#(If he wanted to touch near her face he'll have to settle for her neck or jawline. Or under the chin/back of her neck.)

[red-hemlock]

‘Shipping and Handling’ (Sending one from Roman too!)

Send me ‘shipping and handling’ for romance advice regarding my muse(s)! @masquenoire

Roman should not reach-out to touch her face. He's not at a point where she'd slap his hand away if he tried it, but if the reach was unexpected, River would at worst back-off or turn her face away. It's nothing personal against him, this is something she'd do with just about anyone... Hands, after all, have brought more pain than enjoyment there than anywhere else.

The best way to ease her into the idea is to ask. She still might say no for that first time, but she'll remember that permission had been requested. He'll know that he's 'in' when she finally guides his hand there herself, and leans into the touch.

But in the end it's up to him to ask, and not demand.

[heavyhitterheaux]

Fun Girl (Slight NSFW)

Synopsis: You and Jack have been in a relationship for the past year and a half, and when you approach him with the idea of settling down, an argument ensues and you come to the conclusion that he'll only ever see you as a Fun Girl

Pairing: Jack Harlow x Reader

Requested by: the gorgeous @toocriticalharlow 💕

Jack Harlow Masterlist

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

The night was winding down and you were getting ready to change from your outfit that you had danced in into some regular clothes to head home to your cat Genesis when your manager, Celeste, came over towards you and leaned her arm on the vanity that you were sitting at.

"Don't take your outfit off yet, he's here for you." She said while wiggling her eyebrows and smiling.

Of course he was.

"He only ever wants you and asks for you so go out there and put on a good show. Go do what I pay you for. You're one of my best, if not my best girl."

You softly laughed to yourself before sliding your shoes back on.

"Where is he?" You asked while turning around to look in the mirror in order to touch up your makeup.

"Where he always is. You know I always put my highest paying clients in the best rooms. Don't keep him waiting."

Without another word she walked off and once you were satisfied with touching up your makeup, you made your way to the room where he was.

Once you opened the door and closed it behind you, his back was facing you and there was no doubt in your mind that it was him by the curly hair that sat on top of his head.

"It's about time you came in here." He quietly said and all you could do was roll your eyes as your heels clicked across the floor making your way towards him.

"Hmm, I heard you were looking for me." You said while leaning down to whisper in his ear from behind as you grazed one of your stiletto nails along his neck.

"I only want the best when I come in here and that's you so of course I was."

"You missed me that much? Aww, too sweet." You lightly ran a hand through his curls and was still behind him as he caught your hand once you took it away from his hair and lightly kissed the back of it.

"So are you going to dance for me or what?" Jack finally asked as you had walked around the couch to be face to face with him.

"Now, do you want me to actually dance for you or do you want to fuck me since you claim to have missed me so much?" You asked while straddling his lap and placing your arms around his neck.

"Can you dance for me and we fuck after? You already got me bricked up so we might as well go all the way."

"I guess I could honor my favorite client's request." You answered while shrugging and placing a kiss below his ear. 

"The difference is that your favorite client just so happens to be your boyfriend." Jack swiftly answered while giving you several kisses as he undid the top of your outfit to expose your breasts as he placed kisses over both of them.

"Damn, I missed you." You breathed out as soon as you felt him slowly start to massage your clit.

"The feeling is mutual, princess. Spread those legs for me. You can always dance for me later and give me my own private show."

"As you wish." You breathed out as Jack then inserted two of his fingers.

"Hmm, I can tell my baby missed me. Look at how wet she is. Is all this for me? Is this what I do to you?"

"Yes, all the time and only you can."

"And I miss the way she tastes. Come here and sit on my face." 

The two of you had been going at it for more than two hours when he finally pulled you on top of him on the couch so that the both of you could catch your breath. You had a feeling that you were nowhere near done since he hadn't seen you for almost a month.

You slowly started stroking him while he immediately reached up to kiss you.

"You gonna give me one more?" You asked while giggling because you knew that he was just as worn out as you were. 

"I can give you a lot more than that." Jack softly breathed out as you took him in your mouth and his hands immediately went to your hair.

All you did was laugh to yourself as you made him come undone before you once more.

When the two of you had finally gotten back to your condo and made a quick detour to McDonald's, the two of you were sitting in the living room enjoying each other's company when you got curious as to why you had seen him more frequently within the past few months. Typically it would be once or twice a month here and there, but he would always send you gifts. This would have been the longest stretch that you had been without him at least in the last six months. 

"Babe, to what do I owe the pleasure of you gracing me with your presence?" You asked while taking a sip of your orange Hi-C.

"So, I can't come and see my girl and fuck her brains out anymore?" Jack asked while leaning over towards you to pinch your cheek.

"I'm never going to tell you no when it comes to that, but I was just curious. I love every moment that I get to spend with you. I know you’re busy so I don’t take it for granted."

"I have an event tomorrow that's close by, so I figured that I would come and see you. You can always put me in a better mood. I love the fact that I can talk to you about absolutely anything."

"And you know for a fact that you’ll always be able to do that. Oohh, what kind of event? Can I go with you? You keep saying how you're going to take me. I’m tired of being in the house and I never really go out unless I’m going to work."

"Not this time babe, besides I thought you had to work tomorrow? And Urban is going to be my plus one." 

"I can always take off. It's no big deal. And Urban, your best friend whom I have yet to meet in almost two years?" You responded while munching on your fries.

"Maybe next time, okay?"

"It seems like you always say that." You quietly muttered while looking away from him.

Deep down, it did really bother you that you really didn’t know any important people in Jack’s life and that just didn’t sit right with you.

What was he hiding?

But he didn’t really have anything to hide because he was always honest and told you everything so why now all of a sudden you feel uneasy? 

"Hey, look at me. When the time is right the entire world is going to know that we're together. Just not right now. Can you hang on a little longer for me, baby?" Jack asked while looking at you with those blue eyes that always had you in a chokehold.

"Okay."

He could tell you the color of the sky was purple and you would agree with him. 

Jack then leaned over to kiss you which you gladly accepted as he then slid you onto his lap since you had finished eating. 

"Besides the day after I'm taking you shopping since I’ll be here for a few days. I feel that it's long overdue."

"With no spending limit!?" You asked since the last few times Jack put you on one when he woke up to one of his credit cards being maxed out. He said that you could get anything that you wanted so you had listened to directions. 

"No spending limit. Anything you want." 

The next evening while Jack had gone out to his event with Urban, you decided to spend time with one of your best friends, Blanca in the hope of making the time go by quicker. Even though he was only going to be gone for a matter of hours, you wanted to spend as much time with him as possible seeing as it will probably be a few weeks before you saw each other again.

However, you were going to bring up to Blanca how he didn’t seem to want the world to know about you and that was fine, as you were more concerned about his friends and family. You were just trying to make sense of this and maybe hearing her opinion would help you get some type of clarity.

“B, this just doesn’t make any sense to me. I totally get that he’s famous and values his privacy but, I mean I haven’t even met his friends or his family.”

“Hmm, something doesn’t sound right. I know you like him and it seems as if he has good intentions towards you, however, something is up.”

“I think so too, but I already approached him about it and of course he said that when the time is right that he would show me off to the world. But when will it be time? We’ve been together for almost two years already.”

“Then you need to ask him and get a straight answer. Truth be told, any man would be lucky to have you to show you off, but the bottom line is that you’re a good person through and through that would do anything for anyone. I just…. I don’t want him to take advantage of that because that's literally the last thing that you deserve. You are always bending over backwards for someone.”

“I just… I don’t know how to feel. When I really think about it I think he’s hiding something frome, but I don’t want to say that without having any evidence to back it up. And besides, I want to stop dancing and really start my life with him.”

“Then you need to tell him that so that the two of you can be on the same page. But he already knows that if he hurts you that he’s going to have to answer to me and that is literally the last thing he is going to want.” 

For the rest of the night you tried to put it in the back of your mind and focus on spending time with your best friend. If the two are meant to be together, then all of the pieces would eventually fall into place. 

The next day the two of you were currently in your bed watching a movie marathon when you decided that this was as good a time as ever to bring it up to him.

"Babe?" You softly said while looking up at him.

"Hmm?"

"I think I'm finally ready to stop dancing. I'm turning 31 this year and want to start a family."

You couldn’t exactly read Jack’s facial expression, but you had a feeling that whatever he was about to say wasn't anything good.

"I… and what are you going to do?"

"Well I do have a marketing degree and I could always help you. We've been together for almost two years and I know I could be of value to your team."

"What made you even bring this up? Like, where is this coming from?" Jack asked while getting defensive and you didn't understand why.

"I.. I can't do this forever and I had been thinking about it for a while. How am I your girlfriend when your family as well as the majority of your friends don't even know about me?"

"You know I like my privacy."

"But from your parents and closest friends? Are you embarrassed that your girlfriend is a stripper?" Because that was honestly the only thing that you could think of. 

"What? No." Jack hesitantly said and you couldn’t help but to immediately roll your eyes.

"You are. I… want to be with you and start a family with you."

"Y/N….."

"What? You always tell me how much you love and care about me so what's the problem? Why are you giving me so much pushback? Do you not want the same thing?"

"Okay how do I put this lightly?" Jack said as he sighed and you knew that shit was about to hit the fan in the next few seconds. 

"Put what?"

"Y/N, I do love you and care about you…. But I don't see you in my future."

"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" You said while sitting up and looking at him.

All Jack did was sigh.

"You're a stripper… what future does a stripper have? I'm thankful for the time we've known each other but… I can never see you being my wife or the mother of my kids."

"Wow." Was all you quietly said as you were taking it all in.

"You're fun for me, this has been fun but I don't see you as anything else. I don't mean for it to sound like that, but that's the truth."

"So I'm just a fun girl to you and nothing else? I'm a human being with actual feelings you asshole."

"Let's be serious Y/N, you keep my bed warm when I'm away from my actual girlfriend and that's it."

"Your actual WHAT?!" You want to run that one by me again?"

"You couldn't possibly think that you were my main girl all this time. You're more dense than I thought if that's the case."

"Wha… so because of my job, you don't see me as a person?"

"I kept you around for entertainment and you did your job beautifully, but now I don't have a use for you if you’re about to quit dancing so why should we keep this going if it's literally not going to lead anywhere?"

"So, all you've been doing is feeding me lies for the past two years?" You asked as your eyes started to water, but you were for damn sure not going to let them fall.

"I didn't lie exactly."

"But you didn't tell the truth either. Just…. Do me a favor and get out. Make sure you lose my number in the process."

"Shit, I'll delete it in front of you if it makes you feel better. Face it, all you'll ever be good for is keeping another man's bed warm."

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[matchadobo]

KIDD; fvck me like you love me

wc: 1933 summary: name finally gets vocal about her relationship with kidd, wanting more than just s3x warning/s: nsfw🔞, fem reader, smut-fluff-smut, very cute and sensual

"you catching feelings, captain?" you gazed at the shirtless redhead beside you, he's got his eyes closed and his human arm behind his head, his biceps and torso too fucking toned it drives you beyond insanity.

he opened his eyes, sitting and gazing down at you. "that so? you sure you're not breakin' first?" he got off the bed, waltzed to the bathroom without caring that he's fucking naked, and peed while looking at you in the mirror. after washing his hands, he made his way back.

"love, aye? you think you've got what it takes to love me?" he crawled back in the bed, reaching over to give you a wet kiss.

"mm-mm, it's too late, eustass. we've got to resupply and leave early tomorrow." you pulled away, but he instead planted kisses on your neck, gripping your waist closer.

"why'd i have to listen to you? i'm the captain of your ship, sugar." he murmured by your shoulders.

"come on, like i don't shut you up during sex." you got on top of him.

"you do most of the shutting up, don't you? got you all dumb over my cock." he had a firm grip on your hips, up to your waist, before he settled them on your tits. "what do you want? wanna go for round 2?"

"wanna know what i really want?" you leaned down, nose to nose and forehead to forehead with him. "i want you to fuck me like you love me."

he looked at you with stunned eyes, blinking as if it'd give him the clarity from what he just heard. "you've already dropped the hint so many times, right? why don't you come prove it, big guy?"

progress was there, but it ain't hefty. baby steps, you know eustass wasn't big on emotions. you'd notice he'd be on your side more, if not behind, or maybe act more protective by standing before you. he doesn't want to undermine how strong you are, he just wants to show you that this meathead will protect you.

he'd start holding you tighter during idle times in parties, his arms and touch would never leave you nor would his lips, you'd always find a place for yourself between his thighs.

when you're doing chores like laundry and dishes, he helps you and once you tease him about it, he'll brush off an excuse like he's bored and tells you to shut up about it. he'll even use his powers to give an extra hand. he'll even go an extra mile to help you carry stuff, brushing it off that your ass might get tired and he doesn't want to deal with it kinda shit.

and that one time, on your birthday, he even baked you a cake! with killer's help of course, but he didn't tell you that 🤫. he even got some frosting and powder on his body and shirt while handing it to you. he was the cutest thing.

instead of inviting you for booze, he'd have an intricately designed metal bouquet and will shyly hand it to you while asking you to have dinner with him at some lowkey diner on town. when you two would finish, he'd take you to the dock near your ship and dip your toes on the sea while watching the stars, moon, and entertaining yourselves with more shit you to never run out to talk about.

once it becomes too late and you two are in the mood, he'd give you a long kiss before spinning you around like the one they do in romantic movies. once you face him again, he'd wrap you in his embrace and place a kiss on your forehead. "you ready? i'll show you how the next pirate king fucks you like he loves you."

you found your saliva pooling in your mouth, hence choking, while alternating your gaze at his lustful, amber eyes. "i'm...scared?"

"that's what you also told me when we first met. seems you attract what you fear, lovely." he chuckled, letting you go before intertwining your fingers together as you two walked hand in hand on your shared quarters.

he'd start by taking your coat off, placing a kiss on your cold, bare shoulders on the way. you shivered and leaned at his touch. he then zipped down your dress, hooking the arm loops by your arms to let it slide down the floor before grasping your mounds firmly. his cold hands left you breathless as you shut your eyes.

"turn around for me, angel." he mumbled softly and you complied. he raised your chin with his index and planted a kiss on your lips, something was different about how he kisses lately. he takes his time taking your breath away with how long he wants to stay connected. he got more handsy, more on your neck, jaws, and cheeks.

your hands made its way to his clothes, slipping off his tank top and unbuttoning his jeans. he'd guide you to his raven, velvety bed while staying connected to you, swallowing your moans. once you made it to the bed, he'd let you lay down as he gets on top of you.

"ehh? doing the giving? that's a surprise, kidd." you propped yourself up by your elbows, watching him plant wet kisses on your bare body.

"mmm, wanna give my woman what she deserves." he peppered your skin with haphazard kisses and licks, making sure to stipple the surface of your torso with the prints from his lips.

"you're getting more slick with words, captain." you smiled, observing how he proceeds.

"aye. you've taught me beautiful things, sweet stuff." he met your twinkling eyes, his lips had a sheen of saliva as the tint on his lips get more smudged with each kiss on your body. "let's get this thing off, hm?" he lowly growled, biting the string of your panties and sliding it off your hips. "'s on the way."

"what a naughty captain you are." you got comofrtable, combing your fingers through his rich, ruby locks.

"you see," he pried your thighs open, nibbling at the skin just before your cunt. "i haven't gone to realize how much 'giving' is so much better than 'receiving' until i've seen you look at me with that dirty glint on your eyes, expecting to be praised and made love to." he reached over to brush his thumb under your eye. "how it begs for more and how you repeat 'please' like a dirty, little prayer when i dote on your pretty, throbbing cunt." he then placed his thumb to rub on your clit while keeping his eyes on you, he smirked seeing your face contort to a lewd pout. "and don't even get me started when you scream my name, sweetness. you sound so, so fuckin' precious."

"i'm at my fuckin' knees, my queen."

you stifled your moans with his pillows, pushing his head further in your cunt. he reached over to hold your hand, letting you bury his head on your sopping crevice.

once you were a panting, crazed, whore, he'd finally wipe off his mouth like he just had the meal of his life. he'd kiss you with the same lips that drowned in your juices, it was so dirty yet you love it so much.

he positioned himself. he rarely does missionary, he loves your ass so much he'd always be headstrung on giving you backshots. but now, he'd want to never take his eyes off you, the same with you to him. so he pressed his forehead to yours, intertwining your fingers with his, and exchanged breaths once he was fully in. you two fucked so many times but this one feels different, he feels different. he's warmer, he's more gentle. he looked into your eyes way more, he kissed you way more, and he held your hands on the way, squeezing each time you felt like you were leaving earth with his unholy manner of fucking.

"don't lose yourself too much, bunny. we're doing this all night." he planted a kiss on your cheek then on your hand after before grasping your hips and drilled into you. "you look so beautiful like this, name." he panted, throwing his head back and seeing as his styled hair get more and more disheveled. a hotter version of your lover. his eyeliner and lipstick was already smudged with all the unholy acts you two have been doing. his hair has been pulled so many times and your lipstick marks have decorated his face and body.

"y-you're too-aah- fucking good- fuck-" you slurred with each thrust, scratching on his arms as your eyes rolled at the back of your head. he's filling you up so good, so full, and he even held you tight. you were in heaven.

he leaned down, bodies close together as he slowed down his pace. connecting his forehead with yours once again, intertwined hands settled at the side of your head, his eyes looking deeply into yours. his hips rocking you back and forth, prying your legs open.

"i love you." he broke out, kissing the corner of your lips. "you're the best fucking thing that ever happened to me, you know that?"

you broke into giggles at this once emotionally constipated man that used to scowl and bark violently at you who was now inside you, at your cheeks as you felt the heat in his face get deeper, proclaiming his love for you. you pulled him in for a hug, placing a kiss on his cheek.

there was something different about his eyes. his eyes mirrors how he desires you, not sexually, but physically. he yearns to have you inside of him. too desperate to have you in his arms. too hungry to hear how you say it back to him. too hopeful to make you feel good. too lost in the pleasure of your cunt and the melody of your moans.

and he was slow and gentle. delicately fucking you yet he was so deep and so good. his breath was hot against your cheek as he panted for more. his grip was firm yet protective. his thrusts were sharp but he always studied your gaze, seeing any shift in your expression. it was a silent exchange of words with parted lips and smiling eyes. you stayed like that for a while, earnestly memorizing how each other looked under immense hypnosis of the addicting back and forth feeling. a warm, budding sensation that left knots on your stomachs.

kidd is the most, if not the only one, vocal partner you have ever slept with. he wouldn't have any shame in being so loud and letting your crew members hear how good he's feeling. but tonight, he was all about hums and low growls. he wanted to hear you more. he wanted to hear how much you wanted him. he wanted to hear how good he's making you feel. he wanted to chorus with your moans and let yours echo in his ears.

so once he was close, he placed his lips by your cheek after kissing your forehead. "do i come inside? can i come inside?" he begged, tucking hairs behind your ear. his hot breaths and guttural moans driving you stupid.

"hmm, i wouldn't mind having cute, little brats with you." you smiled ear to ear, placing a kiss on his forehead. you saw the gradual, sheepish smile that spread across his lips. "i'll be glad they'll take after their father."

this was kind of all over the place? buuut can't get started on the requests yet 🥹 shit at school are piling up again

[bcbdrums]

A familiar sound caught Shego's ear, and she redirected her steps toward Drakken's room. As she drew nearer and the sound became clear, she cringed and her steps became more cautious as she approached his bathroom.

Sure enough, when she pushed the door open with one hand and peered into the brightly-lit room, she found Drakken where she expected to: clad in only pajama pants and white t-shirt, kneeling next to the toilet, and with his arms folded over the seat and his face pressed down into them. His black hair fell all around him and dangerously near the edge of the bowl, concealing his face. Though Shego didn't think she needed to see to know what expression he would be wearing.

Drakken's body ached. From his head to his toes, every limb and joint and muscle felt as if it had been put through the hardest escape from Possible ever with no opportunity of recovery. But worse than that was his stomach, which despite being emptied of all its contents still felt pressured and as if it needed to be forcibly removed from his body. But considering he had heaved until his throat was dry and only the faintest of acid came up, he had run out of options to alleviate the pain on that end, too.

He was prepared to stay there the whole night, aching head pressed into his forearms until sleep took him, but then he was roused ever-slightly from his misery by the feeling of cool fingers against his neck, tiny spots of ice grazing against the heat of his skin and soothing the pain ever so slightly as they moved, gathering his hair away from his cheeks until he felt the familiar motion of his hair being tied up at the nape of his neck.

"I told you you should stop swapping recipes with Stoppable," Shego said. "One of these days he'll send something to poison us. Like we should have done to him and the princess already."

Drakken took in the complaint, the annoyed tone to her voice. But he also took in the feeling of her hand resting upon his neck, the other checking his forehead for fever as she settled down next to him on the bathroom floor.

"I'll...send a 'special' spice along with... Nana Lipsky's apple pie recipe," he said with effort between breaths. "That'll...teach him for making me add... Pure capsaicin."

"I don't wanna know," Shego replied, her fingers combing Drakken's sweat-dampened hair back from his forehead.

He wanted to see her face; to see what expression of tenderness might be accompanying the atypical kindness and care. But he couldn't bring himself to lift his head or open his eyes, for fear the spell would break or reveal it all a dream. So he measured his breaths against the pain in his belly and the ache in his head and limbs, and let Shego's touch and presence soothe his soul.

[pearwaldorf]

I started writing this after the fleeting glimpse of Taika in Rita's Insta story.

--

And there Ed is, talking to Fang about something. Fang nods and walks off, leaving Ed by himself.

Stede stays quiet, taking the opportunity to drink in the sight of him. His hair is pulled out of his face in a half bun, lovely as ever. His beard is shorter, framing the strong line of his jaw. It has been such a long time since Stede's laid eyes on Ed, and now that he has the real thing in front of him, the memories pale in comparison.

Another crew member, one Stede doesn't know, calls out to Ed. It sounds teasing, and Ed makes a rude gesture as the woman passes.

Ed leans against the rail. There's something in his posture that Stede's never seen, at least outside of the captains' quarters. It takes him a moment to realize it's ease. There is an openness to him that wasn't there before, a settled assurance that makes Stede wonder if coming back truly was the right decision.

(He is not a disease or a corruption. He was a fool to listen to Chauncey. But that does not mean he is good for anyone.)

Stede isn't sure when he ended up at the rail. But there he is, next to Ed, who's flicked his eyes towards him but has otherwise not reacted. The breeze blows against them, fluttering and playful. Stede is still not used to having so few layers between him and the rest of the world, but it's not as bad as he feared.

He turns to Ed. “You look good.”

Finally, Ed faces him, takes him in. Something flashes in his eyes but is gone before Stede can identify it.

"Thanks." His tone is clipped, terse. They're next to each other but for all the warmth Stede just heard he could be on the moon. That does hurt more than he thought it would. He's not stupid; he didn't think he'd be welcomed back with open arms, but he expected a little more… heat. Agitation. Something.

Ed's still looking at him, unreadable even though Stede can see all of his face. Maybe that's where things started to go wrong, Blackbeard without his armor, a tabula rasa to project things he wanted to be true.

(I'd call those things love.

The look in Mary's eyes when she realized he finally got it, the joy of watching the revelation happen reflected in her face. That was real, so this must be too.)

He meets Ed's gaze, holds it. Raises his hand slow, curls it to Ed's nape. Feels the way he relaxes against the touch, presses his forehead to Stede's.

"I'm sorry."

Ed sighs, closes his eyes. Stede's near enough to feel lashes flutter against his skin.

"You fucking should be." It's not angry at all, just tired, so tired.

Stede pulls away, just enough so he can press his lips to Ed's. It's only fair he reaches out this time, after what happened. But he doesn't want to create any sort of expectation, not when everything is still so tenuous. The graze of skin is more of a question than gesture: are we all right? Can we be?

Ed makes a noise and Stede can't tell if it's good or bad, so he stops. Before he can say anything, Ed pulls him back in, clutching at his shirt. The kiss is a fierce, desperate thing, as if Ed could keep Stede from leaving again by swallowing him whole.

He wraps his arms round Ed, lets him rest his chin atop Stede's head. It tucks him against Ed's shoulder, the warm skin of his neck. Now that he knows what it feels like, next to the man he loves, he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to part.

"I waited for you." Ed says this into his hair, like it’s not something he can do face to face. Stede thinks he understands.

"I should have come. Even after— that's not important right now. I'm sorry." He'll repeat it not just until Ed believes it, but until he feels expiated.

"But you're here now." Ed's arms tighten around him. Stede's unsure if it's relief, possession, or something else. But he’ll take it.

He turns his head up, meets Ed’s eyes. "And I will be, until you say otherwise."

[joshuaorrizonte]

Dragonsong Chapter Five: Elymont

@zottower @eventide-imp

Chapter Five: In which the heroes discover that sometimes, people you go to for help have bad intentions.

Ask to be tagged/stop being tagged!

The three of them ran until Stormsong couldn’t run anymore. “I’m… I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I’m sorry. If I was still a dragon, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, sweetheart.” Liashta put her hands to her hips, panting. "I hope Gavin will be alright."

"I think he'll be fine," Kain said, winded but otherwise okay. "He's the most capable of us. He might have to kill the peacekeepers."

Liashta glared sharply at him. “Those peacekeepers are your friends!”

“Were,” Kain bit out bitterly. “They stopped being my friends when they detained me instead of letting me go my way. I shouldn’t have had to be rescued by people who claim to care about me.”

“Kain…” Liashta looked down at Stormsong as the girl touched her hand, and shook her head slightly. The young woman sighed, and lapsed into silence.

And they waited. 

It didn’t take long for Kain to get antsy. Liashta and Stormsong watched him, both of them wary, until he finally shook his head. “I’m going back for him.”

“No, you’re not-“ Liashta started.

“Damn it, Lia,” Kain snapped, running his hands through his hair. “If they catch him, they’ll kill him! I’m going back for him, and if he’s dead, I’m burning the town to the ground!”

“You’ll do no such thing.”

Kain’s head whipped around, sheer relief crossing his features. “Gavin!”

The night elf approached, trudging through the underbrush, a pale blue halo of magic surrounding him. The magic dissipated as he neared them. “I didn’t kill them,” he said softly, “I evaded them.”

“How?” Kain asked blankly. “I imagine you had the entire force breathing down your neck.”

“You don’t know many dark knights, do you?” Kain could hear the chilly smile, even if he couldn’t see it through Gavin’s visor. “It isn’t hard when the shadows themselves obey you.”

Kain shook his head slowly. “Perhaps I’ve been wrong about all of this. Perhaps we’ve been wrong. I expected you to kill them.”

“I’ve been trying to tell you that you’re wrong this whole time,” Gavin clipped. “So what now? We have no supplies and an extra mouth to feed.”

His tone was apologetic, and Liashta, although she wanted to get upset with him for the clipped comment, couldn’t. He was right; she was another mouth to feed. But the way Kain looked at her, almost resentfully, was a little too much for her. "What is that about?" she demanded, her temper flaring.

Instead of answering, Kain shook his head. "We still have a little left from when we went to the shrine. Split that between the girls and we'll just have to last until we reach Elymont."

"Do you think you can do that?" Stormsong asked, concerned.

"We'll have to," Gavin said softly. "I have a trap I can use to catch small game, but no bait. I used it all by the time I reached Reythak. We can resupply in Elymont, we just have to get there."

Liashta looked to Stormsong. "I think we should wait as long as possible before eating what we have," she said quietly. "Will you be alright doing that?" 

Stormsong nodded. "I'll be fine. Let's get going. The longer we're here, the likelier it is that we'll be found."

~*~

Stormsong was not fine. Soon, Gavin and Kain took to carrying the child again, as she slept on their shoulders. Kain couldn't help but think about how precious she was. He smiled to himself as Gavin handed her off to him again and stretched his arms and shoulders. "She is deceptively heavy," he observed quietly. 

"She's asleep," Kain replied, smiling at the girl's sleeping face as he settled her in his arms. "She's dead weight. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Gavin's gaze went to Liashta, walking ahead of them. "Your friend is not."

Kain made a face. "She isn't my friend."

"Her actions say otherwise."

"She has a guilty conscience." At that, Gavin gave him a curious look, and Kain shook his head. "It's best if it isn't spoken of. Suffice it to say that there was more going on than I originally told you.” Gavin’s expression shifted to one of disbelief, and Kain groused at him, “I gave you the basics you asked for, and that was more than you were entitled to know.”

Gavin sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. This is genuinely none of my business—as far as I know that it’s not going to cause problems between you two.”

“It won’t.” Kain’s expression had gone stony. “As for how she’s doing, you’re right. She’s flagging, and fast. Are you able to run ahead of us and get food and water from the city, and bring it back to us?”

“I’m an elf,” Gavin replied sourly. “Rumors of our speed are greatly exaggerated.” Regardless, he seemed to stretch for a second. “But I can get there faster on my own, that much is true. I’m not sure how much faster, but I can do it. Keep traveling this straight line. Don’t hesitate to stop if you must. Your health is more important than meeting me swiftly.”

“Your health is-“ Kain began to protest.

Gavin silenced him with a glare. “I said what I said. Go for as long as you can and then stop. I’ll be back as quickly as possible.”

With that, Gavin took off at a light jog. Kain heard Liashta protest as he darted past her, and Kain called to her, “Don’t worry about him, he’ll be back with supplies faster than if we continued at this pace.”

Liashta stood and waited for Kain to catch up to her, her face sallow and wan. Still, she didn’t speak a word of protest. “Are you sure he’ll be safe alone in Elymont?”

“No, I’m not,” he admitted, “but we both think that the risk is worth the benefit.”

“He could be killed.”

 “He could,” Kain admitted, calmly, “but I’ve got a feeling he won’t be.”

Liashta frowned sharply. “How could you possibly know that-“

“I don’t,” he cut her off, irritated. “I don’t know that, alright? But he’s already gone. He’s already gone and we have to keep moving. If this was a mistake, and he gets imprisoned or killed, we still have to make it to Elymont.”

Stormsong, having just woken, asked quietly, “What will we do once we’re at the city?”

Kain looked at the girl in his arms thoughtfully. “You and I continue to Darkfell, with or without Gavin,” he said firmly. “Liashta should send message back to Reythak that she’s safe and for someone to come get her.”

Liashta gasped in irritation. “No!”

“Lia-“

“I will do no such thing,” she proclaimed haughtily. “Especially with you risking your life as you plan. I’m not just leaving you to journey to the night elves’ lands, not knowing if you’ll make it back alive-“

“If I don’t make it back alive,” Kain cut her off critically, “and you’re with me, you’re not making it back alive. I don’t want that on my conscience.”

“If we die doing this,” Liashta argued, “then you won’t have a conscience to for it to bother, Kain. But Stormsong says I’m a dragon singer, and if I can spare Gavin’s sister the task, I would like to do it.”

“Um…” 

Both of them turned their attention to Stormsong, who was looking up at them in concern and open dismay. “If I may… the night elves will be able to tell I’m a dragon. They’re not like humans, elves are attuned to magic better. They won’t kill you. I know they won’t. So please, let Liashta come with us. I’d like to work at transforming back, and having a dragon singer with us may help me do that. And she’s your friend, Kain.”

“She is not-“

“She is,” Liashta said firmly. “I wouldn’t have helped you escape if you weren’t my friend. I know the feeling isn’t mutual anymore but I still care about you, very much.”

Kain simply stared at her. She met his gaze eagerly, earnestly, then sighed, looking away. “Understand something,” Kain said softly, and Liashta looked at him again. “You hurt me. None of what happened needed to happen.”

“You were seducing a woman twice your age-“

“We were doing that together,” he interrupted, his voice almost pleading. “It wasn’t anyone’s fault, Lia, it just was. We were dealing with it on our own.”

“It looked to me like you were giving in to your baser instincts,” she said bitterly. 

“She was in the middle of stopping it,” Kain exclaimed, “when you burst in and started flinging accusations around!”

 Stormsong hissed, “I don’t know what happened, and I don’t care to know, but you need to work with her, Kain! She’s as much a part of this as you and Gavin are now. Do you think that Reythak is just going to take her back?”

“Yes,” Kain ground out. “I’m the one they’ll be exiling, not her!”

“You’re either stupid or blind,” Liashta hissed, tears springing to her eyes, “and the jury’s out on which! They were going to kill you, Kain! My mother and I convinced them to let us try to get through to you. I always intended to help you get away, though, and with how things went down, I’m sure they know that.”

Stormsong watched Kain as he glared, although his mind was turning, trying to find a way to keep Liashta safe. Despite his protests to the contrary, he cared for her; it was obvious on his face. But then the glare eased and he sighed. “We keep going to Elymont,” he said heavily. “I need to believe that Gavin is alright.”

“And if he isn’t?” Liashta prompted quietly.

“Then we move on to Darkfell without him. All three of us.”

The young woman closed her eyes, huffing out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Kain.”

“Don’t thank me.” His voice was dry and almost sarcastic. “I might be getting all three of us killed, going to Darkfell without a night elf guide. But if we can get the message through to Gavin’s sister-“

“That’s what I don’t understand,” Liashta interrupted. “Stormsong says I am a dragon singer. Why can’t I do it?”

“Because you’re untrained,” Stormsong said solemnly. “Whoever did this—whoever sang all the dragons away—is skilled. We need someone who has just as much skill as they do-“

“And you think Gavin’s sister does, without knowing-“

“Gavin has faith in her,” Kain cut her off. “And if she doesn’t have the skill necessary-“

“Oh, the great and beautiful Gavin says it, so it must be-“

“What is your problem, Lia?”

“You know what my problem-“

“Stop it!” Stormsong thundered, in a voice far too commanding for her tiny frame. “If you must know, Gavin is absolutely right about his sister.”

Liashta and Kain both looked at her like she’d lost the plot. “How do you know this?” Kain asked, eyes narrowed.

“I just do. Like I knew Lia is a dragon singer. We know our own, we know singers and riders.”

“So you know every singer on the continent?” Liashta asked, eyes wide. “Perhaps we needn’t go to Darkfell-“

“It isn’t that simple!” Stormsong was beginning to pout. “I don’t know every singer on the continent. I only know those who are right in front of me, or have a connection to a rider. Likewise, I know riders with connections to singers. Which is how I knew Liashta was a singer, actually. You’re connected.”

Liashta and Kain gave each other apprehensive looks. “What do you mean, we’re connected?” Liashta asked. 

“I don’t know that instinctively,” Stormsong replied, sounding a bit cranky. “I just know you have a strong connection to my rider. It could be as simple as your friendship.”

“We’re not friends-“ Kain protested again.

As Liashta murmured in hurt, Stormsong snapped, “Yes, you are, Kain! You’re mad at her over something that happened before I was even born, but you are friends. Friendship doesn’t die over something so trivial as-“

“She accused me of-“

“Kain!” Liashta protested, the word a cry of pain. “I’m sorry! That’s what it looked like to me! I know better now, and I’m sorry! How many times do you want me to say it?”

“I want it to have never happened.” He stood up straight, his eyes stormy with memory, with pain. “I want you to have had enough faith in me as your friend to know that I could never…” He trailed off. “I want you to have never done it. But I’m not getting what I want, and neither are you. You cannot undo what you did to me with ‘I’m sorry.’”

None of them spoke after that. Even Kain’s glare was more hurt than angry, and he shifted Stormsong in his arms. “Can you walk for a while?”

Stormsong nodded. “I can walk for a while,” she whispered. He put her down on her feet, and she reached up to take his hand. “Let’s keep going,” she murmured. “Gavin will be returning to us by nightfall, if he’s okay.” She paused. “And I think he’s okay, Kain. You can stop worrying so much.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Liar.”

And Kain did not contradict her again.

~*~

It was nearing nightfall when Kain spotted Gavin on the horizon, as a tiny figure with a gait that was painfully familiar. And he wasn’t alone. Liashta and Kain exchanged worried glances and quickened their pace. Stormsong followed behind them, slower, less hurried, less worried. 

She had the right of it. Gavin raised a hand in greeting, and Kain called to him, “Are you okay?!”

“Fine!” 

Kain didn’t believe him, and broke into a light jog. Liashta hung back, staying with Stormsong, as Kain ran ahead; Liashta and Stormsong were still upright, still moving, but flagging quickly. One of Gavin’s companions, a youth wearing the insignia of the royal house, broke away from the others, darting towards Kain faster than Kain thought a child his size could move. The boy carried a bag on his back, a bag that he unslung and reached into as he neared the dragon rider. “Here, sir,” the boy said, pulling a flask from it and handing it to Kain. “The dark knight told us you’ve been without food ‘n water for a day. And without sleep too, looks like.”

“I’m fine,” Kain said, regardless taking the flask gratefully. “Our companions are a woman and child, behind me. They should eat before I do.”

“Yes, sir.”

And with that, the youth tore off towards Liashta and Stormsong, as Gavin led the Elymont guards to him. “Are you a sight for sore eyes,” Kain said, once they were within comfortable earshot. “Lia had me just about convinced that we’d need to carry on without you.”

Gavin shook his head, smiling sadly. “We’re lucky I was able to convince them that I had human companions in need of assistance. They were about ready to throw me in their jail and be done with it.”

“What changed their mind?” Kain asked curiously.

“I knew what had happened to their dragons.” Gavin paused, then said softly, “They still didn’t quite believe me but were willing to hear me out. That’s the reason I have so many soldiers with me. In case this was a trap. I asked them what, exactly, my point would have been if it was a trap, and they couldn’t answer.” He huffed, shaking his head. “I knew that there was a bigotry problem with humans, but I had no idea it was this bad…”

“Yes, well, humans are ridiculous,” Kain admitted. “We have our own bigotry issues amongst ourselves. Who we love, the color of our skin, even how capable we are; there are those who hate for some incredibly irrational reasons.”

“Like you do?” 

Gavin’s soft voice was sharp, accusing. Kain winced. “Yes, well, I’m quickly learning how irrational it is. You’re not innocent, though.”

“I don’t hate you because you’re human.”

“No?”

“I hate you because of what you do to me.” Gavin turned away then, heading for Stormsong and Liashta. Kain considered calling after him, demanding to know what he meant by that. 

Instead he just shook his head, murmuring to himself. “That’s the one thing I can say I don’t hate you for…”

~*~

Night had fallen by the time they reached the port city, and the lieutenant of the squad that had been sent to get them escorted Gavin and Kain to the governor’s mansion, directing them to wait to be summoned. Gavin and Kain glanced at each other as they sat next to each other; Gavin’s helmet in his hands. Neither of them spoke, the silence uncomfortable. Kain wanted to ask him what he meant back in the field between the woods and city. And he could tell that Gavin wanted to talk to him, had something to say that he wouldn’t. 

Just as Kain was about to demand for Gavin to speak up, the governor appeared in the parlor, and both of them stood reflexively, out of respect. “Be at ease,” the governor said, almost tiredly. “My men tell me that you two are on a quest to rescue the dragons. I have to say, I’ve had quite a difficult time figuring out how I’m going to defend my city without my dragons. So if you could tell me what has become of them…”

Gavin and Kain looked at each other. “We’re not exactly sure,” Gavin answered slowly. “Kain’s dragon—the little girl who was with us—forced herself into human form to avoid the disaster, but she was asleep when it began. She believes that a powerful dragon singer summoned all of the world’s dragons to them, for reasons we cannot figure out. The plan, as I told your captain of the city guard, is to go to Darkfell and ask our dragon singer to summon back one of the dragons and find out from them what happened. We'll figure out what to do from there."

The governor frowned sharply. "That isn't what I wanted to hear."

"Yet it's what I can tell you."

Kain spoke up, hesitant and unsure. "We might be able to ask Stormsong for more details. I can't promise that she'll be able to tell you more than she's already told us."

A glint came over the governor’s eyes. "Yes. I think I want to do that. I'll speak to her alone, if that's alright with you."

"It is not."

As the governor looked at Gavin sharply, Kain asked in confusion, "Gavin?"

"After the way you treated me, you expect me to be okay with handing a child over to you?" the night elf demanded coldly. 

"What did he do to you?" Kain's voice was suddenly deeply protective. 

And it startled him. "Nothing," he answered, almost defensive. Then, he said softer, "He didn't do anything to me. He wasn't kind to me, but I'm unhurt. My point is that he was unkind. I'm not subjecting a child to that."

"I don't think that's your call," the governor said, his tone insidious. "She is Kain's dragon. He should be the one to decide that.”

“No, she will be the one to decide it,” Kain said firmly. 

The governor’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“I said she will decide for herself.”

“She is a dragon, Dragonsong. She is an animal-“

“No, she isn’t,” he said, far calmer than any of them thought he should be. “She is an animal in the same sense that we are-“

“And we have next to nothing in common with the night elf-“

"I know you're not calling Gavin an animal."

"If the shoe fits." 

Gavin’s face flushed and Kain's voice took on the protective edge once more. "He is a man," he said harshly, "and you're out of line, sir." 

"Perhaps. My point stands. The girl only has the guise of a child. She isn't as lucid as she's impressing on you. She is, at her core, an animal. If it makes you feel better, I will have a beast master interrogate her-"

"You will not interrogate her," Gavin said, his soft voice sharp once more. "If Kain says you may, you will speak to her respectfully, as you would any other person."

The governor frowned. "Very well. I will inform the beast master that he is to be gentle."

You should be gentle with animals no matter what they are," Kain said sourly, "but dragons have always been intelligent. Just because we can't understand them-"

"If they were intelligent they would have speech."

"Arrogant to assume that only man has intelligible speech because you can't understand anyone else," Gavin said coolly. 

"You'd think that, elf. You're the arrogant ones, always believing your ways superior-"

"If the shoe fits," Gavin snarled quietly. 

The governor snarled in return, "Control your pet, Dragonsong."

"He is not my pet." Regardless, Kain put a hand on Gavin's shoulder; Gavin glared at him, but made no effort to shake him off. “We will do things your way,” Kain said in a low, dangerous voice, “but you will not hurt my dragon, in any way, shape or form. That includes her feelings. And if she tells me that your beast master has crossed a line, any line, I am holding you personally responsible. Am I clear?”

“Crystal,” the governor said dryly. “Now, if you’ll bring me the dragon, I’ll fetch my beast master.” At Kain’s threatening look, the governor said, almost defensive, “I will personally intervene if it appears the dragon is about to be hurt.” 

“You need to understand that she is a child,” Kain said firmly. “I’m not talking about her size as a dragon. She is literally a human child right now. She is fragile. Understand this, or the deal is off.”

The color drained from the governor’s face. “What manner of trickery is—you told me you had a dragon with you!”

“We do,” Gavin insisted. “Were you not listening? We even told you how she came to be a human child! You don’t get to act surprised now-“

“Don’t tell me what I do and don’t get to do!” With that angry hiss, the governor strode past them to the parlor doors. “Guards! Take these charlatans and get them out of my sight. Maybe a few days in the drunk tank will teach them not to try to scam Elymont’s government!”

As the governor’s men rushed into the room, grabbing the two men roughly, Kain protested, “What exactly do we have to gain from telling such an obvious lie?” 

Before he could continue, the governor said coldly, “I don’t know. What do you have to gain from telling such an obvious lie?”

“That was rhetorical,” Gavin snarled. “It isn’t a goddamned lie. We haven’t lied to you a single time-“

“Yet you keep on lying.” The governor turned away. “Get their woman and the girl. The three of them can rot in a cell together. But maybe the girl can be… persuaded to tell me the truth.”

“Don’t you dare!” Kain roared, as the guards yanked his hands behind his back. He lurched at the governor, who stared at him dispassionately as two more guards swarmed him. “Hurt her and you’ll regret every breath you’ve ever taken!”

“Get him out of my sight,” the governor sneered. 

As they dragged Kain away, fighting them every step, the governor turned his gaze to Gavin, calmly letting the guards chain his wrists. “You seem awfully collected, elf,” the governor observed with a cruel smile.

“One of us needs to be,” Gavin replied, his voice blank. “But his threat goes twice for me. Hurt Stormsong, and I will kill you myself. And you will wish Kain was the one who got to you first.”

“You think you scare me?”

Gavin simply smiled, a cold smile that promised that he was understating the consequences the governor would be faced with. It unnerved the man. “Get him out of here,” he growled. 

As one of the guards surrounding him grabbed his arm roughly, Gavin abruptly dragged his magic up and around him, forcing the guards back. “I can manage myself,” he said haughtily. “Just guide me to where you need me to go.”

Bewildered, the commander of the guards turned to the governor. The man shook his head. “Just… just take him to the drunk tank with his friend, and bring me the girl!”

With that, the governor brushed past them, and Gavin gave the guards a mild, and mildly threatening, look. “Well? You heard the man. Lead on.”

[lunaekalenda]

Omg hi can I request Levi having to wake up ready early and it is like so hard to do it.They are cuddling and he wakes up first ofc cause he has to wake up his baby and like he gives her kisses all over her face.She wakes up eventually asking for 5 more minutes in his arms and he can’t say no to his cute little sleepy brat if u can do it pls make it with much FLUFFF (I AM JUST HUNGRY FOR IT) hope u have the best day/night 💕

OMG sure ! i'm so needing cuddles right now T.T i hope you like it !! and i hope it's fluffy enough :D

levi x reader

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The alarm was ringing on Levi's night table. He was already awake, watching you sleep so peacefully, so with a single touch to the right button, the clock stopped its infernal sound. Levi turned around to you again, grey eyes scanning your beautiful and sleepy face.

He knows he has to wake you up.

Your body searches his warmth by itself, letting his arms wrap around you while you hide your face on his chest, his heart beating against your cheek. Levi sighs. He will wait a second. He's too comfortable in that position, feeling you close and being able to wrap you on his arms. You move quietly, your head now on the pillow, Levi getting access to your face. His lips press a kiss on your cheek, sweetly, moving to the next spot. He talks in between.

"Come on." a kiss on the corner of your lips. "We have to wake up." he whispers near your ear, kissing it, your head buried on the pillow. You don't want to wake up.

"I don't want to, Levi." you whisper. "Five minutes more, please." You hug him again, your body without a little separation from his. He sighs, his hand finding your hair and caressing it softly. He sighs. He knows you two have to wake up if your don't want to be late. But he's unable to leave the sheets, and less your body. He doesn't care about the meeting anymore. He takes the blanket, covering you both better. "I'll wake y/n up in a few minutes." he thinks for himself, while smelling the sweet scent your hair gives him. He closes his eyes. This is his favorite moment of the day. You, snuggled up against him, your body touching his, your smell filling his senses and your lips near his chest. He enjoys it. He likes it.

"Damn, Erwin." he thinks. "There were 12 hours of sun a day to set the fucking meeting and you decided to put it on 9 A.M." he says. He doesn't care, but he cares for you. He wants to let you sleep until your body misses his, your lazy steps and sleepy voice searching him around the house, finding him on the living room, a cup of tea while he looks through the window. How he'll feel your arms wrapping his waist from behind, your head resting on his back. "Why did you left the bed." a sleepy question leaving your lips. His phone sounds, taking him again to earth. The alarm he settled is ringing. He sighs.

"It's time. We have to take a shower and dress up, hm?" he whispers, his lips dangerously close to yours. "Erwin is waiting." he says. You hide under the sheets, avoiding him. You don't want to wake up. You want to stay there, warm and cuddled, receiving all the love Levi had for you, his kisses and his early caresses. He got closer to you again, sweetly taking the blanket off your face. He kisses you, softly, lips moving on yours while his hands take yours. Then, he kisses your neck, bitting softly.

"Come on." He says. "Let's go." you groan. You really don't want to go. "If you wake up, we'll go have breakfast and head back home as soon as possible."

"And can we cuddle?"

He sighs, a smile appearing on his lips.

"We can."

[rosafione]

"Come Closer."

title; How Far Will I Fall, 'Till You Catch Me In your Arms

pairing; xiao x reader

desc; you never really lacked the guts for these kinds of things, but before everything else, you valued his feelings, and most of all, his consent. in the end, it still takes two to tango.

a/n; xiao drabble xiao drabble xiao drabbleee now, he might be ooc, im not sure, but this is mostly just an hc if you guys are close— to an extent muahahahahaha

Time was at a standstill for a certain young adeptus.

For someone who's lived a millennia, you'd think two months would only feel like a second. Before, Xiao would not deny the frequency of those moments— of loneliness, and melancholy; Of time spent watching the Guyun Stone Forest and awaiting his time to strike.

Every day that passed was one spent with his guard high, back then.

And yet now, those moments seemed as if they existed in a far different time. A time before the Traveler plunged Osial into the ocean, stripping them of their adeptal duties and eliminating a cause for Liyue to seek their guidance.

Though possibly the greatest disparity from that time could be that.. It was a time before you— before he had you by his side.

You were a mortal, one he considers to be above average, yet a mortal, nonetheless. You still had times where your humanity catches up to you, and you are left vulnerable in the hands of the evil that lurks among the lands of Tevyat.

Xiao met you at your weakest; But he watched you grow into your shell.

It wasn't as if he regarded you with any special fondness. At first. You were no different from any other mortal that walked Liyue— a fragile creature he was tasked to protect, and a being he needed to steer clear off, lest he harm you with his adeptal energy. (Death from the sheer force of it was no stranger to him. He does not want to carry another human's death on his shoulders.)

Xiao had a complicated relationship with the mortal realm. It was not disdain he harbored for humans, only vigilance and curiosity.

Their realm and the adepti's were two worlds apart.

What differed you from the mortals is that you crossed that distance. And somehow, you stood before him, right in the in between.

He wonders how you do it; You've always been unyielding in his presence. He knows you are aware of his prowess, but every time he looks at you, there is nothing but fondness and adoration he sees in your ancient gaze.

You offered him Almond Tofu almost every day. It makes him anticipate your troubles, yet you do no else other than indulge him in small chats, and silly escort commissions into the mountains or the forest. At times, you'd just watch him feed on your offerings.

He knew it was a bribe, the Almond Tofu. You did it almost everyday— Until you didn't have to.

At some point, Xiao stopped denying your presence. He's warned you enough— He respected you enough to know that you were an adult, and you could think for yourself. And though the moments you'd offer him were memories worthy to look back on, he dares not seek you out.

But he didn't have to. You always came to him first.

His relationship with you only grew from there. It was no earth-shattering occurrence, that's for sure. It was a parasite that he didn't know had been rooting itself into his being so deeply that he cannot bring himself to part with it.

Though if not a shocking event, it was still a crushing revelation.

"Good day, Xiao."

The lady-in-charge, Verr, seemed to be searching for something before her gaze flitted back to his. "No Y/N today?"

"Y/N is off to the harbour for a few days," he'd answered instinctively as he walked to the usual table prepared for him near the kitchen.

"And you didn't come with?"

His slit brows raise in confusion. "Why would I?"

"Oh dear, my apologies. I just figured—" a bashful chuckle leaves her— "Since I see you guys together all the time."

He frowns at the memory. It was a realization that started his resolve to put some distance, yet it was also the beginning of your.. lengthy travels.

When your few days became a few weeks, his resolve easily yielded to his eagerness in meeting you once more.

-

Time used to pass by swiftly, but nowadays, a year spent with you feels as if he had already spent half of his life.

He sighs, shaking his head at himself. "Reduced to just standing around. How absurd."

"If you think standing around was such an absurd concept then why do you still reject the idea of travelling with me?"

The familiar voice wills him to rip his gaze away from the scenery.

He knows it is yours— your steps, your scent, your weight, your presence. Xiao feels you the moment you stepped into the inn. Yet he does not move, run, nor show any sign of the buzz that vibrates from inside his chest.

Yet when he sees you, you are beautiful, safe. Ephemeral.

He forgets every aching minute he's spent in the eight weeks you were not in his vicinity.

Time runs again.

Still, everything about you is slow; The way you walk carefully to his side, the way you drag your fond gaze from his, to the scenery before you.. The way your hair flows and dances with the evening breeze.

He knows. The wind has always favored you.

"Ever since meeting the Traveler, all you've talked about is travelling," he chose to say.

"With you."

"What?" he frowns.

"I mean that yes, all I've talked about is travelling—" you chuckle bashfully, averting your eyes away from his— "That is, travelling.. But with you."

His eyes widen, then hardening with a purse of his lips, before he turns to glare into the distance. "My answer will not change. I cannot leave Liyue."

"And my reply is the same," you sigh. "The place does not matter. As long as we'd be together."

It is a sensitive topic, and an inevitable taboo.

There was a line neither of you should ever cross— a line he's put there himself, and one he disdains all the same.

Silence ensues. It is a frequent occurrence, ever since you first brought up the prospect of adventuring. Stubborn and troublesome. Xiao finds himself needing to track back in conversations just to figure you out.

Mortals were such complex creatures.

And yet it was so easy for you to read him like an open book. Or so he assumes. You always knew how you'd deal with him. Even Xiao knows that it is no easy feat.

"You're always like this," he grumbles.

You do not answer, and he settles for the tranquility, all the tension leaving his body; And for once, after two months, he felt as if he could actually breathe.

He wonders how much longer he'd be stuck in this area of torment and bliss. Wonders how much longer he'll continue to drag you into it.

Wonders when you'll snap and just leave him all together.

He frowns grumpily at the thought.

-

"Can I?" you ask.

Xiao looks into your eyes— swirling hues that didn't return his gaze, far focused on a lower part of his face. His lips, he realizes. Your gaze had been focused on his lips.

The epiphany wills a streak of crimson to rise to the tips of his ears, and his own focus is stolen away by the pink appendage that wets your lips.

"Your question is incomplete," he says instead, feigning ignorance.

Shaking his head, Xiao crosses his arms and forces himself to concentrate on your eyes. Only on your eyes.

Maybe then, he wouldn't get so distracted.

"Regardless of how your question would go, I don't understand why you need my opinion," he huffs, grumbling. "It's your body. You would know it best."

You press your lips together. A gentle, bashful smile spreading on your face as a fond look emerges in your eyes. "My apologies," you chuckle. "It was the wrong question to ask."

He faces you to narrow his eyes at your suspicious behavior, but he's far too distracted by the way your hand lifts, trailing from the side of his neck to gently cup his cheek, and his breath hitches, eyes widening.

Warmth radiated from your touch. Xiao knows better than to reject such touches any longer when with you. So he leans into it, presses his head closer to your palm, closing his eyes and exhaling in surrender.

"What i meant to ask was," he opens his eyes to look at you.

Your gazes clash. They meld and melt into each other as you slowly raise yourself closer and closer — or perhaps it was him who'd been leaning down.

The hand that traces the tattoo on his right arm, as well as the other that caresses his face with an aching gentleness, reels him in. enthralls him. It lures him into succumbing to your presence, and his body goes through that familiar feeling of softening under your touch.

"May I?" you whisper.

Suddenly, you are leaning in more eagerly— more determined, as if with a clear intent in mind. He thinks he understands your words enough now, swirling in his mind, goes through consideration, and the one practical response he could muster with his focus in a jumble is to deny you permission.

He gulps soundly; He can't bring himself to.

Xiao thinks this is it, watching you move in as he struggles to keep his eyes from fluttering shut. He thinks it would be this moment— this moment in which he dooms the unspoken rule between mortals and adepti. Dooms the contract he's worked so hard to fulfill in service of Lord Morax, now Zhong Li. He'd doom your friendship, or whatever it is you've offered him up to this point.

Yet even then.. Even then, he doesn't say no.

He stays quiet; Waiting. Wanting.

It's funny— the mortal language, how one could switch out a letter, and a word would seem that much different.

It was true, nonetheless.

Xiao waits. Xiao wants.

He wants the closeness, the intimacy— the affection you provide. He wants your lips to meet his just to know if it is as soft as the rest of you is. He wants to see if a kiss— curious, like a child— truly lives up to the countless tales told by the experienced. He wants to know.. If you will give him those answers.

His amber eyes meet yours. He does not breathe, as if doing so would scare you away. As if doing anything would give you a response he does not want to give.

It is enough. Your noses bump for a second, his eyes fluttering closed; Your scent wafts from beneath his nose, crisp burning incense, molded into the fresh smell of the forest that is brought about by the wind.

He curves into you, a single thought shaking him to the core, making him tremble - so utterly pathetic.

'Please..'

Your lips do not meet.

And suddenly, there is too much air between you and him.

Xiao opens his eyes to see you trailing back, fidgety— you looked like a walking contradiction, twitching fingers trying to cross the distance, gaze darting between looking away or staring regretfully at his lips.

There was a crimson hue staining your cheeks, he noticed.

"Why.." he whispers, then catches himself.

The inside of his chest strains from all the emotions he has to keep hidden— all the emotions he has to keep denying.

Disappointment. Loneliness. Exhaustion. Desperation.

Xiao wants.

-

You couldn't believe you almost kissed him.

It was a heavy violation of contract— not that you two had ever agreed to one, but it was an unspoken compromise. It was a truth you both knew, yet continued to ignore.

So that this— whatever this was, could survive.

Archons, you almost laid it all to waste!

(Either way, any decision would still leave you with regrets, had you continued or pulled away.)

"Ah, would you look at that!" you laughed out loud in a panic, perhaps to cover up the tense atmosphere. "I did it again! I asked a question without completing it, yeah? Guess it's a really bad habit on mine!"

Xiao does not answer. You spare him a look. And you wish you hadn't.

He looks dejected, disappointment and frustration showing through his slit eyebrows and wide eyes.

As if your choice was a surprise to him.

As if he wanted you to continue.

As if.

You couldn't deny you wanted it, too. Whatever he could give you. And, more.

You mentally scold yourself, knowing you're already stretching Xiao's patience with your friendship as it is.

You have to remind yourself that Xiao is immortal, and no matter how humane he may seem, you cannot trouble him with matters such as the turmoil in your heart.

It's really hard to say anything, when all the thoughts that circle in your head is how wonderful he is. How amazing he makes you feel. How he is all you've ever wanted for the whole year since you've realized you'd developed a certain affection for him.

"Sorry, Xiao," you say, throat tightening with bubbles of emotions threatening to spill. "I should.. Go away, for some time."

( And the first thing Xiao thinks is to dejectedly reply 'Again.?' )

"No," he says all too quickly, detaching from the banister.

"No?" you echo, confused. "N-no what?"

"Stay," he says, but it is not a command. Not from the adeptus. It is a soft request; A wavering plea that reaches to you soul.

"Where?" you ask. 'How far?'

"Here," he whispers now. "With me."

You push your luck, craving just a bit more patience from Xiao.

"Close?"

You could see Xiao consider. His eyes showing his heart, but his silence showing his mind.

He gives in.

"Close."

That day was the nearest you've peered, held and embraced Xiao's soul, moving closer, and softly leaning your forehead on his, clenching onto the white fabric of his shirt as he loosely wraps an arm around your waist— under the watchful eyes of the night sky.

There is still a distance that Xiao dares not cross.

And for now, maybe it's enough.

[touyasdoll]

Complicated - Chapter Two

Chapter One: Here

Pairing: Dabi/Touya Todoroki x reader

Warnings: self-degradation/self-doubt

Word count: 2.2k

A/n: Gonna rework this and ditch the first person POV, jsyk.

A/n pt. 2: This story does contain spoilers for the show/manga. The dates/ages of characters are going to be shifted around a bit.

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

It's been two days. Is he gonna call? Text? Completely forget I exist?

I sigh, trying to expel the anxiety balled up in the pit of my stomach.

Why would he call? We talked for, what, five minutes? He seemed older too. You were in your damn school uniform, idiot. He's obviously got more important shit to do than chat up a schoolgirl who can't mind her own fucking business.

"Ugh," I groan to no one but myself in my apartment. "I'm really just the biggest fucking jackass, aren't I?"

Flopping down on my bed, I let out another weighty sigh and bury my face in the plethora of pillows piled beneath me.

Relax. Maybe he'll text. Maybe he won't. And if he doesn't he's just sparing you the embarrassment that you would inevitably bring upon yourself.

A yawn escapes my lips as I feel a wave of drowsiness wash over me. Glancing at the clock, I could see it was hardly 5 PM.

Fucked up sleep schedule, here I come.

The familiar comfort of my bed allows me to quiet my thoughts enough to fall into a shallow sleep, until I'm startled awake by a vibrating sensation coming from underneath my chin.

I blink against the harsh light emitting from my phone, squinting to see who was disturbing me.

What the--oh shit!

It was an unknown number. Recognizing that it could be him, I sit up faster than I have ever managed to after a nap and fumble the phone into my palm, eagerly sliding my thumb across the screen to accept the call.

"Hello?"

My breath hitches and I bite my lip in anticipation as I wait, eager to hear his deep, silky voice on the other end.

But the pause on the other side of the line seems just a little too long. Something is off.

Is this him? Is it..just some creep? A prank? What the hell?

"We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty."

My eyes slam shut, a shake reverberating through my spine as a cocktail of anger and embarrassment wash over me.

That's it. Hope is off limits from now on.

"Fucking great."

I tap the end button, half ready to throw my phone out the window.

Instead, I decide to check and see if I missed anything else while I was out.

Hope is off limits.

I shake my head, trying to erase the little embers of hope that persist, praying that maybe he did reach out.

To my surprise, there's a text from an unrecognized number.

Unknown: You free tonight, doll?

Holy shit.

Looking above the message, I see: Today 6:58 PM. I wince as I dare to look at the clock, which mercifully reads 7:26 PM.

Tapping the text box, I don't give myself the chance to overthink this opportunity.

Me: For you? Sure thing.

Tossing my phone onto the bed, I nod my head, processing the sudden burst of confidence I seem to have found.

I'm not like this. What is it about this guy? He's just that--a guy. One that I don't know. And now I'm just gonna meet up with him?

He's literally a stranger. Who the hell do I think I am?? Is my vagina just running things now? Gonna run out and meet up with some strange dude, because he's pretty and charming?

You know who else was pretty and charming?? Ted Bundy.

That's right, you said it. This is dumb, logically. This is everything everyone’s ever warned you about.

My phone buzzes and my heart rate spikes in response, tearing me from my spiraling doubts.

Unknown: Our spot. 30 minutes. See you there.

A noise that I've certainly never made before eeks past my lips as I process his instructions.

Fuck it. The possibility of this guy being a serial killer has been assessed. I'm going, risks be damned.

You're an idiot. You're an idiot. You're an idiot.

I sigh for the umpteenth time today, waging war in my own mind.

I don't know what it is about him, but I have to see him again. Nothing bad is going to happen. It'll be fine.

That's what I tell myself as I exhale, until I catch my reflection.

My hair is disheveled, my mascara askew. I didn't even bother to take off my uniform before I passed out.

As if I weren't flustered enough, now I gotta make myself looking somewhere near presentable and get down there in time.

Here goes nothing.

Fifteen minutes fly by and I think I've managed it as I step back to look myself over in the mirror once more.

The shortest pair of high-waisted shorts I own, paired with a low-cut black crop top and my favorite slip-ons. My make-up doesn't look perfect and there's not much of it, but it's touched up, and my hair is at least brushed.

Okay, no turning back now.

Grabbing my keys, I tuck my phone in my back pocket and make my way to the meeting place.

+++++++++++++++

Our spot. The man is smooth and I think that he knows it.

I re-read the last message he sent for probably the thirteenth time in the past five minutes.

The clock in the corner of the screen reads 8:02.

Maybe he won’t show. Maybe this is a joke. He and his buddies with come around a corner and laugh as they speed off.

Damn, can I chill? No. He’s going to be here. And I’m going to act like a human fucking being. A normal girl. Someone he could like; I’m capable of that.

Aren’t I?

Scanning my surroundings yet again, I take in the scenery. I never really get out at night, but the city looks so pretty this way. There’s not too much traffic, especially considering that it’s a Friday night, but there are some people milling about up and down the sidewalk. Some look like they’re on their way home. Some look like they’re on their way out for a night on the town.

“Hey there.”

My eyes are quick to follow the sound of his voice. I look up and he’s strolling up to the bench where I’m seated, the same one where I bandaged his arm the other day.

His hands are shoved in his front pockets, thumbs pushed through the belt loops of the tight, black jeans he’s sporting. His white t-shirt dangles off of his frame in a way that suits him, offering a glimpse of his muscular chest. A black coat completes his ensemble and he certainly looks the part of the typical bad boy.

But, damn, does it look so good on him.

“Hey, there. How’s the arm?”

I scoot over a bit, allowing for ample space between us if he were to take a seat. To my surprise, he sits towards the middle of the bench, so that his thigh brushes against mine as he settles.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, glancing down and covering the noise I want to make with a quiet clearing of my throat.

“It’s good. You do make a pretty decent nurse, sweetheart.”

He grins and pulls his coat sleeve back, revealing the still bandaged wound.

“Wait, have you changed that?”

You’re such a mom. You better hope he’s into MILFs, because otherwise this ain’t gonna get you where you wanna go, girl.

His brow furrows in an expression that tells me all I need to know before he even speaks.

“What do you mean? Changed what?”

A quiet sigh leaves my lungs as I hold out my hand.

“May I?”

His puzzled expression doesn’t falter, but he shrugs and offers his forearm up for inspection.

Carefully, I pull back the tape holding the bandages together and slowly begin to unwrap them.

That is, until the smell hits me. I barely catch of glimpse of the reddened skin before my nostrils detect the scent of burned flesh and excess viscera.

“Oh, dear. Have you even unwrapped this thing?”

Trying not to agitate anything further, I delicately wrap the bandages back around his arm, taping them down once again.

“No, should I have?”

I look up and my gaze meets his, a sense of true ignorance evident in his expression; I try not to laugh. I really try, but a soft giggle escapes nonetheless.

“Yes! I mean, if it doesn’t hurt, I’m sure it’s not that bad right now, but you should be cleaning and redressing a wound like that once every 12 hours at the very least. It’s been what, like, at least 50 at this point?”

His good arm reaches for the back of his neck, scratching at it as he dons an apologetic half smile.

“Sorry, I’m not exactly nurturing by nature, doll. I don’t know the first fucking thing about this kind shit.”

I cock a sympathetic smile as I look at him, sitting there looking almost helpless. I guess he is, in a sense. It’s actually kinda cute how he doesn’t seem to have an inkling of how to properly care for himself.

Because that’s absolutely what you want in a potential relationship. Someone to fix, how fun! Why not open up a shop for broken boys? Girl, when will you learnnn??

“Well, I don’t have anything on me right now, but if you don’t mind coming back to my place, I could clean it up there? And I’ll teach you how to keep up with it this time.”

I guess not today, motherfucker.

“Coming to my rescue again. You must be in a hero course, huh, doll?”

His smile is so naturally disarming as he stands and offers his hand out before me.

“I don’t mind, if you’re sure you don’t. I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable and I don’t wanna be a burden. I didn’t ask you out tonight for you to have to play doctor on me again.”

He seems so sweet, so genuine. Maybe he is broken, but everyone deserves kindness. He looks like he hasn’t seen much of that. And as cliché as it is, maybe I can help him. Maybe he can help me.

I slip my hand in his, smiling as flirtatiously as I can manage as he pulls me to my feet.

“I don’t mind. I was kind of hoping I might get to play doctor on you again anyway. Maybe you could even return the favor.”

I brush my fingers against his as our hands disconnect, taking a page from his own book and watching his expression as my skin glides against his.

Or maybe we could just do this. This works too. No muss, no fuss. But oh my goodness what if what I just did was weird and he’s not even interested??

His eyebrows rise for just a moment as he chuckles and glances down, still grinning as he puts his hands in his coat pockets.

“Well, sweetheart, I don’t know much about medicine, but I do know how to give a pretty thorough physical exam.”

Something twitched deep inside my belly as my breath caught in my throat and I damn near tripped over my own two feet as we started walking.

Thankfully, his reflexes were quicker than my inate ability to fuck things up and his good arm reached out to steady my frame as he stepped in front of me.

The delicious scent of his cologne mingling with remnant cigarette smoke nearly made me dizzy as my hands connected with his chest, now completely unable to ignore the muscles just beneath his thin shirt.

“You all right there, doll?”

Long, slender fingers find their way under my chin. His thumb just barely brushing the edge of my bottom lip as he strokes it over my chin.

His eyes are practically piercing mine as he carefully lifts my face to his. Who knew being in such close proximity to someone so beautiful could be this paralyzing.

Holy fuck. Forget fixing me. He can break me and I’ll probably thank him for it.

The strong hand on the small of my back threatens to rob me of my breath all over again and I have to fight to keep any semblance of composure in his arms.

“Yeah.” I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear and will myself to break eye contact. “You always have girls falling for you this quickly?”

I pity laugh at my own joke, wishing my quirk was something that would allow me to disappear.

But then he’s chuckling too. It’s melodious at first, but then it morphs into a deep reverberation that sends all the right chills down my spine as I level my eyes with his again.

He looks like an enigma personified. His eyes look so gentle and warm, but his smile reads so sad. The words that leave his lips sound like both a warning and an invitation to my flushe red ears.

“Trust me, princess. You don’t wanna fall for me. I’m no good for you.”

Oh, but it’s too late for that.

[copycaat]

kakashi's breath is shallow and his shoulders are shaking. zabuza isn't usually around for these situations, though not because he avoids them, but that doesn't stop him from stepping forward, cupping the back of kakashi's neck in a broad palm to drag him forward. their foreheads hit a bit harder than zabuza had intended, but kakashi's hands shoot up to fist at his shirt, and zabuza figures he'll either be pulled closer or pushed away and punched in the face. either way, at least it'll bring kakashi back to the present.

          At least he makes it all the way back to his apartment before his hands start to shake. 

     Kakashi holds his striking hand out flat, palm facing the ground, and intellectually he knows that there is no blood drenching his glove, knows it’s not drying tackily into the creases on his knuckles and his cuticles, not peeling off in little rust-colored flakes like snow. But when he watches it tremble it looks like there is, and any time it looks like there is he can’t help but think about Rin’s face, lit up in blue-white from below and slack with shock and her near-instant death. Lately, he can’t help but think about Haku too when he gets like this, the way the kid’s broken ribs had felt scraping against his forearm as they had shuddered through what could have (should have) been their final breath. 

          Guilt is not constructive now. He’s seeing the blood on his hand because he wants some to be there-- all there is within him now is wrath. 

     Navigating a conversation with Danzo and the Sandaime always feels like trying to make it through a minefield with a blindfold on. They know he knows things but they don’t know how much, and he knows they are hiding something but he can’t quite put his finger on what, so they always dance around the subject of his allegiances and dedication. Today, he thinks, had been about making sure he was still loyal. Today, he thinks, had been about reminding him that he still had people to lose. 

     Hiruzen was too soft to outright threaten him, preferring to settle a gnarled hand on his forearm from across the table and look at him like he might be able to see his soul while it took every ounce of Kakashi’s self control to keep from drawing away with a snarl. He sat still, he kept his tone polite and his words toothless as Hiruzen asked after his health and that of his team and his most recent missions while Danzo sat off to the side and waited and watched like a snake. 

     Then Danzo had mentioned Shisui and something hot and molten had curled in his mouth and throat and deep in the pit of his stomach, liquid lightning. Kakashi can’t even remember exactly what the old man had said, something innocuous and offhand, and in the next breaths he’d mentioned Tenzo, and Gai, and Hayate and Naruto and Sakura and Sasuke and Zabuza and Haku and Genma and--. It had been a blatant powerplay: a reminder that Kakashi couldn’t be everywhere, a reminder that intel can be bad and missions can go wrong and accidents can happen anywhere, even in the village, so Kakashi had better continue to toe the line or else. 

     The reminder had been very effective. Even with Kakashi fantasizing about carving the man in half with lightning in his palm and the smell of blood and burning flesh lingering in his nose and the red red red on his hands, he’d sat stiffly and he’d listened to the threats and he’d been perfectly polite, because he’d learned the hard way that any threat Shimura Danzo makes is actually just a promise if he pushes him too much. He’d clasped his hands on the table and locked away the crackling anger and smiled guilelessly and he’d done his best to assure them he wasn’t slipping slowly out of their grasp (wasn’t already completely gone). 

     He’d locked it away but he hadn’t done it well enough, because here and now in his living room he feels like he might gag on the sick anxiety curling in his gut, feels like all that might come out of his mouth is lightning, and he stands there with his hands shaking for who-knows-how-long, so distracted that he doesn’t even realize Zabuza is in his flat at all until the man is there in front of him. 

     Kakashi clenches his fist and it hurts, it aches terribly with how tense he is and how badly he wants to drive it through flesh and bone and he thinks there might be sparks dancing between his fingers, so he drops his fist to his side and forces himself to still completely when Zabuza reaches for him and drags him close just a little too roughly, and he smothers the lightning in his limbs and out from under his skin so abruptly that it leaves him lightheaded. It isn’t until he realizes his fist is clenched against Zabuza’s chest that he notices he hasn’t been breathing right, and with a low snarl he forces himself to focus only on matching their breaths. 

          Zabuza’s grip on the nape of his neck is like iron. 

     He wants to shove him away and he wants to bite him until he bleeds and he wants to enact terrible, terrible violence until the howling in the back of his head and the great and terrible ache and his chest quiet once more but even more than that he wants to wrap his arms around him and swear fervently that he will never, ever fail him; that he will never slip up, never be too much of a threat, never-- 

     After a few seconds of forcing himself to breathe normally, he lets his eye slip closed and he sighs. Shoulders slump, and he uses the movement to cease the trembling in his hands and shoulders, feeling oddly sore from how long he’d spent with his body so tense and letting the lightning flicker under his skin like a human live wire. He takes the hot anger and the bloody fear and the sick feeling and the howling and he shoves them all back into their little boxes and puts them on their little shelves in his head. Cold exhaustion flows in to take up the empty spaces until empty and numb is all he has left, and when he finally feels like he’s stable enough to draw away from and stand on his own, his shoulders are in their usual lazy slouch and his eye is just a touch less life-like than usual. 

     “Didn’t think you’d be here,” he comments, and if his voice is just a little frosty than it’s better than having it shake. Kakashi doesn’t apologize for the fit of... something; he’s never genuinely apologized to a living person in his life and he isn’t going to start now, no matter how embarrassed he is-- he’s just going to act his best approximation of normal and do his best to move on. “The meeting must have taken longer than I thought it would. Am I late for something?” 

@godmist   ///   And the wild dogs are hungry And the wild dogs howl And the wild dogs in the mountains to the north of us Come down

[stanbillyhargrove]

Ghosts chp 25

It's my birthday today and today's the first no stress day all week! So I decided to put out my chapter early! 😊

A/N: the bathtub scene. It's here. Smut, abuse also a sleezy club

Neil's POV

"Bryce Torrance," I repeated, flipping quickly through the telephone book, "you sure?"

"Yes," Katrina answered, the memories flashing through our head again.

A young girl, naked and afraid in a strangers bed. His anger when she confronted him, the sneer on his face when he got away with what he'd done.

It set my teeth on edge, what this fucker got away with. I scribbled down addresses and went to the door, stopping quickly to look at our reflection. I'd raided the man's closet after throwing Katrina's clothes in the wash, finding an oversized flannel and jeans that would work for now. Lifted up the shirt to inspect an angry red scab on our ribs.

Old habits.

I couldn't feel it and neither did Katrina, but I'd have to stop and get some medication and bandages so it doesn't reopen or get infected. Can't have her getting sick.

--

We found him on the third try. Grown up now, with a white picket fence and a lovely little wife bouncing a child on her hip.

"Fuck," Katrina growled, "we can't do this."

I looked in the rear view mirror of the man's car from the cabin, made eye contact with Katrina.

"Cold feet?"

"He has a family, he's probably forgotten, made himself a better person."

"Does that atone for his past, him being a father? Does what he did not matter because he's married?" My heart twinged, thinking of what Olivia had said to me.

I knew Katrina was remembering what Olivia had told me too. I could feel the sadness mirrored in her heart.

"No," she whispered.

"I'll follow him."

--

I followed him for three days, from home to work and then to this building until late at night. A dark building, with no signs advertising what was inside. I got out of the car and walked up to the door, keeping my head low until I got inside.

A thick arm stuck out in front of me, barring my entrance.

"You lost little girl?"

I looked up to see a large bald man in front of me, dressed in an all black suit.

"I...I'm looking for a friend," I smiled tightly.

He grabbed my chin in his meaty hand, angling my face to look at our eyes, "interesting."

I scowled and pulled myself out of his hand.

"The boss will like those eyes," he smirked, "he'll be your friend. Give you a job too."

I tried to object but he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me through the club.

Inside was all black, with multi colored lights shining over stages and plush booths. A dead eyed girl twirled on a pole, extending herself out to grab a wad of cash from an older man. The song ended and she walked off the stage, slow like one would walk to their execution, and followed the man out of the room, behind a curtain.

Bryce has to be here somewhere, behind one of the many curtains. I just need to lose the bouncer. He led me to the back of the club, into a room with a huge leather couch and a dark wooden table.

"Boss'll be a couple minutes," he grunted, leaving me alone in the room.

I could feel our heart starting to race.

"I don't like this," Katrina whispered, "we shouldn't be here."

"Relax. I can handle this."

I only had a moment to look around the office before a man walked in.

Bryce.

"Evening, sweetheart," his voice was syrupy sweet, "word is you're looking for a job?"

"That's him," Katrina urged.

I nodded, "yes."

He walked over to the desk, dropped down into the chair and studied me.

"Well, no offense sweetheart, but you look like someone who's been sleeping in an alley, not exactly what we're going for here. We like our girls to look...irresistible, decadent...sinful."

I grit my teeth before answering, "I just moved, all my clothes aren't here yet. I stumbled in here on accident."

He leaned back, "well, which is it? Looking for a job or stumbled in here on accident?"

"Both. I need a job, but I didn't come looking for this place."

He laughed, "that sounds like fate to me. Tell you what, since you've got nice eyes," he pulled a handful of cash from a drawer and handed it to me, "buy yourself something pretty for me and come back tomorrow. We'll have...an interview."

Katrina was screaming for me to kill him and run. To not come back.

I extended a hand to him and smiled, "see you tomorrow."

"What the fuck?" Katrina yelled, "you had him!"

I glanced up at the rear view mirror, "and I'll have him again tomorrow, but I'll be better prepared. Have to have a plan, pet."

I felt her anger die down to a simmer when she grumbled, "fine."

"Now, direct me to your house. We need some things."

We slipped in and out Katrina's apartment without anyone noticing us. Retreated back down the staircase with a bag of clothes and things that Katrina had asked me to grab and bring back to the cabin. Slid back into our car and hunkered down when a blue car rumbled up and parked near the building.

--

Katrina's POV

The room with the giant pink tub was back. The spaces between the plants and around the tub were now filled with candles, casting a warm glow. Neil stood in front of me, a hand resting gently on my hip. The other came up to my face, his knuckles dragging softly across my cheek before cupping my face.

"Take some time to relax. We need to be prepared for tomorrow," he spoke softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch, into the hard plane of his chest under my hand and the feeling of his fingers sliding up under my shirt. I could feel his chest rising as he breathed, could feel our heart beating faster in our chest.

If I let myself, I could easily forget my real life in exchange for this one. Stay here in a dream with Neil and not turn back.

Neil gentled my pants down my legs, waiting for me to step out of them before slowly standing back up, trailing his nose along my skin. A hand wrapped into my hair, the other settling on my naked hip and holding me close. He paused, his face a mere breath from my own and looked into my eyes. Paused there like he expected me to turn away and kissed me when I didn't.

Velvet lips pressed against mine, moved slowly and gentled my lips open. A sigh shared between lungs when our tongues met. I melted into him and felt his fingers tighten on my hip.

"Olivia," he breathed against my lips.

He froze instantly and pulled away, "I..shit, I should leave..."

I clutched at his shirt, "no, stay...please."

My hands twisted in his shirt, holding tight as I pleaded with him to stay.

His face softened a little before pulling me into his chest. Strong arms wrapped around my back, holding me to him as he tucked his face against my head. He let out a sigh and nuzzled into my hair, shoulders slumping as he relaxed into the embrace. Stayed like that for a minute before he started to pull away.

"Come on," he murmured, leading me towards the tub.

Neil held my arm as I climbed into the tub, sinking down into the steamy water. Turned to leave once more but was stopped by me clinging tight to his arm.

"Please, stay," I pleaded again.

He looked at me softly and smiled, leaning down to kiss me again. I pulled at him, wanting to be as close as possible. Slipped one hand down to grab the hem of his jeans. He pulled away, just enough to look into my eyes.

"Are you sure?"

I smiled, breathless, "yes..I want you."

He climbed into the bath with me, soaking his clothes and sending water splashing out over the side. Kissed me harder this time, exploring my mouth with his tongue. Captured my lip between his teeth and tugged, pulling a whine from my throat.

"Neil," I panted, fingers curling under his shirt.

He pulled back to remove the shirt and curled over me again, hesitating inches from my face.

"Do you think I'm a bad man?" He asked, eyes darting away from me.

I slid my hands up his sides, feeling the raised scars on top of hard muscle. His face dropped, shameful.

"No," I whispered.

He turned back to me, lip pulled tight to stop it from shaking.

I lifted one hand to his cheek, watched him close him eyes and press into it.

"I know you're not all bad. I know you're hurting," I soothed.

I pulled to close the space between us, bringing his lips back to mine and threading my hand into his hair with a sigh.

He kissed down my neck, nipping gently when I arched up into him. His hand smoothed over my hip to hitch my leg up to his waist before dipping lower to toy between my folds. A low hum against my throat when he slowly pressed a finger in. I moaned, writhing from his teasing, lifting my hips to meet his hand, begging for more.

"Such a needy little thing, aren't you?" He teased, smirking when he lifted his head to look at me.

I whined, stretching to try and recapture his lips. He leaned back, watching my gasps when he added a second and third finger. His hand moved slowly, just enough to keep me whining and needy. My hands shook as I fumbled to try and undo his pants.

"Look at you," he cooed, coming forward to kiss down my jaw, "I've only just started and you're shaking."

"Please," I begged, "I need you."

He wasted no more time and pulled away to tug his pants off before curling back over me and flipping us so I could straddle his hips. Water sloshed with the movement of my hips, grinding against him.

A coy smile when he grabbed my jaw in one hand, bringing me close for a kiss. Teeth sunk into my lip when he lined up and pulled me down. A breathless moan shared between us. My hand braced on his shoulder so I could ride him, rocking slowly. Neil's head tipped back against the tub, watching as I bounced.

Fingers moved from my chin, up and past my lips. I stopped bouncing and closed my lips around his fingers, sucking and swirling my tongue. Coating him in my saliva and gagging when he pushed them deeper. He pulled his fingers away and slapped me with them, smearing spit across my cheek.

I gasped and stared at him, shocked.

"Did I say you could stop?" He growled, rutting his hips up sharply.

"I'm sorry," I whined, starting to rock into him again.

We chased our release. Pulling hair, scratching and clashing teeth like we were fighting to the death. I was careening towards my orgasm when a strong hand wrapped around my throat, squeezing tight. I wrapped a hand around his wrist, my eyes brimming with tears as I started to get light headed. His eyes took on a cruel glint the harder he squeezed, like he could easily suffocate me without a care in the world. My head was swimming, darkness creeping around the edges of my vision. I was barely aware of Neil licking tears from my cheeks as I struggled to pull his hand away. My body went taut when I came, a silent cry dying on my lips as I blacked out.

I opened my eyes groggily to find myself leaning back against Neil's chest. Nuzzled into his wet skin with a sleepy moan.

"Good morning, pet," he murmured, kissing my head gently, "how do you feel?"

I hummed, sinking down into him, "good."

He lifted a soapy hand, letting the bubbles drip off. I smiled and blew them off before grabbing his hand in mine. A breathy laugh when he buried his face into my shoulder.

"Should we go to bed?"

--

I woke up in the afternoon in full control of my body for the first time since being stabbed. No voice in my head, no feeling of Neil in the background. I got up and started exploring the cabin. It had been scrubbed and put back together after our last time here. No sign of what had happened. Unless you knew to look. Then you would find the stained wood floor under the new rug in the living room and the now mismatched lamps in the hall. You would see a long scratch across the living room window. All evidence of the horrible night we spent here.

I searched the kitchen, pulling soup from the cupboard and putting it on the stove to heat up. Sprinkled hot chocolate powder into a mug and turned the kettle on.

Took my bowl and mug and went out to the deck to eat. Sat there and enjoyed the fresh air while the afternoon tick by.

@alias-b @charmed-asylum @champagnesugamama

[browneyedbeauty03]

Dirty Little Bird

A ribbon of moonlight cascaded through the half parted curtains, bathing her in its silvery glow. Her honey chestnut hair pooled in luscious curls atop the plush pillow where she lay sleeping - dreaming. The horrid nightmare that awaited her the following day did not allow for much rest. She was to be married to King Joffrey, the hellish boy that had been ripped from the seventh circle of hell and lovingly planted in his wretched Mother’s womb. 

In her dreams, Joffrey trussed her up naked and used her for target practice. In her dreams, he always arrived to save her when it was already too late. 

The Hound always came running when he heard her scream. 

She woke abruptly, a cry gurgling in her throat as she shot up in her bed. The willowy canopy around her fluttered with the breeze of the open window, indistinguishable shadows intensifying her growing sense of dread. The door to her room burst open without warning, followed by the thudding of boots and hushed clatter of armor. 

“Everything alright, little bird?” 

Her heartbeat seemed to steady ever so slightly, and she hurriedly brushed stray strands of dampened hair from her colorless face. Her nighttime gown had shifted, exposing her prominent collarbones along with the ripe tops of her ample breasts. The Hound parted the glimmering panel that obscured her resting place, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of trouble. 

Willa opened her mouth to assure her faithful guard that everything was fine, that it was only her dreams of the future that plagued her so, yet no sound would emerge. Silent tears streamed down the milky apples of her cheeks, coating her neck in the stream of sorrow. His face, illuminated by the gray moon, never ceased to shock the lady, no matter how much comfort the rough man brought. She could clearly see the the scars where the fire had licked his skin and stolen his innocence - the left side of his intimidating mug branded by the evil of his brother.

How handsome he would have been had tragedy not struck him with its unforgiving, iron fist. 

Willa blushed heartily at the intrusive thought, casting her gaze downward as The Hound inspected her sudden change in demeanor. His greedy eyes could not help but hungrily drink in her creamy, exposed flesh. She was beautiful - the type of untouchable, fair maiden that inspired wistful songs, strung up in the stars by a golden needle of longing. 

“I’m scared of him, Sandor,” Willa finally whispered, unable to meet his penetrating stare. She had never called him by his first name, before. But, it was hard to see him as a dog when he was all that stood between her and Joffrey’s malice. 

The Hound did not not know what to say. He often found himself immersed in a perpetual state of rage, but the thought of Joffrey Lannister splitting young Willa down the middle and imbedding his poisoned seed in her womb filled him with a fire so hateful that it could burn all of Kings Landing to ashes.   

“Afraid he’ll break you in rough, huh?” The Hound gruffly spat in disgust, casting his stare aside as he attempted to build back the hateful barrier that had crumbled in a hazy moment of pity. 

If all you felt for her was pity, it wouldn’t be so hard for you to keep your dirty eyes off of her, huh Clegane? 

Willa was horrified by the words that had so carelessly toppled from The Hound’s mouth. Lude visuals of her wedding night raided her mind, and she could not control the way her body shook as she sobbed into the feathery mound of her pillow. Clegane shifted uncomfortably where he stood - crying women made him uneasy. Hell, any expression of emotion made the brute uncomfortable. 

“I’m afraid he’s going to kill me,” Willa whispered, somber. She wondered if Joffrey’s cruelty extended beyond the heinous rumors, or if he was as bad as Ramsay Snow that she had often heard tale of. 

The Hound gathered a embroidered handkerchief from Willa’s nightstand, admiring her house sigil, woven into the fabric with emerald green thread. A sparrow. Carefully, the man crouched over in order to give the dainty material to her, but she just stared at him woefully from underneath the thick fan of her eyelashes. With an uncomfortable cough, Sandor Clegane pensively brought the handkerchief to Willa’s dampened cheek, dabbing sporadically at the flushed flesh in an incredibly awkward, yet gentle manner. Air evaded Willa’s lungs the moment his gloved hand touched her. She had never seen such tenderness out of the man, and she supposed it had something to do with the cloak of darkness. 

When The Hound moved to pull away, Willa surprised herself by reaching up in order to keep him in place. The untimed sound of their frantic heartbeats was deafening, and every instinct in the man’s body urged him to bolt from the room - to save himself while he still had the chance. He didn’t need the trouble that came with carrying about a lady, especially not the lady of the childish, cruel King. 

He doesn’t care about her. She’s just a thing. His pretty little plaything. 

“I beg your pardon, Ser,” Willa whispered, her voice so low that it could have been mistaken for the faint howling of the wind. 

“Ser? I’m no Ser,” The Hound rasped with a smirk. Kings, Princes, Knights - they were all just facades, titles to hide behind so the wicked could indulge in their wicked ways. 

“Yes,” Willa agreed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Yet, you’ve saved me all the same.” 

Willa had been terrified of The Hound, at first. His scarred complexion had ignited a profound trepidation within the young lady, and she had been unable to even meet his eyes for the longest time. However, the day came when Willa had been caught in an angry, starving mob intent on killing her betrothed. She had been dragged away by a pack of grimy men into an empty stable, and held down while one of them parted her struggling, flailing legs with his filthy hands. She’d felt the heat of his sinful intentions against her snowy, untouched thighs, and wished for death. Willa had accepted her doom, but Sandor Clegane had somehow heard her muffled screams. He had burst through the rickety door and rained hellfire down on each one of her attackers. She recalled the satisfied glimmer in his eye when he gutted the one who had been between her legs, the way his intestines had pooled at the toe of The Hound’s mighty boots. 

The Hound had lifted Willa over his broad shoulder and carried her to safety. 

You’re alright now, little bird. 

“I could take you home,” Clegane said. “Back to Winterfell - away from the King, away from - “ 

“Joffrey would have us killed.” 

The Hound remained silent. He wasn’t scared of the King, or anyone. But, why would the lovely maiden, Willa desire a life on the run with someone as hideous, as damaged as he?

"He'll just breed you like a bitch in heat," Sandor finally rasped. "And, I can't very well protect you past the doors of his bedchambers." 

Willa felt sluggish with sadness and a tiredness that had crept into her soul. Her eyelids were heavy, the eerie sound of a wolf balefully howling at the moon somehow sewing her near dreamlike state together with reality. Her dainty little hand traced over Sandor's bone white knuckles, clenched in rage due to a situation that seemed to be out of his hands.

"Birds aren't meant to be caged," Willa whispered, rising to her knees in order to inch closer to a man that the rest of the world could only see as a hateful thing. 

The Hound grew rigid with trepidation, only able to emit a slight grunt of disbelief when Willa's fingertips met the side of his face left unscarred. She traced his plush lips, jaw falling slack as rapid breaths rolled off of her tongue. A fluidity of heat pooled between her parted thighs, and a rose flush stained her cheeks as she leaned forward to shyly brush her nose against his. 

The innocent gesture snapped Sandor back to reality, and his calloused hand lurched upward in order to clench Willa's jaw between his fingers in an act of unintentional and unnecessary roughness. The action brought tears to Willa's eyes, emotion stinging her nose and forcing her to curl it in a girlish manner. 

Their eyes collided, The Hound at a complete loss for words as he watched tears roll down his little bird's creamy skin. 

"Don't you want me?" She finally asked, in a voice so quiet, so meek that he wasn't sure if he heard her correctly.

The man scoffed, relaxing his hold on her face in order to cradle it more gently. "It's in a dog's nature to chase after something as sweet as you." 

His suggestive words made Willa whimper, the sound falling onto Sandor's tongue as she feebly brushed her lips against his.

"I won't be able to control myself if you keep that up," The Hound grumbled, massive hands kneading at Willa's barely swaying hips. The tip of his tongue flicked against her own, and she moaned when she felt the sensation between her legs, as well. 

"I don't want you to control yourself. I want you to breed me before he has the chance to." 

" Fucks sake," Sandor rasped, tossing Willa onto her back before staggering to his feet. She bounced a couple times before her form settled into the mattress, soft dark curls framing her visibly pouting face. 

Such nasty words out of such a sweet, precious creature. 

"You're not used to being told no, are ya?" Clegane sighed, stepping out of his armor and crawling back onto the bed like a predator hunting its prey.

Willa soundlessly shook her head, biting down on her lower lip when The Hound finally pinned her onto her back, wrists trussed together above her head by one of his hands.

She could feel his hard erection through his underclothes, and she inched her tiny feet upward in order to pull the fabric from the wide girth of his hips. The Hound groaned,rutting his rock hard erection forward in order to rub up and down her throbbing, dripping wet slit.

Willa felt a seeping  burst of liquid against her clit, hot and delightful, yet nothing compared to what was to come. Without warning, The Hound pushed his entire length into her untouched cunt, her creamily painted walls instantly clenching around him as she moaned his given name so loud that he clasped his heated palm over her pretty,plump lips that were parted in a mixture of pain and pleasure.

He continued to pump in and out, the headboard clattering against the wall as his thrusts continuously became more powerful, cock audibly slipping in and out of Willa's tight, sloppy wetness. 

She lifted her legs in order to rest the balls of her feet atop his enormous shoulders as he rose upwards. He could feel his balls tightening with the urge to release his seed, unable to contain his wildness as he watched the King's betrothed open up like a flower for him. 

"Fuck your baby into me," Willa moaned, rubbing her swollen bud as she arched up farther into The Hound.

Her dirty words sent him over the edge, hot cum spilling from his cock and into her gushing pussy. At the overwhelming sensation of fullness, Willa practically exploded with an orgasm, various cum hungry phrases tumbling from her presumably innocent lips. 

The Hound looked down on her in awed astonishment, chuckling in disbelief. "Just where did a lady such as yourself learn to talk like that." 

Willa stared upwards at her faithful guard through her batting eyelashes, a red stain of arousal painting her heaving breasts and chest. 

The Hound didn't need an answer. In truth, he loved chasing after her wicked innocence and mystery.

"Maybe, you're just my dirty little bird, afterall." 

[pbandjesse]

Today did not end how it started! Me and James just got back to his place from a cat rescue mission to my apartment. Which ended with me cleaning a poop covered cat in his bathroom. I feel a lot better now but man today was all over the place emotionally.

I didnt sleep well last night. I had a lot of trouble falling asleep. Stress over rent. Realizing all of my savings ive worked hard on are gone again. Feeling frustraited. But eventually I was able to convince my brain to get some rest.

We woke up before 9. Cuddled for a bit. And then James got dressed and looked so cute in his new hat. Its a very good look for him.

I stayed in bed for a bit longer. Eventually I got up and had a shower and made an egg sandwich. I cuddled with sweetp and watched videos and it was a good morning.

I left my placr around 11. And I took the bus up to work. I had to wait a little while but it was beautiful out so it wasn't a hardship.

It was annoying when i got on the bus though because this adult man pushed me out of the way to get on the bus. Like dude. I was waiting for the old people to get off. And then he proceeded to watch very loud videos right behind me. I had rudeness. It makes me crazy.

But I got to work right at noon. Talked to Tiffany about supplies and set up. I got the cart started. Fitsum came and we worked together to get everything ready.

Me and Tiffany went to collect more cardboard. And we got plenty and I got to work cutting it all up. It took a while and my knife got really dull but I didnt hurt myself even once.

Me and Fitsum went over to our classroom to talk to the day time teacher. She seems nice. And it was good to touch base. Esspecially since she normally locks her door. So that was a good thing to clarify that we need her not to do.

Soon enough it was time to go get our kids. This was a lot because I didnt know who everyone was or their names. But it worked out and we got almost everyone together and headed upstairs.

The begining of the day was rough. Everyone was so loud and no matter what we did we couldnt get them to stop talking. Even having Tiffany come and talk to them barely helped. It was really frustrating. But eventuality we calmed down enough to line up and go outside.

They had their recess. And it went okay. I helped on girl write a story. I made some little relationships with the kids. They are starting to warm up to me for sure.

We had dinner next. And i asked Tiffany to come speak to the class because i waa concerned about their behavior. Like we never even got to talk about the rules. But dinner went just fine.

Art time was better. Tiffany came and watched and it went a bit better. She did talk to them but they were listening so it was good.

We built our portfolios and some of the kids were very good at it and were able to help other kids finish their work. It was still loud but we got the work done. Fitsum still seems very nervous and that's radiating in the room a bit but I think he'll settle and things will be okay.

We finished up the day and the kids went home. We finished cleaning up the room. We had a chat we Tiffany and got ready to go home.

Except that stray cat i was singing to the other day was outside. And it let me pet it for a bit. And I kept seeing kids yelling at it. And I just. Had to get him out of there.

So i picked him up. And Fitsum let me take him in the car. And i brought him home.

He rode in the car really well. Hes so lovey. Kept pushing hia face into my neck and purring. But its been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster tonight.

Sweetp was so mad. He was hissing at me for the first time ever. And i tried to put Kurt (James named him)/ Puck (my name for him) in the downstairs bathroom but he kept crying and Sweetp was really upset. So then I tried to put him outside with food and a little shelter but he kept crying.

I tried to call my parents but they didn't answer. I took a shower. But Sweetp still wouldn't come near me. And Kurt/Puck was crying. And I called jess and walked to James's for dinner.

I just felt so dumb. And i camt have another cat. And i just wanted him to be safe. So i hope to find him a new home soon.

But I kept feeling worse and worse. I could barely eat dinner. I kept crying. And everything was all knots inside. So jamea said we could bring the cat to hia place in the morning. But I Kept crying. So we got dressed and walked to my apartment to get the cat.

We had a good walk and i felt better. James ia such a good and loving and kind boyfriend. Im so glad he is mine and he keeps putting up with me doing these things. Even after he told me not to bring the cat hone. He still opened up hia apartment. And then on the walk back Kurt/Puck fear pooped all over himself. So i spent a half hour cleaning him. He is such a good boy and didnt seem to mind at all.

He's hiding under the bed and James ia asleep with his head on my lap and i feel good. I am tired but its not the horrible stress tired i felt earlier.

I have my morning to myself tomorrow and then teaching again. Were painting! Im looking forward to it. I really think it will only get better each day.

Sleep well everyone. Be kind. Save little animals.

[savetheblackpaladin]

could we get some shiro hc for when he's proposing to his s/o?? like what he's feeling, how he'll do it etc some fluffy feels are much appreciated

I’m crying rn bc I got to imagine Shiro proposing, thank you so much for this gift! Also, this is quite long because Shiro has a master plan and it involves everyone.

Shiro is a determined man, the moment he decided he wanted tomarry you it was all he could think about. And when Shiro sets out to dosomething, he does it right·         

He shows up to your room the night before and tells you thateveryone has the day off tomorrow since they’re going to be orbiting near aswap moon and he wants to take you out.

but he’s nervous

“I-if you want, we could go on a date? Like a real, real date??……Not that our other dates aren’t real dates! Of course they’re real But, uh, would you like to go on a fancy one? With me? …Your…boyfriend….??”

He’s blushing and looking very much like he would rather curl up and hide and it makes you laugh. You agree to go on a date (of course, you’ve been dating forever) and settle on an afternoon date, giving you time to hang out with the other paladins.

and to find a nice outfit bc you two never get to go anywhere nice and goddammit you are going to wear something other than the pants and t-shirt you were stolen with

You spend the next morning with Lance, who for some reason isdetermined to have a spa day with just the two of you. He’s like really adamantabout.

“I need a buddy, Y/N! Pidge and Keith don’t even know spas exist!”

“Ok, but what about Hunk? Or Allura?” You chide, removing Lance’s long limbs from your neck.

“Allura is flawless and I can’t believe you would even suggest that. And Hunk is super ticklish and the last time he got a pedicure he nearly kicked the girl in the face. I almost got kicked out of my favorite salon!”

You were giving him a hard time but hell yeah, spa day!! It was great, you got massaged, you got steamed, your skin was perfected (crazy aliens man) and the lovely ladies managed to get your hair so soft that you couldn’t stop touching it.

Everyone met for lunch,except Shiro. You pouted but Keith assured you he was just occupied withplanning for your date

You spent the afternoonwith Allura, picking out shiny things and trying to find the perfect outfit

You can’t help but think that she knows something about your date that you don’t because she keeps making comments about your outfits that just don’t fit for the situation

“No, not that one. You want this to be memorable!”

“This is an important night in your life, and you want to wear that? I do not think so.”

“*sigh* Not that one. It won’t match.” Match what, Allura? Match WHAT???

“This one! It will make sure Shiro holds on you to. And never let’s go.” Her wink at the end of that one weirds you out. Did she mean to do that?

She’s right though. It’s a simple dress that drapes over your body like you’re a Grecian goddess and it moves and looks like smoke. It may not be your usual thing (or maybe it is) but you love it.

You happen to not see Hunk, Pidge, Keith or Coran for the restof the day, which is strange since you see them every day and you kind of missthem.

You don’t see Shiro at all until he knocks on your door thatnight.His eyes light up when they see you and he just gazes at you before hefinally lets out a nervous chuckle and rubs the back of his neck. “Y-youlook beautiful, Y/N. I mean - You always look beautiful, but wooooow. Just,wow.”

He takes your hand, gives it a kiss, and twirls you around once to get a 360 degree view. He whistles and twirls you again, making you laugh as he finally draws you in for a warm hug and a gentle kiss.

He’s wearing a simple grey long-sleeve button up with the sleeves rolled up and black slacks. Simple, but with his hair slicked back he looks like some sort of corporate CEO and it’s kind of hot

You two walk hand in hand to the Black Lion’s bay. You arch your eyebrows questioningly and Shiro tells you that you two need to travel for a bit but don’t worry, there’s a wormhole involved so it won’t take long

you allow Shiro to blindfold you before entering Black

“I want where we’re going to be a surprise. And I know you well enough to know you can’t resist a peek if I don’t blindfold you.” Damn him

Feeling Black take off and go through a wormhole can best be described as: Fucking Terrifying. Since you’re blindfolded, you’re aware of every slight turn, bump, and movement of the metal beast around you and you become acutely aware of how tiny you are. Luckily, Shiro notices your near panic attack and reaches over to hold your hand. You notice he’s shaky too and his palms are a bit sweaty but he caresses the back of your hand like nothing is wrong and you immediately begin to calm down.

When you finally land (a soft landing you note) Shiro carefully steers you out of Black and down the ramp with gentle hands on your waist

you can feel sand under your feet and can hear waves

it’s a little warm and you’re thankful for a dress that breathes. You vaguely wonder if Shiro will unbutton his shirt, because that would be great

When he removes your blindfold you are startled by what you see

a violet sky with two pale orange moons and a glittering belt of starts

a deep purple lake so large it has waves that crash along a black shore 

 and you seem to be in a crater surrounded by vibrant green mountains and silver trees and the soft breeze smells faintly of cinnamon

You turn around to tell Shiro how beautiful this place is and you see him kneeling on one knee in the sand. He’s blushing and clearly nervous and you feel yourself swallowing hard because there is only one reason why Shiro would be in that position

He clears his throat, taking a deep breath before steeling himself for what’s to come.

“Y/N, my beautiful Y/N. I’ve had a lot happen to me in my twenty-five years of life. I’ve gotten top grades throughout high school, a full-ride scholarship to the garrison, became the best fighter pilot in my class, and I’ve adopted a little brother. I’ve been kidnapped, tortured, and forced to become not only an arena fighter, but a defender of the universe and the leader of a amazing team of teenagers that can still somehow pilot the universe’s greatest weapon. But absolutely none of that compares to you. You are the greatest thing to ever happen to me. Y-you’ve accepted me for what I was, what I’ve become, and still everyday you push me to be a better person. I-I still have nightmares about the Galra, terrible nightmares that leave me broken b-but with you…I’m no longer afraid. With you at my side, Y/N, I can do anything, save everything, and overcome any obstacle in my way…..Y/N? Will you do me the honor of being my wi-ife?”

his voice cracks on his last word as he opens the small box in his hand, and you can barely make out a simple silver ring inlaid with a small amethyst, diamond, and your birthstone through your tears (and Shiro’s shaking hand)

You can’t speak. You can’t think. It’s all you can do to just fling yourself around Shiro’s neck and chant “Yes, yes, yes,” over and over again while peppering his face in kisses

He’s sobbing right with you, holding you tight to him and smiling, accepting every kiss

After a few moments of sobbing, Shiro finally slides the ring onto your finger and it looks so perfect you start crying again and he does his best to wipe your tears away, and kissing your cheeks while murmuring ‘I love you’ over and over

when you two pull away Shiro just stares in awe at his ring on your finger

he hoped you would say yes and now that you have he almost can’t believe it

He kisses the ring and murmurs under his breath, “You’re my fiancee.” A moment of silence before he scoffs and repeats it again, louder this time, “You’re my fiancee! You’re going to be my wife!” He looks like a little kid, he’s so excited.

He really can’t get over it and for the rest of the night he just keeps looking at you like you’re a gift from the universe itself, and maybe you are.

You two spend a few hours stargazing on a blanket, identifying new constellations, creating stories for them, and otherwise just enjoying each others company

wine is involved (thank you Coran, you gorgeous man)

occasionally you hold your hand up so you two can admire the ring

and you both really enjoy using the word fiancee in every possible way.

you only return when you start to complain to Shiro that you’re hungry

Here’s what you don’t know:

Determined to make you have a wonderful day, Shiro asks Lance to treat you to some sort of self-care. He was thinking just a massage but Lance knows how to treat a girl right.

Shiro also asked Allura for her blessing and if she would officiate the wedding since back on Earth ship captains can do that. She agrees, on the condition that she dresses you both. She chose Shiro’s outfit earlier in the day.

Shiro is eternally grateful for that because he might be panicking now and probably would have just worn what he usually does

Coran and Pidge made the ring. Shiro doesn’t ask how, just only accepted their help when he asked Coran if jewelers exist in space. 

Thanks to Pidge, those are real gemstones. She will never tell how she turned space dust into gemstones.

It was a process that took a long time though. The ring was only finished right before Shiro came to pick you up

He was anxiously pacing the entire afternoon and if you look at his nails you can see where he began absentmindedly chewing them

Hunk and Keith offered to help Shiro make a nice dinner for you two but Shiro was determined to make it himself because “It needs to be made from the heart. I want her to know how serious I am.”

“Yeah, ok, Shiro I’ve tasted your cooking and I’m being generous when I say you are the worst cook on Earth.” Thanks Keith.

Hunk tried. Oh God, did he try. He ended up shoving Shiro out of his kitchen with the promise of a feast when he returned with a fiancee.

Keith was Shiro’s number one confidant and he is so thankful that Keith was there

talking to Keith really gave Shiro the confidence boost he needed. Shiro really just needed to hear someone else say that you would obviously say yes.

Keith’s exact words were: “You two were made for each other Shiro. If I were ever to fall in love with somebody…*sigh* I would want a relationship like yours.”

Shiro cried, he was so touched.

Shiro had one breakdown because he couldn’t find a perfect place to propose and everyone else’s ideas just seem too plain. He ended up going to Black and just ranting and raving about how much he loved you and wanted to do something perfect for you but “Goddammit! I can’t even do this right! How can she love someone so fucking useless?!”

Black activates and picks him up before jumping to space. She’s the one who found the purple planet and Shiro is eternally grateful.

They spent more time together just so Black could comfort him because she may be just a semi-sentient lion, but she knows love when she sees it

Before he came to you room, everyone met him in the main control room to congratulate him and wish him luck

both Pidge and Allura kissed him on the cheek

Hunk got everyone to group hug

Lance told Shiro to treat you right, because you deserved the universe

Keith and Coran basically shoved him out into the hallway so he would stop stalling

When you two come back from the alien planet, there will be banners everywhere congratulating you, confetti, awful Altean music, and a delicious feast

everyone knew you would say yes. Only Shiro had concerns

Speaking of Shiro

he was internally screaming the entire time, convinced you would say no and dump him (thanks anxiety)

he almost backed out a few days ago but Keith managed to convince him to go through with it on pain of death with minimal persuasion

when you said yes it was legit the happiest moment of his life and well worth the like 3 weeks of near panic he was in

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