#| ty everyone who gave me permission to use their style

[crop-bound]

✏                       decided to challenge myself today but not too much but also so much w/ a style challenge, ft other ask blog’s* art styles - i rlly recommend this! it was fun asdkfjasd

* ft. @dreamdrops-farms, @cotton-candy-farm, @ask-bungyfarm, @fireside-farmers, @clairdelune-farm, @basil-and-honeydew, @gay-farmers, @razzberry-farm, and @elflion‘s styles - y’all are so talented 😭

[mostly-mundane-atla]

Well I got at least two people interested (@esmeralda-anistasia and @deathsmallcaps) so why not.

Quick disclaimer: I understand that some fans can be very sensitive to this topic and take general criticisms as personal attacks and jump to the defensive. Please don't justify your ships to me if you have that reaction to anything said in this post. It's not my business and if I'm honest I really don't care. Your experiences are not mine and will not change mine and nothing I'm about to say is meant to be read as an insult.

Okay onto the rarepairs in question!

I was ten years old when the episode Zuko Alone first aired and Ursa fascinated me. She was so elegant and sweet, and yet the implication was that she was also capable of assassination. Her disappearence and the fact everyone involved kept pretty hush-hush about her gave her character an air of mystery and Zuko's memories involving her made him a great deal more interesting and sympathetic (i still rolled my eyes every time he showed up and thought he didn't deserve all the cute moments with Mai until The Day of Black Sun, and even then still thought Jet was cooler in every way, but you can't please them all). She had quickly become a favorite character and I've held onto that adoration for about 15 years now.

I also really wanted her to kiss Hakoda.

They had compatible personalities and deserved some luck in love after all the heartbreak and trials, and they both loved their children despite having to leave. Ursa was never treated as dead, just gone. She could have been anywhere and there was nothing to say she couldn't have crossed paths with Hakoda and his men.

There was also something about it I didn't quite have the words or media exposure to explain. Often, in fandom or canon, if a relationship is biracial, the partner who is fairer-skinned and/or of the dominant or invading culture, who the audience sees themselves in, is the man and the one who is darker-skinned and/or marginalized or colonized is the woman (heteronormativity got a head start on this one). There's a lot of ugly "taming the savage" rhetoric in this, usually paired with blatant misogyny that's supposed to be in the woman's favor (like suggesting that a woman could only be complicit in this culture because it was what she was told and didn't know any better). The woman's family and friends who oppose this are depicted as unfairly prejudiced against this strange man as if their distaste for people who can be or have been responsible for things like genocide or subjugation is the same as the other side seeing these people as deserving of genocide or subjugation for the crime of not being like them. Sometimes it's the other way around, where the partner seen as "more civilized" is the woman and the one seen as "less civilized" is the man, in which case the woman is often abducted or otherwise the man's defining feature is his brutishness. This supposed brutishness is both intimidating and attractive to the oh so delicate if a bit repressed captive/wife (as well as the audience) and can manifest as being fiercely protective of her, which is how he shows his affection if there is a language barrier between them. And if you grow up Native, this is easy to pick up on and often in the back of your mind, because at least 90% of your media representation likely has some aspect mentioned above.

(Man that was a lot of academic style analysis)

But the dynamic between Hakoda and Ursa wouldn't leave room for any of that. Hakoda, as an absent parent backstory, is defined by having to leave despite how much he loved and would miss his children. Ursa, as an absent parent backstory, is defined by the crime she was willing to commit for her children (for Zuko specifically, but how long would it actually take for Azula to shoot her mouth off at the wrong place and time and also be targeted by Azulon?). Ursa was the one whose willingness to kill sent her fleeing into the night. The culture of her nation betrayed her and made her choose between her own safety and that of at least one of her children. Hakoda is charismatic and a good leader, but he is also soft spoken and understanding, and above all else, gentle. He isn't here to hurt innocents. He's here to see to it that the next generation of his people will not fear invaders or raids or even know that snow can be black from soot. And he's someone Ursa can finally feel safe around and confide in, and she could be the same for him. Someone he doesn't have to be the leader for, to whom he can admit that he just wants to be home and let the tears fall.

I'm honest enough to admit that one of the reasons I liked The Search was that Ikem wore his hair a lot like Hakoda did and that was close enough to it being canon for me.

Another one is Jin/Smellerbee. Something about their personalities strikes me as being so wonderfully harmonious and I like to imagine Jin, smooth-talking and streetwise but still the most genuine person, being the one to sit Smellerbee, who never really got a chance to think about these things, down and explain that anything she might be is okay. That it's okay to not be in love with a guy friend who gave her a purpose and loyal companionship. That it's okay to like girls. That she can have more than one partner. That it's okay to be different from what's considered normal and proper and not have an easy word to describe it. And eventually she'd realize it's true. And eventually she'd realize that she wasn't teasing when she called her beautiful in a wild sort of way.

I also like to think that Smellerbee clearly has more specialized fighting skills and is very good at what she does but Jin is strong enough to bench press her no problem. And Smellerbee acts all tough (because she is) but blushes whenever Jin calls her cute or pretty because she's not used to it.

Sometimes Longshot is involved too. Not as a third wheel or the exact same kind of partner, more like a ghibli style relationship with Smellerbee. Like is it a gentle romance? Is it an intimate friendship? It's love and they know that and don't have to define it by others' perception. And Jin gives Longshot kisses so he doesn't feel left out, which gets him a bit bashful because she really could have anyone, she already has Smellerbee of all people, and she still finds him deserving of a peck on the cheek. They probably all bunk together.

This actually started from a fic I wrote but don't intend on posting more than snippets of. Basically, i was tired of a lot of fanfic tropes, especially those having to do with friends to lovers and soulmates (this world is not kind to aromantics and the last thing I wanted in my escapism was romance being established as a level up for relationships), so I wrote something to actively subvert all of them. Jet and Smellerbee were each convinced they owed the other a romantic relationship after all they'd been through together, even though neither actually wanted it, because that's how all the stories go. So after he dies, she remembers all those times that would have been romantic if either was actually interested, but were instead just uncomfortable because it was entirely social convention and no feeling. But then she comes across Jin, who she's never met before, but who takes her in her arms and reassures her and sympathizes with her, and in this tiny apartment in this seedy side of town, she feels safe. She seeks permission for every touch and kiss and tells her this encounter doesn't have to be anything she isn't comfortable with. And when Smellerbee has to leave, Jin insists she take a candle to light her way, and winks when she says she can return it the day after. She gives her an excuse to visit again. And Smellerbee blushes and accepts it.

And then there's Teo/Haru and Teo/Ty Lee. No special reason I just think both would make a cute couple and want Teo to be happy. He's a good boy, more people should love him. Let him impress people with wheelchair tricks and get smooched.

[sserpente]

Pastel Blue (Chapter 5)

Synopsis: After his lucky escape, the Tesseract takes Loki on new adventures–but unfortunately, his journeys through space do not go unnoticed and he soon ends up on TVA’s radar. Working for them, albeit reluctantly, he keeps finding himself in the company of a young woman, Jess, who works in the linguistics department and who has a truly strange effect on him. Smitten by her confidence and smugness, he seeks her presence like a bee hunting for honey and lets her wreak havoc in his heart without really knowing why. But he is determined to find out. He means to escape this godforsaken place anyway.  

Find all chapters on my masterlist! (Unfortunately, Tumblr will not display my recent posts if I add a link.)

It almost felt like no time at all. Had one whole week really passed already since Loki had accommodated himself in her unit? In the books, the characters who had to share a room usually fell in love by the end of the story or, even better, they had some mind-blowing sex and then ended up together, and yet all she had done was play with her vibrator like it would be taken away from her the next morning for good.

But unlike any of the mischief and the chaos she had expected, Loki was a rather pleasant roommate. He was respectful, calm, tidy… and she doubted he had ever entered her room without her permission. Unless, of course, he had done so in her absence.

Jess gnashed her teeth, her eyes fixed on her brown hair in the mirror. Ariana had found this lovely youth magazine in the nineties yesterday, one that had already been thrown in the bin. The only reason she had taken it was because the cover showed a blue phone booth with Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor on the cover. Jess had spent all morning skimming through it, reading the headline article as well as chuckling about the gossip and the ads—even though some of them were rather sexist.

At some point, she found a double page on fancy hairstyles for women and now struggled to copy one of the elegant braids to spice up her own hair. Thus far, she had been failing miserably, flinching with a grunt when Loki opened the bathroom door. He tilted his head upon seeing her sitting on the edge of her bathtub with her tongue sticking out a little and her fingers entangled in her brown hair.

“Yes?”

“I meant to get washed but clearly, you are occupied in here.”

Jess huffed, flinging the hair tie into the sink. “I’ve been trying to braid my hair. Like this, look!” She pointed at the magazine. The woman in the picture looked like it had taken her five minutes to create this look, and they’d had the audacity to rate this style ‘quick and easy’.

Loki chuckled. “You look like a scarecrow.”

“Why, thank you.” She rolled her eyes. “You can take your shower, I give up on this.” She said.

His sigh surprised her. “Allow me.”

“What?” Jess’ reply was all but a chirp but Loki had already approached her and fetched the hair tie from the sink. The braid was indeed a simple one, and as he stood behind her to part her hair for her, he had to refrain from letting her know just how soft it felt.

He had often braided his mother’s hair as a child. It was an activity that had calmed him down whenever Thor and his friends had made fun of how fond he was of books and preferred to use his mind and tricks rather than raw strength in play fights. The hand movements he was so familiar with that he had no need to look. Instead, he met Jess’ eyes in the mirror. She swallowed, and for a brief moment, he found himself remembering the whimpers coming from her bedroom at night.

Quickly, he averted his gaze again, parting her hair to reveal the earrings dangling down her earlobes. They shimmered in the artificial light of the bathroom. He had never seen her without them, come to think of it.

“They are moonstones.” She said when she noticed his glance. His finger brushed against her left earring once more, making it swing a little. “M got them for me on my birthday. The stone is said to soothe emotional instability and stress, and to stabilise emotions.” After all, her own parents were unlikely to buy her birthday presents anymore. “He asked me to always wear them… that they would protect me from evil.”

Loki hummed. He was familiar with the healing properties of moonstones. They were rather common on Asgard too. Only it made him wonder why Mobius would be so keen on her keeping them on at all times.

“Do you truly believe that?”

She shrugged. “I choose to.”

His fingertips brushed against the soft skin of her neck and he sucked in a deep breath. Jess’ lips parted. She was indeed a beautiful woman, was she not? Loki pondered if she was aware of just how alluring she was. How delectable she sounded when she came undone, believing so naïvely that he was unable to hear the fun she had with herself.

Lust flared up in his blue eyes, his fingers caressing her neck once more, and him braiding her hair all of a sudden turning into a subtle excuse to touch her over and over, to explore what their physical connection meant to him. Then it hit him. The inexplicable tension between them was indeed sexual too.

It was perfect, was it not? If Jess desired him, in whatever way she imagined to… then perhaps he could make use of her attraction, especially as this meant that he too would get to blatantly act on those carnal needs simmering right beneath the surface of his very core. He could not possibly trust her beyond that.

“There.” He announced, finishing up the braid by tying the loose ends together with her hair tie. She looked exactly like the model in the magazine now—only Loki had done an even better job. Jess swallowed once more, wishing, subconsciously, that he would touch her one last time. When he stepped away from her instead, she came to suppress a disappointed whimper.

“M is, um… you’ll be sent to a different unit next week.” She said, breaking the oddly peaceful but palpable silence between them.

“Am I?”

“Yeah. Reese recovered well, I mean, that’s what M told me. He will take over after the party.”

“What party?”

Jess stood, clutching the sink behind her for support—Loki did not fail to notice how flustered she was now, almost as if him braiding her hair had intensified whatever it was she felt for him. It had been a long time since he had last had to think this way upon meeting someone of the opposite sex, let alone a mortal woman.

“Dave is celebrating his anniversary this weekend. It’s a big deal here at the TVA, much more important than birthdays. M didn’t tell you about it, then.” She concluded.

Loki shook his head slowly and decided to give her a smirk. Her reaction, blood biting at her cheeks, pleased him. “I’d dare say I am not invited to your silly festivities.”

“M is thinking about it. About inviting you, I mean. And I guess you could… use a break from all… this. Besides, apart from security, everyone will be drunk by midnight. Lots of snacking and dancing…”

Loki rolled his eyes. He had already hated these kinds of parties back on Asgard. Fandral would shamelessly flirt with three women at once, Volstagg would stuff himself into a coma and Thor would brag with his hammer on the dance floor, making the women believe they could lift it as they danced with him.

If anything, however, this absurd anniversary was the perfect opportunity for him to let his charm play and gain her trust. Jess sighed, prompting him to look up and meet her eyes. She stood, approaching him with the hint of a smile both scornful and compassionate at the same time… and then wrapped her arms around him.

Loki tensed up, his arms hanging by his side motionlessly. Physical affection was the last thing he had expected in a place like this, even from Jess. Perhaps, gaining her trust would be easier than he thought it would be, and still, part of him was unable to deny how much he enjoyed knowing that someone at least pretended to care, as peculiar as she was. Her touch felt like someone had set his entire body ablaze.

“Listen, I know you’ve been through shit and I know you hate everyone right now, including me. M may or may not have red on his ledger but you’re a part of the team now. You’re one of us. If we don’t stand up for each other, then who will?”

“I never agreed on becoming a part of the team.” Loki responded darkly.

Jess moved away from him a little, her smile faltering. “Me neither.”

~*~

“You’ll have to explain that to me one more time. When your father, I mean, Odin, fell into the Odinsleep—whatever the hell that means—your mother gave you the throne?”

Loki hummed. That was the part of the story Thor had left out upon telling S.H.I.E.L.D. and all the other silly secret organisations run by mortals how dangerous and menacing his adoptive brother was.

Jess was flicking through one of the thickest books he had ever seen. It was a collection of astronomical anomalies written down in a language not even Loki could decipher and it was so big she had to stand upright rather than sit at her desk to read the top of the pages. She gazed at him from the corner of her eyes.

“Thor was no longer on Asgard and Mother refused to leave Odin’s side. I was the only one left fit to rule—only Thor’s idiotic friends did not accept me as their king.”

“Let me guess… they pretended you were the villain so you became the villain?” Nibbling on her candy necklace, she bit off a pearl with a loud crack. Loki flinched a little. It was short of a miracle she had not chipped any of her teeth yet.

“I saw my chance,” he said. “So I took it. I never saw myself as the villain. And I never lied. I was the rightful king of Asgard.”

Jess bent over to read the small print. She was still wearing the plait Loki had braided into her hair. It swayed from side to side a bit as it fell over her shoulder, revealing her neck. Her scent was almost unnerving—unnerving in a most ferocious and desirable way. Intoxicating. He had sensed it when she had hugged him already and now, part of him was greedy to press her close to him once more and feel her body against his. He suppressed a growl. He should be enjoying his quest to tiptoe nearer and nearer to getting this ridiculous collar off his neck and make this mortal woman swoon over him—not the other way around. He was the one in control. He had to be.

So he stepped closer, his tread so quiet Jess never heard him approach her.

“So you came to like it. The power of the throne?” She said without looking up. Loki nodded, oblivious to the fact she could not see him. She cursed under her breath when his arm brushed against hers, eliciting a barely noticeable smirk from him. It was amusing how quickly he could read her reactions to him now.

The Trickster swallowed. “I meant to prove myself to the man who never saw me as a potential heir in the first place.”

“How did Thanos find you?” Jess choked out when he moved in closer, demanding all of her attention to himself. It almost scared him how fast she forgot about the massive book on her desk, her eyes fixed on his face as if it bore the answer to all of her questions. Loki’s expression hardened nonetheless, regardless of how much the urge to taste her lips rose within him.

“How much do you know?”

“I know what M told me… that you were his ally and he helped you take over Earth in exchange for the Tesseract.”

Loki narrowed his eyes at her. “Then you know nothing.” Her glance found his lips now too. He was standing close enough for his warm breath to ghost over her mouth, her heart beating more rapidly with every passing second.

Fuck. Her office was being monitored. Sucking in a deep breath, she moved away from him and closed the thick book on her desk shut. “It’s late. We should head to the party.” She cleared her throat. “You can, um… wait for me here so I can get changed. Give me five.”

Loki nodded, taken by surprise until he noticed her glancing at the chunky surveillance camera in the corner of the room. Ah… there it was. The fear or shame or both to be caught being involved with him. Loki gnashed his teeth when she rushed past him, fleeing from the scene. That, at least, was something he was familiar with.

He remained in the office, almost as if glued to the spot, for a while longer before he made his way towards the cafeteria where the festivities would take place. Jess would catch up—besides, so he had to admit, he was indeed looking forward to seeing their faces when he joined the ridiculous little party and what it might give him to work with.

“Really, that’s all? That’s almost a little disappointing.” He heard Dave say in the distance, presumably a few yards away from him, his voice ricocheting through the dark hallway.

Loki stopped dead in his tracks. As silent as a mouse, he leaned against the wall, melted into it almost, and slowed down his breathing.

“Yes…” Another voice that Loki identified as Mobius’, replied. “We did take a risk with them but I must admit, I too almost expected a little… more. I thought one of them might… feel something, you know—a connection or recognition, maybe.” Loki could hear his suit ruffle as he shrugged. “Well, timelines can be unpredictable. We do know that better than anyone else.”

Connection. Recognition? For some peculiar reason, he was certain the pair were speaking about him. Him and… Jess? Who else could they possibly mean? His gut feeling, however, told him that he should, seidr or not, get rid of the security footage in Jess’ office as soon as possible. Whatever it was Mobius wanted to see unfolding between them, he was not going to grant him the satisfaction of presenting it to him on a silver platter.

Fortunately enough, they were too far away to hear him, he realised that once more when Jess’ footsteps echoed through the hallway. He knew it was her without even looking behind himself and yet, found his heart skipping a beat when she touched his arm.

“Ready? You know they might give you suspicious looks as soon as you… what are you doing?”

Loki gave her a disarming smile. “Nothing. Shall we?”

~*~

A/N: Put your swords up, put ‘em up; it’s going down.

[shozaii]

hiii! your writing’s really cute n wholesome 🥺🤍 can i request shouto with an s/o who’s a ballerina and she uses that to her advantage when she fights? thank u

(a/n): thank you so so much anon! y’all are too sweet my heart🥺💕 this request made me squeal and i hope you like it!🥰

i have written this with all my research of ballet hehe

masterlist.

——————————————————

beauty and grace.

todoroki x reader

warnings : none! 

(credits to the owners of these pictures btw :) )

you have been taking ballet lessons ever since you were a kid. as time flew and you have manifested your quirk,, it was a new goal.

becoming not only the best ballet dancer - but also using those moves during your time in the hero course. a hero, one of a kind! 

the best part was that your quirk complimented your moves. during the entrance exams, you had almost everyone giving you second looks. wow, what a beautiful sight, they thought.

your hero costume was a little inspired by a tutu, as well. not exactly like one, but the idea was there. your favorite color, the perfect footwear to lessen the burden/injury of your legs.

beautiful, yet deadly. the robots being defeated in an instant the moment your legs did a swift kick into the air, knocking your obstacles to the ground. a pirouette shortly after, easily balancing yourself on the track.

it took a while for a dual colored hair boy to notice you. well - he has for a long time. but something about you made him flutter.

he didn’t understand what it was, but he was sure it was new.

there in the common room, the whole class have gathered around, watching you perform your favorite piece of music. you earned ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as you showed them some moves you have learned for over 10 years or more.

he watched from afar, amazed by the talent you had possessed. and so, when he entered his room, he grabbed hold of a little notebook.

he titled it, ‘beauty and grace’. 

it wasn’t just a notebook of your moves. it was also a notebook about you. just you. his feelings. his sensations and tingles. his goosebumps when he sees you defeat anything coming your way.

‘imagine the aura of the ballerina, on the battlefield with a capability so lovely,’ he wrote.

‘though it was beauty and grace, she spices it up with a fast pace,’ he added, recollecting the memory of your fighting styles.

your friendship with shoto was a treasure. it happened as if it were a dream. you had long talks, loads of questions between each other, studying together, walking back to the dorms when you had the opportunity (and when the girls ‘accidentally’ push you to him)

“how long have you been taking lessons?” he asked you one fine day. to which you replied, “ever since i was four!”

begins researching about ballet lessons on youtube or any website with the best information🥺he wants to stay updated. he begins to watch your performances with his classmates. sometimes you perform them when you’re training. he asks your permission sometimes, afraid that he might disturb you (best boy i swear) and while he trains, his heart swoons in joy.

“what about the ones with no ribbons?.”

“ah! these flats are for training.”

his mother listens to the stories he tells about you and smiles. she too, would love to see you someday❤️

i would say he has this huge liking for ballet shoes. it looks so,, pleasing. the way you put them on, tying the ribbons effortlessly with your hands. well, the whole concept of ballet makes him feel relaxed. the music, moves.

very soon, he knew the feelings were catching up to him. it was all in a blink of an eye. i’ve mentioned this before, but he tends to be straightforward. and so he poured out his feelings to you in an instant.

what a blissful feeling. you never expected shoto todoroki, the most handsome boy in your class; to like you. but you had to admit, he looks at you like nobody do. 

it was something that nobody else had.

the notebook of his was constantly filled with words about you. he gave it to you for you to read it 😭💕💕maybe it was around the time when you were both on a date. he had the courage to finally show you that the poetic side of his was to be shown to you; the one he loved most.

you couldn’t help but blush at every compliment he poured out into the book. it was full of emotion, compassion and love. “this is beautiful, shoto.”

“i didn’t want to forget it,” he smiled. “i guess i wouldn’t anymore.”

the love you had for each other was definitely something else. 

he even notices that the flats - the one you wear during training/classes and also the ones you wear for ballet performances; slowly beginning to wear off. and then he finally knew exactly what you would like as a gift.

it was 12 a.m., and everyone wished you the happiest birthday. gifts, party streamers, balloons were everywhere in the common room! he seized the night, walking towards you after taking deep breaths.

shoto stood in front of you. placing a kiss on your forehead.(cue your friends sneakily taking pictures) “this is my few months of enhanced research based on your likes and dislikes. i hope you like it. happy birthday, love.”

as you open the beautifully wrapped box, you let out a delighted squeal. it was new flats, all of them being your favorite colors. as you dug deeper, you saw a dress. custom made, with the sequins and decorations. moreover, it reminded you of the words from his book; all about you.🥰

you were right. the scarlet letter that came with the gift said it all. with the new set of words he has written down for you.

your tears were streaming down your cheeks within seconds. “shoto!” you said as he brought you into his arms. “thank you! i...this is beautiful! i have so much to say yet it isn’t processing well. i love you so much,” you looked up at him.

“oh, love. so many years in my life and you are the definition of flawless. keep doing what you do best. i’ll be watching.”

(a/n): here you go anon! i wrote based on my knowledge of ballet, and i apologize terribly for how long it took :( this has been my favorite piece of writing so far!

[btsfaris]

bakery boy

pairing; lee taeyong x reader.

words; 5.6k

genre; smut, angst, fluff.

a/n; taeyong is such a hot softie in this ok.

It was supposed to be easy; walking into your shift a few minutes late, due to your alarm not going off and rushing out of your home 5 minutes before it started, without your boss noticing. The thought flying right over your head the second you walked to the front and saw the line of customers outside. Your eyes widen and you rush inside, ignoring the weird looks from everyone.

“Y/N!” your boss sighs in relief, not exactly the reaction you were expecting.

“I’m so sorry I’m late-“ you begin but he waves you off, shooing you to the break room, “It’s fine! Go put on your apron and help out on the register!”

You nod, rushing to put away your things and put on the proper uniform. As you're tying your hair up and out of your face, a tall figure pops out from the kitchen, frightening you and you let out a yelp.

“Sorry!” a boy with icy blonde hair apologizes, raising his hands up in defense, “I didn’t mean to scare you! You must be y/n.. right?”

“Yes..” you blink, staring at the young stranger, “and you are..?”

“Taeyong,” he smiles warmly, holding a hand out to you, “it’s nice to finally meet you.”

You stare at his hand awkwardly for a second, still frozen. He looks a bit hesitant after your reaction but keeps his hand out anyways. Did Mr. Ahn hire him? You’re not sure why, things were never too busy at the shop for more than two people.

“Y/N! Taeyong!” Your boss calls for you both and you greet him with a sharp nod, walking past to the front. You mentally wince at your mannerless reaction but slowly forget about it, as you tend to the next customer.

Between the three of you, the line slowly disappears after an hour or so. You can’t pinpoint why the shop was particularly crowded on this day. It wasn’t a national pastry holiday, nor were there any discounts going on. At the very least, everyone was content with their baked goods and your boss rewarded you both with a longer lunch to compensate for the hard work. You grab a muffin for your lunch and a small cup of coffee to destress as you lounge in the break room.

Some time passes by as you scroll through your phone, munching on the warm blueberry muffin, and enjoying the sweet taste. You double tap on a few photos on your timeline before you see in the corner of your eye someone placing a cup on the table beside you.

“Hey,” Taeyong greets, sitting down on a chair, “quite the rush hour, huh?”

Nodding softly, “It was so strange.”

“What was?” He raises an eyebrow, taking a sip from his cup.

“Well, we don’t ever have rush hours like that.. I’m still trying to figure what caused it,” you ponder out loud.

“Wow, really? I thought it was normal..”

“Yeah.. so strange,” shrugging, you finish off the muffin and stand up, “back to work now.”

“Wait but Mr. Ahn gave us an extra thirty minutes, remember?”

“Yeah I know, but I feel bad. I don’t want to leave him all alone out there in case it gets busy again,” you wrap the apron around your waist, walking past him, “enjoy your lunch!”

The weeks since Taeyong was hired at the bakery, you learned quickly how much of a hard worker he really is and how fast he managed to remember all the pastries. It’s quite impressive really, not being able to recall if he ever messed up an order. Despite the new number of female customers the shop has received, he always gets his job done. Of course, you teach him a few things along the way, little tricks that have always helped you get the baked goods out faster.

He seems to actually take your tips into consideration as well, trying them out and thanking you every time it’s successful. Taeyong is an overall sweet human being, and you’re thankful Mr. Ahn even hired him in the first place.

On one particular closing shift you get to know him even better, as you’re both prepping the dough for tomorrow morning’s batch. The shop is closed now, so it’s a more relaxing setting as you talk about little things.

“You know what this dough needs?” Taeyong wipes his hands of flour, “some tender loving music!”

You laugh as he types on his phone and the room is filled with one of your favorite songs, “I love stray kidz,” you smile.

“Really? I’m glad, that means you have better taste in music than in pastries,” he muses and you flick a bit of flour at him.

“Hey! Those lemon cakes are actually really good,” you defend.

“Those things taste like acid on my tongue, they’re so bitter,” he scrunches up his nose in distaste, kneading dough with his hands.

“Well maybe if you knew how to make it properly, you’d actually like it,” sticking your tongue out at him as he rolls his eyes playfully.

“It’s okay Taeyong-ssi, one day you’ll be able to make pastries as good as me, I have been here longer anyways,” you boost and he raises an eyebrow in challenge.

“Is that so?” He smirks, lifting up his hands that are covered in bits of dough and flour, “maybe you can taste-test this for me? See if it’s up to par.”

“Oh no you don’t! Don’t you dare Lee Taeyong!” you immediately shriek and start to back up as he heads towards you with sticky fingers. He laughs as you run away and chases after you. “Who’s pastries are better now?”

“Taeyong!” you cry out, not wanting him to slime you with the dough, “okay! yours are better!”

“Sorry? What was that?” He chuckles and grabs you by your arm.

The action makes you lose balance when you try to pull your arm away from his grasp, slipping on the powdery floor beneath you. In the process, you grab him by his collar to save yourself but bring him down with you instead. You fall on the floor first and he plops right on top of your form.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Taeyong raises himself off a bit but is still leaning over you.

“I’m never making lemon cake again,” you groan, opening your eyes and he lets out a small, breathy chuckle.

“You’re covered in dough,” Taeyong grins, pulling out a few pieces out from your hair. You raise your hands that are covered with flour and swipe them across his face in retaliation. He gasps, before pinning your arms to stop you from continuing.

“Now we’re even,” you giggle and he shakes his head laughing.

From this angle, his hair is dangling slightly on the sides of his face. You’d never been this close to him before and you take the opportunity to study his features. Despite the powder on his cheeks, you can see how defined his face is. Strong eyebrows with a small slit on the right side, big brown eyes looking down at you that almost twinkle. His nose has a high bridge and his pale skin looks as smooth as a baby, despite the cute little scar beside his left eye. To complete it all, his lips look so soft and hold a rosy tint. He is actually incredibly handsome, almost angelic, that it makes you blush being this close to him.

Glancing back up to his eyes, he has a smoldering look to them now. His eyes flicker from yours to your lips, almost as if he’s asking for permission.. Is he asking for permission?

But before you can pull him down for a sweet kiss, his phone rings, cutting off the soft music that’s playing.

“You should probably get that..” you say above a whisper, and he drops his head before finally getting up. As he picks up the call, you slowly get up and brush off the dough from your uniform. “Yes.. I’m almost off.. I’ll be there as soon as I can.. Okay, I’ll pick it up on the way,” Taeyong hums into the receiver, “I love you too. Bye.”

You're thankful your back is facing him when you hear it. Who was that on the phone? A girlfriend? His girlfriend? Oh my god, of course he has a girlfriend. How could you be so stupid and expect for a guy as gorgeous as himself to actually be single. Here you were, hoping to get a kiss from a man who’s clearly taken. You were embarrassed to say the least, he was so out of your league, so out of reach.

“We should probably clean up and head out,” you say quietly, packing up the leftover dough on the counter.

“You okay though? You fell pretty hard. Sit down, I can clean up,” Taeyong asks, worry laced in his tone.

You wave him off, still not looking at him as you grab a rag to wipe down the counters, “We can leave faster with two people cleaning up.”

He stares at you for a moment, almost trying to figure out what’s wrong but you don’t show any emotion as you avert his gaze. Eventually, he gives up and starts to clean up with you. Not another word is said after, as both of you finish up and you’re thankful.

Things after the incident weren’t the same. You distanced yourself from Taeyong, not wanting to gain any more feelings for him, whilst he belonged to someone else. It was quite frustrating for him, you could tell. One day you were his friend, and the next you were giving him the cold shoulder. You felt guilty doing that to him, but you had to do something to get rid of the butterflies he gave you.

Taeyong tried to get you to talk to him more, asking all kinds of questions, even things he knew, just to get you to say something. You wished he would stop, wanting things to go back to normal faster. It didn’t seem like today would be that day either, because as you open up the shop, he walks in with fiery red hair that almost has your mouth dropping.

“Good morning y/n,” he waves with a small smile, and you blink, staring at his head.

He looks so good. The bastard.

“You dyed your hair,” you mumble, looking at his perfectly styled hair that’s parted to the side today. A different look than his usual messy yet somehow sexy hairstyle that he always sports.

“This? Yeah haha, what do you think? Is it too much?” He looks at you, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. The action practically making you swoon, “It looks good,” you look back down and continue to count the money in the register

“Really? You think so?”

You nod once, still not looking at him. “Everything's ready for opening.. Can you switch the sign?”

“O-Oh, yeah, sure,” he sounds disappointed, and your heart hurts at the sound.

Thankfully Mr. Ahn walks out from the back and lets out a gasp, “Wah, Taeyong-ssi, you’ve really out done it this time.”

“Morning Mr. Ahn,” Taeyong bows shyly.

“I thought the blue hair was crazy, but I was wrong.. this is something else.” Your boss chuckles and it catches your attention.

“Blue hair..?” You ask, lost in the conversation.

“Taeyong had bright blue hair last year, he thought it would bring in more sales for the winter.” Mr. Ahn chuckles, patting him on the back and walking away.

You look at Taeyong confused and he stays silent. “You’ve worked here.. before?”

He swallows and nods. “How long?”

“Two years.. almost three.”

Blinking repeatedly, “so you’ve worked here longer than me?”

He winces and nods again. You bite the side of your cheek and turn around, heading to the break room to take a minute to process everything.

Taeyong follows behind you, “Please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad.. I just don’t understand why you would let me think that I’ve been here longer than you,” you shake your head in disbelief.

“I was going to tell you at first, but then you kept helping me figure out new things and I liked learning from you.. You’d get all excited whenever I took your advice and I didn’t want it to change.”

“But now it looks like I’m a know-it-all,” groaning in embarrassment, you put your face in your hands.

Taeyong grabs your hands and slowly pulls them away from your face. “You’re not a know-it-all, trust me when I tell you that I’m grateful for all the help you’ve given me,” he looks into your eyes with warm ones. Your heart skips a beat and you want nothing more than to wrap your arms around his neck and kiss his perfect mouth.

He still has a girlfriend.

Instead, you pull your hands away from him and look down, “Thank you, please try to not keep these things from me though,” you say and give him a forced smile.

He nods quickly, “I’ll be honest from now on.”

“Good, hurry and put on your apron so we can get to work,” you instruct and he gives you a breathtaking smile.

Pretending things were fine between you and Taeyong was incredibly hard. Having to control your instincts to hold his hand or lean up to kiss his smooth cheek whenever he did something, anything, was pretty difficult. Of course to Taeyong, nothing was wrong and it seemed like everything went back to normal but it wasn’t the same to you. Ever since that night, all you could think about was him. The way he talks, the way he moves, the way he looks so damn good everyday even when he’s not trying.. which is not doing well for your fixated heart.

But all you could do was smile and keep distance between the two of you as much as possible. Today is no different.

You’re restocking the pound cake in the displaying case when someone walks in, “Hello, welcome in!” You greet the customer.

She’s tall, beautifully long and brown hair, with skin as smooth as butter. Her eyes painted with a bit of shadow, lips plump and glossy.

“How can I help you? Can I offer you to try our banana bread? It’s our top-seller this week,” you smile.

“Oh actually, I was looking for-“

“Noona?” Taeyong speaks from behind you, “what are you doing here?”

“Well I wanted to surprise my favorite boy at work,” she flashes her pearly teeth at him, lifting up a take-out bag.

“Oh my gosh! Thank you Noona!” He grins, taking the bag with a long bow and then hugging her.

You stare at the two awkwardly, you can feel the back of your neck rise with heat. Could this be his girlfriend? She was beautiful, older, more sophisticated. Who wouldn’t want her as their girlfriend?

“Sorry y/n! Meet Irene, I’ve known her my whole life basically,” Taeyong grins like she’s his whole world, “Noona, this is y/n, my coworker and close friend.”

Friend.

“Nice to meet you,” Irene bows lightly, “how long have you two been working together?”

“Oh, almost a year-“ “Not long,” you cut him off before grabbing the dirty tray to distract yourself from the jealousy that’s coursing through your veins.

“I better wash this up, it was lovely to meet you Irene,” you bow back respectfully and leave the room.

All you want to do is sit in a corner and cry. How long can you keep this up? Pretend that you’re fine being just his friend, his coworker, and nothing more? Tears fall down your face without realizing it and you quickly wipe them away. Maybe things really couldn’t go back to normal.. maybe you just needed to leave. Things were clearly only getting worse, and you certainly weren’t having fun at work anymore. But you couldn’t do that to Mr. Ahn, he was such a nice boss and despite your feelings for Taeyong, he was a great coworker.

You were just going to have to suck it up and get rid of these feelings quicker.

-

It was already the end of your shift when a loud clap of thunder surprised you. It’s late at night, with rain pouring like cats and dogs outside. You sigh and realize you may have to spend some money to get an uber home this time.

“Wow, looks like someone broke mother nature’s heart.”

“Huh?” You look up at Taeyong as he stands next to the window.

“There’s a saying in my hometown,” he continues, “that whenever it rains as hard as this, mother nature is crying, over a broken heart.”

That makes two of us, you think.

“Well she needs to move on quickly,” you sigh, typing into your phone, “I gotta get home.”

“Well she’s in love,” he shakes his head with a smile, “it's kind of hard to do that when you have feelings for someone.”

“Sometimes it’s better not to have feelings at all,” you whisper, more to yourself but he catches it anyways, turning to you with a look of concern.

Another clap of thunder and lightning appear which cause you both to jump at the sound. The lights flicker before turning off completely, as do all the street lights outside.

“Oh please don’t tell me we’re out of power. I can’t see a thing in here,” you hiss, walking aimlessly with open arms to feel around.

“Hold on, let me look for a power switch,” Taeyong says, and you hear him walking as well.

You move your arms to make sure you don’t bump into a corner or fall face first. Once you think the coast is clear, you move forward but instantly bump into something. You grip the sides and feel something soft. Moving up, you touch something harder, warmth in your palms.

“If you wanted to feel my muscles, you could’ve just asked,” Taeyong teases and you yelp in embarrassment.

“Sorry, I-I can’t see-“

“That’s okay, here stay put, I’ll find some candles that we have in the stockroom,” he chuckles, before moving away.

You stand in the dark and feel the heat on your cheeks. Waiting a few moments — you hear Taeyong rustling in the back before he comes near again and there is a loud snap, a single match turning on. Quickly, he lights four candles that help bring a bit of light back.

“Good thing we had these for Valentine’s Day,” he jokes, before walking across the room and opening the power cabinet. He switches it on and off, but to no luck, the power is still gone.

“Do you want to share an Uber? I think I have enough-“ you stop mid-sentence when you realize your phone won’t turn on. You click and tap on it several times before groaning.

“The world is playing a sick joke on me,” you say as you sink to the floor.

“Hey it’s not that bad, we’ll just stay here until the rain stops,” he coos, sitting next to you, “it’ll be fun, just me and you.”

Great.

“What are we going to do? There’s no electricity or anything to keep us occupied,” you sigh, and he thinks for a moment before grinning.

“Wait here!” Taeyong stands, running to the kitchen. He returns with a bottle of white wine and two empty coffee cups.

“I’d like to thank whoever added white wine to cream puffs,” he pours you both a cup, then hands you one.

“White wine, candle light, and rain outside,” you take a sip, “looks like the perfect date.”

“Could be,” Taeyong winks and you snort.

“Yeah right, you should be doing this with your girlfriend. Too bad you’re stuck with me,” you down your cup, not sure if the words or the wine were more bitter on your tongue.

“Girlfriend? What girlfriend?” He laughs, like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.

“The beautiful girl with brown silky hair? Ring a bell?”

“Do you mean Irene?” He raises an eyebrow, and you nod, already pouring yourself another cup, “She’s not my girlfriend, just a family friend. I’ve known her since I was in, like, diapers. I think she might have even changed mine actually..”

“Oh,” you mumble, feeling embarrassed at your assumption.

“What about you? Isn’t your boyfriend wondering where you are?” He looks away and takes a big gulp, setting the cup beside him.

“The only boyfriend I have is my job,” you joke sadly, “guys just aren’t interested in me.”

“That’s not true,” he mumbles and your eyes turn to him.

“Shit, did I say that out loud?” Taeyong blushes and puts his face in his hands.

“Trust me, guys don’t like girls who look like me,” you shrug, hugging your cup closer to your chest.

You can feel his eyes on you but instead returning his gaze, you focus on the half empty drink in your palms.

“You really don’t know how beautiful you are, do you?”

“What?” You look up.

Taeyong looks at you with sadness, almost heartbroken that you would ever consider yourself less than average. He shakes his head and stands up, before pacing back and forth.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” You’re concerned now, watching him look irritated with something.

“Nothing, it's just-“ he stops himself, before taking a deep breath and walks towards you. Crouching in front of you, he holds you by the shoulders and looks you straight in the eye.

“Do you have feelings for me?” Taeyong blurts out, causing your blood to almost freeze. You don’t make a move as you hold your breath. “Y/n.. do you?”

He knows. Oh my god, he knows. He probably hates you now. “What are you talking about Tae? We’re friends,” you somehow manage to say, eyes starting to water but you blink them away.

“So you don’t like me? You don’t feel anything besides friendship for me?” He whispers, his grip on your shoulders loosening with every word.

“Tae-“

“God I’m so stupid,” he mumbles, hands covering his face now, “stupid, stupid, stupid.”

“What are you talking about?” Looking at him with worry, he laughs sadly and looks at you with tears in his eyes.

“I like you y/n,” he confesses, “I’ve liked you for so long now. I’ve tried everything to get close to you. To figure out a way for you to reciprocate my feelings but.. you’re never going to feel the same, are you?”

Sitting there in shock, you don’t say a word.

“And here I am, thinking this might be the night where I would tell you how I felt but now I’m just a sad loser,” he mutters, wiping at his cheeks.

“Taeyong..”

“No it’s okay, you don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to let you know, even if you don’t like me back,” he clears his throat, attempting to cover up his sadness.

Maybe it was the way he confessed and looked so heartbroken or the rush of alcohol in your veins, but you bravely grab his chin and press your lips against his. You pull away after a few moments and he stares at you with his mouth agape.

“Are you just going to sit there, or are you going to kiss me?” You whisper, and his eyes flicker before his mouth is on yours again.

He tastes like peppermint, wine and tears. The kiss is more passionate this time, with all your frustrations and heartbreak, fueling it. Taeyong holds your face like he’s never going to let go and frankly, you don’t want him to.

You nibble on his lower lip and he almost growls, his mouth parting to move his tongue against yours. Wrapping your arms around his neck, your fingers run through his fiery hair as his hands move to grip your waist. Taeyong pulls away and looks at you with smoldering eyes, and it makes heat pool between your legs.

He leans down and kisses you softly this time, mouthing at your lips sensually. The simple act makes a soft moan release from your lips and he pauses, repeating the action to hear it again.

“Tae,” you breathe, tugging at his hair when his kisses move south, down your jaw and neck.

Taeyong lips move to yours once more and slowly brings you down to lay on your back. His hands roam your body, finally raising your leg to wrap around his waist. You can feel him this way, how hard he is under his black skinny’s that always makes him look so good. Your hips involuntarily raise up and grind against him, causing him to groan in your mouth.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” he groans, pushing his hips harder into yours. The action makes your panties stick to you with arousal.

“Taeyong, please touch me,” you beg, tugging at his white button up, wanting to feel his skin on yours. He hums in understanding, sitting up to remove the material, revealing his perfect torso.

“Sorry, I’m not buff or anything..” he whispers in embarrassment, “I know I’m pretty skinny.”

A frown settles on your face when you hear that, before you sit up and run your hands down his body softly, “You’re perfect, I like you just the way you are,” you say as you look up at him and unbuckle his belt.

His breath stutters when you reach into his pants and palm him through his briefs. “Is this okay?” You ask and he nods, throwing his head back when you thumb at the head.

“You know I’m the only one getting pretty naked here, mind if we change that?” His cheeky grin returns and he pulls at your shirt to take it off. You raise your arms and he removes the item, revealing a black bra you’re happy you wore today. He cups your breast in his hand, looking at you for reassurance.

You reach behind and unclip the brassiere, pulling the straps down and letting it fall off. Taeyong’s eyes widen and you bite your lip shyly at his reaction. “Wow,” he gapes, “this is so much better than in my dreams.”

“You’ve dreamt about me?” You let out a laugh.

He tucks your hair behind your ear, “Baby, you are my dream,” he smiles before kissing you again. His fingers tug at your sensitive buds causing you to gasp, holding onto his warm shoulders. Taeyong settles you back on to the cold floor, making you shiver at the sensation.

He pecks your lips softly, then moves his lips down your neck, sucking at the supple skin. Moving down, he kisses between your breast and puts one of your perks in his mouth. He uses his other hand to massage the other, looking up at you with dark eyes.

“Please touch me, I need you,” You moan out and he pulls away, unbuttoning your pants. He pulls them off your legs, along with your panties. There you lay, on display for him, and only him. He looks at you in adoration, cursing under his breath.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this, to have you like this for me,” he tells you, kissing your hips before moving further down.

Before you can say anything back, his wet tongue is on you. He laps softly before sucking on your clit, making you gasp in pleasure. Moving the muscle against you, he flicks up and down before mouthing at you. Your legs twitch beside his head and he keeps your thighs apart with his strong hands.

Soon he brings a hand up and slides a finger in, “Fuck you’re so wet, so tight,” he groans, sucking on your clit again and adding another finger.

You’re not sure if it’s the shock of hearing Taeyong’s dirty words or how his fingers are hitting the right spot, but you’re so close already. “Tae, oh god, I’m gonna come,” you moan loudly, tugging at his hair in pleasure.

“Come on princess, come all over my fingers. Be a good girl for me,” he whispers and moves his fingers faster, a pace that has you seeing stars after and curling your toes. Your back arches off the cold ground and your high hits you in waves.

Your eyes blink open and you’re panting when you look at Taeyong who looks ready to pounce on you. “You are so hot when you come,” he groans, bringing his mouth to meet yours. The kiss is messy and you can taste yourself but you don’t care. You palm him through his pants but he moves your hand away.

“As much as I want you to, I think I might come if you keep touching me,” he chuckles against your lips.

“Then fuck me already,” you quip and bite his lower lip. He moans at your words and tugs his pants down quickly. You help him remove his black briefs and you see him, all of him. He’s bigger than you expected him to be, much to your delight. Not too thick, red at the tip and a vein running along it.

“Like what you see?” He smirks when you reach his gaze and you roll your eyes.

“I’d like it more if you were inside of me,” you sass and he retaliates, tugging your legs closer to him causing you to yelp in surprise.

Leaning over, he pulls a condom from his wallet and is about to rip it open when you stop his hand. “You don’t have to, you know. I have a birth control implant,” you tell him and he raises his eyebrows, “I just want to feel all of you.” Taeyong chucks the condom somewhere randomly after causing you to let out a laugh.

It’s cut short when he rubs his throbbing head at your clit and the sensation makes you shutter. He sits up, before thrusting in swiftly and pulling out. You’re so wet that he slides right in, moving slowly before catching a rhythm.

“You feel so good,” he moans, taking hold of your hips to pick up his pace.

You’ve never felt so full in your life, he feels so big inside of you, so hard that you can’t help raise your hips with every thrust. He growls at your movements and lifts you up with ease, laying back so you can straddle him. You feel him deeper this way, moving your hips up and down.

“Yes, fuck, you ride me so well,” Taeyong groans, head thrown back and you can see the veins in his neck.

This fuels your core, making you move faster and harder to please him. His eyes practically roll back and it almost makes you come on the spot. His fingers move down to rub your clit to get you to your second high. Taeyong hisses when you clench on him, wrapping his arms around your waist tight.

He thrusts upwards to pound into you, “Come for me again love, come all over my dick,” he says, and you moan loudly into his neck as your second orgasm hits you.

Despite two powerful orgasms tiring you out, you continue moving your hips to give Taeyong his turn. You sit up, bouncing faster and using all of your leg strength to support yourself.

“Oh fuck, oh god,” Taeyong gasps, “yes just like that, fuck I’m gonna come.”

“Please come, fill me up Tae,” you moan out to him and never stop moving your hips, “come for me.”

“Yeah? You want me to come?” He breathes, holding you tight, “fuck, fuck, fuck, I’m cumming, oh shit-“

You feel long spurts release inside of you as Taeyong calls out your name. Moving your hips slowly, you help him ride out his high before he’s completely soft inside of you. When you raise yourself off of him, his come runs down your thighs.

You reach over the counter to collect napkins and wipe yourself. Once you’re done, you turn to see Taeyong still laying on the ground, extremely spent. You smile and lay down next to him, head on his chest. He brings you closer by wrapping his arms around you.

“How long have you had feelings for me?” You say after a moment of silence.

“Probably since the day I met you,” Taeyong grins at the memory, “I thought you were pretty, then when I found out how smart and caring you were, I fell pretty hard.”

Your heart swells at his words, “Remember that night when I fell? Well, when you fell on me.”

“Yeah?”

“I started to like you then, I really thought you were going to kiss me. But then I assumed your girlfriend called and I tried to back off.”

“God I knew I should’ve kissed you,” he shakes his head, “my mistake, I’ll never hesitate again.”

“We were idiots, but now you can kiss me whenever you want,” you say and he kisses your forehead.

“Thank god for Mother Nature,” he sighs and you let out a giggle, “I mean, screw the guy who hurt her but also, thank you.”

“You’re such a softie,” you smile, and kiss his cheek.

“A minute ago I was anything but soft,” he smirks, and puts a hand under his head for comfort.

You take a good look at him, sex crazed hair and sweat lining his body. Plush lips kiss bitten and his dark eyes are glazed over which makes a familiar feeling come back between your legs. Can you blame yourself? Especially when he looks so damn good and you’ve been deprived of him for so long.

You straddle him and give him a coy smile, “How about round two?”

“You really are going to be the death of me,” he chuckles, “but what a sweet death it will be.”

[voughtcorsair]

TELL ME WHY THEYRE LIKE THAT I WANNA KNO EVERYTHING :]

okay so this ask has been sitting here for . Awhile but i still remember who this was about !!! okay ... poison ..... i walk the fine line between self-insert and projecting and kinning :V

they genuinely don’t remember much about their childhood. anything before they escaped to the zones is kind of just Gone. 

when they first got out to the zones, i think they probs wouldve given everything they could to kobra and kept him as safe as possible; like in this fic of mine where they die bc they gave kobra their jacket; a huge part of their characterization is being a sort of protector character/older sibling figure/etc even at the cost of their or others’ lives (sworn to protect, born to kill). they are Trying to be good but in all honesty, the safety of their family comes before anything else; Yes they want to save the city but they would never EVER let their family get hurt to do so 

a lot of my characterization of them is taken from the twitter moreso than fanon.....i dont think this is that important but they do see/hear things that are out of the ordinary (magic knife. wait by the window. sharper still.) and they think murder is fun (murderwizard !!! )

hmmm when they first came out to the desert they ran with a lot of different crews, did some murder-y things, and also some stuff happened 2 them that is projection so i will not elaborate on it <3 

oh wait also i never mentioned their gender or orientation but party poison gender essay soon ish; they r transmasc nonbinary & use they/them primarily but friends can use binary pronouns :0) they r aspec & prefer not to label their orientation but they r t4t and like show pony 

arbitrary associations by nine: coyotes, the sun, death and rebirth, the desert itself, driving a little too fast, the colour pink, cmyk...

theyre a gemini sun, aquarius moon, and aries rising

so far, their tattoos are as follows: coyote tramp stamp, sun and moon shoulder tattoos, snake around their wrist, stars on the part between their shoulder and neck, spiderweb under their collarbone, raven on the back of their neck. general disclaimer please dont use any of these w/o permission ty. 

they hate when people touch their hair . bite

also speaking of biting they have radiation poisoning (me [handshake] poison: having something vaguely wrong w us that isnt bad enough to warrant fixing) and they tell people they have rabies instead. if they froth then thats their business dont worry about it <3 

they deal w a lot of insecurities bc they arent Really a leader - none of the fab 4 are (communism) - but they draw the most attention to themself so everyone thinks they are; poison feels like they arent really ‘useful’ to the team and they want nothing more than to be able to help more than they currently do

one of their main interests is pop culture.....no they dont know history or geography but they have a massive crush on megan fox, think jennifer aniston powers their zone suit, and want to murder ben affleck

they like drawing and their art style is very surreal, it uses a lot of bright colours and high contrast stuff if they have access to it, if not its very quick and messy sketches ! 

[pink-bird-30]

RobStar Week 2020-Tamaran

Welcome back to day 3 of RobStar week *distant sound of applause*

If you’re new to my RobStar posts, I will warn you.  They are all connected.  So PLEASE go read the other two days before coming here to read day three’s posting!  This one is extra long for no reason, it really got away from me and the next thing I knew I was 3,000 words deep.

Here is the link to my FF.net post: (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13635654/3/RobStar-Week-2020-All-Works)

Happy reading!

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

“Okay, you go this.  Just push the button and you’ll be in contact with Galfore.”  Robin muttered to himself as he paces the ops room. This is his only chance to do this before the other’s came back from the mall.  Raven was in charge of making sure everyone was out of the tower until Robin was done with his mission.

His pacing stopped when his communicator buzzed.

You have 1 hour before I end up killing Beast Boy.

Robin groans, letting his head fall back before typing back to Raven.

Just keep everyone out, I’ll be done soon.

He shoves his communicator back into his utility belt and makes his way back to the main ops to start a transmission to Tamaran’s Grand Ruler.

The screen dances with gray and black dots before a the sharp image of a large deeply tanned man appeared before Robin.

“Greeting, young warrior.”  Galfore’s rough voice cheered.  He has not aged since the last time Robin saw him five years ago when Starfire was betrothed to Gigrdsklechhh.

“Grand Ruler, Galfore.  How are you?”  Robin replied.

“I am well, Robin.  I am surprised to hear from you.  Is everything alright with Princess Koriand’r?”  Galfore strokes his long auburn beard.

Robin nods but hesitates.

Galfore notices his nervous demeanor.  The usually calm leader continuously pulls at his collar, feeling as if it’s more tight than usual.  His tan complexion heated with small drops of sweat pooling on his forehead.

Robin stops his fidgeting and takes a deep breath, “I’m calling for your advice and also for your permission.”

Galfore quirks his bushy eyebrow, curious as to what this earth warrior has to offer.  “What is your predicament, Robin.”

“Given that I’m not from your planet, I’m not well versed in your traditions.”

Galfore smiles, understanding where this conversation is heading.  “Which traditions does your interests lie.”

“Umm, well…” Robin straightens his shoulder and clears his throat.  “I would like to marry Starfire.”

“Ah! Glorious!  I am pleased you are to betroth my bumgorf!”

Robin sheepishly grins.  “I, um. I want to do it right.  Is there any Tamaranean traditions I need to know for a proper proposal?”

Galfore gave him a strange look, not quiet understanding what he is asking “How do you mean?”

Robin sighs, knowing this was going to be difficult to explain.

“On Earth, when a person chooses to marry their partner.  He or she has to ask formal permission from their partner’s father or guardian.  From there, if they are given permission, the man or woman is to plan a proposal.”

“I am unfamiliar with the term, please elaborate further.”

“Right.”  Robin chose his words carefully.  “A proposal can range from a small gesture to a grand gesture.  But during the proposal, you are to offer a ring.”

“What is a ring?”

“It’s a piece of jewelry.  It is a symbol of tying your destiny to another person for the rest of your lives.”  Robin reaches into his utility belt and pulls out a red velvet box.

He opens it to show Galfore.  It wasn’t a simple ring, but something he had created himself for Starfire.  It was a radiant cut diamond with a weaving white gold band of sapphires and emeralds.  He used the same diamond from his mother’s ring and created the band with Bruce a few weeks back.  It was indestructible.  She could wear it and not have to worry about it breaking during battle.

“My, how fascinating.  And she wears it?”  Galfore was really inspired by the Earth traditions of marriage, far different than the trials of Tamaranean traditions.

“Yes, she would wear it on her left ring finger.”  Robin pointed to his ring finger to show Galfore.

Galfore smiles, “In Earth terms, yes.  You have my blessing.  But for Tamaran’s traditions, you must prove your worth to marry my bumgorf, Koriand’r.”

Robin squared his shoulders, ready to take on whatever it is to gain the right to marry Starfire.

“Whatever the trials, I’ll do them.”

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

After the Titans came back from the mall, Robin told Starfire he needed to speak with her.

Three years of dating made them realize they wanted to move their relationship forward, but they also wanted to keep close to the team.  Cyborg had helped them to renovate the third floor of the tower to be an apartment for them.  Only Starfire and Robin were allowed on this floor.

Once the elevator doors open, Starfire flies over to the living room and sets her bags on the coffee table.  She kicked her boots off and takes a seat on the black sofa.  Robin goes across the room to strip his face of his mask, tossing it onto the kitchen counter, and walks over to Starfire.  He settles down next to her, taking her hands in his.

“Something has come up and I need to go to Gotham for a few weeks.”

Starfire green eyes glowed with concern, “Is your K’Norfka the O-kay?”

“Yeah, he’s okay.”  He smooths her thick hair behind her ear and cups the side of her face.  “He just needs me to help train Jason.  That’s all.”

Okay, maybe that’s not where he’s really going.  But he made plans with Bruce to cover for him while he was away on Tamaran.  He gave Bruce a call after Galfore went into extensive detail as to how to be a proper suitor for his bumgorf.

There are three trials he must go through with Galfore to be proven worthy:

1)    Hunt in the Tamaranean jungles with Galfore to prove he can provide for Starfire.

2)    Train with the Tamaranean armies and prove to be a strong warrior.

And finally,

3)    Climb to the highest mountain by himself and leave a gift to X’hal, their deity, blessing their betrothal for eternity.

Starfire frowns but nods in understanding.  “May I accompany you?”  She was hopeful, but then a sad look pass across Robin’s blue eyes.

“Sorry, Star.  The team is going to need you here.”  Star pouts and pulls her hands away from him.

“When are you to go?” he could hear the disappointment in her voice, but it’ll be worth it.

Robin wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her between his legs, and reclines back.  Starfire lets out a long sigh and snuggled into his chest.  She could hear his heartbeat quicken; when they first started dating, she never understood why his heart rate would increase when she was close to him.  He found it endearing when she asked him if his heart was going to ‘Do the exploding’, but lead to a funny explanation about human anatomy.

“I have to leave tomorrow…”

She shifted so she was laying on top of him, wrapping her arms around his torso.

“I will miss you the much.”  A single tear trails down her cheek.  Robin brushes it away and places a tender kiss on her forehead.

“I’ll miss you too, Star.  I’ll be back before you know it.”

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

It has been a month since Robin left on his voyage to Tamaran.  On arrival, Galfore welcomed him back to the royal palace and led him to Starfire’s quarters.  He was to stay only for a few days before starting the betrothal trials.  He changed out of his uniform and was given formal Tamaranean attire.

During his first trial, Robin had to adapt to the rough jungles of Tamaran.  The once tropical planet was bare and arid, but certain parts had survived war and maintained their wildlife.  

Robin and Galfore spent two weeks hunting in the jungles of Tamaran.  Robin had to adapt to a way of life that was completely foreign to him.  He had to attack and kill animals he hardly understood the names of.

Galfore was proud Robin was able to keep up with the hunt, moving as he moved, using spears to kill from a distance with ease.  Deep down, Galfore knew Myand’r would be proud of the young man fighting for his daughter’s hand.

After the hunt was over, Galfore bestowed an armband to the young warrior.  It was a symbol of survival, matching the silver band that lies on Starfire’s right arm.

After a few days his next trial was to begin.  It gave him enough time to catch up with the other Titans to see how everything was going back in Jump City.  He made sure to only call and not video chat to prevent Starfire from seeing where he was.  They spoke for hours, but knew it would be awhile before he’d speak with her again.  He made sure to tell her he loved her and turned off his communicator.

The second trial was one Robin looked forward to.  He knew that Tamaranean fighting style was different than the multiple forms of fighting he learned from Bruce.  And the ability to learn a new fighting style from the warriors of Tamaran was an opportunity he will take for granted.

He just didn’t realize how intense it could be.

Having Bruce as a teacher was tough, he never let up and made sure to use every ounce of Robin’s energy when they sparred.  

But this.  This was much different.

He was awakened before the orange sun of Tamaran would rise, the light purple skies welcomed him to the day. He was sent to the lower level of the palace where the Tamaranean warriors would line up and wait for their general.  He was to train with the new recruits.  Most were young men and women who were about 16 years old.  Much younger than Robin, who is in his early 20s.

Day after day they would line up, get called to do different drills and then set out to guard the palace until night fall.  Some days were harder than others, but Robin pushed through the tough days knowing that it would lead him to Starfire as his fiancé.

Well, as long as she says yes.

After two more weeks of warrior training, Robin grew to appreciate his fellow warriors.  He was able to pick up some Tamaranean words and hold basic conversations with everyone.  By the end of training, you were to go head to head with a fellow warrior to prove yourself worthy of the royal army.    

Robin was paired to face Karras, he was a bit older than Robin.  But with everything he’s taken in the last few weeks, Robin knew he could take him.  It wasn’t a fight until the other opponent was down, it was a fight of endurance and skill.

In the end Robin and Karras were an equal match, Galfore had declared them both fit to be part of the royal army.  Karras and Robin were bestowed with a green gem cuffs.  It was a symbol of the royal family and of warrior status.  It was to be worn with pride.

A few more days passed before Robin was to make his hike up the highest mountain to bestow a gift to X’hal.  He prepared by gathering necessities Galfore said he was allowed to bring.  He was granted one sack containing a canteen, food, a knife, a change of clothes, and the item to be a gift to X’hal.

The next day Robin set out to the journey to the top of the mountain.  Word has spread of Robin’s journey and most of the Tamaraneans had gathered to see him off.  It wasn’t everyday a human asked for their crowned princess’s hand in marriage.  Nor was it common for someone to make it this far in the trials.

Galfore placed his giant hand on Robin’s shoulder and said a Tamaranean prayer before sending him on his way.  The further he got up the mountain the less he could hear the chants from the people below.  Galfore had mentioned that the journey from the top of the mountain and back would take a week.  But that is with little to no stops along the way.  But Galfore had faith that Robin would be back sooner than later.

During his time up the mountain Robin began to plan his proposal to Starfire.  He wasn’t sure if he should make a grand gesture or something small and intimate.

Around the end of the third day, and after running away from some wild beasts, he saw the orange sun set behind the mountain and the moon take its place.  From where he walked along the path, he could see the stars.

‘The stars called out to their princess to follow them around’

Deep in his heart he knew Starfire was staring at the same stars he was that night.

Instead of sleeping, he knew he could push himself to make it there before the next day.  He watched the stars was they seemed to come closer and closer to him as he hiked up the mountain.  By the time he reached the top, there was a soft glow coming from the horizon.  One by one the stars started to fade away, but as he opened his sack to pull out his gift to X’hal, he swore the stars stayed a second longer as he placed his gift on the mountain top.

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

Starfire laid on the roof watching the stars start to slowly illuminating the sky.  There were a few clouds slowly moving by, covering the moon in passing.  Over the last few weeks she was only able to speak with Robin a handful of times.  It was nice to hear from him, but it was nothing compared to having him there, with her on the roof.  

Over the last few years, even before they started their relationship, this was their place.  Whenever either one of them needed to be at peace, the roof was their first thought in mind.  They could spend hours just talking and looking at the stars.  It was also no secret that Starfire enjoyed being kissed thoroughly under the stars, Robin picked it up after a rather heated moment that almost went too far.

But with Robin gone for almost more than a month, she found herself on the roof more than she’d like to admit.  She remembers Robin mentioning something that always made her feel at home when he was not near.

“If I’m never around, always remember to look up to the stars.  Because no matter where I am, I will always be staring at the same stars as you.”

It was a comforting thought, and what got her through these past few weeks without her lover.

Lost in thought, Starfire didn’t hear the footsteps walking towards her on the roof.  As the hidden figure got closer, they took note of how beautiful the alien princess looked under the moonlight.  They decide to take a moment to take in their appearance before making their presence known.

“Starfire?”

Starfire’s heart swelled at the voice and immediately shot off the ground and flew into Robin’s awaiting arms.

“Robin!  You have returned!”  She felt powerful emotions course through her body.  She couldn’t help but tear up knowing her boyfriend has returned home.  He wraps his arm tight around her feeling his throat tight with emotion, not realizing how much he truly missed his girlfriend.

“I missed you too, Star.”  He pulls back to properly say ‘hello’ with a long lingering kiss.  After they part, Starfire takes note of how Robin is a little different.

“Robin, you seem to be the tan.”  She raises her hand to his cheek confused by his darker skin tone.  She knew Gotham to be a city plagued by clouds and terrible rain.

Robin takes a deep breath and pulls away from Starfire.  He takes hold of her hand and walks over to the edge of the roof.  He wouldn’t have believed someone if they told him he’d be standing in the same place he told Starfire he loved her.  That in the same spot, he is about to create a new memory with her.

“I wasn’t in Gotham,” he starts.  He could see the confusion passing in her eyes, but she stays quiet.  “I was on Tamaran.”

This confused her greatly, “Why did you go to my home planet?”

“Do you remember that day Raven took you and the team to the mall?  And I stayed behind?  Well, I had arranged a transmission with Galfore that day.  I had to ask him for some advice.”

Starfire cocks her head to the side, not quite understanding why they were conversing.

“I wanted to know more about how Tamaraneans ask for another’s hand in marriage.”

Starfire gasps.  

The realization finally hitting her as to why Robin was gone for so long. Why he lied about going to Gotham and instead going to Tamaran.

“You…you completed the trials?”  Her voice full of hope.

Instead of answering, Robin unzips his blue hoodie to reveal his silver arm band, his green gem cuff, and the necklace of X’hale.

Tears pour down her face as she realizes what was about to happen.

Robin removes his mask, revealing his equally watery eyes and pulls a box from his pant pocket.

“Princess Koriand’r of Tamaran.  I have hunted the wild beasts of the deep jungles of Tamaran.  I have trained as a warrior of your royal army.  And I have offered X’hal a gift to bless our betrothal for all of eternity.”

Holding onto he left hand, Robin gets down on his left knee and asked the most important question known to man.

“Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

He opens the box to reveal the ring to Starfire.  She’s never looked more beautiful to him.  Her auburn hair drifting in the wind, her bright green eyes shining from her tears, and her smile, radiating as bright as the stars in the sky.

“Richard…I accept you offer of betrothal.”  Robin feels the tears fall down his face as he takes the ring out of the box to place it onto Starfire’s ring finger.  He quickly gets up to pull her into a tight hug.

“I love you so much, Star.  I want forever with you.”

Starfire kisses Robin with her entire being.  All the love she has for him poured into this singular moment, wanting to remember this forever.

She pulls away and rests her forehead against his, “I love you too, Richard.”

The newly engaged couple stays on the roof for a little longer, enjoying the moon and the stars.

[fourangers]

Kakashi’s exposé

Dedicated to @rivaille-plisetsky that suggested the prompt: 

Post-War shenanigans with Kakashi being the only one with knowledge of their relationship

So here it is! I hope you’ll like it. SNS, with a tiny bit one-sided Sakura --> Sasuke, and sex insinuations. Comedy and it’s a lil to the side of crack.

AO3 link

==.==.==

Somehow, some way, it just clicked. Maybe it was due to exhaustion, or Sakura's confession still fresh in his mind but Kakashi witnessed the way Sasuke was looking at his best friend/rival/nemesis, how affection warmed his black eyes mixed with longing and burning intensity and it was just…oh. Oh. OoooooOooH.

Everything made sense now. It's no wonder he was so desperate to cut off his bonds with Naruto and why it brought him so much pain to do so. 

Kakashi just stood mildly shocked as his eyes followed his previous students' behavior, from Sakura's relieved smile, Naruto's wide beam and Sasuke's gaze constantly trained towards the blond nin. 

Ah…to be young and naive.

⏤.⏤ 

Kakashi had a hard time feigning surprise when he saw both boys tucked together, blissfully sleeping on the small bed at the hospital. Sakura, on the other hand, was so happy about Sasuke's return that she didn't connect the dots yet.

The next few months was a cumbersome process of finding solid proofs about the Uchiha's massacre tying with Konoha's higher office corruption, since the elders were eager to throw Sasuke in jail while he was still recuperating from his wounds. Fortunately Naruto called Shikamaru for help as they searched in the archives with Tsunade's permission. 

Soon enough all the guilty were charged for conspiracy in ethnic cleansing and thrown behind bars. Sasuke also spent some time in jail for multiple attempts of murder against the 5 kages, but thankfully due to his contributions in ending the latest ninja war and Naruto’s constant nagging with Tsunade, he was set free.

Naruto and Kakashi both expected that Sasuke would bolt out of Konoha the second he was unchained. However, much to their puzzled astonishment, the last Uchiha had decided to settle down. He even took the chuunin exams with Naruto as some sort of proof that he desired to get back being a Konoha citizen. As if there was something(someone) that rooted him to the ground.

When Sasuke reached 18 years old, Kakashi gifted him a special Icha Icha book with prim pride.

Sasuke glanced at the title, glared his ex-teacher with his face bright red, and promptly hid when they noticed Naruto’s chakra close by. Several comrades joined in afterwards, some were part of the rookie nine, other were Sasuke’s current teammates, all gathered to celebrate his birthday.

Through the course of that night, wherever Sasuke would go, Ino and Sakura were on his toes once again, vying for his attention. It was a confusing realization for Kakashi, that even if Sakura was now an accomplished medic-nin and jounin, she would revert to her pre-teen self once Sasuke was around. Kakashi simply observed in between sips of sake while Sakura fussed over Sasuke with her doe-eyed expression, and Sasuke tolerated her presence with the smallest furrow on his handsome face. Black eyes flickered towards Naruto’s back, before he exhaled a heavy sigh, calling Sakura much to Ino’s annoyance.

On the next day, the news about Sasuke and Sakura dating was the talk of the whole town. Or rather, how Sakura was running behind her beloved wherever they go, emerald eyes glimmering like a little girl winning the affection of her idolized popular boy.

This is bizarre; Kakashi concluded watching the one-sided interactions. Those youngsters were just too much for him sometimes.

Naruto swore that he welcomed this new development with open arms, really, like…really. He’d accept no one else but Sasuke, if he was going to lose Sakura’s hand to another man. But Kakashi could notice the tightness of his grins whenever team 7 would reunite, but whether he was jealous over Sakura or Sasuke, no one would ever know.

Months have passed and Sasuke was slowly entering a dangerous territory, returning to his personal darkness that few could reach. Maybe it was due to Sakura’s impatience that their relationship got stuck since day one, or how she finally broke the illusion that her idol was just a regular man, so she was currently much more content spending her time with Ino nowadays. Maybe it was because his friendship with Naruto was becoming strained over the days. Maybe the Hyuuga’s heiress bold approach towards his best friend was grating Sasuke’s nerves.

Kakashi sighed. They were so much cuter back when they were little genins.

But Kakashi was; he hoped, wiser now. The accumulated experience he built up all over those years brought him a wider scope about how he should handle human emotions and its complexities. He wouldn't make the same mistake he had done before, unlike last time when he failed talking some sense to pre-teen Sasuke. 

He stood up, hopping on the direction towards Naruto’s house.

⏤.⏤ 

One year later… 

Konohamaru cleared his throat, knocking on the door. He heard grumbles, quiet steps and then the door was pried open with a pair of glaring eyes.

He gulped. “Good morning. Is Naruto-niichan nearby?” 

Sasuke thinned his lips, turning around. “Cooking breakfast.”

Konohamaru gave a brisk nod, striding towards the kitchen and being greeted by Naruto’s wide gin.

“Hey Konohamaru! ‘Sup?”

“Naruto-niichan! It’s your first day in the Hokage’s apprenticeship, are you excited?”

“Sure am! Man, can’t believe that Tsunade-baachan is going to pass the torch to me, I thought for sure they were going to choose Kakashi-sensei that⏤”

“Oh? Talking about me?”

Konohamaru and Naruto shrieked when they heard Kakashi’s sudden chime, Sasuke stood leaning on the wall unimpressed. 

The older man said. “Ah, here I was coming here to congratulate my former protegée, and all I hear is Naruto-kun talking behind my back. You’re hurting my fragile heart.”

“Can’t you knock on the door like a regular person? You almost gave me a heart attack dammit.” Naruto complained, rubbing his chest. 

“Another reason why I’m questioning Konoha’s decision to make you the next Hokage. I assumed the prerequisite for such an important job was to master basic moves like noticing someone���s chakra when they are close by, dumbass.” Sasuke scoffed.

“Say what, you asshole⏤”

“As much as I’d love to get down the memory lane watching you boys bicker, I’m here to give you a gift, Naruto.” Kakashi placed several books on the table. “My entire Icha Icha collection. All signed by Jiraiya-sama.”

Naruto stared wide-eyed once the information sank in, picking up one book as if it was the most precious thing in the world. He leafed through pages, smiling fondly when he read Jiraiya’s message. They let Naruto take his time browsing through the books, even Sasuke curbed his usual teasing barb too.

The Uchiha nin seemed to realize something, coughing. “Well, since Kakashi already gave you his present, I suppose I should also give you mine.”

Naruto’s eyes were narrowed and suspicious. “And what exactly you’re gonna give me, bastard?”

Sasuke smirked, throwing his arm around Naruto’s shoulder and directing to their bedroom. “You’ll enjoy it, for sure.” 

Konohamaru and Kakashi watched as Naruto was dragged by Sasuke. Konohamaru muttered. “Well, I guess I’ll wait here until they are done. I was also gonna give Naruto-niichan my gift.”

Oh. “Ooooh, there’s no need for you to wait this long Konohamaru-kun. You can give him once we’re in Konoha’s headquarters.”

“What? I can wait a little, I mean⏤”

Kakashi patted the younger nin’s shoulder as he hurried them to the exit. “I have a feeling they are going to take a while, so we better go.”

Several months had passed and Naruto was beginning to get used to the hectic schedule of being Tsunade’s apprentice. The assistants were also smoothly adapting with his working style too, most comfortable with his friendliness.

The rare exceptions were when Naruto’s best friend would go to a long term mission, and the sunny personality will cloud to a petulant pout. 

“Naruto.” Everyone jumped startled from the familiar baritone voice, swiveling their heads to see Sasuke perched on the window.

Naruto instantly brightened up, turning back to face their assistants as he declared. “Hey guys! Sasuke is here so I’m gonna go ok, ‘s gonna be really quick I swear. Be right back, be right back!” Both Naruto and Sasuke disappeared in a cloud of poof.

The assistants shrugged, some even rolled his eyes while they resumed their work. 

⏤.⏤ 

How odd it was that whenever Sasuke was around though, Naruto would always blink out of their eyes. For someone who wore neon orange outfit and had bright golden hair in midst of an ocean of dark heads, Naruto could disappear without an effort. 

Saeko rubbed her shoulders while she searched the aforementioned blond nin, seeking his signature. She’s way past her prime to be able to find a strong shinobi like Naruto-kun. 

Fortunately for her, she spotted Kakashi from afar, calling him. “Kakashi-kun!”

Kakashi acknowledged her with a nod.

“Have you seen Naruto-kun? I really need his signature to authorize a new mission.” She sighed.

Kakashi chuckled. “Well…in case you can’t see him, I guess you could look around and try to find Sasuke instead.”

“Ah right…Uchiha-kun right.” Saeko shook her head. “They are almost attached to the hip.”

“Right.” 

“Such a beautiful friendship between those two boys, right?”

Kakashi stared the old lady before settled with a hum.

“They need to settle down and find a good ladies in their lives though.” She quipped with chiding tone. “Why are they taking so long to get married, I wonder. Youngsters those days are in no hurry to build a family, they are exactly like that Yamanaka girl; living with her best friend Haruno-chan.”

Kakashi hummed absentmindedly once again.

Almost as if he was reading their minds, Sasuke exited the toilet in front of them, licking his lips as his finger wiped his mouth.

“Ah, Uchiha-kun!” Saeko tightened her steps, approaching him. “Have you seen Naruto-kun anywhere?”

Sasuke glanced at her back, then gazed Kakashi’s amused eyes, shrugging. “Behind me.”

“Behind y⏤?” Lo and behold, the future Hokage opened the door a little breathless and disheveled, hand combing through his golden hair. 

His cheeks were tinged red but he soon recomposed himself when he saw the old lady. “Oh hey, Saeko-san, Kakashi-sensei! Why are you⏤”

“Naruto-kun, you’re going to be the death of this old woman, I swear!” Saeko interrupted him, shoving the papers on his face. “I know that Uchiha-kun is your best friend but do you really need to have him next to you 24/7?”

“I’m sure that Naruto-kun would happily perform his tasks as the Hokage apprentice, normally…” Kakashi muttered. “But I guess Sasuke just missed him too much.”

Sasuke glared, rolling his eyes. “I’ll see you soon Naruto.”  

Saeko concluded that their friendship is really one of a kind, watching Uchiha-kun’s back as Naruto was signing her papers. Gossip around town said that a female shinobi might disrupt such cozy relationship, even though Sasuke kept turning down every date request. There was a bet about which man would find a girlfriend first, however, Kakashi almost zeroed his bank account with the belief that his former students wouldn’t find any girl whatsoever.

Every female shinobi dedicated their time to seduce either the last Uchiha or the future of Hokage of Konoha. This also meant that they were thinning Sasuke’s very limited patience, their constant pestering wouldn’t give them some time for themselves.

⏤.⏤ 

“Naruto-niichan! Wow, you lucky dog!” Konohamaru chirped when he spotted his friend in the corridor, punching the tanned arm playfully. “I can’t believe this⏤!”

“Believe what, Konohamaru?” Naruto questioned. 

“Haven’t you heard? Tomoko Saiyuri, the most gorgeous woman of all Konoha is actually going to ask you on a date!”

“He’s not interested.” Sasuke grunted.

“Oh, c’mon Sasuke-niichan, I know you might be sore because she chose Naruto-niichan instead of you, but there’s no way Naruto-niichan wouldn’t be interested because⏤”

“But he’s not interested, he’s not available, he won’t do anything with her.” Sasuke hissed.

“Uh, yeah…Konohamaru, why would I be interested?” Naruto squinted his eyes puzzled. “I’m honored, honestly, but where did you get the idea I would⏤”

“You know that this is your fault right.” Sasuke snapped towards Naruto. 

“What?” Naruto grumbled.

“You give too many openings, people are still thinking you’re available.”

“Uh…wait, Naruto-niichan, does that mean you’re actually seeing someone⏤?”

“Wait, don’t put the blame on me, asshole. Where in the hell did I show that I’m available?”  

“Well, you’re such an oblivious dumbass, that you wouldn’t realize yours and anyone’s feelings even if it’s right under your nose.” Sasuke muttered under his breath. “Maybe this is the reason why everyone is also blind about us.”

Naruto stared for a while with his jaw slacked, before blurting out. “We live together, I thought everyone knew.”

“Most think we’re just roommates, some still believe that you’re guarding me while I’m on house arrest.”

“What? We share a bed.”

“They think we didn’t find a good house with two bedrooms.”

Konohamaru interjected tentatively. “Um, Naruto-niichan, what exactly are you talking about⏤?”

Naruto however, couldn’t listen to him, blue eyes still trained towards Sasuke. “I don’t get it, we haven’t seen anyone else so far ever since we decided to live together, I thought⏤”

Sasuke sighed. “They think we’re just taking our time to find a girl to settle down.”

Naruto nodded numbly, scratching his head. “Oh. Is that why Momiji-san wanted to cook me some obento?”

Sasuke grunted, his glare darkening. “And you almost fell for it, hook line and sinker.”

Naruto gazed back, studying the Uchiha’s activated Sharingan. Everyone was staring with growing confusion until Naruto snorted. “Are you jealous Sasuke-chan?” He laughed.

“No, absolutely not.” Sasuke promptly defended himself, raising his chin. “I’m staking my claim, that is all, since someone else is not making any effort over this relationship.”

“Awwww⏤you’re really jealous!” Naruto grinned.

“I’m not jealous, usuratonkachi, I just feel like you should have made everything clear to everyone so I can avoid all those troublesome harpies and⏤” When Sasuke saw the determined blue eyes, he tensed but all of a sudden, Naruto grabbed him and hoisted over his shoulder.  "Naruto, what the hell are you doing, I swear I'm going to fry your sorry ass if you⏤Naruto⏤!" The door slammed shut.

Then, silence. All ninjas on the vicinity didn’t know whether they should intervene whatever skirmish because Naruto was going to be the Hokage, but still, since he’s the future Hokage, he didn’t need anyone to defend him, right?

Their thought process was interrupted when he heard a moan. But not any moan, it was specifically Sasuke’s moan. Every face was colored red. As the moans and groans were increasing in speed and volume, the shade of their blushes were darkening, and everyone froze on the spot. 

A constant thumping noise joined in, eliminating whatever doubt they might had out of the window, in concern with the activity they were doing in the Hokage’s office. The banging grew faster and louder, that at this point everyone in the building could hear it out.

A guttural scream ripped from Naruto’s voice, that made all women fan to themselves and all men shuffle uncomfortably. Another pregnant silence reigned in the building, until Naruto opened the door beaming ear to ear, holding Sasuke’s hand while the latter was scowling, limping his steps.

“So!” Naruto proclaimed cheerfully. “As you can see, Sasuke and I are unavailable for any possible dates at the present and future moment. We’re pretty busy screwing each other, after all.”

“I am screwing you next time, usuratonkachi.” Sasuke grumbled darkly.

Naruto chortled, unaffected by his threat. “He’s so sweet right. I can’t ask for any better boyfriend.”

Sasuke kicked his legs. Naruto retaliated by slapping hard his back. As their skirmish was growing more violent, everyone scurried away from the couple.

Those two are insane.

(Kakashi later appeared in Konoha’s headquarters, ready to collect his money from the bet. It’s more than enough to secure a very nice retirement. The news about Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship reached to Tsunade’s ears but she was wholly unimpressed. She did punch her protegée to seven foot below ground for soiling her office though.)

[immaeeeeeyourmom]

Akaashi’s birthday

“This has to be perfect.” Bokuto groaned, tugging up on the large tarp.

Currently, he and his team were attempting at surprising Akaashi for his birthday—at 5am might I add. Bokuto and Konoha were parched upon two ladders and tugging a tarp up to a railing in their gym to tie it there. It was difficult, and the tarp was heavy, but they were determined to do it regardless. They had gotten permission from their coach and administrators to do it. It’s not like they’d keep it up that long.

“Bokuto come on, be real. It doesn’t have to be perfect!” Konoha complained, his arms practically shaking as he was the only one to hold up his side of the tarp, “I didn’t wake up this early to have this much pain in my arms.”

“We’re almost done Konoha, please toughen up. I’ll buy you your favourite, Tatsuta-style Fried Chicken if you help.” Bokuto bribed, leaning into the railing to hold the tarp up while he tied a knot.

“Fine. Might as well do it tonight—we’re going out for his birthday ri-“

“Not tonight. I have something planned.” Bokuto cut in.

He eyed Konoha for a moment, it was the type of look you’d normally only see from him if it were on the court. It sent chills down Konoha’s spine but it was left unnoticed. The team was surprised that this was so important to him, he rarely takes anything seriously, especially asking the team to wake up so early. Bokuto may be their captain, and he may walk to school with Akaashi everyday, but he and Akaashi are always late. Normally because of Bokuto accidentally sleeping in. That’s why they were here early and expecting Akaashi at any time. There was no Bokuto to slow him down in the morning so they figured he’d show up on time.

————

“We’re almost done.” Bokuto said finally, looking over to Konoha who was struggling to tie the knot. Bokuto watched the other struggle and attempted to talk him through how to tie it. That seemed to work as-

“I got it!” Konoha exclaimed in an exhausted huff, finally allowing himself to relax the leg and hand that were holding the tarp up.

“Okay, now that you’ve got it get down from there.” Sarukui called from his place on the gym floor, “It’s not that safe!”

Eventually Bokuto and Konoha climbed down their respective ladders, taking a step back to look at the tarp. It was decorated with big, bolded letters saying “Happy Birthday Akaashi!” along with some other things like “have a good birthday”, and “have a good day”. Things like that.

“What time is it?” The ace questioned, pulling the ladder back to its normal state to store it back in their storage closet.

“Uh, 6:17.” Komi replied.

Ugh, Bokuto thought, Akaashi won’t be here for at least another half an hour.

“Is there anything else we need to do, your highness?” Konoha mocked as he took a seat on the floor. He rested his elbow on his knee and placed his chin in the palm of his hand. It was clear he was tired still.

“Honestly, nothing. I’m happy with what we have here. We should probably set the nets up quickly though.” Bokuto suggested, glancing at the door for a short moment before urging his team to help him set up their net.

It wasn’t long until the net was up, it never took much time for them to put it up. Bokuto finished by tying up the last string for the net, making it nice and tight. When he was done a wide smile tugged at the corners of his lips, he was excited for this. He was going to do something he’s been waiting to do for a really long time. That was exciting to him.

“It’s only 6:25 Bokuto, he won’t be here for a while longer.” A female voice called out, Shirofuku, one of their managers. She’d probably seen Bokutos smile and decided to crush his dreams, because that’s what she did.

“I know!” Bokuto groaned, placing his hands on the sides of his head as he did so. Needless to say, Bokuto was impatient.

The team could start practice early seeing everyone was there, but Bokuto wanted it to be a nice surprise. No sweaty bodies trying to hug him. Though, Bokuto was sweating regardless. So that rule was.. useless.

“Is it just me or is it hot in here?” Bokuto gasped after a while, waving his hand on his face in attempt to cool himself down.

“It’s just you Bokuto.” Komi replied with a roll of the eyes, looking over at Bokuto as he gave him a confused look.

“Akaashi should be here any minute so stop sweating.”

————

The team was startled with the door to the gym sliding open. They all got to their feet quickly and prepared to shout a happy birthday to Akaashi. When they shouted it though they were greeted with a surprised coach. They all deflated upon seeing their coach instead of Akaashi but were greeted with a smile nonetheless.

“If you guys plan on surprising him that would do the trick.” Their coach hummed, stepping into the gym and closing the door behind him.

“Have you seen him?” Bokuto asked, a frown playing upon his lips instead of his smile.

“No, I thought he’d be here by now.” Their coach said simply, looking around the gym before noticing the big tarp. He let out a soft chuckle at that.

“Man, we’ve been here since 5.” Konoha complained again, plopping down on the ground again.

“Stop complaining! You didn’t have to come if you didn’t want to.” Bokuto hissed, shooting him a glare. It quickly disappeared though as he’d looked away.

Bokuto was about to say something when they heard the door slide open, a flood of apologies following it. That, was definitely Akaashi.

“Happy birthday Akaashi!” The team shouted. It could’ve been more enthusiastic but it was the morning, what could you expect.

Akaashi looked up from his place by the door, blinking at his team. He was confused for a moment but a smile appeared on his face eventually. He looked around as he stood, dropping his jacket by the wall.

“You guys did this for me?” He asked, placing his hands on his hips and laughing.

“Don’t laugh! We’ve been here since 5 in the morning waiting for you!” Bokuto frowned, walking over to him and standing in front of him.

“Well Bokuto. Maybe you should’ve told me you’d be leaving before me. I waited outside of your house for 10 minutes. And when your mom finally noticed me outside she said you’d left.” Akaashi explained, glancing away from his upperclassmen.

“Oh.” Bokuto mumbled, scratching his neck. He really should’ve told him.. if he did though Akaashi would probably think something was up. Bokuto never left earlier than Akaashi.

“It’s okay though, I’m happy with the surprise. I wasn’t expecting it.” He hummed, looking at the other with a smile.

“I’m glad you do. Uh, I was uh...” Bokuto trailed off, looking away from the other as he tried thinking of the right words to use—which was something that didn’t happen often. He’d planned this in his head for so long, exactly how he was going to say it. But when it came to actually saying it it didn’t come out.

“What?” Akaashi asked, shifting his weight, nervousness laced his voice. He thought he’d done something wrong.

The team watched the two converse with dead stares. They were disappointed Bokuto didn’t get anything out. When he’d told Konoha that he had something planned they all knew what he was going to do, it was no surprise Bokuto liked his setter.

“I- uh..” he stumbled over his words, sputtering nonsense for a good moment before looking Akaashi in the eyes and finally blurting out what he wanted to say. With a flushed face might I add.

“Let me treat you to dinner tonight!”

Akaashi looked up at the other dumbfounded, blinking rapidly as if he’d heard the other completely wrong. He knew he didn’t though. The way Bokutos face had turned red, the way his eyes danced from the wall and him and even the way he’d chewed on his lip. It gave it away. Akaashi finally sighed, relieving the tension he’d built up inside himself.

“Why was that so hard for you?”

“I-I don’t know. Yes or no?” He asked, shifting his weight again. Bokuto was afraid of rejection, and he’d always told people about it. So doing this was something way out of his comfort zone. As he waited for his answer he brought a hand to the back of his neck, rubbing at the short hairs there.

“Hmm,” Akaashi tilted his head in a way to show he was thinking, it looked sarcastic though, “I don’t know Bokuto, maybe.”

“Oh. Okay.. I’ll pick you up at 7?” Bokuto said, a smile finally tugging at his lips again.

“That’s fine by me,” Akaashi said with a smile, “oh, and thanks for this. It made my morning.” Akaashi mentioned, motioning to the tarp and the happy birthday.

“Your welcome.” Bokuto said, taking a big step back before turning and jumping.

Akaashi stayed back for a moment, watching as the team started to tease Bokuto about it even though wide smiles were in their faces.

“This year’s birthday is already perfect.” And with that he joined his team to practice.

[theresnosafeharbor4myships]

some Caryl angst and goodness

Can’t Give Up (also on 9L)

Morgan’s words rang in her brain like a shrill alarm, startling her thoughts and jolting her senses.

“You save people.”  The phrase reverberated. You save people….you save people….you save people.  An ominous drumbeat warning of an attack, the words pounded louder, filling her senses. She felt panic rise up in her, and she rolled onto her back, gulping in air as she stared up at the ceiling.  For a moment, it moved towards her and her heart thrummed faster, fearing suffocation, until she realized the trick of the moonlight filtering in through the windows.

Focus, she commanded herself.

They’d removed the curtains because it made looking out easier and aiming at enemies less obstructed. On her tiptoes and stretching up, she’d removed the rod with both hands and slid the tan-colored curtains off, kicking them out of the way. She’d laid the rod just under the bed—a ready weapon, just in case—before balling up the curtains and stuffing them in the back of the closet. That had been….she couldn’t recall how long ago. She’d thought the curtains bland, too muted for her taste and not the right style for the house. Things like that didn’t matter anymore, but sometimes thoughts from the Old Ways crept in. The sound of feet pounding up the stairs had punctuated her discard of them, and though she couldn’t recall a smell, she knew there’d been one.  There always was these days. Something rotten, fetid, foul, and dark always assailed her senses.

Like now.

The memory of boring curtains had quelled the oncoming panic attack, and she came back to herself, staring up at the non-threatening ceiling once again.

You save people.

But she didn’t. Couldn’t. No matter how desperately she tried. 

She’d left to spare them—herself, she knew, but she had to believe it would also minimize the chance they’d see her devolve into someone they didn’t recognize and couldn’t, wouldn’t, keep around. Just like Rick had seen so long ago.

Like a gut-punch from the captive of her past, the realization hit—always at the most inopportune moments.  Like there were convenient moments nowadays, she scoffed bitterly.—that Abraham, the towering inferno he’d been, and Glenn were gone.

Glenn. Sweet, gentle, selfless Glenn. Tears pooled in her eyes, causing ghostly figures to flit on her periphery in the silver light.  Her heart ached for the man she’d watched bloom as their world died around them.  After Morgan had so ruthlessly delivered the news to her, she’d wept, but she didn’t have the heart to talk to anyone about him, nor did she believe anyone who’d witnessed his end could express their grief over what had to be the most brutal of deaths they’d ever witnessed. Time hadn’t given of itself for healing anyway, and she wondered if they’d ever truly work through the mire of loss and grief that nearly pulled them into their own graves on a daily basis.

She’d tried to keep Sam away from her—she knew she was poison—but he wouldn’t heed her advice or fear her tactics, and she’d felt his loss like a shadow of her daughter’s: she’d done what she could but not enough. She’d failed, and making it right eluded her the more she attempted to do so.

She hadn’t been there when Ty passed, only stood numbly at the gravesite, a once infrequent and painful event that used to signify closure but now only served as a mark of failure to protect. She’d never admit it to herself, but she knew deep down his death marked the end of who she’d once been, the last vestiges of her somehow free but tragically worse life being weathered away in the wind as she’d mourned the man who’d forgiven her when the man that seemed like a brother couldn’t. And now Ty’s acceptance of what she’d done felt like a ball and chain around her heart.

And all the others before that: Beth, right before her eyes.  Hershel, horrifically and in front of everyone he loved.  Sasha.  Bob.  Andrea.  Lori.  T-Dog.  Lizzie and Mika.  Sophia.

Pain clawed at the inside of her chest, and she gasped for breath, trying to focus on the slant of bluish-white light on the ceiling.

She’d left to avoid this kind of pain.  Without those who felt the same chasm and shards of loss at those they deemed family, she’d erected a cage to live in.  The swirling mess of despair and failure, anguish and sorrow, torment and guilt clawed to reach her, but she'd centered herself in that prison, never moving, refusing to look those monsters in the eye, even as they snarled menacingly at the bars, hungry for her flesh.

Being back, being here….those demons had free access to her.  

She gulped in a ragged breath, trying to make her heart slow its thundering beat and her lungs accept the oxygen she felt at times she didn’t deserve.

“Hey.”

His whisper accompanied a gentle hand easing over her stomach to lie flat against her, calming the vicious snakes swirling inside.  Daryl’s touch grounded her, and she tried to come back to herself, to the present, as he moved closer to her, the bed dipping slightly at her side as his warmth drove away the cool night air.

“You alright?”

She swallowed hard, opening her mouth to breath in deeply and tried to force words out. “Gotta….” But she couldn’t finish the phrase.

“Hey.”  His hand remained flat against her belly as he eased up onto one arm.

She peered up at him in the darkness, his form a vague shadow, and she suddenly feared he’d disappear, too, like so many who’d gone before.  In a heartbeat, without reason, brutally.  “Daryl,” she whispered brokenly before curling up on her side, feeling the demons claw at her insides.  Her chest heaved with each ragged breath she drew, and the tears burned her eyes, but she allowed the attack, this punishment, to happen.  

A small price to pay for her sins.

Moments passed—or maybe hours, she couldn’t tell—before the panic in her chest and the fear coursing through her veins gave way to oxygen and exhaustion, the beasts, having destroyed her resolve, leaving her drained and shivering.

She lay on her side, knees drawn up as tightly as possible, listening to a few early birds chirping in the waning starlight. Hands, Daryl’s hands, soothed her sensitive skin, one sliding up and down her back, the other in her hand as she gripped it tighter than was likely comfortable for him.

Several minutes went by as embarrassment flooded her.  She’d never let this happen, this…complete abandonment of her senses, the dissolution of her cage, the permission to...feel everything, and it overwhelmed her.

She waited until her breathing returned to normal, then swallowed hard.  “I’m…sorry.”  Her voice came out squeaky and worn, and she cleared her throat before trying again. “Sorry.”

Daryl kissed the crown of her head, his hand still soothing her back.  “For what?” His voice, deep, gravelly, and sounding genuinely confused, washed over her.  

“You don’t gotta pretend it didn’t happen.  Don’t gotta be strong all the time.”  His gentleness brought burning tears to her eyes, and she felt him curl around her, drop a kiss against her neck.  “Hurts like hell, I know,” he whispered near her ear.  “Feels like you can’t keep goin’.  And you don’t know why you should sometimes.  All the bad that’s happened….that will happen.  Don’t seem worth it when you know it can just…end if you let it.  Sometimes it seems better to let it all go.  Wipe it all away.  ‘Specially when you feel…you’re the one to blame.”

He paused, and Carol waited with bated breath, wondering what guilt he carried, sure he wasn't to blame for any of the hurt they felt, but knowing guilt ate at him all the same.

“But you and me…we cain’t give up, even when every bone in our body wants to. Ain’t the way we’re made. We been cornered our whole lives. It gets us down for a while, but we come out swinging’, ready to fight whatever’s got us trapped. We don’t know how not to. I know you.” He paused, letting the memory of her own words sink in.  “And I know me.  We don’t know how to let it win.”

He was right, she knew: she didn’t know how to give up.  Not with Ed, not with Rick, not with that bastard Pete, and definitely not with that murdering sociopath with a bat.  But sometimes, sometimes the millstone around her limbs flooded her with fatigue.

Carol grabbed his hand and pulled his arm tightly around her.  “Please…hold me,” she murmured, afraid he’d hear her. ��Afraid he wouldn’t.

Daryl complied, tucking himself closer to her, his chest flush against her back. “Let yourself feel what you gotta feel,” he encouraged.  “Then we keep goin’.  Together.”

Icy slivers of fear scratched at her mind.  Together for now, but what happened when…if… Carol squeezed her eyes shut against the thought, against the darkness threatening to envelope her again.  She couldn’t bear the thought of being without him.

“Rest now,” he mumbled into her hair, as if he could hear her manic thoughts.  “Just rest."

She heaved a sigh, trying to relax in his arms, in this bed, in the house, inside the compound.  As safe a place as she could find in this world.  She’d lost the battle this night, let the walls come down, allowed the despair to overtake her and the fear to run rampant. She wanted to shove them back and return to the cage, but somehow it didn’t seem as comforting, as protective, as before.  Not without them: Michonne and Carl and Judith and Rick.  Not without the memory of those she’d loved: Hershel and Lori and T and Sophia. Not with him, without Daryl, who knew just how to pierce her heart and speak into the darkness that surrounded her.  She couldn’t be without them again.

She wouldn’t. 

[penelopelovesalvez]

A Lucky Night- Chapter 14

Here is my multi-chapter pic featuring characters I do not own from Criminal Minds, Alvez x Garcia, in a story of my own creation. It picks up at the end of 13.5.

Warning: Some chapters contain smut. While many do not, the ones that do are definitely 18+, NSFW.

Please feel free to re-blog and review! Please ask for permission before posting on any other platform.

Brigitte returned, and Penelope was soon hustled into a stylist’s chair to have her hair curled and styled and her makeup expertly applied. Luke was shown into the dressing room, where he discarded the robe and got dressed in his slacks. This time however he donned the burgundy button up he had brought. He spent several moments perfecting his hair and applying some aftershave.

About twenty minutes later he emerged from the changing room. Brigitte informed him that Penelope was nearly done having her hair and makeup arranged. Luke popped out of the salon for a few moments, notifying Brigitte that he would return momentarily.

Meanwhile, Penelope was amazed how quickly the stylist had worked. In only a matter of a half hour she had expertly placed large, loose curls throughout Penelope’s hair. She had straightened Penelope’s long side bangs and arranged them perfectly. After inquiring what Penelope would be wearing, she applied a dramatic, dark winged liner and a shimmery gold shadow to her eyelids. She slicked mascara onto Penelope’s’ eyelashes, gluing in small clumps of false eyelashes to fill them in until they were long and luscious. She applied foundation, highlighter and bronzer expertly, setting it all with a professional finishing powder. Last but not least she selected a deep rose matte lipstick. After applying it, she gave the tube to Penelope for reapplications later.

Escorting Penelope out of the chair once the stylist pronounced her perfect, Brigitte led Penelope down to the changing room and unlocked the door. “Mr. Alvez just stepped out and asked me to let you know he will return momentarily. Do you need any assistance getting dressed?” she inquired politely.

“I think I can manage, thank you,” Penelope said, stepping into the room. She closed the door behind her, took a deep breath, and then set about getting dressed. She pulled on the clean lingerie she had brought- the black and fuchsia high-cut panties with garter clips and the matching lace edged plunge-cut bra. She pulled on the black, thigh-high lace-edged stockings, clipping them to the garter clips. She stepped into the glittery heels, bending at the waist and tying the bow at each ankle. She shimmied into the ruffled black mini skirt, pulling it up over her hips. Then she wrapped the corseted, sparkly rose-gold top around her waist, slipping her arm into the cap sleeves and then fastening the clips up the center in front of her. She looked in the mirror, making sure nothing was out of place. Reaching into her bag, she removed the jewelry she had packet. She tucked the rose gold flowered clip into the curls of her hair, pulled on toe rose gold bangle bracelets, and lastly fastened on the large rhinestone necklace that dipped perfectly into her cleavage. She quickly packed the rest of her stuff into the bag, her stomach fluttering with butterflies. “I hope this outfit is a good choice for wherever we are headed,” she whispered softly to herself as she admired herself in the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of her skirt over her hips. Carrying only the shrug and the essentials she had shoved into the small black clutch, she crossed to the door that led back to the main salon area.

Penelope stepped out the door, and she heard a chorus of gasps. Brigitte, Kara, the masseuse and her hair stylist were standing in the lobby. She mentally made a note that this was her new salon of choice- everyone had been so kind and caring. She would definitely be returning. Brigitte’s smile beamed, while Kara actually clapped her hands several times. Her hair stylist let out a cat-call whistle, and the kind masseuse merely pronounced her “stunning!” But the one she was hoping to wow wasn’t even standing there. Before she could ask any of them if her prince charming had made a run for it, she heard the tell-tale chime as the salon’s front door opened. In stepped Luke, holding a single red rose. Well, doesn’t he look dashing in that burgundy shirt that might as well be molded to his skin. And she loved when he wore that black leather jacket. Just then Luke looked up and caught sight of her. Penelope watched his jaw literally drop in shock.

“Penelope,” he said, breathlessly. “You look… ravishing,” he practically groaned. In three long strides he had crossed the room. He pulled her tightly to his chest, tipping her head back swiftly and taking her lips with his in a heated kiss. In some corner of her mind not completely overwhelmed by the feel of Luke’s slightly roving hands and plunging tongue, Penelope recognized the sound of someone clapping again. After several moments longer than was at all appropriate, Luke finally pulled back from their kiss. He pressed the rose into her hand, and wound his arm around her waist, keeping her pressed tightly to his side.

“Thank you all so much for a lovely evening,” Luke said, turning to the assembled team. He passed an envelope to Brigitte. “We are so grateful to you, and will gladly refer others to your wonderful establishment. I’m afraid we must be going, we have a reservation to make,” Luke said, leading Penelope out the door to the truck that was now waiting at the curb.

Luke again held open the door and helped her up, his hand roving from her lower back to trail down the curve of her hip and onto her exposed leg. He slipped one finger under the lace edging of the stocking to caress the sensitive skin of her thigh, his eyes impossibly dark. “Woman, you are trying to kill me,” he groaned. Penelope shivered at the touch. She couldn’t even respond; her throat was choked with desire. He closed the door, before he lost control of the desire pumping through his veins. He rounded the truck, stopping for a few moments at the back to draw deep breaths and think of the frigid showers he took while out in the field hunting a fugitive- anything to help slow his heart rate and dampen his arousal just a smidge. Penelope would probably be the death of him, but at least he’d meet his maker with a smile on his face.

Luke finally joined her in the truck. The sun had set while they were inside, and the streetlights were on. He pulled the car onto the street and drove them several blocks. “You hungry, Chica?” he asked, squeezing her hand. “You know,” she responded, “I didn’t realize it before you asked, but yes. I am definitely ready to eat. Is dinner the reservation you mentioned?” she asked. “Indeed, it is,” he replied with a smile.

Just a few moments later, Luke pulled the truck over at the valet stand in front of a brightly lit downtown building. Penelope looked out the window at the elegant building with people streaming in and out the door, and somewhat of a line forming. “THE SALSA ROOM?!” she exclaimed, nearly screaming in exhilaration. “There is no way you got a table here, it takes weeks!” she asserted, smacking him on the thigh playfully. Luke chuckled. “Penelope, have you not yet learned that Luke Alvez, Special Supervisory Agent with the FBI, and former Army Ranger, is not the kind of man to give up at the first sign of difficulty. I am nothing if not persistent, how do you think I won you over?” he uttered in a low, yet teasing voice. Penelope didn’t know if it was his voice or the anticipation of dinner at one of the hottest, hard-to-get-into places in the DC-metro area, but she was now practically shaking.

Luke climbed out of the truck, handing the key to the parking attendant. He opened Penelope’s door for her, his eyes closely following the long lines of her legs as she stepped down from the truck. He wrapped his arm around her, stopping to receive a valet ticket, and led her up the stairs and into the restaurant. Penelope could sure get used to the comforting, arousing feeling of his protective hand at the small of her back.

Penelope could feel the weight of others’ glances on them as Luke led her to the hostess’ desk, his arm still firmly wrapped around her waist. She glanced around surreptitiously, clutching her purse tightly to her waist. Quite a few people, mostly couples, waited around the foyer to be sat, and it seemed all of them were observing her and Luke. Some of them with annoyance, likely people who’d grown tired of waiting and were frustrated for yet another party to compete against in order to be sat.

But others looked at them and seemed to be envious or intrigued. One well-dressed, but slimy looking man looked her up and down like she was a piece of meat. She shivered, ugh. What a pig. An older woman looked at them curiously. Penelope looked down at her ensemble, which was a bit flashy compared to the subtler outfits most of the women wore. For a moment, she wished she’d chosen to wear something a touch less revealing and a touch more elegant. Perhaps the woman wondered why she was so dolled up. Maybe she’s wondering what we’re celebrating. Or if she was a little-known reality show star, lol. And then, there were a few who looked at her next to Luke with disbelief. She could pinpoint one or two women who stared at her with both envy and resentment, and seemed to think it was a waste that such a model of male perfection was here with her.

Thankfully, Penelope was spared further torture as the hostess Luke was speaking with gathered menus and led them to be seated right away. “Mr. Alvez, won’t you and your guest please follow me to the table you reserved?” she asked, turning and leading them into the restaurant. Penelope allowed Luke’s hand to propel her forward but she was shocked, still contemplating how they could have possibly gotten a reservation at such a sought-after restaurant and then been sat without any wait. It was mind boggling.

Luke’s hand tightened on her hip, pressing her rhythmically in an affectionate, comforting gesture. The hostess led them to a lovely table near the center of the restaurant. It was fairly unique however, as it was situated on a small raised platform. One climbed two stairs to reach the small alcove that was partially flanked by large waist-height planters overflowing with lush flowers. A beautiful, wrought iron chandelier holding 12 candles in glass lamps hung above the table. The gleaming mahogany table and curved bench of the secluded booth had an unimpeded view of the dance floor and band, yet were given privacy by the curved planter and cascade of colorful blooms. In the center of the table sat a glass vase holding a riotous arrangement of brightly colored freesia, ranunculus, and camellias. It was probably the single most perfectly situated table in the entire room that invoked thoughts of old world Barcelona fused with a Miami club. It was beautiful, yet tasteful. Romantic, yet trendy and vibrant. She loved it.

Luke helped her up the stairs, just as he had helped her off the curb while out in the field a few weeks ago. He removed her black shrug for her, and waited patiently as she sat down and scooted slightly across the lush suede of the bench. He rounded the table, scooting into the booth from the other side until his hip was pressed into hers. He put his arm around her shoulders, resting it on the backrest. The hostess provided them with menus, smiling as she nodded once. “Your server will be with you promptly, Mr. Alvez. May you and your lovely guest enjoy your evening,” she said, taking her leave.

Penelope’s eyes roamed, taking in the rest of the room. There were tables of course, most of them occupied by groups of two or four, a few with larger parties. At the front of the room, a large platform dominated the center of the space. A variety of instruments were arranged on the stage: a drum kit, several guitars, microphones, a piano and several brass instruments. There was a large, gleaming dance floor that started just before the platform and stretched across the room, ending just several feet from where they sat.

Luke watched her as she took in the room. He briefly allowed his own gaze to take in the ambiance. It was a lovely space, and perfect for what he had planned. Mostly though he enjoyed watching her eyes widen in pleasure as she took in the room. She was so incredibly lovely and he couldn’t believe he had been lucky enough to convince her to give him a chance… to give them a chance. He sighed contentedly.

“So, shall we order some food to share?” he asked her, bringing her attention back to their table. Penelope looked over the menu. It appeared they served Latin-American and Caribbean cuisine, with an emphasis on Puerto Rican food. There weren’t many dishes she recognized but they all seemed amazing from the descriptions. Many appeared to contain meat though. She couldn’t help but think bitterly that Luke probably would enjoy it more if his date shared his love of red meat. “Well, why don’t we each order our own? That way you can enjoy something with meat,” she responded.

Luke placed a hand on her thigh, squeezing reassuringly. “There are plenty of dishes we can both enjoy. And certainly, I can order one or two things with meat. Although, since I met you I’ve been trying to cook with it less and less. Plus, they have a lot of dishes with fish or shrimp. I recall that you eat seafood on occasion,” Luke said.

They returned to looking at the menu, just as their waiter arrived. He was young, probably working his way through college or grad school. He wasn’t much taller than Penelope probably, but he was a good-looking guy. His curly, raven black hair was pulled into a trendy low pony tail, which was a striking contrast to his piercing blue eyes. The rolled-up sleeves of the white button down her wore showed off the tan skin of his muscular arms, revealing the colorful ink of the tattoos he appeared to have in two full sleeves.

“Holá, I’m Paulo,” he said with a perfect accent on the Spanish. “What can I get you to drink this evening?” Luke glanced down at the section of the menu that covered their drink selections. “I’d like a Jack and coke please, extra ice,” he said. “And for you, bella?” the waiter said, flashing Penelope a megawatt smile. When she smiled back the young man had the audacity to wink at her. “I’d like a piña colada if you have them,” she replied. “For you, cariña, we have anything you’d like. I will be back with these en un momento,” he said, turning and heading for the bar.

Penelope watched him leave, then turned to see that Luke was scowling. “What’s wrong?” Penelope asked. “Did he say something insulting in Spanish?” Luke shook his head, still glaring. “Not to you no.” he replied. “Let’s choose what we’d like to order when he returns.” They chose a few items, just in time for a bar-back to bring their drinks.

A few moments later, Paulo returned to take their order. “How does that piña colada taste, princesa?” he inquired, staring down Penelope’s top briefly. Penelope, oblivious to the young man’s leering gaze, assured him it was delicious as she took another sip. “Well, what can I get for y’all to eat?” he asked, his pen poised over the pad in his hand. Luke responded, “We’d like to start with an order of the tostones and the guacamole, then we’d like to share a bowl of the chupe de camarones, the Caribbean salad, and the enchiladas de mariscos. Oh, y una empanada por favor. Y, si podria, deja de coquetear con my novia. Ella es mía,” Luke warned sternly.  

The waiter met Luke’s steely gaze briefly, then nodded grimly and departed. Penelope looked at Luke, puzzled. “Really, Luke. What is going on with you and the waiter?” she asked, befuddled. “Well, Chica, we just had a misunderstanding and I had to set him straight about the fact that you are most certainly taken,” Luke drawled lazily. Penelope’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, don’t tell me you gave that poor boy a hard time just because he gave me compliments! I’m sure he’s just angling for a good tip. You didn’t need to take it seriously and apparently threaten the poor boy. I’m probably nearly twice his age, his flirting is harmless,” Penelope scolded, though not very harshly.

“I don’t care if he’s 18 or 81, he needs to find his own cariña and not be making a cake of himself over a woman who is with someone. He’s supposed to be working,” Luke growled. Penelope continued, “What exactly did you say? He was so stern when he left.” Luke waved his hand, “It was nothing. I didn’t say half what I could have, nothing insulting. I merely told him to quit flirting with my girlfriend and find his own girl, because you’re mine,” Luke said, his voice still low and intense. Penelope looked him in the eyes, her heart thundering in her chest. “You told him… that I’m YOUR GIRL??” she clarified hesitantly. Luke nodded decisively, “Yes, Chica. I’ve been trying to say something to you for months, and I can’t blame you not realizing how I felt… what with me taking my sweet time.” He brought his hand up to cup her jaw, his fingers caressing her cheek. “But I think I’ve been pretty direct, being that we’re on our 5th date in 24 hours. Penelope Grace, eres mía. You’re mine, if you’ll have me,” he whispered.

Penelope couldn’t speak. She couldn’t force her mouth to move, to form words. Luke was looking into her eyes, waiting for an answer and she was frozen. She could see that he was starting to doubt, starting to misinterpret her silence as rejection. But she couldn’t even think words, her head was swimming with the knowledge that this achingly handsome, generous man could want her. She had to do something though, she couldn’t just sit here and let him think she was rejecting him! She did the only thing she could think to do- she placed a hand on his thigh, and the other on his neck and she pulled his face to hers. She kissed him fiercely, pouring every ounce of wonder and surprise, and desire- so much desire- into the movement of her lips and tongue against his. He pushed his lips against hers, his hand caressing her neck. The hand on her face slid into her hair, anchoring her head as he moved his face to change the angle of the kiss, taking control. His other hand snaked around her body to the small of her back. He pulled her closer to him, fitting her against him as closely as possible given their seated positions. What started as Penelope showing Luke how she felt turned into Luke demonstrating just how hungry he was for her and how skillfully he could bring her pleasure.

The kiss lasted several moments, and they only broke apart as the food began to arrive to the table.

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: (WED) PACK KNOCK OFF SPRINGFIELD IN HISTORIC WIN

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack got two goals each from Patrick Newell and Vinni Lettieri and outlasted the Springfield Thunderbirds, 7-4, for the team's 27th win of the season and the 500th in franchise history. The game featured five lead changes and 64 shots. The game-winner came as a result of hard work and a little bit of luck as Newell easily deposited his sixth of the season and second of the game into an open net. While on a shift change, Newell found himself on the receiving of a Nick Jones pass from the left-wing circle “I got a fortunate change on that second one. I was (lucky) to be on the ice with (Jones). The puck was just sitting there for me, and I was able to put in,” Newell, in a laconic, low-key, So-Cal speaking style said of the goal that gave him his first professional multiple-goal game. The first place Wolf Pack has a record of 27-11-4-5 (63 points) and pulled ahead of the idle Hershey Bears by two points. The team continues its red-hot home record of 20-1-0-2. They have won 12 straight. The team's record when leading after two periods remains unblemished at 19-0-1-2. “We didn’t talk about too much before the game actually. Just a couple of items. We're much better on those (than Saturday) in Springfield. Our D corps played so very well and our scoring did so well. It's because of our D corps.” The Wolf Pack had 11 different players pick up points. “We do so much better when we have four lines contributing like they did tonight. Everybody had a hand in it tonight. We just gotta keep it rolling into the weekend,” remarked Tim Gettinger, one of the 11 previously mentioned. In the third period, the Pack was able to pull away on a right-wing rush by Vitali Kravtsov, who put a smooth pass beyond the reach of two Springfield d-men, Tommy Cross and Brady Keeper. Lettieri with a wide-open net didn’t miss and tallied his second of the night and 21st of the season. Jones had another quite effective night and made himself the fourth Wolf Pack player to have multiple points in the game with an empty netter with 17.4 seconds left.  Adam Huska earned his first pro point with an assist to close out the Thunderbirds at 7-4. “We rely on him for his defensive play a lot, winning key faceoffs, penalty kill work. It’s really nice to see guys like that get rewarded. They deserve it because they’re playing the right way. Jones played an excellent game tonight,” said Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch. Huska (26 saves) was not perfect, but in the third period, he made terrific saves that kept Springfield from tying the game. “Credit to Huska in the third period. We needed him, and he stood strong making big saves and playing the puck strongly.” Knoblauch said. In the second period, the Thunderbirds head coach, Geordie Kinnear, switched goalies bringing in Philippe Desrosiers for Ryan Bednard. The two teams managed just five shots in the list 7:40 missing the net several times as well. Springfield managed to tie the game at three. Daniel Audette collected his second goal of the night taking a short pass from Jack Rodewald. He moved in the slot put the puck through Gettinger's legs and under his stick. Audette collected the puck and lifted a backhander and deposited it on the top shelf at 10:42. At 12:13 the Pack answered back to restore the lead at 4-3. After missing the net seconds earlier, Steven Fogarty didn’t miss the second time. Fogarty got a perfect short pass from Kravtsov and got inside position on the Thunderbirds' Rodrigo Abols and lifted his 12th goal of the season with the backhand past Desrosiers. The goal and the captain scoring it was big for the Wolf Pack. “Fogarty is a big part of why we have success. He pushes everyone to do well and leads by example,” Lettieri said in speaking of the team captain. Ethan Prow got the puck off the right-wing boards on a cross-ice pass on a break-in as the Thunderbirds Jonathan Ang took Libor Hajek out, leaving a wide-open lane. Prow’s shot cleanly beat Huska to the far side for his sixth goal matching his jersey number. The Wolf Pack struck first in this game. Danny O’Regan won a faceoff from Springfield’s Alexei Saarela and Newell, his new, old linemate, picked up the puck and circled around the linesman using him as a pick then fired off wing a high-shot. The puck hit Bednard in the arm and went over the goal line for Newell's fourth goal of the season at 2:35. “I was happy for Newy he played well and didn’t surprise us that’s what we expect of him. He and Danny have a thing together back in November and December when we had them together so we reunited them and they played well together. Ski’s (Matt Beleskey) complimented them well. O’Regan's veteran value was shown on that play before it started. “Not only is Danny a good faceoff guy, but he's a good coach. Before they went out on the ice, Danny told Newell what they were doing and they got the goal. Maybe we'll have Danny call up more plays,” Knoblauch jokingly said of his “new” would-be assistant coach. The Thunderbirds tied the game at one converting an offensive zone turnover into a scoring play. Fogarty had a left-wing shot stopped and Lettieri retrieved the loose puck. Fogarty cut to the middle and Lettieri’s pass went the other way. Tommy Cross (Simsbury/Westminster Prep) got the puck put a quick pass on Saarela's stick, the former Rangers draft pick came across the Wolf Pack blue line at full speed. Saarela made a nice move on Vincent LoVerde at the blue line and had two wingers open on the left side. He hit Danielle Audette, the son of former NHL’er Donald Audette with a perfect cross-ice pass. Audette wasted little time putting his 11th of the season into the back of the net at 10:05. The Wolf Pack answered back 2:42 later. Gettinger got to a loose puck and snapped a hard wrister from 35 feet out that cleanly went between Bednard's left arm to regain the lead at 2-1. Springfield answered back in kind to tie the game at two. Henrik Bogstrom won a one-on-one battle along the right-wing boards and shuffled the puck to Matt Mangene at the right point. He sent a shot that kept rising and eluded Huska at 13:01. It was Mangene’s first of the season. The Wolf Pack came back yet again as Lettieri pocketed his 20th of the season at 16:27 to make it 3-2. Jeff Taylor at the left point took Joey Keane’s pass put a short pass on Lettieri's stick blade as he cut to the middle the lane was blocked. Lettieri curled back into the left-wing circle and then with Fogarty at the net he used Springfield defenseman Thomas Schmetisch as a screen and fired the shot that Bednard never saw beating him short-side. Lettieri’s goal made it 23 straight seasons the Wolf Pack have had at least one 20 goal scorer. “Taylor had the patience of a kindergarten teacher waiting to find me,” joked Lettieri with a wry smile. “He made a great pass.” Now it's on to Charlotte for a pair of weekend games. Gettinger, with his hoody shading his eyes, set the tone for the weekend as the team seeks redemption for a lost weekend in December with two tough losses. “We're going down determined on Friday, we know what happened last time down there. We have some unfinished business." LINES: Fogarty-Kravtsov-Lettieri O’Regan-Newell-Beleskey Jones-Gropp-Gettinger McBride-Dmowski-Zerter-Gossage Hajek-Raddysh Keane-Geersten Taylor-LoVerde SCRATCHES: Nick Ebert (Lower-body, still day-to-day) Boo Nieves (Flu, day-to-day) Yegor Rykov (Healthy) Ty Ronning (Healthy) Gabriel Fontaine (Shoulder-surgery, Season-ending) NOTES: During an ice cleaning timeout, Jared Doyon of Meriden who handles a lot of game night operation duties, including as a fill-in PA announcer, slipped and fell on the ice. He suffered a concussion but seemed to be OK giving the thumbs-up sign to the crowd while being wheeled off on a stretcher. 1,807 was the announced attendance, though it appeared to be quite smaller based upon observation. It was the 24th worst-attended crowd in Wolf Pack history. 28 of the 39 times the crowd has been under 2,000 for Wolf Pack games have come on Wednesday nights. Next Wolf Pack home next Wednesday against the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins. Lias Andersson was scoreless in his debut with HV71 (Sweden-SHL). Ex-Pack, Akim Aliu, has a goal and an assist for HC Litvinov (Czech Republic-CEL) in four games. Logan Roe (Kent Prep) of the Florida Everblades (ECHL) was named ECHL Player of the Month. He was loaned to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) and signed a PTO deal. Ex-Pack goalie, Brandon Halverson, was suspended and taken off the roster of the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL). This season he was a weekend emergency recall backup for Providence and had a poor two-game recall to the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) posting two losses and a 7.90 GAA. The Sound Tigers lose forward, Kieffer Bellows, to recall but get back defenseman, Sebastien Aho. Ex-Sound Tiger goalie, Kevin Poulin, was released from his PTO deal with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). Ulf Samuelsson, a former Whaler great, Rangers player, and assistant coach, as well as a Wolf Pack assistant coach and Avon Old Farms assistant, has taken the head coaching job with Leksands IF (Sweden-SHL). His eldest son, Philip, and ex-Pack, Marek Hrivik, are currently playing there. He coached Philip when he was Charlotte’s head coach. The team is in dead last place in the SHL with an 11-24-3 record. He started his pro career with the team (1981-1984) and was granted permission by Seattle, and long-time friend, and another Whaler great, Seattle GM, Ron Francis. In addition, he is still being paid by the Blackhawks and had to seek permission from them as well. Samuelsson was just named a pro scout for expansion NHL Seattle team just a few months ago. Jordan Samuel-Thomas (Quinnipiac University/Canterbury Prep/Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack/West Hartford) leaves Worcester (ECHL) where he had 29 points in 33 games and was a minus-21 for Heilbronner (Germany DEL-2) for the remainder of the year. Ex-Pack, Kale Kerbashian, goes from HK Nitra (Slovakia-SLEL) to Lausitzer (Germany DEL-2) for the rest of the season. Two ex-Packers switched places. Casey Wellman has left SC Rapperswil-Jona (Switzerland-LNA) and signs with SC Bern (Switzerland-LNA) for the rest of the season. Tom Pyatt has taken his spot with Rapperswil after leaving Skellftea AIK (Sweden-SHL). Ex-Pack, Malte Stromwall, had 19 goals in 44 games, the highest-scoring Swede that was selected to the KHL All-Star Game. He's representing HK Sochi, but due to his illness, he was unable to play in the game. Stromwell is a prime example of how some Europeans are unable to make the adjustment to the North American game/rinks, but that still thrives playing in Europe. In ex-Pack news here is an article on Marek Mazanec. Read it HERE. Wonder what former goalie Mackenzie Skapski is doing showing off his hockey den. Read about it HERE. Wolf Pack fan jersey of the night: #3 that was worn by both Terry Virtue and later, Pat Aufiero, who wore it for 35 games after Virtue left to return to Worcester. #25 Mathieu Dandenault who played his last 19 pro games in Hartford. The all-time classic #20 P.J. Stock. Of the four, only two are still involved in hockey. Stock is an assistant coach for Lac-St. Louis Warriors, a local girls program in Quebec. Virtue is the head coach for Shrewsbury High Colonials, a Massachusetts Division I MIAA public school program. One of his two assistants is former UCONN Husky (last two Division III teams and first two AHA teams), Marc Busenburg. He played for Springfield and Worcester in the AHL in his pro career. Read the full article

[ashethehedgehog]

OKAY U GUYS LMAO TY FOR THE ASKS <33333 I’ll do ygo for all the letters here! It’s long so I’ll put it under a read more! So dive on in for some talk about my writing and puzzleshipping fics! (Also some snippets I posted below so wink wink)

B: Any of your stories inspired by personal experience?

Not like directly, but I definitely put some of my influences into them. Like Yugi wanting to be a knight in The Beast Within was 100% because I used to want to be a knight lmao. 

F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

Ohhh off the top of my head? Gosh mmmm. Okay so off the top of my head there’s this one scene in an AU I’m probably going to abandon actually, so it’s kinda ehhh to show it now and tease u all like this lmao, but I did really enjoy writing the interactions between Yugi and Atem in them, so I’m going to put one of those for this! I just like the way they butted heads and Atem refused to relent, but then so did Yugi so they just tip toed around each other looking for the weak spot while referring to ‘the pharaoh’ as if it’s someone else and not Atem lmao. For context, it’s from an AU where everyone is an anthro animal, felines are considered the high ranking ones, spotted cats (Yugi’s species) is endangered and highly revered, Atem is a lion.

“You’re under the protection of the pharaoh, and as such are to remain in the palace where said effect can be carried out.” Atem answered as dully as he could manage. It seemed to work, as Yugi’s expression dropped.

“That order can be extended and revoked by the pharaoh himself should he wish. Do you think the pharaoh realises that? I wonder…” Yugi clicked his tongue, a thoughtful hand tapping his chin.

“I believe the pharaoh wishes for the spotted cat to remain within the palace walls, where he would be safest. I wonder if he realises that he could have servants fetch anything he needed from the city.”

“He wants to go look at what the city has to offer. With his own eyes, not those of servants not belonging to him.”

“You have your own staff I have assigned to you.”

“They’re not loyal to me.”

Atem paused, finally giving his full attention to Yugi. So that’s the kind of game Yugi was playing today. It seemed he had slipped up, however, and Atem wasn’t beneath taking advantage of this blunder.

“You question the good intentions of the pharaoh, who has given you his place as residence while asking nothing of you?” Atem tsked, turning back to his scroll, attention slipping from Yugi. He knew that would irritate the little cat, and sure enough, Yugi gave a soft growl in warning.

“I do not question the pharaoh, only wonder if he remembers whether or not he will honour his agreement.”

“What agreement?” Atem rolled his eyes.

Yugi pushed off the desk, slamming a hand down on the table, tail lashing angrily behind him. “You cannot keep me locked up here, pharaoh. Protective rules or not, if I leave, you cannot stop me.”

“No, I can’t,” Atem responded calmly, adjusting the scroll in his paws. “But you lose my protection if you venture into the city. You go alone.”

"I will be going into the city, pharaoh. And you will provide me with the necessary guards."

G: Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

I tend to write random scenes around as I get inspiration for them, but mostly I write it chapter by chapter to keep it consistent! But if I’m in a slump, I write scenes that I had the motivation to work on, even if it’s for like three chapters ahead. I did this a little with my Big Bang fic because I had a deadline and needed to be working on it lmao. Fun fact tho, The Living Daylights I started off with the opening scene from chapter nine! Yeah nine chapters in right crazy ahaha, but that was what inspired the AU! xD

H: How would you describe your style?

I dunno? Semi-decent descriptions enough to understand locations and a fuckton of travelling montage work and fighting scenes. I couldn’t tell u dude I dunno my own style lmao.

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you’d care to share?

Sure, why not! So my list of fics I’m currently writing are:

Prince and King on AO3

Dragontaur AU/ Opportunities in Unexpected Places on AO3

The Demon Prince Yugi and Knight Atem AU, which will be my next multi chap fic after PaK is done.

A naga!Yugi and vampire!Yugi AU that I’m writing, buuuuut they’re both for my smut blog, where I post them exclusively, and I’m not going to move them to AO3 either soz (anyone is welcome to IM me for the link to the blog, but it’s on private so access is message only lmao).

Magic AU, which u can find some snippets of here! I don’t plan to take this further than a longshot, even with the potential for more there, I just don’t have the time for another fantasy AU world to build rn lmao. But I hope to have something of this to share soon!

Lion Atem, which I gave the snippet of above, where they’re all anthros. I never wrote much for this, and although I liked the concept, I don’t think I’ll work on it anymore. Maybe I’ll post the 6K I wrote just as a ‘read if u want but don’t expect more pls’ kind of thing. But yeah, at this stage this one is p much discontinued because I don’t have the time to work on it. 

And that leaves Elf King Yugi, something that has definitely been on the back burner for MONTHS now (ever since Trial and Error, so u do the maths lmao) which I have written a fair amount for, but need to do some serious plot work before I consider doing more. Since there is a chance I’ll continue to work on this one tho, I’ll post a snippet here!

"You know the council isn't going to like this Yugi. You're in for a long and dangerous fight with this one."

"I know Anzu- you don't need to treat me like a kid." Yugi scolded her with a quick frown.

"I'm just warning you. Be prepared to argue into the night."

"I am- believe me." Yugi groaned, a hand rubbing his forehead as if to still a headache.

Yami tittered at the edge of the room near the door, unsure if he should interrupt what looked like a conversation (or argument) between friends.

Luck wasn't (or was) on his side though it seemed, as Yugi took that moment to crane his neck to where Yami was standing, his eyes lighting up. Yami suppressed a groan as he waved him over. Yami stepped lightly, his steps hesitant as he approached the two.

"Oh wow Yugi is this him? Your narcissism is showing with this one." The girl’s eyes gleamed with something predatory, like she was sizing up how long Yami would last in... Something.

"Would you please stop saying 'this one?' It implies I do this frequently- which I don't." Yugi said, shooting Yami an apologetic look. "This is Anzu- she works at the castle here-"

"You forgot to mention I'm your best friend." Anzu said in a sing song voice. Yugi shot her a look this time.

"Yes, and you're my annoying best friend." He turned back to Yami. "She's going to give you your tour, alright?"

Yami nodded. "Where are you going?"

"I have to go to court today. We'll see each other later, my dear Yami." Yugi smiled at him, reaching out to pat his shoulder as he passed him, disappearing out of the room.

Yami turned back around to immediately jump in surprise.

Standing way too close for comfort in front of him was Anzu. She had a wild grin on her face, like she knew a secret Yami didn't.

"Well well Yami. Looks like it’s just the two of us for the rest of the day." She practically purred.

"Uh... Okay... Should I be worried?" Yami frowned, not liking the glint in her eyes. It's like a maze of demons here, Yami observed. You turn away from one only to find another.

"Not at all," Anzu hummed, patting Yami's shoulder. "We're all friends here I assure you. Yugi wants me to take extra good care with you. And I must say- I can see why. You're a keeper."

"A keeper?" Yami's frown deepened, and he suppressed a sigh of exhaustion. Just what have I gotten myself into here? He was beginning to seriously regret his decision to break the elves' border seal now.

"Never mind." Anzu waved him off, trotting over to the door only to swing back around, her hand on the handle. "You coming? Yugi wants you to see the castle."

"Oh, right, of course." Yami muttered, following Anzu as she made her way out into the hallway.

"Alright, first things first- unless Yugi gives you public permission to travel around, don't go anywhere without an escort, okay?"

"Why? I'm not a kid." Yami scoffed.

"Mmm, technically you are to a lot of these folk. Most of the population in the kingdom are elves, and they tend to be a lot older than they appear."

N: Is there a fic you wish someone else would write (or finish) for you?

LMAO YEAH REALLY WISH I DIDN’T HAVE TO WRITE THE REST OF PRINCE AND KING BUT WELP IT’S MY FIC AND I’VE COME THIS FAR SO I GOTTA FINISH IT RIP. I just reaaaaaally crave the day I can slap a COMPLETED on it :’’’’D

O: How do you begin a story–with the plot, or the characters?

The plot! Mainly because fanfic so the chars already exist lmao. I usually start with one thing that catches my interest, and work out from there. Sometimes my AUs start from dreams, like Demon Prince started because I had a dream Yugi was a demon in jail trying to seduce Atem to come work for him so lmao there u go. 

P: Are you what George R. R. Martin would call an “architect” or a “gardener”? (How much do you plan in advance, versus letting the story unfold as you go?)

I’m much more of an architect, because without a decent plot written out in front of my, in like a chapter by chapter format, I will easily lose motivation and focus because I won’t have a ‘oh yeah that’s what’s happening next!’ sort of thing. It helps with building up foreshadowing and stuff too for me. The stories I try to ‘gardener’ for I guess are the ones that often don’t see tumblr or AO3 lmao. AKA u will never hear of them because I have a few lmao.

Q: How do you feel about collaborations?

Interesting question! I suppose it depends what kind! I like collaboration ideas, in fact my first multi chapter fic The Living Daylights was a collaboration in ideas between me and my pal Ren! But I still wrote the entire thing lmao. I guess I like to have control over the writing for style consistency, but I think tackling the entire concept with another writer would be fun! I’ve never tried to write something with someone else so I dunno how that would go!

T: Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

[kinda nsfw] INNOCENT PURE YUGI MUTOU WHO MUST ALWAYS BOTTOM FOR ATEM BECAUSE ATEM IS SEX GOD AND YUGI IS VIRGIN WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT SEX. Listen nothing rustles my JIMMIES more than that that troupe which is EVERYWHERE in puzzleshipping. I don’t understand why it’s so popular??? Like, this isn’t to say Yugi 100% CANNOT bottom because he totes can! But of ALL the puzzleshipping I’ve ever read that involved smut, especially in multi chapter fics, Yugi topped like... once, maybe??? ???? That’s SO MANY fics where Atem almost NEEDED to top. It kind of feels like people were too scared to write it at times? Like some stories I could totally see it either way, but it was ALWAYS with Atem topping, always. I don’t really understand why people are so against Yugi topping in puzzle but auuuugh I just wish there was more of it u know? Like if I want top Atem material shit man I got hundreds of fics for that, but top Yugi? Man, I can list them on my fingers...

Long story short ppl shouldn’t be afraid to let Yugi top pls. I’m not saying he ALWAYS HAS TO TOP, but more of that than Atem always topping would be real nice? A nice mix instead of everything seemingly so bias would be cool? Sometimes I want top!Atem, and sometimes I want top!Yugi, isn’t that the same for everyone lmao. Like they’d totes switch it up all the time so why is there so little for top!Yugi? The mystery of my life lmao. Let Yugi Top 2k17.

X: A character you enjoy making suffer.

Probably Atem, sorry to the kid but he’s the one who ends up suffering the most in my fics opps. I think there’s like ONE fic where Yugi suffers more maybe? The rest is all like nope lmao soz bro but ur the punching bag ahaha.

W: Do you like more general prompts, or more specific ones?

(this is the one I picked myself lmao) I like really specific ones! I like to know exactly what I’m writing, and unless I get a burning idea in my head I’d rather do (not often) I’d prefer prompts that give me more to work with, or at least more detail than like a one line simple prompt lmao.