccup’s.”

Astrid’s face scrunches up like an anger you’ve only seen briefly from the dragons with spikes on their tails when being confronted by another dragon for territory. Hiccup had said that they call them ‘Deadly Nadders’, a fitting name for such a powerful dragon.

It seems that Astrid and her dragon are more alike than meets the eye.

She’s about to respond, her lips parted with a rebuttal to your words.

But both of your gazes suddenly snap towards the forest when a twig snaps and a deep growl rumbles.

—

Hiccup had to be dragged towards the blacksmith's hut by Gobber, wanting nothing more than to spend more time with the dragon hybrid they had come across, wanting to learn more about her and where she came from.

He found himself growing a form of attachment towards her, whether it was from his innate curiosity, or something deeper, he had no clue.

His father, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to be rid of her, seeing her as a threat to their village. Gobber seemed like the only one who truly understood Hiccup’s side, albeit a little reluctantly.

His mind was nowhere near as focused as it should have been while he tweaked with one of Toothless’ spare tail flaps, having gotten less busy after he helped with the weaponry that had been brought in.

Hiccup knew Gobber had noticed this, earning him a few smacks to the back of the head from the Viking himself throughout the day.

“Where has your mind been today, Lad?” The older Viking finally asks after the blacksmith has only been filled with the crackling sounds of the fire and the screeching sound of metal for a long while. His tone was filled with displeasure, his arms crossed across his chest as he turned to face the young adult, “You almost impaled yourself today on that sword I had you sharpen.”

The brunet looks over towards his mentor, stopping his adjusting of the tail fin with a small sigh escaping him. He knew his brain had been preoccupied, less focused than he usually was, less fine-tuned.

He’d been like this for a few days.

“I don’t know. I just can’t help but worry about her since she’s with Astrid today.”

“That dragon lass?”

Hiccup gives another sigh. He was obvious, he always was about certain things.

“I know Astrid doesn’t seem to trust her, but-”

“Astrid has every right to be, Hiccup. The lass is new, strange, she’s not like the rest of us. She hasn’t even told us who she is.”

Gobber walks over towards Hiccup, placing his human hand onto the younger Viking’s shoulder, his displeasure melting away to reveal a look of understanding.

“I know you trust her, I can see it in the way you look at her… but you have to understand that not everyone thinks like you, just like with Toothless.”

Hiccup frowned. Gobber was right, he usually was in times like this. It had taken a while before all of Berk fully accepted having dragons as companions, but they had known of dragons and had studied them for centuries.

But her… she was new, unheard of… a new adventure.

“Gobber-”

A roar interrupts him, sounding loud and too close for comfort. The tone wasn’t like the tamed dragons that resided in the village, it sounded rougher, meaner.

The two rush out of the blacksmiths, looking towards the edge of the forest and finding two familiar figures, an untamed Monstrous Nightmare towering over them with its wings spread wide.

Hiccup’s heart races, watching as Astrid grips her axe and gets into a fighting position while she is left defenseless, tied up, basically being fed to the dragon on a silver platter.

—

The dragon roars again as it towers over you and Astrid, who is now gripping her freshly sharpened axe, her body tense with a readiness to fight.

You managed to stand from the rock, moving a few steps back as the dragon stalks closer to the two of you. You knew how dangerous this species could be, having seen them engulf their bodies in flames in times of distress.

You begin to struggle against the rope around you, trying to find a weak spot like you had once before. Stretching your wings only gets you so far before the rope pushes back, unwilling to let you escape. Astrid had tied them this time, it only made sense that they were immaculate.

The dragon, whose name you had learned from Hiccup to be the ‘Monstrous Nightmare’ (another fitting name, you think), fully engulfs itself in flames like you know them to do. The heat instantly shocks you, causing you to take a few stumbled steps back.

It seems to be more focused on Astrid than yourself, its head reared in her direction and stalking mainly toward the blonde. Her grip on her axe tightens, raised to defend herself.

As the dragon’s jaw opens, ready to unleash the heat from its mouth, you rush to stand in front of the blond. Your wings, having pushed past the sting of pain due to the adrenaline coursing through your veins, stretch it just enough to where the rope snaps and they spread in a defensive position.

A growl, deep from your chest like your father had taught you, rumbles out of you. One that dragons would give when guarding another dragon, one that parental dragons would give with their young behind them. It was one of the first dragon-like sounds your parents had taught you to make when you were younger.

The Monstrous Nightmare shuts its jaws with a grumble escaping it, the fire on its body slowly dying out until all that’s left is the smoke billowing off of it. It copies your growl, leaning down to look into your eyes, huffing its hot breath into your face.

Your eyes glance off to the side, noticing something hiding off in the bushes behind the Monstrous Nightmare… a baby dragon, it’s baby. You had gotten too close.

This dragon was nothing more than a mother protecting its young.

When you look back into the dragon's eyes, you give a small nod and begin to slowly step back, using your hand and body to move Astrid with you as well. Your growl, once protective and deep, had lightened into one of understanding, showing that you were backing down.

You watch as the dragon looks between you and Astrid while you move further and further away from her and her young, before huffing out once again and turning to return to the forest, seemingly satisfied with how the encounter had ended. Its young keeps its eyes on you two before turning and rushing after its mother.

Once the dragon and its young are out of sight, you stop pushing Astrid backward and turn to face the blonde, ready to ask if she is okay, but you pause…

And you watch as her gaze softens ever so slightly into something other than hate.

[pastel0rchid]

Hi! I just wanted to check in on you, is everything alright? Haven't heard from you for a while.

After all, I haven't seen a new fic of yours since last year!!! (srry i had to make at least one new year joke 😅)

As always, luv u byeee ♡♡♡♡

Oh my goodness, hello!

It has been a while, Fries (I love New Year humor so thank you for that 💕). I’m so sorry that I didn’t get to your last ask or that I haven’t uploaded anything in quite a while.

Over break, I got to spend much needed time with family, but I also had to do a few training courses for student teaching.

Which started today!

While I want to update soon, it will be very hard to tell when I’ll have the time to even touch my computer. I’ll be in a classroom Monday-Friday from 7:30-4 for the next 15-16 weeks, basically like an actual teacher.

I promise I’m not abandoning this account or my stories! But there will definitely be bigger gaps between uploads.

I’m so sorry to everyone that’s been waiting so patiently, and I hope you’ll be okay with waiting just a little while longer.

And Fries 🫶🏻 thank you for showing me so much support and love, you and your comments (as well as everyone else’s) have been what’s kept me going.

Till we meet again, my friends! (hopefully with the next update of ‘A Gift from the Gods’) 💕

[pastel0rchid]

Hewo, how are you?

I for once am so happy for having a few days off.

😄❤️

Hello! I’m doing pretty well, thank you for asking!! 💕

Days off are the best, especially after a stressful time!

I hope your days off are very relaxing!

[pastel0rchid]

GURRLLL MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! I HOPE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU WISHED FOOORRRRR

❤️❤️🎄

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRIES!!!

I'm sorry it's a bit late, but thank you!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you received everything that you wished for as well! ❤️

[pastel0rchid]

I was thinking.. IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!

Are you excited as well? 👀👉👈

Hi, Anon!

I'm so sorry I missed this, but yes! I love Christmas so much. It's one of my favorite times of the year!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! <3

[pastel0rchid]

Send this to ten other bloggers that you think are wonderful. Keep the game going, make someone smile!!! ♡♡♡

Awwww! Thank you so much! <3

[pastel0rchid]

You are simply so sweet, like, I haven't met anyone here on Tumblr that's nicer than you. The way you awnser everyone and just the way you act overall, it's hard to explain, but you are the best.

Hope everything you ever want in your life works out just fine, you deserve it cuz ur great ♡

(P.S. you write so well its crazy)

Oh, Fries!

That is the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me 🥹🥹

I’m just a simple college student that likes to write little stories. You and everyone who reads them are the best supporters I could’ve ever asked for 💕💕

You’re the best, Fries, and I’m so grateful for every heart and comment I receive from you 🥰

[pastel0rchid]

BAD DOG IS BACK YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!

AND JOHNNY IS THERE TOOO OMMGGGGG 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️

It's back!!!!

I loved having Johnny make an appearance!

[pastel0rchid]

Hi everyone! Quick little update!

For those who have already read chapter two of "Bad Dag," I am just letting you know that I changed the ending a bit. I switched the word 'lips' to 'fingers'.

I had some deep thought and realized I didn't like how it rushed things, so hopefully, this will flow a little better.

Thank you all so much for the support already! <3

[pastel0rchid]

Taglist reblog <3

@fries11

@vultyre

@that-fangirl-1106

@roran74

@sazifer

Bad Dog (2)

Shifter!Simon Riley x F!Reader

Word Count: 1.6K

Warnings: Anxious thoughts

Author's Note: Hello, everyone! I apologize if this chapter isn't my best work, I'm not too proud of it, but I did like the direction that it's taking. Thank you so much for your patience as I get to feeling better <3

Previous Chapter .~.~. Next Chapter

It was time to go shopping.

You stand in front of the front door, planted in your spot as you stare at the golden knob. One turn and you’d be greeted with the outside world. In your hands, you grip Ghost’s leash, the rough texture digging into your palm, the slight pain keeping your mind from wandering too far.

You twist and turn the leash between your fingers, the dog it was supposed to be attached to sitting off to your side, watching with a tilted head as you just stand and stare at the door.

What if he was out there? What if he was waiting for the right moment? When you finally had your guard down, would he strike?

Are you letting yourself get too comfortable? Too secure in what you had perceived as safe?

Your shoulders tense up as your grip tightens on the leash, lungs aching with desperate need for air after unconsciously finding yourself holding your breath as you just stare at the door.

A small nudge against your thigh shatters your thoughts, a shaky breath finally filling your lungs with a slight sting. Blinking rapidly, you look down towards Ghost, who had shifted himself closer towards you and nudged you with his snout. His brown eyes stare up at you while his nose remains ever-present against your thigh. A reminder that he was there.

His eyes held an emotion you couldn’t fathom a dog comprehending, the twinge of worry that swirled within them something you had never seen from a canine companion.

His eyes almost looked… human.

Ghost huffs and nudges your thigh again when he doesn’t get a response, the warmth of his breath felt through the pair of jeans you wore.

Right.

You had Ghost now.

Taking another shaky breath to steel your nerves, you give a small nod before beginning to gently attach the leash to the white collar you had gotten for him. You ignore the slight tremor in your hands, the small struggle you had with looping the chain, you ignore it for the better.

“I know,” You mumble softly to Ghost, “I’m being silly, aren’t I? Why be afraid of the boogeyman when I have you to protect me now.”

A small smile appears on your lips as you gently ruffle the fur on top of Ghost’s head, earning another signature huff from him. The wag of his tail though counters the annoyed look he sends you, and you can’t help the small chuckle that escapes you.

It was okay. Everything would be okay.

Ghost was here now.

—

Your hands grip the handle shopping cart, pushing it down the narrow isles with Ghost’s leash looped around your wrist. The canine himself walked as close as he could to your side without tripping you.

It was always so loud in the grocery store, so packed that you felt like you were in a can of sardines. Your eyes flick between the shelves on either side of you, taking in the stock before reaching out and plucking what you need into your cart.

Ghost moved around your legs with a precision you hadn’t expected, never once getting in the way to where you would trip over him or his leash. His ears pointed in alert while he covered whichever side another shopper would pass by, putting himself between you and them with his eyes locked in their direction. 

It was almost like he was assessing whether they were a threat or not.

You begin to wonder if he was trained as a service dog with the way he was acting. The nudges and the perfected circling, it was all so methodical and precise. Maybe he used to be a service dog for a soldier. It made the most sense with how he was doing all of it without being told to.

Continuing your path through the different isles, you feel yourself relaxing more and more in Ghost’s presence, knowing that he was watching out for you in all directions.

“Ah like yer dug.”

A heavily accented voice suddenly speaks up from behind you, the cereal box in your hands almost dropping as you quickly turn to look at the man with widened eyes. The man that stood before you was intimidating, his stature towering over you in a way that flickered unpleasant memories of the past.

His piercing blue eyes stare into your own, a glint of mischief flashing through them as he glances between you and Ghost. The sides of his hair were buzzcut, but the top had been left to grow in a mohawk.

“Ach, sorry, ah didnae mean tae gie ye a fright, lovey.”

His words jumbled together in your mind, reeling from the small fright you had been given as you tried to calm the racing heart in your chest. Your grip on the cereal box loosens ever so slightly before you place it into your cart, your eyes glancing between the stranger and Ghost, only to find the canine’s tail wagging slightly while he looks at the stranger.

Ghost was calm.

It was okay. It would be okay.

“It’s alright,” You respond to him in a soft tone, your voice having a barely noticeable quiver as you look up at him. You didn’t know what to do, having not expected somebody to come up and speak to you with Ghost by your side.

“Whit's yer dog's name?”

Damn, he was really going to try and have a conversation with you.

Gulping down your nerves, you look down at the dog by your side, sitting straight and still beside you with the only movement being his tail slowly wagging. If Ghost wasn’t on high alert, you begin to realize that maybe you shouldn’t either. Taking a small breath, you look back towards the man with a small smile.

“His name’s Ghost.”

“Ghost, eh?”

The name seemed to cause a smirk to tug at the corner of his lips, that same glint of mischief appearing briefly once again.

“It suits him well.”

You give him a nod in response, not knowing how to continue the conversation, watching as the man reaches forward to ruffle the fur on the top of Ghost’s head. A huff is what the stranger receives, a small nudge in return before he pulls his head back, shaking it slightly.

Ghost’s brown eyes finally look back up at you, a deep ‘boof’ resounding from his chest before he nudges his snout against your thigh.

Right, your groceries.

Clearing your throat, you look back at the stranger, observing him for a few more seconds. It was still a little strange how easily Ghost took to him compared to everyone else that passed by, maybe it was because he was the only one to actually try and talk to you. Even then, Ghost’s demeanor had calmed significantly when the stranger talked to you.

The man suddenly holds his hand out towards you, an offering to shake. You stare, reluctant before slowly reaching forward and grabbing his hand in greeting. His hand was warm, encompassing your own as you felt how rough it was. He must do a lot of work with his hands, something labor-heavy.

The man smiles at that, shaking it a bit rougher than he probably intended.

“Ma name's Johnny, it's nice tae meet ye.”

With a small response of ‘likewise,’ you skirt around telling him your name, not feeling the most comfortable with giving it out at the moment. Pulling your hand back against your side, you give Johnny another lookover before turning and pushing your shopping cart away from the conversation before it can continue any longer.

You rush through the rest of your shopping trip, your mind occasionally traveling back to the Scotsman that had come up to you so easily, even with a large wolf-dog at your side. You glance down at the canine as you basically speed-walk towards the check-out area.

Ghost seems less uptight this time as he trots beside you.

—

Dinner had been another quick endeavor.

A simple pasta dish for you and a bowl of meat and veggies for Ghost.

You had triple-checked the locks on your doors and windows, you’re mind still trailing to that man that you had met in the store. Johnny.

He was strange, seeming almost too eager to talk to you about your dog.

Now dressed in a tank top and sleep shorts, you lay on your bed, staring up at the ceiling as you think. Ghost’s head rests against your stomach as he lays beside you. Your hand absentmindedly runs through his dark fur, the motion becoming a comforting habit for you.

Maybe you were just looking too deep into the situation. He was probably just interested in your dog, especially seeing as Ghost was a wolf-dog. Yeah, that had to be it.

Taking in a small breath, you shift onto your side, Ghost grumbling at being interrupted from his sleep before he adjusts himself to where his nose was shoved up against you. He huffs as his body relaxes against you, effectively causing a calmness to come over you as well.

Flicking off the lamp, the room is surrounded by a calming darkness, the events of the day making your mind desperate for rest. The only sounds you hear are the whirring of the fan above and Ghost’s breathing. The noises lull you into a dreamless sleep, one you haven’t had in quite some time.

You barely feel the brush of lips against your shoulder, your sleep-addled brain chalking it up to a figment of your imagination.

After all, Ghost was here.

It was okay. It would all be okay.

[pastel0rchid]

Bad Dog (2)

Shifter!Simon Riley x F!Reader

Word Count: 1.6K

Warnings: Anxious thoughts

Author's Note: Hello, everyone! I apologize if this chapter isn't my best work, I'm not too proud of it, but I did like the direction that it's taking. Thank you so much for your patience as I get to feeling better <3

Previous Chapter .~.~. Next Chapter

It was time to go shopping.

You stand in front of the front door, planted in your spot as you stare at the golden knob. One turn and you’d be greeted with the outside world. In your hands, you grip Ghost’s leash, the rough texture digging into your palm, the slight pain keeping your mind from wandering too far.

You twist and turn the leash between your fingers, the dog it was supposed to be attached to sitting off to your side, watching with a tilted head as you just stand and stare at the door.

What if he was out there? What if he was waiting for the right moment? When you finally had your guard down, would he strike?

Are you letting yourself get too comfortable? Too secure in what you had perceived as safe?

Your shoulders tense up as your grip tightens on the leash, lungs aching with desperate need for air after unconsciously finding yourself holding your breath as you just stare at the door.

A small nudge against your thigh shatters your thoughts, a shaky breath finally filling your lungs with a slight sting. Blinking rapidly, you look down towards Ghost, who had shifted himself closer towards you and nudged you with his snout. His brown eyes stare up at you while his nose remains ever-present against your thigh. A reminder that he was there.

His eyes held an emotion you couldn’t fathom a dog comprehending, the twinge of worry that swirled within them something you had never seen from a canine companion.

His eyes almost looked… human.

Ghost huffs and nudges your thigh again when he doesn’t get a response, the warmth of his breath felt through the pair of jeans you wore.

Right.

You had Ghost now.

Taking another shaky breath to steel your nerves, you give a small nod before beginning to gently attach the leash to the white collar you had gotten for him. You ignore the slight tremor in your hands, the small struggle you had with looping the chain, you ignore it for the better.

“I know,” You mumble softly to Ghost, “I’m being silly, aren’t I? Why be afraid of the boogeyman when I have you to protect me now.”

A small smile appears on your lips as you gently ruffle the fur on top of Ghost’s head, earning another signature huff from him. The wag of his tail though counters the annoyed look he sends you, and you can’t help the small chuckle that escapes you.

It was okay. Everything would be okay.

Ghost was here now.

—

Your hands grip the handle shopping cart, pushing it down the narrow isles with Ghost’s leash looped around your wrist. The canine himself walked as close as he could to your side without tripping you.

It was always so loud in the grocery store, so packed that you felt like you were in a can of sardines. Your eyes flick between the shelves on either side of you, taking in the stock before reaching out and plucking what you need into your cart.

Ghost moved around your legs with a precision you hadn’t expected, never once getting in the way to where you would trip over him or his leash. His ears pointed in alert while he covered whichever side another shopper would pass by, putting himself between you and them with his eyes locked in their direction. 

It was almost like he was assessing whether they were a threat or not.

You begin to wonder if he was trained as a service dog with the way he was acting. The nudges and the perfected circling, it was all so methodical and precise. Maybe he used to be a service dog for a soldier. It made the most sense with how he was doing all of it without being told to.

Continuing your path through the different isles, you feel yourself relaxing more and more in Ghost’s presence, knowing that he was watching out for you in all directions.

“Ah like yer dug.”

A heavily accented voice suddenly speaks up from behind you, the cereal box in your hands almost dropping as you quickly turn to look at the man with widened eyes. The man that stood before you was intimidating, his stature towering over you in a way that flickered unpleasant memories of the past.

His piercing blue eyes stare into your own, a glint of mischief flashing through them as he glances between you and Ghost. The sides of his hair were buzzcut, but the top had been left to grow in a mohawk.

“Ach, sorry, ah didnae mean tae gie ye a fright, lovey.”

His words jumbled together in your mind, reeling from the small fright you had been given as you tried to calm the racing heart in your chest. Your grip on the cereal box loosens ever so slightly before you place it into your cart, your eyes glancing between the stranger and Ghost, only to find the canine’s tail wagging slightly while he looks at the stranger.

Ghost was calm.

It was okay. It would be okay.

“It’s alright,” You respond to him in a soft tone, your voice having a barely noticeable quiver as you look up at him. You didn’t know what to do, having not expected somebody to come up and speak to you with Ghost by your side.

“Whit's yer dog's name?”

Damn, he was really going to try and have a conversation with you.

Gulping down your nerves, you look down at the dog by your side, sitting straight and still beside you with the only movement being his tail slowly wagging. If Ghost wasn’t on high alert, you begin to realize that maybe you shouldn’t either. Taking a small breath, you look back towards the man with a small smile.

“His name’s Ghost.”

“Ghost, eh?”

The name seemed to cause a smirk to tug at the corner of his lips, that same glint of mischief appearing briefly once again.

“It suits him well.”

You give him a nod in response, not knowing how to continue the conversation, watching as the man reaches forward to ruffle the fur on the top of Ghost’s head. A huff is what the stranger receives, a small nudge in return before he pulls his head back, shaking it slightly.

Ghost’s brown eyes finally look back up at you, a deep ‘boof’ resounding from his chest before he nudges his snout against your thigh.

Right, your groceries.

Clearing your throat, you look back at the stranger, observing him for a few more seconds. It was still a little strange how easily Ghost took to him compared to everyone else that passed by, maybe it was because he was the only one to actually try and talk to you. Even then, Ghost’s demeanor had calmed significantly when the stranger talked to you.

The man suddenly holds his hand out towards you, an offering to shake. You stare, reluctant before slowly reaching forward and grabbing his hand in greeting. His hand was warm, encompassing your own as you felt how rough it was. He must do a lot of work with his hands, something labor-heavy.

The man smiles at that, shaking it a bit rougher than he probably intended.

“Ma name's Johnny, it's nice tae meet ye.”

With a small response of ‘likewise,’ you skirt around telling him your name, not feeling the most comfortable with giving it out at the moment. Pulling your hand back against your side, you give Johnny another lookover before turning and pushing your shopping cart away from the conversation before it can continue any longer.

You rush through the rest of your shopping trip, your mind occasionally traveling back to the Scotsman that had come up to you so easily, even with a large wolf-dog at your side. You glance down at the canine as you basically speed-walk towards the check-out area.

Ghost seems less uptight this time as he trots beside you.

—

Dinner had been another quick endeavor.

A simple pasta dish for you and a bowl of meat and veggies for Ghost.

You had triple-checked the locks on your doors and windows, you’re mind still trailing to that man that you had met in the store. Johnny.

He was strange, seeming almost too eager to talk to you about your dog.

Now dressed in a tank top and sleep shorts, you lay on your bed, staring up at the ceiling as you think. Ghost’s head rests against your stomach as he lays beside you. Your hand absentmindedly runs through his dark fur, the motion becoming a comforting habit for you.

Maybe you were just looking too deep into the situation. He was probably just interested in your dog, especially seeing as Ghost was a wolf-dog. Yeah, that had to be it.

Taking in a small breath, you shift onto your side, Ghost grumbling at being interrupted from his sleep before he adjusts himself to where his nose was shoved up against you. He huffs as his body relaxes against you, effectively causing a calmness to come over you as well.

Flicking off the lamp, the room is surrounded by a calming darkness, the events of the day making your mind desperate for rest. The only sounds you hear are the whirring of the fan above and Ghost’s breathing. The noises lull you into a dreamless sleep, one you haven’t had in quite some time.

You barely feel the brush of fingers against your shoulder, your sleep-addled brain chalking it up to a figment of your imagination.

After all, Ghost was here.

It was okay. It would all be okay.