#… not that i’ll do anything besides announce it but. It’s The Special Little Guy’s Birthday
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valuehope · 10 months ago
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAKOTO NAEGI MY SPECIAL LITTLE GUY !!! 🎉🌟💚‼️
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blu-joons · 4 years ago
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When He Suddenly Compliments You ~ BTS Reaction
Jin:
His smile grew as he walked into the bedroom, wrapping his arms tightly around your waist. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, pressing a kiss underneath your ear.
Instantly, your brows furrowed, tilting your head around to look up at him. “Do you want to tell me what you’ve done now, or later?”
“Why do you presume I’ve done something wrong?” He chuckled, peppering several more kisses against your skin delicately.
“Because you’re only nice to me when you’re trying to make up for something,” you pointed out, “just tell me what you’ve done, get it over with.”
His head shook at the expecting look on your face. “For once, I really haven’t done anything. I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked today.”
“There still feels like there’s something going on, I’m not used to you being so kind to me like this.”
“Get used to it,” he smiled, “I’ve realised recently I need to start telling you how beautiful you are a little more, starting now.”
“I guess, I could get used to it.”
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Yoongi:
You were captured by his smile as soon as you laid down beside him on the sofa, resting your hand into his lap. “What’s happened to you to make you so smiley?”
His eyes looked down at you, “I’ve just been thinking a lot recently about how lucky I am to have you in my life, you’re amazing.”
“You really must be in a good mood if you’re being this kind,” you teased, resting your hand gently against his chest.
“I don’t have to be in a good mood to appreciate my girlfriend, I just need to say it to you more often,” he responded, “make sure that you know.”
The corners of your mouth turned up higher, “I already know that you appreciate me, you don’t need to do anymore to prove it to me.”
“I’m going to make sure that I tell you every day from now on, because you deserve to know.”
“I won’t complain,” you giggled, “it makes me happy to know exactly how you feel, it’s reassuring to me as well.”
“Then I’ll tell you, every day, always.”
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Hoseok:
The moment he saw you waiting back at the apartment, his arms wrapped tightly around you. “How was your day?” You asked as you hugged him tightly.
He rested gently against your shoulder, “my day just got a whole lot better now that you’re here. You look lovely today too.”
“Look at you too,” you chuckled, pulling back so that you could look at his face. “How do you still manage to look so handsome after rehearsals?”
“No,” he mumbled, jabbing your arm. “I’m supposed to be paying you a compliment right now, you’re not allowed to pay me one in return.”
Your head shook at his protest, “you can’t stop me from paying you a compliment, especially when it’s so true.”
“I refuse to accept your compliment; you have to let me be the one to compliment you first instead.”
“Are you really turning this into a competition?” You laughed, “can’t we just agree to compliment each other Hobi?”
“No, I want to compliment you first.”
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Namjoon:
He crept slowly up behind you, making you jump as he rested his hands to your waist. “Have I told you today how effortless you look dressed like that?”
Straight away, you looked at him intriguingly. “You’re up to something, you only are nice to me when you’re causing mischief.”
“There’s no mischief going on, I just wanted to make sure I told you how nice you look today,” he assured you, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.
“I’m not convinced,” you murmured, “have you broken something downstairs? Spilt something maybe that you know I’ll be annoyed about?”
His head continued to shake with a giggle. “I promise nothing has gone wrong, I just wanted to compliment you, is that really such a crime?”
“Not usually, but then you never really do something like this unless there’s a reason for it.”
“There’s no reason,” he reminded you yet again, “you can go and have a look for yourself if you really don’t believe me.”
“I believe you, but thousands of others wouldn’t.”
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Jimin:
Your hand came up to cover your mouth as another yawn escaped. “Sorry,” you muttered across to Jimin as you climbed into bed beside him.
His smile grew immediately, “sometimes I have to pinch myself to realise how lucky I am to have you,” he suddenly announced.
“I’m in my pyjamas, I’ve just yawned horrifically, and somehow that equates to you feeling lucky?” You asked him in confusion.
“It’s just moments like these that make me realise how content I am,” he replied, easing your worried, “I never imagined I’d be so happy and domesticated.”
You laid down slowly against his chest, “are you really trying to tell me that these are the moments you appreciate me the most? I look a state.”
“No, you look like someone I want to spend the rest of my life with and who I want to fall asleep with.”
“I don’t really know what’s happening,” you giggled, “but I want to spend the rest of my life with you too by the way.”
“I know you do, that’s why I’m so lucky.”
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Taehyung:
You could feel his breath against the nape of your neck as soon as he walked into the room, whispering the word, “stunning,” gently to your ear.
Instantly, he felt your body tense up in his hold. “You’re being unusually nice to me, why do I have a bad feeling about this?”
“Can’t a guy just compliment his girl? Do I need a reason to tell you that I think you’re stunning?” He responded, innocently staring at you.
“It was just a bit random, that’s all. It’s unlike you to start paying me compliments without a reason for it,” you mused, still staring quizzically at him.
His eyes rolled at your behaviour, “I promise you that nothing is going on. I just felt like I needed to tell you that I think that you’re stunning.”
“I’m just not used to you being so kind to me so randomly, it’ll take a bit of getting used to.”
“I won’t stop doing it,” he assured you, wrapping his arm around you. “But seriously, believe me when I tell you that you’re stunning.”
“I believe you, don’t worry.”
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Jungkook:
The feeling of his hands against your shoulder sent a shiver down your spine. “You’re so gorgeous,” he suddenly added, pinching against your skin lightly.
You paused for a moment before turning back to look at him. “It’s either our anniversary or your birthday, so which have I forgotten?”
“My birthday is months away, and our anniversary was two weeks ago,” he laughed, “why would you think it’s either of them today.”
“I’m not use to you being nice to me without a reason,” you giggled, glancing up at him. “You’re only this nice to me when it’s a special occasion.”
His head shook, pressing a kiss against your forehead. “Maybe today I decided that I just wanted to tell my girlfriend how in love with her I am.”
“It’s very unlike you, are you absolutely sure I’ve not missed something? Shall I check the calendar?”
“I’m being serious,” he continued to chuckle, “you’ve not missed anything, I promise. Just accept that I think you’re gorgeous.”
“I am, thank you Jungkook.”
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nyasiaaaaa · 4 years ago
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The Little things
Pairing: Din Djarin x Fem reader
Word count: 8k
Warnings: established relationship, shooting, angst, Smut (18+), spanking, Dom/Sub, oral sex ( m and f receiving) P in V, fingering ( f receiving), spitting, use of good girl ( once), breeding kink if you squint, Fluff, helmet-less Din ( he only wears it when he’s outside), tw eating
A/N: First time writing smut and first time writing for a Pedro character. For @its--fandom--darling 1k follower celebration!!! Thank you @absurdthirst for all your help. Thank you @aripariii for looking over this.

You throw your head back in frustration as you contemplate giving up feeding the kid. You had been trying to feed him vegetables for the past week. Every time you wanted to feed him some smashed peas with a spoon, he would use the force to push it into your mouth. You lift your head as you take a deep breath, ready to try again when Din walks in and throws jerky on the table for the kid. You look at Din in disbelief before getting up to clean the mess while you let the kid eat.
“I’ll be back in a few; this shouldn’t take long,” Din announced as he stood in place, scanning the room for his blaster.
“You missing something,” you asked, hopping on one of the crates looking over at him with a mischievous smile 
“Give it,” he grumbled out, walking up to you holding his hand out
“Give what,” you questioned as you tilted your head. “Give this,” you smiled, pulling out his blaster.
Din tried to reach for it as you pulled back “nope, let’s make a deal.”
“I don’t have time for games, cyar’ika,” he replied trying to convince you to give it up.
“Then let’s not play any. I’ll give you your blaster if you quit giving the kid what he wants when I’m trying to give him a balanced diet, ok.” 
“Ok,” he agrees to take the blaster from your hand. 
“Also, you don’t have to rush back for lunch; just make sure you are here for dinner” he gave you a nod in response as he fished, packing up his things.
You pick the kid up and dust him over, carrying him over to Din so he could say bye. Din looked down at his son and ruffled his head before looking at you. He bent down, placing his cold beskar helmet against your head. He didn’t need to say anything you already knew and vise versa. Din straightened up and walked towards the ramp before typing in buttons and letting it down. 
As Din was walking away, he stopped to remind you for the millionth time, “cyar’ika, don’t leave the ship, this is one of the most dangerous plants and-“
“I know you’ve told me all this before. I won’t leave me. The kid and I are going to chill here and watch cartoons or something,” you told him, interrupting his repetitive speech.
He stood there hesitantly, debating in his head before choosing to just walk down the ramp and away. You guys never did that stop and turn around things you’ve seen in movies; there was no need to. He was always going to come back; he had promised you. 
As soon as the Din was far away enough, you closed the ramp and started getting ready to leave. Dins birthday is coming up, and you’re trying to make him a chocolate cake. In one of your late-night pillow talks, you asked Din what he remembers from his childhood before the Mandalorian, he replies that he doesn’t remember a lot. What he does remember is how every year, for his birthday, his mom would make him a chocolate cake. It was the best thing he has ever eaten in his life, well, the second-best thing he adds a few seconds later. 
Since then, you have been collecting all the ingredients you need to make the cake over the next couple of weeks. You have everything but cocoa powder, the most crucial ingredient. You’ve looked everywhere, every plant, every website you couldn’t find it anywhere else but this plant. 
You don’t want to go against what Din has asked you, especially because you said you wouldn’t. Still, you just wanted to do something special for him, for his birthday, because he deserved it. After all, he had done for you, you wanted to do something for him even if others might consider it a little thing you knew it would mean a lot to Din.
 For example a few months ago, you tried to make sure Din started enjoying his meals more and eating meals more frequently. You did this by eating together like a clan Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner. You and Din sit next to each other at the small table you had built together, the kid in his high chair. Din had to adjust to it but never complained. He even started to look forward to it, rushing back to the ship sometimes after a bounty to make it in time for lunch or dinner.  
You smiled, thinking fondly of the memories you’ve created with your clan over the past months as you started getting ready to leave. As you’re finishing up and was about to leave, you activate the droid; you have to watch the kid. This droid you had found in a past mission but never had a reason to fix it until now. You had been working on it the ship during flight and while Din was away on hunts. 
When Din had asked you about the droid, you said you were programming the IG-11 to help clean around the ship. Din had been uncertain because of its killing background but ended up letting it go. You had lied though, you had kept the Droids programming and just added few changes to it. The changes were that when you left, its mission was to protect the child and take care of all its needs. It was to kill anyone or thing that came onto the ship unless it was you, Din, or the kid. 
The little white lie was never a problem either because you only activated the droid when you and Din were out to watch the kid, and you always made sure to come back to the ship before Din to deactivate it, plus Din never questioned why he’d never seen the droid in “action.” 
You set out to the local market nearby, where you were hoping to find the last ingredient so you could make the cake. Since you started a little late today and this is one of the most dangerous plants in the galaxy, you walked a bit faster than usual. The quicker you walked, the more excited you got. You were about to be done getting all the supplies to make the cake, just in time, because Dins birthday was in a couple of weeks. As you neared the market, you prayed to Maker that the thing you’re risking your life over was going to be here. You were incredibly proud of yourself for keeping this a secret from Din without him suspecting a thing.
***********
Din had tracked his bounty to a bar nearby; as he neared the bar, he could hear the noise of people inside. As soon as he stepped foot into the bar, it went silent, some people shaking in fear, others puffing their chest out and rising onto the balls of their feet slightly. Din looked around the bar; it wasn’t a bad bar. It just wasn’t the nicest. 
The same color brown wood was throughout, green bar stools, plastic lawns chairs, mice having a party in every corner. Also, the floor was sticky; he could feel it with every step he took, he would have to use a little more effort than usual to lift his foot up, and you could hear it in every step. Din hadn’t spotted his bounty during his initial scan of the room, so he turned to the bartender to ask if he had seen the bounty. The bartender wasted no time and pointed to the backroom as he kept his head down. Din reaches the backroom and sees a smaller room same design and layout as the front with four men playing poker and three bodyguards. Dins usually not a man of words, but he doesn’t really feel like fighting today, so he tells them, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours.”
 One guard rushes towards Din and tries to grab him, but Din is quicker; he pulls a blaster and shoots a bodyguard in the chest. He starts getting attacked by two of the bodyguards but takes them out with ease. After the last bodyguard fell to the floor, he heard footsteps pounding against the floor, then pressure is applied to his back, one of the poker players had jumped on him. Din falls backward, crushing the person underneath him; he then quickly rolls over, props himself on one knee, and pulls his blaster to shoot the guy. Din then whips his gun around to the other side of the room to find two people standing there shaking with their hands up, neither of them his bounty. Din snaps his head in the direction of the door he came in as he hears the bell ring that’s placed above the door. He pushes himself off the ground and starts chasing after the man.
*************
You had to go to three different vendors in the market, but you finally found the cocoa powder you were looking for, the lady dared to charge you three times its worth, but you didn’t care anything for Din. You had to wander deep into the market to find the cocoa, so on your way out, you were doing a slight jog. You had hoped you were making good time and would make it back in time, but you had no way of knowing for sure.
***************
Din is chasing after the guy, and he’s so close the guy knows this too. The bounty suddenly stops in the middle of a crowd; he pulls out a blaster and waves it. Sounds of shock and fear echoed threw out the public. Din steps forward to get the guy he needs alive; the man suddenly looks around frantically, pulls the closest person to him, and puts a gun to their head. It was you. The bounty had put the gun to your head. Din’s mind blanks. He has no other thoughts besides getting to you; he doesn’t care if the bounty is for him brought in cold. The bounty had touched what’s his. 
Din quickly pulls his blaster ready to fire when suddenly you pull forward, folding over as you push down on your toes; you then spring up, moving your head back to strike the man’s head. The man then stumbles backward from the sudden impact. Din is quick to act as he runs towards the man and then shoots the man in his arm, the man falls to the ground, and Din proceeds to lift the man up and place him in handcuffs. 
Din turns towards you to scan your body as he looks for any injuries. His beskar covered face then looks up towards you as he asks, “hurt,” and you proceed to shake your head no. Before you can ask if he’s hurt, he grabs your arm and pushes you in front of him, signaling to walk. You do walk as he follows, dragging the bounty behind him. 
The journey back to the ship was quiet, too quiet even the bounty tried to speak on the tensions, “struggle in paradise, eh.” 
Din pressed his finger into his wound for that one.
You’d been so distracted by the event that happened you had forgotten about the droid, but it was too late. Din had already typed in the code, and the ramp was coming down. 
This was the first time, the one time Din wasn’t the faster person in the room; by the time Din pulled his blaster out, it was too late. It all happened in a blink of an eye. The bounty was dead. The droid shot him. 
You were nervous, it’s not like you were in desperate need of the credits, but the money could have help, and you know Din just went through a lot to get him.
“The child is safe, would you li-“IG-11 started before Din shot him. You were about to complain, but then you remember the situation you were in.
You stood in silence for a couple of minutes before deciding to look at Din only to find him staring at you. You turned your head away so quick that pain in your neck started to arise. “Din I-I-I’m so so sorry this is all my fault, I’ll take the blame, ok. Just tell Greef Karga, ok. Can he be brought in dead? I mean, it’s not a big deal, y-y-you’ve done it before. Greef Karga will s-still a-a-a-accept it right …. RIGHT!”
Din didn’t utter a word as he dragged the body onto the ship; he put the body into carbon freeze and closed the ramp. Then he just stood there. He didn’t move an inch. The tension in the air was so thick, you could even breathe properly. You knew this was your time to leave him alone. Earlier, you had noticed that the kid wasn’t in IG-11s arms, so you were planning on looking for him, assuming that he had been put to sleep because this was around his nap time.
“Ok, so I see that you need alone time; I’m just going to find the kid and take care of him,” you said as you turned to go look for him.
You didn’t even get to do a complete 180 before Din grabbed onto your wrist and twisted it, pulling your body closer to him. You could hear the hard deep breaths he was taking as he stared right into your soul.
“Why,” he whispered out, hurt invoice.
 “I-I-I,” you tried to speak, your eyes moving back and forth as you tried to find his.
“Why would you be so stupid? I told you not to leave, I told you this place was dangerous. You didn’t listen, why can’t you ever just listen.” He snapped at you, saying every word with a tremble. He let you go and started to walk away from dragging his feet across the floor.
“I’m sorry,” you choked out, your eyes watering up, tears threatening to fall.
 Your words had made him stop dead in his tracks. “Are you” he questions as he walks towards you. Each step he took towards you, you took one back till your back hit the wall. You were nervous but weren’t afraid, you knew Din would never hurt you, but you still didn’t like to be around him when he got like this. 
“WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU RISKED YOUR LIFE FOR? DO YOU EVEN UNDERSTAND THAT YOU COULD HAVE DIED TODAY? DO YOU EVEN CARE?”
You did understand how sideways things could have gone, and you were trying to tell him that, but the words kept getting caught in your throat. So you ended up just slowly shaking your head in agreement.
“Are you sure cause you don’t seem like it? What about that FUCKING droid? You lied to me; why would you do that? You already know how I feel about them, so why would you do that. And to leave THE KID with it. I hope whatever you got was worth it. Just do what I brought you here for and watch the child,” he growled out as he walked away towards the cockpit so he could set our next coordinates. 
You stood there for a second shook but started to move to find the kid after the ship took off. He was in your old room, which you and Din turned into a toddler’s room after you moved into his. You picked the kid up and sat down in a rocking chair. You hugged the kid close to you as tears fell down your cheek. You were angry. Din had no right to talk to you like that. You messed up, you understand that, but to yell at you like he did have. Plus, you had risked your life for something for him. It doesn’t matter that he didn’t know it; he should know you better than to just assume that you would have intentionally risked your life for something stupid.
***********
 Din sat in his chair in the cockpit, feeling the weight of guilt immediately; the weight of his beskar couldn’t even compare to how heavy this felt. He felt awful; he regretted every word that came out of his mouth. He was just so angry; he had almost lost the only person he has ever cared about since his parents besides the kid. That was no excuse; he has had his fair share of screw-ups, the number of times he has almost gotten killed was too many to try to count on both hands.
 He took his helmet off and put his hands in his head. He was stressed after all the events that happened today, but he was most worried about what had just happened in the bay. He deliberated on going down there and apologizing to you but ultimately decided to give you your space and apologize later today. 
Din was going to apologize, he swore on Maker, but later that day, when he found you so he could apologize, you were sleeping in your old room. He was tempted to move you to the room you shared but then decide against it knowing you had fallen asleep in your old room for a reason. He slept in the cockpit that night; it didn’t feel right without you next to him. It’s funny Din spent most of his life alone; now he doesn’t even know how to sleep alone. 
The next day Din did honestly try to apologize to you, but every time he entered the same room as you were in, you got up and left. Din understood that you probably need space after the fourth time stepping into the same room as you and you walking out. Din decided that you probably needed one more day.
The next day came, and you still were leaving every room he came into. He was sad; he missed the family dinners and lunches, he couldn’t wait any longer, he decided to apologize to you as soon as possible.
Din stepped into the kitchen area around lunchtime; he knew you were cooking something that requires your full attention, so he knew you wouldn’t step away. 
“I’m-I’m sorry, I should have never yelled at you like that. I was angry because the bounty tried to run and then held you at gunpoint, he was touching what was mine, and I-I-I took it out on you. I should have never taken it out on you; I’m sure whatever you went out for was well worth it. I’m sorry, cyar’ika, ni kar’tayl gar darasuum.”
Din waited there for something, anything, you didn’t say a single word. You instead finished up your cooking, turned the stove off, and proceeded to fix you and the child a plate before heading off to the cockpit to eat. 
Din stood there in shock; this is not how things usually go after an argument. Din stood there for a few minutes as he contemplated what to do next. Maybe he had said it wrong, he thought; Din hadn’t apologized a lot in his life, he could count how many times on one hand, and all those times he had been with you. All those times, you had also accepted it, so Din shook his head of the thought that he had said it wrong. He decided to give you another day to think about accepting his apology.
***********
A day turned into two, then three, next things Din knew, three weeks had passed. It had been complete silence for three whole weeks. Din was dying inside. He barely ate or slept; he missed you, everything about you, even things that seemed stupid. He missed the way your hair smelled, he missed the warmth of your body as he slept next to you, he missed your smile. Din has never been before addicted to something, but he will bet this is what it feels like to go through withdrawal.
He craved you mentally and physically; he had started waking up this past week on the verge of a nut. He always had the same dream to, he would apologize and you would accept. Then he would worship your body like never before, discovering new things about you, what turns you on and how flexible you really are. Each and every time right before he would nut, right when you give him permission to cum inside, he wakes up, every time like clockwork. 
*************
It was around lunchtime, and Din sat in the kitchen debating his next move. He needed you. He missed the way you guys used to be as a clan; just him and the kid alone wasn’t the same. He looked up and saw you putting the kid in a high chair and turning to the fridge, taking stuff out to make sandwiches. He laid back, watching you move around the kitchen. You had one of his shirts on with some shorts that you couldn’t see unless you reached up to get something that made your shirt rise. 
He watched as you bent over getting something out of the fridge, his dick twitched in his pants. He had been so deprived of you that anything you did got him hard; he grunted as he started to palm himself over his pants.
You had heard Din behind you, you smiled to yourself, you knew he was dying inside, you’d heard it every morning when he was rubbing one out. You honestly had stopped being mad like a week and a half ago. You just wanted to see how long Din could stay away from you; you really wanted to see how long till you had Din Djarin on his knees. 
You finished cooking and made some food for the kid and you, but instead of going up to the cockpit like you usually do, you ate in the kitchen. You decided to stand up to eat, leaning over the counter, back facing Din. You moaned with every bite you took, doing a little happy dance.
You had unknowingly confirmed to Din that you were no longer upset and were playing. He had suspected it but wasn’t sure; you would do things like get changed with the door open or take a shower with the door open. He saw those things and thought that you were ready to talk, but when he tried, you walked away. He had assumed that you weren’t ready and wasn’t doing those things on purpose. He knew now, though, that you were playing some type of game, a game he was about to end. 
You had finished eating and looked up to find the kid sleep in his chair. You took the kid and put him in his room so he could sleep in peace. You came back to the kitchen to clean up; you felt Din’s eyes on you everywhere you went. You walked over to the crates to put some things from the kitchen up, passing Din as you went. You had felt him before you saw him, his back pressed up against you. You could feel the heat radiating off his clothed body as he pressed up against you. You leaned in for a second before realizing what you were doing. You turned around, trying to leave, but Din stood in your way. You had no other choice but to look up at him and go along with whatever he was trying to do.
“What do you want, Din,” you asked 
“I was going to say I was sorry.”
“Well, apology not accepted,” you said quickly, cutting him off before he said another word.
“See cyar’ika keyword, was, “he replied looking at you with his brown eyes
“So what do you want now, Din,” you asked as you walked backward, eventually running out of space as your back hit the wall. You swallowed the lump in your throat and asked him again what he wanted.
He didn’t reply; instead, he reached up and took a finger drawing it from your collar bone to your chest; you shivered as he stared circling your covered nipple before pinching it.
“You,” he said 
 “What”
 “You had asked me what I wanted now, and my answer is you,” he replied.
You were about to question it when he brought his finger up to your lips to quiet you before bringing his hand down and up your shirt to play with your breast. He made a low groan in his throat when he realized that you weren’t wearing your band wrap.
“At first, I was mad that you had put yourself in danger. Then I was a little sad when you started dodging me; it really hurt when you didn’t respond to my apology,” he chuckled. You could hear the smirk in his voice. He lifted up your shirt up over your head. He placed his hands back on your breast and then pinched one of your nipples, making your head fall back as you moaned out loud. 
“Then you started playing games with me, messing my head all up. To blame you for playing this game would be wrong of me,” he said as he left you boobs, and his hand traveled up to wrap around your throat. Your body leaned into his touch, your hand reaching out to wrap around his wrist that was at your throat. 
His hand squeezed your throat tighter at your silent request as he pushed you back, bringing his head down to bite along your collars before mumbling against your skin, “I realized that it’s not your fault, I should have taught you better, and I will” he said and then quickly pulled away and grabbed a chair to sit down.
“What,” you asked, eyes popping out head. You were confused, but it was too late; Din had already pulled you over his lap. He had pulled down your shorts; he was excited to see that you were wearing a thong, so he left your underwear in place.
“Din, what are you doing?” you questioned as you shifted around on his lap, trying to get a better look at him.
“If you’re going to act like a little brat, then I’m going to treat you like a little brat,” he said as he processed to take his gloves off. 
“I will give you an equal amount of slaps on each cheek, and you will count each one out, ok, and safe word is cake, ok, “He asked as he messaged each cheek.
You shook your head as consent, “I need to hear a yes cyar’ika,” he said, giving you a little tap on your right cheek.
You yelped, surprised by the slight sting that followed that slap, and wondered how on Tatooine you were going to endure more, mainly because you and Din have never done something like this before. A slap or two while he hit it from behind, was the closest thing that had ever happened.
“Yes,” you were excited, you’d never seen this side of Din; you might even start messing with Din more often. 
Din was smiling; he always loved to try new things with you. He continued to run over each cheek for a few more seconds before he raised his hand and landed the first smack on your right cheek. 
“One” You choked out as he rubbed the cheek he just slapped. 
It was hard, and it stung, but there was something about it that turned you on. 
Din lifted up his hand before smack the left cheek “two,” you tried to suppress your moan. You were kinda embraced at the fact you were getting turned on from this.
When Dins hand landed on your right cheek again for the second time, you moaned loudly as you said the number three. Din smiled at that; he was happy you were enjoying this new thing. Din continued to tear your ass up, each slap hurting more than the last. You were getting wetter with each one to the point where your wetness started to drip down your leg, your underwear no longer keeping it in as it was soaked.
You were preparing to feel a sting on your left cheek for the last slap. Instead, Din pushed you off his lap and set you onto the floor. You laid there confused as he spread your legs open and took your thong off. He got on the side of you and leaned down to kiss you. Your lips captured his in a passionate kiss. You were distracted as Din slipped his tongue into your mouth, so you didn’t see it coming. He had raised his hand and slapped your pussy. You throw your head back as you moan, tears streaming down your face from the intensity of the sudden, overwhelming rush of pleasure. 
You shot up before going back down as you raised your hip as he started to rub circles on your clit. He reached down, placing kisses along your neck up and down your neck to your collarbone and back up. He took your ear lobe and brought it into his mouth, pulling on it before letting it go.
These slow circles on your clit were killing you, “Please,” you whimpered as you reached down, placing your hand on top of him, encouraging him to go faster. 
He slapped your hand aways, stopping because of you. He rubbed his nose up and down on your ear before asking. 
“are you going to be a good girl for me?”
You shook your head up and down, unable to speak as he started playing with your clit again. You didn’t realize that this game you were playing had affected you too till now. You were so desperate; you would do anything he asked just so you could cum on him because of him.
 He took his hand away from cunt and brought it up to your lips. You looked Din in the eyes as you took two of his fingers into his mouth and sucked on them. You closed your eyes as you moaned, tasting yourself on his fingers. You weaved your tongue around his fingers before you hollow your cheeks, making a popping sound when he pulled them out.
He ran his finger down your body before shoving two fingers inside of you. You moved your hips down to meet the thrust of his hand. Your legs threaten to close as the pleasure builds, nonsense mumbling falling from your lips.
“More,” you begged 
“Faster,” you cried as he gave in to both of your demands. 
Suddenly he stopped, and your whines of complaint soon turned into a moan as he pressed his tongue against your clit. He shifted so he could wrap his hands around your thighs as he dove in. It was still the best thing he has ever tasted, he thought to himself. Your back arches as he bites softly on your clit before he sucks on it, and he pushes two fingers into you. You reached down your finger through Din’s hair, causing him to moan into you to moan as you clench around him. Din loves feeling the way your body reacts to him, the way you gripped his fingers, his tongue, his dick. 
You were close. You can feel it, and so could Din, so he quickened his pace. 
“I’m- I’m. “You tried to speak be couldn’t 
“I know,” he said, moving his thumb to circle your clit
You were so close, you could feel it in your stomach. You were about to cum when Din pulled his fingers out and started to lick them clean. 
You let a puff of air out as you lose your high. You prop yourself on your elbows as you looked at him, throwing your hands up asking why.
“I just wanted you to see how it feels to work so hard for something only to have it taken from you at the last minute.” He said, standing up but never breaking eye contact with you. You choked on your spit when you realized what he was referring to. 
You tried to stand up, but he placed a hand on your shoulder, pushing you back down into your knees. You cocked your head to the side, and he just reached down and took your hand, placing it on top of his pants.
You looked up at him licking your lips before unbuttoning his pants and pulling down his zipper; you pushed his pants down along with his boxers down. You spit into your hand before wrapping your hand around his dick as much as you could. You stroked him before sticking your tongue out and licking the tip, then running your tongue up and down his shaft. 
He grabbed you by your hair, yanking you back to look up at him. “Don’t play with me,” he said before taking his hand and wrapping it around your jaw to keep it open as he spits in it. 
He let you go, and you stroked him a few times before taking him into your mouth. You moaned around him at the taste of him; this caused Din to lose his balance for a second, making him grab onto a crate to balance himself. 
You swirled your tongue around his head before going back and forth, taking more of him in each time, you pulled back off of him, but strings of spit still connecting you to him. You purse your lips as you spit into your hand, reaching down to massage his balls before taking him back into your mouth, making sure to lick the pre-cum as you did. 
He reached behind your head to grab your hair as he thrust into your mouth, you gag on his dick, but he keeps going knowing that you will tap against his leg if it gets to be too much. Din grabbed on to your head with both hands as he continued to fuck your face; you could feel him inching down your throat with each thrust. He was about to nut; you could feel it as his balls started to tighten. He griped your hair tighter, signaling for you to look at him. “Where,” he asked, slowing down so you could choose.
He let go of your hair as you pulled back, sticking your tongue out. He smiled down out at you before taping his tip against your tongue a few times as he started to stroke his dick. He quickens his paces and grabs onto your head, pulling it tight, so he won’t miss his target. Din grunted as if he was in pain as he painted your face with white streaks. He rubs his dick smearing the last bit on your tongue. You swallowed the bit in your mouth before feeling around your face the rest and swooping it into your mouth. You licked your lips, smiling up at him when you were all done.
He bent down and swiped his thumb across your cheek, getting the little you had left behind into your mouth. You sucked on it for a second before he pulled it out. He grabbed onto your hand, helping you up as his hands cradled your face, and he pressed his lips to yours; he moaned into your mouth at the taste of him. He reaches down to grab your ass before smacking up light and kneading it as you wrap your arms around his neck.
He pulls back, breaking the kiss as he taps your side, signaling for you to jump up so he could carry you. You jump into his arms, and he takes you into the room you shared and lay you against the cot. You lay there waiting for him as he finishes getting undressed.
He got onto the cot and got between your legs; he stroked himself a few times before lining it up with you. He looked up to meet your eyes looking for consent, and you nodded your head, giving it to him. He slowly pushed into you feeling your walls stretch around him before tightening. Your head falls back as your eyes rolled into the back of your head. You grab onto the sheets, bunching them into your hands as you feel yourself being starched to your limit. You take your legs and wrap them around Din’s waist. You cross your ankles as you try to push him into you to make him go faster.  He stops suddenly, he’s not even all the way in, and he stops. You’re starting to regret trying to make him go faster, you can’t see much, but you can see him smiling. You know that smile, nothing good is about to come out of that smile. 
Din pulls all the way out before slamming back into you completely. You didn’t even make a sound because the air is knocked out of you; your back arches as you try to catch your breath. As soon as you caught your breath, he steals it as he leans down for a kiss capturing your lips roughly.
As he continuously pounds into you ruthfully, he takes one of your legs wrapped around his waist and pushes it to your chest to get a better angle to go deeper. You cry out with every thrust, your voice bouncing off the walls, echoing in the room. 
“Mine, This body, theses tits, this tight as pussy, it’s all mine,” he told you as he takes one of your nipples into his mouth. 
“It’s yours; every part of me is yours,” you agreed as you wrapped your arms around his neck, bringing him in closers. 
You were close, especially after being denied earlier; you need release. Din quicken his paces as he felt you clench tightly around him.
“I-I-I’m close,” you screamed out. 
“Cum for me, riduur,” he whispers in your ear.
The name he calls you pushes you over the edge; you clamp down on his dick as you cum. That doesn’t slow him down as he continues for a few strokes riding out you high before pulling out, flipping you onto your stomach, and pushing back into you without warning or rest. You back arch into his thrust as he makes your legs go apart, spreading you wider. He pops onto one knee, driving into you mercilessly as he reaches down to press your face into the mat. 
As he’s thrusting into you, you feel one of his fingers circle around your unstretched hole; you guys had been saving that experience, maybe for this moment. “Can I please? I’ll only put a finger in,” he begged you you nodding your head under his hand. He acknowledges the movement as he pulls out, reaching down swooping up some of your wetness before plunging back into you. He teases the hole before slowly pushing his thumb in, causing you to arch your back even more and let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. “ f-f-fuck, Din” you stutter out when he got fully in.
Din quickens his pace in you as he sets a steady pace with his thumb. This was new to you, so being stretched like this, you were close to began for more; you wanted to know how it would feel to be pushed to your limit in both holes. You decided against it as you feel Din reach under you to toy with your clit, you chocked on your spit as you tried to catch your breath, all this pleasure was becoming too much for you to handle, you couldn’t even seem to catch your breath. 
The pressure builds up in your stomach once again as you feel your peak near. You let sob into the mattress as you feel yourself clench around Din like never before as you cum. Your back arching to the point of pain, which only adds to your pleasure. You feel Din slow down; at first, you are confused about what he’s doing, but then you realized he’s watching how well you take him. He’s looking at how your pussy quivers around him with every stroke. He then speeds up for a second, loving the sound of skin slapping and the gushing sound your pussy makes as your wetness flows out of you staining your sheets. 
Din chuckles before pulling you up by your hair, pressing your back to his chest, as he starts to thrust into you. Your body naturally arching into him as he reaches up and cups your right breast, moving his other hand down as he rubs vicious circles on your clit. Your tried body slumping against him as he takes you from behind. He knows you’re tired even if the grip you have on his dick says; otherwise, he stills know. He leans down into your ear, telling you, “you have one more in you, I know do.”
You reach up to take his hand from your breast to wrap it around your throat; you gave his hand an extra squeeze encouraging him. You get that familiar feeling in your stomach as he continues to pound into you with one hand wrapped around your throat and the other one rubbing circles on your clit. You whimper as you try to tell Din you close, but your body is too tired to even conjure up the words. Din understood you though, he was close, not far behind you. He knew that the feeling of you coming around him would do him.
You throw your head back against Din’s shoulders as you felt yourself unravel on him. Din places a hand on the wall as he losing his balance the feeling of your tighten around him as you milk him dry, he continues to pump into you, riding out of yours. Din pulls out, turning you onto your back, laying you down before opening your legs and settling himself between them. He pulled back for a second because you had winced in pain, his dick had rubbed against your extremely sensitive mound; he pulled back, readjusting his self before laying back down. He played comfortably in your arms, his head in the crook of your neck as he rubbed circles in your side while you laid there with your arms wrapped him.
Din lifts his head up and leans down to capture your lips in a sloppy but passionate kiss that held a lot of emotion behind it. You pull away, and he pushes his head into the crook of your neck, and you reach up and run your fingers through his loose curly. 
“I’m sorry about everything I said, it was wrong, and I was out of line.” He said but face still in your shoulder 
“It’s ok. I should have been more careful when I went out; I didn’t even bring a blaster with me,” you replied as you continued to massage his scalp.
“What did you get from the market.”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hate surprises. Do you not remember the droid.” He asked 
“Hey, at least we know it effective,” you said laughing, but Din wasn’t
“Too soon,” you asked, but you knew it wasn’t as you felt Din smile against your skin. You guys fell asleep just like, you holding him in your arms.
********
The next day went by so smoothly; you guys were back to the daily routine like nothing happened. Din was excited to get back to the meal sharing, he didn’t say it, but he didn’t have to. You guys had eaten breakfast together but had your lunches separate because you each had your own projects to do. Which is what you told Din, but you had actually needed the rest of the day to set up everything for his birthday dinner and make the cake.
You weren’t even sure if Din knew today was his birthday, but even if that’s true, it will make for a better surprise. 
Din was coming down soon; he just had to set new coordinates. You guys needed to come out of hyperspace to get gas before continuing on your journey to the next plant where the next bounty is at, which is two days away. 
During one of your trips to the market, you found a pretty little black dress; you were so excited to wear it for his birthday. You don’t even remember the last time you were in a dress, and you knew Din had never seen you with one, so it would be like icing on top of the cake. 
 You heard footsteps above you move, and you were quick to act as you turned around, lit the candles on the cake, and flipped the light switch. 
You heard Din slide down the step and walked towards you; your back was still turned to him, and it was dark, but something was illuminating your face; he just didn’t know what. He reached over to the wall next to him and flipped the light switch on. He turns and sees the kid in his high chair next to you.
“cyar’ika,” He asked, stepping closer to you.
 You then turn around slowly, not wanting to make the candles go out. As soon as Din sees your face, he gives you a small smile, but it drops when he sees what’s in your hand. You were nervous for a second, thinking that you had crossed a line or something. Then you saw a single tear roll down Din’s face; you had never seen the man cry. You had been with him for close to a year and never have seen this. 
You set the cake down and quickly went over to him, embracing him in a hug. He hugged you back so tightly as if he was going to lose you.
“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum, ner Ridder,” he said, but you only recognized one of the words used.
You reached up and wiped his tears and took his hand and led him over to the cake, Din looked at you before bending down to give you a quick kiss, and he straight up, closing his eyes for a second before bending down and blowing out his candles. You clapped your hands in enjoyment and excitement and reached over to pull in your face for a quick kiss. You heard a slight noise, and you pulled back and turned to see the kid clapping also.
You laughed at that before reaching over and grabbing a knife so Din could cut his cake. Din happily took the knife from you as he cut himself a pretty big piece of cake; he took a fork and a huge bite. Din moaned as he took his first bite, slowly chewing on the chocolate fudge cake with chocolate frosting. His tongue dashes out to lick up any residue that he might have left on his lips.
“I might have to change my mind. This might be the best thing I have ever tasted,” Din said, bringing down the fork for another bite.
You faked gasped, “what does that make me second.”
“You know what? I think I need a refresher, especially with you in that little black dress,” I said, licking his lip, and he wrapped an arm around your waist.
“Later, the kid and I are hungry; it’s time to eat,” you said as you shoved him off of you. 
He wrapped his arms around you from behind and kissed you on the neck before saying, “no, seriously, this is the best thing anyone could have given me. I have a question though, is this what you went out to get” he asked, you hummed in response. 
“As much as I love my gift, and I really do, please do risk your life over something like this. All I need is you and the kid, and I’m happy, ok.” He said 
“Ok”
Cyar’ika - darling
Ridder - wife/partner
Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum - I love you.
ner Ridder - my wife/ partner
352 notes · View notes
bts-reveries · 3 years ago
Text
wishlist
characters: Yoongi x OC!Sohyun and Hana [ft. Yuna and Hoseok, mentions Huimang, Hana’s friends, and Taehyung(the group as well)]
genre: family and fluff
request: [anon] Hi there! My suggestion for the drabble series is maybe Hana puts down getting a baby brother/sister on her birthday wish list, and neither she nor Yoongi knows that Sohyun is already pregnant, so Sohyun gets to surprise her husband and daughter? 💛
a/n: hana is turning eight here (WEIRD.) i know it’s a big age gap, but she turned four in daddy diaries and she was seven by the end of the tmbmil series asdfghjkl this is assuming jungkook and rina got married right after taeyang was born and yoongi proposed right after their wedding and then got married in a few months and then hana’s birthday rolls around after and sohyun is already pregnant by then : D also my sister and i are seven years apart so it’s not tHaT bad~
➳➳➳➳➳➳➳
Hana’s birthday was nearing and it was always a special time for the couple. 
Not only is it almost their daughter’s special day, but also the anniversary of the first time they met and the anniversary of the bakery’s opening. 
Hana was only three when she came crashing into the grand opening of 24/7 Heaven, meeting Sohyun for the very first time. She was looking for the perfect birthday cake then. Now, four years later, the bakery owner became Hana’s mom and the wife of her dad. Yoongi and Sohyun got married not too long ago. 
He proposed to her in the most perfect way actually.
A cake, made by him and Hana, with the words ‘will you marry me’ written on top. 
So it was a special time. It’s their first meet-aversary as a married couple. The bakery was having an event for it’s fourth birthday. And of course, it was the start of getting Hana’s wishlist checked off.
As always, she had the general wishes.
As she got older, they started to change more and more. 
“Have you done your list yet?” Yoongi asks his daughter, peeking into her room. Hana scrambles out of her bed, where she was reading a book, and goes over to her desk.
“I finished it last night, I forgot to give it to you,” she said, pulling out the list from under her other books. “Here you go daddy. Do you and mommy need any help for the bakery’s fourth birthday by the way?” Yoongi was happy to know that as she grew up, she got sweeter and sweeter. 
Maybe it’s the effects of being in a bakery almost 24/7.
“Yes, mommy and I will need help later, but we’ll call you out then. For now, mommy and I will be looking at this,” he says, holding the list up. Hana smiles up at her dad, giving him an ‘okay’ sign. 
Yoongi turns and walks out the door, already scanning the list. 
“Why do you have that look on your face?” Sohyun asks her husband, watching him frown at Hana’s wishlist. Sohyun was on her laptop on the couch, ordering last minute party supplies for Hana’s birthday.
“She wants to invite boys from her class,” Yoongi says, looking up at his wife who starts to laugh at him. 
“Let me see,” she says, reaching out her hand for the paper. Yoongi hands it to her as he sits next to her. 
“It says: invite friends.” She turns to Yoongi with one eyebrow raised. “It didn’t specify whether it was all girls, all boys, or both.”
“Assuming it’s both, I’m sure her boyfriend is in there. She wouldn’t just write ‘invite Taeoh’,” he huffs. 
“Even if it did, you’d still invite him because it’s on your princess’ wishlist,” Sohyun says, knowing she was right. 
“I guess. Let’s look through it and see if we can get some done today. I’ll ask her for the names and make the invitations later.”
“Sounds good. Now let’s see,” Sohyun says, humming as she goes down the list. “Typical Hana, a lot of this is her general wishes. Party, perfect cake, all her friends and family~”
“There’s a back side!” Hana yells from her room. Both her parents look up, turning the paper around and their eyes widen. 
“Baby brother (or sister! That’s okay too)” 
“Hmm,” Yoongi says. “Well that’s a hard one.” Sohyun laughs nervously.
Little did they know.
That’s already one check done off of the list. 
It wasn’t too long ago that Sohyun found out that she was expecting. She figured that it would be perfect to announce it to both Yoongi and Hana on the night of her birthday. Once everyone’s gone and right when Hana thinks the presents have stopped coming.
- hana’s birthday -
“Is that the kid?” Hoseok asks, watching a little boy hand Hana a gift. Yoongi glares at them.
“Mhm,” he says. 
“Thank you Taeoh,” Hana says, taking the gift her friend was giving her. Boyfriend as Yoongi says. 
Hoseok laughs at his hyung, but that smile quickly drops when he sees his own daughter standing next to her boyfriend. Huimang and Hana take taekwondo together and share the same friends. Which is why her ‘boyfriend’ was also at Hana’s party. 
“You boys okay?” Sohyun asks, raising an eyebrow at the two. They both look away from their daughters. 
“Fine, why do you ask?” Yoongi says, giving her a close lip smile. Sohyun laughs at the both of them, turning to look at their daughters.
“They’re just kids, don’t worry,” she says. “It’s just a baby crush.”
“Speaking of babies,” Hoseok says, suddenly remembering what Yoongi had told the boys previously. He mentioned to them about Hana’s birthday wishlist. About how this might be the first year he fails giving her everything. 
Well, until the boys reminded him that four years ago when Hana wrote mommy on her list and he ended up breaking up with Sohyun.
That was something.
“What are you two telling Hana,” Hoseok says with a small laugh. “Should’ve told her to give you the wishlist 9 months ago.”
Yoongi sighs. “I know, I should’ve expected it. She’s been asking for one for so long.”
“I’m sure she’ll be understanding,” Sohyun says, trying hard to conceal her smile. She was pretty excited for the party to be over so she can spend some quality time with her family.
-
“Hey!” Yuna calls, rushing over to Sohyun and giving her a hug. “You’re telling them today, right?” She whispers, glancing down at her stomach. Yuna knew about Sohyun being pregnant.
Actually, all the girls did.
Only because Sohyun threw up at their mommy hangout and the girls had a feeling and told her to take a pregnancy test. 
It was Sohyun’s first test and she was nervous. So of course the girls all helped her out and taught her how to use one. It ended with all of them screaming three minutes later and Sohyun sobbing with tears of joy.
“Yes, tonight right before her birthday ends,” Sohyun answers. “I’m like 95% excited and 5% nervous.”
“Ah!! I’m so excited, tell us everything after,” Yuna says, holding onto Sohyun's arms tightly. Sohyun laughs, nodding her head.
“I will, definitely.”
-
“So, did you enjoy your birthday?” Yoongi asks Hana, laying in her bed. No matter how old she turns, Yoongi promised to give her birthday cuddles before she slept. Hana cuddles into her dad’s side. 
“Yeah, it was fun,” Hana says sleepily. It was nearing midnight, just about 10 minutes before. The group had stayed longer than everyone else (of course). Hana played with her cousins and was given extra hugs and kisses from her aunt and uncles before they left. Even Taehyung was crying, not wanting to let her go because, in his exact words: ‘Aigoo, you guys growing up is making me feel so old, I'm so sad. How are you already eight?’
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to check off everything on your list,” Yoongi tells her, rubbing her arm. He hugged her tightly, pressing his cheek to her head. As much as he just wanted to fulfill all of her wishes, he wanted Hana to have a sibling as much as she wanted one. 
“It’s okay, I still loved everything you gave me. I’d be happy with anything,” Hana tells him, looking up at her dad with a smile on her face. Yoongi pouts, raising his hand up to caress her cheeks. 
“How are you the sweetest girl ever?”
“Knock knock,” Sohyun says, peeking her head into the room. “Can I join?” The two smile up at her, motioning for her to come in. Sohyun reveals herself,  holding a cupcake with a lit candle on top. 
“Oh?” Hana says, sitting up in surprise. She smiles widely as she stares at the cupcake. 
“Another candle to blow?” Yoongi asks. His wife nods, careful sitting beside her daughter. 
“Your birthday ends in like 5 minutes. Is there one thing you really wanted today that you didn’t get?” Sohyun asks Hana. She knew what wish she would make. Hana looks up at her and nods. 
“Okay make the wish then,” Sohyun says. Hana closes her eyes, intertwining her fingers in front of her.
She whispers quietly.
“I wish I could have a little brother or sister.”
It was just loud enough for her parents to hear. Yoongi looks up at Sohyun as Hana blows the candle. 
“Done?” Sohyun asks. Hana nods and Sohyun puts the cupcake on her side table, turning back to her two loves. 
“So that completes everything from the list right?” Sohyun says, looking back at the two. Both Yoongi and Hana looked at her confused. 
“Oh didn’t I tell you two?” Sohyun says with a smile that she could no longer contain. “I’m pregnant.”
Yoongi’s eyes grew big and Hana smiled so wide, her cheeks turned pink. 
“Mommy you’re pregnant?” Hana repeats, putting her hand gently on her mom’s tummy. Sohyun nods, putting her hand over hers. She looks up at Yoongi and laughs.
“Are you okay, hun?” She says, reaching out and pushing his hair back. 
Yoongi’s face broke into a smile.
“Are you serious? Are you really pregnant?” Yoongi asks, hesitantly putting his hand on her tummy as well. 
“Yeah, I found out about three weeks ago,” Sohyun laughs. “I figured I’d surprise you two before midnight.” 
“You did it, you completed my wishes,” Hana laughs, leaning onto her mom and hugging her tightly. Yoongi couldn’t stop smiling as he joined in the hug, wrapping his arms tightly around his two girls. 
At that moment, the clock struck 12 and Hana’s birthday was over. 
They couldn’t help but think that at this time, next year, there'll be another person included in this hug. 
144 notes · View notes
lordabovehelpme · 4 years ago
Text
Family Day- Din Djarin x Reader
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This wonderful moodboard is brought to readers like you by @jedi-jesi (go give her some love. She’s a literal mastermind)
A/n: Cara is a flirt and I will except no other answer. 
This is the next part to my Days filled with Love series! You can find the first part here :) 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Mommy! Look I’m flying!” Reeza screams out in delight as Paz lifts her around in the air.
“Very nice, sweetheart.” Smiling, you go back to stirring the soup you have planned for dinner.
“Hey magic hands!” Greef, loudly announces his arrival, instantly giong to pick up your eldest child.
Cara follows him with her signature smirk, “Hey mama.” Din’s hands tighten on your hips, but you shoo him away.
Leaving the soup and your husband's hands, you tickle Grogu’s nose in Greefs arms. “I’m so glad you two were able to make it!”
“And risk never experiencing your cooking again?” She scoffs but allows you to pull her into a large hug, her own arms eventually wrapping around your shoulders.
“You’re always welcome.” You shimmy from her arms with a wide smile, but you can feel the heavy stare of your husband on where you two were conjoined.
“Auntie Cara!” Myles rushes in from outside and tackles her.
“Hey little man!” She lifts him up into her arms and rubs his helmet. “Now you match shiny over there.” You just know under his helmet he has the biggest smile.
Paz walks over with Reeza still climbing from his limbs. “Do you need help with anything?”
Giving him a grateful beam, “No, I think I’m alright.” Isabet cries from her seat at the table. “Actually can you-”
“I’ve got it.” Before you can even finish your sentence, Paz has already taken Isabet into his arms. “Come on Di’kut, get your son, we’ll teach them how to wrestle like the good old days.” Walking out the door, Myles jumps from his aunts arms, and grabs her hand, leading her after his uncle. Greef, with Grogu in his arms, follows right after them.
Din’s hands find your hips once again and he slowly raises his helmet. Pressing a kiss to your cheek as he takes Tobbi from where he was strapped to your back. “We’ll be outside.”
“Mm, okay have fun. Don’t let Paz bruise them up too bad.” However, there is no true worry in your voice. You know for a fact that on any given day Paz would protect your children and your family as if they were his own.
***
You watch with a smile on your face as Paz lets all five of your children climb all over him outside. He really does love them as if they were his own.
“Mesh’la, why don’t you come outside?” Two hands grab your hips and turn you around.
“Din! You scared me!” Lifting his helmet to his forehead, you peer up into his brown eyes. “I’m almost done with dinner, then I’ll come out.”
He leans forward and attaches to your neck, his hands lift you up and set you on the counter. Walking forward, he lodges himself between your thighs. “You look so pretty in this dress.” One of his hands trails up from your knee, pulling the fabric of your yellow sundress to your hips.
Grasping his hair you giggle as his scruff tickles your collarbone. “Thank you. But you better not be planning anything right now mister.”
“Why? Everyone's outside, no one will know.”
“I can’t believe you’re even thinking of that while we have guests!” You pull him from your neck, but you can’t hide the soft smile on your face. He just whines, bottom lip pushed out in a pout that you can’t help but kiss.
“You two better not be making anymore kids in there!”
A squeak falls from your lips as Cara sticks her head in the kitchen. Heart rising to your cheeks as you push your dress back down to your ankles. Din only shoves his helmet back on his head and offers a mumbled, “I’m trying.”
She smirks at the two of you, leaning on the doorframe and crossing her arms. “Just wanted another drink of water. But it seems like a tall glass of it was waiting for me on the counter. Weren’t you little Mama?”
As you walk over to the fridge, you elbow your husband as he growls. Grabbing the ice cold water, you pour a glass for Cara and hand it to her. “Here you go.” Flashing her a smile, you take the fresh bread from the oven. “Could you do me a favor and tell everyone that dinner is ready?”
“Sure thing mama.” Downing her glass in one big chug, she sets the glass in the sink and walks back out the door.
“I don’t like that she calls you that.” Once again, his greedy hands pull at your flesh.
“She just does it because she knows it gets under your skin. It’s just how she teases you.” Pressing your forehead against his helmet, press a kiss to where his mouth would be. “Now can you go use these big muscles and grab three extra chairs?” Giving his biceps a firm squeeze to further prove your point. “If you’re good, I’ll give you a nice gift tonight, okay?”
He growls in approval and walks away, but not without delivering a firm smack to your bottom.
***
As the sun sets and fireflies start to rise from their slumber, laughter can be heard from the Djarin residence.
“And then-” Paz’s booming laughter fills the living room from where he sits on the floor, “then he just fell over! Like one second he was there and the next he was gone!”
“You never told me you fell off a blurrg.” Your own words falling soft as they try to sound through your giggles. The hand your husband holds is squeezed and you just know under that helmet his cheeks are rosy.
“He’s making it sound worse than it was.” His visor tilts down to look at Isabet who has fallen asleep in his arms, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Paz scoffs and tickles Reeza’s stomach, giggles erupting from where her limbs thrash around. “Your dad’s an idiot.”
It’s like a flip was switched in her mind. She wrangles herself from his hold and stands protectively in front of her father. “Daddy’s not an idiot! He’s the smartest person alive!” Her little scowl mirrors perfectly the one her father often throws you.
Greef chuckles and him and Cara share a glance.
Sounding prouder than he should be, Din states, “Yeah, hear that, smartest person alive.”
Paz crosses his arms, “Yeah because the “smartest” person would obviously cheat off of me on every single written test we had.”
“That was only one time! I wasn’t able to go to class because you broke my arm! It was only fair.”
“WHAT!” Snapping your head to the left, you peer at Din, needing explanation.
“You haven’t told her yet?” Paz, for once, actually sounds shocked.
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Oh come on shiny, now we all want to know. You’ve got mama over here on the edge of her seat.”
Myles looks up at you from where he sits between your legs on the floor. Studying your facial features as you eagerly nod at your husband.
“If he won’t say anything, I’ll tell it. So it was when we were about sixteen and seventeen.” Reeza, already enveloped into the story, places herself back into his lap. “We were friends with this one girl and I-”
“You had the biggest crush on her.” Din interjects.
“We were friends! Anyway, her birthday was coming up and WE wanted to get her something. But WE wanted it to be special, so WE decided to poke in her room while she was doing her training. You know, learn more about her.”
“So you were looking for her diary?” Cara asks.
“Uncle Paz isn’t that mean?”
Looking down at Reeza he says, “Never do anything that your father and I did when we were young. And no, not her diary. Something that told us more about her.”
“So a diary.”
Paz’s helmet tilts towards her and you know he's glaring. “Anyway, the major problem was, her room was on the second floor of the covert, so in order to get up there we had to climb through her window.”
“SO he elected me to stand on his shoulders and climb in.” Din huffs.
“You offered!”
“Yeah because I didn’t want to lift your fat-”
“DIN!” Slapping your hands over Myles ears, you yell over him.
“You’re just jealous that I’m taller and stronger than you. Anyway, we were about to make it in, but low and behold, she opened the door and it spooked Din.”
“No, you were scared because you liked her, so you lost your footing. So Paz fell over and I fell on top of him. I tried to catch myself, but I rammed my forearm right into Paz’s butt and we eventually found out I broke it.”
“Butt of steel baby.” Everyone besides Din breaks out in laughter at his comment.
“Not something you should be proud of.” Din huffs out beside you.
“Wait so how did this mystery chick respond?” Greef asks.
“Let’s just say we weren’t friends anymore.” Paz shrugs his shoulders. “Missed out.”
***
All five of the kids have been put down, it already being way past their bedtime.
“Come sit with me mama.” Cara pats her thighs and before you can respond Din pulls you into his lap.
“Tough luck.” Greef mocks her before sighing, “Anyway, we best be getting back. I’m dreading what’s going to be left of the city.” Cara rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
Standing up from your husband's lap, you rush into the kitchen. “Let me grab you some leftovers! Hang tight for one minute.” Throwing some soup, bread, and fruit into tupperwares, you hand them to Greef and a few to Cara.
“Thanks mama.”
Smiling, you pull her into one last hug, “Of course.” Letting her go and giving another hug to Greef, he gives you a firm pat to your back. “It was so good to see you guys.”
He smiles before leaning down and whispering in your ear, “You know, you really make him happy.” Shocked, you peer into his eyes searching for the usual jokes he cracks. He only nods and offers your husband a firm handshake. “Until later, Mando.” The two of them walk out and back to their ship.
“Guess that’s my cue.”
Turning to Paz you pout, “Oh no, you’re totally welcome to stay. We have the guest room for a reason.” Little do you know that behind you Din is glaring and signaling for him to leave.
“Ehhhh, umm, I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Plus, I have, umm, some stuff to do tomorrow.”
Giving him a big hug, you laugh as he picks you up. “Thank you for coming, it means the world to the kids.”
He sets you down and under his helmet he smiles, “You guys are my family, I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”
Smiling, you watch as the two men hug each other as if they are never going to let go. It’s the truest form of a bro hug. They both have their arms at an angle and firm pats are delivered to each other's backs. Small whispers you can’t pick up are spoken between the two.
“Thanks for coming man.”
“For sure. Alright, I’m heading out. See you guys around.”
Waving at him from the porch, Din walks up behind you and grabs your hips.
Sighing, you relax into his embrace. His fingertips massage circles into your hips and his head rests on your shoulder.
“What is it?”
“I- uh, I think you promised me a gift earlier.” He pulls you back against his hips and you gasp at the way he’s poking your back.
“Already?”
“I can’t help it!”
Giggling you let him pull you inside. “Alright sit down and watch your show.”
“A show? Now I’m really excited!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next Part: A Day Spent Alone
Hehehe I had too much fun writing this one. I hope you guys liked it!
As always, feedback is mega appreciated.
Love you all, Lordy :)  
(Cara calling you mama is my new favorite thing)
Masterlist
Taglist: @ficthots @along-the-lines-of-space @jedi-jesi​ 
If you want to be added/removed from my taglist, just give me a holler! :) 
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softholand · 4 years ago
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gingerbread kisses - t.h
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pairing: tom holland x youtuber!reader
warnings: a lot of dialogue and some good old festive fluff
words: 2.5k
a/n: this is like a part two of my youtuber!reader series, it can also be read on it’s one but if you haven’t read chocolate kisses yet, you can do it here i really hope you guys enjoy it and please let me know what you think!! ✨
It was another normal workday at your flat, you had all your lights and camera set in your living room, ready to start filming. Today’s video was going to be a Q&A with a special guest, Tom Holland.
It was expected that your baking video with him was going to be one of the most successful ones, but you weren’t expecting the number of views that, to this day, a whole month later, kept coming.
With so many comments almost begging you to bring him to your channel again, you finally gave in and asked him to do a Q&A with you, but since it was the end of the year and Christmas was just around the corner, you decided that, while you answered your viewer's questions, you two could build gingerbread houses.
“Tom, where are you? I’m about to start this without you!” You shouted from the living room floor, where you were seated. “I’m coming, I just had to get something before,” Tom answered, appearing in front of you, wearing a ridiculously ugly Christmas jumper, making you burst out laughing.
“Oh my God! Where did you get that?” You asked, trying to recover from your fit of laughing. “Oh, don’t worry, darling! There’s one for you too!” He stated, taking an identical jumper from behind him.
“You’re not letting me get out of this, are you?” You questioned, sighing when you saw him shake his head. Once you took your (his) hoodie out, replacing it with the ugly sweater, you were finally ready to start recording.
“Hi guys, welcome back to another video! This week we have a special guest that you guys have been asking since our last video together.” You said, giving Tom time to sit next to you. “It’s Tom!”
“It’s me!” He exclaimed, smiling at the camera. “This time we’re not baking anything but, since Christmas is almost here, I thought it was a good idea for us to build some gingerbread houses!” You said, pointing to the kits you had bought on your last trip to the grocery store.
“It’s been so long since I’ve done this!” Tom smiled, clearly excited to start. “But, instead of just sitting here, I asked you guys on Instagram to send some questions so we could answer while doing our houses. What do you think?” You questioned, looking at him.
“Dangerous… but fun!” He said, making you laugh. “So, we have the Christmas tree with the lights on, it’s starting to snow outside, I’ve made us some hot chocolate and of course, we cannot forget our ugly sweaters, courtesy of Tom.” You grinned.
“You’re welcome!” He praised, making you roll your eyes. “I’d said we’re ready to start.” You announced, to which he gave you two thumbs-ups.
Once you had taken the house out of its package, you laid all the biscuit parts in front of you, Tom doing the same beside you.
“So, the first question is “What’s your best/worst memory together?” You let them know while putting the baking glue on your biscuit. “Do you wanna start?” Tom offered, to which you shrugged. “It’s okay, you can go first.” You said, seeing that he already had the answer at the tip of his tongue.
“Best memory is your twentieth birthday party.” He stated, without taking his eyes out of his project. “Why?” You asked, also concentrating on building the house.
“C’mon, y/n! You know why!” Tom finally looked up, making kissy lips to you. “Tom! It’s supposed to be a surprise for the end of the video!” You whined, earning a chuckle from him. “Okay, fine! I’ll behave!” He said, making you laugh this time.
“I think my favorite memory of us is at the Far From Home premiere party! We had so much fun!” Tom declared, making you smile. “Yeah, that was nice!” You agreed, thinking about your favorite memory with Tom. “Mine is probably when we went to New York, I loved that trip!” You confessed, remembering all the crazy things you and Tom did back then.
“Yeah, that was a good one!” Tom agreed, smiling at you. “Worst one has to be the time paparazzi locked us outside of that restaurant. It was awful, I honestly thought I was gonna die that day.” You remembered, feeling chills cover your body. “Yeah, same!” The boy next to you answered, clearly feeling down just thinking about that event, so you made sure to quickly change the subject and ask the next question.
“So, the next question is, what was your best trip?” You asked, motioning for Tom to go first. “Mine has to be Bali, I loved that place and I’m dying to go back.” He stated. “Tell me about it, I was so jealous when you guys went there!” You whined, remembering the photos he kept texting you. “What about you, y/n?”
“Oh, 100% Christmas in New York!” You told him, without even having to think. “It was magical!” You smiled, remembering the trip like it was yesterday.
“Nice! I never spent Christmas in New York!” Tom commented, before going for the next question. “What’s the other Starbucks order?” He asked, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.
“Yours is tea!” You said, rolling your eyes. “Hey, I drink coffee too!” Tom uttered. “Rarely! Most of the time is Chai Latte or a Royal English Breakfast Tea.” You stated and of course, Tom had to agree.
“Yeah, you’re right! I should try more of their stuff. But you also always get the same, White Chocolate Mocha or Peppermint Hot Cocoa at this time of the year.” Tom listed, making you smile knowing that he knew your drink orders.
“But it’s just soooo good! I can’t help it!” Tom chuckled, before passing your phone back to you for the next question. “That’s a good one, who’s the messier one?” You questioned. “I don’t even think I have to answer this, you guys realized that from our last video together!” You declared, making you both laugh.
“Ok, I’ll give you this one. I’m pretty messy! But I’m trying to get better at it, I promise!” Tom added, to which you chuckled. “My house is built, now I just have to decorate!” You announced, making Tom gasp by your side. “What?! There’s no way! I’m still trying to make these walls stick together.” He whined, making you chuckle.
“That’s because you’re not using enough glue, look, you have to put a straight line across the whole biscuit, otherwise it won’t stick.” You told him, showing exactly how to do it. “But the glue it’s showing on the other side.” He reasoned. “It doesn’t matter, Tom! We’ll just make it look like snow. See?” You pointed to your own house and he nodded, going back to work, focused on finishing it so he could start decorating.
“Next question, what’s the most useless talent you have?” Tom asked, already laughing. “Mine is really stupid but I can put my feet on top of my head,” Tom stated, demonstrating exactly what he was saying, almost knocking everything that was on the table in front of you off.
“That’s not a talent, you’re just flexible.” You rolled your eyes, to which he laughed. “You’re only saying this because you’re jealous you can’t do it.” He smirked, clearly trying to get on your nerves. “Shut up, I have a much better one, I can lick my elbow.” You said, also showing your completely useless talent. “That’s… weirdly impressive.” Tom expressed making you both laugh.
When Tom was finally done building his house, he joined you and started to decorate. You told him and your viewers that you were going for more of a white Christmas theme, while Tom expressed his desire to make the house as colorful as possible.
“Tom, I think the next question is for you.” You gave him a look, before continuing. “What is the dumbest way you’ve been injured?” He gasped, putting one of his hands over his chest while you laughed. “Why are you coming for me today?” The brown-haired boy asked, pretending to be offended.
“I’m sorry, but how many times have you broken your nose while filming?” You asked once you had stopped laughing. “Three, actually, two and a half, the last one wasn’t a complete fracture.” He explained, trying to not make a fool out of himself.
“Well, I’ve never injured myself badly, just some paper cuts, which for me it’s very dumb.” You mentioned. “See? Your answer is dumber than mine and still, I get the title.” Tom shook his head, making you laugh. “So, taking a break from the questions, what are you doing with your house?” You questioned, taking a moment to observe his work.
“I’m gluing some gummies on the roof.” He exclaimed, putting the icing on the sugar-coated candy before sticking it on the house. “And you?” Tom asked, stopping his movements to look at yours.
“I’m putting shredded coconut on the roof and a little bit on the floor, to make it look more like snow.” You smiled, happy with what you had done so far. “Uhh, bougie!” Tom uttered, sticking his tongue out.
“Shut up! Okay, question number… I don’t even know what number we are, so… weird habits of each other? Oh my God, Tom makes SO much noise to eat, it’s ridiculous!” You blurted, to which he immediately complained. “I do not!” He exclaimed. “Yes, you do!”
“You never said that to me!” You laughed at Tom defending himself. “I have told you, at least, a hundred times!” You stated. “Well, at least I have control of my own body, you can’t stop bouncing your leg for literally two seconds.” He exclaimed.
“That’s because I have anxiety and you know that! I’m always moving a part of my body!” You practically yelled. “Still annoying!” Tom said. “Well, I can’t help it!” You interjected. “Neither do I!” He replied. “Next question?” You asked. “Please!” He shot back, making you both burst out laughing.
Once you stopped, Tom took your phone and asked the next question. “Do you have nicknames for each other?” He smirked, making you panic. “Hey, you said you’d behave!” You warned, pointing a finger at him. “I will, promise!” He told you, but that didn’t stop you from being nervous about his answer.
“I sometimes call her cherry, because she can do that trick with the cherry stem, it’s unbelievable!” He smirked, making you blush. “That’s actually pretty easy to do!” You said, trying to make light of the situation. “Oh yeah, it’s totally easy to tie a knot with a cherry stem with your tongue. Super chill!” Tom added, without taking that stupid smirk out of his face.
“Stop it! I don’t think I have a nickname for you, I call you spider-boy sometimes but just to spite you.” You smiled, sticking your tongue out. If Tom wanted to play, you could join his little game.
“I wish I could tell them all the other names you call me in bed,” Tom whispered, making you almost choke on your hot chocolate. “Thomas!!!” You screamed, trying desperately to clean the mess you’ve made. “Fine…” He replied, taking a sip of his drink.
“Ok, since we are almost done with the houses, the second to last question is: If you could, what would you change about your first kiss?” You asked, immediately regretting choosing the question. “Oh, that’s cool! Let me see… no, I don’t think I’ll change anything about it, maybe the place. It was a little too crowded.” He replied, not even trying to hide his smirk.
“Really? That’s all you’d change?” You asked, giving him the chance to take back his answer. “Yep, that’s all! What about you, y/n?” You shook your head, feigning disappointment that he didn’t choose to make you his first kiss. “I’d change the person, you idiot!” You answered, throwing one of the icing packages at him.
“Hey, that hurt!” Tom protested, throwing it back at you. “Stop it! We have to finish these so we can end the video.” You warned, pointing an accusing finger at him. “Oh, I’m done!” He announced, showing off his finished gingerbread house with a very colorful roof, windows, and door. “Already? I still wanna do a garland on the door. I even bought special sprinkles for it.” You stated, rushing yourself. “Of course you did!” Tom mocked, to which you simply flipped him off.
Once you had also finished your house, you and Tom did a quick cleaning of the table, before going back to filming. “We’re back!” You said, to which Tom added. “And we’re finished!”
“I’m really happy, they turned out so pretty!” You beamed, looking at your finished works. “They did!” Tom agreed, smiling widely. “So… before we end this video, we do have a last question, one that was the most asked and that is: are you guys together?” You said, finally acknowledging the elephant in the room.
You and Tom shared some guilty looks before blurting it out together. “Yes!” Tom’s smile was so wide that it made you smile too. “Yes, guys! You were all right! Tom and I are in a relationship now and we are so happy to finally share this with all of you!” You grinned, looking at your boyfriend, that of course was looking back at you.
“Yeah, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world and I honestly couldn’t be happier,” Tom murmured, making you blush. “Stop it!” You smiled, now completely lost in his eyes. “I think you have to finish the video now, darling!” He joked, bringing you back to earth.
“Oh, yeah, right! So… that was everything for today’s video, I hope you guys enjoyed it! Don’t forget to give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel! Please, let me know what you guys thought in the comments section down below and… I think that’s it. Do you wanna say something?” You asked, shifting your eyes to Tom. “Thank you for having me again and I hope to come back soon for another one!” He said, giving the camera an adorable little wave. “Bye guys! See you next week!” You cheered, getting up to stop the recording. “We did it!”
“Yay! Can I eat now?” Tom quipped, before smashing his house in half. “Thomas!!!!” You shouted, not believing what he had done. “What?! We’re not supposed to eat it?” He wondered, putting one of the cookie pieces in his mouth. “I mean, yeah, but not… like that!” You tried to reasoned, to which he scoffed.
“C’mon, you didn’t think I wasn’t going to make a mess, right?” He smirked, signing for you to come closer. And you did, sliding right in front of him, straddling his waist.
“You’re an idiot!” You teased, clasping your arms behind his head. “Hmm, c’mere!” Tom lifted your chin and there was nothing more to do other than kiss his lips, so you did, only this time, instead of chocolate, they tasted like gingerbread.
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tagging some of my mutuals ✨ @stuckonspidey @definitely-not-black-cat @missnxthingg @bi-writes @uglypastels @screamholland @peeterparkr @wazzupmrstark @tomhollandthing @lauras-collection @tommybaholland @mrs-hollandstan @duskholland @allyz @hazinhoodies @hollandcreep @worldoftom @whatevsholland @geminiparkers
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seanfalco · 3 years ago
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Happy Birthday Winnie | Misfits Timeline Anomaly’verse
an oc x oc collaboration between @seanfalco & @super-unpredictable98​
Word Count: 7k Warnings: Recreational drug use, alcohol, smut, public sex
[ masterlist ]
"So, where are you guys takin' me?" Win asked again curiously.
"For the thousandth time, you'll see when we get there," her Nathan exclaimed with a laugh. "Maybe we shoulda blindfolded her too," he muttered, glancing over at his twin.
"That would've been nice, wouldn't it, babe?" Lyddie's Nathan teased before biting her neck softly.  
"Don't worry, it's gonna be amazing, you're gonna love it, I'm sure of it," Lydia put both hands on Win's shoulders, massaging her.  "Now relax and enjoy your day."
"Mmmm," Win hummed, the sound turning into more of a moan than anything under their attention.  "I guess I can do that," she joked, letting her eyes slip shut. 
"That's a good girl," her Nathan teased, taking her hand to give it a squeeze as he looked out the train window.
"Fuck, I hate when you say that in public..." Lydia shuddered while still massaging Win's shoulders.  "I look like a nymphomaniac with zero self control." 
"And where's the lie, Lollipop?" her Nathan leaned back with a laugh, reaching into her backpack for more snacks.
"Mmm, you can call me a good girl any time," Win taunted.  "Besides, if you're a nympho, Lyds, then so am I," she laughed.  
"And I wouldn't have it any other way," Win's Nathan murmured, waggling his eyebrows.
"Yeah, maybe my mum was right when she said I'd find my crowd," Lyddie looked out the window.  "I think we're almost there!" she cried, holding Win tightly. 
"How d'you know that?  Have you been here before?" her Nathan asked in the middle of devouring a tin of cookies.  
"Once, when I was a kid, but it's been so long..."
Win snagged a biscuit before leaning closer to the window to see if she could get any idea of where they were going.  All she could see were crowds of people and tents.  "Is this some sort of festival?" she asked excitedly.
"Might be... why?  Does the birthday girl like this sort of thing?  I had no idea!" Lydia gasped dramatically.  She had the idea a few months back.  She thought it would be nice to take a little time off and be as far away from Win's family as possible on her special day.
"Oh my God," Win exclaimed, turning back to throw her arms around Lydia.  "This is the best birthday gift.  Thank you thank you thank you!"
"So I guess you like it then?" Lydia joked, hugging Win back.  
"What kinds of drugs d'you think they got in there?" Lyddie's Nathan mused. 
"Nathan!  Probably all of them, but we're not doing that, not after what happened at the club,” Lydia snapped. 
"What, wou almost shaggin' me at the car park?" he snorted.  "We're here, might as well try somethin'... we're immortal."
"I'll do some Molly," Win murmured with a smirk.  "It's not a proper festival if you're not a little high," she teased, winking at Lyddie's Nathan.
"As always the mum of the group is gonna have to take care of everyone..." Lydia rolled her eyes. 
"Nah, c'mon!  Do it with us!" her Nathan pouted. 
"Forget it, I'm not gonna be peer pressured by my fiancé, no way.  It's Winnie's first birthday in this dimension, I wanna remember it."
"Aw, maybe I shouldn't then," Win deliberated as they got up to exit the compartment.  "I don't wanna make Lyds be the designated driver, as it were." 
"But it's your birthday, babe, you should do what you want," her Nathan argued, following her out.
"That is true, you are the boss," Lydia grabbed her backpack before Nathan could reach it.  "I don't really mind it, you're too adorable for me to be upset." 
"And I'm not?" her Nathan asked, perplexed.
"I think you're adorable," Win exclaimed with a smirk.  "I think you're all adorable," she teased, throwing a cheeky grin over her shoulder at them before climbing down the steps to land on the platform outside.  "Looks like it's a bit of a walk," she noticed, shading her eyes from the sun overhead.
"I'll give you a piggy back ride if y'want," her Nathan offered.
"D'you want me to carry you too?" Lyddie's Nathan asked, poking Lydia’s arm. 
"Ha, very funny..." she muttered, putting her beach hat on.  "Take the backpack, and be careful, there are breakable things in there, breakable gifts," she whispered, following the others.
Once they made it to the entrance, Win's Nathan let her down and they showed their tickets to get in, getting coloured wrist bands so they could drink. 
"Okay, let's find the schedule," Win exclaimed, bouncing on her toes to look around, lost in the sea of people.  "Then we can figure out which acts we wanna see and plan our day."
"Here, I have it on my phone somewhere..." Lydia searched for a few seconds before showing it to Win.  
"D'you have any more food in there?" her Nathan whined, opening the backpack, but was surprised with a black velvet box.  "Lollipop, c'mere" he pulled her to the corner. 
"What?  If you keep eating everything there will be nothing left for the rest of us..." 
"No, not that, what's this?  Are you gonna... y'know... pop the question?" 
"Oh my God!  No, I got her a bracelet, why?  Do you think she's gonna be disappointed?"
"Okay, I think I've decided which act I wanna see first," Win announced, handing Lydia back her phone, noticing the looks on her and her Nathan's faces.  "Everything okay?"
"Brilliant," Lyddie's Nathan smiled, quickly closing the backpack.  "Let's go then." 
"Well, do you?" Lydia muttered under her breath, she hadn't even considered that, but now she definitely was. 
"No, I don't think so, it's a nice surprise," he assured.  "I just thought... y'know.  You're very romantic, I thought this was another cinematic stunt."
Win led them to the stage for the act she wanted to see, the music having already started.  “I still can’t quite believe I’m here.  I’ve wanted to come to this festival forever.  You guys are the best.”
"Seeing you happy is my gift," Lyddie embraced Win from behind as they danced together.  Her Nathan disappeared for a second, returning with four bottles of hard lemonade which Lydia was reluctant to drink at first, but she wanted to have a good time with them.
“Thanks babe,” Win exclaimed, trading him a kiss for the bottle, bringing it to her lips as she swayed with Lydia.  Once that set was up she excitedly pulled them with her to the next band she wanted to see, the stage on the other side of the field.
“Hey Lyds, I know I probably don’t have to ask, but d’you have any sunscreen in that bag of yours?” Win asked, reaching for the zipper.
"Yeah sure," Lydia was already a little buzzed and didn't even remember the velvet box inside.  "I brought like four bottles just in case, Nathan did that thing Hermione did to her bag in the Deathly Hallows, anything we might need is in there."  The boys couldn't bother either, they were too busy sharing a joint to even realize what Win was doing.
“Nifty,” Win exclaimed, reaching in the bag and feeling around.  “What’s this?” she asked, pulling out the little box before finding the bottle of sunscreen.
"Oh, that’s... that’s a gift for you, I was gonna wait until later when we're alone," Lyddie murmured, remembering her Nathan's words and hoping Win didn't get the wrong idea.
“Oh!” Win exclaimed, quickly dropping the box back into the bag.  “I don’t wanna ruin your surprise!” she said instead, quickly zipping the bag back up.
"Don't worry, you're gonna love it... I hope you will..." Lydia took the sunscreen and tossed the bag to her Nathan while she helped Win apply it.
“I’m sure I will,” Win murmured.  “I wonder what it is,” she mused with a grin before turning to reach toward Nathan.  “Here, gimme that joint,” she exclaimed.
Lyddie's Nathan passed it to her with a smirk.  "D'you want some, Lyds?" 
"No, thank you," she answered, almost getting distracted as she ran her hand up and down Win's chest.  "I'm pretty sure you're the people they warned me about in D.A.R.E," she joked.
Win laughed, offering the blunt back to Nathan before pulling Lyddie in close to kiss her.  “Thanks for helping me, now I won’t burn,” she murmured.  “Do you need any help?”
"You know, I did put on sunscreen before we left the train, but I won't complain if you wanna put your hands all over me," Lyddie mumbled against Win's lips.  "Or other parts of you..."
“Mmmm, I like th’way you think,” Win murmured, playing with the hem of Lydia’s shirt.  “Hey boys, we gotta use th’restroom, we’ll be right back,” she said, stealing one more hit before pulling Lydia with her to go look for a secluded spot to snog.
"Can you believe that?" Lyddie's Nathan exclaimed, watching as the girls disappeared in the crowd.  "Won't even invite us..." 
“Don’t worry bout it, I’m sure by th’end of the night we’ll be gettin’ lucky too.  Might see if anyone’s got some molly though, since Win mentioned it earlier...” he mused. 
"Yeah, yeah," Lyddie's Nathan agreed, following his twin.  He really wanted to see how Lyds would be like high, but he wasn't gonna push her. 
Lydia happily followed Win until they found a space behind the stage where they could be alone.  "So... what could you possibly wanna do away from everyone?" she asked, flashing her girlfriend an innocent smile.
Pinning Lyddie’s back to the wall she finally let her hand slip under her shirt to feel her as she kissed her neck.  “Just wanted t’put my hands all over you,” Win answered as she worked her way up to her lips.
"Oh, Winnie," Lydia gasped.  She loved how hot Win's skin felt, how close her breathing was.  "Only you can make me feel like this," she sighed, sliding her hands down her girlfriend's back.
“Only me?” Win asked softly, Lyddie’s words warming her making her feel incredibly special.
"Only you," it was true, each of her lovers made Lydia feel amazing in a different way, and only Win was able to leave her breathless like that.
Win moaned as she slipped her tongue into Lydia’s mouth, her hand sliding down the front of her shorts.  “Be good and be quiet for the birthday girl,” Win murmured teasingly.
Win's words made Lydia shudder and she nodded obediently.  "I'll be quiet," she whispered, letting her eyes shut as she enjoyed the feeling of being touched like that.  "Anything for you."
“I may be waiting for my other gift, but I want this one right now,” Win teased, circling her fingers around Lyddie’s clit as the music washed over them from the nearby stage.  “I wanna make you come, baby,” she purred.
"You're so good to me," Lydia breathed before her lips were on Win's again in an effort to silent her needy moans.  She couldn't believe they were actually doing this out in the open; it was risky, but that only made Lyddie hotter.  "Winnie, I'm--"
“Good girl,” Win groaned, capturing her lips as she felt Lydia shudder as she came.  “Fuck that was hot.  You’re so sexy, Lyddie,” she purred, pulling her hand from her shorts and bringing her fingers to her mouth to clean them.  “We should probably find the boys, I bet they’re getting jealous by now.”
"They can be jealous all they want," Lydia kissed Win once more before taking her hand.  "Right now I'm yours," she took a deep breath, trying to recover.
——
"Oh, finally!  What were you two doin' in the bathroom all that time?" Lyddie's Nathan asked. 
"That's not something you ask people, Nate," Lyds mocked.
“Takin’ a massive dump, since y’asked,” Win joked, pulling him into her arms for a kiss.  “Why, were you feeling neglected?” she teased, already feeling light and floaty.
"A little bit, yeah," Lyddie's Nathan huffed.  "We got you a little somethin', but I don't know if you deserve it anymore... maybe we'll just keep it all for ourselves," he looked back at his clone and winked.
“It’s my birthday, and there’s plenty of me t’go around boys,” Win replied, glancing from Lyddie’s Nathan to her own, pouting at them.  “But if that’s how you’re gunna be, I’ll just go off with Lyddie again,” she said, taking a step back from Lyddie’s Nathan.
"No, don't!" he yelped, reaching for her.  "I was just screwin' around, I love you, baby, c'mon..." 
"Awww, you're adorable," Lydia teased him, squishing his face between her hands.  "So cute when you're jealous." 
"You two are gonna end up killin' me," Lyddie's Nathan grumbled, taking Win's hand and handing her a small plastic bag with colorful pills in it. 
"Good thing you're immortal then."
Win, grinned as she took the baggy from him, pouring the tablets out into her hand.  “Ahhh thank you babe.  Okay, who wants one?” she asked, placing one on her tongue before her Nathan obediently opened his mouth for her to give him one.
Lyddie's Nathan opened his mouth as well and looked at his fiancé hopefully. 
"Stop giving me that look!" Lydia said, shaking her head. 
"Okay... but I think you'd have fun," he muttered.  "If somethin' happens, just do your Wolverine thing and cure yourself." 
"First of all, since when do you know about Wolverine?  And second of all, if this shit reverses my powers, it won't be pretty!  I'll probably have an asthma attack or some shit." 
"It won't!  It's gonna be okay." 
"Ugh, if my mum knew about this... alright, hit me," Lyds grunted before sticking her tongue out.
“Okay, here we go,” Win exclaimed, giving Lyddie the last pill.  “Just enjoy it Lollipop,” she murmured, chasing the pill with a kiss.
The sun was beginning to sink toward the horizon as they headed toward the food trucks parked off to one side.  
“God, I’m starving,” Win’s Nathan exclaimed, leaning against Lydia, his other arm draped over Win’s shoulder.
"Me too," Lyddie leaned back against him.  "I want something with a lot of cheese, and then I want soda." 
"Y'can't have soda, baby," her Nathan laughed.  "That'll give you a stomach ache." 
"Fiiiine you buzzkill, juice then," she took Win's Nathan's arm.  "It's so weird that I took the pill, but I don't feel any different." 
"Just wait, Lollipop, you'll see."
Once they got their food, Win found a nice empty spot in the grass for them to sit, the drugs starting to take effect, washing over her and heightening her senses.  Crawling into Lyddie’s Nathan’s lap, she moaned around her bite of food, the burger she’d gotten tasting better than anything she’d ever eaten before.
"Wow, okay," Lyddie's Nathan was taken by surprise when Win got on his lap, but he snaked his arms around her, wanting her to stay.  
"You look so beautiful right now," Lydia watched Win's Nathan while eating her pizza.  She still didn't feel any different, or so she thought.  "Like, I'm really hungry, but if I wasn't I'd kiss you."
“You want a kiss, Lollipop?” he asked, smirking as he set aside his nachos, sucking the leftover cheese sauce from his fingers. 
"More than anything," Lydia smiled, taking his fingers in her mouth before pressing her lips to his.  "Hmmm, you're so hot." 
“You’re hotter,” Win’s Nathan countered with a smirk. 
"I don't believe you," Lyddie, shoved the rest of her food in her mouth. "You and Winnie are the hottest people in this festival."
"Aren't you forgettin' anyone?" her Nathan teased. 
"Oh, you have the same face, of course you're included," Lydia huffed. 
“God, I feel good,” Win murmured, leaning back against Lyddie’s Nathan’s chest.  “The stars are starting to come out.”
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Lyddie's Nathan ran his fingers through Win’s hair.  "Like you," he murmured, kissing her cheek before going back to his kebab.
“Aw, you’re sweet,” Win giggled, finishing her food and stretching.  “I’m torn,” she whined. “I wanna go dance, but I’m also really comfortable right here.”
"I'm full, I kinda wanna listen to music and relax," he said, holding Win close.  
"If you want, I'll dance with you later," Lydia offered, without taking her eyes from Win's Nathan while she fed him his nachos.
“That sounds perfect,” Win murmured, turning in Lyddie’s Nathan’s embrace to get comfortable, resting her cheek against his shoulder as she gazed up at him, playing with the strings on his hoodie. 
“Now this is paradise,” Win’s Nathan sighed.  “Good music, a hot girl feedin’ me,” he murmured with a grin.  “I could get used t’this.”
"Oh, it's paradise alright," Lydia licked her fingers clean when she was done, and offered him her drink.  "Was it good, Natty?"
“So good,” Win’s Nathan replied, taking a long drink before passing the straw back to her, pulling Lydia into his lap.  After all, nearly every couple in the grass around them were in similar positions, snogging or cuddling.
Lyddie's Nathan smiled before leaning in to press his lips to Win's, taking his time to savor her kiss.  "We wanted t'make sure things were perfect for your big day." 
Win moaned into Lyddie‘a Nathan’s mouth, pulling him closer. “It’s more than perfect, you’re perfect,” she assured him, her head spinning, her body aflame with pent up need, the drugs heightening every sense.  Just feeling his hands on her skin was driving her crazy. 
"I love you, Winnie," Lyddie's Nathan kissed her back, matching her enthusiasm.  That's when he had an idea, remembering the day he proposed to Lyds -- he’d made her come by licking a lollipop and using his power to mirror the sensation on her clit -- deciding to do the same thing, this time he took Win's hand and gently stroked her palm. 
"I don't know why, but... I feel hornier than usual," Lydia whispered, running her hands under Win's Nathan's shirt, along his chest and his stomach.  “Kiss me, I wanna taste you."
“That would be th’ecstacy, m’love,” Win’s Nathan chuckled, shivering under her touch.  “C’mere,” he growled playfully, slipping his hand behind her neck to pull her closer as he opened his mouth to her.
With a soft moan, Lydia captured his lips.  "Remind me why they say drugs are bad again?" she joked, pulling him closer tugging at his shirt.  "I want you, Nathan, I've never wanted anything in my life like I want you right now."
“I love you toooo—“ Win gasped as the sensation hit her and she squirmed in Lyddie’s Nathan’s lap.  “Nathan, are you—doing this, or am I going crazy?” she asked, her breathing turning heavy. 
"What?  D'you feel somethin'?" Lyddie's Nathan asked, faking confusion while still rubbing the palm of Win's hand firmly at a steady pace.  "What's wrong, sweetheart?" 
Win glanced down at her hand, noticing that the sensation seemed in sync with the movement of Nathan’s fingers.  “Oh, you sly dog,” she moaned, biting her lip as she threw her head back.  “Why have you never done this before?  This is so fuckin’ hot.  Jesus, Nathan,” she breathed.
Win’s Nathan laughed harder, looking around, frowning at Win and his clone, unsure what exactly was happening, but Win looked like she was having fun.  “Let’s go for a walk, find somewhere t’be alone,” he whispered in Lyddie’s ear.
"Oh, I love how everyone's taking me for walks today..." Lydia grinned, taking Win's Nathan's hand, giggling just imagining what he wanted to do, shivers running down her spine from his whispering.  "Be right back," she announced, not that the others cared.
Spying a small pavilion with a sign for indoor bathrooms, Nathan headed toward it, pulling Lydia with him.  “Hope you’re not averse to a quickie in the loo,” he whispered in her ear.  “I wanna shag you so bad, Lyds.”
"I'm not averse to anything that involves your cock inside of me, Nats," Lydia exclaimed, barely making it to the bathroom without jumping his bones.  Her sex drive was usually crazy, but the drugs made it ten times crazier.  "I've never done this before... it's so exciting."
“You’ve never shagged in a public toilet before?” Win’s Nathan exclaimed, pulling her into the small one room stall with him and locking the door behind him.  “Well, I am a master at it by now,” he said, pinning her against the wall as his mouth went to her neck and his fingers went to the button on her shorts.
"No, only locker rooms and car parks," Lydia gasped, burying her fingers in his curls as his kisses awakened every last bit of her body.  "Oh, please, Natty, take care of me," she moaned, fumbling with his jeans, her hand sliding under his boxer briefs to palm his erection.
“Oh fuck, Lollipop,” Win’s Nathan groaned, tearing Lydia’s shorts and knickers down to pool around her ankles, urging her to wrap one of her legs around his waist as he pressed his cock to her entrance, kissing her deeply as he began to press into her.
Lydia kissed him back, whining as she felt his cock teasing her.  "Please, shag my brains out, Nate... fuck, you're so sexy, I need you," she mumbled, pulling Nathan closer again, desperate for him, his taste, his scent, it was all driving her mad.
“Oh God, Lydia,” he groaned, focusing on kissing her as he thrust up into her, filling her abruptly, not giving her time to adjust before he began to fuck her.  “Fuck, you feel amazin’,” he gasped.
"Nathan!" Lydia nearly screamed in pleasure, holding onto him for support, her head wondering for a moment, remembering their wild nights in New York, it was so good to feel like that again.   "Choke me," she breathed.
“Gladly, Lyddie,” he exclaimed, his hand not holding her leg circling her throat, lightly at first before squeezing, watching her expression as he continued to pound into her.
The feeling of Win's Nathan's hand on her throat made Lydia's mouth fall open, immediately driving her to the edge.  Her hands blindly grabbed his ass, encouraging him to move faster.
Win's Nathan yelped in surprise, but he sped up at her urging, thrusting into her even rougher, her back no doubt digging into the wall, but she seemed to be loving it and Nathan lost himself in her, feeling his pleasure crest quickly.
"I'm so close, Nathan," Lydia managed to say, enjoying his reaction to her unexpected touch.  She had to bite her lip not to cry out loud as she came undone for him, her body tensing up as she stared deep into his eyes.
"Oh, fuck," Win's Nathan breathed, pressing his forehead to Lydia's as she came, clenching around him tighter and he gave several more jerky thrusts as he spilled his seed in her, stilling to catch his breath.  "Fuck, baby, that was hot as fuck," he panted.
"I fucking love you," Lydia breathed, slightly overwhelmed by how good it had felt, how intense the sensations were; she even teared up a little.  "And I love fucking you," she laughed before kissing his collarbone softly.
Nathan laughed, pulling out and tucking himself back into his jeans.  "I love fuckin' you and I fuckin' love you too, baby," he exclaimed, taking her face between his hands to kiss her, brushing her tears away from her cheek.
"Sometimes I can't believe you're mine, at least half of you is..." Lydia murmured, pulling her shorts back up, feeling slightly lightheaded.   waited for so long, I-" Lydia nearly fell, holding onto him.  "Sorry, I got a little dizzy," she laughed.
"Whoa! Lyds, you okay?" Win's Nathan exclaimed quickly, catching Lydia before her legs went out from under her.  "Maybe we should get yeh some water and go sit back down for a bit," he suggested worriedly, wrapping his arm around her to keep her stabilized as they headed back to where Win and the other Nathan sat.
"I'm... I'm fine, I think I just need some water," Lydia assured, though she didn't know if that was supposed to happen, she was just happy to not be alone.  "It's probably cause I've been drinking, and this is my first time, nothing serious."
——
"Y'like that, huh?" Lyddie's Nathan kissed Win's neck with a smug grin, his fingers moving slightly faster.  "It's a special trick, for special occasions, such as your birthday... just gotta be quiet, okay, baby girl?  Or everyone's gonna know you're a dirty little thing," he purred quietly. 
Win whined but nodded, pressing her face into the crook of his neck to muffle her moans.  “God, I love you,” she murmured, kissing his neck, her breathing punctuated with a sharp breath every few moments.  “If you keep that up I’m gunna come soon.” 
"And that's not what you want?" Lyddie's Nathan asked, slowing down a little, but not stopping.  "Don't you wanna come for me, Winnie?" he murmured, bringing her hand up and kissing her palm gently, dragging his lips along her skin. 
“I—ohhh,” she sighed, her words melting.  “Please Nathan,” she begged softly.  “I do wanna come. God, I feel so dirty doing this right out in th’open,” she confessed. 
"You're a filthy girl, Winnie... but y'look so cute when you beg," Lyddie's Nathan murmured, licking her palm, slow at first, but more vigorously as he felt her squirming in his lap.
“Oh god, yes,” she whined. “Nathan, I’m—“ she didn’t get to finish her sentence before she came, pressing her face into his chest as she tensed, gasping a breath, her fingers of her free hand balling in his shirt. 
"That's my girl, so good, that was so fuckin' hot!" Lyddie's Nathan praised, holding Win against his chest.  "Happy birthday, baby," he said, kissing the top of her head, trying to ignore his own excitement.  He didn't wanna ruin the moment.
As Win came down from her orgasm, her head still swimming slightly, she tilted her chin up to look at him.  “I wonder what the people around us thought of you licking my hand,” she giggled before kissing his jaw.  “Thank you though, baby, but what about you?  I wanna make you feel good too,” she whined in his ear. 
"Well, you orgasmed in front of everyone, so I wouldn't worry about what they think," Lyddie's Nathan chuckled, but the thought of Win making him feel good was also an interesting one.  He snapped his fingers and a blanket covered them.  Everyone around was high, so it's not like they’d even notice...  
“And I’m the dirty one?” Win asked, cocking an eyebrow at him as her hand slipped under the blanket, and she shifted so she could unbutton his jeans, freeing his throbbing cock with a smirk.
"I thought y'were a fan of public sex..." Lyddie's Nathan mused, cupping Win's tits playfully as she found a comfortable position. "I just wanna please you, darlin', I wouldn't want my girlfriend missin' out on the concert,” he teased.
"I am," she replied, "I'm just sayin' you're as dirty as me, if not more," she pointed out, arching her chest into his hand as she stroked his length, brushing her thumb over his sensitive head and feeling his cock twitch in her hand.  "I love doin' this with you," she sighed, leaning against his shoulder as she worked her fist up and down, slowly at first. 
"I might be, a sexy bird taught me a trick or two at a hotel pool once," Lyddie's Nathan started, but soon he had to press his lips to Win's shoulder, tryin not to be loud.  "Fuck, baby, your hands are-- Jesus..." he mumbled. 
Win laughed, relishing his reaction.  "God, you're cute," she cooed, kissing his temple.  Wanting to tease him further, she sped her hand up, squeezing slightly as she worked him, drawing his earlobe between her teeth.  "Be a good boy for me, Natty, can't be too loud now or everyone'll know what we're doin'."
"Oh, you're evil, Winnie."  Lyddie's Nathan threw his head back, his eyes clenched shut, much like his fists.  "I love when y'wank me off like this, baby, don't stop," he groaned, bringing her closer, seeking her lips. 
Win grinned into the kiss. "And I love you baby," she replied, jerking him faster still.  "I want you to come all over my hand, make a mess under this blanket, y'filthy boy," she purred.
Lyddie's Nathan's best efforts to not be obvious about what was happening were lost when he heard those words.  "Fuck..." he moaned, slightly louder than intended as he came, not caring anymore what people would think, he was pretty sure half of them were doing the same thing anyway. 
Win's grin grew and she kissed Nathan despite the sticky mess still covering her hand.  "Good boy," she murmured.  "God that was hot."
"So hot!  I have no clue why I feel like this when y'call me a good boy, but Jesus... I fuckin' love it," he confessed.  Win had been confusing him, he was usually the dominant one, but he liked when she took charge like that.
"Really?" Win asked, taken aback, her stomach fluttering at his admission.  She'd always been the dominant one between her and her Nathan, and while she liked subbing with Lyddie's Nathan, there was something about watching him submit to her that excited her more than she could say.
"Well, you are good, so so good t'me," she murmured, running her clean hand through his curls. 
Before she could draw on his power to clean up his little mess, Lydia and her Nathan returned.
"Hey, loves of my life," Lydia smiled wiping the sweat from her forehead as she carefully sat down next to the others.  "Do you have some water?" 
"You okay, babe?" her Nathan asked, quickly zipping up his jeans and turning to check on her, opening the backpack to get her bottle.  "Y'seem a bit... shaky." 
"Yeah, I'm fine, how was your... sexy adventure?" she asked, sipping some water while leaning against Win's Nathan.
Win borrowed Nathan’s power to clean off her hand.  “It was very nice,” she answered with a grin, glancing at Lyddie’s Nathan.  “You?” she asked.
"Good, great," Lydia nodded, holding Win's Nathan tightly with her head against his chest.  "It was amazing actually.  In a second I'll be good to go again if you'd like..."
“Damn Lollipop,” Win’s Nathan laughed, kissing the top of her head. “I think you should probably rest for a bit first, huh?”
"I hate it when you're right," Lydia huffed, her head still spinning.  "How about... I give you your gift then?" she suggested, reaching for her backpack to fetch the black velvet box.  "Happy birthday, my love!" she cried, offering it to Win.
“You really didn’t have to get me anything, babe,” Win exclaimed, though she opened the box excitedly, having been wondering all day what could be inside. 
“What is it?” her Nathan asked curiously.
“Oh my God, Lydia, this is— it’s beautiful, I’m never gunna take it off,” Win gasped, pulling out a small silver bracelet with a heart shaped charm with the letters N + W + L + N on it. “Nathan, can you help me?” she asked, holding out her wrist for Lydia’s Nathan to wrap the bracelet around.
"This is so sweet," Lyddie's Nathan helped Win with the bracelet and kissed the back of her hand.  "You could've asked me t'make it,” he whispered to Lydia. 
"I know, I just saw it on my way home the other day and couldn't resist, so I asked for the engraving and..." Lydia smiled, watching how happy she was.  "It looks perfect on you."
“Thank you, Lydia, I love you so much.  I love all of you so much!” Win cried, feeling slightly overwhelmed with emotion as she pulled them all in for a hug.
"We love you too," Lyddie squeezed her back, feeling insanely lucky.  "Do you still wanna dance?  Cause I'm feeling better and the boys are horrible at it, so they would just embarrass you." 
"Hey!" her Nathan shouted, knowing that she wasn't exactly wrong.  "A little respect please?"
“I would love t’dance!” Win exclaimed, helping Lydia to her feet. “Boys?” she asked hopefully. “You sure you don’t wanna come too?”
"I'll go just to embarrass you, Lyddie," her Nathan got up, dusting his jeans.  
"As I suspected, the best way to get you to do something is telling you that you shouldn't," she smirked.  "Are you coming, babe?" she looked back at Win's Nathan.
“Course I am, I wanna dance with the birthday girl,” he exclaimed, letting Lyddie help him up.
Lydia pulled him as they headed toward the stage.  She was never very good at dancing like nobody's watching, but right then she couldn't be bothered by anyone else.
Bracketed by both Nathans, Win shook her hair out, moving to the music as she pulled Lydia closer while grinding against her Nathan.
What a sight they must've been, dancing, kissing, and holding each other... 
"I’ve just had the best idea," Lyddie wrapped her arms around Win, “once we get to the hotel..." 
"What hotel?" her Nathan interjected, confused. 
"The one I asked you to find and make a reservation at?" 
"Oh... I knew I had forgotten somethin'," he grimaced. 
"So you're telling me we don't have a place to sleep?"
“Maybe there’ll still be rooms available?” Win’s Nathan ventured, though he had a feeling it was doubtful.
"In the middle of a music festival?" Lydia was trying very hard not to freak out.  "In a town with two hotels?  We're fucked..." 
"Nah, I'll fix it!" her Nathan tried to calm her down. 
"Just like you did with the corpse in the car that one time?" she scoffed. 
"I did fix that, we're not in jail so it worked!" he whispered.  "Calm down, we can make us a tent, problem solved."
“There’s an area for camping,” Win pointed out, gesturing over toward the far side of the field.  “A tent sounds fun!” she exclaimed.  “But maybe make it a lot bigger than it looks on the outside,” she giggled, not worried at all as she pulled out another joint to light.
"See?  You worry too much, baby, give us a little credit, you're not the only responsible one..." Lyddie's Nathan held her from behind. 
"That's arguable," she teased.  "But if Win's happy with it, then cheers."
“I still wanna know what this ‘best idea’ of yours is,” Win purred, wrapping her arms around Lydia as her Nathan plucked the joint from her fingers for a hit.
"Well, I was just gonna say I brought our special toy so maybe I could use it with you once we're alone," Lyddie murmured.  "If you want..."
“Oh?” Win exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.  “I’d like that a lot, Lollipop,” she replied, straightening.
"Good, cause I wanna fuck you until you scream," Lydia purred before biting Win's neck softly.
“Ohhh,” Win groaned, wrapping her arms around Lydia’s neck.  “God that sounds amazingggg,” she whined.
"We get t'watch, don't we?" Lyddie's Nathan asked hopefully.  He’d never seen Lydia doing that yet. 
"I'll think about it..." she taunted.
“Aw c’mon baby, I like an audience,” Win grinned, taking Lyddie’s Nathan’s hand.  “I’m feeling a little worn out, shall we go pitch our tent?  It’s not like there’ll be no music tomorrow.”
"Very well," Lyddie's Nathan kissed Win's temple.  "Let's go then. I just hope nobody notices the tent showin' up out of thin air... but it's dark enough, I think." 
"You think?" Lydia laughed.  "You are so carefree, I gotta try that sometime, cause being in my head is exhausting."
“You want another hit of this?” Win’s Nathan offered, passing Win’s joint around as he wrapped his arms around both girls as they began to head toward the camping ground.
"I have to take care of the pipes," Lydia frowned.  "We have a gig coming up, but I like to watch you." 
"Okay, big reveal..." Lyddie's Nathan opened her backpack and got a rod out of it.  "What's that?" 
"That's--" he smashed the rod on the grass and an entire tent came out, making her jump and nearly fall, “--our tent!" 
"JESUS CHRIST, Nathan! Was this really necessary?" 
"No, but it was fun, wasn't it?"
Win laughed.  “Ahh, it’s perfect!  Thank you babe,” she exclaimed, raising up to kiss Lyddie’s Nathan’s cheek before hurrying through the flap into the tent.  “Oh my God, Lydia!  You have t’see this!” she exclaimed, gaping at the furnishing.  “It looks like a fuckin’ hotel in here.”
"Okay, this is amazing!" Lyddie walked inside and jumped on the bed, pulling Win with her.  "I love it ! You're the best, Nate..." 
"What was that again?" her Nathan asked, joining them with a smug grin.  "I didn't hear ya..." 
"You're the best, thank you," Lydia repeated, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“My hero!” Win exclaimed, kicking her shoes off as she fell to the bed. 
“What about me?” her Nathan exclaimed with a huff and she pulled him down as well.
“You’re my hero too babe, always will be,” she said, pressing a kiss to his lips.  “Seriously, this has been the best birthday ever.”
"I'm happy you had a good time, I've been so anxious all day to make sure everything is perfect, so it's good to know it all worked out," Lydia embraced Win, kissing her all over her neck and shoulders.  "It was a lot of fun... I just wish I could make you a cake."
“Aw babe,” Win cooed, giggling at her kisses.  “I don’t need a cake, I’ve got something just as sweet!”
"As soon as we're back home I'll make you one, I'll make you an entire dinner," Lyddie mused before remembering her offer.  "Are you too tired for my surprise?  Cause if you wanna go to bed I understand."
“I’m not too tired!” Win exclaimed, perking up.  “I want your surprise!”
"Boys, would you be so kind as to strip her naked for me?" Lyddie asked as she got up and dug through her backpack for the pink bag she kept the special toys on trips.
“Gladly!” Win’s Nathan exclaimed, peeling her top off and unsnapping her bra.  
“Oh!” Win exclaimed, her eyes widening.
"Very good," Lyddie praised as her Nathan got rid of Win's shorts and knickers.  "So beautiful, all for me..." she slowly shed her own clothes and made a show of putting the strap-on on.
Win wet her lips as she fell back onto the bed, watching Lyddie while anticipation coursed through her.  “Oh God, Lyddie,” she breathed, turned on by how possessive she was being.
"Look at you, so needy, I love to see you like that..." Lyddie crawled atop of her.  Lyddie's Nathan on the other hand was extremely confused, if having Win make him a submissive wasn't enough, now he couldn't stop staring at his fiancé with that dildo on.
Win’s Nathan knew that look, he was pretty sure he’d had that look on his face the first few times Win wore the strap and he smirked, turning his gaze back to the girls. 
“I am, I need you so bad, Lollipop!” Win cried, running her hands down Lydia’s back.
"Do you?" Lyddie reached between Win's legs, circling her clit while looking up at her Nathan to catch his reaction.  "I guess you deserve it after how nice you were to me earlier behind the stage..." she teased her entrance.
Win whimpered, squirming under Lyddie’s touch, wanting more.  “Please, baby, I want you t’ruin me,” she begged desperately.
Lyddie slowly thrust into her, kissing her chest tenderly.  "Like that, sweetie, is this what you want?" 
"Jesus..." her Nathan breathed, swallowing nervously.
“Yes, more Lyddie,” Win gasped, her hands sliding down to grab Lydia’s ass.  “Please I want you t’ruin me.  Wear me out.  Use me.”
"That's a good little pet," Lyddie growled, slamming into her, moving fast and roughly.  "You're so good for me," she leaned in, pressing her lips to Win's.
Win let out a muffled cry as she kissed Lydia back desperately.  “Oh God, Lyddie, you’re amazing!” she whimpered in between kisses.  “I’m already so close, fuck, you fuck me so good baby!” 
“Holy shit...” Win’s Nathan muttered as he watched, spellbound.  Fuck but we wanted Lydia to do that to him.
"Yeah? You're gonna come for me, baby?" Lyddie kept moving vigorously.  She usually felt pretty awkward in situations like this, but seeing Win screaming her praises filled her with confidence.  
Her Nathan decided not to question it, he was too horny to think, all he knew was Lydia looked incredibly sexy like that.
“Mhmm,” Win nodded, unable to form words as her climax hit her like a bus and she raked her nails down Lyddie’s shoulder blades as she cried out before going limp.
"That was so hot," Lyddie took a second to breathe before pulling out.  "So, how was the show, boys?" 
"I- fuck!" her Nathan stuttered, quickly cleaning the mess from his hand.
“One of th’hottest yet!” Win’s Nathan exclaimed, quickly tucking himself back into his boxer shorts.  “You’re gettin’ really good with that thing, Lyds.”
"Would you like to give it a go sometime?" Lyddie changed into a shirt and joined them in bed, pulling Win into her arms.
“Fuck yeah, I would,” he replied eagerly, kissing Win gently on the temple as he pulled her into his arms.
"You okay, Natty?" Lyddie asked, looking at her Nathan, who was strangely quiet. 
"Yeah, just a bit tired," he cleared his throat. 
"Aww do you want me to be the big spoon tonight?" she giggled. 
"NO!" Nathan jumped. "I mean... I wanna hold ya, I love you," he kissed his fiancé's cheek.
“C’mere,” Win called from the bed.  “I want all my loves.”
"Yes, baby," Lyddie snuggled Win, pulling the blanket to cover them.  "It's getting chilly in here..." 
Her Nathan hesitated for a second and joined them under the covers, stroking Win's hair.
Win opened her eyes to smile at him, reaching out to caress his cheek.  “Thank you guys for making my birthday so perfect.  I love you so much.”
"I love you too," Lydia sighed, soaking in their warmth.  "First birthday in this dimension, only a billion more to go... I can't wait."
----------------------
Tag list: @magic-multicolored-miracle @santacarlahorrorshow @messengeronthemoon @the-freckled-luba @firstpersonnarrator  @spanishmossmagnolia @salvador-daley @forenschik @a-ghoulish-tale @love-is-dirty-baby @vonkimmeren  @violetrainbow412-blog
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gintokisimp · 3 years ago
Text
Happy Birthday Gin-san!
One-Shot about Gintoki's 30th birthday. Tsukuyo has a special present for the clueless Gintoki.  The setting of the fic is an already lightly romantic established GinTsu relationship. They already had some kind of romantic encounters, but it was never quite enough for anyone to make a first move. Basically all of them could be seen as „Well, that was awkward, but we are friends so it’s funny.“
Genre: Fluff, First Kiss Stuff
Rating: General Audience
Word Count: 1,960
"Gin-chan, wake up! wake up!"
Kagura's scream echoed through the Yorozuya banged on his door before tearing it open with an ugly sound.
"You're an old man now, no more sleeping in late" She continued to scream with full volume.
"Shut up!" Gintoki screamed back and opened his eyes. He sure felt like an old man already. His life was okay now, after the ending of the canon material. But something was missing, but he also didn't care enough to find out what exactly was missing.
Kagura brought in a birthday cake with 3 sloppily placed candles, topped with one single strawberry. Gintoki frowned looking at the candles.
"I'm 30, not 3." He blurted.
"Yes yes, right. You're so old, I need to use one candle for 10 years, that's how old you are!" She explained to him. Gintoki snorted.
"Why are you so happy so early in the morning?!"
"Here, eat up or mommys gonna be pissed!"
She ignored his bad mood and lifted the fork, forcing the cake in his mouth.
"Ah Kagura stop that, I can eat myself." He picked the fork out of her hand and grumpily ate the cake, sharing it with her. To be exact, Kagura shared with him. She ate most of the cake.
"We're gonna have a party today, yes we will!" She announced.
He groaned in disapproval, a party was the last thing he wanted.
"Zura and Elisabeth are coming, that weird space guy, Shinpachi of course, Gorilla boss lady, -"
"How many people did you invite?!" He interrupted her.
"Mayofreak, Gorilla, that sadistic assface" She ended her list.
"Did you invite the whole Shinsengumi?!"
"Yes of course! It's a special occasion after all!"
"Who's gonna pay for that?!"
"You don't need to pay, don't worry. It's your birthday!"
She happily jumped to her feet, snatching the plate from his hands, on her way to leave his room.
"Thank you, Kagura" Gintoki mumbled. She turned around and smiled.
He laid down again and sighed.
Just forget my birthday already, no one cares about that.
"No more sleeping! Get up now!" Kagura screamed from outside.
Angrily mumbling Gintoki crawled out of his futon and prepared himself for the shitty day.
---------------  x ---------------
The Yorozuya office was packed.
Every possible sitting space was occupied, the room filled with familiar faces. The mood was exuberant, but Gintoki still didn't warm up to the idea of the party.
All guests had arrived by now and the alcohol rose to everyone's head, while Gintoki tried to keep the excitement down. They tried to toast on his birthday several times, but he always denied it, frantically searching for excuses.
Once, he spurted over to the kitchen, pretending that he left the stove on.
Another time, he feigned to be asleep on the couch.
There was no reason for a celebration. There never was.
Katsura had just spilled his third beer all over the floor and Gintoki was kneeling down, searching for some napkins in a drawer, when suddenly the shoji door opened and another trio entered the room. "Hey Tsukki, Hinowa, Seita!" Kagura shouted happily.
Gintoki's heart stumbled. He abruptly lifted his head, banging his head against the drawer. Rubbing his back of the head, he stood up straight and faced the new guests.
Kagura didn't tell me they were coming as well..
"Tsukki…,what are you doing here?" He asked nervously
"Gin-san, Happy Birthday!"
Hinowa said with a singing voice, reaching for his hand to press it lightly, shaking it excitedly.
"Here, we have a present for you!" Seita hugged him turbulently with a small package in his hands, giving it to him with a big smile.
"It's ya birthday, are we not invited?" Tsukuyo mumbled, arms crossed in front of her chest, averting her eyes, Kiseru in her mouth.
Hinowa slightly pushed in Tsukuyos ribs.
"Don't you-?"
She whispered and Tsukuyo blushed slightly before she eyed Gintoki.
Confused, he tilted his head, Seita still jumping around in front of him.
Tsukuyo sighed, closed the few steps between them, walked around Seita and spread out her arms, wrapping them around Gintoki.
He was baffled.
Hugs? Since when does she give out hugs?
"Happy Birthday" She mumbled incomprehensibly.
Tsukuyo hugged him tight, a little too tight. He could feel her arms cramping around him and her heart racing against his. Well, that's awkward. Gintoki felt his heart speed up as well.
"Oi oi, not so unruly, you're almost assaulting me" He laughed nervously.
She tensed up, let out an angry sound and smashed him to the ground, pressing the air out of his lungs.
"That's a nice present, did not expect anything else from you.." He mumbled, lying exhausted on his back.
Tsukuyo was standing over him, her face beet red.
"Tsukki, are you okay? Are you sick?" Kagura shouted from her seat on the couch.
"'s fine" She blurted.
"Oi, why does no one care about me? It's my birthday and I just got crashed into the damn floor" Gintoki grumbled.
"You're fine." Kagura simply replied.
"Nothing new" Shinpachi shouted from the other side. Hinowa smiled happily.
"Oi, why are you happy? Why are you happy?!"
---------------  x ---------------
The evening had gone by mostly uneventfully. Katsura had tried to battle everyone in a game of uno, but he failed miserably, losing every single time. The now close to tears samurai was comforted by Elisabeth in one corner of the room.
"This never happens to me, I'm so good at this game!" He cried in his sleeve.
Elisabeth held up a sign: You're the best player!
Tatsumas laughter repeatedly echoed through the room. It was the most annoying sound of the evening. Gintoki had the strong urge to kick his head in.
"Kintoki, drink something with me!" He called out to him, completely wasted.
"It's Gintoki, can't ya at least get it correctly on my birthday?!" Gintoki hadn't touched a single drop. He still didn't feel like celebrating.
The Shinsengumi members happily drank in their own little round and were joined by Hinowa, Kagura and Shinpachi. Seita played on his new TS. unbothered by the commotion around him. Otae and Kyuubei sat on his table, sharing some food, leaving Gintoki and Tsukuyo alone.
"So.. how are ya" Gintoki started after some minutes of silence between them.
"Whaddaya mean?" She replied uninterested, smoking her kiseru.
"I asked about your well-being , what do you not understand?"
"Why are ya asking, you never ask that" She simply replied.
"Fine, I won't do it again." Offended, Gintoki crossed his arms in front of his chest.
He glanced over to her, their eyes met and both of them turned away, slightly blushing.
Hinowa turned her attention to Tsukuyo, noticing the thick tension between them.
"Tell him how you are, it's not that hard." She chuckled, slightly drunk and continued talking to Kondo with great interest. Hinowa had recently started to bond with him, much to her disapproval. She didn't want the police involved in Yoshiwaras business.
Tsukuyo huffed.
"'s fine, I guess." She finally replied to his question.
"Ah.. I see."
"and how is it?"
"How is what?"
"Being old." She grimaced maliciously.
Gintoki scoffed. "It's not that different from yesterday, it's just one day later."
"okay.."
"I don't know.. lonely" He continued.
"You don't have to be lonely," Tsukuyo said, still looking in another direction.
"..what do you mean?" Gintoki turned in her direction.
"I urr I.. I mean..you have Kagura and Shinpachi.. you're not alone"
Gintoki paused.
"Yea right, I'm not alone, but still lonely"
"That's not true, Gintoki."
"Sooner or later Kagura will move out, Shinpachi will find a girlfriend, and they will be living their own lives. I'll be a single left alone dad by then. Maybe I should buy myself a woman in Yoshiwara.." His thoughts trailed off.
"Ya couldn't afford that anyways. Besides.. I'm sure there's someone for you" Tsukuyo's voice got lower with the progression of her sentence.
"Really? Who is it, is she hot? Does she have big boobs? Please tell me she's not from the Hyakka"
"..kind of"
"Tell me, who is it?" He was invested now.
"Well..-"
"Tsukki, don't you still have another present?" Tsukuyo jumped at Hinowas interruption.
"No I don't. It's already late, let's go home." Tsukuyo answered quickly and she stood up hastily, leaving the disappointed Gintoki behind.
"Okay, if you say so."
Seita helped Hinowa and they said their goodbyes, walking to the front door. Gintoki stood up as well and accompanied them to the exit like a good host.
"You can tell me Tsukki, I won't tell anyone!"
But she just ignored him. He gave up.
"Thanks for coming, hope you enjoyed it." He said politely.
"Oh Gin-san of course we did! It's always pleasant to be around both of you !" Hinowas smiled.
Gintoki was confused "Why do you say 'both of you' so weird?"
Hinowa didn't reply and Tsukuyo pushed her to the door. Halfway, she stopped and turned around, facing the in the door leaning Gintoki.
"Gintoki..I .. I actually have another present for you" She started quietly.
Hinowas gasped slightly.
"She's gonna do it!" She whispered to Seita.
"Eh? I don't need presents, I thought I already said that." Gintoki waved his hand dismissively.
"It's just.. something small."
"uh.. okay?"
"you jus..just need to come a bit closer."
"You're scaring me."
"Or I can just come to you.."
Tsukuyo carefully walked back, stopping right in front of him at a very short distance. Sweat formed on his forehead.
"Close your eyes." She whispered.
He did.
Gintoki felt her small hands on his, turning his palm around, laying her hand in his. But there was nothing in her hand.
There's nothing there, What could it be? -
That's when she kissed him. No warning, no preparations. She just kissed him then and there in the doorway, right on the lips, in full view of everyone.
Gintoki forgot to think at all.
Her warm soft lips on his spread a fire in his body, crawling under his skin, burning the hands that were covered by her soft fingers.
One second.
The whole room went silent, Tatsumas laughter died.
If you listened carefully enough, you could've heard a feather falling to the wooden floor.
Two seconds.
Gintoki's head started to spin. His eyes opened slightly and he saw her face through his lashes.
Three seconds.
That was over the limit of an accidental kiss.
It was not a shy kiss,
it was brisk,
setting a complete new point in their relationship.
Her feathery touch on his hand tightened, sending a shiver that traveled down his spine, making his heart beat painfully fast.
Gintoki slightly opened his lips, about to return the kiss, but she retreated, her face tinted in a shade of red he had never seen before.
Tsukuyo smiled lovingly and lifted a finger, brushing it over his open mouth, caressing his lips.
"Happy Birthday"
She whispered and turned around on her heels, hooking the excited chattering Hinowa into her arms and quickly excited through the front door.
Gintoki just stood there, dumbfounded, unable to move.
The kiss wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't a scene from a shoujo manga with a great backdrop, exciting atmosphere and a big buildup, but it was wonderful.
Nothing else was able to reach his mind in this moment, he only knew he would remember it forever.
Several minutes went by.
Still, no one had said a word.
Everyone stared at him and Gintoki stared at the door where he had last seen her.
“ehh.. Gin-san..? Is everything ok?" Shinpachi asked carefully, the sounds slowly returning to the room.
Gintoki's fingers slowly lifted up to touch his lips, her sweet taste still lingering on them.
“what…?" ..did just happen?
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syms-things-5 · 4 years ago
Text
Clear The Area - Chapter Eighteen
Previous Chapter Here
Notes: So sorry this took me an age to get out. Thanks for sticking with me. We’re in the end game now... 
Warnings: Heavy language. Angst. 
Tags: @jennmurawski13 @kelbabyblue
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 
Sarah was trying her hardest to get out of Lisa’s birthday weekend. Really trying. She couldn’t remember the last time she had put this much effort into something that wasn’t related to work or getting to a finish line she’d imposed upon herself while out on a run. 
She wasn’t a very creative person either. Not when it counted. She spent three days pathetically dropping hints that she was coming down with something. Scott dismissed it at first, insisting the fresh air would do her some good. She went as far as to suggest she was feeling quite nauseous so perhaps a five-hour-plus car journey might not be the best idea. Only she had downplayed it to such an extent, she inadvertently removed the problem from the table. 
She also tried the whole “it should be a family event” thing, but Shanna told her she was family and that she should stop mithering and start packing. 
Things got a little desperate. She wasn’t proud of herself but when Audrey had told her about a falling-out she’d had with Michael, well, it would be stupid to lose that golden opportunity. So, she told Shanna she was thinking of offering to stay and support her dear, dear friend and colleague but, with a glint in her eye, Audrey insisted it wasn’t that big of a problem. She was definitely off Sarah’s Christmas card list now. 
Truth be told, she didn’t have a legitimate reason to avoid the break. She couldn’t deny the prospect of having the entire apartment to herself for four days was enticing, though. She could enjoy some rare peace and quiet. She could read a book in a long, hot bubble bath without Shanna perching by the side and regaling her with the latest issues in her romantic life. She could cook and eat seafood without worrying about giving her best friend an allergic reaction. She could also lounge around in her pyjamas all day, or maybe even naked. 
No, not naked. She was never one for that idea. 
Carly had been filling the family WhatsApp with game ideas; some solo, some in teams. All kid-friendly, which was a speciality of the Evans’ clan. Lisa had planned a long hike for the Sunday morning followed by what sounded like an extravagant picnic with champagne, quiche and foot-long subs. She also sent a picture of three humongous bags of marshmallows, the size of small children, and suggested they could sit round a camp fire on the evening they arrive. That was assigned to Chris as his first job. 
There was also the small issue of a massive hot tub. Thanks to a new reliance on fast food during her late shifts, Sarah wasn’t much a fan of her body at the present time. That was another thing she’d have to contend with. She loved the family but forced fun in bathing suits was not really her “thing”. 
“If we get there early, we can bagsy the attic room.” Shanna suggested, nose in a gossip magazine. Sarah nodded in agreement while keeping her eyes on the television. “I’ll be damned if Scott gets it all to himself again.” 
“Sure thing.” Sarah replied, acting nonchalant and biding her time once more before she could raise again the possibility of her not going with them. 
“Don’t get anything out for dinner tonight. We’re heading to mom’s in a couple of hours. I hope that’s OK.” 
“Sure. Wait, what?” Sarah did a double take at Shanna, her face now fully hidden by her magazine. 
“Sorry!” She peaked out over the top of the page. “I forgot to say earlier but Mom wanted to have dinner at hers tonight so we can go through the itinerary in full. Make sure everyone knows what they’re bringing. I said it’d be cool ‘cos you weren’t working.” Her tone was apologetic. “You’re not doing anything, are you?” 
No, she wasn’t doing anything. And she couldn’t think of anything either. There was literally no thoughts running through her mind at that time. None that offered her any help whatsoever. Blank. Stupid, fucking, dumbass. 
“Yeh, no, of course. Makes sense.” She responded after a second had passed. She silently blew out a long breath and sank further into the couch. 
When Shanna had said they were having dinner, Sarah figured it would be one of Lisa’s massive pot pies followed by the biggest tub of Neapolitan ice cream she could find. Something easy and comfortable that wouldn’t get in the way of the more pressing matters at hand, namely finalising plans for her birthday weekend. She was most certainly not expecting candles and a table runner, the fancy anniversary cutlery and four or five bottles of expensive red wine. Lisa had even added some fresh flowers as a centrepiece. 
Sarah looked down at her ripped black jeans and grey t-shirt and felt woefully under-dressed. She scolded Shanna with an annoyed look that didn’t go unnoticed. 
“I didn’t know she was planning some fancy thing, did I?!” Shanna whispered as they hung up their jackets in the hallway. “You know what she’s like.” 
Sarah did know what she was like so, really, she should have known better.
Shanna nudged her out of the way to walk into the kitchen and give her mother a hug, leaving Sarah standing in the doorway feeling like a potato and not sure how to make use of herself. She could hear Scott get beaten loudly by Carly’s husband on a computer game. She glanced her head inside the living room and waved at them, watching as they offered muffled sounds as acknowledgement of her greeting. Chris didn’t seem to be anywhere around yet which gave her some mild comfort at least. In fact, nearly a whole hour went by before he arrived. A light, summer shower had started outside and his arrival was announced to all by Lisa’s shrill tone instructing him to take his shoes off before walking on her newly shampooed carpet.  
“Yeh, ma, I got it. Gimme a break…” 
“Did you bring that picnic blanket I asked you to find? The one you brought last year? The large, tartan one?” 
 Chris gave his mother a confused look before she audibly sighed. “I asked you about it yesterday? I texted you earlier to remind you? Jesus….” 
 He shrugged off his sport jacket, placing it on top of Sarah’s, and toed his boots off before ambling into the dining room to join the others. 
 “She’s on one again.” Scott whispered to him as Chris took a seat beside him, across from Sarah and Shanna. “She called me three times this morning alone to remind me to pick up plastic cups and plates. Like I’m gonna forget something she’s messaged me about, like, a hundred times.” 
 “That’s nothing. You should see the list of jobs she’s given to Miles and Ethan.” Michael joined in. 
 “But they’re only kids.” Scott questioned him, half surprised and half...not so surprised. His memory suddenly recalled all kinds of jobs he was forced to do as a young boy, raking lawns and cleaning the family car. Michael just shrugged back at him, rolling his eyes knowingly. Scott looked between Shanna and Sarah, worrying for what she’ll impose upon them all next. 
 “She hasn’t given me any jobs yet.” Shanna said. She almost sounded offended at being left out of the menial work. The room fell silent as everyone else slyly eyed each other. “Oh, right. Thanks guys.” 
 “Hey, your job is to read the maps so we get there in one piece.” Scott finally broke the awkward silence. 
 “And Sarah? What’s Sarah’s job? I don’t think she’s been asked to do anything either.” 
 “Her job is to make sure you’re reading the map the right way around.” Chris interrupted and the room descended into fits of laughter. Shanna merely leaned back in her chair, folded her arms and cast a mental curse on her older brother. Sarah tried hard to mask a smirk that didn’t go unseen by Chris. 
 Pointedly ignoring his sister, Chris reached for the open bottle of wine closest to him. He leaned his arm across the table and offered Sarah a glass. “Want a top-up?” 
 They made eye contact for the first time in what felt like ages and he smiled at her, a slight crease appearing in the corners of his eyes so she knew it was genuine. “No, I’m OK. Better pace myself.” 
 They hadn’t seen each other, hadn’t messaged each other, in over a week. She was grateful for the break. He looked good, though. Lean and sculpted to a point that was inhuman or, at the very least, unfair to an average human being. A couple of weeks of working out and his body seemed to ping back to what it once was. It was like watching elastic snap into place. Sarah suddenly felt every single extra pound clinging to her thighs. Whenever she gained weight, it always seemed to land there. It was annoying and proved nearly impossible to remove no matter how often she ran. 
 “The hell is this?” Chris asked. He finally noticed the smooth table runner stretching out in front of him. “Are we expecting someone official?” 
 “Just keep quiet and let her do her thing.” Scott pleaded with him quietly before connecting eyes with Shanna and Sarah, everyone seemingly thinking the same thing. “Let’s try to get out of here in one piece, yeh?” 
 “What took you so long to get here, Chris?” Lisa asked as she walked back into the dining room carrying a large tray of what looked like bread rolls. She placed it down in the centre before moving to the side table to gather the salt and pepper grinders. 
 “Oh, it was just a work call.” He shrugged, confident enough in his manner that the conversation didn’t go any further. Scott elbowed him seemingly without anyone else noticing but Chris brushed him off with a shake of his head. He rested his chin on his hand as he took stock of what was in front of him, Sarah included. 
 His beard was thicker and apparently untended to, Sarah noticed, now that things had quietened down. He glanced at her through his lashes as things grew quiet and Lisa started dishing out vegetables to everyone. Lisa had a particular way of handling large family dinners – lessons learned from cooking for many kids over the years. You knew to wait until everyone had something on their plate before making moves for any more. It all smelled delicious. As unnerved as Sarah felt with the formality laid out in front of her, she had to admit she was looking forward to some proper home-cooked food. 
 Chris kept looking at Sarah, hands folded in her lap, polite as always, waiting for everyone else to go in front of her. He saw Michael help himself to three bread rolls before passing the plate back round to Lisa. Michael was a tall, hefty man whose appetite never seemed to be affected by anything. Even when he had horrendous flu that left him in bed for a fortnight, he still managed to put a lot away. He had never once experienced food poisoning. 
 “If you’re waiting for everyone else, there’ll be nothing left.” Chris spoke as he leaned in towards her so she could hear him over the sounds of cutlery and enjoyment. “Just go for it.” 
 She smiled shyly back at him and thanked Lisa for cooking what appeared to be a mini-feast. 
 “Can you pass the butter, please?” Shanna asked as she reached her arm over Sarah’s plate, forcing Sarah to lean back in her chair. She stretched her other arm out for the gravy that Scott was currently pouring over his plate. 
 “You’re always so polite.” Chris chuckled. “Shan, can you stop getting in the way and let the poor girl eat.” 
 “Huh?” Shanna questioned, unaware of what was going on. 
 “You’re getting in her way.” 
 “No, she’s fine. It’s fine.” Sarah quickly interrupted as she sensed him bristle with frustration. 
 He looked at her for another second before shaking his head. Shanna threw her brother a look of puzzlement but Scott appeared just as confused by his sudden tone.
 “Bet this beats McDonald’s, eh Sarah?” Carly said, before giggling to herself. 
“You’re telling me. I can’t remember the last time I ate something green and fresh.” 
 “Michael is so jealous.” 
 Michael’s ears perked up as he turned to his wife and Sarah. “Damn straight. Being only able to eat burgers and fries is, like, the dream scenario.” 
 “Why have you been on so many night shifts lately anyway?” Chris asked, a mouth full of chicken, placing the spotlight firmly on her. 
 She tried to shrug it off, act casually. “Audrey needed some extra support and I figured it would do me good to work in a few more nights. I always seem to manage to get out of them.” 
She was fast hoping Lisa would start discussing the impending trip to distract everyone but no such luck. 
 This felt like it was going to be a long night. 
 “It gave you time off for this weekend so swings and roundabouts, eh?” Shanna added. “Speaking of which, is there anything you need us to do for the trip, Mom? I noticed everyone else has jobs and lists except for us.” Shanna inquired, not quite able to hide the mild accusatorial tone creeping into her words. 
 “Um, no, I don’t think so, honey. Just trying to keep it as casual as possible.” 
Scott nearly choked out a chunk of potato. Chris, side-eyeing Michael’s increasingly red face, tried his hardest not to bark out in laughter. It was tough. Lisa noticed it, too. Choosing to ignore it, she turned back to her daughter. 
 “I meant that things are under control now so there’s no need to add to the pile. As long as you get there on time, that’s all I’ll ask for.” 
 Shanna wasn’t feeling convinced and the smug grin now on Chris’ face wasn’t helping to reassure her either. She turned to Sarah to see if she was thinking the same thing as her but Sarah just kept her eyes on the plate of food in front her, hoping that if she continued eating and finished as quickly as possible, she could get home again. 
 “I can do something, Mom.” She protested. “I could bring that lawn bowling game again?” 
 “Actually, Michael has one of those. It’s a bit newer and the skittles are heavier so the wind won’t keep knocking them over.” Carly spoke up before glancing apologetically at her sister. “He just got it from a friend at work, so… No biggie.”  
“What about wine and drinks? We could stop off on the way up?” 
 “I put an order in for all of that.” Lisa responded with a casual wave of her hand. “It’ll be here the day before so I’ll pack it up here before we set off. Speaking of which, anyone for more wine?” 
 Shanna remained quiet as the family conversed about nothing in particular. Carly was talking about some game the kids at school had taught her that might be fun for the weekend but nothing could remove the unease surrounding her sister. Sure, Shanna wasn’t the most reliable when it came to shopping lists and sticking to plans but it was unlike Lisa not to call upon her for something, no matter how small and inconsequential it might be. 
 Attention turned from one brother to the next as discussions about carpooling took over. Chris really wanted to use the trip as an excuse to take his new Audi for a drive but with all the gear he and Scott had to bring, there wasn’t much room for anything or anyone else. 
 “Except maybe Sarah?” Chris posed the question, keeping it casual. “You could tag along with us and then Shanna could go with mom, I guess.” 
 “I was thinking of hiring a car myself actually.” Chris looked surprised at Sarah’s sudden offer. She hated driving. “We could take some of the load off everyone else then. Lisa? We could pack up some of your stuff?” 
 Sarah had loosely discussed this with Shanna some time ago but they had ultimately decided against it because, well, she really hated driving. Now, however, sensing her friend’s growing despondency, she figured it might help her feel more useful. Plus, it would give Sarah some control over when they could head back home again. 
 Shanna looked at her friend and smiled gratefully. 
 “That’s very kind of you, Sarah. I supposed you both could go on ahead and get the keys from Maggie and we could meet you there soon after? I said we would be getting there some time around the early afternoon if that’s alright with you both?” Lisa requested, opening another bottle of wine. Shanna nodded, a smile wide on her face now and she felt a sense of relief. 
 Sarah mentally calculated backwards from “early afternoon” and reasoned they would need to be up and out of the apartment by 7am at the latest. Suddenly, her role in proceedings made more sense where Shanna was concerned. She gladly accepted a new glass of wine and made a mental note to contact the car rental in the morning. 
 “You know who you should ask about renting cars?” Scott asked. “Greg, of course! I bet he knows a guy who knows a guy who is the son of the guy that started Mercedes. Or something. Either that or he probably has shares in Hertz.” 
 Sarah rolled her eyes at him, laughing. He probably wasn’t wrong. 
 “OK there, brother. You need to ease up on the wine” Chris pushed Scott’s glass further away and patted him on the back. “There you go, little sis. Looks like you have a job after all.” 
 A clear sign of Chris’ irritation was when he chose to be patronising. Shanna was taken aback by his tone and Sarah felt her friend sink back into her chair, irritated. Sarah raised her eyebrow at him but all he did was shrug, playing innocent. Not his strong point. 
 The room stayed silent for a little while as people finished up their meals. As much as she originally wanted to pace herself, Sarah didn’t object when Scott filled her glass up yet again. He turned in his chair to place the empty bottle on the side table alongside the others. It was then that Sarah noticed all of the other empties. Had they really drunk that much? In little more than an hour? She clocked the time and there still seemed to be plenty of food left. They would be travelling much of it home as afters at this rate. Chris left the room briefly and returned with a couple of beers for him and Michael. 
 “What are you gonna do with all this left-over food, ma?” Chris asked as he sat back down indicating a second tray of roast potatoes that had so far gone untouched. 
 “Please don’t let us take any.” Sarah joked, holding her hands up in playful protest. 
 “What?” Scott asked before laughing. He looked at his sister before smiling broadly at Sarah as he watched her cheeks blush red. 
“Oh, she’s feeling self-conscious about her weight.” Shanna answered, nudging her under the table. That was helpful of her, thought Sarah. She could feel herself heating up as they all looked at her, waiting for her to speak up again. Chris took a swig of beer from his bottle and leaned his forearm on the table. 
“No way in hell are you fat, Sarah. That’s ridiculous.” Scott combatted. “You’re really trim, being on your feet all day. I’d love to give you my fit-bit some time. I’d probably gain a few thousand steps.” 
 Sarah laughed out loud. “Thank you, Scott. Can we please change the subject?” 
 “So, you’ll be wearing a two-piece, yeh?” Chris asked. She turned to look at him suddenly before chuckling nervously. 
 “Um, I have no idea yet. Are we even going to use the hot tub?” 
 “I won’t be.” Lisa laughed. 
 “Oh, we all definitely will! It’s the height of summer and that thing can fit a dozen people. Ample room for comfort!” Scott enthused. He should be a salesman. 
 “And it’d be a real shame if you didn’t join in, Bernette.” 
 She felt her skin heat up under Chris’ gaze as he attempted to hide the fact he was looking at her by taking another long swig from his beer bottle. “I’m not apologising for that by the way. As a man and your friend, I can say that and you can’t get mad at me.” 
 “What?” Scott asked. It was a valid question in the circumstances. “What a…weird thing to say.” Scott laughed a little uncomfortably but Chris didn’t break eye contact with Sarah. 
 “So,” Michael attempted to add some humour back into the room. “Bet it’s nice sleeping during the daytime now you’re on lates? I used to love lazing around the house when I did them.” 
 Scott nodded enthusiastically in agreement, slapping his hand on the table. “I remember night shoots on this one TV drama I did a few years ago and honestly, the sleep I got the next day was the best ever. I don’t know why but I always tend to sleep better in the daytime.” 
 “Funny, that’s what your teachers used to say.” Chris joked, swigging his beer. Lisa giggled and fondly touched her son’s elbow. 
 “Oh ha ha ha. You’re so funny. I swear if you’re this amusing this weekend, I might not survive my sides splitting open.” Scott rolled his eyes. “Which reminds me, we should figure out rooms now so there’s no fighting on the day. No way am I sharing with this idiot.” 
 “You only wanna do that ‘cos you know we’ll be there first and we will be bagsying the attic this time.” Shanna thumbed the space between her and Sarah. 
 “You don’t deserve the attic.” Chris pointed. “You’ll be half-cut the entire weekend, like last time. You won’t enjoy the space or the views.” 
 “Excuse me? What do you care?” Shanna retorted. 
 “You spent a whole day in bed with a hangover last time. If you’re gonna be sharing with Sarah, it’s not fair on her to have to look after you. Again. It’ll spoil her weekend as well.” He explained. “She deserves a break just as much as you do.” 
 Shanna looked aghast at her friend before regarding her brother again. She shook her head in disbelief. “I can handle my drink, OK? I was just gonna say that it wouldn’t be fair if Scott got that room all to himself. Especially if he’s on his own again.” 
 “Thanks sis.” 
 “Sorry, Scott. But…y’know. If anything, Mom should have it.” She suggested, looking towards her mother in hopes that she might appreciate the offer.
“Thanks sweetie but I’ll be staying in the guest house this time. With Carly, Mikey and the kids.” 
 “Since when?” Chris asked, surprised. 
 “We just figured it would be easier this time around. Plus, I can help with the kids and you guys can sort breakfast for us all. Get your pancake apron out again, hun.” She winked at him, sipping her wine. 
 “Chris is a great tosser.” Shanna said under her breath. 
 “Shanna….” Lisa nudged her. 
 “Wait, so does this mean we get a room each then?” Scott interrupted. He wasn’t even sure of what he was saying as the wine haze gradually descended over him. “Sarah?” 
 “I have absolutely no idea.” 
 “I’ve lost track of what’s going on now.” Scott said. 
 “That doesn’t answer the question of who gets the attic, though?” Shanna asked, a little whinier than she had intended. 
 “If Sarah and I take the downstairs rooms, we can figure out breakfast in the mornings.” Chris suggested. “And you can have your precious attic. That makes it easier, right? Does that make you happy, Shanna? Good.” 
 “What’s crawled up your ass and died this evening?” Shanna asked, irritated. 
“Oh my god, Shanna, it’s a fucking bedroom.” He practically spitted. “You keep dragging everything out and making everything into a bigger deal than it needs to be.” 
 “No, I’m not!” 
 “Yes, you are! I’m just making the decisions so we can all move the fuck on.” 
“Chris!” Lisa reprimanded her son and regretted over-ordering on the wine. 
 “It’s alright now.” Sarah attempted to calm things down. “I think we’ve pretty much figured it out so it’ll be fine.” Carly nodded and nudged Michael to offer something by way of support but he looked just as baffled by the tension as she did. 
 Chris landed his bottle on the table hard. “Sarah, you don’t need to keep standing up for her. She’s a big girl. She should be able to figure it out now without you babysitting her all the goddamn time.” 
 “What?!” Shanna also slammed her glass down on the table and looked to Scott and Carly for some back-up but they both seemed frozen to their respective spots. “I don’t need babysitting.” 
 “OK, guys. Dessert? I have pecan pie and or ice cream?” Lisa offered, standing up from her seat and making a shade more noise than necessary in the hope it might snap the kids out of whatever funk they were in. 
 Chris glared at his sister a beat too long and she returned the favour before turning away with a look of disgust. “You’re gonna be heaps of fun this weekend, I can tell.” Shanna shrugged. “Clearly, I’m not the one we need to be concerned with. Maybe it’s you that needs babysitting?” 
 “Fuck you!” Chris stressed, just low enough to miss his mother’s ears. 
Carly’s eyes grew wide in shock and for a second, Chris looked like he might apologise. Sarah reached a hand under the table to gently tap Shanna on her leg. Shanna felt it but didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, she leant on her elbow and rubbed her earlobe between her thumb and forefinger, a sure sign she was feeling upset and possibly trying to stop tears forming. Sarah tried to get Chris’ gaze back on her but he continued eying his sister, no apology yet materialising. He was a loose cannon when he was in this mood and she didn’t much want to stick around and find out what might happen if he downed another beer. 
 “We should probably think about heading home, Shan. I’ll check for an Uber.” Sarah stated. 
 “Don’t do that, I’ll give you a lift, hun. It won’t take long. We can have some pie and then go if you like.” Carly offered with a wink and for the first time that evening, Sarah noticed she hadn’t been drinking. 
 “Always looking out for you, aren’t we?” Chris said, lowly. 
 “Do you wanna calm down?” Shanna asked. 
 “I am calm.” Chris replied. “I’m just having a nice time, right? That’s what we’re all doing here, yeh? Sarah?” 
 “Sorry?” 
 “Are you having a good time?” He pressed. 
 She was sure he was leading her into a trap. 
 “I am OK. Sure.” She spoke each syllable carefully, trying to warn him off from whatever his motive was. 
 “I don’t believe you.” 
 She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, or anyone. She held her hands in her lap and paid attention to the air she was now breathing in deeply. 
 “Oh Jesus Christ!” Shanna called out. She was growing more and more frustrated with her brother by the second. 
 “Shanna!” intercepted Lisa. 
 “No! He’s being a dick and I wanna know why!” She turned back to Chris. “What the hell have I done to piss you off?!” 
 He stayed quiet, blocking her voice out. He focussed as much of his energy as he could at Sarah sitting across from him, willing her to look back at him, to let him know it was going to be OK. He swung between feeling regret and feeling practically and absurdly confident. It was the beer obviously. It really felt like a now-or-never moment. Fuck it. 
 “I’m sorry, Sarah.” 
 Sarah finally looked up at him, tears appearing in the corners of her eyes. Her feet felt like they were weighed down with concrete to the spot underneath. She tried to feel them, to grab at the carpet between her toes. She was pretty sure she could no longer hear what was going on around her as she felt her heart beat inside her ears. 
 “Why are you apologising to her? I’m the one that’s upset!” countered Shanna, jabbing her finger at him, aggressively. 
 He shook his head before looking back at his sister. “I’m sorry, Shanna. I wish there was a better way of saying this but I guess not. I’m just…” 
He paused as he tried to find the words. Sarah felt her heart sink. What felt like goosebumps suddenly appeared up and down her arms. Chris looked at her again. Scott looked at her, too, picking up on something for the first time but what, he couldn’t work out. Damn that second bottle. 
 “I’m just tired.” Chris offered. Carly looked to Michael but he knew nothing of what was happening. “Of this.” 
 “Is it work again?” Lisa enquired. “Maybe you could work in some time off this time around, so you’re not away from home for as long.” 
 “No, it’s not work, ma. I’m just tired in general. Of a lot of things. People.” He pronounced each syllable as clearly as he possibly could. “And I know it sounds pathetic and you’re probably thinking I’m being selfish but I really don’t fucking care.” 
 “I…I don’t understand, honey.” 
 “Yeh, what are you talking about?” Shanna turned to her friend but her stare wasn’t quite matched by Sarah who looked like she was waiting for the ground to swallow her whole. “Does anyone know what the hell he’s talking about? Or why I am in the firing line for it all of a sudden?” 
 “Shan, I don’t think-” Scott started but the glare from his sister stopped him in his tracks. Scott looked at Sarah and things started falling into place. For some reason, of all the memories to have at that moment in time, his mind flashed back to standing out on his brother’s terrace on the evening of his birthday party. Chris had been distracted and checking his phone, even more than usual so Scott was certain it had something to do with a girl. Normally, he’d feel a sense of pride at being right but it didn’t feel altogether appropriate in the current circumstances. 
 “What the hell is going on?” Shanna pressed. She looked to Scott who had his gaze fixed firmly on his brother. “Do you know, Scott?” 
 Scott looked to his brother and when Chris met his gaze, he knew. He knew Scott knew, too. Call it brotherly intuition but something had connected for him and Chris was all the more grateful for it. 
 “Do you ever feel tired or dictating everyone else’s happiness?” Chris asked, breaking the silence. 
 Shanna dropped her hands on her lap in frustration. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? When have I ever dictated your happiness?” 
 “Do you even realise what people do for you? Do you ever take notice of everyone around you, going out of their way to make you feel better even if it makes them feel worse? Take tonight for example. Sarah doesn’t even wanna drive this weekend. She fuckin’ hates it, you know this, but she’s doing it anyway so that you can feel useful. It’s pathetic.” 
 “What? You heard her, she just offered.” 
 “Because you’ve been moaning about not having anything to do! If you’d just moved on, shut up, she probably wouldn’t have needed to.” 
 “That’s not true. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Shanna dismissed him. 
 “Why don’t I get the car running and you guys can meet me outside in 5?” Carly proposed, indicating to Sarah that she should try and gather her things, Shanna included. 
 Chris completely ignored Carly. “And you’ve asked her what she wants, right?” 
“Chris, please…” It was pathetic. Sarah knew that. 
 “I just don’t get it, Sarah.” He turned to her with a half-hearted shrug. “I’ve thought about it all week but I just don’t understand what you are getting out of this. Surely, I give you more than this?” 
 “OK.” Lisa got up from the table and moved round to where Shanna was sitting, rubbing a hand across the back of her shoulders as though it was in preparation of something, but Shanna abruptly pushed her hand away. 
 “Sarah and I have been seeing each other. For a little while. A few months maybe, I lost track of time.” 
 Shanna’s jaw dropped. Scott should have felt something but after glancing at his mother stood in front of him on the other side of the table, and recognising the same look in her eyes, he stayed quiet. He saw Sarah close her eyes and figured someone should try and comfort her, too, but it was hard to know where to stand.
 Shanna found some strength to open her mouth a few times but no sound came out, until… “What?” 
 “You don’t need to worry, though. It’s over now.” He placed his bottle of beer on the table and leaned back. He placed his fingers on the edge, running them up and down the smooth, varnished wood. “She ended it by the way. Because she knew you wouldn’t be happy.” 
 Shanna’s mouth hung open, dry. “Is that true?” She turned to Sarah. “Were you with him?”
 “I just said so, didn’t I?” 
 “I wasn’t asking you!” 
 Chris wasn’t sure what he was hoping for in that moment. He looked at Sarah and felt sadness. Sadness at the pain evidently coursing through her body in that moment. She looked small and deflated somehow. He felt astonishingly sober, more’s the pity. He wished he could go to her and hold her but he knew it was the last thing she wanted. Probably what anyone would have wanted. It wouldn’t have helped matters and he wasn’t sure anything he could say now would do that job either. 
 Sarah took in an audible breath and looked at her friend. She blinked back the few tears that had gathered but it only seemed to make things worse. “I’m…sorry. I don’t know what to say.” 
 “I think I’ll just…” Michael pointed to the door and left the table as quickly as he could manage, no doubt to fill Carly in. 
 “Oh my God.” Shanna replied. She put her face in her hands and didn’t move. “I don’t believe this.” 
 Sarah looked beyond Shanna to Lisa who offered her a surprisingly reassuring smile that she was definitely not expecting. Did she feel grateful for it? She had zero clue. “I’m so sorry.” 
 “We don’t have anything to be sorry for, Sarah.” It was the gentlest tone Chris had spoken in all night. “Shan, I know it’s a lot to take in right now but you should know that this wasn’t just some fling or something utterly stupid. There’s a real thing here.” He looked to Sarah for reassurance. “Right?” 
 Sarah couldn’t look him in the eye. 
 “OK, I know I haven’t handled this in the best way-” 
 “-That’s an understatement.” Scott finally found his voice. 
 “-I accept that and for that, I am really sorry, I promise you. But you have to see things from my perspective here.” 
 “Chris, I don’t think that’s what needs to be said right now, OK? Your sister is very upset and I think you should maybe head home to sleep this off. Scott, can you...?” 
Scott nodded in agreement and left the room to grab both their jackets. 
 “Mom, this isn’t-” 
 “-I know.” She held her hand up to stop him. The less he said now, the better. At least until a few hours had been put between them. Chris, resigned, agreed. 
He looked at Sarah again hoping for something, anything, that might make him think things were going to be alright. Lisa noticed the plea in his eyes, practically begging her to look at him. 
“Sarah, sweetheart, you both can stay here tonight. I think we should probably be together for a bit, yeh?” 
 Sarah was flummoxed by the offer but grateful at the same time. She knew Shanna wouldn’t say anything to her if they just went home again, if she would even come back to their apartment at all. She’d shut her bedroom door and not emerge for some time and that would have driven her mad. She wanted to get out of there as fast as she could but…this was perhaps better. Safer. 
 It was going to be a long night. 
 *
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4birds-of-a-feather · 4 years ago
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Chapter 27 - Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight (when it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night) [part 5]
Birds Of a Feather
A bit late because we wanted to update on occasion of Jeff Ament’s birthday but it’s the thought that counts, right? ✨ Hope you’re gonna enjoy this, thanks for your patience!
(In the previous chapters: after Mike has made her reason, Layla has decided to finally do something about her crush on Eddie; Sara has been enjoying Demri’s company but her mood has been ruined by finding Jeff with another girl in what’s been her room for the last weeks; Stone has witnessed the entire scene and, after some failed attempts by Layla, is resolute to make Sara come out from the bathroom where she has locked herself up)
“There you are!” Eddie came up behind Layla’s back as she was chatting with a guy and a girl who told her they were going to be part of the band’s crew during their first actual tour. She had known for a while that the guys were about to leave to play some gigs outside Seattle but somehow she kept thinking about it as something happening in a much more distant future. Talking with the crew members she realized they were going to go to Canada in a little more than a week and, in less than a month, they’d be off to California. She was thinking about Eddie and the fact she’d be missing him and also that she and Sara would probably be back to their own apartment soon. When she heard him call her she got startled because it was like her thoughts materialized right there beside her. She turned around and saw him standing there, holding two glasses of what looked like red wine, lips curled up in a kind of goofy smile “Did I scare you?” “Hehe no, I just didn’t hear you coming” she awkwardly replied and took one of the glasses from his hands. <It’s a party, it’s loud, you’re not supposed to hear anything, you didn’t need to point that out> “Wine! Good idea! Hey Smitty, let’s go get some for the midnight toast as well” the girl told her friend as they exchanged an obvious look. “I’ve been doing toasts with Cready the whole evening, I can’t miss the big one. By the way, where is he?” “No idea, let’s go find him” she dragged him out of the way and left Eddie and Layla alone. “So…” Layla smiled at him and started to talk but didn’t know how to continue and hoped he would say something to fill the however pleasurable silence. “So… what about Sara? Where is she?” Eddie thought that if Layla wasn’t right outside that door anymore then things must have been settled. “Oh. She’s still in there, with Stone. He’s trying to talk her into starting the new year in a room that’s not the bathroom” she shrugged and took a sip. “Stone? And why did you leave it to Stone to solve the mystery?” the singer asked suspiciously, since he knew the two girls were inseparable and Layla sounded weirdly annoyed all of a sudden. For a fleeting moment he thought she could be jealous but immediately laughed at the idea. “He confessed he was the one who made her upset” “It’s Stone’s fault then? It’s always Stone’s fault”  “He told her Scorsese is overrated and you know she’s a little touchy on the movie department” “Ouch! Yeah, hehe, I guessed. So, she likes Coppola and Scorsese too” Eddie tilted his head like he was assigning new interesting information to his memory and drank some wine while the girl stopped right before drinking. “How do you know she likes Coppola?”  “Oh well, ehm, because… because she said it. Not like she told me directly but I think I heard her mentioning him a couple of times”  “I see…” “IT’S ALMOST MIDNIGHT, YOU FUCKERS! GO AND GET YOURSELF SOMEONE AND CHOOSE CAREFULLY WHO YOU WANT TO ENTER THE NEW YEAR WITH!” Cornell turned down the music for a second to yell his announcement, then turned it up straight away. Eddie and Layla turned their heads to watch Chris just like everybody else in the room and, when the music was back on and their eyes met, the awkward silence was back on. “Err, any particular New Year’s Eve’s tradition in France?” Eddie mentally kicked himself as he spoke.  <What the fuck did I just say??> “Oh, well, yeah, there are many traditions for nouvel an” she answered, taken aback by the question. “I’m all ears”  “Well, people usually go to the réveillon, that is the New Year’s Eve party, all dressed up for the special occasion” “And I see you respected the tradition perfectly” the guy was feeling he was making a fool of himself with Layla but couldn’t help it. “Thanks. Mmm and well, to ring in 1991 the French way the wine in our glasses should be sparkly but I prefer red so I can make an exception” “I prefer red too” Eddie was thinking less about the wine he was drinking and more about the color of Layla’s top.  “And, you know, at the stroke of midnight… everybody wish each other a happy new year and kiss” “Lovers kissing at midnight is a tradition that goes beyond borders, I guess” he watched as couples were starting to appear all around them and felt the urge to drink a little more. “But it’s not about lovers only, everybody kisses everybody”  “WHA-” “... On the cheeks” “Ah!” “Hehe, lovers usually s’embrassent sous le gui” Layla added giggling at Eddie’s funny face. “That is…? They kiss… like idiots?” “They kiss under the mistletoe” she explained. “Isn’t that on Christmas?” “In France it’s a New Year’s Eve thing” she drank up what was left of her glass of wine and realized she hadn’t thought about putting any mistletoe branch in the apartment.  <It wouldn’t have made any difference but…> “No mistletoe here though” Eddie said, almost mirroring her thoughts. “And no lovers either. At least, on my part” she sighed as she scanned the living room and noticed people already kissing without the need to wait for midnight or to have mistletoe hanging over their heads. “Same for me” their eyes met again and totally unexpectedly they both burst out laughing at the same time. “We’re such losers” Layla stated as she was catching her breath. “We can always enter the new year kissing each other’s cheek like the losers we are” “Agreed!” Layla and Eddie shook hands “But being losers, we also need more wine to enter 1991 properly” “Your wish is my command, Miss Boulais” he offered her his arm and she gladly took it as they made their way together to the drinks table.
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“You’ve been too harsh with Mike, Gossrad… I would have suggested my ex-apartment but the plumbing is fucked up, just like the electrical system and everything else” “No worries, I’m sure he has already charmed one of your neighbors – it’s a quality I envy him, to be honest” the guitarist sighed “C’mon, Sara, let me in” “I wanna be alone, is that such a hard concept to grasp? I hate New Year’s Eve, this is my normal mood for this day” “But you were totally fine before… has something happened to you?” “Well, I’m a great actress whose strongest suit is feigning happiness… now, seriously, nothing has happened: you must leave me alone, please”  He couldn’t see her but the way she had just said that last word struck something within him. “Scirea” “... what did you say?”   “I said Scirea, you fool!” “No, you mangled that word, you big fuckin’ idiot!” the girl almost growled “And that was a low blow, you shouldn’t have said it” “Desperate times call for desperate measures… C’mon, now you have to let me in, you can’t go back on your word” “I can’t believe you still remember it after all these years…” “I know, right? It’s just a code word that forces one of us to do whatever the other one wants, nothing remarkable”  “Just like your pronunciation, genius” she quickly retorted, making Stone snort. “So? What are you waiting for?” “You know you just blew the chance to use it for the rest of the year, right?” “Well, according to my watch I can survive this: it’s a quarter to midnight, after all” “Suit yourself,” Sara declared, finally peeping out from a crack in the door that she had just cautiously opened “but next year I’ll have two free passes to the word and it’s mandatory, ok?” “Deal” he smiled at her and followed her inside the room, then closed the door behind them. 
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“Hey, what time is it?” he heard the question as if it was coming from a distant voice but it actually came from the person right beside him. It was probably due to the loud music playing at the party but mostly to the fact that his mind was somewhere else, just like his eyes, which were searching through the crowd in the living room. At some point he looked further ahead through the foil curtain and noticed some kind of commotion near the bathroom. He clearly saw Eddie and Layla leave one after the other. Then the bathroom door opened once again and someone let Stone in. He didn’t see who was inside, but caught a glimpse of a blue silhouette and didn’t like it at all. “Jeff?? Are you deaf?” “Huh?” he immediately came back from his frozen zoned-out state and looked at the blonde right next to him, who was giving him both a perplexed and amused glance “... It’s almost 1991, I guess”
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“You know he died, right?” “Who?” Stone shifted in his seat, turning to look at the girl. They were both sitting on the floor, with their backs leaning against the door. “Scirea… last year, in a car accident” “Oh, I didn’t know” “Yeah, you never were a big soccer fan” Sara hugged herself “It’s a pity, he surely deserved much more fame” She then kept on rambling about his fate, what had caused his death, what kind of a job he was doing for Juventus and God knows what else; Stone couldn’t care less about soccer, that was true, but he listened to every single word without interrupting her: if babbling about deceased soccer champions kept her from wallowing in her own misery, he wouldn’t mind spending the next hours listening to her. Not at all. 
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“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me??” Steve shook his head as he watched Layla and Eddie laugh together straight in front of him; in the meantime, somebody else was sitting near him and singing to himself. “When I was young, I never needed anyone…” “I can’t believe she hasn’t been single in like forever and now that I gave up putting the moves on her she’s fuckin’ single, for fuck’s sake?!” “And making love was just for fun…” “Oh shut up Elias, you’re probably still a virgin!” someone shouted behind the guy, who kept getting more and more dramatic and louder in his solo performance. “Those days are gone…” “And she’s already hooking up with some other guy – I mean, so much for being a devoted girlfriend” “Living alone, I think of all the friends I’ve known…” Elias drunkenly went on and put a hand on Steve’s shoulder. “I’m not your friend, man” “But I’m everything you’ve got left so I wouldn’t be so rude, you know?” Elias retorted really quickly before singing again “When I dial the telephone, nobody’s home” “You don’t even have a phone anymore, Dave said you forgot to pay the bill!” Matt said passing him by.  The red haired guy just gave him the middle finger and screamed at the top of his lungs: “ALL BY MYSEEEEEELF” “Oh, Jesus Christ” Steve facepalmed while everybody in the room looked at Elias and laughed. “DON’T WANNA BE ALL BY MYSELF ANYMORE” “I can’t believe even Lukin scored someone and I’m stuck here with you” he pointed at the couch where his bandmate was busy tongue-wrestling a goth girl. “UH! I LOVE THIS SONG!” Layla yelled out of nowhere and for a second the guitarist thought she was referring to Elias’ rendition but then he realized she meant the song by The Church that had just come up from the big stereo in the living room. She was dragging Eddie towards the center of the room when Elias tapped Steve on his shoulder. “Shall we dance?” he asked with a hiccup. “... I need a fuckin’ drink”
♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️♣♦️
Sometimes, when this place gets kind of empty Sound of their breath fades with the light
“This song…” “It was Layla’s idea, she specifically requested it” “Typical El: she has good taste in music but lacks some ability in the mixtape department… I hope she hasn’t asked you to put on some Dylan or Cohen as well” “Hell, that would spoil the party” “Lambada, on the other hand… no contest, c’mon” Sara exclaimed in a theatrical way, making the guitarist sneer. “Admit it, I brightened your whole evening!” “More like ruined it, champ” “Don’t think you can fool me, missy; I saw you before, when you were rambling on some astrological bullshit with Demri: you were practically grinning from ear to ear” “I told you, I’m a fairly good actress”
I think about the loveless fascination
“Jeez, Sara, is it so hard for you to just admit you were perfectly fine before? And then something happened – and you don’t wanna tell me what it was exactly – and-” he gesticulated, pointing out the bathroom and her “and you ended up here, all alone during New Year’s Eve” “I told ya, this is normal for me… I don’t enjoy New Year’s Eve and hate parties, so put the two together and you end up with my archnemesis” she shrugged, but wasn’t able to meet his gaze. “You’re impossible! I saw you running in here, ok?! I saw you and I’m still doing it right now, when nobody else is giving a shit about you!” he blurted out, and she was taken aback. “What the fuck do you mean?? What, you saw me having a mental breakdown and want me to thank you because you ran here like a knight in shining armor?! Fuck off, Stone! Just what am I supposed to do to make y’all understand you have to leave me alone?! Tell me, what-” the girl stopped because she felt her voice already quivering. <Fuckin’ great, Fancini! Have yourself a good cry, given how it’s been hours since you last cried your eyes out! And do it in front of somebody who probably still appreciated you and now will lose all the respect he had for you! Great fuckin’ job, you outdid yourself> “Hey… hey, it’s ok” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder, but she pulled back. “Nothing’s ok, understood? Nothing! And it’s all because he...” she finally sobbed, her eyes immediately watering like they had wanted to do ever since she had turned that goddamn light on.  <... ever since that July afternoon>
Under the Milky Way tonight
“Forget about him, ok? Let’s not talk about him” the guy kept on babbling. “How… how can you ask me to forget him?” she snapped out of it and recoiled, shooting him a glance full of both desperation and disgust for what he had just said. “Ok, then you don’t have to forget him,” he rolled his eyes, mustering all the patience he could “but we can talk about someone more important – you” “Me? More important? What’s that supposed to mean?”  “It means that you’ll stay silent and I’ll say every single thing that makes you awesome and hopefully you won’t feel like shit anymore” “Then you can cut it out already, there’s nothing you can say that can make me feel better” the girl hid her face between her knees, hugging her legs “And it would only be a waste of time, I haven’t done a single positive thing in years… I’m just tired, I wanna be alone”  
Lower the curtain down on Memphis Lower the curtain down, alright
“You’re so articulate and well-spoken it honestly puts to shame a lot of men who think you aren’t worthy of their time, and somebody should seriously tell ‘em it’s actually them who don’t deserve to waste your time” the guitarist cleared his throat, then resumed speaking without looking at her “The way your mind works… you can have a conversation about everything, there isn’t a single topic you can’t tackle – and yeah, I’m talking about science too: you may have been terrible at it in school, but outside? Whenever the newspaper had a story on the latest scientific discovery, you were always the first of us to know it” He heard her sniffle quietly and took her silence as a sign to keep on going.
I got no time for private consultation
“You’re always unapologetically yourself, for better or worse; you stand up for yourself and the ones you love, but also for people you don’t know at all – hell, you must be the bravest person I know” he heaved a sigh, his eyes never leaving the tile they had been staring at for the past five minutes “You’re a force to be reckoned with, truly you are… and I know you always carry some snacks in your backpack so you can feed stray cats – a shitty person doesn’t do that” At those words the girl raised her head immediately and looked at him with wide eyes: “How…?”
Under the Milky Way tonight
“Five years ago… every time a Queen song came on the radio, I used to think of you and what you might be doing in Florence: were you still attending gigs? Did you speak Italian with an American accent, just like you spoke English with an Italian accent? Did you still fly into a rage if anybody said that Hot Space was a shitty album?” he had ignored her previous question, but now finally found the courage to turn and look her in the eye “Did you still have that half dimple when you smiled all embarrassed? You know that kind of smile, the tight-lipped one”
Wish I knew what you were looking for
“Please, don’t look at me!” Sara immediately turned away, almost shrieking “I’m a monster: I have a runny nose and I’m sure my make-up is all smudged” The guitarist put his hands on her shoulders and made her face him again, then started to wipe her nose with some toilet paper. “... I look like a fucked-up panda, don’t I?” she muttered after a while, finally regaining her voice. “You just have a nose as cute as a button and as red as the one of a certain reindeer, the rest is just like it was before… oops, except for the eyes” “What? What is it?? They’re red, aren’t they?? Fuck, I’m not ready to say goodbye to my reputation as a badas-” “They’re shining, brat” he poked her nose with his index “Crying apparently suits you, but I’d appreciate it if in the future it’ll happen because you’re laughing too much” “Oh, shush” she pouted and shoved him, making him chuckle because avoiding her pushes was becoming increasingly harder but, most of all, because her half dimple had just appeared on the right corner of her mouth.  
Might have known what you would find
After a while Stone was finally able to stop her, taking her hands in his without looking away.  “Ever since I’ve known you, the ending of Chaplin’s City Lights has been able to move me, because before I didn’t understand it… I had never experienced what the Tramp goes through with the flower girl” he sighed and gave her a sad smile, slightly squeezing her hands “I don’t get tired of you the way I get tired of other people”
And it’s something quite peculiar Something shimmering and white
“Stone, what-what are you trying to tell me?” the girl looked quizzically at him but squeezed back his hands. “I don’t know,” he raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear “what do you think it is?” 
It leads you here, despite your destination
Neither of them could tell who had been the first one to move, but now Sara was straddling him and he was holding her face in his hands and they were kissing – heavily. She could still hear the song faintly playing in the background, but all she could focus on right now was how Stone had been looking at her, the feeling of his lips against her own and the way he was still holding her, like she was the most precious thing he had ever laid eyes on. She touched his cheek and felt it was smooth, almost boyish (not strong and stubbly as the one she would have liked to stroke), and the realization made her angry; she instinctively proceeded to run her fingers through his hair, eliciting a moan from him, and pictured a pair of hazel eyes behind her eyelids that turned immediately into green ones. She shut her eyes with all her might until all she could see were lazy stars, then dizzily abandoned herself to passion, as if she were living somebody else’s life. 
Under the Milky Way tonight
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me-myself-and-my-fos · 3 years ago
Text
Promise Rings
Pairing: Mycroft Holmes x Nicole Blake
Word Count: 2k
Summary: Nicole has a surprise for Mycroft
A/N: Two Mycroft fics in one day??? I had to write this, I love the idea so much. Once again a big thank you to @thatghoulboi for helping me with the idea!
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Climbing up the steps of 221B, Nicole held the small Tupperware container of oatmeal raisin cookies tightly in her hands. It was customary at this point that every time she arrived at the flat she would bring some type of baked good. John enjoyed it, he actually had something to eat because of that. The fridge only ever seemed to be in use for Sherlock’s experiments. Speaking of the detective…
“Hey boys,” Nicole greeted when she reached their flat. Before John could greet her, she handed him the container of cookies.
His eyes lit up a little. “Ooh, biscuits. Thank you, Nicole,” he told her as he took them into the kitchen.
She shook her head and laughed at his reaction before looking at Sherlock who was on his laptop. “I need a favor from you. So I–”
“You’re going to propose to Mycroft,” Sherlock practically announced.
Her face grew bright red as her hand reached into her coat pocket. “What? No! I’m not proposing.” She gripped the ring box in her pocket.
“Good, neither of you are ready for it anyway,” Sherlock told her.
“Excuse me?” Nicole snapped. She shook her head. “I’m going to forget you said that.” Pulling out the ring box, she stepped over to the desk and opened it. Inside were two different sized gold rings, one intended for her and the other for Mycroft. “I’m not proposing, I’m–”
“Are those rings?” John asked, walking out of the kitchen with a cookie in each hand.
“Yes,” Nicole huffed in frustration, eyes trained on Sherlock. “These are promise rings. I need to hide these in your flat.”
“Why here?” Sherlock asked, finally looking over. He silently accepted the cookie offered by John.
“Because Mycroft knows me too well and he’ll know if I’ve hidden something in the house. It’ll ruin the surprise! I know he won’t look for it but what if he finds them like he did his birthday gift?” Nicole explained.
“Hiding it under the bed was dreadfully obvious though. It’s an easy to find hiding spot, so simple even Mycroft could find it. Which he did.” Sherlock took a bite of the cookie.
Nicole glared at him before closing the ring box. “I’m not asking you to keep them forever. Just until I can figure out the perfect way to give them to him. Please, guys?”
“I don’t think it’ll be a problem,” John told her. He held out his hand and she placed the ring box in his palm. “I can hide them after you leave so you don’t have to worry about knowing where they are.”
“I’d appreciate that so much!” Nicole grinned, reaching up to pat his cheek. “Thanks John!”
“What do the engravings say?” Sherlock asked her, attention back on his computer.
“It’s–it’s just our initials.” She replied. She hated when he deduced stuff in front of her. She’d never get used to it.
Sherlock hummed at the answer. “Figures. You’re sentimental like that.” He popped the last bite of the cookie in his mouth.
Nicole rolled her eyes. “Just please don’t tell Mycroft about the rings.” She headed for the stairs before calling over her shoulder. “Oh, and next time I’ll bring a variety of cookies!”
“Oh, yes please,” John smiled as she disappeared down the stairs.
It was a month before Nicole knew how she wanted to surprise Mycroft. In that time it was obvious her mind was preoccupied, that she was stressed over something. Mycroft wasn’t sure what, and any time he asked her about the strange behavior she’d brush it off, saying she was just trying to meet her deadline. That wasn’t a complete lie, she did have a deadline coming up. But it wasn’t the cause of her stress.
It was late at night, well past midnight, when Nicole realized what she was going to do to surprise him. Mycroft had been asleep in bed beside her, and carefully without waking him, she pulled her phone from the drawer of her bedside table and unlocked it. She immediately texted Sherlock, letting him know that she was stopping by the flat to pick up the rings as soon as Mycroft left for work in the morning. She also informed Sherlock that she might need his help keeping Mycroft occupied. Nicole didn’t wait for a response as she set the phone back in the drawer and closed it before settling down to go to sleep.
When the morning came, the routine went as usual. Well, almost.
Mycroft had been surprised when Nicole jumped into the shower along with him, typically she didn’t shower until mid-day if she had nowhere to go, or in the afternoon after dinner. A morning shower was odd. But she claimed to want to get it out of the way and that she was going to the store after he left for work—ingredients for a new dish she wanted to try out.
After the shower was breakfast. Now that went by normally. When breakfast was finished and it was nearing 7am, Nicole gave Mycroft a kiss goodbye and watched him leave for work. She waited 10 minutes before calling a taxi and heading to Bakerstreet.
Arriving at 221B, Nicole asked John for the ring box. He happily left to grab it from his bedroom while Nicole focused her attention on Sherlock.
“I’m going to need your help,” she explained, sitting in John’s chair across from Sherlock. “I need you to keep Mycroft busy this afternoon.”
“For how long?” Sherlock asked.
“Until I’m ready with the surprise. I’ll text you and let you know. Just do anything to keep him from coming home.” She said as John walked back into the room. He handed her the ring box as she stood, and Nicole placed it in her pocket. Thanking John, she looked back at Sherlock. “For once, I’m asking you to be his annoying little brother who knows how to inconvenience him.”
A smirk came over Sherlock when she said that. “Oh this will be fun.”
After getting everything she needed at the store, Nicole came home and hid the ring box in a kitchen drawer for safe keeping. Then her plan began.
First was the cake. It was just a plain yellow cake, but icing it was going to take longer than she wanted so she started with the cake. By the time the cake was finished, it was close to 10am. She set it on the counter island to cool before looking up the recipe she had selected for dinner. She studied it over lunch, taking in every last detail so it would be perfect. When she finished lunch, she took the icing and iced the cake. It was simple, chocolate icing between the 3 layers and vanilla icing on top. It took a while, but once the cake was fully iced Nicole put it in the fridge. When she noticed the time was just past 5pm, she texted Sherlock to start distracting Mycroft. She wasn’t sure how well it would work, but she knew Sherlock wouldn’t leave his brother alone so easily.
Making dinner was the difficult part in Nicole’s opinion. It seemed simple on paper but she was nervous about messing it up. It was shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and a cream sauce. Hardly simple in practice, but she persevered through it. Her hair had been tied back in a short ponytail and she practically danced through the kitchen grabbing ingredients or utensils needed. When she knew she could be ready before Mycroft would get home, she texted Sherlock and let him know his job was over. That was a little after 6pm.
Rushing upstairs to get changed, Nicole wondered how badly Sherlock annoyed Mycroft. She hoped he wasn’t in too bad of a mood. Once changed into the green dress she wore on their first date, the dress she knew Mycroft loved to see her wear, she rushed back down to the kitchen. She plated the meals, even setting out a basket of bread rolls she had made the day prior. She poured two glasses of water for them both, and Nicole knew where Mycroft kept the bottle of wine for special occasions. She didn’t drink, but she got out a wine glass and poured him some. Once the table was set, she rushed to the hallway and waited near the front door for Mycroft to come home.
She didn’t have to wait too long, however, as within a few minutes she heard the door unlock and watched silently as he entered the house.
“I’m sorry for being late, dear. I had to deal with my brother—he took my bloody phone,” Mycroft rambled as he pulled off his coat and set down his umbrella. When he finally looked at her, he was surprised to see her dressed up.
She smiled softly at him. “I hope Sherlock didn’t bother you too much. I just needed him to distract you until I was ready.”
Mycroft furrowed his brows as she walked towards him. “Ready for what?”
Nicole stopped in front of him and took his hand in hers, leading him to the dining room. Teasingly she replied, “I thought you knew everything, darling. You haven’t deduced it yet?”
He hummed in thought. “You have news.”
She lifted his hand up and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “That comes after dinner.”
“Later then,” he nodded.
Leading him to the dining room, Mycroft was surprised and delighted to see the dinner on the table. She pressed another kiss to his hand before they took their seats. Dinner went by slowly, but neither minded. It was nice to be in each other’s presence, discussing how their days went. A comforting silence fell over the couple, and when the meals were finished Nicole could feel the knot in her stomach. She took the empty plates to the kitchen, pushing Mycroft gently back into his seat when he insisted on helping.
“I have something for you,” she told him, her voice a little shaky with nerves.
He sat patiently and waited for her to come back. Nicole put the plates in the sink before getting the ring box from the drawer and heading back to the dining room. She took her seat once again and slowly set the ring box down on the table. Carefully she opened it to reveal the rings.
Nervously she cleared her throat. “I wanted something to show our commitment to each other.” She watched Mycroft’s face for a reaction, her leg anxiously bouncing under the table.
He raised a brow. “Promise rings?”
The indifference in his voice made her even more nervous. She jumped into a rambling explanation behind her decision.
“I thought they would be nice to have since we’re sort of in that in-between stage of the relationship where we’ve been together for a while and are obviously committed, but not ready for marriage yet. So I just thought they would be a nice way of showing our dedication to the relationship and each other. You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to, or if you think it’s silly we can forget the whole thing entirely.”
He took her hand gently and smiled softly. “Nicole, this is a lovely, thoughtful gesture, and I will gladly wear it.”
She squeezed his hand for a moment before pulling away to take out the ring intended for him. “Which hand do you want it on? Do you want me to put it on you or is that too sappy?”
Mycroft shook his head and held out his left hand for her. She gently slipped the ring onto his ring finger before giving him her left hand and allowing him to do the same. Once the ring was on, he squeezed her hand gently. Nicole squeezed back, a loving grin on her face.
“I love you, Mycroft.”
He pulled her in gently and kissed her. “I love you too.”
After a moment of sitting there, something dawned on her. “What if people mistake these for wedding rings?” She asked.
“Then let them,” he replied.
Nicole gave him a shy smile and kissed him softly. “Do you want some dessert?”
Mycroft hummed against her lips. “I wouldn’t mind some.”
“I’ll go get a slice of cake then, darling,” she told him as she stood. Pressing a kiss to his temple, she left to get a slice of cake for them to share.
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hidden-otaku-stuff · 4 years ago
Text
A Winged Wing-man
Tw: Owl puns
Word count: 4.1k Pairing: Bokuto x reader Genre: fluff
AN: It’s officially Sept 20th here! Happy birthday to the softest boy Bokuto!
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“Finally, you’re all here.” Meian sighed, looking up as Atsumu and Bokuto slid into the conference room.
“Sorry Captain,” Bokuto said sheepishly. The two had been on his morning run and had forgotten about the meeting. Atsumu just grinned and waved to his team-mates. Sakusa rolled his eyes, twirling a pen in his fingers. 
Meian cleared his throat, standing up. “Alright, now that we’re all here,” he shoots the late duo a look, “our PR manager wanted me to make an announcement on his behalf.” Meian opened the leather padfolio that he had been given. “Apparently, we’ve been having a bit of difficulty getting people into the audience during week-days.” At this, his team-mates started protesting and letting out exclamations of shock. Silencing them with a look, Meian continues. “It’s not that people aren’t interested, but there are still quite a bit of empty seats. So, they’ve decided to start implementing themed nights during our week-day home games in order to encourage more community members to come out, especially community members with children.”
“That’s so cool!” Hinata gasped, looking between his team-mates. “What type of themes are they thinking about?”
“Will they put Atsumu back in the mascot uniform?” Sakusa snickered, smirking at the setter.
“Yeah! He looked so good in it,” Hinata added, grining. 
Atsumu rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as they leaned back. “Why, too scared I’ll steal all your fans, Oomi-oomi?”  
“No, I just didn’t want to look at your face and subject others to that.” 
“Enough!” Meian scolded them. Atsumu crosses his arms, pouting slightly. 
“Sorry,” he muttered meekly. 
Meian pinches his nose. “I don’t think there are plans to put Atsumu back in the mascot uniform nor should he. We need him on the court for god’s sake.” Meian scans the list in front of him. “Apparently the first night they have planned is a...Harry Potter night?” 
“What does that mean?” Hinata tilts his head, glancing between the captain and his team-mates.
Meian’s brows furrows. “Well, they’ll be doing bobble-head giveaways. Apparently they’ll have bobble-heads of us in Quidditch robes on broomsticks as the give-away.” Meian snorts, guessing that’s another photo-shoot they’ll need to attend. He reads more. “Oh. And they’ll be bringing animals to the game.”
“Animals?” Sakusa’s brow furrowed as his expression darkened. Why the hell would there be animals at their arena? He shivers at the prospect. 
Meian nods. “Yep. They’re planning on having one of the local wildlife sanctuaries come out and bring some owls and other animals for the community members to meet.”
“Owls?!” Bokuto grinned, bouncing in his chair. Just another reason to look forward to their next game. 
*****
Akaashi entered the familiar hall, eyes blinking with shock at the sudden darkness. The room had been transformed into a dark chamber. One male was holding a yellow snake in his hand, letting it wrap around his fingers and his wrist as he talked to some children. He was wearing Slytherin robes while a girl wearing Hufflepuff robes had a small brownish owl on her hand. Besides them, stood a girl wearing Gryffindor robes holding a massive brown and white-spotted owl. His eyebrows raised in recognition. 
“(Name)?”
“Oh my gosh, Akaashi?” You turn, beaming as your robes flapped around. “How are you?” The owl on your arm flapped his wings before preening his left wing. You walk towards him, letting the family crowd around the Hufflepuff.  
“I’m good, how have you been?” Akaashi stops a few feet away, tilting his head. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
You grin, lifting your arm higher. “Yep! Just working.” You glance around. “You here alone?”
Akaashi offers you a smile. “For now. My best friend is one of the players.” 
After tapping your chin, you snapped as the glimmer of recognition flooded your eyes. “Right! Bokuto, right?” 
Akaashi nods. “Yes, that’s him.” He eyes the owl on your arm hesitantly.
“You can come closer if you’d like. He won’t nip ya if that’s what you’re afraid of.” You extend your arm. Kabuki ruffled his feathers, eyeing Akaashi with disinterest. Akaashi hesitantly took a few steps closer, watching the owl. “This is Kabuki.”
“What type of owl is he?” In the back of his mind a picture of a great horned owl flashed, but Akaashi could tell that this was a different type.
“Kabuki here is a spotted eagle owl.” You grin. Kabuki’s head swiveled around, fixing you with a hard stare. 
“Ah. He looks very similar to a great horned owl.”
“Ah yeah, they do tend to look similar visually! But spotted eagle owls are typically smaller and actually originate from Africa whereas the great horned owl originate from the Americas.” Kabuki turned back to stare at Akaashi unblinkingly. A shiver ran up his spine. He was relieved when his phone vibrated. 
“The game is starting soon, I should go.”
“Oh! Yes, you definitely should.” You offer him one last smile. “It was nice to see you again, Akaashi. Let’s catch up soon, yeah?”
“Yeah, that’d be nice.” With a final wave, Akaashi disappeared out the door. As he made his way to his seat, he couldn’t help the smile that overtook his features. Bokuto would love this. 
****
“Oh wow!” Bokuto’s jaw dropped, excitement pulsing through him at Akaashi’s description. “Thank you so much for coming with me, Akaashi!” He grins at his former team-mate as they head towards the exhibition hall.
“You better hurry, Bokuto-san. They might be closing up now that the game is over.” Bokuto nodded, cursing slightly. He would’ve been there already but he had been stopped by reporters for interviews. The males sped-walked over to the hall where the exhibits were. The door slams open. By now, the Hufflepuff and Slytherin were packing up the other animals. You were still standing there, Kabuki on your arm as you cheerfully chatted with them. The owl on your arm swiveled his head, hooting and flapping his wings. 
You turn your head, looking at the door and smiling as you wave. “Hey Akaashi! Is this your friend?”
You all walk towards each other. “Yes. (Name), this is Bokuto-san, the friend I was telling you about.”
You do a little bow. “Akaashi used to talk about you all the time, Bokuto-sehsu.” The owl swiveled his head to stare at you with unblinking pale yellow eyes. Bokuto was quivering with excitement as he inches closer, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “You can come closer if you’d like, Bokuto-san. Just, please don’t run or be overly excited. You might spook Kabuki.” 
Bokuto nods aggressively, taking a deep breath before he makes his approach. Akaashi stands back, not particularly interested in getting close to the owl. His gunmetal blue eyes gazes fondly as Bokuto gets even closer before he shifts his gaze to your coworkers. “Are you supposed to be cleaning up now, (Name)?” 
You nod. “Yeah, we were supposed to have been packed up and ready to go a few minutes ago.” Bokuto looked so disappointed that you hastily added, “But I don’t mind a few extra minutes to chat! Anything for a friend.” 
At your words, Bokuto visibly perks up. “Thank you so much,” he gushes. Kabuki begins staring at him now, ruffling his feathers as he stepped out further down your arm. “What type of owl is he?”
You clear your throat, gazing fondly at the owl. “This is Kabuki. He is a spotted eagle owl or the Bubo africanus. They’re also known as the African Eagle Owl since they are typically found in Southern Africa.” Kabuki lets out a loud hoo-hoooo, stretching one of his clawed talons as he puffs out his chest importantly. You roll your eyes, knowing that the owl was just trying to show off. Pale yellow eyes pierce golden as they begin staring at one another. “Ah, you shouldn’t do that.” 
“Why?” 
“Staring contests with animals in general can be seen as an act of aggression,” you explain. “So unless you want to potentially ruffle his feathers - so to speak - I’d suggest you avoid that.”  
Bokuto nods, a thoughtful expression on his face as his gaze shifts to your arm. “Is he heavy?”
“Not particularly! They only get up to 2 lbs at the most, but it can get tiring holding him up for so long.” You flex your other arms, grinning. “But it’s definitely a good workout!”     
“Would it be possible for me to hold Kabuki?” 
Your smile softens as your voice lowers. “Sorry, Bokuto-sehsu. You have to pass our raptor training or prove that you have experience handling raptors before you’re allowed to handle any of our birds.” 
This time, his face completely drops. “Your sanctuary has classes available right, (Name)?” Akaashi interrupts hastily.
You look back at your former classmate as you coax Kabuki back into his crate. Kabuki narrows his eyes slightly before hopping in. “We do.” 
Bokuto perked up. “Can I sign up for those then?” 
“Sure!” You dig into your robe pocket, pulling out a business card. “Our website is on there, but feel free to call me tomorrow around 11. I’ll be able to handle your registration and all of that.” 
“Thank you so much (Name)!”
“Oi, (Name). We gotta start heading back to work.” 
“Ah, that’s me. I’ll see you guys around. Let’s get lunch sometime, Akaashi!” You wave at them. “Hope to hear from you tomorrow, Bokuto-sehsu.” With one final wave and smile, you head to the exit to meet your coworkers. 
****
“Hey Bokuto-sehsu!” You greet him with a wide smile. “Ready to start your training?” He nods eagerly, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Awesome, there’s a lot of classes you need to undergo before you’re allowed to handle the raptors themselves, ok?” Another nod as his head swivels back and forth, taking in the sights of your sanctuary. “Awesome, so we’re actually going to start off in Raptor 101.” 
“What will we cover in that class?” Bokuto asks as you lead him down the hall towards the classrooms. 
“We’ll talk about the anatomy, diets, behaviours, and special adaptations to the various types of raptors,” you explain. “This won’t be a one-on-one class though. Since there’s a lot of rudimentary content, you’ll be taught in a classroom setting and be required to pass tests in order to move on to the next stage.”
“Wait what does rudimentary mean?”
“It means ‘basic’. Another word you could use is ‘introductory’.” 
Bokuto hums, mulling over your words carefully. “Wait...a test?”
“Yeah, we want to make sure that you’re fully knowledgeable before you’re allowed to handle any of them.” You glance over at him as he chews on his bottom lip. “You’ll be okay, Bo. I know you will be. You seem really passionate about the subject, and passion makes the subject matter much easier.”
He brightens up, nodding. “That’s true.” You open the door, stepping in. “Will you be the instructor for this class?’
“Yep! This is one of my favorite classes to teach,” you beam. “It helps as practice for when we go visit schools and stuff.” 
“That makes sense.” 
You gesture to the room, “please feel free to take a seat anywhere. We’re a few minutes early so I’ll wait for the rest of the students to enter before I begin.” A few other adults files into the classroom, taking a seat around Bokuto who had chosen one directly in the front center. “Hey everyone! My name is (Name). No need to use honorifics here,” you laugh causing them all to laugh with you. “Anyways, welcome to Raptor 101! If you’re in this class, it’s probably because you’re interested in raptors, right? Maybe you want to work as one of our raptor education volunteers, or maybe you just really love them.” There were murmurs of agreement around the class. “Awesome! So, let’s get this started, yeah?” As Bokuto listens to you, he couldn’t help the way that his heart was fluttering. That sparkle in your eyes from the pure giddiness you feel when you’re talking about passionate about? He was sure it was the same way he was whenever he was playing volleyball. 
As class ended, nerves rushed over him as he approached you. “Excuse me, (Name)?” He asks. You look up from the bag that you were packing, blessing him with a smile.
“Yes, Bokuto-sehsu?”
He clears his throat as his eyes shift from side to side. “Do you wanna go get dinner or something?” 
“Oh I’m sorry, Bokuto-sehsu. I actually have to head directly to animal-care now.” You zip up your bag, straightening up. “Why don’t we do something next time?”
He grins, “that sounds great. I’ll see you later!” Bokuto walks out of the center, pulling out his phone to check the time only to be greeted by a text from Akaashi. 
[Akaashi]: Hello Bokuto-san, how was the class today? 
[Bokuto]: It was really fun! BTW, are you busy?
[Akaashi]: Not particularly. I was just about to go get food. Did you need something? 
[Bokuto]: do you wanna grab dinner with me?
[Akaashi]: sure.
Bokuto was beaming. Though he and Akaashi had been close in high-school, they were hard pressed to find time to see each other nowadays. With Bokuto’s busy schedule as an athlete with his constant trips and Akaashi’s full-time job, their chances to interact had been limited to Bokuto’s home-games and the occasional odd free weekend. He quickly makes his way to the restaurant that Akaashi had texted him. Inside, Akaashi was already sitting at a table, sipping a glass of water. 
“Hello Bokuto-san.” Akaashi waves, waiting for Bokuto to slide into the chair, “how was the class?”
Bokuto perks up, eyes sparkling to Akaashi’s amusement. “It was so fun! (Name) knows so much about owls.” He took a sip of water. “It’s so cool how much work she does with owls like she was telling us about how she started and all types of funny stories about the raptors she’s worked with so far.” Akaashi opens his mouth to say something but Bokuto can’t stop from word-vomiting. “Oh! And did you know that owls are usually monogamous? And that they typically court using various calls in order to attract a female to a suitable nesting site before using various different methods to show off to their potential mates? Like, the Great Horned Owl will use flight patterns and food to demonstrate to their mates that they can be providers.”
“That’s certainly interesting, Bokuto-san.” 
Bokuto nods aggressively, a dreamy look in his eyes. “God I can’t wait for the next class.”
“Are you more excited for the class or to see (Name)?” Akaashi asked, mischief flashing in his eyes before he went back to his meal.
“(Name)?” Bokuto cocked his head. “I didn’t know you were on a first-name basis with her.”
“You are too.”
Bokuto shook his head, “but you aren’t using the honorifics?” 
“Again, neither are you Bokuto-san.”
“She told us to call her (Name)!” Bokuto defended, crossing his arms. “How do you know (Name) anyways?”
Akaashi shrugged, sipping his glass. “We met in intro to biology. We ended up being study-buddies.” 
“Just study-buddies?”
“Is that jealousy I hear, Bokuto-san?” 
Bokuto flushed. “N-no!” 
****
As he collapsed onto his bed, Bokuto let out a loud sigh. For the past few days, his mind had been filled with memories from that first class. Maybe he did feel a little something for the raptor-keeper. He rolled onto his side, pulling out his phone and drafting a text. 
[Bokuto]: hey (Name), thank you for the awesome class the other day!
[Name]: Bokuto-sehsu, why are you still awake? It’s like 2 AM!
He grinned, happy that she had responded so quickly. His mind searched for a possible response. 
[Bokuto]: OWL i can think about is you 💛
[Name]: Bokuto-sehsu, you’re an athlete. Please get some sleep.
Bokuto bit his bottom lip at her concern. He desperately wanted to continue talking to her, but he knew that she was right.
[Bokuto]: 🥺 okay
[Name]: Good night, Bokuto-sehsu. I’ll see you soon 😊
His heart skipped a beat, filling his cheeks with warmth before he drafted the last text of that night. 
[Bokuto]: Good night (Name)! Sweet dreams 
****
“Hey class! Today we will have a surprise guest,” you beam. “Haru, you can bring him in.” The door opens, revealing the Slytherin from before. On his arm was a familiar sight. “This is Kabuki! You might recognise him as one of our education owls,” you say as you slide on a thick glove. Haru lowers his hand to the perch beside you, letting Kabuki hop onto it from his own arm. “Kabuki and I are often paired up together. I was the one who helped raise him when he arrived at the sanctuary as an owlet,” you explain. “Unfortunately, he’s become too dependent on human contact and cannot be released.” 
“Do you normally release the owls that come here?” Someone asks in the back. 
You nod. “As long as they have their instincts and haven’t imprinted, then we try our best to relocate and release them.” Your eyes shine. “But unfortunately, not all animals will be able to be released, so we do end up taking care of a decent number here at the sanctuary.” Kabuki ruffles his feathers importantly. 
“What is imprinting?” Another person asked.
“Ah, animal imprinting typically happens in the early stages of life and is typically reserved for birds. When they hatch, they don’t know who their parents are and use environmental clues - typically whatever animal is present for their hatching - to determine their parents. They’ll identify with that species and try to mimic them.” Kabuki nuzzled into your head. “Though Kabuki learned how to be an ‘owl’ by watching the other ones here, he’s become more physically affectionate with me after seeing my interactions with other keepers.” You explain. Bokuto tilted his head, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he observed your interactions. “Anymore questions?” After glancing around the room and seeing nobody speak up, you continue with the class. “Now, in order to care for your owl…” You began explaining the different things to check using Kabuki as a diagram. 
As class came to an end, Bokuto found himself waiting anxiously by your desk. “Hey Bokuto-sehsu!” You turn, grinning to the wing-spiker.
A jolt of electricity shot through him as he returned your grin. “Hey (Name)! Are you free for dinner today? We can wet our beaks or something.” 
You brush your hair back giggling at his comment before giving him a nod. “Yeah, I am actually! I made sure that I was free this time.” Kabuki hoots, drawing both pairs of eyes. “Just let me put Kabuki away first and then we can head out?” 
Bokuto nods eagerly, “that sounds great! I’ll meet you in the front then?”
“Sounds perfect.”  
****
“That stuff about Kabuki imprinting on you was really interesting,” Bokuto comments as he slurps up a noodle. You giggle, wiping his chin with a napkin. Bokuto had taken you to a ramen shop down the street from the center.
“Animal imprinting is always an interesting subject,” you respond before turning back to your own meal. Bokuto was glad - he didn’t want you to see how badly he was blushing. 
He quickly spoons a mouthful of broth, wincing as the heat sears his tongue. “I’d imprint on you if I was an owl,” he blurts out, his mind racing in order to both distract himself from the pain and from that moment of physical contact.
You let out a hearty laugh, “oh Bokuto-sehsu, you’re so sweet.” Wiping away a tear of mirth, your eyes rise to meet his. “I’m really glad you’re taking my class. It’s always nice to see someone so passionate about owls in the class.”
“You can just call me Bokuto.”
You raise an eyebrow before nodding. “Sure thing, Bokuto.”
A red glow crept up his neck before he cleared his throat. “So, what type of owl is your favorite?” As you launch into a discussion about the various types of owls and your preferences, he was filled with warmth. Chatting with you was easy. He was constantly surrounded by volleyball, and it was so nice being able to get out and see people showing passion in other things. It had been awhile since he’d been able to discuss owls. 
“Thanks Bokuto. I had a really good time,” you bump your shoulder against his as you pull your coat closer as you both leave the restaurant. 
“Sorry I had to wing it, but I’m glad you had a good time!” You chuckle, shaking your head. Bokuto cocks his head at you, looking even more like an owl than he usually did. “What, is there something wrong with what I’m talon you?” He grins, looking extremely proud of himself. 
“Nah, those were some hootiful puns.” You both stop in front of your apartment building. “This is me! Good night, Bokuto.” 
“Good night, (Name).”
****
“Congratulations Bo!” You cheer, handing him his certificate. It had been a long few months, but they had all passed. You look at the class, giving them a wide smile. “You guys have all passed Raptor 101! As a graduation gift, you guys will be allowed to hold one of our raptors.” The door opens, and the other animal volunteers come in. Haru holds a massive golden eagle and Aoi holds the small Southern Boobook she had brought to the MSBY Black Jackal arena. Kabuki was already on his perch, preening while he waited for attention. “You’ll only be allowed to hold one raptor for five minutes, so please get into line for the animal you’d like to work with.”
You slide your glove on, offering your arm out to Kabuki who eyes it with disinterest. With a soft hoo-hoooo, he hops onto the glove, allowing you to tether him to yourself. Bokuto makes a bee-line to you as the other classmates hover around Haru and Aoi. The girls are more on the nervous side and decide that the smaller owl would be more comforting whereas some of the males wanted to show off by holding the eagle. “Can I?” Bokuto asks, looking between you and Kabuki. His eyes shone brightly at the prospect. 
“Of course.” You glance at the table, “make sure to put the glove on first ok?” Bokuto yanks it on, offering his arm. “Hold your elbow up a little more,” you correct, reaching out with your other arm to help fix him.
Bokuto flushes. “Hey, (Name)?”
“Yes?” You hum as you make more adjustments.
“I promised myself that I would get through all of the classes and hold an owl before I asked you this.” You raise an eyebrow, scanning his features. Bokuto’s eyes met yours, earnesty evident in his features. “But owl I want to know is...Will you let me swoop you away for a date? I think we’d have a real hoot together.” 
You remain silent, waiting for Kabuki to hop onto Bokuto’s arm from yours, your lips trembling in the ghost of a smile. Bokuto chews on his lip, sweating slightly as he waits for your response. “Only if we leave the animals at the sanctuary,” you say finally, meeting his eyes. Kabuki jumps, wings fluttering as he lands softly onto Bokuto’s arm. 
“Yes!” Bokuto grins before he turns his attention back to Kabuki. “You hear that Kabuki? Guess I’m finally gonna go on a date with (Name)!” 
Kabuki stared at him with disinterest, blinking slowly. He ruffled his feathers, letting out another hoo-hooooooee in congratulations. You both burst in laughter. Who knew that an owl was the key to getting a date?  
*****
AN: This was loosely inspired on my experience about a Harry Potter night with a sports team I used to work at and I did a lot of additional research in order to accurately portray the information about owls and falconry in general. 
I really wanted to include this line that my coworker dropped but I couldn’t figure out where to put it so here it is. (Short context, I was put in charge of supervising the animal room to ensure that there was a decent flow to the line.) 
Coworker: Did you ask him?
Me: ask him what?
Coworker: Did you ask the owl how many licks it takes to get to the center of the tootsie-pop?
Yep. I would’ve made Bokuto ask Kabuki how many licks it would take to get to the center of a tootsie-pop. LMAO. 
Also random notes, owl cafes are completely adorable BUT they’re not that ethical! They’re extremely stressful environments, and this applies to most of the animal-related tourist attractions. Please do your research before visiting one of those types of establishments. In general, if the animal isn’t a domesticated animal such as a cat or a dog, then existing in those types of environments can be harmful to them. 
Anyways, happy birthday again Kou!
ALSO!!! If you didn’t know, I’m officially celebrating 400 followers. Thank you so much to everyone who supports my work. To celebrate this milestone, I’ll be doing matchups and song fics for the next week or so. Check this out for more info.
general taglist: @scrappydaisies​ @newfriendjen​ @kyomihann
Please contact me if you would like to be a part of my general taglist! 💞 Check out this link for information about my taglists.
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queerbutstillhere-writes · 4 years ago
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Day 1 - Tim’s Birthday
“Tim, can you go grab me the bandages?”
“Yeah, sure B.”
Listen, Tim was glad that Damian was back safe. He was glad they had found the boy before he had gotten any worse injuries(though how he could be in worse shape then he’s in right now, Tim wasn’t sure). He may not get along with Damian the best, but he was still the kids brother, in their own fucked up way.
So he was trying to not feel too upset about it.
It’s not like his birthday was an important thing that he waited for every year. It’s fine.
Besides, birthdays hadn’t even been that big of a thing until he came to Bruce’s. Maybe he had cake or something on his birthday, or if his parents were home they might go out to dinner. But it’s not like he had huge birthday parties or anything. So why was this such a big deal? It was fine. It was more important that Damian was home safe. Right?
It’s not like this was his 17th birthday, and he had been hoping it would be a little more special. It wasn’t like this was his 17th birthday, and he had been planning to tell Bruce about his boyfriends.
He’d survive.
He helped Bruce rebandage Damian’s chest, the kid still mostly in a coma, he woke up occasionally, but was never fully lucid, just mumbled different things and was able to relay where he was in the most pain.
He didn’t know why he was hoping that Bruce would bring it up, but it became clear he had forgotten when after, he just thanked Tim, kissed him on the forehead and then sat down beside Damian with a laptop.
Tim sighed softly and called a soft goodnight, turning to walk back upstairs, ready to crash after a long night of patrols and a disappointing evening.
So that’s just what he did. He took a shower and then collapsed into bed in a t-shirt that was more than likely Kon’s. It still smelled like him too, so who was Tim to complain. He just curled sprawled out under the bright yellow poofy duvet Bart had dumped into his room one day and refused to take home, one of the only splashes of color in the fairly dull, impersonal room.
He tossed and turned for a while before fully passing out, letting himself slip into dark night terrors with no plot or escape.
Just another night sleeping for Tim Drake.
He was in for quite a surprise when he woke up.
Well, not quite as much of a surprise as the person he ended up flipping off the side of his bed, but honestly what did they expect from him? He was highly sensitive, even in his sleep.
The squeal and solid thump got him to wake the rest of the way up, and he sat up, looking down at the floor beside his bed to find a figure sprawled on the floor, looking up at the ceiling.
“Ow!” they complained.
“Bart?!”
The teen grinned at him, sitting up.
“Hi babe.”
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”
Bart just hopped up and immediately launched himself on top of Tim, knocking him back down to the bed with a grunt.
“What are you doing here?” Tim groaned as Bart shifted to get comfortable, lying on top of him.
“Well, we wanted to surprise you, but Kon had to stop and help some people along the way so I was supposed to come ahead and make sure you stayed in bed,” they responded, chin on Tim’s chest.
“Surprise me?”
Tim easily rolled Bart under him, ruining the other’s work to getting comfortable on top of him.
“Yeah!” Bart just grinned at him, reaching up to put their arms around Tim’s neck.
“Why?”
Another grin was his answer, as well as a soft kiss. Tim just rolled his eyes and accepted this, giving Bart a few soft kisses before falling sideways and reaching for his phone. Bart immediately cuddled up to his back, forehead against his spine. Tim didn’t fight it, just opened his phone and suddenly realized why Bart wanted to surprise him, when he found texts from some of his friends, wishing him a Happy Birthday. He smiled softly, quickly texting them back and setting his phone down, just as the window popped open on its own. Both sat up to look at it, and watched as one Superboy tumbled through the window, or well, former Superboy. He looked up and found them watching, and gave a sheepish grin, quickly latching the window behind him before kicking off his boots. Tim watched as he walked over, dumping off unnecessary parts of his uniform as he walked, then slipping into the bed next to them, hovering over Tim slightly.
“Happy Birthday, beautiful,” he murmured softly before kissing him.
Tim just relaxed into it, grinning slightly. Then he pushed Kon away, wrinkling his nose.
“You smell like soot.”
“Yeah, sorry. There was this really big fire and I stopped to help.”
“I told you,” Bart murmured sleepily.
They both chuckled at them, and then Kon looked back at Tim.
“Got any birthday wishes, birthday boy?”
Tim frowned, glancing away as the memory of what was happening with his family came back to the front of his mind.
“Eh, not really?”
“He’s lying,” Bart inputted, rolling so they were pushed up on one elbow, looking over at Tim with a raised eyebrow.
“Of course he’s lying, but if he really ain’t gonna tell us, we’ll just have to take matters into our own hands.”
Tim rolled his eyes at Kon, pushing at him.
“Get up, ya big oaf. I know it’s noon, but some of us have to eat breakfast yet.”
“Can we get second breakfast, then?”
Tim laughed, looking over at the speedster.
“Yes, you can get second breakfast.”
Bart cheered for joy, jumping up and zipping to Tim’s closet. They returned within seconds with a pair of black shorts and a short sleeve black striped button up.
“Come on, get dressed,” Bart urged, holding the clothes out. “Or I’ll do it for you. . . Actually maybe I should do it anyway, that’d be a lot faster-”
“Bart, calm down and come here,” Kon said with a laugh, grabbing Bart with his TTK and pulling them over to sit in his lap.
The two patiently waited - as patient as those two get, anyway - while Tim changed, a little stiff from sleep still. Once he was dressed and had fussed with his hair a bit to soothe down the tangles and cowlicks, he turned to them. Kon gave a little wolf whistle, grinning from where he had his chin on Bart’s shoulder.
“Hmm, handsome as ever.”
“Thanks. Now let’s go get food before Bart withers away and dies.”
Bart cheered and jumped up, scooping Tim up easily and rushing out his bedroom door. But instead of taking him to the kitchen like usual, he went straight to the dining room and plopped Tim down in his usual seat.
Except the dining room was completely black, only the slight spark shower lighting it up.
“Bart?” Tim asked, glancing behind him to where the speedster had already disappeared through the kitchen room. “You could’ve at least turned on the lights beforehand.”
Tim had no sooner started to stand then the door flew open and the lights flicked on. Tim flinched away from the brightness, then focused on the door, finding a couple people trailing through it in a procession, carrying trays and things. Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Bart and Kon, hell even Steph was there.
“Happy birthday, my dear boy,” Alfred announced, setting down a cup of coffee in front of Tim.
“Oh,” Tim said softly, glancing down at the cup then up at Alfred.
Trays of breakfast foods were set down on the table, each person coming by to wish Tim a happy birthday, ruffling his hair or hugging him or something. Bart and Kon sat on either side of him, Dick and Steph on the other side of the table, Bruce at the end, and Alfred right next to him.
Tim wasn’t tearing up. No. Not at all. It was fine. He was fine .
Kon leaned over, nudging him slightly.
“I may have lied about the fire,” Kon said with a small grin. “Well, no, there was a fire, it was just like, an hour previously, and I was just helping Alfred cook.”
“He actually got here before me,” Bart confirmed, tapping Tim’s leg with their foot.
“Guys,” he breathed out, reaching up and rubbing his eyes.
“Tim,” Bruce said softly, pulling his attention. “I’m sorry if we made you think we’d forgotten about your birthday.”
“Issokay,” Tim mumbled. “Dami was hurt.”
“It’s not okay, and I promise you we didn’t forget,” Bruce told him, offering a smile.
“Thanks, Bruce.”
They started eating together, and Tim allowed himself to smile freely as he listened to his boyfriends and family chatting together.
Oh yeah. Bruce didn’t know.
“Hey, Bruce?” Tim called slightly, feeling his heart leap into his throat the moment he had spoken.
“Yeah, Tim?”
“I- I have something I wanted to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m . . . I’m dating Kon and Bart.”
Bruce glanced up from his pancakes, then looked between the three of them. He smiled.
“Congratulations.”
“I knew it!” Dick exclaimed from the other side of the table, looking absolutely joyful with this news.
Tim just groaned and realized his mistake of telling Bruce in front of everyone. Or well. . . just Dick. Steph already knew.
After their brunch - for that’s what it was - Tim found himself being dragged out of the house by his boyfriends.
“Guys, where are we going?”
“Birthday shopping! Come on!”
“Why do we need to go birthday shopping?”
“Because it’s your birthday and we want to spoil you!”
“Did you two forget that I’m the billionaire here, or?”
Kon just scoffed and shook his head. “I get money from Lex, and you know that.”
“Come on, Tim,” Bart said, with one of their powerful Puppy Dog Pouts. “Just let us take care of you today.”
Tim chuckled and shook his head and let them through the garage to his car.
“Fine, come on you dorks. But I’m driving.”
They both cheered and ran to the car.
After an afternoon of shopping and hanging out and eating sweets, and a nice dinner with the family again, Tim found himself at the front door, saying goodbye to his boyfriends before he had to go off to patrol.
“Thank you guys, so much, for coming,” Tim said with a smile, stepping forwards and kissing Kon, then Bart.
“Yeah! We just wanted to make your birthday just a lil bit better.”
Tim chuckled and shook his head, giving Bart another kiss.
“I love you, Bart Allen.”
“I love you too, Tim Drake-Wayne,” they responded happily, stealing one last kiss before stepping back and letting Tim turn to Kon.
“And I love you, Conner Kent.”
Conner just chuckled, pulling Tim in close, kissing him for a little longer then he had been allowed previously.
“I love you, Tim,” he practically whispered.
Then he stepped back, gave Tim a wink and started hovering.
“See ya around, birdie.” He saluted and shot off.
“Bye, Tim!” Bart called and also disappeared into the night.
Tim just smiled to himself and turned, walking inside again.
Yeah, that had been a good birthday.
@core-disaster-week-2020
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popculturebuffet · 4 years ago
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House of Mouse: Mickey and the Culture Clash (Commission by WeirdKev27) or “What the Hell, Clarabelle?”
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Hello, hello, hello... I wish I could say I was in good spirits but i’m tired, have covid induced chills running down my spine.. and oh yeah there was an armed insurrection i the captial last night that showed just how broken this country was. And while Monster Bash would still be relevant... I couldn’t do it. I admit to being unable to do an episode where the millitant racist nutjob who harms people runs off into the night, and does much worse in later episodes, while the people she harassed are arrested the night after a bunch of millitant, racist, sociopathic, selfish nightmares sieged the captial, killed a woman, raised the fucking maga flag over the buildling and took pictures like they were goddamn heroes.  We got a stark reminder, not a wake up call, not an opening a REMINDER of just how badly broken our country is last night, and it wasn’t till this morning I found out just how BAD it was. The deaths, the flag, the fact josh fucking hawley, MY STAT’ES SENATOR and registered piece of shit, raised  A FUCKING FIST IN SOLIDARITY, which gives me the crippling fear his stupidity and unabashed racisim and support of a cou could mean riots at best and attempted uprisings at worst and who knows what kind of hate crimes against those of color and those in my own queer community. I am afraid, tired, and I am pissed and I feel we could ALL use something wholesome, warm and far removed from the shit going on. And in my hour of need to figure out something like that to put on the schedule.. Kev brought up a wonderfufl idea.  Every month this month till the end of it Kev is going to comission one episode of a show near and dear to both our hearts that has it’s 20th birthday this month. House of Mouse. He was intitally going to request Pete’s One Man Show, which is one of my faviorites, but was ironcially one I already planned to cover next month to celebrate both the show’s anniversary and Pete’s Birthday. But since he was happy to wait till then to comission it, he instead asked for another classic and one with easily my faviorite character on the show: Moritmer Mouse. 
One of the best things House of Mouse did was bring back Mortimer Mouse. Introduced in Mickey’s Rival, Mortimer was an ex of minnies who showed up for one short to be a dick to mickey before running off and leaving Minnie at the mercy of a bull he pissed off. He also weirdly kept electrodes and a car battery in his pants. The short itself is.. not great mostly because Minnie dimissies Mickey rightfully being pissed someone is hitting on his girlfriend in front of him, making jokes at his expense, and generally being a pillock as being jealous... which yeah, yeah he is. Most of the time jealousy and supscison of your partner is ugly, gross and damaging to a relationship.  You should trust them unless you’ve been given good reason not to, and if your paranoidly jealous about every friend she has she could be attracted to.. get some fucking help. Seriously, I need to, not for this for various other problems, but get some therapy to help with your trust issues or if your just being the kind of dick who naturally assumes men and women or men and men or women and women or men and nonibinary persons, or women and nonbinary peeps and so on and so on cannot be friends if they could possibly be togehter romantically... grow up.  I say all of that because those are serious underlying issues and I didn’t want it to seem like for a moment I was supporting them... and because sometimes i’ts OKAY to be jealous, to either just feel a little jealous of someone, or to you know be irate because your girlfriend’s ex is hitting on her in front of you and she’s being entirely receptive to it. 
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So yeah i’ts really hard to feel bad for minnie’s bull attack or find the ending sweet after Minnie was you know, what ramona said for an entire short. However my point for this rant, besides giving out about the short again because I clearly didn’t enough in my Mickey Birthday Special, is that Mortimer is still pretty great. He’s a frat bro in the 40′s sense sure, but the idea of a local douche hoping to swoop in and woo minnie away, who has an oddly specific sense of humor and a bizzare, memorable and wonderful walk, seriously the short is worth watching for mortimier’s “I got two car batteris in my pants’ walk, is a good one. While he’d naturally show up in comics and what have you Mortimer just sort of vanished. But clearly someone on the House of Mouse staff, and Mousewerks before it, agreed because Morty was made easily one of the best and most recurring characters in the HOM, and often more prominent than Horace or Gus. While he still tried his old “I’m gonna do your common law wife act” a few times he was mostly there to be an annoying douche when the ep needed one and to be taken down a peg by everyone in the house. And that VERY MUCH includes Mickey. That’s also part of why I love this show bringing him back: It gives Mickey someone besides pete to give out too on a regular basis. He’s still his charming self about it but it’s lovelyt os ee Mickey sarcastically roast someone. And I honestly attribute the main factor of his sucess on the show to VA Maurice LaMarche. While his original VA, Sonny Dawson, was fantastic.. it’s Maurice who very clearly made the character his. While others like Jeff Bennet have taken over since i’ts Maurice who gave him his signature “ha-cha-cha” catchphrase, swagger and signiture voice. And no i’ts not lost on me that one of Maurice’s OTHER best roles is another cartoon mouse.. and I now very badly want him to meet Pinky and the Brain. But yeah, Maurice just oozes the smarm that defines mortimer for me, oozes condescinon and assholery and he, is., glorious. He was a faviorite as a kid, he’s a faviorite now, and Disney needs to use him more.. and also have Maurice voice him for wonderufl world of mickey mouse, though Jeff Bennett is not bad at all I just prefer the master at the role. 
So obviously, after the nightmare of an evening america had yesterday, an episode not only about how wholesome mickey and minnie are but about Mickey teaming up with Mortimer was EXACTLY what i needed. So pitter patter, this is Mickey and the Culture clash. As always for house of mouse i’ll be chonking it up and since this one starts right with the wraparound, and sicnce you know I spent a godo few pagraphs going over mortimer and he’s only IN the wraparound this episode... let’s start there
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Mickey and the Culture Clash: Don’t Go Changin, To Try and Please Me So we open the episode and the review proper with Mickey performing a banjo sernade for Minnie, their song in fact. It’s a really sweet scene.. that’s quickly ruined by Clarabelle being an asshole, who says i’ts a bit crude. Minnie counters that while “It’s not mozart”, it’s nice and she clearly likes it and the gesture. Instead of you know leaving it there like a good friend, like she’s SUPPOSED to be to Minnie in most continuities, Clarabelle.. takes the things she said and her having to run out to wrangle pluto out of context, painting it as her thinking he’s not sophisticated and then running out because of it. Oh and she tops it by pointing to a classified add from a MM looking for sophisticated companionship. 
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It just paints Clarabelle not as Minnie’s friend or a chatty gossip, but as a heartless bitch who has no trouble implying one of her best friends would cheat on her boyfriend TO HIS FACE, and is fine wrecking a perfectly lovely relationship just to have more to talk about. Seriously she starts gossiping to everybody on top of it just in case you thought Clarabelle was a decent person in any shape this episode. She’s the one thing about this episode that dosen’t work despite being integral to it.. well two but hte other thing is a small, end of episode gag we’ll get to. This.. this is an integral part of the plot. It also relies on Daisy and Donald being absent for the episode for what I can only assume is their annual sex decathalon because otherwise the second she heard about her friend doing this, before reassuring Minnie, Donald would be holdiing her while Daisy beat the absolute shit out of her for hurting thier closest friend and not bothering to take a look into anything when leveling such a rough accusation at Minnie. In a really stellar, really well paced episode, Clarabelle being so heartless stands out. It’s also, might as well get this out of the way, teh final episode not inlcuding the two holiday specials.. and it’s a good note to go out on otherwise, I just can’t ignore the obnoxious cow in the room.. in both senses of the word. 
So yeah Mickey’s trying to be fancy, and Mortimer gets a good dig in about him reading “You having trouble sounding out the words”, but once he hears what’s going on, or rather once he realizes mickey things Mortimer’s personal add is in fact his girlfriend cheating on him, he decides to help Mickey. And to his credit for this con.. Mortimer actually thought things out on how to trick his rival, and his plan here is douchey as hell but incredibly genius: he offers to help mickey and while that’d normally be suspcious he offers a genuine, and very mortimer explination for helping him become a bit more sophisticated to win minnie back: if Minnie finds a handsome, sophisticated guy to date, what chance does MORTIMER have against that? At least with Mickey, in his deluded egocentric view of things anyway, he has a shot at beating him. 
So Mickey classes it up a bit, taking some sopshitcated stances when announcing and trying to woo minnie by talking in ye olde english. When that fails, she just finds it silly but charming, Mickey finds Jose.. hitting on her.
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Just.. I expect better from you man. Woo ladies all you like as long as your respectful but I expect better than to hit on someone else’s girlfriend.. which granted he has but given the last time we saw him do that, he nearly got stabbed a bunch and the last time he agressively hit on a woman he got punched in the beak as he should, you’d THINK he’d of learned something. Seriously once again Donald is only missing because this time Daisy would be holding Jose down while Donald hit him. Or possibly they’d take turns. Point is Jose REALLY shoudln’t be doing this and knows better.. marginally. But.. it is in character enough so ti’s not as bad as Clarabelle the homewrecker. 
So Mickey tries being fancy and goes on to do poetry instead of letting O’Malley and the Alley Cats play.. which is a nice running gag the series does as they NEVER get to play.. which while funny is a shame since I love the Aristocats. So then we finally get what Mortimer’s been playing at, he swoops in, claims MICKEY dosen’t need HER, and uses the same personal add to trick her. See, while what Mortimer’s doing is vile.. unlike clarabelle I can repsect it at least. I don’t condone it and i’m glad he gets foiled.. but as a bad guy plan it’s pretty clever and for someone like Mortimer whose usually pretty incompitent.. it’s pretty suprising he could pull this off. It’s still pretty damn low and scummy, no question, but props to being able to outwit and nearly outplay two people who deal with your crap on a regular basis and still convincingly conning both.  Thankfully while he tries to take Minnie out Mickey, in a great visual gag, puts two and two together, and busts out their song, with Mickey and Minnie heartwearmingly reuniting on stage as seen above. Then we get that gag I mentioned not liking: Mickey gets Morty back by planting a false marriage proposal from Moritmer to Clarabelle, again under MM and he gets carried off.. HAHA HE’S BEING FORCED INTO A MARRIAGE HE DOSEN’T. LAUGH. LAUGH AT IT. The gag just really hasn’t aged well, as otherwise it’s clever Mickey used Mortimer’s own trick against both him and the person who caused all of this but really.. Clarabelle gets no real compuance. At worse sshe finds out she was tricked.. but she again you know tried to break up her close friends relationship for shits and giggles. But .. it’s at the very end of the episode and very easy to ignore, so it dosen’t really bother me too bad, and compared to some gags of the type i’ve seen, it could be MUCH worse.  Overall this wraparound is one of the series best and a good one to go out on. it has a simple premise, a brilliant antagonist plot, some great bits from all involved, and even a great Belle and Beast cameo. All in all a really good wraparound only hampered by a sexist and dated ending and Clarabelle being portrayed as ...
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She’s the worst, in the world. Okay onto the shorts.
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Mickey’s Piano Lesson: That was a Fun One
It really was. It’s a simple premise: Minnie wants MIckey to do a piano recital and he decides “I don’t need practice i’m mickey mouse. “ And it’s REALLY nice to have a short that has, rather than aw shucks mickey, shenanigans mickey. While thanks to the new shorts we’ve had tons, it’s still nice to get one in the House of Mouse era, and it’s just fun to see Mickey take the usual donald roll of letting his overconfidence punch him in the face> It fits both though: Both are everyman and while I lean towards the duck, to no one’s shock, Mickey is just as capable, and his lack of practice comes off less like the angry and hostile way donald would dismiss it and mroe just loveable procastination. And as someone who REALLY struggles with procastination I related to this short, as Mickey does everything else he’d rather do from bathing the dog to skydiving till Minnie, in a great bit informs him everyone from the president, to several dignitaries from other countries, to a televised audience will see. We then get two really great and really beatuifully animated bits as MIckey wrestles with the notes on thep age then fights with his piano as he performs, still pulling it off but destroying the thing and rightfully earning a glare form his girlfriend. Just a fun, slapstick short with a great premise. 
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Dance of the Goofys: Scary Children Set to classical music, this one has a bunch of goofys as Fairy’s, who are making the flowers go and the one who sleeps in ends up saving the king from a horrifing looking little brat. He reminds me of Montanna Max a bit.. speaking of which Creer Summer recnetly announced Elmyra won’t be in the reboot. And while this does make me fear actually good characters like Fifi, Montana Max, and more will be cut like the animanics reboot and I do feel for Cree not getting to be involved and hope they find another roll for her as, given her status in the industry she deserves better.. THANK FUCKING GOD. I’ll go into this in another review I have planned for the future but unlike the cuts made to animaniacs this was a REALLY good decision i’m really greatful for. Thank you crew thank you. 
Back on topic, it’s just a fun, really beautifully animated short about the goofies and hteir shenanigans with a really great high concept. 
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Maestro Minnie: Brahm’s Lullabye: Simply Irresitable Another simple but clever and lovely to watch one, and one I like quite a bit more. Minnie is conducting some living violins to Brahm’s Lullabye to get a baby Violin to sleep, and we get some really beautiful shots of her as she does so.. only to get comically interuppted by other insteruments turning up the noise. Not much to say on this one as it’s short and simple.. but sometimes short and simple is just what you need and the fun premise nad really beautiful especially for tv animation at the time visuals really sell this one.  ONce again, good stuff. 
Overall: This was a REALLY good note to go out on. While as I said the Clarabelle stuff can eat my entire ass, everything else is really damn good and I highly recommend checking this one out. Next time, in about a month, we’ll be looking at Pete’s spotlight episode for his birfday. While you wait tommorow we have my first look at legend of the three cabs. But for now, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. 
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softspots · 4 years ago
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Update (all is well!)
hello all, and my sincerest apologies for not making this post much sooner; considering the last time I posted here I was announcing that I and my family had contracted Covid-19, doubtless the long and unexplained silence from me caused some worries. better late than never, though, so here I am to tell you all that I and my family are all okay! Covid-19 was hard on us (particularly on me and one of my parents, as we experienced the most intense and longest-lasting symptoms), but thankfully none of us required a hospital visit and we came out of it alright.
now that I've explained that, you're probably wondering why I've taken so long to come back, or even just make an update post like I'm doing now. and, well... after we all got over Covid-19, several other things happened. to list it briefly:
a conflict between me and my parents occurred (this happens with some regularity, unfortunately)
due to the above, an agreement was reached that it would be best for me to move out (don't worry, I wasn't kicked out, this was a decision I fully agreed with and participated in willingly)
over the course of a few weeks I went through the process of apartment hunting, found a spot close to my campus, and packed up and moved
I began my spring semester, taking the largest number of classes I've ever taken at one time before (which I've been having a difficult time dealing with, for various reasons)
I started seeing a chiropractor semi-regularly to hopefully help fix the neck pain I've had since high school
and most recently, I've begun looking into possibly getting a diagnosis for something I've suspected myself of having for a few years now
throughout all of this, I've also been struggling with the same things that I've struggled with for some time, which I've mentioned once or twice here before: consistently low energy levels (both mental and physical energy) and various mental health issues.
real talk for a second: I haven't been able to make myself write anything (besides what I need to write for classes) in months. and I know the main selling point of this blog, and the content most people come here for, is my writing. so since I can't get myself to write anything, and since I don't even have the energy to consistently answer asks on top of that, I've felt like there's no point in even posting anything at all. that feeling has played just as big a part in my inactivity as my busy life has, and I honestly don't know how to fix it.
I could go into further detail, but I'm a rather private person (and I've now revealed more about my personal mental health than I even planned to on this blog) so I'll leave it at that. all of this to say: I've had a lot going on recently, which is why I've taken yet another unexplained and unannounced hiatus.
my midterms have passed now, and I've been in my apartment for over two months, so with my life the most settled it's been since before the holidays last year I finally sat down and wrote out this post to let you all know that I'm okay, still alive, just busy and stressed as always. I hope you're all okay as well, and didn't miss me too terribly while I was away; and if you did, I hope you'll accept some art as an apology gift? I got a new laptop for Christmas and now I'm able to use the drawing software I first learned how to draw digitally on! autodesk sketchbook pro has served me well, but opening up paint tool sai again after all these years felt like coming home :)
(strangely, despite not having any will or motivation to write, I haven't felt the same about art; I'm not drawing every day or anything, but pulling out my tablet and sketching stuff doesn’t feel like a difficult, joyless chore the way writing has recently. if you asked me why that is, I honestly couldn't tell you)
so, yeah! I've got a little bit of art to share, which will be available for my Patreon subscribers' viewing pleasure tomorrow and which will be made public and posted here on April 3rd. I hope you all enjoy them, and I hope we can start brushing the dust of this blog and make it all shiny and new to celebrate it's birthday!
yes, you read that right: today, March 30th, this blog turns two years old! I'm sorry I wasn't able to throw a big party or anything, but I've made a rather special drawing in honor of the occasion, which will also be available on my Patreon tomorrow and posted publicly on April 3rd! it's something that made me particularly happy to make, so I'm excited to let you all see it :)
TL;DR, I've been sort of going through it but I'm back, I'm well, and I missed this blog and you guys while I was gone!
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theshy1sout · 4 years ago
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Inseparable - Chapter 1
7th February! What a lovely day to start brand-new trolls Au!
As I promiced, this is part 3 of 300-special This one is again for @starlight-jamy who asked for broppy oneshot. I’m sorry, it’s not a oneshot. It’s the whole frickin fanfiction. It’s also kinda my gitf for you, my followers, cause today is my birthday! I Always wanted to give people things at my birthday, just like hobbits.
Today I post first two chapters. And then I will post a chaper every Sunday. (today is Sunday, right?). Short chapters. Usually 2k words, sometimes more.
Ship: Broppy
Rated: Nope.
Au: Trolls Mythology Au
Type: Slow Burn Fluff :3
Ao3 
Summary:  - There's the guardian of the Night, but no one takes care of the Day - Peppy, the God of Friendship and Harmony, King of the Gods, looks around the big hall to get everyone's attention. Gods listen to him as always, carefully and with huge respect they have to their master. He catches even Branch's attention this time. - I summoned you to discuss this very important topic. - King Peppy raises his hand and turns to the beautiful pink lady in the bright blue dress. - My daughter becomes a full goddess today. And it would be an honor if you all agree that she is a good person to take care of the Day, which means holding the Staff and looking after the whole living world under its Light.
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Far, far ago, when the gods walked through the Earth and love didn't exist yet, trolls were like other creatures in the world. They didn't have the awareness, free will, or feelings deeper than the animals have. The only difference between them and critters was some kind of civilization. They worked, played, and bred during the day and rested during the night. They built villages and formed families and communities. But all the things they made were the result of the intervention of gods [divine intervention], who wanted the best for their creatures. Immortals taught trolls all about working, having fun, building villages, and playing music, but trolls couldn't create things on their own. And no one saw anything wrong with that, because nobody knew it could be different.
Day passed by day and nothing has changed. Whenever it's time to rest, Branch, the god of the Night, walks on the highest hill and grabs the Staff Of The Light, making the gold shining Sphere on it glow much less bright than during the Day. In Branch's hand, a magic source of light that trolls call "the sun" beams slightly bright blue. The whole world meets the darkness and the silence; every creature on the Earth can do nothing but sleep and rest. When the day is supposed to be started, the God of the Night walks on the highest hill again to dig the Staff Of The Light on the top, and freeing it from his cold hands puts brightness on the whole world.
- There's the guardian of the Night, but no one takes care of the Day - Peppy, the God of Friendship and Harmony, King of the Gods, looks around the big hall to get everyone's attention. Gods listen to him as always, carefully and with huge respect they have to their master. He catches even Branch's attention this time. - I summoned you to discuss this very important topic. - King Peppy raises his hand and turns to the beautiful pink lady in the bright blue dress. - My daughter becomes a full goddess today. And it would be an honor if you all agree that she is a good person to take care of the Day, which means holding the Staff and looking after the whole living world under its Light.
Everyone's eyes lay on the young pink-haired woman, who stepped shyly onto the middle of the Hall of Parley. She takes a deep breath and smiles, mostly to reassure herself. But when she notices friendly smiles appearing on more and more gods' faces, she feels kind of proud and excited.
-My King, I think there's nothing to discuss - Holly, goddess of Hospitality, points out. - If there's someone who fits perfectly for this job, it is Poppy for sure!
- Hell yea! - Barb, Queen of the Underworld, yells. She always finds a reason to yell.
- I'm not that sure - Delta Dawn, the goddess of Justice, adds. - Isn't that too much for someone that young?
- Poppy, tell us - Quincy, the god of Wisdom, turns to the pink little lady in the center. - How would you feel about that responsibility? Isn't that too overwhelming for you?
- It is, I guess... - Poppy starts, looking down. - But I have been watching trolls and other creatures since I was a child and... I really attach to them. I enjoy making them happy more than anything else in the world and if you give me your trust, then I'll do everything to protect them and give them all I can.
She ends with full confidence and when she looks up again, she sees all the gods smiling at her, nodding. Cooper, the god of Fun, starts applauding with joy and everyone slowly stands up and joins in. Besides one person... But Poppy quickly forgets that, cause the low tone of her dad's voice catches her attention.
- So that's it! - King announces, also standing up. - I have my honor to introduce our new Immortal: Poppy, the goddess of the Day and the Light!
Gods and goddesses start yelling and cheering. Poppy doesn't even notice when she ends up surrounded by them. They all grin and laugh, wishing her the best and congratulating her over and over. She's never got so much attention, it's even a bit overwhelming. But in this crowd of Immortals, one wish sounds a bit different than the other.
- I appreciate you. Good Teamwork!
Poppy turns to the dull face of Barb. Queen of the Underworld doesn't look like she's joking.
- Teamwork! - Pink girl tries to play amused. - With whom?
- Don't ya know! - Barb laughs at her and throws her hand at the corner of the hall. - Him.
Poppy lifts her head to look above her arm. Far from talks and laughs, there's the guy with a grey hoodie on his head, all covered by a long, dark capote. His face isn't visible, but for some reason, Poppy is sure that he isn't looking at any particular thing. He is just here, sitting very still on his god's seat. As if his presence here was enough to call him a part of the event.
- Branch. The god of The Night - Barb accents the word 'god'. - The guardian of the Darkness and the Silence. And the most important for ya: the one holding The Staff of the Light. - Goddess shows her teeth in a kinda creepy way. - Just like you.
- He's um... - Poppy now has so many questions, that she doesn't know from which she should start.
- You'll get to know him - The pink-haired girl feels a hard hit on her back. - Don't worry, I'm just playing with ya! It's just holding some dum' stick! You give it to him in the evening and then he gives it to you back in the morning. Easy!
- But why is he...
- Nobody knows, he's just different! - Poppy is interrupted once again by the energetic Underworld's Queen. - To be honest, I don't even know how he looks like.
- He's never shown his face?!
- No... I just don't remember. But that's enough about this grump, let's talk about a much funnier thing on the Earth! Or should I say: Under the Earth!
Poppy already feels a bit overwhelmed by the goddess energy. All she really wants right now is to talk with her father and start her job. But she thinks, if she was waiting for it whole years, then she can hold a few minutes more. Right?
- What do you mean? - She asks, not even hiding her tiring.
- Girl, you'll see, nights will be so boring for ya there - Barb starts a bit less loudly and less throwing-her-arms-and-legs-everywhere-ly. - Underworld is always welcoming ya. There's a wild, loud party nonstop!
- What's a party?
- You'll see - Barb smirks at her and finally starts moving away from her. - The total opposite of boredom.
- Ok, thanks - Poppy waves at her, trying to smile as wide as she can. - See ya later! ...I guess...
After way too many wishes, pieces of advice, and cheers, after another long talk with her father, after a million little things she has to go through, Poppy finally steps on the hill and faces the Staff of the Light. Don't get her wrong, normally she really enjoys hanging out with others. Well, she was mostly spending time with King Peppy or trolls on the Earth until now. She feels like she should have taken this opportunity of talking with every single Immortal much more than she did. But she was looking for this little moment almost her entire life. She couldn't think about anything but standing here, on the hill, in front of the Staff of the Light and grabbing all of her dreams, the role of her life, her vocation, her...
- You're gonna grab it or not?
Poppy blinks, surprised. She looks around just to notice a silhouette darker than the Darkness itself. She needs a minute to realize who is he. The god of the Night. Of course, he's here. It's his job to be here. It is still the Night after all. But she is a bit upset at him for destroying the magic of the moment.
So once again Poppy glances at the Staff of the Light, takes a really big breath and... She grabs it! And with her very first touch, the sphere on the top explodes with gold light and the whole world is being filled with so many beautiful colors and Poppy has never been happier in her entire life. Even a dry "So see ya later I guess" by Branch can't destroy it. Ah! She is so happy! She runs down the hill with the Staff glowing in her hand, laughing so loud and so long, till her cheeks start to ache and she loses her voice, but even then she is so happy. So happy.
After one day, and then another, and then one more, and then the whole week of enjoying this exhaustingly happy moment in her life, it comes the time to grab the Staff seriously. Poppy knows exactly what she wants and how the perfect Day should look like. She has planned it for years! So the first thing she changes is the start and the end of the Day. She adds so many colors to the sky: pinks, oranges, reds, and yellows. She asks Suki, the goddess of the Music, to make melodies for birds to let them greet every Day's beginnings and ending. With Milton, the god of the Critters, she teaches birds to sing them. She designs with Satin and Chenille, the twin goddesses of Beauty, new kinds of flowers. Every Day she runs through the whole Earth creating new things, changing the old ones, adding colors and light everywhere it is possible.
Until one Day she finishes all of her ideas and she can finally make the last point of her plan: enjoying the brand-new happy world she created.
But after a week of just guarding the Day and taking care of the Light Poppy feels there's something wrong. She has missed something. She is lost in her thoughts, trying to find the missed thing, when she walks on the hill, like every evening. She hears peaceful "Good evening" and feels it when somebody's hand takes the Staff of the Light off her. Poppy blinks like she's just woken up, but before she can answer, Branch throws "Good Night" and walks away.
''Oh. So that is the thing." Poppy thinks, ashamed.
It's been half of the year since her pink hands grabbed the Staff for the first time. The goddess was too busy with her big plans to even notice the Night. After giving back the Staff, barely even noticing Branch, she just falls asleep. She always finds sleeping the most boring thing ever, cause it's just laying down and closing your eyes to open them a few hours later. But although Immortals don't need to sleep, after a whole day of running and creating she was just exhausted.
And now Poppy realizes that the god of the Night was greeting her every morning and every evening and she has never answered him. It isn't even rude or mean, it is a complete disaster! Poppy as a daughter of King Peppy, the god of Friendship and Harmony, should be the one making friendships and building harmony, not ignoring people!
She has to fix that now.
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Special thanks for @livinginithilien-blog for editing the chapter in the middle of the night XD
Chapter 2
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