#//Kari is not happy someone is stopping her | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

stupendousgardenunknown · 2 years ago

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Pairing: Shinsou Hitoshi x f!reader

Word Count: 4.4k

Warnings: cheating, extramarital affair, foreplay, praise kink, drug use, penetrative sex. Minors DNI

Notes: All characters are aged up. Silicon Valley!AU

Chapter 14: It Might be Okay

Maybe Shinsou did die. Maybe when he came- his heart gave out. He died a happy man- but because of his sins- he was sent straight to hell.

This must be hell. Out of all the hotels, in all of Silicon Valley. In all of California. In all of the world. She had to be here?

At the very least, Shinsou can say it was worth it. To feel your skin against his lips, to hear you sigh and moan. Yeah, it was worth it. But that doesn’t lessen the anger and disappointment stirring in his stomach right now as Kari recognizes him and her face switches from shock to that smug know-it-all look she would often get when she knows she has something over him. She turns her head to say something to someone, and even reaches to close the door behind her as she moves her arms to fold in front of her.

She’s not wearing any makeup, so she looks at least 2 shades paler than the pictures she posts- but it's her all right.

“Shinsou Hitoshi.” She says, sounding amazed. A sick grin spread over her face. Shinsou then feels you emerge from behind him, and instinctively, he moves his body in front of you. As if to protect you from a vicious predator. He immediately regrets it however, knowing how it must look- and he knows Kari clocked the movement.

“Shin-” Your voice pipes up and finally you move from behind him and your own heart stops in your chest. It takes you a second- you’ve seen the paparazzi photos… and you may or may not have stalked her Instagram page- full of endorsement photos and totally candid photos of her at events and red carpets. She doesn’t look as stunning as she did in the photos you may or may not have studied- but she was definitely still beautiful. Now you wished you had put on… something better than what you were wearing now.

“Thanks for meeting me up here- why don’t you… go and grab a table.” Shinsou says, turning to you and his expression said “I’m sorry.” This was bad, and even you knew that. You suspected that things didn’t end well with Kari- not that Shinsou really divulged how the break up happened, and her seeing Shinsou here with another woman… leaving his hotel room no less, well. It didn’t take a genius to feel worried about what she may do… or say.

“Yeah-” Your eyes flick between Shinsou and Kari, but ultimately you try your best to put on a casual face- like you have no idea why the blonde woman is looking at you like you’re a Thanksgiving ham. Something to be devoured. “I’ll go ahead and do that.” A friend would know that she was obviously Shinsou’s ex. A friend wouldn’t look bothered or like a deer in headlights. Biting your lower lip, you walk past her, trying your hardest to not look back. To not turn and give Shinsou a reassuring smile. But when you do turn and face the hallway, as the elevator doors close, you can see your purple haired lover wearing the angriest look you’ve ever seen on his face.

…

“Kari-” Shinsou starts but a laugh erupts from the blonde’s throat. That’s what the worst of it is- the fact that he can’t just act casual. Kari knows him too well. She knows his tells- most of them anyway. And she could tell just from five seconds of looking at you two- that you meant something to him. She knows- because that’s the way Shinsou used to look at her, act around her. Except this was more intense. More serious. Kari leans against the door frame, running her tongue over her front teeth before clicking her tongue.

“And who was that? Aren’t you with… what’s her name? Latest popstar?” She knew. Shinsou knew, and Kari knew. But her pride would never allow her to openly admit that whenever Shinsou’s name popped up across social media- she looked. Shinsou stared at her, eyes narrowing before nodding towards her.

“It’s business- and what are you doing here?” Shinsou asked back, leaning against his own hotel room door frame- stuffing his hands into his pockets. Kari’s brows raise- something she did a lot towards the end of their relationship. When Shinsou became sharper of her excuses, her prodding.

“Thought you were in New York.” He added. Kari smiles that bright shiny smile she wore whenever she heard she was being nominated for her half-assed acting.

“You saw my SNL episode?” She asks, taking a step forward. Shinsou shifts, sighing loudly.

“Nah- I only watch the episodes with the big actors on it.” He says slyly before mentally slapping at his mouth. His default was sarcasm, but he really didn’t want to piss Kari off. Not when she can easily call paparazzi, which means you would have to go home, which means he wouldn’t get to spend more unrestricted time with you. Right now, he was willing to do anything- including being nice to his ex.

“I’m just helping out a friend with an event. Company’s sponsoring-”

“And you’re the one who has to help?” Kari interjects. This was getting tiresome. Shinsou could be downstairs with you- making you laugh and getting energy to go another few rounds of rousing sex. But no- the demons from below wanted to torture him. Shinsou steps towards the blonde woman- shoulders stiff and irritation making its way onto his face.

“What’s the problem Kari- come on. You’ve never been good at beatin’ ‘round the bush.” He says. He stares down at her and she tries her best to match his energy but doesn’t succeed. She’s too insecure. Too much of a people pleaser. Or maybe she’s just still not used to being treated like everybody else.

“I thought you were dating someone. Doesn’t look good-” Her doe-like eyes flashing over to the elevator where you were just moments ago. “Being at a hotel with someone else.” Shinsou had to restrain himself, after all he did to protect your image. He could give a shit that his sham of a relationship with Jirou would be outed- but you being viewed as the homewrecker is something he won’t tolerate. One word, a tweet, an email to a Deux Moi-esque page and you would be ruined. Your marriage would be called into question. Worst case scenario, your husband would get suspicious, uncover your affair with Shinsou and divorce you, leaving you financially ruined. Slightly better case scenario, your husband would have you cut off contact with Shinsou to save face. Neither sounded good to him.

“Don’t get her involved.” He warned, eyes unwavering. His ex seemed a little shaken by this, his “fuck you” stare. Kari laughs out of instinct- not that anything about this was funny. She’s seen Shinsou mad, but this was different. Her words catch in her throat, as if her body was giving her a second chance to think over her words.

“Who is she?” Kari asks, trying her best to maintain eye contact, to not look visibly scared by Shinsou’s intenseness. Shinsou leans in. He didn’t want it to come to this, he really didn’t. But for you?

“Touch her and I’ll release those videos. You can kiss any future movie deals, any brand deals, any TV shows, goodbye.” Back when things started to get rocky, Shinsou decided to secretly record their fights. One thing his Dad taught him was to always have receipts. Always make sure you have your bases covered, and although he loved Kari- at the time anyway- she was an actress. He was COO of an up-and-coming tech firm.

Kari’s eyes jet open.

“You wouldn’t.” She squeaks out, and her bottom lip quivers ever so slight with the words. Shinsou could feel his fingers curl into a fist against the door frame.

“I would. If I even catch wind of you trying to twist my friend and I working together here into anything beyond, I won’t hesitate. So no, ‘friend of a friend’, leaking a story for you, no anonymous tip shit.” Shinsou can feel his teeth bared, like an animal trying to warn another. There’s a deadly silence when Shinsou finally decides he’s left you alone for long enough. He needs to see you again and smell your hair. Tapping his fist against the doorframe he leans back onto his leg and throws a boy-like grin towards his ex.

“Thanks, Kari. I knew you’d understand. Safe travels.”

…

The restaurant is buzzing. You sip nervously on your water as you read the menu for the seventh time now, even though you already decided on the big eye tuna and yellowtail sashimi. There’s a business meeting for a VC firm a few tables away from you, and a couple enjoying a lunch another few tables from you. Nibbling on your lower lip, you open your phone again and you can’t help but to search for Kari’s Instagram handle.

It’s masochistic, you know, but you can’t help yourself. Kari’s latest post is her outside the airport, advertising jeans “so comfortable you can wear them on the plane!”. Cue eye roll. Her makeup is perfect and her hair is perfect, you’re starting to rethink your matching jogger set and sneakers you normally wear to the airport. With a sigh, you force yourself to exit out of the app and set your phone on the table- face down.

That didn’t matter. It didn’t matter how fabulous and gorgeous and beloved Kari was. Taking another sip, you try to remember the good weekend you’ve been having with your purple-haired lover. Remember how his tongue felt against your neck and your clit. How he filled you just right. Right as you could feel the heat pooling in your lower stomach, a familiar purple haired man appeared before the bar, eyes meeting yours and a small smirk erupting onto his face as he started to make a beeline towards you.

You couldn’t help but to return the smile, self consciously swiping a lock of hair behind your ear. Shinsou sits across from you, placing both hands firmly against the table and leaning in slightly.

“Don’t worry about Kari.” He states, before his eyes flick down to start reading the menu.

“What?” You ask, suddenly straightening.

“She’s not going to mess with you. With us.” Shinsou seems eager to have the subject dropped, with the way he rushes his words and shoulders hunched.

“Wha-What did you tell her?” You ask. Everything seems so loud all of a sudden. Clinking of plates and metal and glass. Shinsou faces you, his lips firmly pressed together.

“Don’t worry about it, doll.” You normally love the pet name, but can’t help but to feel it’s using it against you in this instance. Shinsoo's gaze returns to the menu, finger tapping on the table. He doesn’t want to be authoritative with you- but there are some things he would prefer you not to know. You don’t need to be worrying your pretty little head about anything.

“I think… I’m going to get a few rolls.” He sighs out looking back at you. You’re shifting in your seat and he realizes that he needs to butter you up again. All he wants is you to be happy- more importantly, happy with him. He reaches out and envelops your hand in his, your name spilling over his lips to catch your attention.

“I love you- I just…” He sighs and leans back into his chair. He wishes he had a blunt to relieve the tingles of anxiety rolling through his stomach.

“I want to make sure you’re protected.” He says. You stare at him for a moment, unsure how to feel about his words. Sure it’s nice that he wants to protect you, but you’re an adult woman. Your husband had locked you into that prenup under the guise of “protection”. You had survived this world without Albert- hell even Shinsou, and you certainly didn’t need their efforts in “protection.” But you didn’t want to hurt your lovers’ feelings.

“Listen,” You start, planting your hands firmly on your knees. “I appreciate the thought. But I’m a grown woman.” You say, taking the cloth napkin from the table and placing it over your lap. Your hands just need something to do. Shinsou avoids your eyes, and he doesn’t bring up the topic again for the rest of lunch.

…

You sigh as you re-enter the hotel room, throwing your purse onto the bed and plopping onto the soft sheets. Shinsou enters behind you, softly closing the door and stuffing his hands into his pant pockets. He needs to make this right. Biting his lower lip, he stares. You look exhausted, stressed.

“You’re gorgeous.” He says without thinking. Barely moving your head, your eyes find his figure and your lover can find evidence of a small smile on your face that isn’t hidden by hair.

“You’re sucking up.” You say back.

“Am I? I’m telling the truth.” He starts to make his way to you, the bed dipping from his weight.

“You’re the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.” You want to say he’s lying. But the way his eyes glitter under his lids, the way his hand firmly lays on your hip and you can feel his knee between your legs, forcing you onto your back- you can’t help but to want to hear more.

“I wanna make you feel good.” It’s been too long since he’s heard your breathy moans, and he’s eager for them. Combing his fingers in your hair, you don’t object as his lips crash onto yours. He breaks for a second to take off his shirt- pink nipples already perked and standing in attention. You don’t hesitate and lean up to take one into your mouth, tongue circling before giving him a light bite. He groans and returns to kiss you again, his tongue brushing over your teeth, trying to explore as much as he can. He can feel your body wiggling underneath him, and he knows exactly what you need.

His steady hands unzip your pants and he slides them off with ease, throwing them where his shirt ended up, and his hands slide up your thighs.

“Shinsou,” His name escapes your mouth, almost as if he’s all you know. When it’s just you and him- nothing else matters. Not your marriage, not his ex, not his career, not your prenup- nothing but him and you. He moves onto your neck, tongue swirling onto a sensitive spot right under your jaw and it sends electricity to your cunt. You can feel the warmth pooling, soaking your underwear already. It’s that electricity again, that inexplicable power that surges through you the exact same way as when you first met.

“You’re mine.” He whispers against your skin.

“I’m yours.” You say back, and he sighs at the words- the reassurance. He faces you, and his pupils are blown with lust and something else. His hands move up, and he tilts your chin up with his thumb as you can feel his fingers tensing on your jaw. You relinquish yourself to him, all power, all of yourself- you belong to him. You belong to each other.

“And I’m yours.” Shinsou says, face inches away from you.

“You’re mine.” You say back to him, his eyes are searching yours for a moment. Like he’s trying to find any doubt, any hesitancy from you. He doesn’t find it. He never will. His jaw tenses.

“I’m going to spit in your mouth- be a good girl and take it will ya?” He says. Your mind is buzzing, but you nod- barely. He spits into your mouth- and you swallow immediately. Your mouth reopens, tongue extended as if asking for more and the motion makes Shinsou groan audibly. If it was a test- you passed with flying colors. Shinsou abandons you for a moment, shifting off the bed and he struggles to take off his pants, you’re already working on taking off your shirt and bra.

“Good girl,” He murmurs, stroking himself once he manages to relieve himself of his pants and underwear. His cock is rock hard, and you swear you can see the veins pulsating with eagerness. You want to help him out, since he’s been so good to you the past 24 hours. You crawl to the edge of the bed and wordlessly get onto your back, presenting your mouth for fucking. Shinsou doesn’t need the verbal go ahead, he knows exactly what you want to do. He steps forward and you take his cock into your mouth.

“God- damn it-” He hisses, pushing his hair back with a free hand as you work your magic. When was the last time you gave a blowjob? Your nervousness creeps in and you wonder how good you are- but guessing by Shinsou’s moans and grunts as you swirl your hand over his cock after each gulp, you can probably safely say it’s like riding a bike. His cockhead hits the back of your throat and you can’t help but to audibly gag, but it helps.

“That’s my girl,” He moans, jaw clenching as he bends forward and he takes your breasts in his hands. He kneads your flesh and moans again as he continues to pump his cock in your mouth- your sweet sweet mouth. He needs to be touching you, to have his warm hands on your body. When his cockhead hits the back of your throat again he can’t help but to let out an obscene groan. He can’t take this anymore.

“I need to be inside you.” He says as he pulls out. Eyes trained on him, you nod as you move around on the bed. As your naked body slides up on the sheets, Shinsou tries to tally up all the good things he’s done in his life to have earned this. To have earned you. He didn’t testify against his biological parents. That was a good thing. He helped Midoriya start Brainianics. He volunteered with his adopted family every Thanksgiving.

“Come here,” Your voice is soft, shy. Eyes practically aflame with desire, a hand extended, waiting for him to join you. You’re a vision. An absolute vision, hair mussed, skin aglow, every curve fully exposed to him. He obeys, and time feels like it’s slowed. Your passionate foreplay turns into something deeper. He crawls on the bed towards you, and he kisses your throat again, hands resettling underneath your knees to open them up. He pauses a moment, biting his lower lip as he looks at you. You can sense him- as you meet his eyes once more.

“I love you.” You say, and it’s all the permission he needs. He enters you slowly, taking a moment to adjust and get used to your tight walls. It’s euphoric, with your hands on his back, nails digging into his shoulder blades. Between you gasping your little “ah”s and lewd “ooh!”s, he picks up speed- if not to hear more of you, but because with each thrust it gets harder and harder to control his tempo.

His hips move in sync with yours, a push and pull, eager to meet in the middle and make friction with yours. To make contact, to become one. It really should have been him, he thinks.

“Oh, Shinsou-” You cry, feeling your peak coming soon, legs tightening around his waist and he moans in your ear.

“What do you want, doll?” He has the nerve to ask. You grunt in response and as a smirk spread on his face slows his pace much to your dismay.

“What do you want, my doll?” He asks again, through gritted teeth. How can you even ask me that? You demand internally. I want you. You think. I want you. You must have paused for a while, because he leans on an arm and takes your jaw into his other hand, forcing you to face him.

“I want you to fuck me,” You pant. Shinsou’s smirk turned into a full scale grin as he leaned back, focused on looking at himself pulling out of you, his cock covered in your creamy slick. He moves one of your legs and hooks it over his shoulder and presses the other leg down, stretching you nice and wide for him.

“Oh, doll, you don’t have to tell me twice.” He practically purrs. His thrusts get more erratic, and you don’t bother to hide how good it feels. Each time he fills you completely you let out a yelp of pleasure.

“Fuck,” You cry, hands gripping the sheets underneath you. “Fuck- Shin- I’m close,” Your whiny voice is exactly what he wants to hear. He can feel his breath hitching, stomach tightening- he’s close. But he refuses to finish before you.

“Oh, Oh, God!” You cry, small beads of tears forming at the corners of your ears. Shinsou raches down and grabs your bouncing breast, just as a treat to himself. Your walls start to clench and he knows he can’t hold out any longer. He picks up his pace and finally with a loud moan- you squeeze him to the point of pleasurable pain. You’re milking him with your tight cunt and Shinsou moans back through gritted teeth.

“There you go, doll.” He manages as he holds his breath- feeling you pulsate around him. By the third squeeze, he can’t take it anymore. He pulls out and furiously fists himself until thick ropes of cum decorate your abdomen.

“Fuuuuuck,” Shinsou sighs through his release. You’re still panting, trying to regulate your heartbeat after the shattering orgasm, looking at him with eyes that make his heart burst with affection for you.

“Oh my God,” You pant, Shinsou takes a moment to move your leg off of him, but reaches up and cups your face as he gives you a deep kiss.

“You’re gonna be the death of me.” He says.

…

As you pack, Shinsou decides to smoke another joint. As he watches you run back and forth from the bathroom to the bed, organizing and reorganizing everything in your bag, he can't decide if he’s smoking because he wants to numb this feeling or because it’s just a habit. As you fold a shirt and stuff it in, zipping it closed- he reluctantly decides it's the former. He knows you have to return home- to your life, a life where you have to pretend like he has never been inside you, like he’s never kissed you, like he’s never confessed his love to you. It twists his heart in all sorts of ugly ways. He takes a hit before the joint burns up too much. Regardless, it doesn’t make it easier. There’s a hole in his heart forming where you belong.

Shinsou walks you out and to your car, and once you make it it places a hand on the driver door handle before you can. He doesn’t want you to leave just yet- he wants you to wait just a bit longer.

“I’m sorry about before.” He says, eyes flashing to yours and you can read the apology all over him.

“But I guess we had to have our first fight eventually.” When he looks at you again he’s wearing that smirk you know and love. You snort in response. To be honest- you thought him fucking you into the mattress was his apology- it was nice to know he can use his words too. You give him a side-hug- just in case there were still any passerbyers that could see you two but still risk settling your cheek to his chest.

“Well I look forward to other firsts.” You mutter as he moves aside to allow you to open the door and throw your bag and purse into the passenger seat.

“Oh! Wait,” Shinsou’s voice rings as before you can hoist yourself into the driver seat. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a device that looks suspiciously like a garage door opener.

“Thanks but I have my own garage-” You start before your purple haired lover waves you off.

“No, it’s from this security startup that I invested in- they gave me this to prove their product works.” He slides past you- his firm chest grazing your arm as he attaches the thing to your sun visor.

“Did you just bug me?” You ask, moving to inspect the device closer as Shinsou moves away.

“No-” He stifles a laugh. “Listen, just click that button if you’re ever in trouble. It’ll alert the authorities but more importantly- me. I’ll come- no matter what.” He says, softly placing a lock of hair behind your ear. The soft gesture brings heat to your cheeks and you can’t bring yourself to even look him in the eye in fear of a full blown blush erupting across your cheeks.

“Thank you Shinsou.” You manage, before hopping into your car, giving a light wave to Shinsou as you drive home.

…

Eyeing the door that he saw Kari pop out of, Shinsou slides the card over the reader and opens his door. The phone in his pocket begins buzzing, and he has a suspicion on who’s calling.

Jirou, Kyoka Calling

Her name buzzes across the screen. Of course. His married lover, his ex-girlfriend, and his fake girlfriend all manage to get a hold of him this weekend.

“What’s going on, Jirou.” A part of him thinks maybe Kari did leak something, or the paparazzi somehow caught a photo of him being too cozy with you and it’s reached back to Jirou.

“Shin-” There’s some scuffling on Jirou’s end. “I’m going on tour.” What’s that gotta do with me? Is the first thing Shinsou thinks. The air is still in the hotel room, as if the room is frozen in time without you.

“You’re going to have to attend a few shows- to show your support.” Jirou continues, not bothering to wait for Shinsou’s response. He sits on the edge of the bed, rolling his neck to the side and feeling the satisfying crack of his bones.

“Why do I feel I can’t say no?” He teases. He knows why.

“You don’t have to show up to all of them- just a few. Let me know which ones so we can plan-”

“Can I bring a friend?”

#shinsou x reader #bnha shinsou #shinsou hitoshi #bnha fanfiction #shinsou x y/n #shinsou is the other man #shinsou hitoshi x reader #sillicon valleyau #shinsou is 420 friendly

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pluttskutt · 10 months ago

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Proud Of Tag Game

Rules: Post a snippet you’ve written that you’re proud of and tag 5 people

"We have to end this," Ayden says.

"Not a friend then?" she wonders, socking the monster in the jaw.

"No, you… forget it, but we have to stop it… Permanently!" he says, slashing at the legs with his scythe. He looks around like he's looking for someone. Kari isn't in sight, nor is Adina.

"I have a grenade."

"That'll work, yeah."

Oliver has no idea what a grenade is, but whatever it is it seems to make Ayden happy. She just wanted to kill him a second ago and now they're working together? What kind of person is that? How can Ayden trust her just like that?

"Also, you're under arrest for crimes against humanity—" she ducks an arm trying to capture her.

"Sure, sure, just end this!"

"Keep that mouth open!" she orders, punching the monster again. She seems to prefer it to her weapon. Strange, Oliver finds her, or rather peculiar and bizarre.

Ayden looks at the monster and closes his eyes. "Athea," he whispers, then runs forward. He jumps up like a rabbit and latches onto the monster's jaw, dangling in the air and pulling it down with his weight.

She throws a grey orb. It hits the monster's mouth. "Watch out!" she yells, turning to Oliver. She crouches over him, hands covering his ears.

A loud bang sounds as bits of burning flesh fly everywhere and land in the cold snow. is heard. Like tinder, the blackened pieces fizzle out.

Tagging: @thebejeweledwatercat @queerlilchinchin @amaiguri @mysticstarlightduck @wordwings @jezifster no pressure <3 + open tag as always!

#proud tag game #wip: witches be witching #ninnis writing #original writing #fantasy writer #i made this game weeks ago and haven't seen it around so im taking matters into my own hands

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imnotgoinganywhereok · 1 year ago

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Are you also annoyed that all photo posts display as text posts ever since tumblr changed the post creator? I looked at my posts I've made since the start of Serafin's independent life and they horribly degraded in quality, at least in comparison to the older posts. That's so weird!! I researched and it's because of the new system's format, and there's no workaround for this issue. This low key sucks, ngl :^(

Welcome to another Owl update!! As I mentioned in my last post, it was time for Baltazar to create and procreate. Here are the results!! Firstly, I'd like to introduce a new Servo that Baltazar built: Mirage Owl. (Yeah, he's totally not named after the Transformer from Rise of the Beasts which was a total banger movie). His randomised traits are: Cheerful, Family-oriented, and Music Lover. At first, Bal made him only for Dominika so she can have someone to talk to when... Bal doesn't want to talk to her. (×-×) I wonder if him getting a Public Enemy aspiration will cause the household new troubles...

After a week or so, Mirage received a different job: being a 24/7 nanny for Baltazar's new children!! Four more beans in the house, making the current household's size 7 out of 8 now. Introducing generation 18: Izar, Kari, Jupiter, and Juno Owls!! They're technically the same age because all four are science babies. I finally got to use this impregnation method and I must say it's verrrrry convenient - especially for someone like Baltazar who doesn't like the whole pregnancy mumbo-jumbo. Here's info about the children, by age:

Izar Owl - his other father is Ramon Briscoe (a spellcaster), and the child is a spellcaster by birth. He's incredibly similar to Ramon in most aspects, but got pointy ears from Baltazar (can't help alien genes). His name means a "star," there's also a binary star in the northern constellation of Boötes named Izar!!

Kari Owl - her mother is Katy Boles (human), the child turned out half-alien. Of course she got green skin (´×ω×`). But the hair and eyes colours are clearly like Katy's, so it seems she mixed well. Her name comes from one of Saturn's moons of the same name. Also means "blessed" from Greek name Makários.

Jupiter Owl - his mother is Pearl Pink (another alien). His skin is purple like his mother's, ears are pointy. He's named after one of the planets in our Solar System of the same name. Also references Roman god of light, the sky, and the weather.

Juno Owl - her mother is Pearl Pink (another alien). Her skin is purple like her mother's, ears are pointy. She's named after a NASA space probe orbiting around Jupiter. Also references Roman goddess of marriage and the queen of heavens.

Phew, that was a long one!! Time flies and it doesn't stop, meanwhile I'm just trying to make it until the end of the week. Living is such a chore, I can feel my time slipping through my fingers!! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this post. These children were actually born on 4th of September, and I didn't play Sims 4 too much lately. A lot has happened since that time. Wish me luck and strength so I don't go crazy over here!! (╥◡╥) Be safe and happy Simming!!

#the sims 4 #strangerville

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theuniversalscat · 1 year ago

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Did you hear the latest?! (I’m starting a rumor…) Ellen is now changing her last name! She is not taking anyone else’s that I know of, because she doesn’t steal, as a matter of fact she’s extremely giving and philanthropic on many levels. She’s a person who opens her heart to love very readily, and celebrates life. It’s a very inspirational energy that she chooses to embody, which is cool, but, I digress; she will now be known not by a symbol, well, if it is a symbol, I don’t have a clue, but when you think of it it does conjure up a mental image, but it’s not technically a symbol per say…unless it is in another part of the world, and to that I claim ignorance not in a rude, mean way, but in a “I dunno cause never been exposed to it before and if I was then I’d know” way. So, if her new last name is a symbol, my apologies for not being up to date with what it may or may not be, depending on if it is or isn’t one.

Right! Now, what is this new gossip that is not currently going around about Ellen stealing but not a new last name that is or isn’t a symbol but does create a mental image that is different for everyone who thinks it?

First I must say, that I strongly oppose gossip, as it really isn’t an energy that furthers anyone’s happiness, it usually tends to drag everyone down…. Feel that?! I’m getting… slower… more muddled…. Less clear… quicksand-y. Why do they call it quicksand? If someone or something falls in there, you sink very very slowly, no? There’s nothing quick about it, really. And you yell, and usually no one is there to save you, BUT, there is usually a very old tree with a wispy vine JUST long enough for you to hold onto and pull yourself out, and a camera person to witness and film the whole ordeal, not help, mind you, just document the happenings (i think more camera people should get involved in helping instead of being a voyeur to shame the people who need help… it would really bolster the world’s positive vibration) so I can tell you this with somewhat authority. Whew! That was a close one! I narrowly escaped the quick slow sand gossip! Thank goodness for the proverbial “vine” of a “run on paragraph free association-thought process”, and quicksand moving on the slower side…

Ah yes! Ellen (not) formerly Degeneres, (not) changing her last name to something different. And no, it’s not Smith, cause Will and Jada and family have that, along with millions of others that they share with, and it’s not “Brooks” cause lord knows that’s a whole other non specific set of confusion right there! which Brook is it? How many are there, and Where? I mean… the absolute generalization of it all… I’ve discussed this at length, my own really, but it’s just too vague to continue without any concrete information that doesn’t come from myself… And Jones! There’s a whole truck commercial about all the joneses out there…

No, Ellen’s new “non” last name is extremely fitting to her chosen personality and positive energetic position…. And that new last name is…

George Carlin: Kari?

Kari: Yeah?

George: why the f*ck are you writing this about Ellen when there are a number of other non celebrity people out there that deserve the recognition?

Kari: Look George, I agree that there are a whole lotta people out there contributing a lot of wonderful things to the world behind the scenes, and Ellen was one of them before she hit it big. She has been through a lot trying to be her true self in both her public and private life without selling herself out, not to mention the fact but I will that cause I’ve already typed it that she’s also very kind to people, and I respect that. So that’s why.

George: Yeah. I agree she’s very cool. Proceed.

Kari: So, You’re giving me permission to continue?

George: sure. Don’t let me stop you.

Kari: you already did! You interrupted the flow of energy! The positive momentum I was creating…

George: you were saying that she was changing her last name. And that wasn’t true. Ellen is NOT changing her last name, people. She has been and forever will be Degeneres.

Kari: ok, I was trying to cleverly make a punny point with this piece, George. Now the flow is just caca…

George: it’s not done yet, Kari, turn this caca around…

Kari: that’s very “De-generous” of you, George. Does spelling count?

George: yes. And actually I heard that’s Ellen’s new-old last name….

Kari: you don’t say….

Scene. 👍😉

#life blogging #love #feel the love #love is all around #peace #love is #ellen degenerous #a Bieber is not a bird #not like a puffin #i celebrate #kind and degeneres

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karikitdemonrp · 2 months ago

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Kari just sat in place on the outside, noting the villains present glancing at her to be sure she didn't run off. Maica and Tomura just talked in the next room with a third person over a video call.

Internally however, Kari was being guided by Shade's echo to the edge of Kari's area. "Ya know." Shade hummed. "This place will get bigger the more quirks you copy." She informed and Kari looked back. It was a fairly small area with what few quirks she had already all pretty visible. Shade's echo smiled softly at Kari then came to a stop. "Alright, this is as far as I can go. Mother is just beyond this door." Shade informed and glanced at Kari, who was staring up at the decorated sliding paper door.

"... I wish you could come with." The child muttered softly, looking up at the echo of her sister. "But... at least I get to meet mom for the first time... kinda?"

The echo nodded slightly, giving a small sigh. "Mother has been waiting for this day I think." She said then moved to take a step back so Kari could leave. "Just be yourself, ok? Mother already loves you." With that Kari nodded and went through the door. Immediately she noticed how vast a room full of quirks could be. The child was a bit overwhelmed by the sight and gulped, stepping in only to hear a voice.

"Kari? Kari you're here! Finally!" Soon a woman with long golden hair and emerald green eyes came running with a wife smile. She wore a purple long sleeved shirt and a long dark green skirt that had a slit cut into the left side. She didn't wear shoes which was apparent due to the fact that her skirt flew back as she ran to greet her daughter. "Oh I've been hoping to meet you for so long and I---" Mikomi slowed to a stop, moving to kneel down and look into Kari's eyes. The woman frowned. "Oh... My sister got to you." She muttered in a somber voice.

Kari could barely muster a nod in response as she was filled with emotions. She was happy to finally be able to meet her mother. But at the same time, this was only an echo of who her mother once was. She would never be able to hug this woman, never be able to cuddle with her or have her be there in the real world. It was very bitter sweet. "I... I've always been told we have similar features." Kari managed to say while holding back tears. Mikomi looked Kari over and reached out, instinctively wanting to comfort the daughter she never knew in life, but stopped, knowing the outcome. "They were right. And it's ok. I know you can't touch me." Kari muttered sadly, moving to hug herself a bit and glance away. There was a long silence. Both wanting to say so much but neither sure how to say it or even able to summon the words.

That was when Mikomi managed to break the silence. "I... I'm sorry I couldn't be there." She said softly. A tone so somber and filled with guilt. "I wanted so badly to be there. I truly did. I wanted to be there and see you grow up. To help you hone the quirk I passed down to you." Mikomi began to cry. "But believe me when I say I've always been here. Watching over you as best as I can like this." She muttered softly, taking a deep breath to control her emotions. Kari looked up at Mikomi and gave a small nod, smiling a tiny smile.

"I know... I mean... I know now." She said softly. "And it's ok. I may have been alone for a while but I've found some really great people. One of which I trust with my life. I bet he's on his way now." She said and Mikomi gave a relieved smile.

"I saw. I'm glad you finally have a new family. Now, c'mon. Someone in the far back wants to meet you." She said and stood up, gesturing for Kari to follow. "We can talk on our way there." She said and the two walked along, chatting. Well, it was mostly Mikomi chatting and telling Kari stories while the child listened.

The two soon found themselves in front of a door, this one a dark oak door with a golden doorknob. Kari looked up at Mikomi and blinked. "Thank you, mom." She said then went to open the door.

"Be careful. I'm sure Hawks wants to be sure you're ok." Mikomi said and watched Kari walk onward.

//I was thinking that Kari would fight Hawks or something cuz mind control while internally Kari learned a lot of the stuff we talked about already.

Hawks spent some time with the fans, before he looked back at the café. He had an odd feeling and brushed it off at first, but then his instincts kicked in.

The feeling of unease crept up his spine and he brushed the fans off as he hurried to the café and looked inside, not seeing Kari. Oh, not good. He reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone, dialing her number. The call rang through, but no answer.

That didn’t sit right with him. Kari never blew him off. And he wouldn’t have left without him. Taking to the sky, Hawks’ sharp eyes narrowed, scanning the streets below. His mind raced as he tried to figure out where she would go, or where she would be forced to go.

Then it hit him. The feather.

He had given Kari a single feather from his wings a while ago. It wasn’t just a token of protection; it was a way for him to keep track of her if things ever went south. His heart raced as he closed his eyes and focused. He could still sense it, a faint connection like a soft whisper in the back of his mind. But something was wrong—the feather wasn’t where it should be.

With a flash of his wings, Hawks shot up into the sky, his feathers trailing behind him, sharp and deadly. He focused harder, letting his instincts guide him. The connection was faint, but it was there, pulsing, almost like it was calling for him. He pushed himself to fly faster, darting between buildings and over rooftops…

(All I could think of, hope it works. :)

#rp #Pure Tiny (Kari)#toranoya

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thequeenofthedisneyverse · 2 years ago

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Mi Nino au

This au was inspired by @gamerbearmira au mamabel. I created this just out of boredom and I wanted to see how things would play out if Antonio saw someone who isn't a madrigal as his mama.

Ok, so this au starts when Antonio is about 3 months old and Alma asks a well-known babysitter if she could care for him while Pepa and Felix were out. Her name is Jade Garcia. But she's not alone, She has a 10-year-old daughter named Sakari.

Jade was more than happy to care for him and so was Sakari. Kari took more than a liking to Antonio. She would often say things like "I'm his mama now" or "I'm his mama I got it!". Jade thought this was funny so she didn't dare to say anything.

Camilo and Mira know of Sakari and are great friends with her, best friends, siblings even. It's often one or both of them are around her. Either Mirabel doesn't have anything to do or Camilo is done with his chores. But it's most common when both of them are around. Jade will take Antonio for a while and let them play together.

Antonio starts calling Sakari Mama'ari at about 1-2 yrs old but she didn't dare to stop him. Mira and Cami noticed this and didn't see a problem with it since Dolores didn't say anything. And we all know she couldn't keep a secret even if she was paid a trillion dollars.

So they figured she must not care, didn't care enough to listen in on them, or didn't have time to.

Kari wasn't quite sure how to deal with it at first. Of course, she loved it but she was also concerned about how Antonito's family might act if they find out. But she had a sudden realization that they don't pay enough attention to him or her to care so she got over that.

It's when Antonio's 5th birthday shows up and lots of things go haywire. She starts a fight with Isabela, then Alma, then Antonio's parents, and soon that involves her, jade, Camilo, and Mirabel running away.

like I said this was made out of sheer boredom. If you like this please leave a like and/or comment if you don't...scroll on. If you have any ideas, questions, or prompts my ask box is open.

#Mi Nino au #antonio madrigal #mirabel madrigal #camilo madrigal #encanto au #isabela madrigal #alma madrigal

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upthenorthmountain · 3 years ago

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Where the World is in the Making - Chapter 13

I wrote this for the Summer 2021 Frozine, huge thank you to @punkpoemprose for putting that together! And to @karis-the-fangirl as always. Here we go

Previous Chapters

Chapter 13

The Solheims had been good people. Still were, Kristoff was sure. It was Mrs Inga Solheim who had nursed his mother through her last illness, who had said to Kristoff, after - Well, get your things together. Don’t you want to see what it’s like out West? And he had - not that he had anything else to do or anywhere else to go - so he’d pulled together the few things that he was sure were his and joined them in the back of their covered wagon. They’d inched their way across the country, along with the other two wagons of Solheims (all three were brothers, and each had a wife, and between them six children when they set out and seven when they arrived, not counting Kristoff), and he’d been quiet and anxious, desperate to prove he could be useful, that he was worth taking all that way. He’d worked hard for them and learnt a lot, and until the day he died he’d be overwhelmingly grateful for the chance they’d given him.

And now, for something else.

There was an interesting item in the newspaper last week, Mrs Solheim had written. An article about how there aren’t enough women out West. Good men with good farms who can’t find a wife. And some have apparently been placing advertisements in the newspaper to find one! What an idea! But it seems some have been successful. You should try it, Kristoff! I’m sure you must be lonely.

What an idea, indeed. He’d rolled his eyes and ignored it, but she’d mentioned it again, and again, and eventually he’d done it just so she’d stop. He’d never in a million years thought he’d actually get an applicant. He hadn’t thought he’d wanted one.

Anna was weeding the vegetable garden. The plants were all full-grown now, tall and green, and she was kneeling - she never had much regard for her skirts - between them as she worked.

With her help, he’d been able to repair the fields after the storm, and lost far less than he’d feared. With her help, the chickens were happy and gave plenty of eggs; the cow was happy and gave plenty of milk (and the goat was happy, too, though his high spirits were not usually a cause for celebration). With her help, the garden had flourished, and was producing enough that she and Elsa had already spent a day with Marta Ogg preserving and canning and would have plenty more to put up before the season was over.

Anna suddenly jumped back onto her heels with an “Ouch!” and Kristoff hurried over.

“Are you alright?”

“Oh - yes - thank you -” she peered at her finger. “A little bit of something just ran under my fingernail. But it’s not bleeding so I guess it didn’t go too far. Is it nearly dinner?”

“I’ve been out in the fields, you tell me.”

“Elsa’s cooking. I keep thinking I smell something but I can’t work out what.” She waved her hands at him until he backed up, then shuffled along on her knees to the next section of the vegetable bed. “I like it when she cooks. She’s a much better cook than I am.”

Kristoff opened his mouth and then closed it again, choosing to kneel next to her rather than speak. Anna laughed. “Thank you.”

“I don’t mean - the two of you have different talents.”

“Okay.”

“You complement each other.”

“Well, maybe that’s true.”

“She wouldn’t have much to cook without you here, doing this.”

Anna sat back and hugged her knees. “Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m here,” she said. “Sometimes everything before seems like a dream.”

She looked at him, and no matter how muddy her skirts or how much of the dirt had found its way to her face, her eyes were always that same perfect clear blue.

“And I’m glad,” she said. “I’m glad I’m not there any more.”

“Glad to be out of the city? Away from - people that were unkind?”

“No, you don’t understand. Before…” Anna sighed. “I didn’t do anything. I mean. I called on people, and I went out and danced and talked to more people, and I embroidered and I looked pretty and none of it had any point. Nothing I did made anyone’s life better, or easier. I was just - passing the time. My whole life. Looking pretty and passing time.”

Anna sighed again, then reached over and plucked another weed from the soil.

“There you go,” she said. “I pulled up one weed, and I’ve already been more useful than I would have been in a whole week back in the city.”

“You like to be useful.”

“I don’t like to be useless. Or pointless.”

They both sat there, among the green plants, beneath the endless sky. Kristoff could feel it, building, and he was leaning in towards her ever so slightly when Anna said abruptly, “I want to mean something,” and turned her eyes to his again, blue as the ocean and clear as the running stream.

It’s slow, sometimes, but it wears away bit by bit - or comes crashing through all at once - and nothing is the same after.

He leant towards her again, just as Elsa called them to the house for dinner.

-----

The narrow bed in the tiny room was familiar enough now. It almost felt cosy. Before coming here Anna had had her own bedroom for years, but it had never been quiet - there was always noise on the streets outside, or people passing in the corridors. Out here, being alone would have been deathly silent without the sound of Elsa’s breathing.

It wasn’t silent outside tonight, though. She could hear someone singing.

Or rather, not ‘someone’. It was a man’s voice, and there was only one man within miles, so it must be Kristoff singing. Anna couldn’t make out any words. She’d heard him whistling before, around the farm, but never singing.

She wriggled out of the bed. Elsa stirred and opened her eyes.

“I just need to, um,” Anna said, knowing that Elsa would assume she was going to the outhouse; sure enough, her sister gave a little nod and closed her eyes again.

The summer air was warm and Anna barely regretted not picking up a shawl. As she pushed the barn door open she felt a brief pang, remembering another night that she’d come out to the barn in her nightdress - but that quickly disappeared, replaced by the sight in front of her. Kristoff was sitting against the far wall, with his straw hat upside down in his lap, and the hat was full of kittens; and he was singing to them in the warm glow of a lantern.

Anna stood there for one long, breathless moment. She didn’t know the song. She didn’t even know what language it was in, although she could guess that it was Norwegian. It was a soft song; a lullaby. The kittens seemed to be appreciating it, cuddling up together in the hat, and for a second Anna thought she was going to cry. Then Kristoff finished his verse, looked up and saw her.

“Anna,” he said, and cleared his throat, sitting up straighter to a chorus of irritated meows.

“I heard you singing,” she said, walking all the way into the barn and closing the door behind her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you -”

“You didn’t. What song is that?” she said, sitting down next to him and tucking her feet beneath her.

Kristoff looked at his hands for a moment. “My mother used to sing it,” he said.

“When you were little?”

He smiled. “Yes.” He hesitated again, then said “I don’t want to forget it.”

Sometimes Anna got so caught up in the everyday that she forgot all kinds of things. Like, for example, the fact that they were both orphans. She knew Kristoff’s childhood had been very different to her own. If she tried, Anna could remember her mother tucking her into bed with a soft lullaby, but she could more often remember a nursemaid putting her to bed and blowing out the candle. A goodnight from her mother was usually a brief kiss; a goodnight from her father was a nod. And every day it grew fainter and her memories rearranged themselves to match the handful of photographs in the bottom of her and Elsa’s trunk.

It was better to think about the present and the future than the past. She knew that. And her mind obligingly presented her with an image - Kristoff singing that lullaby to a baby. Or maybe to an older child, as he tucked the blankets around them, and then he’d look at his wife and smile -

Anna turned her face away - she knew she was blushing. Now she remembered long ago asking a nursemaid where babies came from, and being given a confusing story about storks and cabbage patches and parcels sent directly from Heaven by God Himself. Now she was here in the warm soft lantern glow with her husband, and when she looked up he was watching her. He’d nearly kissed her in the vegetable patch earlier, she was sure. Not too far from the cabbages. The thought made her laugh and she swallowed it in a yawn.

“You should go back to bed,” Kristoff said. He’d put his hat down, and the kittens had escaped; one was sitting on his foot.

“I’m not tired,” Anna said, sitting up straighter. “I couldn’t sleep, actually.”

“Really? I thought I was working you hard enough. Obviously not.”

“I’m surprised you can sleep out here at all.”

“I’m used to it.”

“It’s not fair. You work hard too.”

“I’m a man.”

“You’re a person.”

He smiled at her indignance. “Well, if we have a good harvest, maybe I can get some lumber.”

“Mr. Ogg said they’d help!”

“I can manage. I did the rest myself.”

“Mmhmm. Like you darned your own socks. A person can be too self-reliant.”

“What’s wrong with my house?”

“Nothing! Except -” Except we don’t have our own bedroom. No, she would never be bold enough to say that out loud, and now she was blushing again.

If he kisses me now, Anna thought, there’s no one to stop us. Every other person and animal within miles is sleeping. The thought made her heart thump in her chest, and she couldn’t think of anything to say to cover her embarrassment so instead she turned away, pretending she was watching one of the kittens.

She looked up when Kristoff put his hand on her left shoulder. “Anna,” he said, and ran his hand down her arm, stopping at her hand, raising it so that her ring shone in the light of the lantern. There was an ache in her chest when she met his gaze, and everything before this moment felt like a dream. The only thing that was real was right here and now, where all her choices had led her, to the perfect moment -

He kissed her. Anna knelt up, eager, and her slipper fell off and she caught her knee in her nightdress but Kristoff wrapped an arm round her waist and kissed her again. She still stumbled a little, and steadied herself with her arm on the floor; and then it only required Kristoff to make the smallest movement and they were lying on the blanket, side by side.

For a second they blinked at each other, his arm still round her waist, her hand on his shoulder. Then Anna pressed forward again, pulling herself towards him, kissing him with her whole body against his. She half-expected him to draw back, but he didn’t; instead he ran his hand up her back to her shoulders, holding her in place.

She felt giddy. There was no one to stop them and she didn’t want them to. Alright, maybe there was only a rough blanket over a dirt floor and whatever was in that sack Kristoff used as a pillow, maybe this wasn’t exactly how she’d pictured this, but -

But there was someone to stop them, and that was them. Kristoff pulled his lips from hers and rolled onto his back, exhaling deeply. He closed his eyes for a long second, then opened them and held out his arm. Anna hesitated.

“Come here,” he said. “You didn’t - do anything wrong. It’s just…”

Not like this, was what she knew he meant. As her heartbeat slowed back to normal, Anna realised she had a piece of straw poking her through the back of her nightdress, a kitten trying to climb her braid and a draught through a gap in the boards going places she wouldn’t care to mention. Much as she wished right now that her husband was slightly less considerate, he did have a point. She wriggled over to Kristoff and lay down with her head on his shoulder, smiling a little as she felt him pull the pointy straw off her back and throw it away.

He put his arm around her, his hand on her waist. Anna could hear his heart beating, feel his chest rise and fall with his breathing. It was so comfortable.

She opened her eyes when Kristoff said “Hey. Anna. You don’t want to fall asleep out here.”

Maybe she did. “I‘m good.”

He opened his arm to release her. “Go to bed. It’s late.”

“You don’t want me to stay?”

He looked pained. “I want you to go to bed.”

So she left and went inside. But when she got into her bed, it somehow felt at once both too small and too empty.

#WTWIITM #where the world is in the making #my art #fanfic

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mrsalwayswrite · 4 years ago

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To Call Forth Love- Chapter 8

Guys, I’m so sorry this chapter has taken me so long to get out. My family was sick for awhile (nasty stomach bug) so i barely had any time to write, and then this chapter took me forever to edit. Plus this chapter just kept getting longer and longer…oops?

Also, writing sexual tension is my jam but writing actually smut terrifies me. There is a bit of mild smut in here (spoiler) so feedback is always appreciated!

Lastly, a huge thank you to everyone specifically who has commented! I cannot tell you how much your encouragement means to me!

Warnings: mild smut, swearing, Ivar being Ivar, fluff

Words: 12,000 (omg, what??? why didn’t someone stop me?)

Tag List: @youbloodymadgenius @heavenly1927 @zuxiezendler @punkrocknpearls @love-all-things-writing @southernbe

Series Masterlist

Kari blearily reached over to turn off the alarm on her phone. It blared from the small table she used as a nightstand. Though she considered herself a morning person, there was something about waking to an alarm, forcing you to jolt to wakefulness, that was never easy to do. Laying on her back, she rubbed a hand down her face, eyes still closed. At least she was not opening the studio this morning. Sasha was back so most of the openings did not fall on Kari anymore. She would never tell her boss but those two weeks were rough.

"Fuck. What time is it?"

Immediately, her eyes flew open. In the next second, she shrieked and thrashed in the bed, not expecting a deep, gravelly voice coming from her bed. Why was someone in her bed? She definitely went to be alone last night. She always went to be alone. Panic surged through her as she spun around to put space between herself and her unexpected companion. Although the rapid movement, and still only being half awake, caused her to almost fall off the side of her bed. She just managed to catch herself, leaving her half sitting, half crouched like some gargoyle at the end of her full-size bed, clutching the pale lavender comforter and white sheet gathered precariously around her.

"What the fuck was that for?" Her visitor growled as he laid on his back, an arm thrown over his face.

"Ivar?" Her panic was slowly abating as she realized it was not some stranger in her bed. Though her mind still felt muddled as to how he ended up here. "What…. what are you doing in my bed?"

"I told you last night. Fuck. Did you forget already?"

"I…. I thought I dreamt that."

That got his attention. His arm moved to his side so he could stare at her with those intense blue eyes and a naughty smirk on his lips. "Do you dream of me often?"

She ignored his question, thinking back to the conversation they had during the night. Even though it was hazy and felt more like a dream than any real conversation. Then it hit her. She was not wearing a bra.

"Oh my gods, don't look!" Without hesitation, she rolled off the bed and dashed to her closet.

"What?"

"Don't look!! Ivar, please!"

"Why? Fuck. Stop shouting too."

"Because...because I don't have a bra on!"

He chuckled, folding his arms behind his head to shamelessly watch her. "Mmmm…. I noticed last night."

"IVAR!!"

She grabbed a cute sports bra, feeling beyond self-conscious in her gray, cotton sleep shorts and matching thin, cotton t-shirt. Ignoring the man in her bed, she rushed to her attached bathroom. As she quickly donned her leopard print, strappy sports bra, her mind tried to remember last night. All her mind could recall was waking up with him behind her, they talked…. she questioned him…. he said something about missing her and he had a key. That made her groan softly. Why did he have a key? How did he get a key? Looking into the mirror, she quickly fixed her messy hair, throwing it into a quick bun. So many questions swarmed her mind, all dealing with how to best handle this newfound situation she found herself in. Why could things with Ivar never be simple?

Once ready, well as ready as she was going to be for being startled awake, she stepped out of the bathroom and moved to stand at the end of the bed, hands on her hips. "You have a key."

Ivar had rolled onto his side, eyes closed. "Can we talk about this later? What fucking time is it? Why are we fucking awake?" He grumbled, not even looking at her.

It was now that Kari finally noticed that her bed's current occupant was shirtless. A handsomely toned chest and back were impossible to ignore, making her mouth suddenly feel dry.... and those tattoos.... She rigorously shook her bed, dispelling the distracting thoughts. Now was not the time for ogling. As calmly as possible, she answered Ivar, dropping her gaze to the rumpled sheets. "It's seven and I have to get ready for work."

"Call in."

Her head jerked up to stare at him. "What?"

"Call in to work. Don't go in." He repeated firmly.

"Ivar, I can't just do that. I have to be there in two hours."

He finally shifted and opened his eyes to look at her. It was unfair how handsome he looked lying in her bed with the morning sunlight peeking through the curtains over her window. Now was not the time to think about that. Mentally, she prepared a rebuttal for whatever scathing thing he was going to say, only for it to die dramatically on her tongue.

"Whoa, your eyes…." Subconsciously, she took a step closer as if physically drawn to him. Now with the haze of sleep and panic gone from her mind, she was able to fully see how the typical blue seemed to leak into the whites of his eyes. It was disconcerting to say the least. His intense eyes were now even more extreme.

"I know." He snapped, turning away from her and rolling back to his side.

"No, no, no. You don't get to do that. You already owe me so many answers." She crawled onto the bed and over to him. Although frustrated with him, the way he tried to ignore her and hide his face away made her worried. Gently, she brushed the few loose strands of hair off his cheek. When that did not even get a reaction, she gripped his chin and turned his head. "What's going on?" She asked softly.

"Nothing."

"Ivar, you answer me honestly or I'm going to walk out of this room right now and start getting ready for work."

In an instant she watched as the pain and fear in his eyes morph into anger. His gaze hardened and his lips pressed together as if sealing in the venom-laced words just waiting to come out.

"Ivar? Talk to me." She tried again, but at his furious look, she pulled her hand back.

Silently, he rolled over to the side of the bed. She watched as he reached down and began strapping his leg braces on over a pair of black sweatpants.

"Ivar?"

"It doesn't fucking matter."

"Yes, it does, whatever it is."

With his braces on, he pushed off the bed, stumbling for a moment before catching himself. His back still turned to her, he hobbled over to where his t-shirt, shoes and cane were.

"Please…." Tears welled up in her eyes. It was stupid to be getting so emotional over this. But never before had he shut her out like this. She hated how much it hurt. And it shouldn't hurt this much. Since the beginning she reminded herself frequently she needed space from him. But now that he was pushing her away, giving her that space…. she hated it. She wanted him back, teasing and smiling. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Fuck. Fine!" He spun around, shirt in his hands and flames in his frenzied gaze. "Every few months, my eyes look like this, and it means I'm more likely to break a bone. It happened more often when I was a child. Now I know to just lay around in bed otherwise dumb fucking things happen and my shitty bones break. There. Fucking happy now?"

"Thank you for telling me. And I'm sure you've heard this a million times, but I'm sorry."

At her apology, he yelled and threw his shirt across the room. The shirt slammed into her closed bedroom door. "Fuck your pity! I don't fucking want it!"

The echoes of his shout hung in the air. He stood there with fists clenched and chest heaving, glaring daggers at her. A tendril of fear snaked itself up her spine. A brief memory of Hvitserk warning her came to mind and she wondered if this was what he meant. She remained frozen, sitting on her bed, concerned if she moved it would set him off.

After an excruciatingly long minute, Ivar closed his eyes and roughly ran his hand through his loose hair.

"Ivar, why did you come here last night? Why not go home?" She quietly asked, twisting and untwisting the sheet around her hands.

"Seems I made a mistake." He scoffed, staring towards the window. "I'll leave so you get on with your day."

"Gods, that's not what I'm saying! Ivar, please! I'm just trying to understand. Please just…. just talk to me."

"It doesn't fucking matter anymore." He snarled.

"You said you didn't want to be alone…. last night….at least, I think so." She said hesitantly, more to herself, recalling their conversation, than actually speaking to him. To her surprise, after a moment, he seemed to deflate right before her. His shoulders slumped, head tilted forward to stare at the floor. In the blink of an eye, he changed from a cornered, snarling wolf to looking like a kicked puppy. Cautiously, she crawled off the bed and slowly approached him. The whole time he never moved but neither did he raise his head to acknowledge her. After taking a deep breath, she tenderly cupped his face. Her words were just above a whisper. "Push me away if you want to…. I’m just…. I’m just trying to help. What can I do? Please?"

After a second, he leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers and placing his hands on her hips. They stayed there for several seconds, neither saying a word. Though she could almost feel the internal war being waged within him. His thumbs rubbed back and forth on her sleep shorts. Her hands slipped from his face to the back of his neck, one carding through his hair gently as she gave him time to think.

Finally, he breathed out. "Stay with me…. please."

Her heart fractured at the quiet brokenness in his voice, the masked pleading in his tone. How often was he forced to be alone throughout his life, lacking connection and attention that he so desperately wanted.

"Ok, I'll try and call in. If not, I'll…. we’ll figure something out, alright?"

He nodded, turning his head to nuzzle her temple. She giggled at the sensation and tried to escape but he only pulled her closer. After a couple more moments of teasing, he allowed her to guide him back to the bed, a smile on both of their faces. He sat down on the bed, forearms on his legs as he watched her.

Trying to ignore his focus, which she was positive was not on her face, she grabbed her phone and called the studio. She paced nervously, tugging slightly on her sleep shorts in a vain attempt to cover the amount of her thighs showing, as the phone rang. Thankfully her boss was the one to answer.

"Hi, Lydia. Something has come up. Is there any way someone can cover my classes today?"

"Are you alright?" Her boss asked, immediately going into concerned mom-mode.

"Yeah, I'm fine….um, it's, um…."

The phone was abruptly snatched from her hand. She spun to see Ivar talking on it, an amused smirk on his face. How he had managed to sneak up behind her unawares, she could not figure out.

"Hello, Lydia, yes? You are Kari's boss?" Ivar questioned, taking the couple steps and dropping back onto the bed. "I apologize for inconveniencing you by taking Kari's time. My ride to my doctor's appointment fell through at the last minute, and I have a rare condition which forces me to go get checked often. Kari was kind enough to…. hmmm? Yes."

There was a long pause from Ivar's speech, clearly listening to whatever her boss was saying. Kari was unsure if she wanted to throw something at Ivar or die from embarrassment. As she started to walk past him, still pacing due to nerves eating at her, Ivar grabbed her arm. Next thing she knew, she was bodily yanked onto the bed. Before she could squirm away, he snatched her feet, forcing them into his lap. Pressing the phone against his ear with his shoulder, he began to massage the bottom of her feet. She should be mad at him, she really should but suddenly she felt relaxed and blissed out. His touch was the perfect amount of rough and gentle, kneading and rubbing like it was his profession. A moan accidentally escaped her and she covered her face with her hands, barely hearing the chuckle come from him.

He finally spoke into the phone again. "I understand. Yes, I promise…. that sounds like her. Yeah, I plan on changing that soon…. bye."

He set her phone down on the bed, and continued his ministrations, never ceasing his relaxing touch.

"What, ah, what did she say?"

"She said you've never taken a day off or had a sick day, so you are overdue for one. She hopes I feel better and that you do a good job of taking care of me." He answered then turned his head to look at her with a mixture of shock and bemusement. "You really haven't taken a day off?"

"I didn't have a reason to."

"No reason? I don't know, how about to do something fun? Spend time with friends? Day drinking? Watch movies? Not deal with people? Fuck, there are plenty of reasons to skip work."

"I don't have friends to skip with." She mumbled to herself, her eyes having drifted shut on their own accord. It was a truth she had realized and sort of come to terms with.

He must have heard it though. "You do now." He said with something like a promise in his tone.

She opened her eyes to look at him, his face turned downward to focus on her feet. Now she was able to really look at his tattoos and his broad, sculpted back. The sweeping lines of ink seemed to emphasize the strength apparent in his muscles. It was truly a masterpiece. Her eyes greedily sketched over his bare skin, wondering what it would feel like under her fingers.

"Like what you see?"

A blush warmed her cheeks at having been caught staring. "They're beautiful. What are they?"

"The tattoos? Mostly Nordic tribal designs, some are specifics from the Sagas."

Curiosity burning, she pushed herself up, almost leaning against him with her chest barely touching his shoulder. With one finger, she started tracing one of the designs which began on his back and moved over his shoulder to end on his chest. "Did they hurt?"

He scoffed, head slightly tilted to watch her. "I've been in pain most of my fucking life. This was nothing."

They sat in silence for several minutes, him still rubbing her feet and her tracing his back and shoulder. It felt strangely domestic and intimate, but more importantly, it seemed natural for them to be in this position, relaxed and at ease with one another.

"What do you want to do today?" She asked in a hushed tone, peering up at him.

With a wicked smirk, he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"No! Not that!" She swatted his arm lightly, yet she could not help but laugh as he pouted adorably. "What do you normally do on these days?"

That quieted him. His body tensed slightly under her and he pointedly returned his gaze to her feet. She switched from tracing his tattoos to just running her hand up and down his bare back soothingly.

After a couple of seconds, he answered, his voice resigned and frustrated. "Movies, TV shows, video games, reading. Anything that will keep me in bed and resting. Sometimes my mother or Floki will come play chess with me."

"But you're usually alone?"

His lack of response was telling enough.

"Well on the days I don't work, I always lay around in bed for as long as possible then make a full English breakfast. Should we start with that?" She proposed, hoping that would cheer him up. Honestly, she had no idea what to do for him today, but feeding him seemed like a good start. Besides, her stomach was beginning to rumble.

"Yes, but first…." In an instant, he wrapped his arms around her and tackled her to the bed. She shrieked as her back suddenly hit the bed again which promptly turned into giggles at the silliness of it. A sharp inhale escaped him, silencing her. She watched a pained expression swiftly cross over his face before it vanished, only the lingering hints of pain in his eyes. After a moment, he shifted them so they laid facing one another.

Feeling bold, she touched his cheekbone, gazing into his vivid blue eyes. "I don't know why, but your eyes like this remind me of a crystal ball. Think you can see my future?" She teased.

His hand landed on her hip once again as he grinned. "I can. Want to know what I see?"

"Mmmm?"

"You’re going to kiss me."

She giggled. "I do? You sure that's not just your imagination?"

"I am no mere mortal. These eyes prove my divinity and with that I can see into the future." He leaned closer, his breath fanning across her mouth tantalizingly. "And I see you, with those pretty pink lips, kissing me right now."

Her breath hitched in her throat at his close proximity and the way her mind easily recalled what kissing him felt like. "And what would happen if I do?"

"You'll have to find out. I can't give away everything about the future…. unless you choose to worship me as your god. I can make you my favored priestess and bestow favors on you."

"Favored priestess?"

"It's a highly coveted job."

"I'm sure it is." She deadpanned but unable to keep the amusement from her voice. Overly aware of her actions, she ran a hand down his chest, feeling the muscles twitch under her palm.

The increasingly blurry line between friendship and something more screamed at her. Even just the way they were laying on her bed, the memories from her upbringing reprimanded her actions. Her grandmother telling her chastity was a virtue and to not let a man touch her. How God would frown upon anything remotely sexual outside of marriage. Yet her lips tingled at the memory of his kisses. She could not deny to herself how much she enjoyed them. How sometimes she found herself fantasizing about kissing him and letting him pleasure her again. Which was wrong. They were just friends. Even if the alluring draw to him was irrefutable. A single kiss would not hurt though. Maybe that would be enough to satisfy the heat currently curling in her belly. Hopefully.

"One kiss." She murmured, nervous excitement heating her blood.

Immediately, he leaned closer, his lips just skimming over hers teasingly. Gently, he tugged on her bottom lip with his teeth, drawing a needy whine from her. His hand on her hip tightened as he released her lip, only to press a lazy kiss to her mouth that spoke of contentment and familiarity. Their mouths moved languidly, lips barely parting as if they had all morning to just enjoy the feeling and taste of one another. All too soon, in her opinion, yet not soon enough for now she desired more, he pulled back but just enough to brush the end of his nose against hers.

"I told you, you'd kiss me." He playfully said.

"You're unbelievable."

"I am your god now. You can't speak to me that way."

"Uh huh." She rolled her eyes, then gently pushed on his chest. Following her movement, he allowed himself to be pushed onto his back with a smug look the whole time. "Come on, your priestess is making us breakfast before our stomachs rumble anymore."

"I like this. I could easily get used to this arrangement."

"Sure. You alright going down the stairs?"

"I'm not that incapacitated." He snarked, a flash of anger passing through his gaze.

She chose to ignore that. "Alright, I'll meet you down there."

Slipping off the bed, she headed downstairs to the kitchen. Thankfully her roommate was not at home this morning, otherwise she was baffled how she would explain Ivar's presence to Alana. Soon she needed to figure out what to do in regards to that. Ivar clearly had no intentions of leaving her alone. Plus, the more time she spent with the youngest Lothbrok, the more she found herself becoming distraught at the idea of him no longer in her life. This morning, she chose to ignore that predicament, content with enjoying making breakfast for them.

Humming softly to herself, she pulled the necessary items out for their breakfast. Soon bacon lay on the cast iron pan, the first hints of sizzling filling the air. Eggs and sausage waited for their turn next. The sounds of the coffee pot percolating made her smile as she danced around the kitchen. Distantly the sounds of Ivar moving around upstairs could be heard.

A sudden knock on her door caused her to freeze as she pulled some bread out for toast. Her mind scrambled to try and think of why someone would be at her door this early. Then she remembered.

"Shit! Erik!"

Racing as if on fire, she turned the stove off and hurried to the front door. Yanking the door open, she was met with the sight of Erik standing there in his business casual trousers and a button-down long sleeve shirt.

"Erik, hi. I'm so sorry." She gasped out, holding the door open.

His green eyes swept over her body rapidly before meeting hers. "Um," he cleared his throat, "I thought you wanted a ride today?"

"I do, sorry, did. Ah, something came up. I'm so sorry, I should have text you."

"Ok, is your phone off? I texted you about fifteen minutes ago."

She lied, tugging on her ear nervously. "Yeah, I forgot to charge it overnight. I'm so sorry for making you wait around for me. It's my fault you'll be late to work."

He shrugged, rocking back on his heels, a small smile on his face. "It's fine. My boss is lenient as long as we get our work done and don't miss any appointments."

"Oh good." She smiled in return; happy he would not get reprimanded because of her. He already did so much to help her out. As they spoke, it did not go unnoticed how his eyes continuously drifted down to the large amount of skin exposed by her sleep shorts. Self-conscious, she spoke again, hoping to distract from her body, even as his clear interest made a blush rise to her cheeks. "Is there something I can do to make this up to you?"

"I still haven't thought of how you can pay me back for gas money."

She chuckled at his shy look as he confessed. "We can put this on my tab too. Maybe I'll make you dinner or something?"

Erik opened his mouth to respond when a shout caused his mouth to snap shut.

"KARI!"

Closing her eyes for a moment, Kari silently prayed to whoever was listening for patience to deal with what she knew was about to occur.

The tapping of his cane and loud footfalls were enough for her to know Ivar was approaching. She turned to look at him and immediately wanted to smack her forehead against the doorframe. Of course, he had decided to forgo his shirt.

"Who the fuck is this?" He growled low once he was close, the predatory look in his eyes undeniable. In this moment he resembled a snake ready to strike without hesitation, more than someone who was in chronic pain. Standing there next to her, only wearing sweatpants and the braces over his legs, he was the one who seemed more runway ready than Erik in his business casual outfit.

"Ah, hi, I'm Erik Redsen." He said skeptically, eyeing the dark-haired man like he was unsure if he needed to grab Kari and make a run for it or talk to him about taxes. "I live next door. I was supposed to give Kari a ride to work this morning."

"Well, she won't be needing one anymore." Ivar snapped harshly.

"I can see that….and you are?"

"Ivar. Ivar Lothbrok."

Erik's eyes widened comically as he scanned Ivar with new eyes. "Right. Are you two…. friends?"

Before Kari could explain, Ivar beat her to answering. He shifted behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against him. "You could say that. We have a very…. satisfying relationship. Don't you agree, kitten?"

At this point, Kari was positive her face most likely resembled a tomato. She tried to push his arm off her, but he only tightened it in response. "Ivar." She hissed.

"Mmmm? I'll wait for you in the kitchen. You did promise me breakfast after such a vigorous morning." He planted a hot, open-mouth kiss on her neck before he looked up at Erik with a disarming smirk. "I'm sure we'll see each other again; I plan on being here more often."

"Ah, sure. Nice to meet you." Although Erik sounded anything but pleased as he stuck his hands in his pockets.

Leaning heavily on his cane, Ivar slowly walked towards the kitchen area; though it did nothing to negate the aura of danger surrounding him.

Once he disappeared from view, she let out a sigh before turning back to Erik. "He's just a friend. It's complicated. We don't….um, yeah. He's a friend." She tried to smooth over but even to her ears it sounded weak.

"It's alright. Um, I need to get going. I'll…. I’ll see you around."

"Ok. Hey, think you're free to shop this week?"

He smiled shyly, walking backwards down the short driveway. "I'll check my schedule and text you."

"Thanks. Bye, Erik!"

She closed the door after he saluted her, making sure to lock it. Taking a deep breath, she mentally girded herself for the inquisition that was about to happen once she entered the kitchen. She had to stick to her guns in this. It was OK for her to have other guy friends, there was no rule that said Ivar had to be the only one. Besides, she had known Erik longer anyway, so he would have priority. She doubted Ivar would appreciate that sentiment though.

In the pause before returning to the kitchen, she also tried to use that time to douse her libido. She was upset with Ivar for the clearly possessive action towards her; while simultaneously, between the tight hold against firm body and that salacious kiss, arousal coursed through her body. It was infuriating how her body reacted to even the simplest touch from him. If he knew how much she was puddy in his hands….

Once she felt in control of herself again, she headed towards the kitchen. Ignoring what just occurred seemed to be the best way of handling that awkward interaction. Erik was her friend and that was none of Ivar's business.

The dark-haired Lothbrok sat on a bar stool, leaning on the island that faced into the kitchen. Though his face remained impassive, his gaze was hard as stone, silently demanding her to explain.

Wordlessly, she returned to preparing their breakfast. Turning the stove on again, the bacon started to sizzle. Thankfully, the coffee had finished brewing so she poured herself and her brooding companion a mug each. A little milk and sugar went into hers, and she made sure to leave them in reach so Ivar could fix his own coffee.

Attempting to ignore the obvious tension swallowing the air in the small kitchen, she focused on making their food. Sausages were cooked, along with eggs, toast and tomatoes. She would have loved some black pudding but her roommate refused to let her keep some in the fridge, so Kari was forced to stop buying it. As she silently moved about the tiny kitchen, her mind worked on cataloging what she had potentially for them to eat for lunch and dinner. Which did not consist of much. She could try and make something but cooking was not her forte. Ordering out seemed the best idea. Although she did have popcorn so they were set for watching movies.

Suddenly Ivar's smug tone broke through her thoughts. "Erik Michael Redsen. Twenty-eight years old. Works as a personal banker downtown. Went to school for art history. Well that was fucking stupid."

"Gods, Ivar!" She turned on him, horrified. "Did you just do a background check on him?"

"How much do you really fucking know about this guy?" He demanded with a threatening undertone.

She sighed, trying to decipher if he was coming from a place of possessiveness or actual concern for her safety. With him, it could go either way. Returning her attention to making their breakfast, she put the salt and pepper away as she answered. "Honestly, not much. We don't really hang out. We carpool to the grocery store and sometimes he gives me rides to work so I don't have to take the bus. That's it."

"Take the bus." He mouthed as if it was a foreign concept. He then slammed his hand on the countertop, making her jump at the unexpected noise. “Hell no, you aren't riding no fucking bus. I'll have my driver take you to work."

"No."

"No? No, what?"

"I'm not using your driver."

"Fine. I'll buy you a car!"

"No! I can't…." She turned to really look at him, pushing her ego aside to be transparent. "I can't afford a car right now. We also don't have space for me to have one here. Besides, I don't mind taking the bus."

"I'll pay for everything with your car."

"Ivar, you're not listening! I don't want one! Thank you for offering but I'm OK. I like riding with you in your car but I don't need my own right now. I wouldn't have anywhere to park it anyway."

He tilted his head to the side, looking at her with a peculiar expression.

"What?" She sharply said.

"You don't…." He stopped himself, rubbing a hand over his mouth, as if choosing his words carefully, before continuing. "You really don't care about my money, do you?"

"No, why should I?" She chuckled, putting their food on the two ceramic plates she pulled out. "Honestly, it's kind of intimidating."

He barked a laugh, as he seemed to stare off into space.

A flashback hit her to her conversation with Gyda a couple days ago. She peeked over at Ivar, wondering what Pandora's box she was accidently going to open with her question. "Your ex?" She asked softly.

He tensed for a moment, staring into his coffee mug. For a moment, she thought he would ignore her question or rebuke her for asking. Instead, he silently gave a single nod, not meeting her eyes.

How many times was she going to feel her heart break for this man? How many times did he feel used? Abandoned? Unwanted? At what point did the aloof and cruel mask he wore become a permanent fixture to protect his heart?

Wiping her hands off on a towel, she walked around the counter to come up behind him and wrap her arms around his shoulders. "I promise I don't like you just for your money or name or whatever other stupid thing people have done to you. I like you. For some unexplainable reason, I like you, though you do have the habit of pissing me off."

"You like me, huh?" He teased, relaxing into her embrace.

"Don't let it get to your head. You won't fit through doors anymore."

He laughed loudly at that. "You sound like Floki."

After giving him a gentle squeeze, carefully of his fragile state, she walked back around to finish up the last touches of their food. "I kind of want to meet him but I'm also scared, you know?"

"He's harmless since he doesn't carry around his axe anymore."

"That's…. what? That's not reassuring."

He just smiled…. and somehow, she was less comforted than before.

She finished up their plates, setting Ivar's in front of him on the island, and placing hers in front of the other bar stool next to him. They both began eating, drawing a pleased grunt of approval from her companion.

"I don't trust him."

"Who?" The brunette covered her mouth, having taken a bite of eggs. The last thing she wanted was to spew food all over Ivar. There was no way he would ever let her forget that.

He narrowed his eyes at her as if her question was redundant. "That Erik guy. He wants to fuck you."

"Well, he isn't going to since I'm not interested in him." He grumbled, but before he could speak up, she cut him off. "You, sir, still owe me an explanation of how you got a key to my townhouse."

"Hmmm…. Let's say your property management didn't need much…. persuasion….to hand over a spare they kept on hand."

"I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not."

He winked at her as he bit into a piece of bacon.

Pointing her fork at him, she hoped he understood how crucial this next statement was. "You can't just show up here whenever you want."

Chewing on a piece of toast, he just stared ahead with a cool expression.

"Ivar, I'm serious. We're lucky Alana isn't here this morning."

"I noticed that, where is she?"

"She has an early day at work today."

He hummed, digging into his food.

She opened her mouth to further press on the importance of her statement but changed her mind and sipped on her coffee. He was already moody enough, if she continued to pester him about this, his mood would only darken. Later, she could reiterate her stance. There was no way he was going to give up the key he had. However much she thought it was weird and unfounded for him to have a key, it was just so…. Ivar to think it necessary. That did not seem a battle worth fighting over. Him just randomly showing up, that was something they needed to set rules on.

They finished eating their food and decided to watch a movie next, both keen on the idea of laying around in bed. When Kari reminded him that they would have to use her laptop to watch a movie if they went back upstairs, he grumbled loudly, saying something about fixing that but she paid no mind. After cleaning up, they headed back up to her room. When she went to argue it would be better to watch a movie downstairs on the TV there, she noted how he slowly ascended the stairs, holding onto the handrail with a tight grip, and how he gritted his teeth. Biting her tongue, she kept her comment to herself, instead rushing up the stairs to grab her laptop and set up her bed for his arrival.

He made it to her room but instead of coming to the bed right away, he hobbled over to where his shirt lay. She watched, curious, but also admiring his body. A heat curled low in her belly as she watched his muscles tense and the ink dance across his skin. He was truly a beautiful specimen of masculinity.

With something in hand, he came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Here."

She took it from his outstretched hand, seeing it was the newest iPhone, which wasn't even supposed to be released until that Friday. "How? Wait…. why?"

He unstrapped his braces, setting them on the ground. "I told you I was getting you a new phone."

"You didn't have to; my phone is just fine."

"It's a piece of shit." He grunted as he dragged himself to lean against the wall, in lieu of a headboard. "Besides, this one had better security features. I already programmed some of them and I can show you the rest later. I'll switch your Sim card for you too."

"Ivar…." She started to argue but was cut off when he snaked an arm around her waist and tugged her against him.

"Just say 'thank you, Ivar' and shut up. I want to watch a movie."

"Thank you, oh gracious, benevolent god." She said in a sickly, sweet voice as she batted her eyelashes at him.

"Cheeky." He nipped at her earlobe, causing her to squirm. Pinning her against his side once more, he pressed his mouth to her ear and he whispered in a husky tone. "You can call me that whenever you want."

A bolt of desire shot through her at his voice and the wicked images it painted in her mind. Her traitorous heart began to beat a rapid tattoo in her chest in excitement. Shifting the laptop in her lap to distract herself from her body's unconscious reactions, she teasingly answered. "I'm sure your brothers would love that."

"Fuck them. They know I'm better than they are anyway."

She rolled her eyes at his cocky comment. "What movie are we watching?"

"None of your shit." He snatched the laptop from her, scanning the streaming service. "I'm buying you a TV for your room next."

"No, you aren't." She mumbled, as she shifted to lay down.

Her bedroom was by no means Spartan but it certainly was on the sparser side. Her bed took up most of the space, the only other furniture was the two small tables, one holding her jewelry box and her plants and the other she used as a nightstand. All of her clothes and shoes she kept in the closet, some hanging and some in plastic drawers. Besides the pile of clean clothes in the laundry basket she needed to fold and put away, but she ignored that. Her beloved books were lined up neatly on the windowsill or a couple stacked on the nightstand. The only decoration she had on her walls was a stick-on wall decal that was the quote 'not all who wander are lost' in a flowy script. Even her suitcases and yoga mat were shoved under her thin metal-frame mattress.

There were a couple other knick-knacks around but she had purposefully kept her space simple. Just for the fact if she needed to suddenly pack up and move….it would not be difficult. However depressing of a thought that was.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she laid her head on her pillow, listening to Ivar mutter about the lack of good choices. Eventually he picked out some movie she had never heard of before. He stayed reclined against the wall with her laptop in his lap, a pillow against his lower back. From where she laid next to him, Kari could see the screen but found her eyelids staying closed. To the sounds of gunfire, swearing and some man yelling "motherfucker" often, she dozed off.

*****

When she cracked her eyes open, it was to be met with a pair of captivating eyes already staring at her from the pillow next to her.

"You know you drool when you sleep?"

Absent-mindedly she wiped a hand over her mouth and sure enough found the traces of drool there. "Sorry." She said, voice still coated in sleep. "How long was I asleep?"

Ivar laid on his side facing her, arm tucked under his head and the laptop nowhere in sight. "Almost two hours."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize how tired I was."

"I ordered us lunch. It should be here soon."

"Thanks."

They laid there facing one another. From this angle she was able to admire the tattoos across his chest and the Thor's hammer necklace hanging from his neck. Gingerly, she reached over and touched one of the tattoos on his chest, only for it to jump under her finger and make her squeak in surprise. He laughed as she mock-glared at him, then rolled onto his back. When she made no further movement, he snatched her hand and laid it upon his chest, silently giving her permission to continue her exploration. He placed both of his hands behind his head, eyes intent on her the whole time. With that, she shifted closer, to sit up and gaze down at him. Her hand returned its tracing of his decorated skin, admiring the lines of both color and his sculpted body.

"I always wanted to get a tattoo." She quietly confessed, watching her hand trace the colored lines on his skin.

"Why haven't you?"

She shrugged. "My mother would've been livid. Plus, I could never fully decide on what I'd get. I want something that…. means something…. not just a cute design."

"I'll take you if you want."

"To get a tattoo?"

"Why not?" He sounded almost offended, but the upward tilt of his lips betrayed his amusement.

She giggled. "Ok, when I decide what I want, you can take me."

He hummed his agreement. Her attention returned back to his magnificent body, dragging her finger from his chest up his shoulder, following one of the tattoo's lines. She wondered what kind of tattoo she would get. Part of the reason she never got one was she did not want to go alone and if Ivar was offering to take her, maybe it was meant for her to get one. Something small, probably. She liked the look of minimalist tattoos. Perhaps on the inside of her wrist or her ankle? The idea made her smile. This could be another step for her to choose her own future, to solidify her own identity. Even it felt strongly rebellious compared to the values of her family. She was forging her own path, without their influence any longer.

Ivar abruptly sat up, startling her from her inner musings. In one swift movement, their faces were close enough she could feel his breath on her lips. She sat spellbound, unable to pull away, causing her heart to race. His eyes landed on her lips, eyeing them like a choice morsel to be consumed. His smoldering gaze made her mouth go dry. The tension, the desire, heated the air between them until she wondered if it alone could burn them.

That craving she fought so ardently threatened to overwhelm her. The yearning for his touch, for his lips on hers, to show her what only he could give her. Never before had she been so consumed by someone, to desire them so much she struggled to maintain her vow. It was infuriating, the constant battle. Wanting to draw closer, to give in and allow him to sweep her away. Yet her mind screamed at her to pull away, to maintain the status quo, to only allow friendship between them. Even if that line was blurry at best. It was something at least. A line she needed, to protect both of them.

Forcing herself to pull back, she witnessed a flash of hurt and anger cross his eyes before her gaze dropped to her hand still on his chest. Her breathing felt erratic, matching her heartbeat. They stayed there, caught in a stalemate, neither drawing closer or further away. A dance they subjected themselves to on more than one occasion, each time still as tangible and dangerous as the last.

Luckily, a loud knock on the front door echoed up the stairs, breaking the spell over them.

"I bet that's the food, I'll go…. I’ll get it."

Wordlessly, he dropped back onto the bed, jaw tensed and eyes made of ice.

She quickly retrieved the food from the delivery, surprised to see it was sandwiches, chips and drinks from a local favorite of hers she had mentioned once in passing. She carried the bag and cups upstairs, worried how Ivar's mood would be now. Would the rest of the day be awkward and tense? On numerous occasions, she reminded him they were just friends, even if he seemed to hate that notion….and her heart begged for more. It could not happen.

Entering her bedroom, surprise filled her to see him sitting up in the bed, the laptop next to him queued up to Netflix.

"What do you want to watch?" He asked casually as if nothing had happened.

"Um...have you heard of The Last Kingdom? Some of my coworkers said it's really good." She slipped back into her spot and handed him his drink cup.

"It's alright."

"Would you want to watch it with me?"

"Sure." He turned to slyly grin at her. "Hopefully you don't fall asleep this time."

"I'll try my hardest." She quipped.

They sat up against the wall, eating the food with the laptop near their knees. What potential strain she worried would exist never occurred. A part of her wondered what that meant while another part chucked it up to Ivar's mood swings. Either way, she was grateful.

By the second episode, the trash was disposed of and the laptop moved to the side table. Kari lay back against the pillows bunched behind her, half sitting up, half laying down. Ivar had his head on her stomach, an arm slung over her hips, fingers caressing the exposed skin of her thighs. She ran her fingers through his unbound hair mindlessly as she watched the tv show.

Eventually his arm over her withdrew, his hand drawing random patterns on the strip of skin exposed between her sleep shorts and shirt. Too absorbed in the show and in a comfortable position, she did not pay much attention to his actions. It did not take long for her core to subconsciously start to clench as his fingers slipped past the waistband of her shorts. She tried to ignore it, figuring he was trying to get a reaction out of her. Even if her attention was now split between the show and his provocative touch. His fingers traced her skin just under the waistband of her shorts. After several minutes where she started to relax, his fingers inched a little lower, toying with the top of her underwear.

She knew she should say something, to stop him from touching her but a flood of new sensations prevented her. Never before had anyone touched her like this. Her ex had tried but she refused to let him. Now though, it was as if invisible cords held her down, forcing her compliance. Her body possessed by his simple touch and curious about what he would do next. Her hand stilled in his hair, using it to anchor herself. His hand creeped lower. His fingers lightly grazing her outer folds. Her hips jerked instinctually. His head on her stomach prevented her from moving away. Pressing a soft kiss to her exposed skin, he chuckled lowly. A stirring sensation swirled between legs, something she had only felt one other time. Then with a barely-there touch, his finger traced her womanhood.

"Ivar…." She whined, though if it was encouragement or reprimand, it was unclear.

He lifted his head to look at her as his fingers continued to gentle caress her sex. "Has anyone touched you?"

She shook her head, mouth suddenly dry and words unable to escape.

Staring at her, he slipped a single, thick finger into her sex.

Her eyes slammed shut, a gasp falling from her lips at the foreign sensation. Her back arched slightly as her body made to accommodate the pleasurable intrusion.

"Look at me, Kari. I want to watch you." He commanded,

Her eyes snapped open, meeting his starved gaze. The naked desire in them sent a chill down her spine. Under his gaze, she was paralyzed. Slowly, his finger slid in and out of her. The heat in her belly steadily grew between his actions and his hungry eyes that seemed to feast on her pleasure.

After a few passes, he surprised her by sliding in a second thick finger. Her gasp transformed into a moan at the strange feeling of being full. The lewd sounds of his fingers easing in and out of her and her wetness overshadowed the TV show still playing but ignored by both. Her body began to feel hot all over, sweat forming on her skin. Without her conscious permission, her hips started to rock with his fingers, desperate for more friction, chasing a release only he could give her.

"That's it, kitten, good girl." He praised. His thumb rubbed a circle over her clit, making her body try to shoot off the bed at the sensation though he held her down easily. Whimpers slipped from her lips. Completely pliant under his touch, she made no attempt to escape. The fire coursing through her veins deterred her, the need for more overshadowed her own fears.

Still gazing at her hungrily, he leaned forward and licked her breast over her t-shirt. Her breath stuttered, chest heaving at the jolt of electricity that scorched her. It was all becoming too much and yet not enough. Her hips ground against his hand unashamedly. Lips parted as she panted for air. His hand played her like an instrument, bringing her closer and closer to the edge. This time when he licked her breast with one long swipe, he rubbed her clit at the same time. The sensation was devastating, pushing her over the edge. With a cry of his name, a wave of pleasure overwhelmed her. His fingers continued to pump into her, helping her ride out her orgasm.

Finally she laid there, unable to move, unable to even think. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her lungs fought for air. He chuckled at her, making her flush even more. Agonizingly slow, he dragged his hand out from between her folds, only to pop the two fingers that had brought her to completion into his mouth and loudly suck on them.

"Fuck, you taste amazing." He groaned, still eyeing her with a purely predatory look. Leaning over, he nipped at her breast, then laid on his side next to her.

"What…. what about you?" She managed to ask, the delirium of bliss dwindling.

He raised an eyebrow.

She pointedly looked at the obvious bulge in his crotch and back up at him.

"Have you ever….?" His question trailed off while a crooked smile lit up his face.

She blushed, tugging on her earlobe. "I've...um, never actually seen one in real life."

"Gods, you're so innocent." He chuckled, shaking his head amused. A second later, he rolled onto his back and folded his hands behind his head. When she made no move towards him, he rolled his eyes and taunted her. "Well? Or do I need to pull it out for you too?"

Biting her bottom lip, her eyes darted back and forth between his face and his obvious erection. What was she doing? Her grandmother would be horrified. Yet her curiosity reared its head, encouraging her onward. Somehow, she knew with Ivar, she was safe. Not just physically but safe to explore her sexuality, something previously forbidden. He may be irritating at times and possessive at others but she knew he liked her innocence. And with him, touching him and letting him touch her...it did not feel wrong like when her ex tried. No, it felt like being home.

Before she could sike herself out with her frenzied nerves, she reached over and unbuttoned his jeans then slowly drew the zipper down. "Can…. can we take your pants off?"

"No."

His sharp retort had her whipping her head to look at him. Instead of meeting her eyes, he stared up at the ceiling like it personally offended him.

"Um, ok." She licked her lips, debating as what to do next. She tried to imagine what Alana would advise or even Gyda. Carefully and nervously, she guided her hand into his pants and boxers. Her hand wrapped around him and she found herself swallowing dryly. It was at this moment she was unsure what to do. He must have seen the hesitation on her face. Without a word, he wrapped his hand around hers and pulled his cock out, fully exposing it. Her eyes darted to his face and back down to his member.

"Um…. are they always...this…. this big?"

He smirked. "You're good for my ego, kitten."

That did not really answer her question but she doubted now was the time to probe further. She made a mental note to ask Alana…. hypothetically of course.

Her hand was unable to wrap all the way around his cock. Even though having nothing to compare it to, she was positive this was an impressive specimen. Holding her breath, she gently slid her hand from the base to the tip and back down. His cock twitched against her hand, making her giggle but she kept her focus on it. Slowly she repeated the movement a couple more times. With each pass she began to feel more confident. When noticing wetness gathering at the tip, she ran her thumb over it, smoothing it around and found it helped glide her hand along.

She glanced up at him, since he had not said anything either in encouragement or redirection, only to see a pained expression on his face. Immediately she yanked her hand away from him, terrified she was hurting him. "Are you OK? Am I doing it wrong? Does it hurt? I'm so sorry."

"No, fuck." He grunted then inhaled sharply. "No…. it’s just been awhile."

"Oh." She was not sure what to do with that information, so she focused back on her task. Memories of listening to Alana and some of her friends talk, plus a few movies she had seen, gave her some inspiration as she continued stroking him. Before she could talk herself out of it, she leaned over and gave a little lick to the tip of his cock.

"Fuck!" He shouted, hips jumping, hands gripping the sheets tightly.

Seeing his reaction, she felt powerful, bringing this strong man under her control like this. It was alluring to know with just her hand, he was utterly at her mercy. The sweat beading on his forehead, his chest heaving with his fervid, shallow breaths, mouth slightly open. He was always handsome in her mind but seeing him like this, it was captivating. She continued guiding her hand up and down his member, swiping her thumb along the top frequently to spread his precum.

"Fuckkkk, Kari." He groaned out, hands fisted in the sheets now. "I can't…. ah, fuck!"

Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and aimed towards his stomach. In the next second, his cum shot over his bare skin. Thinking how he continued his ministrations after she finished, she pumped him a few more times until he swatted her hand away. His chest heaved as he panted, one arm thrown over his face.

Silently, she got up and went to the bathroom to grab a towel and clean him up. Making a mental note to throw it in the wash before Alana could smell it and know what happened.

She returned and wiped him up, marveling at what just occurred. In comparison to others, she knew this experience was minor but to her…. she felt so wanton, so scandalous. She could not help the silly grin on her face, even as her stomach turned in knots. It went against everything her grandmother taught her, but she could not regret it. Even if it could never happen again.

Once done, she set the towel on the ground. The youngest Lothbrok silently laid there the whole time, arm over his face. The longer his silence endured, the more confusion and apprehension dispelled her confidence.

Finally, she could not take it any longer. "Did I…. was it ok?"

In the next instant, his arms snaked around her and yanked her back onto the bed. Her squeak of surprise was cut off when his mouth descended on her possessively, as if attempting to steal the very air from her lungs. His body hovered over hers, pinning her to the bed as he claimed her lips completely. The way his mouth dominated hers, forcing her tongue to fight with his, the fire that shot through her body at his touch, was intoxicating. She willingly surrendered to him. Her hands tangled in his hair, keeping his mouth on hers. A needy whine slipped from her when their mouths unlocked, only to become a moan when he trailed his tongue over her neck.

"I want to taste every inch of you," he breathed against her skin, pressing open-mouth kisses that were sure to leave marks on her. "I want to corrupt you in every way imaginable."

Her body arched into his touch, weak and throbbing for more. Even his words shot desire coursing through her. Air seemed unnecessary, only his mouth was a requirement to continue breathing.

"Ivar," she whispered in a slow, shaky breath.

That seemed to clear his lust-fueled haze. He shifted to press his forehead to hers, both panting and lips swollen, evidence of their raging desire. After a moment, he rolled over onto his back, pulling her to lay partially on his chest. His hand glided up and down her back soothingly.

As they lay there, Kari knew they crossed a line. Even if she could not make herself regret it, things had shifted between them. At least for her. They were at a crossroads. The entire time she knew Ivar, they had been toeing the line of friendship but this…. for her, this crossed it. And she was not sure what to think about it. Her mind continued to berate her, reminding her that they could only be friends. And not friends with benefits. She made her vow and no matter what, she promised herself to keep it. Even if it meant losing him. That realization felt like a stab in the heart.

"Ivar, what are we?"

"What do you mean?"

She bit her bottom lip. This was not a conversation she wanted to have, but this limbo, this stalemate they resided in...it ate away at her psyche. Her head told her that friendship was the line they could not pass; meanwhile her heart longed for his affection that he so easily bestowed upon her. Tipping her head up so her chin rested on his chest, she watched him as he stared up at the ceiling, an arm behind his head and the other caressing her back. "We're not a couple…. but we aren't just friends either, I think."

"Who the fuck cares what we are!" He snapped harshly. "I'm Ivar and you're Kari. Anyone with a problem with that can go fuck themselves!"

It sounded so simple coming from him, but she knew whatever was between them was far from simple. He knew her choice of remaining friends. Then a thought crossed her mind that seemed to steal her breath away. "Are there….do you do this with other…. friends?"

"Do you?" Those mesmerizing eyes moved to her, staring at her as seeking to penetrate her mind and witness all her secrets.

"If I said yes, what would you do?" She meant the question to be teasing, to add a lightness to the conversation. Yet soon as the question slipped from her, she knew it was the wrong thing to say.

Instantaneously, a menacing glint entered his eyes and tension coated the air like oil. His body slowly moved, forcing her onto her back and leaving him hovering over her like an angel of death.

"I'd fucking kill them." He declared in a terrifyingly calm tone. His eyes were cold as ice as he stared down at her, his lips pulled back in a snarl. All she could do was stare up at him, scared to move. One of his hands grabbed a fistful of her hair, forcing her head to tip upward and bare her throat. Her breath froze in her chest, unable to pull away, unable to escape his hold on her. "You are mine. Do you understand?"

Tears sprang to her eyes unbidden with how tightly he gripped her. This side of him, this cold fury was more frightening than his fiery anger.

"Yes…" she choked out, as he continued to glare down at her.

After a moment, he let go of her hair, smoothing it down. Then he dropped his face into the crook of her neck, laying on top of her. She could feel his labored breath on her skin.

"I can't…." He slowly inhaled, after he pressed his lips to her neck as if in apology. "I don't share. And the idea of you with someone else…."

Her heart hammered in her chest, the residual fear still oozing like molasses in her veins. His hands held her firmly, like that would be enough to keep her. She stared up at the ceiling, unblinking. They laid there for several minutes, both caught up in their own thoughts. Sometimes she forgot how dangerous he was. Why everyone was so concerned for her safety. But this….it frightened her. This side of him that could so easily switch from fiery wrath to frigid terror. She was unsure what to do.

"Kari, I…." His voice trailed off but she could hear the apology in his voice, even if words failed him. "I'm a selfish bastard."

"Mmmm…." She hummed, lips twitching. Her hand ran through his hair. After a long moment, she quietly asked, "Just Ivar and Kari?"

He pressed another soft kiss to her neck, his other hand seeking hers to entwine their fingers. "Unless you've changed your mind?"

She knew what he meant, and to hear the faint traces of hope in his voice made her words feel like lead as they rolled off her tongue. "I'm sorry."

"Why won't you tell me?"

"It's not…. it’s not worth it."

"Then why do you let it affect us?"

She sighed, knowing there was no way to win this conversation without spilling all of her secrets. "Please, Ivar."

"Fine." He grumbled, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.

Eventually, he started caressing her skin with feather-light kisses as if worshipping her. His lips started on her neck, an occasional nip only to be soothed by his tongue after. Torturously slow, those kisses reached her ear to continue their journey along her jawline. Once he found her chin, his hand left hers to tug on her chin, tilting her face downward to meet his. His mouth hovered overs hers for an agonizing moment before sealing a gentle, sensual kiss to her lips. Their lips moved as if time itself stopped for this moment. No rush, just a silent conveying of emotions that could never fully translate to words. Her mouth and tongue danced a waltz with his, a willing partner even if she knew it was better to leave the dance floor. It called to her, summoned her, and like a spell cast over her, she allowed him to lead.

When he finally released her, lips swollen deliciously, he leaned up slightly to gaze down at her with something akin to devotion. The look made her squirm self-consciously because she wondered if her face mirrored his.

"We probably….um, not…." She stuttered out, dropping her gaze to his chest. Her thoughts swarmed about like a beehive kicked over.

"No." He chuckled in a low and husky tone. "I'm kissing you and touching you. Fucking try and stop me now."

"But…."

His mouth descended on hers in a harsh kiss this time, swallowing her feeble protests.

"Ivar, you can't…." She tried to reason, only to be silenced once again by his possessive mouth, claiming hers.

She yanked her mouth away. "Stop."

This time he nibbled down her neck while his hand squeezed her thigh, rising higher and higher towards her sex. Although she tried to wiggle away, it was impossible. She was no match for his physical strength, nor was her willpower resolute enough to keep her from thoroughly enjoying his seductive touch.

"Stop, stop. Fine. A quota." She gasped out, her body beginning to burn under his assault.

"What?"

"You can…. this is so weird...a kiss quota."

He lifted up to stare at her like she was insane. "You're serious?"

She nodded.

"Twenty kisses per day and they roll over if unused."

She laughed. "No way."

"Too low?" An arrogant smirk played across his mouth. "I know you love these lips. Thirty kisses."

"No! I was thinking like three."

"Three? Fuck that."

"Four."

"Fifteen."

"Ivar, that's too many. We might as well be in a relationship." She giggled. Never before would she ever have guessed she would be arguing over a daily kiss quota, but here she was.

"I don't see a problem with that."

"But we're not."

"Fuck." He nuzzled her temple, letting out a long sigh. "We're just Ivar and Kari remember? Who gives a fuck what others think."

"Five." She amended her number.

"Twelve."

"Six."

"Ten."

"Seven."

"Nine."

"Eight."

He pressed a greedy kiss to her lips as if sealing their agreement. "Eight."

"No roll over."

"Argh!" He finally rolled off of her and laid on his back beside her. "Today's kisses start now."

"What?"

"Yes."

They rested next to one another, staring up at the ceiling. Kari had a stupid smile on her face and wondered if Ivar did too.

"How are you feeling?" She quietly asked.

"Fine." He huffed but after a second, entwined their fingers and brought it up to his lips. "Today was more fun than going to work, right?"

"Well…."

He growled.

"Yes, it was. I never just lay around in bed, but this has been…. nice."

"Nice?"

"Perfect."

"Mmmm. Better."

She giggled at the pure smugness in his voice. "Should we keep watching our show?"

"Unless there is something else…."

"No."

After an apparently necessary kiss from their quota, they started the show back up on her laptop. Her head was on his shoulder and their fingers still entangled. For a second, she wondered if she should be concerned with how completely normal this felt. There was no denying this connection they seemed to have. Cuddled up to him, she relished in the sensation, for who knew how long it would last.

Ivar squeezed her hand. "Did I mention your ass and legs look fucking amazing in this shorts yet?"

"Shut up." He buried her face against his shoulder, flushed with embarrassment.

"You don't believe me?" He snickered, fingers skimming her bare skin tantalizingly. "I can't keep my hands off them, fucking amazing."

"Gods, Ivar, stop!"

Thankfully, he did but only after receiving a kiss in recompense.

*****

A couple of episodes later, and four kisses from the quota, Kari was still cuddled up against Ivar, her head on his chest this time. They had taken a break to make popcorn after they restarted the last episode. Yet, like their bodies were magnetized to the other, they subconsciously drifted back to cuddling once the popcorn was gone. With his hand rubbing up and down her back and his rhythmic heartbeat beneath her ear, sleep waited just on the outskirts of her mind to pull her under. Because of this, she barely registered a knock on her door until it suddenly opened.

"Hey, Kari, I think this Friday we…." Alana's blue eyes widened like saucers when she fully registered the scene before her. She blinked owlishly for a long second before clearing her throat. "Hi, um, Kari, can we talk privately please?"

"Sure." Kari pulled away from Ivar with dread filling her. She had not realized what time it was and now that Alana had seen Ivar…. her mind fumbled to come up with a decent excuse, even though she knew it was fruitless. Each step feeling like she was walking to the gallows, she followed her roommate down the stairs and to the small living room.

"Alana, it's not…." She started, hoping to start the conversation off but was cut off.

"What the hell is going on?" Alana rounded on her, lips pursed and hands on her hips. "I come home and Ivar Lothbrok is lying in your bed, under your covers, shirtless and you're clinging to him like a koala. Tell me it's not what I think it is."

"We're just friends…"

The blonde interrupted again. "Bullshit. Are you two fucking? Tell me right now!"

"No, we aren't. I swear."

"We told you to stay away from him. What's going on?"

"It's...it's a long story."

"I don't want him here."

"Why not? You bring guys here?" Kari asked defensively. Never before had she had a guy over, the whole year and a half they were roommates.

"Because he's a Lothbrok!" Alana sighed, after a quick glance up the stairs to confirm they were still alone, she continued. "You don't…. I don't want you caught up in that world. You deserve someone sweet, and kind…. and who treats you like a princess."

"Weren't you telling me the other day to get out there? Go on a date with Erik?"

"Because Erik is a gentleman. He'd treat you well. He'd probably propose after a month of dating you. He's been smitten with you since last year."

The brunette rolled her eyes but smiled at the sentiment. She may disagree with Alana's viewpoint of Erik's level of attraction to her, but she knew her roommate meant well. The blonde had been pressing her lately to ask him out herself.

Before Alana could say something else, they both heard footsteps coming down the stairs. After a moment, Ivar appeared with his t-shirt on over his sweatpants, shoes on, cane in hand and hair pulled back in a man bun.

"You leaving?" Kari questioned, desperate to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"Yeah, there's something for work I need to do before going into the office tomorrow."

She moved to stand before him, gaze sweeping over his body as if she could read his pain level with just a look. Meeting his eyes, she quietly asked. "You'll be alright?"

He snorted, rolling the cane in his hand. "You sound like my family now."

"Probably because they care about you."

He hummed, ignoring her comment. "You should be getting a box in the mail tomorrow."

"Why?"

"I ordered you some clothes."

"Ivar…."

"My priestess needs to wear more than just yoga clothes." He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "Though, I do love how tight they are on your ass."

She laughed, pressing a hand to his, unfortunately, covered chest and carefully pushing him back. "Unbelievable."

Instead of shifting away from her, he used her hand on his chest to pull her against him. His lips crashed against hers like he needed her to breathe. She clung to his t-shirt as her legs trembled under the reckless abandon of his mouth. Only when she felt boneless did he finally allow her to pull away, desperate for air. With short pants, she gazed up at him wondering where that came from.

"I'll text you tomorrow."

"Oh ok." Was all she could say, her brain still fogged up by the insatiable kiss.

He cupped her cheek, looking at her with something like adoration if seen in anyone else, before glancing over her shoulder at Alana. "Nice seeing you again." Without waiting for a response, he walked to the front door and out of it.

The sound of the door closing seemed to lift the haze over her mind. She turned around to see her roommate glaring at her with arms crossed over her chest.

"Just friends, huh?" She scoffed with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "I don't know what game you're playing with him but I don't want anything to do with it. Apparently, you're not quite the woman I thought you were."

"Alana…."

"Save it." She stormed past Kari and up the stairs to her bedroom.

With a sigh, Kari trudged over and locked the front door. She wondered how true Alana's words were. After everything that happened today with Ivar, was she even the woman she thought she was? Or was he changing her? And was it for better or worse?

She honestly was not sure….and it scared her a little.

#To Call Forth Love #vikings #vikings fandom #vikings fanfic #vikings fanfiction #modern ivar #ivar x ofc #ivars heathen army #ivar romance #ivar the boneless #modern!ivar #modern!ivar x oc #modern vikings #mzwrites

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sincerelytan · 3 years ago

Text

Girlfriend V / S Bestfriend

Girlfriend v / s Bestfriend

Word count: 4245

Prompt: “Free Day” Day 7 of Digiweek 2021

Features Characters: Yamato, Mimi, Taichi, Sora, Takeru, Kari, Koshiro and Joe

A / N: I had written this a while back and thought I would post it during day 7 of free day. Hope you enjoy my attempt at this little humours fic.

Also Today is August 1st - Happy Odaiba Day

@digiweek

Summary: Yamato finds himself in between yet another argument of Taichi and Mimi, but this time Sora has a solution that just might solve the age old question or just make things more awkward for Yamato

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“I hope we are not too late,” Sora commented as she, Yamato and Takeru were making their way to Taichi’s house.

“We are very late,” Yamato replied blandly.

“We would have been on time if you hadn’t taken so much time in picking out a gift for your girlfriend,” Sora shot back caustically. “besides, you asked us for our help.” she further pointed out.

“She’s right you know,” Takeru added; “who knew you would take so much time!” he muttered “in choosing a dress,” last part almost to himself.

“Yeah, whatever,” Yamato said rolling his eyes, clearly having heard what Takeru said.

“Thanks for helping though,” Yamato murmured after a bit of walking in silence. “I really want this date to be special.” And Takeru; Yamato said halting and turning towards his brother, “She better not find out about this surprise.” Yamato commanded Takeru in a playful warning tone, remembering how Takeru had a habit of confiding in her in just about anything and everything.

“My lips are sealed!” Takeru said enthusiastically. “Relax, she will love it! I’m sure, besides your anniversary is next week! He said beaming at a nervous Yamato.

Sensing Yamato still needed some assurance, Takeru added, “You got the black dress, the necklace, you booked the table at Il Ristorante - Luca Fantin,” he stopped and looked at Yamato, “You booked it right?”

“Yes, of course, a month ago” Yamato added.

“And we got the limo, I know because I booked that one, Sora’s going to give you the flowers in the morning” Takeru added counting down the list on his fingers, “We have the perfect coverup story so now,” he continued as they reached Taichi’s house “let’s just hang out with the others and not let her suspect anything.” He said beaming to a somewhat confident Yamato.

Great, poker face, Yamato thought as they rang the bell to Taichi’s door.

When they arrived at Taichi’s all 3 of them were revising their excuse as to why they turned up together and that too late. The excuse was going to be that Yamato and Takeru were held back by their mum and on the way to Taichi’s place they bumped into Sora who was going to say she came from her tennis class that was near Takeru’s place and thus they ended upcoming together.

As it turned out they didn’t really have to worry about their excuses because they could hear Taichi and Mimi arguing while they waited outside for someone to open the door.

“What’s the argument about this time?” Sora asked as Joe opened the door.

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you” Joe sighted back rubbing his forehead.

“Are they finally here?” Kari called out from the room.

“Yeah,” Joe shouted back.

“Tell them to come here and end this now.” they heard Koshiro say clearly sounding annoyed.

“We have been friends forever.” They could hear Taichi claim loudly at Mimi.

“So have we! and we’ve been dating for 3 years now.” Mimi shot back.

“Ha please, you’ll didn’t even talk with each other during elementary school.” Taichi declared assuming his victory.

“So what! I know things that you would never ever know,” Mimi replied back with a smirk, “I am the one that sleeps with him.”

Yamato blushed bright red overhearing this conversation as he, Takeru, and Sora entered the room.

“Are you two fighting; over who knows Yamato better?” Sora asked with amusement.

“Obviously I do!” Mimi smiled as she approached Yamato and gave him a quick kiss.

“Kissing someone doesn’t necessarily mean you know them,” Taichi said shrugging his shoulders. “I kissed Catherine a couple of times; didn’t know she already had a boyfriend.”

“That’s because all you guys did was kiss,” Sora commented back dryly.

“Touché!” Taichi smirked at the guys as Sora and Kari shook their heads.

“Anyway,” Yamato said butting in “I guess I would say, Mimi does know me better than you, sorry Taichi.”

“That’s my man,” Mimi said happily sending an air kiss in Yamato’s direction.

“Whipped” Taichi smirked as he received a glare from Yamato.

“Anyway, I know you are just saying this because you want to continue sleeping with her.” Taichi continued now rolling his eyes at Yamato. “and you know I am right, thus further proving my point that I know him better,” Taichi concluded with his hands gesturing and looking at everyone to agree with him.

As Yamato opened his mouth to argue back, “A quiz!” Sora chimed in quickly.

“I will ask both of you’ll a few questions about Yamato, and whoever answers most of them correctly is the winner.” Sora continued excitedly as Yamato, Mimi and Taichi looked at her with confusion.

“That’s a good idea but obviously Yamato will agree with Mimi and cheat,” Taichi said shooting a look at Mimi.

Before Mimi could argue back to that, “Written cards” Koshiro butted in. “Sora can ask the question, all 3 of you’ll get a card to write the answers and then everyone can reveal the answers that they wrote at the same time, so no one can cheat,” Koshiro explained.

“You can’t be serious!” Yamato said facepalming while Taichi and Mimi were giving it a serious thought.

“This is a great idea” Takeru chimed. “Although technically I am supposed to know him better than both of you’ll.” He said pointing at Mimi and Taichi, “but this way I will find out things I don’t know about you” he added with excitement.

“This is going to be so much fun” Sora smirked with gleaming eyes as she looked directly at Yamato.

“I’m sorry Yamato”, Joe added sympathetically patting Yamato on his shoulder.

While the others prepared the questions, Yamato, Taichi and Mimi waited in the other room.

“Better game up Tachikawa,” Taichi said stretching his neck, getting his game mode on.

“You’re going down Yagami,” Mimi said narrowing her eyes at Taichi.

“Oh Boy!” is all Yamato could mutter.

“Okay, we are ready,” Kari giggled as Taichi, Yamato, and Mimi entered the room.

“Please sit at your assigned seats,” Joe said, pointing to the chairs that had each of their names, a bunch of empty cards, and a marker for them to write with. “This way no one can cheat,” he said as Yamato, Mimi, and Taichi took their seats.

“Rules are simple,” Koshiro continued, “Sora will host, asking you’ll questions about Yamato, you get 10 seconds to write your answers on the cards and when asked you will reveal what you have written after which Yamato reveals his answer, Kari keeps score, and we can see which one of you’ll knows Yamato best.” He finished taking his seat near Joe and Takeru as Sora stood in front of the three participants.

“Welcome to the game of Girlfriend v/s Best friend; a game where Mimi, the girlfriend, and Taichi, the best friend or is it the other way around?” Sora spoke commanding everyone’s attention as she began the game joyfully in her best host voice.

“Anyway, where both will try and answer some questions about Yamato. The person with the most correct answers wins the game and proves to the other that they do indeed know Yamato better.” She continued gleefully.

“Okay, let’s do this!” Mimi said with a determined look on her face.

“Bring it on!” Taichi answered equally determinedly.

“You all are enjoying this way too much,” Yamato said annoyed.

“You have no idea,” Sora replied giggling.

“Starting off with an easy Question, Question 1 for girlfriend vs best friend is What colour M&Ms are Yamato’s favourite?” Sora asked grinning at the three.

As soon as Sora finished asking the question Mimi, Taichi, and Yamato quickly wrote down their answers as Koshiro timed them.

And “Mimi” Sora said pointing at Mimi as Koshiro gave her the nod indicating the time was up.

Blue – Mimi’s card read. “He always snatches up the blue ones while I go for the red ones.” She said smiling broadly.

Blue – Taichi’s card also read “this is too easy.” He said lazily.

“And now for the reveal, Yamato?” Sora asked turning to Yamato.

Yamato sighed and held up his card, where it was written Blue, “remind me why I agreed to this again?” he asked in a defeated tone.

“Because it’s fun and we get to take your case,” Sora said with a bright smile. “Also, I get my revenge on you for dragging me through 20 different shops” She added the last part softly to Yamato while Mimi and Taichi were busy taunting each other. “A point to both Mimi and Taichi” She concluded loudly pointing at Kari who giving a thumbs up and wrote down the score on the board.

“After an easy start moving on to Question 2!” Sora continued with the same enthusiasm; What is Yamato’s favourite food?”

As before all 3 of them wrote down the answer as soon as Sora asked the question and Koshiro began his timer. With a nod from Koshiro, Sora asked Taichi and Mimi to reveal their answers.

Pizza – Taichi’s card read. “obviously” he muttered while showing his card.

Onigiri/Mochi – Mimi’s card read “I know this because I cook for him.” She answered giving Yamato a sweet but dangerous look indicating his answer better be this.

Onigiri – Yamato’s card read. “I like pizza and mochi as well,” Yamato said looking at Taichi apologetically, while Mimi gave him one of her widest smiles.

“Oo bad luck Taichi, looks like Yamato’s favourite food is Onigiri.” Sora concluded in her host voice. “and that’s a point to Mimi." She said pointing at Kari who put another point up for Mimi.

“Whose favourite food is not Pizza!” Taichi said out loud and annoyed as he threw his answer card down.

“We all like pizza but you have an unhealthy obsession with it Taichi,” Kari said sighing. “Seriously I once saw him finish 2 large pizza’s in 1 go,” she added looking at the group.

“Hey, those pizzas were to die for,” Taichi said defending his love for pizza.

“Oh, is it the place you insisted we go for my birthday?” Koshiro asked. “Oh yeah, those pizzas were really good” he agreed, much to Taichi’s delight.

“The very same” Taichi answered happy that Koshiro was there to back him up.

“Which reminds me, we should order some food for later,” Joe said taking out his phone to place an order. “Any suggestions?” he asked looking around.

“Pizza” Taichi answered before anyone else could. “And Yamato my Pizza is on you for not answering pizza.”

“And mine too” Mimi added. I agree with Taichi on this, she giggled much to Taichi’s delight.

“Wait, What! But Onigiri? Fine!.” Yamato said just throwing his hands up and giving up.

“Hey, I am the host, my Pizza is on you as well,” Sora added to the mix.

“I keep the score” Kari chimed in.

“and I time you guys,” Koshiro added.

“and I am your brother,” Takeru said giving his best puppy dog face.

“you guys torture me like this and expect the pizza to be on me?” “Some friends you are!” Yamato started protesting.

“Pizza is on me and Yamato,” Joe said giving Yamato an apologetic look as Yamato put his hands on his face in annoyance.

“As Joe orders the Pizza, we move on to Question 3, What is Yamato’s preferred pizza topping?” Sora continued in her host mode.

“Was that question on the list?” Koshiro asked giving Sora a confused look.

“Well, I just thought of it” she added. “come on guys it’s a relevant question!”

Alright, muttered the three as they wrote down their answers.

“And for the reveal,” Sora said pointing towards her best friend, “Mimi”

Double Cheese – Mimi’s card read. “Yamato really loves cheese”

Double Cheese – Taichi’s card read as well; “you better not answer anything else, our friendship is literally at stake now” Taichi said dramatically.

Double Cheese – Yamato’s card read, “you know it” Yamato exclaimed as Taichi grinned chanting, “Our friendship is saved.”

“Mimi leading by a point, we move on to Question 4,” Sora said laughing at the exchange. “Which is Yamato’s favourite band?”

“And answers,” she said as she got the nod from Koshiro.

Mimi and Taichi held up their cards at the same time

Nirvana – Mimi’s card read, “Yamato absolutely loves them, he also likes Linkin Park though.”

Nirvana – Taichi’s card also read. “Yeah, I remember this from elementary school.” He said shooting a look at Mimi.

Nirvana – Yamato’s card also read. “I think everyone knows this.”

“Apparently they do, adding a point each to Mimi and Taichi.” Sora concluded.

“For Question 5” Sora continued; “Which sport does Yamato least suck at?”

“Thanks for putting it that way,” Yamato said rolling his eyes at Sora.

“My pleasure, and Mimi?” Sora smirked, clearly enjoying her role as the hostess.

Basketball – Mimi’s card read “He loses against Takeru every time,” she said earning a grin from Takeru and a very annoyed “hey” from Yamato.

“Taichi?”

Basketball – Taichi’s card also read. “He really sucks at soccer.” Earning a further “hey!” from Yamato.

“I can beat every one of your asses in Basketball,” Yamato stated as he showed his card that read Basketball.

“and yet somehow you always lose to me”

“Shut up Takeru.” Yamato glared at Takeru as everyone laughed.

“Moving on to Question 6,” Sora continued. “What is Yamato’s favourite guilt trip series to binge?”

Doctor who – Taichi’s card read when Sora called out his name to reveal his answer. “I don’t know why but he loves that show.”

Glee – Mimi’s card read next.

“Mimi that’s your favourite guilt trip series, not mine” Yamato said, showing his card that read – Doctor who.

“but you always watch glee with me” Mimi pouted.

“yes, because you enjoy it, I watch it with you,” Yamato said smiling at her, at which she further pouted.

“Looks like Taichi knows Yamato’s Tv preference here better than Mimi” Sora concluded. “With a point to Taichi, he is now caught up with Mimi.”

“And for Question 7,” Sora continued in her best hostess impression. “If Yamato could have anyone’s superpowers from the Avengers team, who’s powers would he want to have?”

“Great question!” Kari said looking at Koshiro, who had suggested the question. Blushing at Kari’s comment, Koshiro nodded to Sora as the time ended.

“Mimi? Your answer please” Sora asked her friend.

Captain America – Mimi’s card read as she looked at Yamato with a dreamy expression.

“Oo Captain America, that would be a hot choice,” Sora giggled. “Taichi?”

Iron Man – Taichi’s card read. “Please, Yamato is more like Tony Stark, also he’s the coolest.

Thor – Yamato’s card read. As everyone gave him a bland expression. “What?” he added.

“Seriously? I thought you like Captain America, you have a keychain of his shield” Mimi squealed, somehow offended, “also he’s the hottest! and you definitely have the Ass, perhaps not America’s but definitely Japan’s Ass.” Mimi added winking to a very red Yamato.

“Hmm I don’t know, maybe; Yamato, give us a twirl now, will you?” Taichi said trying to check out Yamato.

“And deleting that image from my mind,” Takeru said making a face at Yamato.

“Yeah, but I would prefer Thor’s powers, I could fly and manipulate thunder and also not to mention I would be a God.” Yamato tried defending his answer.

“Okay, no points for anyone, looks like you guys need to buck up your game, if you wanna win who knows Japan’s Ass better,” Sora concluded laughing.

“Shudd up.” Is all Yamato could say red in his face as everyone laughed.

“Moving on to DC, Question 8!” Sora continued as the laughter died down. “Who is Yamato’s all-time favourite DC character?”

“I actually like DC more than Marvel” Takeru added to the room.

“Nah aa, marvel all the way” Kari shot back at Takeru. “They have better movies”

“Please, who can compete against Batman?” Takeru chimed in.

“Have you read any of the comics?” Koshiro asked them both.

“some” Takeru mumbled while Kari shook her head.

“And before this gets into a Marvel vs Dc or TV vs Comics, answers please!” Sora slipped in halting that discussion.

Batman – Taichi’s card read. “obviously”

Nightwing – Mimi’s card read. “This time it’s definitely the butt," she added with a squeal.

Nightwing – Yamato’s card read. “It's not because of the ass” Yamato added to a gleaming Mimi.

“Okay, seriously Yamato, you have got to give us a twirl!” Taichi exclaimed.

All Yamato could do was glare at Taichi as the girls giggled and the boys laughed.

“We are just getting started on to the good questions” Sora added cheekily as the laughter subsided. “Moving on to the next question! Question 9” “What age did Yamato have his first kiss?”

Yamato and Mimi both blushed hiding their faces behind their cards as they wrote the answer.

“And Mimi?” Sora asked

13 – Mimi’s card read

16 – Taichi’s card read. “He was a late bloomer” Taichi teased

13 – Yamato’s card read as he held it up to cover his face.

“13? Really? Who?” Sora asked surprised, asking the question that was on everyone’s mind as Yamato was extremely closed off as a person that time.

“Mimi,” Yamato answered slowly “the day she was leaving for the states”

“But you guys weren’t together that time,” Koshiro asked. “or were you already secretly dating”

“Well, it was unexpected for me as well, I mean I did have a crush on him that time but didn’t think he had, so imagine my surprise when I went to tell him goodbye, he kissed me.” Mimi smiled at the memory, “And he’s really improved a lot since then in that department” she added in a teasing tone.

“I knew I saw the two of you kiss, you told me I was seeing things,” Takeru exclaimed at Yamato.

“I didn’t really want anyone to know,” Yamato said apologetically to Takeru.

“Those mood swings make so much more sense now” Takeru added laughing.

“Okay, moving on” Yamato gestured to a smiling Sora.

“This game is just getting started,” Sora said amused at Yamato’s embarrassment.

“I am going to kill all of you,” Yamato replied pointing towards Sora and the other spectators.

“Kari, would you tell us the score please,” Sora said sticking out her tongue at Yamato.

“Taichi needs to game up, as Mimi is leading by 2 points.” Kari added with a giggle.

“Revealing more secrets of the lone wolf, moving on to Question 10” Sora smiled “What is Yamato’s favourite alcoholic beverage?

Even before sora could ask for an answer,

Beer – Taichi’s card read. “phh please” he added with an air of confidence.

Old Fashioned – Mimi’s card read. Please, Yamato likes his classic gentleman’s whiskey drink”

Old Fashioned – Yamato’s card read.

“What old fashion? Are you kidding me!!!! We always drink beer together” Taichi bellowed.

“But I like a good whiskey, bourbon, or scotch.” Yamato tried to defend himself.

“And you don’t like the beers we drink together?” Taichi asked absolutely furious.

“Yeah, of course I like beers but that’s not my favourite alcoholic beverage Taichi” Mat tried to explain.

“oh! So now beer isn’t sophisticated enough for you! First, you turn your back on Pizza and now Beer!” Taichi crossed his arms absolutely fuming.

“Taichi” Yamato tried to continue.

“Next boys’ night you get your own fancy-ass drink” Taichi pouted cutting Yamato off “Sora, next Question”

“Taichi” Yamato tried again.

“Next Question Sora”

Giving Yamato an apologetic look, Sora continued “Moving on to Question 11, What is Yamato the most afraid of?”

Ghosts – Taichi’s card red. “Remember the time when me, Takeru, and Mimi pranked Yamato” Taichi said laughing at the memory as they had spooked Yamato quite badly.

Ghosts – Mimi showed her card, smiling at the memory.

Ghosts – Yamato’s card read as well, cursing Takeru for revealing his secret.

“With Mimi still in the lead, Question 12” Sora continued with a knowing smirk towards Yamato. “Which celebrity is on Yamato’s list? Basically, which celebrity does Yamato wish to sleep with?” she further clarified.

Mariya Nishiuchi – Taichi held up his card excitedly

Merei Kiritani – Mimi held up her card with a stoic expression.

Mariya Nishiuchi – Yamato held his card, looking anywhere except at Mimi.

“oo she is pretty” Joe let slip to everyone’s amusement.

“Didn’t she come for one of your shows?” Takeru asked with an innocent curious look, while Mimi looked surprised, and Yamato tried to signal him to shut up.

“I don’t know what you are talking about” Yamato dismissed Takeru.

“Hang on!” Mimi added looking at Yamato now. “When was this? And how do I not know about this?”

“She came backstage as well” Takeru added. “I remember it was when you were in New York for your work visit,” Takeru said looking at Mimi.

“Mimi, I swear, nothing happened. She came to meet the band and that was it, I walked out of my dressing room when she came in”

“Okay this even I didn’t know,” Takeru said amused. “I just remember she came backstage to tell you guys she really enjoyed the show.”

“Are you telling me, you had the opportunity and you chickened out?” Taichi roared with laughter.

“Excuse me?” Mimi said tartly to Taichi.

“I didn’t chicken out Taichi, I didn’t want anything to do with her.” Yamato replied just as tartly.

“Not what you said when we were watching ..” Taichi continued in a teasing tone

“Shut up Taichi” Yamato cut Taichi off. “Mimi, babe, its not ..”

“We shall talk about this later,” Mimi said narrowing her eyes.

“Is this over yet?” Yamato asked to the room where the others were just giggling at his misery.

“no no, I want to see what else I don’t know about you.” Mimi replied in a teasing manner.

“Is it lets torture Yamato Day, today?” Yamato asked rhetorically.

“Mimi,” Joe asked cautiously, still not convinced of her mood, to which the ever bubbly girl just smiled and winked. Satisfied that Yamato won’t be in much trouble, Joe cleared his throat, “I think we have 3 more questions” to which Sora and Koshiro nodded.

The bell rung indicating the pizza was here. Joe and Yamato went to get the pizzas and pay for them, with Yamato insisting to pay for the whole thing and Joe politely but sternly telling him that they can split it amongst both of them.

Handing everyone their food and beverages, as Yamato and Joe got back in their place, Sora continued the game.

“To continue on to Yamato’s torture, Question 13,” she asked, “What type of porn category does Yamato like?” in a very serious and calm voice.

Joe almost choked on his drink while Koshiro spat out his drink, as the remaining two roared with laughter.

“Taichi?” Sora asked barely able to contain her laugh,

Cheerleader – Taichi’s card read. “I remember the time when he used to fantasize about Mimi in her cheerleading outfit all the time. I don’t think he’s gotten over that.” Taichi said raising his eyebrows cheekily at Yamato and Mimi.

Threesome – Mimi’s card read. “Really? You used to fantasize about me back then?” she asked amused. “And here I thought you were dropping hints for a 3way.”

Cheerleader – Yamato’s card read. “That wasn’t a hint, Mimi. I told you it was a misunderstanding.” He said blushing furiously than he ever had.

“Shame,” Mimi said casually checking her nails, “I might have been game.” She added with a wink towards him.

Taichi nearly fell off his chair, while Koshiro did fall off his chair, his mouth open with shock.

“You lucky lucky son of a gun,” Taichi added to a blushing Yamato, with a slight hint of jealousy in his voice.

“Misunderstanding?” Sora asked trying to fish for the story, while Kari just laughed and Joe looked down embarrassed.

“Okay, too much information for me,” Takeru said clearing her throat. “Next question please,” he said gesturing towards Sora.

“So having that opportunity taken away from him, moving on to Question 14.” Sora continued still between her laughs. “What is Yamato’s safe word?”

Sora wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks and gestured for all of them to reveal their answers.

Orangutan – Taichi’s card read.

Orangutan – Mimi’s card also read.

Orangutan – Yamato’s card read as well.

Seeing the shocked look on everyone’s face, Mimi looked over to Taichi’s card and in a very loud pitch voice, almost shouting exclaimed, “What!!”

“What! No way, What! How do you even know that?” Mimi bellowed.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Taichi laughed falling off his chair, as Yamato just stared at Taichi with total shock. “Dude we really are soulmates.” Taichi managed to say between laughs as he struggled to get off the floor.

“I’m done, you know what I am done. All the other questions are irrelevant now” Mimi dropped her cards, got up, and walked out the room.

“Mimi come back,” Taichi tried calling behind her. “Princess,” he called after her as he got up and ran behind her still laughing his head off at the coincidence.

Yamato just shook his head, covering his face with his hands, as the rest of the people in the room erupted in laughter that went on for quite a while.

#digimon #digiweek2021 #day7 #digimon adventure #taichi yagami #Mimi tachikawa #yamato ishida #mimato #Sora Takenouchi #my fic #august #fanfiction #Happy Odaiba Day

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waiting4inspiration · 4 years ago

Text

Useless to Me Epilogue

Summary: Ivar decides what to do with Freydis’ child to make sure that he holds up his promise not to harm it. Months later, he sees you and your family that he could never have.

Warnings: angst, mentions of cheating, mentions of death, end of a series, small fluff, mentions of infertility, it’s short...

Word Count: 805

Useless to Me Masterlist II Vikings Masterlist

It has been a few months now since Freydis has been arrested. Now, she had given birth to her bastard child, a son. And it was a spit in Ivar’s face from the Gods. In an irritated fit, he paid a visit to the father of the child and killed him. He would kill Freydis later. And he has no idea what to do with the child.

He knows that he cannot kill it, otherwise he would have to deal with you and he had just gotten used to being without you in the Great Hall.

One thought he has is to hand the child over to you. After all, you were the one to fight for its life to be spared. But, he doesn’t think you would care much for the child of his past wife. You also have your two other children to think of and from how he hasn’t seen his brother since you left, he thinks that you both might have your hands full with your twins.

Ivar glances to the side to find a thrall lighting a fire in the Great Hall. “You,” he calls, making the girl jump around and fold her hands behind her as she drops her gaze to the ground. “Do you know of anyone that would want a newborn child?” he questions.

Her head snaps up at him and she has to stop herself from frowning, not knowing how Ivar will take it. “I have heard of a woman and her husband that has lost their daughter to a fever in the night,” she simply says, keeping to the point and keeping it simple.

He nods his head and turns his head away from her to stare at the wall for a moment. The thrall waits for him to speak again. “You will take the child to them. I have no need for a bastard son,” he coldly states, pushing himself off his seat and to the ground so he can crawl away.

“The child?”

Ivar doesn’t respond. The hate for what Freydis has done is too much to make him turn back around to look at the thrall. He bites his lip and he stops, drops his head and sighs. “My wife’s son. I don’t care if you have to tear him from her arms, I want the child out of this Great Hall.”

The thrall nods - even though Ivar cannot see it - and turns to quickly walk away.

He doesn’t care what happens to the child. It is not of his blood. It has no father and soon it will have no mother. Giving it to another couple will satisfy you. Everyone will be happy.

Except for Ivar.

He grows bitter after seeing to Freydis’ death and as the months go on, he becomes recluse and is only seen by his people when needed. He only sees Hvitserk again the next summer when everyone gathers to hear where they will be raiding this season. And sure enough, Ivar has a raid planned. He needs to kill. He needs to raid. He needs to be a Viking.

Hvitserk doesn’t speak of you during the feast, except to say that you are taking care of Halvar and Kari tonight. And by the sounds of things, you are happy.

The next time Ivar sees you, is the day they leave for the raid.

He sees you with your two children, both much older than the last time Ivar had seen them. When he tried to take them from you. They both have hair on their heads now, and seem more chubby now. And one can stand with your support as you kneel behind them.

Hvitserk has one of the twins in his arms - his daughter, kissing her cheek and making her laugh cheerfully. You smile at the sight of your husband and your child. The son you support makes a cooing sound as you pick them up when you stand and you rest him on your hip.

Ivar watches as you and Hvitserk exchange words before sharing a kiss. Hvitserk then kisses the top of his son’s head as he hands you his daughter before he starts to walk to his ship.

You bite your lip as you watch him leave and shift your daughter to a more comfortable position. As you turn, your eyes catch Ivar’s and you freeze in your spot. Staring from a distance, you nod your head to him.

He takes it that you mean to tell him to look after your husband and make sure he returns to you.

And though Ivar hates seeing you happy with someone like his brother with the reminder that he was the useless one in your marriage on each of your hips, he nods his head telling you that he will make sure Hvitserk makes it back to his family.

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a-friend-of-monsters · 3 years ago

Text

Sam and the Cheetah Courtesy of Rusanon

Sam convinces Daki to play Rabbits Teeth with them to train them on how to handle defending themselves against monsters better. Unfortunately, during it, Sam stumbles into a small hole and gets bit by a snake. It’s unfortunately venomous and they pass away - waking in that endless maze of doors once again. The key does not light up this time and the being within it doesn’t seem to want to cooperate in helping them find their way back. All doors are locked. When the key does light up, it leads them to an open door that spits them out somewhere in the middle of nowhere near a farm. Curious, they go to explore it. They become distracted, however, when they hear mewling sounds, and find a litter of rather large kittens in a pile of hay, Overjoyed, and against any better judgement, he runs to them to embrace them and play with them. In his excitement he does not notice the wings until they begin to play more. He suspects these may be Kari’s kits. Good news! Kari could certainly help. Eventually, two massive felines enter the barn, A familiar cheetah - and a jaguar. They are surprised - and unhappy, to find a human in their nest, and the Jaguar moves to attack Sam until Kari stops her, He recognizes the human. Leading Sam away from the barn, the cheetah returned to human form and embraced Sam. They had not seen each other for a long time. Sam explained to Kari what had happened, and that he had to return to the giant. Kari agreed to help despite Sams worries about the kittens. They still had their mother to protect them, after all. After searching the area for some supplies, they got atop the cheetah and it took to the air. Sam was happy to see the world from so high up. Truly it was a miracle to behold. From up here they could see many animals and monsters roaming the planet and could safely marvel at them. Sam begins to ponder his dream of living on a farm with monsters in peace until the ruins of a city spread out below them. Sadness fills him, living with Daki he had almost forgot the state of the world and how destructive monsters were. Their thoughts are interupted once more as Kari changes directions to land in a zoo. The animals that had not passed were starved and feral - Kari released any he could. After that, they continued their journey. Sam had many questions for the cheetah, but he could not answer them in his current form. They would have to wait. They landed as night fell and set camp, with Kari returning to the form of a man. Sam asked him about the zoo and he explained that it was the right thing to do - and that their kind always did what was right. Happy that, at least, the man was not alone anymore, Sam followed up by asking how one became a cheetah, or if they could. If he bit someone, would they turn into one? Mildly insulted, Kari explained that they were not at all like werewolves. Their form was not a curse and it was not something one could aquire by accident. It required a special ritual. Kari explained that the ritual is somewhat similar to a wedding: a person must say a special oath in front of the cheetah, promising to be faithful, kind, devoted, and never kill people. Then the man drinks the cheetah's blood, and at the end he kisses it, completing the ritual. Then follows the first transformation. The transformation is not painful and the sensations are more like a warm bath they plunge into head first. Fascinated, Sam calls it a night. They set out again the next day, but unfortunately land sooner than expected. Kari was wearing himself thin. His wings were tired and painful, he needed to rest them. They continued on foot. They are beset by werewolves soon after, hulking beasts with glowing green eyes and ravenous fangs. They attacked Kari - and the cheetah accepted the challenge. Unfortunately, the fight was not fair. Sam, despite his fears, ran to join the fight, eager to help the cheetah any way he could. The wolves ignored him, and he managed to kill them in the fray. Unfortunately, they had tore into Kari. The cheetah lay dying before him. Blaming himself for this, Sam apologized to the cheetah and stroked his head. The cheetah tried to purr in response, but was weak and quickly fading. Sam has an idea. A potentially stupid one, but literally the only one. They remove the key from their neck and hang it around the cheetah just ashis heart beats its last..... Kari awakes in a maze of doors. A voice asks him where he wishes to go. He could go home - or he could return to the human....or...he could go somewhere new. Kari demanded to return to Sam - but quickly reconsidered, deciding to ask for the whereabouts of Daki. A door opens nearby, and within lays a flood of horrors. Kari closes it and manages to find the door leading to Sam. They needed to find Daki fast. Sam waited on the otherside, worried his plan may not work. A door appears next to him and Kari leaps out and grabs them, dragging them back into the door he had come from. Sam manages to ask what’s wrong, and Kari explains that Daki is in trouble. That is all Sam needs to hear. Together, they open Daki’s door. Inside was a lab full of caged monsters. Tubes stuck from them in varying degrees, but the main one was a vile tube shoved down their throats that pumped them full of a green liquid. Daki was among them. They try to awaken the giant, but he was unresponsive. They soon hide as Legion step into the lab to access their experiments. The men in lab coats explained to their leader that these experiments would turn monsters against each other, turning them into the most effective weapons for their problem. Why fight monsters when you could make them fight each other? Let them wipe each other out for you. They could dispose of the trash later. Disgusted and horrified, cheetah and man decided it best to destroy the lab. This couldn’t be spread. They manage to find the control panels and begin the self destruct sequence. In a panic, Sam returns to Daki to attempt to wake him again. The giant awakes, but he is not himself anymore. Glowing green eyes greet Sam, and then lock on the nearest monster as it rises from its own slumber. In a rage, the monsters wake and begin to battle each other. Daki is bigger than most of the other giants, but there are many and he is quickly out numbered. The building began to collapse around them and Kari insisted they had to leave - with or without the giant. Unfortunately, there was no pulling him away from that mess. They remember Kari’s words from earlier - that one must do the right thing even if they are not kind - and they remember their trick with the key. They manage to wrap the key around the distracted giant before leaving with the cheetah. The building explodes soon after they escape, killing everyone and everything within. While the key had saved Sam and Kari, it still worried them to wonder if it would Daki. What if they key had been damaged or lost? What if Daki did not return? What if it was all for nothing? Daki awakes in a maze of doors. His head hurt and he was confused. The last thing he remembered was watching Sam die - and waiting for them to come back like usual. But they never did. He remembered the smell of many humans, of hearing something, and then the sharp sting of being shot - and then....nothing. He recognized this place though, and he knew that he had died. He didn’t understand. The voice laughed at him and told him he had a choice to make. Obviously, Daki wanted to return to Sam A door opened next to him, and he stepped out of it into the woods beyond. There was a familiar scent nearby, and eagerly, he followed it. Excited to be reunited with Sam, he rushed foiward to embrace them, ignoring the cheetah nearby. Sam told Daki of his journey, of what had happened and where they’d gone - of finding him in that cursed place, and how he had died - and how Sam had left him with the key to revive. Daki returned the key to Sam and thanked Kari for his help. Kari nodded and exchanged farewells, saying he needed to return home to his family. With a final goodbye, Kari extends an invitation to Sam. If he ever wished to become a cheetah like Kari, he would happily grant it. With a nod and a final farewell, the cheetah takes to the sky and departs. Alone again at last, Daki decides to eat Sam to keep him safe from monsters that may have escaped the lab and their journey continues.

#rusanon #answers #mini story #hehehehe figured out how to do read mores #bruh this has 1550 words #thats so many #this is so long #but also i enjoyed reading it ^^#thank you #imagine all the ways you can die in the apoc full of monsters and you die to a snake bite #astounding #lmao

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infinitecrime · 4 years ago

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Spoiler free TFATWS Episode 5 review:

Another very solid episode. A huge amount of pay off for many of the various subplots at play and a great progression of the overall story. Some conversations that really needed to be had were finally had and it was immensely satisfying. Other than a strong opening action sequence, this episode was mainly character and dialogue focussed, which I think is going to upset some of the fanboys, but for me it might have been the strongest episode yet.

Spoiler heavy review:

Writing/Plot:

The opening fight was fantastically choreographed and heart breaking in a lot of ways. The acting was noteworthy which is rare for a fight scene where people normally phone it in or we don’t really see much of their expressions because they’re stunt doubles. I’m glad this was the only real action this week - it felt nice to get a break and return to character and plot driven scenes.

Overall this episode was just really satisfying in terms of plot progression and pay off. We resolved Bucky’s beef with Wakanda, Zemo’s fate, Bucky and Sam not seeing eye to eye, Isaiah’s story, Sam’s issues with the shield, and closure for Lemar’s family. We’ve progressed Sam and Sarah’s money/boat issues and whatever the fuck Sharon and Batroc have going on. Next week we’re setting up to give Yori some closure and put an end to John and the Flagsmashers.

Even the Flagsmashers, who we barely saw, got more development than it seems they have for a while - we now know they are all in on criminal behaviour, are willing to kill, have a distinct target (the GRC), and a distinct goal (stop the Patch), and have a mini army to do it with.

The vibe of this episode was just... soft, which is surprising for a hyper masculine superhero bro show. The whole community coming together to help the Wilson’s and Bucky being inducted into the family was just so wholesome. Even the Isaiah scenes, heart wrenching as they were, would have been intercut with violent and graphic torture flashbacks under some other director, but Kari knew that the story was powerful and upsetting enough on it’s own.

Sam:

Sam and Sarah are just amazing. Really really hope we see her in future Marvel properties. It's so nice to see the perspective of someone so grounded in a world of wizards and shit. I love that he seems to tell her everything and values her advice just as much if not more than that of soldiers and superheroes.

Watching him grapple with Steve and Bucky’s expectations of him vs Isaiah’s expectations of him vs Sarah’s expectations of him vs his own wants and needs was very impactful, and in the end, he’s going to honour them all and pick up the shield, but on his own terms, as his own man, because he wants to, not because some old men told him to/not to.

Sam finally got some of those deeply emotional beats that I have been hoping for this whole time, which gives Anthony a chance to really flex his acting muscles. He’s great at subtlety but he really shines in this episode now the writing has allowed him to. Everything with Isaiah and the scene of him wiping blood off the shield was so raw.

Isaiah, who gets his own section this week:

God, his entire section was so powerful and well done. I’m so glad he came back and we got to learn more about his story and his situation. I’m so glad it was explicitly addressed what was done to him, why it was done, how it affects Sam and his perception of the shield, how it affected his family, and how he still carries all that trauma to this day. I’m so glad it was a one on one between them.

Carl Lumbly was absolutely fantastic and Anthony played off of him wonderfully. The injustice and pain is so stark in this scene. I would love to see more of him in the future but I also want him to be able to finally rest.

Isaiah did exactly what Steve did. Went against express orders to do the right thing and saved a group of POW's that the top brass had written off as expendable. In return, Steve got his fake Captain title made real, a fancy new shield, and was lauded as a hero. Isaiah was imprisoned, tortured, experimented on, and treated as a criminal. For the same. damn. thing.

I was perplexed in previous weeks about people condemning Bucky for not telling anyone about Isaiah, when doing so would have disturbed his well earned peace and put him in extreme danger. In this episode we get the confirmation that Bucky’s choice was right: Isaiah is legally dead and in hiding and the government don't know he's alive. He wants to be left alone ("Leave me dead, my name is buried") and that’s more important than what Sam wants or what you think Bucky should have done. It’s up to Isaiah; and Bucky (and later Sam) respected his wishes.

Bucky:

Ayo calling Bucky White Wolf, telling him to steer clear of Wakanda “for the moment” but not forever, and making Sam a vibranium Cap suit shows he’s fully forgiven. To be honest, they likely don’t have an extradition treaty with Germany so they actually never would have gotten their hands on Zemo if Bucky hadn’t broken him out, so they’re probably happier with him than they let on right now.

The Zemo-Bucky relationship and the grudging respect and understanding they have for each other is so interesting. I honestly don’t believe this is the last we’ll see of Zemo. He’s straddling the anti-hero/villain divide and he’s just so fascinating. Bucky getting his closure with Zemo and showing him that he isn’t the weapon Zemo treated him as was powerful, although I don’t think Zemo actually thought he would kill him. He knows that Bucky wasn’t corrupted by the serum, and even admitted as much.

Fighting John with the shield must have given him flashbacks to the helicarrier fight with Steve which can’t have been pleasant. The pure rage on his face at seeing the shield misused was clear here.

Seeing him helping the Wilson’s and being integrated into the community and the family in a way he hasn’t had since the Howling Commandos (and even then, they were at war) was just so, so sweet and wholesome. And his boat fixing skills corroborated my science nerd/mechanic Bucky headcanons.

Bucky and Sarah lightly flirting is very cute and I would like to see that relationship be developed more.

It was nice to see him explicitly apologise and recognise why Sam didn’t want the shield, as well as explaining why he reacted the way he did. I don’t understand the people saying it wasn’t good enough at all - it was a clear and sincere apology and completely proportional to the actual offence, which was not quite understanding a perspective that he wasn’t really equipped to immediately understand. He doesn’t need to beg or plead - just acknowledge his ignorance, say sorry, and improve, which he did. Sam was perfectly happy with it and accepted the apology, his gift, and his help on the boat. Drama over nothing as per usual amongst the Bucky antis.

I still wish they would be more explicit about Steve’s fate and how they both feel about it, but I liked the scene we got.

Other characters:

“You built me.” - Wyatt is extremely good at mining sympathy out of an otherwise unsympathetic character. As much as I hate him, I did feel for him in the courthouse scene and with Lemar’s parents. He's an example of the veterans that are exploited until they crack then left in the dust as damaged goods when they do. I’ve been so, so impressed with Wyatt and the nuance and complexity and sympathy he’s managed to inject into the character. In anyone else’s hands he would be a two dimensional power crazed villain, but in Wyatt’s he’s a lot more than that.

Val is intriguing. Skrull? HYDRA? Power Broker? Something new entirely?

I wish John’s wife got a name. This is the second love interest minor female character (after the bartender) without an onscreen name, unless I missed it.

I am still somewhat perplexed by Sharon. Is she a double agent? A triple agent? Is she the Power Broker? Is she against the Flagsmashers, or with them, or only out for herself and against everyone? I’m not sure how this can all be resolved in only one episode but I guess we’ll find out. I wonder if she’s being set up for a future project. Is she a Skrull?

I knew Batroc would be back when we didn’t explicitly see him die - is he being used by Sharon without his knowledge for some other purpose, or does she genuinely not give a fuck if he kills Sam?

Nice to see Torres and to see that he has an obvious crush on both Sam AND Bucky. He’s for sure swooping into the final battle next episode having fixed Sam’s wings.

Is the inclusion of Eli Bradley setting him up for a future Young Avengers series, or is he just a nice comic cameo and nothing more?

Lemar's parents had me tearing up. Fuck Walker for lying to them but at least he gave them some closure I guess? Poor Lemar. He deserved so much more and we deserved more of him.

Fuck John Walker and his fake shield.

#tfatws #the falcon and the winter soldier #tfatws spoilers #tfatws meta #a day late because yesterday was a mess #but lots of thoughts on this one

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genork-the-fandork · 3 years ago

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Mourn

Word Count: 821

Prompt: “Rainy Day,” Day 4 of Takari Week 2021

Featured Characters: T.K. Takaishi

A/N: There was a time when I loved rainy days. As time went on, they became the type of days that brought down my mood. The idea of a rainy day in Digimon reminds me specifically of one of the saddest scenes (I think) in all of Digimon, perhaps one that has become ingrained in every Adventure fan’s mind. I’m sure you’ll all know what I mean. I hope you enjoy! <3

@takariweek

The Fuji TV station had given up on stopping their visits long ago. Nobody there had the heart to refuse the right to mourn someone who had given his life on the roof of their building. Especially when it had resulted in saving the city and, subsequently, the world.

It didn't have to be the anniversary of the day for Kari to visit the station. There were some days she couldn't help but stare out the window and think. The fact that those days were more often than not rainy was mere coincidence. At least, that's what she told her brother whenever he was especially concerned.

T.K. listened to all this over the phone from Tai, who spoke in hushed tones, probably so as to not disturb his sister's thoughts. He wondered why it was that whenever Kari entered a mood that deviated from her usual, Tai called him. Why didn't he occupy Kari himself? He was her beloved big brother, after all.

And yet, he knew why. He knew that in some ways, he would always know Kari better than even her brother.

So he didn't need to be asked twice to come over that day, standing at the door with yellow umbrella in hand. "Let's go for a walk," he suggested as Kari stared up at him with eyes that failed to hide the pain. "And bring Gatomon."

She had no choice in the matter, and Tai made sure of it, pastel pink umbrella in hand along with a jacket. His eyes burned with a brotherly request to please go with T.K., and so she did. Her feet shuffled along the ground as she followed T.K. down the street, her eyes unfocused as she hugged Gatomon to her chest.

Glancing at Patamon, who also looked concerned for their friends, T.K. drifted closer to Kari, wishing her hands weren't so occupied so he could hold one. But she needed something more than physical comfort, and he could only hope their destination would help with today's mood.

The sounds of the rain hitting their umbrellas was soothing, and T.K. noticed Kari's face relax out of its tense frown as she listened to the lullaby. If he didn't know any better, he would almost say she was about to fall asleep on the spot. But because he knew her, he knew she wouldn't, as the nightmares were more likely to come raging at her today of all days.

When they reached the TV station, T.K. stopped in his tracks. Kari stopped just behind him, and as he'd expected, her face changed. Even after all these years, she hadn't forgotten the look of the ground in front of the building. Even after all these years, the smallest details had stuck in her mind.

Her lip trembled as she struggled to keep it together, and Gatomon had frozen in her arms. T.K. hated seeing her like this.

Reaching into the bag he'd brought, he withdrew a bouquet of flowers. "I had a feeling you wanted to say hi," he whispered, holding out the bouquet. The flowers remained relatively dry thanks to the closeness of their umbrellas, with yellow and pink spots alighting on them thanks to the light shining through their umbrellas.

She looked up at him, her beautiful crimson-brown irises shining with tears she wouldn't shed until she was alone. "Thank you."

He reached out and brushed his thumb under her eye, catching a rogue tear that had dared to defy her will. "He would want you to do this. He would want you to be happy again."

Her lips turned up in a small smile, because she knew he was right. Wizardmon had always wanted what was best for Gatomon, as well as Kari. He had staked his life on it.

T.K. shielded her with his umbrella as Kari found a nearby tree and set the flowers under it. No one questioned them, especially not the TV station employees. They had long since memorized the faces of the young brunette girl and her pure white cat. Both of them bowed their heads, probably replaying the moment Wizardmon had taken his last breath, urging them to keep fighting for what was right. Meanwhile, T.K. replayed the moment they had last seen him, at this very building, reaching for Gatomon as he delivered his last message.

Wizardmon had, in some ways, been the greatest partner of them all.

They stayed there for as long as they needed, but no longer. Hugging her arms, Kari finally stood and leaned her forehead on T.K.'s chest. Gatomon wrapped her paws around Kari's leg. "Take me home, T.K.," his best friend murmured, and her calm exhaustion radiated through him.

"Let's go," he whispered back, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and taking her home, protecting the light as he'd silently promised Wizardmon he would always do.

#digimon #takari week 2021 #takari week #gen writes #digimon drabble #takari week day 4 #i tried my best to get the rainy feeling throughout this #but it was almost like a background noise i think #very fitting for rain haha

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shewillreadyou · 3 years ago

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Being: Chapter 2-Back at one

As always. I hope that you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

A/N: This is the answer to my very FIRST ASK!!!

Also, this is the long awaited 2nd chapter to my new TRR series “Being” it will follow Liam and Karis on their adventures as monarchs and new parents. I think it should be sweet. Thank you to @secretaryunpaid for pre-reading part of this chapter and being a HUGE inspiration.

Disclaimers: Most characters are property of Pixelberry

Warnings: If you are under 18 please, just don’t. Language, adult content and some NSFW.

Word Count: 4100 ish

Catch up: Chapter 1

Pairings: Liam x MC (Queen Karis Rose Vasquez-Rhys)

Song inspiration: Back at One- Brian McKnight

Be Kind: Hit the heart button, leave a comment or reblog. It makes a writer so so happy.

Months had passed since their fairytale wedding and romantic honeymoon. They had returned to face the music concerning their pregnancy. Ana De Luca, a long time acquaintance of the crown had paid a paparazzi for private photos of Karis laying on the beach with her growing bump exposed. Adonis agreed to give her the exclusive in return for the pictures and a bit more time to announce their big news on their own terms.

The day had come for the press conference. The PR team for the royals only told the press that their monarchs had big news to share. Security at Valtoria was so airtight that only people on a short list were allowed on the grounds. The press was only allowed for the announcement and had a short time thereafter to vacate the premises. Adonis arranged for a team of stylists to make sure his queen was presentable for this potentially stressful day. Karis was carrying their heir in her hips. Her bump was still modest for someone 8 months along. Perez, the designer responsible for her wedding dress and his seamstress Enoch, dressed her in an off the shoulder, floor length, royal blue gown that hugged her curves.

Adonis was sure his heart skipped a beat when he laid eyes on his bride. She was sitting at the vanity inside their bedroom putting on the blue sapphire and diamond earrings he gifted her for Christmas. “Love, I have no words,” he said as he kissed her cheek, not daring to ruin the makeup that had taken nearly an hour to perfect. “It’s time,” he announced as he took her hand. “Both Kenyon and I will be by your side the entire time. I will make the announcement and we will take a few questions from the press before the celebration.”

Kenyon was posted outside her door. He smiled at Karis before clearing his throat. “Your maaajesty! You look--“ Liam scowled at Kenyon who immediately trained his eyes forward. “Appropriate for the occasion. You look very appropriate.” Karis laughed as Adonis brooded. They headed down to the grand ballroom, where they had a photo shoot with Ana, capturing the momentous occasion. When they were done they joined the press on the east lawn.

Royal trumpeters played before the royal crier announced, “Their Majesties, King Liam and Queen Karis Rhys of Cordonia.” Karis’ hand rested in the crook of his arm as he escorted her to the podium. He looked deeply into her eyes, and her nerves seemed to settle. “People of Cordonia, before I took our queen as my bride, she was made aware of her responsibilities as she serves in this role. She has humbly trained under Queen mother Regina not only soaking up her role and responsibilities, but our culture. I had no doubt that she would be the queen that Cordonia needed. She had, even during our engagement, stepped up to the plate and excelled far beyond what I could have hoped or asked of her.

I am aware that some have noticed that her majesty has been missing from the public as of late. Today, we have gathered here on the same grounds where my parents made this same announcement many years ago. Without further ado, Queen Karis and I would like to announce the coming of the royal heir to the throne of Cordonia.” Karis stepped from behind the podium resting her left hand on her bump to wave at the crowd. The news was met with a rapturous applause, whistling and cheers.

The afternoon was filled with congratulatory fluff, indulgent food, and schmoozing with Cordonia’s upper crust. As promised, Kenyon didn’t leave Karis’ side. When she had her fill, per usual, Adonis was nowhere to be found. After fruitlessly searching the estate for her King, Kenyon escorted Karis to the master suite. She rested her swollen feet on the chaise lounge. “Is there anything I can get for you or help you with, ma’am?” Karis shook her head. “Kenyon, I have told you a million times, you can call me Karis in private. And since you asked, yes. Can you please help me out of these heels? They are pretty but they stopped being comfy hours ago.” Kenyon hesitantly approached.

He gently pulled her swollen feet into his lap. After removing one sandal, Karis noticed a bulge in his pants. She didn’t think much of it, he had never said or done anything inappropriate, as his large hands fumbled with the buckle on the second one. The door opened and Adonis entered the room; his eye immediately fell upon Kenyon kneeling in front of Karis. “There you a-- what is the meaning of this?” Kenyon stood abruptly, Karis’ foot falling to the floor, but before he could speak, “I couldn’t find you love, and my feet are killing me. Kenyon was just being helpful.” Adonis looked between Kenyon and his very pregnant wife. “Thank you for your-- help, Kenyon but I got it from here,” Adonis said dismissively. “Of course, sir, I’ll be right outside if you need me, Karis,” Kenyon said as he exited the room.

Adonis gathered some pillows that were arranged on the bench at the foot of their bed. “Fuck you mean? And just why would she need you? I’m here,” he mumbled under his breath. “What’s that love?” she asked as he propped her feet on the pillows. “Nothing, the next time your feet hurt, call me,” he instructed as he poured himself a bourbon. She laughed. “Promise.” He put the tumbler down and disappeared into the closet. “I was just saying good evening to some of our guests, you know?”

When he returned he was carrying her favorite nightgown. He walked into the master ensuite before Karis heard bath water running. “Helpful my ass,” he muttered as he removed his cufflinks, placing them on the dresser. Karis watched as he undressed in the midst of his tantrum. His shirt fell off of his muscular shoulders and Karis’ breath hitched. Her eyes widened when his trousers fell to the floor. He approached her wearing nothing but his boxer briefs.He extended his hand, “come love, it’s bath time.”

He led her into the ensuite where he unzipped her gown, cursing quietly as it pooled on the marble floor. “Karis, you are a whole lotta woman,” he whispered in her ear as he unhooked her bra. Her full perky breast sprung free as he watched in the mirror. She shimmied out of her panties before he helped her into the full tub. She looked at him with hooded eyes. “Is there something on your mind, Adonis?” He slipped out of his underwear and into the tub. “I’m just thinking, maybe we should restructure the guards. Maybe, I can put Mara on you and maybe Kenyon would do better with Regina.”

“Wait, Mara the one who was supposed to be guarding Regina when she was kidnapped? Where did these thoughts come from?” Adonis pulled her foot out of the water as he began to massage her. “I think he is too comfortable with you, too familiar. Since when did he start calling you Karis?” She knitted her eyebrows together. “When I asked him to call me Karis. I spend a lot of time with him. It’s weird for him to call me Ma’am. Tell me you’re not jealous?” Adonis smiled smugly, “Of your guard? Ha!” he threw his head back in laughter. “Well, it seems that way.” She bit her lip, and batted her eyelashes as he took her big toe into his mouth circling it with his tongue before releasing it with a pop. “I am the KING of Cordonia, I have my health, wealth, and the finest woman walking this earth carrying my heir. Remind me again why I would be jealous of your guard?” She smirked. “Exactly,” she said as she attempted and failed miserably at getting out of the tub on her own.

Adonis grabbed her wrist pulling her soapy body down into his lap. “Hey, you know what? I’m sorry, I was out of line,” he swept her hair to the side exposing her neck before kissing it gently. “Do you forgive me?” His husky voice, his breath tickling her neck and the way his chest vibrated as he was pressed up against her back made it all but impossible to say no. “No,” she said it anyway. “Please,” he pleaded in a sensual whisper. “Forgive me Karis,” he growled. She bit her bottom lip and shook her head, no before she shifted in his lap. She felt his erection nearly impale her. She couldn’t help but think how easy it would be to get into reverse cowgirl right there in the tub. He started to roll his hips slowly as he apologized in different languages. “Scusa...Es tut uns leid...Pardon...Gomen’ nasai… Joesonghabnida...Lo siento,” he whispered into her hair.

His large hands began to knead her shoulders. Her eyes closed and her head fell back to rest on his shoulder. It felt heavenly, her soft mewing encouraged him. “I don’t get it, you are always so confident in everything you do,” she panted. He kissed her exposed neck gently as his hand moved down her torso and around her swollen belly into the water. “You still don’t get it, do you? I found my kryptonite,” he said as he cupped warm water in his hand and poured it over her belly. “You’re my kryptonite, Karis Rhys. The thought of some other man touching you, even looking at you, if only to help remove your shoe; it drives me to distraction. It certainly cracks my unyielding confidence.” She smiled, flattered by his words.

Her life to this point still seems like a dream. From meeting him at work, to spending that first night at her place with him. Losing him as suddenly as they connected. Reconnecting in Paris. The first time they made love, him buying the house in DC. The proposal in Paris, and their fairytale wedding. They have certainly had a whirlwind romance. He had been perfect, except she knew that no one is perfect. He was close. His hand gently slid across her thigh and found her center. He caressed her bundle of nerves before sliding into her as much as she could take. He tried his best to remind her with every thrust who she belonged to, her whimpers confirmed that she was fully aware.

The next few weeks seemed to fly by, Karis could be found putting away freshly laundered baby clothes, arranging diapers and wipes into the basket below the changing table, or fussing over the crib bedding. Adonis did everything in his power to keep her off her feet. She usually waited until he was in his morning meetings before heading into the nursery. She had scrubbed the kitchen, in their quarters, and dusted the newly decorated living, dining area.

When he returned from his meeting with the counsel, he found her vacuuming their bedroom. “Babygirl, what are you doing?” His voice boomed over the sound of the vacuum. She jumped before turning it off. “Karis, baby, my queen. We have talked about this. We have staff that can do this for you. You are supposed to be resting.” She waddled over to him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “I am tired of lying in bed. I was trying to kill time before the new chapter of Foreign Affairs releases on the Choices app. Blaine is so hot,” she giggled as she fanned herself.

“I’m hotter,” he said as he walked his wife over to the bed. Instead of helping her lay down, his large hand splayed across her back gently bending her over the plush bedding. His other hand traveled up the soft smooth skin of her leg. Her silk nightgown gathered at her waist as he freed himself from his trousers. Just when she took a deep breath anticipating him entering her, he dropped to his knees to taste her. Within minutes her orgasm was within reach. “Adonis, I’m close,” she panted. His long digit joined his tongue in pursuit of her pleasure. She gasped before her body started to gently shake. He waited patiently as she rode out her first of three orgasms she would experience that afternoon.

When they were done, she was exhausted. His mission was accomplished. He hoped that she would sleep until he returned from his afternoon meeting in Fydelia. Kenyon was posted outside of her door. He had just returned from lunch when the King departed. It was like any other afternoon. Kenyon always took his lunch when he saw Liam “checking in” on Karis. It was always hard to look either of them in the eye afterward. Karis woke a couple hours after Adonis left with mild stomach discomfort. She drank the water that he had sent to her side table and turned on her side, which was the advice from Dr. Dameron the last time this happened.

She felt better a short time later. She smiled at Kenyon sheepishly as he shook his head. She was creeping down to the nursery. She wanted to make sure that the new packages that arrived had been put away. She didn’t think much of it, she would be back in bed before Adonis returned. Kenyon sat in the recliner on her insistence that he took a load off. She dropped a pair of baby socks that rolled under the chaise lounge. “I’ll get that,” he offered. “No, I can pick up a pair of socks,” she insisted. When she reached for the socks she didn’t feel anything. She got on her knees feeling triumphant when she located them under the lounge. She held the tiny grey socks in her hand as she attempted to get up from the floor. “See! I’m not helpless!” She stood proud of herself, while Kenyon chuckled at her theatrics.

Suddenly, a gush of warm fluid rushed down her leg. She looked at Kenyon with a look of horror on her face. “This can’t be happening. Adonis is not here. It’s a few weeks too soon.” Kenyon immediately stood taking control of the situation. “What happened?” She clutched her belly, taking a deep cleansing breath, “my water broke.” Once the initial shock wore off, Kenyon called the doctor as they rehearsed, before calling Liam. The phone went straight to voicemail. “Sir, this is Kenyon. It’s time. Dr. Dameron instructed us to head to the hospital immediately. I will try calling back once we are in route.” His next call was to Alexsei, Karis’ driver. “Alpha Rabbit has commenced. Meet me out front in 3 minutes.” He ended the call and turned to Karis, “look at me. We have gone over this. You are ready. Your bag is already in the truck.”

He moved to her side and she wrapped her arm around his shoulder for support. He flung the strap to her purse over his shoulder as they headed towards the stairs. She struggled to walk, stopping every few yards for a contraction. “If I’m not being too forward Ma’am, may I?” She nodded her head and Kenyon swept her into his arms, carrying her bridal style out to the truck.

“Where is Adonis?” she asked as she riffled through her purse with tears running down her face. “He’s at a meeting in Fydelia. His phone went to voicemail when I called. I left a message. I will try calling again.”

Karis took deep breaths like they taught her in the private child birthing lessons Adonis insisted on her attending. The pains had begun to come closer together and stronger with each instance. In between contractions she fruitlessly attempted to reach her husband. She wiped the tears from her eyes before Kenyon turned to her. “Everything is going to be ok, Ma’am.” She reached across the seat and patted the top of Kenyon’s hand flashing him a strained smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

21 minutes later they still hadn’t heard from Adonis. They were met at the private entrance of the hospital by a team of nurses who helped her into a wheelchair, and took her inside to the grand nursing suite where Liam was born 31 years earlier. Kenyon stood watch at the door while Karis gave a urine sample and changed into a silk hospital gown. They got her settled into bed and asked her if they could get her anything. Karis was terrified and alone. She kept thinking about how Adonis scolded her for allowing Kenyon to help her when she couldn’t find him.

There was a knock at the door that tore her from her thoughts. “Come in.” Kenyon entered the room with his hands over his eyes which were clenched tightly closed. “Good news Karis, I was able to get in touch with King Liam. He’s on the way.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Kenyon. You can uncover your eyes. I am covered.” He dropped his hand and slowly opened his eyes. “Are you, uhh comfortable? Did they do the back thing?” She looked at him, confused. “You mean an epidural?” He smiled sheepishly. “Yes, that’s what it’s called. It made my sister feel a lot better when my niece was born.” Just then another contraction started and she reached for his hand. He nervously looked over to the door before offering his hand. She squeezed his hand while breathing through the momentary pain. “I guess this means you didn’t get the drugs?”

When it was done she looked at him. “How long before Liam gets here? I’m scared, Kenyon. The contractions are getting closer and closer. I don’t want to have this baby alone.” His heart sank. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that he was over an hour away in Fydelia. His eyes must have given it away, her eyes went from sad to panicked. “Kenyon, I know this is a lot to ask, but if he doesn’t make it here on time, will you stay with me?” He swallowed thickly considering what she just asked. He reached over and offered her tissue to dry her eyes. “Aww, come on Karis, don’t cry again, you’re killing me. He’s gonna be here.” he lied. He knew that there was the possibility that he wouldn’t make it. “But if not, of course, I’ll stay with you. But he’s gonna be here soon.”

Just then her purse fell to the floor from the chair. When Kenyon went to pick it up he discovered that it likely fell because of her phone violently vibrating from inside. “Oh, it’s your phone,” he announced. She extended her arm. “Well, pass it to me.” He instead passed her the entire purse. She looked at him with her brows knitted together. “What? My mom told me to never go in a woman’s purse.” She smiled as she pulled her phone from her purse. Another contraction came as she took deep breaths. When it passed she called Adonis back.

“Hey babe, it’s me.”

His voice was sorrowful.

“Babygirl, I’m so sorry. I never should have left you alone. Howard is driving as fast as he can to get me there. Just try to hold on.”

“Babe, don’t apologize, you had no way of knowing that this would happen today. Just get here safely. I’m scared.”

“I’m sorry you are there going through this alone. We are still about 35 miles out.”

“I’m not alone. Kenyon is here with me.”

Liam cleared his throat, “yeah, well, I will be there soon.”

“Adonis, I don’t know if I can do this. I’m not as strong as I thought. I’m kind of freaking out over here.”

“Karis, listen to me my Queen. You are so much stronger than you think. You are brave, and courageous. You can do anything. Don’t think too much. Just take it one contraction at a time. Remember your breathing.”

“What would I do without you?”

“Heh, I don’t know, but I don’t want to find out.”

“Another contraction is coming.”

‘Baby, focus on my voice. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.”

“Ok, it passed. Thank you. Kenyon just brought me some ice chips. I’m going to get on the birthing ball. I’ll see you soon?”

“Yes love, we are only 17 miles out now.”

“Adonis?”

“Yes love?”

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

They end the call as the nurse and the doula enter the hospital suite. Once Karis was out of the bed and onto the birthing ball she became even more uncomfortable. She was in active labor. Her pains were hard and closer together. She was getting tired.

“Hazel, will you help me? I think I need to use the restroom.”

“No ma’am, we are going to get you back into bed so that nurse Emilia can give us the go ahead to start pushing.”

“Pushing? But Adonis… my husband isn’t here.”

Hazel grabbed her hand and said, “Yes pushing, we want to make sure we don't put baby in danger by holding off too long. I’m sure Adonis will be here soon so he can help you with your breathing as you begin to push.” Her Calm demeanor and comforting words consoled Karis in that moment.

After a vaginal exam, the nurse confirmed that she was indeed ready to start pushing.

“Unfortunately, your baby didn’t get the memo,” Hazel quipped.

A team of nurses swarmed the suite getting things set up for the birth of her baby, Cordonia’s heir. The tears started to pour again. Kenyon stood helplessly before, “I’ll just wait outside,” he said quietly. “But Kenyon, you promised,” she sobbed. “That was before they pulled your covers off.” She pouted and gave him the most ridiculous puppy dog eyes. “Ok, I’ll stay. But only until King Liam arrives.” he looked at Hazel, the doula and asked, “how can I be helpful?”

“I am going to stand on the left and empower Mom, and you stand on the right and help hold her thigh.” Kenyon’s eyes went wide. “Forget it. If you are going to be all weird, then just go,” Karis chided. “I promised I would and I will.” He swallowed thickly before placing his large hand on the joint behind her knee mirroring what he saw Hazel doing. “Am I doing this right Ms. Hazel?” She smiled and nodded her head reassuringly.

“Now Mom, on the next contraction, take a deep breath and push.”

Karis could feel her abdomen tightening. When the next contraction came she took a deep breath and pushed. It felt like she was constipated and needed to relieve herself. On the next contraction, it burned like nothing she had ever experienced. “You’re doing so well Mom, a few more pushes and you get to meet your baby.”

Tired and in pain Karis looked at the nurse and said, “Oh, screw you! This hurts!!”

“Karis!” Kenyon blurted. “Oh, screw you too! You try pushing a watermelon out of a lemon.”

Then came another contraction, but this time instead of focusing on her breathing, she screamed at the top of her lungs, “Adonis!!!! I hate you! You did this to me.” Just then the door flew open. “You called for me, love?” He smiled at her and she melted like she always had.

His presence was a momentary distraction from the insurmountable pain. He had finally made it. He wasn’t going to miss the birth after all. When she laid eyes on him she began to sob. “I don’t really hate yooooou.” One of the nurses helped him scrub up and get into a gown. He gave Kenyon an appreciative elbow dap.

“Adonis, how nice of you to join us. Get over here. Are you ready to meet your baby?” Dr. Dameron asked.

“Yes, of course,” he said before kissing Karis sweetly on the forehead.

“Good because on this next contraction she will deliver the head.”

On the next contraction, Karis seemed more focused than ever. Kenyon wiped the sweat from her brow before she closed her eyes. “I’m here with you now, baby. You are doing amazing. You can do anything.” His confidence in her gave her just the strength she needed to champion through. Quietly, she took a deep breath, tucked her chin into her chest and pushed as hard as she could. “That’s it baby, you’re doing it. I can see the head.”

Dr. Dameron checked for the cord around the baby’s neck as the nurse suctioned it’s airways. On the next push Dr Dameron moved behind Liam positioning his hands to catch the baby.

Karis pushed one final time and the heir to the crown of Cordonia was born. “Oh my God, Karis, love! You did it! He’s beautiful.”

She looked up through the tears, “he? It’s a boy?” The King began to sob and he shook his head confirming. Dr Dameron looked at the clock, “12:09” she told the nurse. Congratulations, your majesties, “It’s a boy.”

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#trr #trr au fanfic #choices #choices stories you play #fanfiction #fandom #queen karis #king liam #king of cordonia #adonis x karis #Liam x Karis #shewillreadyou #the royal romance #the royal heir #liam adonis rhys #Kim writes #kimreads #cordonia #ok bye

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