#*gently places one of those on your window feeder*

[magistralucis]

@absolut--kurant!

[mrprettywhenhecries]

❝go for it❞ [b.l]

Baron Lamram ✘ f!Reader

⇾ w.c. 3.3k words ⇾ warning(s). f!reader (use of feminine pet names), post canon!Baron, Marmalade spoilers, kisses ⇾ a/n. Inspired by an idea @babydollbaron and I talked about. 🧡 Also, since we don't know what Baron's real name is, instead of making up some random name to call him, I've decided to just use his alias.

Your mother's always been known for sticking her nose in other people's business—most usually yours—and this time, she's determined to set you up with the woman across the hall's handsome son.

[ masterlist ]

The southern summer heat made your shirt stick to your back as you climbed out of your car, your a/c still on the fritz and not enough money to have it repaired just yet.  At least your windows still rolled down and there was a cool breeze, despite the humidity. 

You grabbed the small bouquet of daisies from the passenger seat before shutting the door and heading toward the ivy covered building, blessedly chill once you passed through the entrance, holding the door open for an older man passing you on his way out.  He smiled in recognition and nodded in thanks.  

The nurse at the front desk greeted you by name, handing you the sign in clipboard with a warm smile.  “Daisies again, huh?” she asked, trading you the clipboard for a small key.

“They’re her favourite.  She says they’re a friendly flower,” you chuckled softly, pulling one from the bunch to offer the receptionist.

“She’s right,” she replied, bringing the flower to her face as you headed down the hall toward your mother’s room.  Before heading inside, you unlocked the small metal box by her door to switch out her empty prescription bottle for her refill, only to find a fresh bottle already sitting there.

“That’s strange,” you murmured, picking up the orange bottle to inspect it closer.  It was definitely the same pills, but there was no name on the prescription.  Sometimes when another patient passed away their family would donate any left over medication to those that needed it.  Perhaps that’s just what this was.

Frowning slightly, you locked the box back up and glanced at the door across from your mother’s, the familiar crocheted message hanging there making you smile before you knocked at your mum’s door, pushing it open to find her sitting in her rocker by the window, watching the birds at the feeder outside, a book set aside on the table at her elbow.

“Knock knock,” you called softly and she turned to smile at you.

“Oh!  Hey there Susie-Q,” she greeted, making to push out of her chair when you quickly stepped inside, not wanting her to get up, the door left open in your haste.

“Stay there, I’ll come to you!” you exclaimed, wrapping her in a hug, your heart aching for a moment before stepping back.

“I brought some fresh flowers,” you added, handing her the bouquet so you could empty the wilted ones from the vase and get some fresh water.

“Oh, they’re lovely!  Daisies are such a friendly flower, don’t you think?” she asked, caressing the petals gently and you couldn’t help but laugh, knowing she was going to say that.

“They certainly are,” you replied, placing the bouquet in the vase and setting it on the dresser next to her bed.

“Oh, before I forget!” your mother exclaimed, turning her chair toward you.  

“What?” you asked, a little taken aback by the excitement on her face.

“You know the lady from across the hall?”

“Uhm, yeah, Ms. Eda, right?  She’s a sweet lady,” you replied, frowning a little in confusion, wondering why she was asking you about that.

“You know she has a son, right?  Oh, I can’t remember his name,” she said, snapping her fingers as if that would help her remember.

“Oh no.  No, no nonono,” you exclaimed, cutting her off before she could continue her thought.

“What?  No, listen!  He refilled my bird feeder the other day,” she said, gesturing to the window.  “He’s a sweet boy,” she insisted, raising her eyebrows at you.

“Mom!” you exclaimed, huffing a wry laugh, your hand coming up to cover your face in embarrassment.  “Stop trying to set me up with your hall mate’s son!” you exclaimed, feeling your face warm.

“Why not?  You’re single, as far as I know, he’s single, and you know he cut his hair?  He’s actually very handsome–”

“I don’t care how cute he is, I’m not gunna hit on Eda’s son just because I’m single,” you exclaimed, barely registering the sound of a door shutting in the hall.

“That’s a shame.”

The amused voice behind you nearly made you leap out of your skin and you gave a sharp yelp as you spun around, only to find the very man you’d been talking about standing in the doorway, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips.

If your face was warm before, it was practically on fire now and you wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out.

However, you couldn’t help but notice that your mother was right—he was rather handsome.  His dark chestnut hair was shorter now, though not short by any means, with an artful unruliness to it that looked almost effortless.  His dark brown eyes practically danced when the mid-morning light shining through the southern facing window hit them just right, turning them almost golden with the faintest hint of green around the edges.

He looked well groomed, a smart leather jacket hung open over his blue button down tucked into his dark trousers, a far cry from his appearance the last time you’d seen him a couple weeks ago, his hair hanging down to his shoulders and in desperate need of a good brush.

“Didn’t mean to startle ya, sorry ‘bout that,” he chuckled, his grin turning apologetic, while a soft flush crept across his face as his eyes met yours.  His voice was warm, like melted butter, with only the barest hint of a drawl to it, but it made your heart skip a beat just the same.

Quickly trying to compose yourself, you cleared your throat, trying to work moisture back into your mouth.

“No, I… I forgot I’d left the door open,” you spluttered.

“Well, hullo there,” your mum greeted, interrupting you and waving him closer.  “C’mon in, come closer so I can get a proper look at you,” she said and Eda’s son shared a grin with you before stepping into the room and letting your mom take his hands.

“Now what is your name again, darlin’?” she asked and he shifted his weight, his brows furrowing for a moment, as if thinking.

“You can call me Baron,” he answered with a nod, holding her gaze, and she seemed pleased.

“Baron,” she repeated, as if savouring the name before her eyes flicked to you.  “This is my daughter—“ she introduced, telling him your name as well.

Baron grinned, his eyes finding yours.  “It’s good to finally have a name to put with a face,” he murmured, ducking his head to listen as your mom whispered something in his ear.  He huffed a soft laugh, a slightly bewildered smile playing at his lips as he straightened, and you frowned, wondering what exactly she’d said.

“Mama?” you questioned, suspicion leeching in, only growing when she merely smiled at you like the cat that got the cream as she eased herself back into her chair, a mischievous glint to her eye.

“What’d she say to you?” you asked, turning back to Baron who still wore a bemused grin.

“She said I’d be a fool if I didn’t ask you to get a drink with me.”

Your mouth fell open, embarrassment washing over you and you looked from Baron to your mom and back, horrified.  “Oh my God,” you groaned, at a loss for words, hoping she hadn’t made him too uncomfortable, but Baron shrugged, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“I’ve been called worse before, but my mama certainly didn’t raise herself a fool,” he chuckled, his gaze lingering on your face.  “So, what d’ya say?  Wanna grab a coffee?” he asked, nodding toward the door, a hopeful look crossing his face and you blinked, taken aback.

“Uhm, I–”

“Well, go on then,” your mom urged and you gave a small jump, almost having forgotten she was there.  “If you don’t go, I will.”

“Alright!” you relented, laughing as you held up your hands in surrender.  “I’d love to.”

“Perfect!  You two have fun now!” your mom exclaimed, practically shooing you out the door.  “You’ll have to come back tomorrow and tell me alllll about it,” she hissed, pitching her voice low before you stepped out the door.

“Alright, alright, I’ll see you tomorrow,” you replied, blowing her a kiss.  “Love you lots.”

“Tator tots!” she called back, making you smile.

Out in the hall, it hit you that you were now alone with Baron and the thought kicked up a swarm of butterflies in your stomach, embarrassment radiating off you in waves.

“So, uh, I know a good coffee shop nearby,” you offered, clearing your throat nervously, and Baron grinned, ducking his head.

“Sounds good.”

“So… how’s your mom?” you asked as you got your coffee and pulled out a chair at an empty table by the front window, trying to think of something to say and wincing, unable to come up with any other topic at the moment.

Baron didn’t seem upset though, he merely smiled pleasantly down at the strawberry frappe on the table in front of him, playing with his straw.  “She’s doin’ just fine.  How about yours?”

“Oh, good.  Good,” you answered, taking a sip of your cappuccino.  “As long as she’s got her meds she’s good,” you added, frowning as you remembered the excess pills you’d found in her medication box.  

“You know, it’s the darnedest thing though. When I checked her supply earlier, there was a whole extra bottle in there and I don’t know where it came from.”

Baron hummed, his smile sharpening for a moment, turning knowing.  “That’s strange,” he mused, dipping his finger in the whipped cream at the top of his drink and popping it in mouth, sucking it clean.

“Yeah,” you agreed, losing your words for a moment as you watched him, your lips parting, wishing for a taste.  When his eyes flicked back up to yours, you quickly cleared your throat and shrugged.  “I ain’t about to look a gift mouth in the horse though,“ you murmured, wincing when you realized you’d jumbled the words and quickly amended them, your face growing hotter.  “I mean, gift horse in the mouth.”

Baron chuckled, his gaze lingering on your face and you hoped he couldn’t tell how flustered you were.

“I’m sorry for my mom springing this on you.  She tends to butt into everyones’ business, whether they like it or not,” you began, flashing him a sheepish grin, but before you could finish apologizing for your mom’s behaviour, Baron cut you off.

“I’m not,” he replied simply, his gaze boring into yours.  “Sorry, I mean,” he clarified with a shrug.  “It finally gave me an excuse to talk to you.  Plus it helped to hear you think I’m cute,” he teased, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.

For a long moment you merely gaped at him, barely believing your ears.  Had he really been interested in you all this time?

“Oh,” was all you could bring yourself to utter.  “Well… that’s good then,” you added lamely, unsure what else to say, though you were dying to ask how long he’d been wanting to ask you out.

“Besides, you’re lucky.”

“For what?”  His words took you off guard, pulling you from your thoughts.

“That you have a mama that cares so much about you,” Baron said, once more playing with his straw.  “I think it’s sweet.”

You nodded slightly, bringing your cup to your lips.  “I guess I am pretty lucky,” you agreed, catching his eye for a moment, and it was his turn to flush, a hint of pink dusting his cheeks.

“So, how’d it go?”

There it was, the question you’d been expecting since you’d arrived.  You were honestly a little surprised your mother hadn’t sprung it on you as soon as you’d walked through the door.  

She was peering at you over the fan of cards in her hand, trying to act nonchalant as she drew another card from the pile before discarding one.

“How’d what go?” you asked, fighting back a grin at the sharp look she threw you in response.

“Don’t be coy, you know what I’m talking about,” she exclaimed, pursing her lips like she always did when you tested her patience.

Rolling your eyes in amusement, you leaned back in your seat, studying your own hand of cards.  “It went well, we talked for a long while.  It was really nice,” you murmured, smiling to yourself, that giddy feeling still fluttering in your chest and your mother grinned in return, pleased with herself.

“So, when are you going to see him again?” she pressed, moving one of the cards to a different spot in her hand.

“Who said I’m seeing him again?” you joked, earning you an exasperated look.

“I may be old, but I’m not blind, girl,” your mama huffed.  “I’ve seen the way you two looked at each other when you thought no one was watchin’, and I’ve seen you smilin’ at your phone the same way every time it goes off.  Who else would you be textin’ lookin’ like that, huh?” she pointed out and you quickly set your phone down, knowing she’d caught you.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you said, lifting your chin defiantly as you drew another card and winced, not drawing anything helpful.

“You don’t, do you?” your mom asked, raising an eyebrow at you, a wicked grin crossing her face as she laid her cards down on the table.  “Gin!” she announced.

Knowing you’d been beat, you groaned, tossing your cards down.  “Alright, fine!” you relented, dropping the act.  “He’s coming over for dinner on Friday and we’re gunna watch a movie.”

“Oh, Netflix and chill, huh?” she countered smugly.

“Mother!” you yelped, your face aflame as she began to cackle, gathering up the cards.

“Up for another round?”

“Yeah, alright,” you sighed, checking your phone once more.  “Just no more talk about my sex life,” you muttered.

“No promises!"

It was about ten minutes til Baron was supposed to arrive and you were rushing around, doing one last once over of your place before he got there, making sure everything was in place.  When your buzzer rang, you nearly tripped over the coffee table as you ran to let him up, fidgeting as you waited by the door, pulling it open just as he ascended the stairs.

“Hey, I brought the food,” he said, lifting the plastic take out bag as evidence.

“And flowers?” you asked, grinning as you spotted the bouquet of wildflowers in his other hand.

“Saw ‘em by the side of the road and thought of you,” he murmured sheepishly as he handed them to you.  “Though they’re nowhere near as pretty as you,” he added with a smirk.

“Charmer,” you replied, bringing the bouquet to your face to smell them, hiding your smile as you stepped aside to let him in.  “Thanks for bringing the food, I’m starving,” you exclaimed, shutting the door behind you as he passed.  “You’re much cuter than the usual delivery boy,” you teased, having grown a bit bolder since your first date.

“Well, that’s good to know,” Baron chuckled, setting the bag on your kitchen counter to pull out the takeout containers while you searched for a vase for the flowers.

“Fork or chopsticks?” he asked and you looked over to see him holding up one of each.

“Chopsticks,” you decided, filling the vase with water and setting it on the table.

Baron grinned at your choice, handing you the little paper sleeve and taking the plastic fork for himself.  “Good, cause I’m hopeless with ‘em,” he chuckled.

“Soda?” you asked, opening the fridge to grab yourself a bottle, taking two at Baron’s “yes, please,” and rounding the corner to join him on the couch.  Picking up the remote, you flipped through movies until you both agreed on one and pressed play, digging into your dinner.

“This was such a good idea,” you sighed, tucking your feet up under you and getting comfortable, inching closer to Baron until your knee pressed against his thigh and your elbow brushed his arm.  Despite the brief contact, warmth suffused you  and you carefully kept your eyes on the television, only chancing a glance at Baron out of the corner of your eye.

Unable to stand the silence any longer, you cleared your throat softly and set your nearly empty take out container aside.  “Can I ask you something?”

At your question, Baron set his food down as well, a hint of a smile on his lips as he turned his attention to you.  “Yeah, shoot.”

“Would you still have asked me out if it hadn’t been for my mum’s interference?” you wondered, the thought having plagued you for the past several days.

Baron looked thoughtful.  “I figure I would’ve eventually,” he murmured, his dark eyes finding yours in the dim room, the light from the tv dancing across his face.  “I’ve sorta had my eye on you,” he admitted, his grin twitching as his gaze flicked down to your lips and back up.

“Really?”

“Yes, really,” he replied, huffing a soft laugh.  “Just waitin’ for the right time.  There was something I had to finish before I could let myself get… involved.  A two year relationship I had to end,” he murmured.

“Oh–” you breathed, the news hitting you like a punch to the gut.  “I… had no idea.”

Baron shook his head, a far off look crossing his face for a moment before it was gone.  “S’alright.  It was always meant to end there,” he mused cryptically before he took a breath and his grin returned.

“What about you, Miss I-don’t-care-how-cute-he-is-I’m-not-gunna-hit-on-him-just-because-I’m-single?” he taunted and your mouth fell open.

“That was–!  I didn’t–!” you spluttered, feeling your face flare hotly.

“Admit it, you had a crush on me,” Baron teased, a playful light dancing in his dark eyes.

“I think you’re imagining things,” you replied lightly, managing to keep your voice even.

“Oh, am I?”  You could feel Baron shift toward you, his brows lifting in challenge, leaning in til his breath ghosted across your cheek.  “You’re awful cute when you blush.”

“And you’re not as sweet and innocent as my mama seemed to think you are,” you countered, your lips tugging into a grin.

Baron shrugged, still hovering in your space.  “Maybe not, but I can be sweet when I wanna be,” he drawled, his voice sending a tingle down your spine and your breath hitched in anticipation.

“You’ve no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” he breathed, but before he could capture your lips, you grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him in, kissing him first, sending his eyes flying open in surprise as your lips caressed his eagerly.

“You’ve no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” you countered breathlessly, your grin turning giddy and Baron shook his head in disbelief, an amused huff bursting from his lips. 

“Guess we both owe your mama a thank you,” he chuckled, pulling you closer, his hands squeezing your hips, and you laughed, cupping his face with your hands, stroking his freckled cheek with your thumb.

“Guess we do,” you agreed, unable to tear your eyes from his face.  “She’s never gunna let us live this down though,” you pointed out and Baron shrugged.

“Can’t say that really bothers me much,” he teased before his lips were once more on yours, his tongue hesitantly delving deeper, rolling languidly against yours.

Wrapping a deceptively strong arm around your waist, he swallowed your soft gasp as he lowered you to your back, not once breaking the kiss as he trapped you beneath him, the movie playing on forgotten while you lost yourself to his embrace.

You may owe your mother a thank you for pushing you and Baron together, but you definitely weren’t about to tell her how good a kisser he was.

⇾ taglist. @super-unpredictable98 @babydollbaron @heartbreak-sandwich @b1tchywheeler @girlwiththerubyslippers

[vanillarista]

tiger

cheeky hyunlix teasing their little sub minho~

a treat for those who aren't into feederism hahah

warning: minho gets called kitten and tiger, nipple play, sub minho, mild spanking, whiny minho, recounts of sex toy usage

⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒──⚝

⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒──⚝

“Hyung!” Hyunjin calls out, cheeky grin spread across his face. Felix was lying on his stomach next to him, chin propped up by his hand with an equally cheeky smile.

Minho glances up from the book he was reading, locking eyes with the blonde. The three of them were the only ones back at the dorm, and they were all gathered in Felix’s room, Hyunjin having pattered over with the complaint that “I’m lonelyyyy!” as his only excuse. 

Now, with soft music playing in the background and Hyunjin and Felix’s hushed talking and giggles, Minho was at peace, relaxing in the company of his boyfriends, but with those mischievous grins on their faces, it was clear that his peace was about to be shattered.

“Yes, Hyunjin ah?” Minho asks. “We were wondering, with how often we fuck you nowadays, how long can you go without cumming?” Felix immediately giggles after Hyunjin finished speaking, and Hyunjin breaks into giggles with him. It was honestly cute, and he would giggle with them if only the question hadn’t sparked a flicker of arousal in him.

How long could he go without cumming? Minho scoffs, deciding to paint on a tough persona. “I could go as long as I want, only reason I can’t is because of your perverted asses fucking me on every possible surface.” He was going to ignore the way his own words licked fire into his abdomen, but with the ways Felix and Hyunjin’s eyes immediately darken, forgetting that heat was going to take a tremendous amount of effort. 

“Yeah? Heard that you liked getting fucked on every possible surface, though,” Hyunjin’s voice takes on a lustful tone as he crawls over to Minho’s perch on the other end of the bed. Minho gulps, the proximity taking him by surprise as the book drops, forgotten. Hyunjin, with the grace of a panther about to pounce on prey, slips between his legs, spreading them with ease as he moves to straddle him. Placing both hands on his cheeks, Hyunjin uses his thumbs to gently tilt Minho’s face up, the rest of his fingers cradling his face, almost. 

“Kitten just likes to get fucked, likes getting used like a whore whenever we want,” Hyunjin smiles sweetly, pushing two fingers into Minho’s mouth, much to the older man’s surprise. “Just likes to please, ‘cause he’s a feisty little tiger that desperately needs cock at the end of the day, isn’t he?” God Fuck, his pride left him through the window when a moan falls from his lips, soft and pleading and disgustingly pornographic even to his own ears.

“So cute, Tiger,” A deep voice growls into his left ear, and he startles and blinks his eyes open — when the Hell did he close them? —- to see Felix leaning onto his left, wide eyes gazing into his, full of love, full of lust. “Are you going to please us again, today? The others are going to be back in three hours, earliest. We’ve got plenty of time to… enjoy ourselves, don’t we?” 

“We do,” Hyunjin pipes up, mischief in his eyes again. He swirls his fingers in Minho’s mouth and Minho gets the hint, immediately sucking on the digits and fluttering his eyelids at the comfort that action gave him. The other two chuckle at that fondly, and there’s a light environment in the room for awhile, the two deciding to let Minho suckle on Hyunjin’s fingers — God, why were they so long? — before he was suddenly pushed down onto the bed, ass up and face squashed against a pillow. It was the pillow Felix was resting on just now, and he belatedly realises that in this position, he was spread at a clear angle for the 2000 liners to look at his ass.

Oh, God.

Hyunjin’s fingers have left his mouth at some point while Minho was coming to that conclusion, and suddenly, his sweatpants were being pulled down just to expose the curve of his ass. There’s two sharp intakes of breath at the realisation that Minho hadn’t even put on underwear. Felix scoffs, before his voice speaks up, “Tiger gets fucked so often in our dorm, he doesn’t even put on underwear anymore, huh?” Minho whines at that, and Felix just laughs. “Such a whore, so good for us — just wants to be ready for us to fuck him any time, hm?” “Like a little sex toy; such a cute little sex toy, aren’t you, Tiger?” Hyunjin adds on, and Minho can only manage a moan in reply, the praise and degradation making him feel weak in his bones, his mind already fogging up in submission. “Haven’t even started and he’s already long gone,” Felix murmurs, and then suddenly, Hyunjin’s finger breaches his rim and the digit is pushed into his ass, the sudden intrusion causing Minho to choke out a moan.

“Fuck, Hyunnie, he’s already fucked open for us,” Felix comments, and Hyunjin hums in agreement. “Who fucked you today, Tiger?” Hyunjin asks. Minho needs a moment to reply, the finger crooking to just almost stroke his prostate. He lets out a shuddery breath, trying to recollect his thoughts, but it’s too late. A hand strikes the soft inner flesh of his thigh, jolting Minho forward with a yelp. 

“Dumb bitch, reply him.” “I- ah-” Hyunjin’s finger presses into his prostate, making Minho jolt again and forcing a whimper from him. “I- I fucked myself?” “Oh, you did?” Hyunjin asks, in a voice that’s light and innocent, as if Minho just told him that he bought some ice cream home. “Tell us some details, kitten.” Minho lets out a long whine again, shudders ripping through his body as Hyunjin’s finger lays slow, even strokes over the rough bundle of nerves in his ass, the stimulation sending bolts of electricity through his veins and Minho can barely think but- but he’s a good boy. Yes, he will reply Hyunjin.

“Mmh- I- I used a vibrator in the shower- ah!” Hyunjin’s finger jabs into his prostate and rubs into it insistently at the revelation, causing Minho to cry out, the pleasure making his arms weak and buckle, making him fall face first into the pillow. He shudders and squirms, trying to get away from the constant rubbing, but Felix is quick to grip his waist in a vice hold, not letting him move. 

“Hyunjinnie-” Minho begs, his voice high pitched and breathless, tears pricking in the corner of his eyes. His fucking finger was just so long and just so happened to be pressing against his fucking prostate, and it was making every single muscle in his body so weak, and his cock was absolutely throbbing in his sweatpants. It hung heavy between his legs, and with the way his hips are involuntarily bucking forward, he feels each drag of his cock against the rough fabric of his pants, sliding through the wet patch of precum in the front. 

“Aw, cute little Tiger is whining for us?” Felix coos, voice dripping with honey. Suddenly, the hands on his waist trail up to his chest, and then there are fingers flicking at his nipples through the soft, thin fabric of his tank top. Minho jerks at the sensation, the sensitivity hitting him all at once, and he whines again, trying to squirm away but neither boy lets him move, gripping his waist and thighs and making him take it. 

Each flick and rub of Felix’s fingers on his nipples sends a wave of arousal straight to his throbbing cock, and they continue like this for awhile. Hyunjin has two fingers in him now, and at some point, he had decided to pour the cold lube directly into his hole, causing loud squelching noises as he ruthlessly continues with his prostate massage and just pressing, rubbing and circling his fingers against the bundle of nerves there, making Minho rut forward into empty air, and Felix rubs at his nipples with no mercy, pinching and tweaking and twisting. Even when he lets go, the fabric scratches against them, his nipples sensitive to every touch and leaving him squeaking and gasping at the little bolts of pleasure that rush through him with every brush of the fabric.

It’s barely a minute or two before they have Minho begging.

“Please, please, plea- ah! Please!” 

⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭑─⭒─⭒──⚝

hope you enjoyed! :)

[thetreecareguide]

How To Care for a Bonsai Tree

Prevent your bonsai trees from withering and and avoid its premature death. Knowing how to care for a Bonsai tree will help you enjoy a thriving miniature of your favorite tree species for years or even decades.

thetreecareguide.com gathered essential information and tips on how to care for your Bonsai tree and help it thrive disease and pest-free.

Bonsai Tree Care

Though Bonsai trees are more delicate than regular trees and plants, a few simple pointers should help you successfully take care of your miniature. Consider the following care information and tips:

1. Bonsai Tree Location

In most homes, the only place where a Bonsai will thrive is at a South facing window. A lot of light is essential for your tree’s health. If your Bonsai is placed just a few feet away from a window, the light intensity will drop significantly, slowing down or stopping its growth and ultimately killing it.

2. Watering a Bonsai Tree

The most crucial element of Bonsai tree care is watering it. How often a tree needs to be watered depends on:

The tree species

Tree size

Soil mixture

Climate

Pot size

Time of year

Do not water your tree if the soil is moist, but avoid letting the tree dry out. As a beginner, you can use your finger to check (one centimeter deep) the soil moisture. If it's dry, water your tree. With time, you'll be able to see rather than feel when it’s time to water your tree.

Tip: Your tree’s soil-mixture influences how often your trees will need to be watered. Bonsai trees typically thrive on a mixture of ½ akadama, ¼ pumice, and ¼ lava rock. For those unable to water their plants regularly, use a soil mixture that retains more water. This can be accomplished by using more akadama or including compost in your soil.

Note: Akadama is a naturally occurring, granular clay-like mineral used as a soil component for bonsai trees and other container-grown plants.

3. Fertilizing a Bonsai Tree

Trees growing normally will naturally extend their root system in search of water and nutrients. Since Bonsai tree root systems are confined to pots, fertilizing them regularly during the growing season is essential for them to thrive.

Typical indoor Bonsai trees can be fertilized year-round, while older and more developed trees can be fertilized during the species’ growing season (typically early spring through mid-fall). Tree fertilization varies depending on:

Tree health

The tree species

Time of year

Tree development

All fertilizers contain three fundamental elements; Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (commonly labeled as NPK):

Nitrogen increases leaf, stem, or “above ground” growth

Phosphorus encourages healthy root, fruit, and flower growth

Potassium is known to enhance a tree’s overall health

Growers and gardeners will use different ratios of NPK for different tree species and during different seasons.

Tip: Look for fertilizers containing micronutrients like Iron, Manganese, Boron, Molybdenum, Zinc, and Copper for increased growth and health.

4. Repotting a Bonsai

All bonsai trees need to be repotted and root pruned to maintain continued good health. Keep in mind that as the top of your tree grows, so shall its roots. Root pruning will encourage new growth, while repotting offers an excellent opportunity to replace old, depleted soil.

Here’s how to repot your Bonsai tree:

Lift the tree from its pot - The root mass will likely match the contours of your pot

Use a root hook - Gently loosen and comb out the tangled bottom third of the root ball

With sharp and clean pruning shears - cut off the bottom third of the root ball

Tip: Shorten the large, heavy roots. A bonsai tree’s most essential roots are the more delicate feeder roots.

Prepare the pot - Add a light layer of fresh soil to the pot, with a mound of soil in the middle

Replace the tree - Place the tree in its original position and spread the roots out evenly

Add soil - Add more soil and gently work it in around the roots with the root hook

Tip: After repotting, let the tree recover for 10 to 15 days out of full sun and wind, avoid fertilizing until new growth emerges, and water only to keep the root/soil moist - not soggy.

5. Bonsai Tree Pruning

When should a Bonsai tree be pruned? Regular maintenance, damage removal, and shaping pruning can be done anytime year-round for Bonsais kept indoors.

Major branches should be carefully trimmed with clean pruning shears or sharp scissors, while very small growths can be cleanly pinched away with your fingers.

Trim away any dead leaves or overgrown branches and stems to promote new growth. Maintenance pruning encourages the development of lateral branches and refines the shape of your Bonsai.

How Do You Care for an Indoor Bonsai Tree?

In this article, you discovered essential location, watering, fertilizing, repotting, and pruning information to help you care for your Bonsai tree.

Properly caring for your Bonsai tree will encourage it to grow and thrive for many years to come.

Ignoring your Bonsai tree’s care needs will lead to its decline, vulnerability to disease and pest infestation, and eventual death.

Sources: sites.psu.edu/forloveofchlorophyll/2017/11/17/bonsai-general-care/ uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/bonsai.aspx ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc211/student%20papers/articles04/Ashley%20Vangsness/avangsness.htm

For the original version of this article visit: http://www.thetreecareguide.com/how-to-care-for-a-bonsai-tree/

[slippinmickeys]

Five Seconds (7/8)

If you’d like to read on AO3, you may do so here. 

October 23, 2018

Scully was in labor. At least, she thought she might be. She hadn’t been sure, but in the last hour she was now more certain, though her contractions were eons apart. The timing was obviously less than ideal. She was two weeks short of her due date, and when they had pulled off the state highway to the road that led to the cabin, she began hoping for a miracle -- what kind of miracle, she wasn't sure -- that the cabin was spacious and clean and up to date with a fully staffed Labor and Delivery wing? That someone would come and whisk them away to safety? She worried about preeclampsia, prolonged labor. She worried she might need a C-section. She worried she wouldn’t be able to do it.

In Virginia, the mid-morning sun would light up their bedroom like a hot set, dust motes floating through the spotlight of the shine and even the greys that now peppered Mulder’s temples would be lost in the chocolate ganache luster of his hair as he laid in their bed. That was where she wanted to be, laboring to bring this new child into the world -- in the bright, soft light of their bedroom, with Mulder kneading the labor pain out of her back as she kneeled on all fours in the rumple of their king-sized bed. Not here. Not amongst the pines and the cawing of crows. Not in a little bed in a musty-smelling shack with the pictures of people on the wall that were unfamiliar and long dead. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen at all.

William was again fiddling with his improvised hockey stick; he always fiddled with something when he was anxious, a nervous tick picked up when he was little. She remembered him crawling into bed with them when he was five, a thunderstorm outside or a bad dream. He would tuck himself into Scully's side, and she'd tilt her head until her cheek rested against the hard round of his skull, breathing in the inky smell of his wiry hair, his compact little body tight against her. He had Mulder's long, elegant feet and piano playing fingers, and he would play with the buttons on her pajamas and suck his thumb and rub his face into Moo, the stuffed cow, the fur of which was worn and well-loved and smelled like his sleepy breath. How she'd longed for those days as the kids had gotten older. How she worried for this new little one coming into this particular world.

Evening was falling outside, the long light through the pines running shadows through the small windows of the cabin.

"Will, can you throw another log in the stove?" she asked. The cabin was cooling quickly and Mulder and Lily would be back at any time and probably chilled right through.

"Sure, Mom," said Will, setting down his stick and moving to the potbellied stove, slipping on the worn and singed oven mitt that one needed to wear to grab the handle to open the small door. He threw in a couple pieces of wood until the flame began to roar, licking up the black sides of the feed chamber. He closed it and gave her a smile, looking at her kindly. "Are you okay, Mom?"

She could feel what she took to be a contraction coming on slowly; they were still pretty far apart and not yet at the stage where she would disappear inside of herself to get through the pain.

"I'm-"

The door to the cabin opened then, and Mulder and Lily stumbled in, rubbing their hands together and griping about the cold.

Mulder came over to her and kissed her forehead gently, his lips cool from being outside. He smelled of fresh air and woodsmoke and rubbed his hands up and down her arms once.

"How'd it go?" she asked, ignoring the growing pressure on her womb.

"Okay," Mulder gave her a clipped smile. "I got in touch with the guys, but the connection was terrible. Looks like Darlene will be okay. Otherwise, not much information was relayed one way or the other. We'll try again tomorrow."

She nodded at him. By tomorrow they would likely need to request some kind of medical help. Not sure who they could contact or who they could trust, she tried her best not to despair. She thought of her first labor, with Lily, how Mulder had stayed up with her all night. The drive to the hospital in the dark hours -- the forgotten sandwich on their dashboard, his face and how it looked each time a streetlight flashed upon it.

William's labor had been long and scary -- full of complications and made worse by the fact that Mulder wasn't with her. But she remembered when they placed the baby on her chest, the warm little bundle of him so much heavier than he looked. She remembered how his skin was still purple and mottled. She remembered his serious little eyes and his sweet grasping hand, the damp curled wisp of his marigold hair.

She had gotten through that. She could get through this. With Mulder beside her, sometimes she felt as if she could do anything.

"I'm going to heat up some water," Mulder said, and she could hear him trying to infuse his voice with optimism, "make some soup."

She smiled at him. Nodded. She knew she should eat something and try to get some rest. There was still time, she told herself, there was still time.

XxX

She had actually fallen asleep. After eating a bit of the soup, she'd lain down and closed her eyes and when she opened them, she was met with nearly absolute darkness. Only the glow from the small window of the feeder door on the stove issued forth any light, but it was paltry and she could still barely see her hand in front of her face.

She was alone in the small bed and could hear the heavy breathing of Mulder and their children from the bunk room. He must have decided to leave her be when she'd fallen asleep, and she was grateful. The tightening pain around her middle had awoken her and it squeezed until she gasped. It took her by such surprise that she almost didn't hear the scraping at the door of the cabin, the thump that followed.

She looked up just as the door to the cabin burst inward and she was blinded by a flash of light. She heard the action of a pistol cocking back.

“Do not move,” said an accented voice laced with venom.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Lily didn’t know what was happening.

She awoke in darkness and chaos -- to the scraping of furniture in the beam of a flashlight, her father's harsh swearing and the smell of apocrine sweat.

"Dad?!" called Will, and Lily heard the harsh sound of a blow to a body followed by a grunt. More scraping, the sound of a struggle and then a gunshot rang out. Lily jumped so high, she found herself standing.

“Mulder!” her mother cried.

“Everyone okay?!” from their father.

"Shut UP," hissed a voice thick with accent, and everything stopped. The beam of light finally stopped swaying and fell on her father, who was wincing and touching a hand to his lip, which he pulled away to look at -- the crimson smear of blood like neon in the light.

The generator hummed on the other side of the wall, the only sound in the silence that followed. And then Lily heard a scrape and the overhead light was switched on, blinding her momentarily. When she pried her eyes open again, she took everything in; a grizzled man with a long nose and close-set eyes stood in the open doorway of the cabin, his cheek red and swollen, pointing a gun at her father, her mother just behind him, sitting on the cot near the stove. Her brother was standing just beside where she stood in the bunk room, his eyes wide in shock.

The gunman turned to look in her direction, then nodded his head at her parents.

"Both of you," he said, "in here, now."

She and Will, both a bit dazed, made their way silently to their parents, where their father reached an arm out and pushed them behind himself.

“You guys okay?” he whispered.

"Weapons," the gunman said. Their parents traded a look, and Mulder moved the few steps to the kitchen, where Scully's Sig was sitting on the kitchen counter. The gunman took a step closer to them all and aimed his gun directly at Will, who inhaled sharply.

"Easy," her father said, and ejected the clip from Scully's gun and handed them both to the man, who examined the pistol closely before shoving the gun and clip into a pocket in the back of his pants.

"Where's the other one?" the man asked.

"Left it downstate," Mulder said, raising both hands. "That's all we have."

“Lift up your shirt,” the man said, and Mulder did as he asked, turning around to show he wasn’t armed.

The man narrowed his eyes and then looked about the room, his gaze coming to rest on the rifle that was perched on the deer rack on the far wall.

"Get that down," the man said, "bring it over here."

Mulder, moving slowly, carefully and purposefully pulled one of the old chairs from the small dining table over to the deer head and attempted to lift the rifle from where it rested. It wouldn't move. He pulled harder.

"It's wired on," he said, "it won't budge."

The gunman took a moment and moved his jaw around, assessing.

"Then leave it," he finally said, "that thing hasn't fired in twenty years."

Mulder stepped down off the chair and moved back, putting himself, once again, between his family and the gunman, who glanced at his watch. Then, keeping his eyes on the Mulder family, reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. He fiddled with it for a moment and then swore.

Her father, in his most soothing voice, said, "There's no signal here."

The man shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Doesn't matter," he said, checking his watch again. Then, he pointed the barrel of the gun briefly at the dining table. "You three, sit there."

Mulder didn't move, and Lily and her brother both looked to him. Lily didn't want to do anything without his okay, and the moment was tense as a piano string.

"Mulder," her mother finally said shakily. Her father looked to his wife and she looked back. Finally, Mulder moved to sit at the dining table, and Will and Lily followed, gingerly sitting down.

The gunman took a step toward Scully and Lily felt her father tense next to her.

"So," the man said, pointing at her pregnant belly, "the miracle child." He pronounced it like meericle . "You have been a hard woman to find."

Scully said nothing.

"What's your name?" Mulder asked from the table, drawing the gunman's attention.

The man stood for a moment, his eyes blank. Finally, he said, "Luis."

“Luis, what are your intentions for my family?”

The man looked at him. “For now, nothing. For now, we wait.”

XxXxXxXxXxX

The wind picked up as the day wore on, rattling the windows and pushing at the outside of the cabin in a dull roar. She had not had a contraction for an hour, and the last few had been dull. Perhaps it was Braxton Hicks after all.

She thought how fitting it was to be at a hunting camp when, for the last nine months, she’d felt like prey. Every day the fear would work at her, wending its way through her veins like ichor.

The man who held them, Luis, didn’t talk much. He sat by the door, silent and grave, with one hand wrapped around the handle of his Glock. He would check his watch occasionally and scowl. Every now and then he would pace. Eventually he let the kids go into the bunk room, obviously not thinking them much of a threat. He was waiting for backup of some sort, and the only thing Scully thought was at least it was buying them time. Time for what, she wasn’t sure.

Scully looked at her children through the room’s doorway, sitting next to each other on a bunk and was reminded of the old adage: “to have a child is to give fate a hostage.”

"Luis, do you have children?" Scully asked the man before her, her voice like a bell peeling through the silence of the cabin. She could tell she had surprised him. He looked at her for a long moment but did not answer. He looked away.

She thought perhaps if she connected with him he might be reasoned with, but he was cold, his mood foul.

Scully reached for Mulder’s hand and held on tight.

XxXxXxXxXxX

The intense heat coming off the wood burning stove in the main area of the cabin did little to heat the bunk room. Lily and William sat together on one of the lower bunks, taking solace in both proximity and shared warmth.

The man, Luis, stood in the center of the room. His nose was bleeding less now, but his face was swollen and red, and he seemed to get angrier with every passing minute.

Their mother was standing, leaning against the back of one of the kitchen chairs. She looked miserable. Their father was sitting in one of the other kitchen chairs, eyes swinging perpetually back and forth between the gunman and his wife. He was as tense as a coiled spring, and Lily worried he would make a move that would get him shot. Luis still had the gun trained on him.

In the tumult of the attack at Darlene's house and their ensuing escape north, Lily had forgotten about the cell phone that Darlene had given her. When she found it later, she left it off and shoved it deep into her go-bag.

“I have a phone in my backpack,” Lily finally said to her brother in a whisper.

He turned his head sharply to look at her.

“What?” he kept his voice low, “I thought Dad left them all out in the car.”

Lily’s eyes remained on the mercenary and her parents, but none of them turned toward where the kids sat in the bunk room. Lily suspected that they couldn’t hear them over the roaring, crackling fire in the stove and the wind pushing at the cabin from outside.

“He did,” she said, “I have another. Darlene gave it to me.”

“You have a burner?” Will said earnestly, his eyes round and his look impressed.

Will’s eyes suddenly took on disappointment.

“There’s no way we’re getting a signal. Dad had to go all the way out to the road and even then he said service was shoddy.”

“So we go to the road,” Lily said, shooting looks into the other room.

“How?” Will hissed, his nerves finally catching up to him. “Just stroll past the pissed off merc with a gun?”

Lily shook her head and pointed toward the far corner of the bunk room, to where a few bits of leaves had blown in from outside.

“We wait until Mom has to pee again and then we go through the wall,” she whispered. The man had been letting their heavily pregnant mother use the outhouse, but he always took their father with them and held the gun on him outside while she used the facilities. He padlocked the kids in the cabin when he did so. Lily could see the fading autumn light coming through a crack in the far corner. The wall was weak with age and weather.

“You have some Hulk powers I don’t know about?” Will said.

“Look Will, the sun is shining through it. I’m betting money the wood is totally rotted out,” she said, “we move two boards and we could both fit through there.”

Will looked skeptical.

“I don’t want to leave Mom,” he said.

Lily reached over and squeezed his hand.

“Listen,” she said, “if we take ourselves out of the equation, Dad has a much better chance of protecting her. If he doesn’t have to worry about us, maybe he can do something.”

Will bit his lip, thinking.

“You think?” he said.

“Yes,” Lily hissed, sensing him coming around to her way of thinking. “Go put on another sweatshirt and whatever else you have in your bag. We can hike out to the road and get a signal. Call for help. But it’s going to be cold.”

The cold was already pushing at them from the outside walls of the bunk room.

She slipped off the bed and over to her bag, quietly pulling out the winter hat that she’d had wrapped around the phone. It was a cheap little Nokia -- old and barely capable of texting -- but Darlene had given it to her for a reason. Hopefully it had held a charge well; she’d kept it switched off. She wouldn’t turn it on until they were out by the road. She hoped like hell the archaic little thing could pick up a signal.

She threw on another sweatshirt and the knit hat and once again glanced at the door to the main room. The man Luis kept glancing at his watch. He didn’t seem the least bit interested or worried about the two teenagers in the bunk room -- Lily hoped he would continue to underestimate them.

She glanced over at her brother who was pulling on a fleece jacket and shoving a pair of wool socks into his pockets, and then moved surreptitiously to the far side of the room, pushing experimentally at the wooden wall of the cabin where the crack of weak sun shone through. It gave, easily.

She nodded at her brother. They could do this. They just needed to wait for the right opportunity, which came about twenty minutes later when Lily heard the low words of her mother asking to once again use the restroom.

Once they heard the click of the padlock on the front door, she dropped to her knees and pushed on the wall in earnest, the old construction tack paper disintegrating in her hands. The outhouse was on the opposite side of the cabin -- they had to be fast. The boards on the outside of the cabin were so rotted and moist that she met little resistance when she pushed again, and a small part of the board popped off with barely a sound and thunked to the leaves outside. If they were careful, they could get out without anyone noticing they were gone until they were well away and into the surrounding woods. Will dropped to his knees next to her, eying the small hole in the wall.

“Whoa,” he said.

“Help me,” Lily whispered, and she began pushing at the boards with more desperation.

Will grabbed the edge of the hole and started pulling it in, and after a moment it snapped off with a crack which sent him sprawling backwards onto his butt, a piece of the board still in his hands. Wind started coming in through the hole, blowing in leaves and other debris.

Lily looked to the doorway of the bunk room, ears tuned to listen for the scrape of the padlock on the cabin’s door. The hole in front of them was probably about two feet by one foot. One more chunk of board coming off and they could probably scramble through. They pried at the next piece in earnest, but it was drier and much stronger than the first piece had been. Her heart was hammering in her chest --  they were running out of time.

“Here,” she said, shoving the cell phone into Will’s hands, “take this. You’re smaller than me. If I can get one more piece off, get through the hole and run like hell.”

“Lil-” he said, leaning back as though he were about to argue with her.

“Do it,” she hissed at him, once again looking to the doorway, “I’ll be right behind you.” She heard a thump from the cabin’s door.

William shoved the phone into his jeans pocket and looked at her, his face pale. Lily reached out and squeezed his shoulder.

“For Mom,” she said, and he nodded.

She assessed the board in front of her and pushed hard with her legs. It cracked under the pressure, the sound of each splintering seeming to ring out like a gunshot. Will glanced nervously at the door, and she reared back and gave the board one more sharp kick, sending it flying outside with a loud clatter.

She heard a sound of alarm from the main room as the cabin door burst in and Will dove easily through the hole, shimmying outside quickly. She heard the clumping of boots coming toward the room, and dove headfirst through the hole, the sharp edges of the remaining boards catching on her sweatshirt and holding her fast. Her hands clawed into the mulchy substrate of the forest floor, giving her nothing to push or pull against.

A shout rang out behind her, followed by two gunshots. She kicked out with her feet, the boards scraping her lower back raw and then she was through and free. She scrambled up from hands and knees and took off in the direction of the county road, running as fast as she could -- the wind whipping fiercely at her face, the skin of her back on fire.

XxXxXxXxXxX

“Fuck!” Luis hissed, stumbling back into the room, smoke from the nose of the gun still leaking out of it.

Mulder’s gut was still in his shoes, blood thrumming in his ears, bowel-loosening fear for his kids running roughshod through his heart.

Scully’s eyes were wide with terror as she looked between Luis and Mulder, her mouth open in a round O.

“Your fucking kids are gone,” Luis said, his accent getting thicker with the force of his fury. He was bouncing the Glock angrily against the side of his leg.

Mulder felt a wild rush of relief and had to stop himself from outright grinning.

“Good luck to them,” Luis then said after a moment, his voice returning to the oily slickness of a man used to getting what he wanted. “They’ll probably freeze to death or get mauled by a bear. I still have what I need.”

At that he looked to Scully and smiled smugly, and Mulder’s relief turned back to worry.

The mercenary appeared to be waiting for something or someone, most likely transportation to whisk Scully off to God knows where to do God knows what with her and the baby. Mulder thanked whatever entity was responsible for getting his other kids out of harm’s way. He now only had Scully and the baby to worry about -- he was more than confident that Lily and Will could take care of themselves, so long as they stayed out of the way of whoever was coming to assist Luis.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Lily tore through the forest, expecting at any moment to hear more gunshots or the sound of the mercenary pursuing them, but she heard nothing but the sound of her feet churning through the duff and her own breath and heartbeat, pounding in her ears. She avoided the overgrown path that led to the cabin, instead running through the forest alongside it. When she felt she could run no more, she slowed and stopped, leaning her hands on her knees to catch her breath. She had not run since completing varsity cross country the fall before, and her lungs burned from the effort. Will, who had been consistently playing hockey or some variation thereof pretty much since he turned 10, was hopefully far ahead of her.

Keeping the path to her left, she knew she was headed toward the road, though the daylight was waning. There would be no one on the seasonal road that hit the path from the cabin -- they would have to hike all the way out to the county road -- and even then she worried that there might not be a car for hours -- even days -- it was as remote a place as she had ever been.

The skin of her back had begun to hurt less, though it occasionally stung when brushed with the tee shirt she wore under her baggy sweatshirt. Her mouth was dry and she had a headache from the adrenaline surge -- and, she suspected -- dehydration.

Eventually she passed the CR-V off to her left through the trees, parked where they had left it in the middle of the forest, inert and dark, a membrane of dirt and leaf detritus built up on its wiper blades.

The forest around her seemed a darker shade of brown, as if she were in a horror movie and the director had swapped out a gel to give everything a more sinister feel. Tree branches creaked as wind blew through the upper branches and the only other sound was the hollow rat-a-tat of a woodpecker doing its duty somewhere far away. Lily pulled the loose sweatshirt tighter around herself and trudged on with her head down.

She heard a branch or twig snap from ahead of her and froze, eyes and ears attuned to any sign of movement. Another broken twig and then she heard the whisper-shout "Lily!"

"Will!" she called out, trying not to do it too loudly.

Then it was all crashing twigs and shuffling leaves and her brother broke through a line of bracken to her right and practically tackled her with a hug.

"Oh my God, Lily," he said, breathing hard, "I didn't think we were going to make it."

She pushed him away from her so she could catch his eye and said, "I did. I knew we'd make it. We've got more to do, though, come on."

With that they kept trudging through the woods in silence, until finally they spilled out onto the seasonal road that was really no bigger than a two track.

"Give me the phone," she said, turning to her brother.

He reached down into his pocket and pulled it out.

"I haven't been able to get a signal yet. I've been trying."

Lily looked down at the display. The old Nokia screen read "No Service" and showed barely half a battery's worth of charge.

"Okay," she said, "I'm turning it off. We need to save the battery until we get to the main road." She pushed the phone into the kangaroo pouch on the front of her sweatshirt -- it was a Michigan State hoodie that she'd borrowed from Travis. If she stuck her nose into the collar and huffed, it still smelled like him.

She took a deep breath and tried to center herself. "Come on," she said after a moment, "let's go."

XxX

Darkness had fallen by the time they hit the pavement of the county road. The moon was half full and the little light that it provided turned the shadows menacing, each dark space a void of whispered threat. The temperature had dropped with the sun, and they could see their breath in front of themselves, standing on the side of the road. Will's shoulders were hunched and he had his hands crammed deep into his pockets for warmth. He'd been sweating when she found him, which was now coming back to bite him.

Lily was holding the phone up above her head, walking up and down the pavement, trying to get a signal.

"Anything?" Will said hopefully.

"No," she sighed, dropping her arm. She once again flicked off the power button and pocketed the phone. They were now down to about a quarter's worth of battery power.

She reached back to flip the hood over her head and pulled the strings tight. Will appeared to shiver, once.

"We should probably hunker down. Close to the road, in case a car comes," she said. Her brother nodded his head miserably.

The embankment next to the road wasn't deep, but it was wet, so they had to hop across it. Lily slid down the trunk of the first big tree they came to and Will sat next to her, leaning into her side for warmth. She put her arm around her brother and squeezed his shoulder.

"My sweatshirt is pretty big if you want to try to share it," she said kindly.

"You mean like our Get Along Shirt?" he chuckled.

Their father had once, when they were much smaller and fighting almost constantly, taken one of his old grey tee shirts and put both kids inside of it side-by-side, each with an arm out one hole. They'd had to wear it for twenty minutes, and while they had stopped physically fighting (it had been admittedly difficult to do so with only one free hand), they had instead complained so loudly and vociferously (the teamwork their father had been ironically pulling for) that he whipped it off their heads after ten minutes and never forced them to wear it again. Their mother, bemused and watching from the kitchen, had never said a word.

Lily laughed out loud. "Something like that," she said.

"Nah," he said, "I'm okay." He shivered once in counterpoint and pushed himself a little further into her side.

XxX

When the grey dawn broke, they both stood and stamped feeling into tired, cold feet. They hadn’t slept much and had yet to see a car. They were hungry, thirsty and each a bundled coil of nerves.

"Do you think we should hike out? Down the road? See if we can get a signal?" Will asked. His wiry copper locks were plastered to his head on one side where he'd been laying against her.

It was then that Lily heard a distant hum. She and Will moved to the edge of the trees, and she leaned slightly out to try to get a look at the approaching vehicle. It was a grey van, pulling a trailer that had two ATV four-wheelers strapped to it.

"What do you think?" she asked her brother. The van was coming on fast and if they were to try to flag it down for help, they'd need to do so in the next few seconds.

Will nodded at her, and they both darted out of the tree line simultaneously, waving their arms in the air. The van slowed as it approached and Lily saw the driver's side window come down. It rolled to a stop about ten feet away from them and a man leaned out and gave them both an assessing look.

"You guys okay?" he asked.

"We're-" Lily started and then stopped herself. "We have someone at our camp who requires medical attention. Can you call 911?"

"Sure, I can do that," the man said, and then pulled out a phone. He leaned it away from his ear and waved them closer to his vehicle. When the call appeared to connect, he leaned back into it and said, "Hi yes, I've got a medical emergency here at... Christ, where are we? Uh, M-95 about ten miles north of Felch Mountain... Yeah... I'm not exactly sure, I got some kids on the side of the highway here... Uh-huh... Okay... You bet."

He disconnected the call and lowered the phone. "The dispatcher wants y'all to wait here until they can get the Sheriff and ambulance out here. You guys want to wait in the van? It’s cold and I got some water and snacks..."

Lily was about to refuse when she heard Will's stomach growl loudly.

"Yeah," she said, "okay, thanks."

The man leaned over and unlocked the passenger door as they approached and rolled down that window as well.

"Sorry," he said, "got the back full of hunting crap. Hop on in."

With a hand on the door, she thought about just asking the man to hand them a bit of food and water, but Will looked so cold and miserable that she opened the door and swung herself up and into the seat. Will followed her, and they sat cramped together in the passenger seat, which was at least fairly substantial in size.

The man handed them each a bottle of water and a Slim Jim from a cooler just behind his seat and nodded at the door.

"Can you close that behind you? I want to pull us off the road."

Will did as the man asked, guzzling the water and ripping into the meat stick, chewing loudly. The man nudged the van forward, but instead of immediately pulling off the road, he drove a ways down it, though not fast.

"Hey, mister," Lily started to say, studying him. He was roughly their parents’ age, with dark thick hair and an almost feminine nose. He wore black tactical pants and a black jacket, and emerging from just below it, Lily recognized the bottom of a holster. It was the same model as the one her mother carried. When she looked back up to find the man's eyes, he was holding a gun aimed right at her face. Will had yet to notice, busy as he was stuffing his face, and he only looked up when the driver pulled into the entrance of the two-track that led to Camp Hi-Early. Will's face went ashen.

Lily, her guts gone liquid, cleared her throat. "You didn't call 911, did you?" she asked, and the man's face pulled into a slow menacing smile.

"No," he said, "I didn't."

[imagine-loki]

Stitching The Wounds, Chapter 5

TITLE: Stitching The Wounds CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 5 AUTHOR: fanficshiddles ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki and Kilgrave are Alphas and feel a spark with the same omega. RATING: M

Leona felt weird when she went to the café with Loki and Kilgrave.

She felt oddly calm and secure with them at either side of her on the way there. Now and then one of their hands would gently but firmly guide her at her lower back, or take hold of her elbow when dodging other people on the pavement.

When they got to the café, they picked a nice little table next to the window in the corner. Loki sat next to her and Kilgrave sat opposite. It was a quiet place, but really nice and quirky. It had good music playing and a big selection of food and drinks on the menu.

‘Have whatever you like, pet.’ Kilgrave said when Leona picked up the menu.

She wasn’t used to eating a lot, so she knew she should take it easy. Not wanting to overload herself with food so quickly. So she ordered a toastie and coffee.

‘Is that all you’re having?’ Kilgrave asked. ‘There are lots of nice cakes too.’

‘Are you both feeders or something?’ Leona asked with a slight smirk, making them chuckle.

‘I’d enjoy it while you can, Kilgrave is a bit of a health freak when it comes to food usually.’ Loki grinned. ‘But you need to get your strength up for now.’

‘My strength is fine.’ Leona said as the waiter brought their drinks over.

‘Trust me, doll. You’re going to need plenty of strength and sustenance with us.’ Kilgrave winked at her.

Leona didn’t respond, she just concentrated on drinking her coffee. Enjoying the warmth as it flowed down her body. It had been a while since she had a decent cup of coffee.

‘Were you ever claimed, properly, with any previous Alphas?’ Loki asked.

‘I’ve only had two attempted relationships with an Alpha over the years. I know Mrs Stanton will have likely made out there was hundreds of attempts at getting me to fit with someone.’ Leona sighed. ‘I’ve had quite a lot of first dates, though. That all ended badly, mainly because of me being broken.’ Loki and Kilgrave both stiffened when she said that.

Loki leaned over and put his hand firmly on her thigh, squeezing. Making her heart race a little and she was slightly surprised.

‘Do not say that, doll. What did we tell you about the rules? Do not say that again, or I will bend you right over my knee, right here, right now, and spank you.’ He growled into her ear, making her supress a shiver.

She ignored the warning and continued with what she was saying. Unsure whether he would be serious about his threat. Also unsure about whether she wanted that to happen or not… Part of her did, but she knew that would be a bad idea so she tried to quickly move on before her sassy mouth got her into trouble in public.  

‘So, that was aside from two Alphas that I got passed first date with. But those two just thought they’d be able to tame me. The first one wasn’t very… dominant. I guess is the right word. Nothing much ended up happening, he got bored of me very quickly. Not even a week. He didn’t claim me, not in any of the sense of it.

The second one, the one who got violent with me… Was unfortunately my first time and he did claim me, but he didn’t mark me. It was only the once though. And uhm, when he got violent with me, I walked out on him. We were only together for about three weeks.’

Loki and Kilgrave were so pleased she was opening up to them. It was actually more than they had expected this early in the game. Leona was surprised, too. But there was just something about them that made her want them to know. That she knew deep down she could trust them… Or so she certainly hoped, now she was in this deep already.

Loki’s grip on her thigh had loosened and he was lightly rubbing his thumb across her. Even through her jeans she could feel her skin was on fire under his touch.

The waiter came with their food, so they changed the subject to something else. Saving the more private conversations for back home.

‘What do you want to do with your life? Do you want to have a career, or?’ Kilgrave asked while they ate.

Omegas were split nowadays. Half wanted to get careers and work, like the Alphas. But the other half was still in the frame of mind where they just wanted to stay at home and be there for their Alphas needs. It was usually up to the omega now, what they wanted to do.

Leona shrugged. ‘I dunno. I’d given up hope on having an Alpha, or a proper life. So I haven’t given it much thought.’

‘Well, we are of the opinion it’s down to the omega what she wants to do in life. We are open to whatever you decide you want to do. And will support you, of course.’ Loki said softly.

She looked at him with her eyes wide for a second.

‘Really?’

‘Of course.’ Loki nodded.

Leona laughed and shook her head. ‘You’re acting like you’re definitely going to keep me.’

Kilgrave and Loki both frowned.

‘We are keeping you, Leona.’ Kilgrave said sternly. ‘There was a spark, sparks never lie. And don’t you dare say anything to talk yourself down.’ He said knowingly.

She looked down at her food and concentrated on that again.

Loki and Kilgrave realised that even with her rather tough exterior, she had such a vulnerable side to her. It was clear she was worried she was going to be abandoned again, chucked out.

Once they finished, Loki ordered them all a slice of cake.

‘You’re going to get me fat!’ She laughed a little when it arrived, it was making her mouth water.

‘You need a bit more meat on you anyway, doll. Don’t fret.’ Loki chuckled. Making her smile.

They were pleased to see she did relax more and more. When they left the café, they went home but took the long way through the park. Chatting away in a relaxed manner, just finding out more about her. They shared their hobbies, likes and dislikes.

‘I guess having an Alpha that’s a doctor might come in handy.’ She said after Kilgrave had told her a bit about his work.

Kilgrave chuckled. ‘Hopefully you won’t need my skills, but yes. I guess it isn’t a bad thing.’

The more time she spent with them, the more she was letting herself accept the fact they wanted to be her Alphas. Though there would always be a part of her that was worried, unsure… She hoped in time it would disappear.

When they got back to Loki’s, Leona went for a nap as she was tired mentally. The Alphas understood, so told her they’d wake her when it was dinner time.

‘I think she will settle quickly.’ Loki said to Kilgrave as they grabbed a beer from the kitchen.

‘I think so too.’ Kilgrave nodded. ‘Her personality is slowly starting to show. It’s no wonder she has trust issues though.’

‘I still can’t believe her parents chucked her out.’ Loki frowned and sighed. ‘It’s not her fault she was in an accident.’

‘I know… What are we going to do about us two?’ Kilgrave asked as they sat down in the living room.

‘Yes. That crossed my mind too, it’s a weird situation. I guess you don’t need to rush to find your own place. If she is our omega, she will want to live with both of us. I think going back and fore to two different houses wouldn’t be too good for her.’

‘So, you wouldn’t mind me staying?’ Kilgrave smirked.

Loki shrugged. ‘You’re alright company.’ He teased, chuckling. ‘Besides, having half the rent paid won’t be so bad for me.’

Kilgrave laughed. ‘True. Means we can spend more on our darling new omega.’ Kilgrave grinned.

‘Exactly.’ Loki grinned back at him and they raised their beer bottles to one another.

-

Loki wandered upstairs to wake Leona from her nap, but as he opened the door and stepped inside, he was hit with the delicious smell of her arousal.

His eyes widened in delight at the sight before him too. She was on top of her covers and was only wearing a t-shirt. Her hand was delved down between her thighs, two fingers buried inside of her cunt.

‘WHAT THE HELL!’ Leona screeched at Loki walking into her room.

She quickly removed her hand from between her thighs and scrambled to hide herself under the blanket, face bright red and eyes blazing in a mixture of arousal and anger at being interrupted.

Loki smirked and folded his arms over his chest. ‘That was quite the sight, doll.’ He purred, licking his lips.

She ignored the spark of arousal that hit her from seeing him. And ignored the fact she was so close to cumming before she had been interrupted.

‘Do you not know how to KNOCK?’ She snarled at him.

‘What’s going on?’ Kilgrave asked as he appeared, having heard the commotion. His eyes darkened slightly when he smelt her arousal in the air as soon as he walked into the room. He barely suppressed a groan of his own.

‘I was masturbating! So what? It’s not a crime!’ Leona huffed.

Loki and Kilgrave walked over to her, one at either side of the bed and they sat down on the edges.

‘Nothing wrong with pleasuring yourself at all.’ Loki hummed, sliding his hand under the blanket to take hold of her wrist, pulling it out from underneath the blanket. He lifted her hand up towards him, first he sniffed at her two fingers that were still wet. Her eyes widened and she tried to ignore the feeling of excitement in her stomach.

Loki slipped his tongue out and he licked her fingers for a moment, moaning at her taste. ‘I’m just sorry I didn’t walk in while you were cumming. Now, I’m sure that is a sight to behold.’

‘Loki.’ Kilgrave tsked. ‘You’ve left our poor omega hanging?’

Loki glanced over at Kilgrave, letting Leona take her hand back as he smirked. ‘I didn’t tell her to stop.’ He chuckled.

Leona rolled her eyes.

‘Well, the gentlemanly thing to do would be to finish the job for her.’ Kilgrave said and winked at Leona.

‘It certainly would be.’ Loki growled.

Her eyes widened and her stomach leapt in excitement. Of course, while masturbating she had been thinking about the two Alphas… Not that she would ever admit it to them, obviously.

‘Why don’t you get comfortable on Kilgrave’s lap, darling. Let me finish what you started.’ Loki purred, pulling the blanket back, revealing her. She closed her thighs together tightly at first, slightly wary, but also wanting it to happen too.

Kilgrave got on the bed and crossed his legs over, he took hold of Leona and with ease lifted her onto his lap, so her bum was just off his legs and her upper back was against his chest. She squeaked at how easily he had moved her.

Loki knelt on the bed and gently took hold of her ankles, slowly spreading her legs open. He winked at her and stroked up and down her legs as he moved between them.

She put her hands down to cover herself, but Loki tsked softly as Kilgrave reached down and took hold of her wrists, bringing them up around the back of his neck.

‘Keep your hands behind my neck.’ Kilgrave said softly as he slid his hands under her top and stroked across her sides.

Leona squirmed in excitement, her breathing already deeper than it was before. Loki got comfortable and started kissing along her inner thigh, slowly working his way higher and higher. She closed her eyes and gasped slightly when she felt his warm breath against her. But he teased her and moved across to her other thigh, kissing and sucking there for a while.

Kilgrave’s hands started roaming, he lightly tickled across her abdomen, then worked his hands higher under her top.

She was completely enveloped in them both, their scents and having their hands on her. It was quite overwhelming.

Loki started gently squeezing her thighs when he finally started paying attention to where she wanted him to be the most. He softly licked and suckled on her folds, she was already so wet from her own previous ministrations.

Removing one hand from her thigh, he spread her wide open, she was glistening wet and smelled absolutely delicious. He took a long lick right up her, making her tremble and gasp. He then licked up and down either side of her clit. Driving her insane already.

She tilted her head back against Kilgrave’s chest, his hands had wandered even further up and he was carefully squeezing her breasts, now and then he rubbed her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers.

But when she let go of his neck and started to reach down to grab Loki’s hair, Kilgrave pinched her nipples quite hard. Making her yelp.

‘Ow! Asshole!’ She huffed at him.

‘Behave.’ Loki snarled, turning his head to the side to bite her inner thigh, making her yelp once more.

She was about to curse at him too, but he glared up at her, raising an eyebrow. She knew what they wanted, so she put her hands up behind Kilgrave’s neck again, desperate to cum. Only then did they continue the sweet pleasure.

Loki lapped on her clit with the flat of his tongue, then he added two fingers to the mix. When he inserted them, he took a few minutes to explore, twisting and curling until he found the exact spot that made her whimper and buck against him. But Kilgrave was holding her steady in place on his lap, still manipulating her nipples.

As Loki kept stroking over that sweet spot deep within her, he used the tip of his tongue to stroke her clit in a more precise way. Alternating between fast and slow licks, weirdly in time with what Kilgrave’s fingers were doing on her nipples.

‘Ohhh god! Please!’ She cried out, desperate now.

Loki’s ears perked up at hearing her begging. He smirked against her and continued with what he was doing, but this time he kept the same rhythm and picked up the pace a little with thrusting his fingers into her. He couldn’t get enough of her, of what she had to offer him. She was far too delicious.

With Kilgrave constantly tweaking and rubbing her nipples, it was no wonder she came hard. Squirting all over Loki’s mouth and chin, making such a mess. Her moans and whimpers were like music to the Alphas ears.

When Loki sat up, he reached out and cupped her cheek. She was completely blissed out, eyes struggling to remain open. Her body was so sensitive, Kilgrave was still gently fondling her breasts and she was shuddering in pleasure now and then.

‘Give me your hand, doll.’ Loki reached up, waiting to take her hand.

She only just registered what he said, she was feeling far too good to argue, so took her hands off Kilgrave’s neck and put one into Loki’s hand. She was a bit confused when he brought her hand down to her cunt.

‘Scoop some of your delightful wetness up, doll. Let Kilgrave have a taste.’ He hummed, smiling when she did as she was told.

She used two fingers and dipped them just inside, they were so wet as she lifted them up to Kilgrave’s mouth. He took her fingers into her mouth and lavished them with his tongue, moaning around them as he closed his eyes, revelling in her taste.

‘Mmm, wonderful.’ He purred.

Loki smiled at Leona and leaned into her, kissing her forehead. Making her feel weird and fluttery inside.

‘Am I forgiven now for bursting in on you?’ He smirked, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand.

‘Mmm… I suppose.’ She shrugged a little.

Leona felt the vibrations from Kilgrave’s chest against her back as he chuckled. He wrapped his arm around her waist and gave her a squeeze. Then he leaned down to speak right into her ear, making her shiver a little.

‘While we seemed to have skipped straight to dessert, I think we should go have dinner now.’

[monstersandmaw]

Male changeling fae x female reader (sfw) - Part One

Edit which I’m including in all my works after plagiarism and theft has taken place: I do not give my consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted anywhere. They are copyrighted and belong to me.

As I said to my patrons, I'm still sorry I took so much time off in March, but I really needed it for all sorts of reasons I won’t go into on here. I hope this will appease you though! It's 4769 words of fluff with a slight dash of angst thrown in, and with a Part Two on the way. I dropped one or two hints as to where it's going, so it'll be interesting to see who picks up on that...

As usual with me, the reader's gender or body isn't really mentioned much, except in a passing comment, so I hope it's not too offputting to have a specifically female reader again.

This was up on Patreon on early release last week for my Pixies and Goblins, and is now up on here for you.

Content: female reader, (past) death of father, (past) ill mother, changeling, memories, nostalgia, realising that the fairytale stuff is true... Wordcount: 4769

The cabin was in far better condition than you’d been expecting, given that it had been well over a decade since you’d last seen it. Dank and a little musty, it was now tidy in a way that it never would have been when your father had lived there. Of course, all of the things that had made it your father’s home, plus all his tracking and hiking equipment, had long been removed, either by your uncle or by the local park service, but the cabin technically belonged to you according to his will. You’d never made so much as a spare moment to come back up here, fearing that the return would bring back a wash of memories that would be too powerful to withstand.

You almost laughed to yourself as you stood in the doorway of the old wooden hut, the creaky front door knocking gently against the wall in the soft breezes that seemed to slink curiously in like a house cat returning from a day’s hunt. You could hear your boss’ voice in your head again; “If you don’t take some holiday, I’m going to fire you.”

“You wouldn’t!” you’d blurted, completely missing the glittering, playful light in his eyes.

The vet had snorted and shaken his head, taking his gloves off and making his preparations to leave the surgery at the end of his long day. “Of course I wouldn’t fire you, but I am serious about you taking some time off. Didn’t you say your dad used to have a cabin up country?”

“Mm,” you nodded, not really listening, the scents of pine and mossy rocks already flashing with startling clarity across your mind. “It’s more of a bothy in the woods, but yeah.”

“Then go there. You need some time off. You haven’t taken any holiday in over a year.”

Just like that, you’d mused; just ‘go there’.  

It had been so long since you’d been unexpectedly packed off back to the city that long, hot summer. What had followed had been endless months of hospital visits and uncertainty, living with your maternal grandmother while your mother fought her illness with dogged determination. As you shoved those memories aside, a wave of fresh ones surged in to replace them. Images skittered falteringly across your memory of a barefoot young boy about your own age, with sun-freckled skin and dusky brown hair. Piercingly blue eyes the colour of a midday summer sky blinked from the recesses of your memory.

“Dunnock,” you murmured aloud in the perfect stillness of the cabin. You'd never forgotten your summer holiday friend. Year after year when you’d gone to stay with your father, Dunnock had been there, with grubby knees and a ready smile.

That little boy’s laughter among the evergreens; bare feet that hadn’t seemed out of place on the carpet of rusty pine needles; a playmate all summer long while your father watched from the porch of the cabin, coffee cradled in his hands, muscular forearms arms resting on the wood and watching you with his steady, patient gaze.

All of that had vanished in a single summer, to be replaced with city life, school, exams, college, study, work, rent… Your mother had survived her illness, but you’d never returned to the cabin before your father’s death some years later.

“Dunnock,” you repeated, looking around at the bare wooden walls and the simple wooden bed in one corner. “I wonder what happened to you?” After a pause you added, “Or who you even were…” You’d been so caught up in the moment, in seeking frogspawn and catching moths, that you’d never spoken about his family or his life outside of your play hours.

Somehow none of it had never seemed strange to the eight year old girl that you had been then. Wiry, ‘boyish’ - whatever that meant - with nondescript hair and an ordinary face, you had felt instantly at home in the trees with that little boy’s rough, grubby hand around yours. It had felt like the most natural thing in the world to let him tug you into the forest that bordered the heathland to show you the worms in the muddy dell or the deer fauns staggering on spindly legs in the glens where the bracken glowed translucent in rare shafts of sunlight.

“Dunnock,” you murmured one last time, and it felt like a charm, a chant, an invocation, calling up the sight of his wild greyish brown hair shivering as he laughed, tossing his head back, careless and wild as the bird after which he was named. You seemed to recall that you had actually been the one to name him that, after seeing the tiny little hedgerow birds with the same colouring, darting about near the cabin on the feeder that you had helped your father build the summer before. He had accepted it without question, and you’d never called him anything else.

With a sigh, you dumped your weekend bag down on the smooth floorboards and went back to the car to fetch the bag of groceries you’d picked up from the nearby hamlet of Iska’s Well. Unbidden yet again, you heard Dunnock’s voice, full of laughter, telling you that ‘iska’ was the ‘old world’ word for water in these parts, whatever that meant. Everywhere you turned, the whole place was saturated with memories of him - more so than of even your father.

“That’s stupid,” you’d huffed at Dunnock when he’d told you the origins of the hamlet’s name. “‘Water’s Well’? That’s a stupid name for a town.” Dunnock had only laughed and dragged you off to poke and poggle at frogspawn in the dewpond on the heath that began about a mile from the cabin.

You’d driven over the heath that afternoon to reach Iska’s Well, with blushing heather and stoic, rocky bluffs, and had marvelled at how short the journey had seemed this time. As a child, it had seemed like a journey to the edges of the world, with the sandy tracks and purple heather rushing past in an endless blur while the radio played softly in the background and your father’s curly hair lifted off his forehead in the breeze from the open window.

With everything finally settled, and your sleeping bag unfurled onto the surprisingly healthy looking mattress that definitely should have gone mouldy after all this time, you turned your attention to the heavy cast iron stove in the corner. No dust had gathered on the surfaces, and there was a stack of fresh, dry firewood piled up beside the stove.

Was someone living here? When you’d asked about the cabin in the quaint village shop, the owner had laughed and told you how good it was that someone would be staying there again, and that as the former ranger’s daughter, you were only to ask at the shop if there was anything you needed. “We pull together in this little community, and if there’s a leak in that roof, or if something isn’t working, you just come back here and someone will come up and help you, alright?”

You’d laughed gratefully and nodded, glimpsing a flyer on the wall for the spring equinox festival on a noticeboard as you left. ‘Bonfire, live folk music, hog roast, and dancing - experience the magic beneath the moon…’ seemed surprisingly appealing to you and you made a note of the time. It was only a few days away.

Wondering whether you should start a fire in the burner now so that the cabin would warm up enough, and the last of the lingering damp burn away before bed, you frowned. Was someone squatting here then? Panic flared, white hot and suddenly all-consuming, and you whipped around, as though expecting some wild figure to come stumping up the stairs into the cabin and savage you.

But all you heard was the soft, hushing whisper of the wind in the pine needles outside and the alarm call of a jay in the trees.

As the sound of the bird’s fear refused to die away, your scowl deepened. The harsh, scraping calls filled the trees and you edged out of the door and onto the small, covered porch of the wooden hut, heart hammering in time with the desperate calls.

Nothing moved between the trees and there was not a breath of air between the trunks. It seemed as though the whole forest was holding its breath. Something about the depth of the shadows called invitingly to you and your unease melted away with each step you took into the once-familiar pine forest.

After perhaps fifty paces, you caught a flash of bright blue in the branches above and watched as a jay bobbed desperately, hopping from one branch to another and squawking constantly. “What is it?” you asked, feeling suddenly foolish.

As if in answer, the bird took off with another volley of calls, flitting along the deer track that you’d been following, before dipping low in its flight pattern and vanishing behind a larger pine with another flash of blue feathers.

“What am I doing…?” you muttered, on the point of turning back. Then you heard it.

A low, pained rumbling shivered out between the sussurating foliage.

Your body went still and rigid as you heard it again, and you barely dared breathe. “What the…?”

Sadly, you’d heard plenty of animals in pain at the surgery where you worked, but there was something unusual about this; the apparent size of the creature for one. As you nibbled your lip, torn between hurrying to investigate and turning on the spot and calling the national park service, you heard it again; a whining growl carried the depth of its agony and torment straight to your chest, and you acted instantly, instinctively.

Rounding the corner of the tiny trail where the jay bird had disappeared, you found the source of the noise, and nearly bolted on the spot as adrenaline surged through your body once again. A dark creature as large as a bear lay on its side with a hind leg caught in the glinting metal jaws of a vicious steel trap. Beside it, the jay was hopping on the ground and fluttering its wings, the pale down of its belly flashing in the dimness of the forest.

The creature which lay on its side, however, was not a bear. Your brain helpfully supplied that there were no bears in these parts anyway. It didn’t make processing what you were seeing any easier, however.

Tall and, upon closer inspection, surprisingly slender, with lean, well-defined muscles evident beneath the thick, matted, dusty-black pelt, it was like nothing you’d ever seen. Its eyes were closed, but you got the distinct and primeval impression that it had sensed you. For one, it had fallen silent, save for the wheezing huff of its breath. It was exhausted then, and had clearly been struggling to release its leg from the trap, if the scuffed earth and blood-slickened needles around the vile device were anything to go by.

Its head had elements of both a wolf and a bear. While a long, deadly snout and powerful jaws decorated with savagely long canines marked it as a predator, its ears were like those of a deer, tufted with ash-grey fur. Its pelt was thick and shaggy, the colour of slate or smoke, and matted with moss and tangles and, on its lower leg, thick, black blood. Its hind legs were short, stocky like those of a bear, but the paws were more like those of a wolf, its forelegs had a strangely… human conformation to them, with large, hand-like paws that ended in the thick, deadly claws of a bear.

“Easy,” you whispered, shuffling experimentally closer. “I won’t hurt you…”

The moment it heard your voice, the creature’s eyes flickered open and you sucked in an astonished breath, reeling back. The searing blue of those eyes was a hue that you’d never forget.

“Impossible,” you breathed, wondering if you’d inhaled some hallucinogenic compound from a mushroom or something. This simply couldn’t be…

The creature let out a long, deep, excruciatingly heartfelt whine, ribs heaving, and it lifted that strange, shaggy head to look dolorously at the steel trap before weakness washed over it and it let its head fall back to the leaf litter beneath.

“Can… you understand me?” you asked before you’d really thought about how stupid your question was. The intelligence that you’d glimpsed in those eyes had told you as much already, improbable as this all seemed.

The enormous creature huffed softly and twitched its muzzle downwards.

“You can?”

It repeated the gesture.

“If I let you out of this, you promise you won’t hurt me?”

Once again, it nodded and you closed the distance between you to kneel beside the trap.

“Ok. Here goes. This… This is probably going to hurt. I’ll try my best, but…”

Another little chuff emanated from its barrel chest, which you took to be a reassuring noise of encouragement, and you got to work.

“Who the fuck sets traps round here anyway?” you snarled, cold steel beneath your fingers. “This is a national park. Hunting is forbidden, and it’s not like there are even bears here anyway! Well…” As you released the mechanism and carefully cranked it back, you looked up at the strange creature which it had ensnared, and shrugged, “Right?”

“Mmph.” The noise the creature made was almost like speech as it agreed with you, lifting its hind leg out of the jaws of the trap and letting it flop to the ground with another rumbling whine.

“There,” you said, securing and making the trap safe before sitting back on your heels and staring at the unbelievable being in front of you. After taking some steadying breaths, with your gaze all the while fixed on those intensely blue eyes, you found something intimately familiar about the set of those features, the tilt of its head and the slow blink that didn’t quite sync up. “I know you,” you finally breathed.

The creature continued to stare at you, but after a few more pounding heartbeats, it lowered its dark muzzle slightly and gave the slightest, almost imperceptible nod.

“It… It’s not possible… You can’t be who I think you are though…” you said, your mind refusing to accept the blindingly obvious truth.

Blink.

One ear flicked slightly.

“Can you?”

Blink.

Slow nod.

“No way…” You sat breathing for a little while longer before daring to voice it aloud. “Dunnock?”

The nod this time was so barely-there that you almost missed it.

“I don’t understand…” you hissed, levering yourself to your feet, staggering slightly, and gazing down at the injured creature. “The ‘Dunnock’ that I remember was a little boy…” your words sputtered out and you swallowed thickly. “Can you talk?”

The creature licked his lips with a surprisingly delicate, pink tongue and nodded, blinking slowly. “Yes,” he rasped, voice deep and rough with obvious disuse. “But it… has been a… long time.”

“How are you… this?” you asked, gesturing at his body. Before he could answer, your attention darted back to his leg. “I should probably tend to that,” you added.

He shook his head, retracting his leg away from you. “No, it will heal soon. Now that the iron is gone.”

“Iron?”

“Mm.”

He seemed so subdued, so altered from the happy child you remembered that, had it not been for those astonishing eyes, you would never have believed that he could have become this. “What difference does the iron make?” you asked instead.

Dunnock lifted his head slowly and studied you. “You never knew, did you?” he murmured.

“Knew what?”

With a huff that might have been an amused chuckle, he said simply, “Changeling…”

“Changeling?” you asked, frowning, mind spinning. “Like… Like in the fairy tales?”

“Literally,” he said. “I am fae. They left me here to die when they stole a human child in my place. Iron… Iron is like a poison. But it will heal now.”

Your mind reeled, the barrage of revelations leaving you dizzy and sick. “Wait… Stop… What?” you faltered. “They left you here to die? Your own parents?”

“Mn.”

With a blank, spinning mind, all you could do was croak, “Dunnock… I…” Suddenly it was all too much. You’d come here to get away, to rest, to reconnect with nature, not to discover that fairy tales were true. Looking back on it, you probably should have known that there was something abnormal about a young boy being allowed to roam the forests, barefoot night and day, but it had never really crossed your mind.

“Did my father know about you?” you asked in a hoarse croak.

“Mm. He helped me in the winter. He was a good man.” After a short pause, Dunnock sat up, bracing his weight on his forelegs while his hind legs remained splayed to one side. He looked like a lounging hound - domestic, almost tame - rather than a wildly impossible being from folklore.

A moment or two of silence hung between you before he shifted again, drawing his legs under him and heaving himself to his feet. One huge, clawed hand rested on the rough bark of a nearby conifer to prop himself up as he stood unsteadily, keeping the weight off his injured leg. You inhaled slowly, eyes widening. He must have been easily eight foot tall. He extended his free hand towards you as you swayed, and you stared at it. His touch never connected with you and he curled his fingers self-consciously inwards to hide the talons, and then dropped his hand back to his side.

“Steady,” he said with a gentle smile. “Must be a shock…”

“I don’t understand,” you bleated pathetically. “What happened to you? You used to look… human…”

With a hollow chuckle, he looked away from you. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“I could always change into this. Never did it around you. But… as I grew older, the shift to human became… harder. Now I can only shift on the full moon.”

Snorting, you said, “Like the opposite of a werewolf.”

He didn’t reply, but he did turn his blue eyes back to your face. “It’s been so long,” he murmured. “I… I never thought I’d see you again. And then…” his gaze dropped to the trap still glinting innocently at a distance and he growled, the rumble of it echoing in your ribcage. “Just when I thought I’d never get out…” those eyes darted back up to meet yours, “You’re here.”

“Like fate,” you breathed awkwardly. “You want to come back to the cabin and rest?”

Something complicated passed over his face but eventually he nodded. “Alright.”

Just as you set off, you paused and looked back over your shoulder at him. “Was it you who’s been caring for the place?”

“Mn,” he grunted, leaning heavily on the next tree along. Perhaps you shouldn’t have encouraged him to move so soon, but he seemed to be doing alright. Dropping down to all fours, he nodded up the track and said, “Go ahead. I’ll be… right behind you.”

His footfalls were heavy and deliberate; a solid presence on the path while your mind reeled with the revelation that Dunnock, the lively, lanky boy, bright as a buttercup with a face full of freckles, with whom you’d played in these very woods as a child, was now some monstrous-looking beast, and in fact had been that all along…? You shook your head as if clearing stars from your vision, and pressed forward through the shadows until the cabin came back into sight, with your car just visible in the distance.

It all seemed so painfully normal up ahead, but when you turned around to glance behind, there, faltering almost shyly at the edge of the trees, was the strange, half-bear half-wolf creature with Dunnock’s eyes. A quiet, private thrill of panic shot through you and you turned and stared back at him. “Dunnock?” you asked in a voice that sounded steadier than you felt.

He paused with one front paw hovering gently, just on the point of being set down onto the soft carpet of needles. “Mn?” His doe-like ears flicked and his head tilted. He seemed to be making himself as small as possible for you as you stared him down like a stag in a meadow.

You had to make sure that it really was him though, and not some creature pretending, with a pair of stolen eyes and a deep, lullingly gentle voice. “Tell me something…”

With another vaguely canine tilt of his head, he grunted. “Mn?”

“Do you remember what the last thing was that you said to me?”

He froze and then looked away. The answer he gave was almost too soft to hear, but you just barely caught his response. “I’ll always be here. You’re like the moon, and I’ll always feel the pull of you…”

Water blurred your vision, and without much warning, you burst into tears. “It really is you, isn’t it?” you sobbed, striding back over to him and flinging your arms around his neck.

Dunnock went stiff with surprise, but quickly relaxed. A heartbeat later, his heavy arms enclosed your body and he tugged you close to his chest as he sat back on his haunches. “Yeah,” he croaked. “It’s me.” And then he added, “I missed you so much.”

“I thought about you a lot,” you sniffled, tears still rolling down your cheeks and into his thick fur. He smelled like moss and petrichor, and you clung to him as all the stress of your job and the frenetic strain of the city bled out of you in a disorientating rush.

With a huge hand caressing your back with the hesitancy of the inordinately strong, he rumbled something that you didn’t quite catch, and then leaned back a little. “Why did you come back?” he asked.

You snorted and stepped back, swiping at your face with your cuff and turning a little away from him, embarrassed by the outpouring of emotion that seemed to have come from nowhere. “My boss told me I needed a holiday.”

“And so you came here?”

“Yeah. I think I needed to come back, you know? Put old ghosts to rest,” you added as you stared at your father’s cabin. “Come on. Let’s get inside.” As you set off for the cabin again, you asked, “Do the locals know about you then?”

When he didn't immediately speak, you looked back and saw him shaking his head. “No,” he said. “I go into the village once a month or so - when I can turn human - sometimes not even that often. They know of me, and I think they know I live in the woods nearby, but they don’t know that I’m… this.” There was an unpleasant, sour note to his final word that made your gut churn.

“Are you the only one of your kind living here?” you asked as you stepped inside and held the door open for him.

As he passed you, he said, “As far as I know. I think there are some other… non-humans… but I’ve never met them face to face.”

“It’s incredible,” you breathed. “I had no idea that that kind of thing was real, you know?”

With Dunnock now sitting on the floor beside the cold iron stove, you had the chance to look at him properly. The longer you looked, however, the more uncomfortable he grew. His ears swivelled to lie flat against his head, and he looked away.

“Dunock…” you said, stepping closer. “Are you sure you don’t want me to look at your wound? I’m not a doctor, but I could at least clean it. I’ve got a medical kit in my car…”

He licked his lips. “Alright,” he admitted. “No iron though…”

“You don’t need stitches anyway,” you commented, stunned when you looked at it again. “You’re already healing up.”

The feel of his fur beneath your fingertips was like nothing you’d experienced as a nurse at the veterinary practice. It was a struggle not to let your hands wander. However, when he saw the way you dealt with the wound, he asked, “You’re a healer of some kind?”

With a shake of your head, you set him straight. “No, I work at a vet clinic. I’m a nurse, so I help prep the animals for surgery and take care of them afterwards, and assist the vets during any procedures…” There was more to it than that, but it would do for now.

When you looked up and met Dunnock’s stunning gaze, you found that a light had kindled in his ice blue eyes. “I always said you had a knack with animals.”

“You did,” you chuckled. “Remember that red squirrel that basically became my pet for the summer?”

He nodded.

“And the deer that was eating out of my hand…?”

“Mn.”

Reflexively, as you tied off the bandage, you petted his leg, and he let out a long, soft moan, head tipping back.

“Alright?” you asked without lifting your hand from his thigh.

“Mn,” he nodded, ears flattening themselves once again.

A thought occurred to you and you asked, “Are you alone a lot up here?”

He didn’t answer right away, his gaze locked unseeingly on your bag nearby. “Mn,” he finally hummed. “The forest is full of life though.”

You splayed your fingers deliberately through his pelt and took note of the solid muscle beneath. “Yeah, but it’s different… I don’t imagine that the earthworms offer particularly scintillating conversation…”

Dunnock laughed at that; a long, low, delighted chuckle that sent tingles running down your whole body. “No,” he agreed. “But I can’t seem to get the magpies to shut up.”

At the mention of the black and white birds, you recalled the jay and asked, “When I got here, there was a jay that was acting strangely…? It’s how I found you to begin with.”

He huffed another brief laugh and said, “Yeah, they’re all meddling nuisances…” There was no sting to his words and a surge of fondness rushed in to replace the panic that had been swirling through you since you’d first stepped off the veranda and into the forest.

“Will you stay?” you blurted, and he looked up at you. “I mean… I don’t have loads of food, but… I’d love to…” what, catch up? “To hear about what you’ve been doing since I left…” you finished rather lamely.

With a sarcastic little snort, he met your eye and said, “I’d rather hear about your life. Your father told me why you left so soon… Did your mother…?”

“She survived,” you said. “Tough as an old boot, that one. It was rough though. I lived with my grandmother for a long time, and then I went to university…” You stared at him as he sat there, listening to you attentively. “I never came back though. I’m sorry… I’m sorry I just left…”

He shrugged expressively. “Like I said, your father was always kind to me. I missed you though.” He shot you a sidelong look and added, “You’re even more beautiful than I thought you’d be by now…”

You flushed hot at that and laughed, diffusing the situation by beginning to sort the bag of groceries. The house had no electricity any more, not since your uncle had taken the solar panels down. You had half a mind to ask him to come and reinstall them, but you knew you wouldn’t be here long enough for it to be worth the long journey for him.

Over the course of the evening, Dunnock told you about the forest and its ebbing, flowing seasons; how he spent winter curled in a cave, dozing while the rabbits and the other wildlife drifted around him, and how in the spring he had woken to find the air fresher and full of pollen, with birds squabbling and bickering, and buds slowly unfurling from the branches. The way he spoke of the forest as one interconnected being enchanted you to the point that you forgot about the constant, enervating drone of the city, about car horns and pollution, noise and mess. That old familiar ache to return here and never leave surged stronger than ever.

As your eyes drifted closed that night, sitting on the floor, buttressed up against his weight, you sighed. “I want to stay, Dunnock,” you admitted in a whisper, right on the border of waking and sleeping. “I want to stay…”

Part Two

—

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[livingcorner]

How to stop cats pooping in your garden

Whether you have cats of your own, or live in an area with neighbours who own cats, the likelihood is at some point they will poop in your garden.

While most cats like to keep their toilet habits private and will bury their poos or stick to their litter tray, some felines get into the habit of going to the toilet on lawns or avoiding their own gardens altogether for another plot.

You're reading: How to stop cats pooping in your garden

And that’s the last thing you want to find when you’re trimming your grass or planting up your flower beds.

So, to help you regain control of your garden and deter cats from using it as a portaloo, here are some recommended tricks and products you can use.

How to stop cats pooping in my garden?

Like dogs, cats have a keen sense of smell – so by learning which smells they don’t like, you can deter cats from coming into your garden, or get them to avoid certain areas.

Try scents such as:

• Citrus

• Lavender

• Peppermint

• Cinnamon

Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle, then apply to your garden. Repeat as necessary. You can also use citrus peels for a longer-lasting solution.

Another solution that is particularly useful if cats tend to use your flower beds, is to lay twigs or chicken wire over any bare patches of soil. Twigs are easier to manoeuvre, and particularly good for veg patches so that the plants don’t get disturbed while they grow.

Read more: Permaculture Gardens – Benefits Of Permaculture Gardening

How to create a space for litter outside

If you find messes on your lawn, one solution is to create an outside litter tray/an area where they can poo.

If it’s your own cat that’s started going on the lawn, you can introduce them to their new toilet spot in the same way you would their litter tray, by gently holding their front paws and ‘digging’ in it a little.

If transferring from a litter tray to outside, put a small amount of their cat litter in the spot so they recognise the smell.

Our choice of the best repellents to stop cats pooping in your garden

As well as these natural solutions there are also plenty of products you can buy to deter cats from going to the toilet in your garden:

Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections. Read why you can trust us here.

Get Off My Garden Cat & Dog RepellentBest repellent for all weather conditions

Get Off jelly-like crystals are effective in all weather conditions and can be used on paving, lawns and flower beds. They work by slowly releasing a strong, highly scented odour which confuses both cats’ and dogs sense of smell. Over a period of weeks, they will be trained to move away from the treated areas to those where they can detect evidence of previous fouling odours. Each bottle can cover 71 square metres.

Review: “These work! I have a vegetable patch which next door’s cat thought was his toilet. It was so annoying. I bought some of this repellent and it works. These are the second lot I’ve bought as they are so good. They arrived on time and I would recommend.”

Defenders Cat Scatter GranulesBest biodegradable repellent

Defenders Cat Scatter Granules contain natural aromatic plant oils on an inert clay carrier to deter cats and dogs from digging, scratching and fouling in the garden and patio areas. Features an easy to use shaker dispensing cap for easy, even distribution of granules. Each bottle contains 500g treating 150sqm.

NOTE: The solutions above are better if you own cats and simply want them to avoid pooping in certain areas.

Products to stop cats coming into your garden

If you want to deter cats from coming into your garden completely – try the below. These are all humane products:

Silent Roar Cat Repellent Best repellent for warmer weather

Silent Roar cat repellent is highly effective, due to the fact that it plays on the territorial instincts of cats. Cats warn each other away by marking their territory, and even the bravest cat will retreat at the smell of lion dung. These pellets contain no artificial chemicals or any ingredients which are harmful to your soil or plants. One application can help to keep unwanted cats out of your garden for up to three months.

Review: “When cats started using even ornamental planters as toilets, it was time to do something drastic! I released ‘Lions’ following instructions, carefully. Cats gave garden a wide berth for at least a month. Recent very heavy rain has probably washed the scent away. so will reapply as there are unwelcome signs in the first area to be covered, but I would say, it does work where all else fails. Thank you!!!”

Metal Cat Silhouettes with Reflective EyesRecommended

Believe it or not, these cat silhouettes can help deter cats from your garden completely harmlessly. With reflective glass eyes on a painted black metal body, you can position the three different poses anywhere in your garden and it will keep cats and rodents away from your flowerbeds and vegetable patches.

Review: “I bought these to stop other cats from using my front garden as their own personal toilet – I don’t even own a cat and it’s bad enough picking up my own dog’s poo, so I stuck these in strategic places around the garden and they work fantastically – not had to pick up any cat poo from my garden since.”

Read more: Soak Up the Rain: Rain Gardens | US EPA

Ultrasonic Cat ScarerBest repellent using sound motion dection

Using a sound motion detector is a safe and humane way to keep cats and other unwanted pests such as foxes, squirrels and rodents out of your garden. The infrared PIR motion sensor detects movement and body heat up to 7m away, and will emit a high-frequency sound that is almost inaudible to humans, but will dissuade cats from coming near.

Review: “I’ve been having so many issues with cats in the garden. Not only fouling, but also killing anything and everything that moves. They pretty much spend all night, every night in the garden. It’s been a real pain. Until now.

“These things actually seem to be working. Whereas there wasn’t a night where the cats weren’t in the garden for about 6 hours a time, they haven’t spent any time in the garden at all since these have been installed.

“I’ve seen the cats approach the garden, the sensor has activated, the cat reacts to it and legs it out of the garden. These things have been a huge breakthrough.”

Motion Activated Sprinkler SystemRecommended

This cat deterrent fires a 5-second burst of water when triggered, and is particularly good for lawns or large open areas. It has an easily adjustable range of sensitivity settings and covers an area of at least 100sqm.

Review: “The garden fouler arrived – carefully walking through the bushes to leave her calling card on my lawn. With the arrogant confidence of a zen master she eyed her spot. Watching from the kitchen window in the darkness, throat dry, and full of anticipation I waited for what I hoped would be a beautiful moment. The cat slowly and cautiously crept toward the lawn, stopped to take one more look, yes all was well…. then BAM what the #$% was that! Got you! Oh the joy! The fouler leapt with shock and ran for his life never to foul my garden again.”

Read more popular articles

The best bedding plants to buy

Small garden trees to plant this winter in the UK

How to keep your pets safe this spring

The best mouse traps that actually work (and are humane)

The best squirrel baffles for your bird feeder

Source: https://livingcorner.com.au Category: Garden

source https://livingcorner.com.au/how-to-stop-cats-pooping-in-your-garden-3/

[schnees-and-schnugs]

head empty baby schneebling ficlet ??? (just so yall know i had no idea what this was going to be about until i started typing so im gonna be surprised by what i write too). if it seems that winter has chronic ADHD brain in this fic its bc i have chronic ADHD brain and that’s just how i roll.

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

  Winter tried to ignore the meowing as long as she could. After all, there was not a single feline creature to be found in the manor, so either she’s dreaming or hallucinating. Or maybe her ears are ringing from her father’s latest tantrum. 

  Being held hostage at the dinner table and forced to listen to his incessant barking voice ought to have caused me permanent brain damage. She smirked under her covers. Now if I can close my eyes and go back to sleep-

  “MEEEEROOOWOOW”

  What the fuck is that?

  Winter knew she ought to get up but she really did not want to. Her thighs ached from horse riding lessons earlier in the day. Her head ached from her business studies her father forced down her throat. Her soul ached from the pain of existence. She was beginning to think she was being punished for some transgression- if being unbelievably charming and sexy deserved- actually, I don’t think I’m going to finish that train of thought. 

  Winter could only tolerate her own sense of humor in small doses, but giver her situation- her entire life up to this point- she didn’t think having an unbecoming jocularity was high up on her list of Current Problems and Tragedies. In fact, it’s quite low given that her father makes up the better part of the first half. 

  She rolled onto her side, one ear muffled by her pillow, and the other under the soft thick layer of her cotton blanket. The noise seemed to have disappeared, and Winter was quite okay with that. She wondered briefly of the possibility of a mountain lion finding its way into the Schnee Estate. She wasn’t even sure if wild animals such as that existed in Solitas, much less bright and pristine Atlas. Winter wasn’t even sure if mountain lions meowed. 

  If a beast made it’s way into the manor, what would I even do? No doubt she would try to locate the animal, gather Weiss and Whitley in her arms and stow them somewhere safe. Maybe even use a piece of meat to lure the lion into father’s bedroom, she mused. Winter tried lull herself back to sleep with the thought of her father begging her for mercy as she unleashes her new pet-

  “MREEEEEEEEEEEWOOOOOOOOOOOOOW”

  Her eyes snapped open. Gods-

  A soft muffled voice followed the feline yell. A familiar voice. A voice exactly suited for one little boy she new very well. 

  Winter narrowed her eyes and listening closely. She could tell it was Whitley from the general childish sound of his tone, but due to her very comfortable position in bed, she couldn’t quite her the specifics. Huffing, she sat up and pricked up her ears.

  “... quiet....please kitty... you’re going to wake up....”

  Winter sputtered. Kitty?

  Did Whitley somehow bring a cat into the manor? She didn’t doubt that given the chance he would- he was overly fond of animals in a way that Winter never understood. Not that she hated animals per se, but the idea of the added responsibility of a pet on top of her already ever-growing responsibilities of being heir to the SDC did not sit well with her. Whitley on the other hand, being the third child, and well, and actual child, didn’t really have much to care about beyond his normal tutoring sessions. Which means that, of course he can have a tiny bird feeders outside his window to feed the little birdies and cry at the sight of a roasted chicken because how could they kill and cook and innocent little animal?

  Winter didn’t understand how a child under 10 years of age could be taken by vegan persuasions- even Father was shocked to silence at that outburst at the dinner table.

  The sound of Whitley’s voice faded out as Winter strained her ears. If he did bring a cat into the manor, she needed to fix that immediately. Father would be furious at not only being woken up in the middle of the night but Whitley breaking the strict rule of no animals whatsoever allowed indoors.

  Father is allergic.

  (What animal he’s allergic to is unknown, but Winter suspects he’s just afraid of them).

  Sliding off the bed, Winter winced at the feeling of cold tile on her bare feet. She simultaneously thought of giving Whitley a good scolding for making her roll off of bed at such an ungodly hour and thanking the Gods that Whitley’s room was right next to hers on the other side of the wall. And the farthest away from Father’s room.

  Sliding her feet into a pair of pale blue fluffy slippers, she cautiously stepped out of her room and into the hallway. The moment the clock strikes 12 the hallway lamps usually shut off on their own, leaving at least this portion of the manor pitch black until the sun rises and lights up through the windows. If Father was working late he would manually change the lights to turn off at a later time- only to suite himself, of course. Everyone else who had the misfortune of living in the manor had to finish up and be back in their rooms by midnight or suffer having to find their room in the dark among the endless doors that lined the hallway. Winter had mastered the art of blindly walking down this hall- but not without multiple mishaps and embarrassments at first, unfortunately. 

  Arms outstretched, Winter felt her way from her doorway to Whitley’s room. She kept close to the wall and tiptoed, feeling for the doorknob before pressing her ear against the room door.

  “Are you hungry little kitty?” There was an affirmative purr and Whitley hummed. “I’m going to have to find you some treats...”

  Winter could practically hear the cogs turning in his little adolescent mind. She knew for sure that Whitley was formulating a plan to break into the food storage for the animals in Mom’s garden- would they even have any cat food in there? He surely is going to be disappointed. 

  Winter sighed. She almost wished she had stayed in bed. She turned the knob and nudged open the door, prompting Whitley to softly gasp. 

  “Winnie!” She heard him quickly shift on his bed. Winter stepped fully into the space before gently closing the door behind her. She turned towards him and assessed the scene before her. Whitley, in his white nightgown, sat in the middle of the bed. He was cradling a suspicious lump wrapped up with his blanket while his round face was contorted by a small frown as he stared back at his oldest sister.

  “Father says that we shouldn’t leave out room after midnight”, the lump shifted and Whitley clutched it tighter.

  “Father also says we aren’t allowed to bring animals into the manor...” Winter crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s that on your lap?”

  “Nothing!”

  “Are you sure?” Whatever annoyance Winter felt melted away at the sight of Whitley pouting. She sauntered playfully to the edge of his bed and wiggled and finger in his face. “Are you lying to me? Your older sister Winnie? You’re lying to me?”

  Whitley broke eye contact. “Well...” The lump mewed and a furry white paw extended from out of the cover of the blanket. Winter raised a brow.

  “That looks suspiciously like a cat.” Winter crawled into his bed and uncovered the little creature. The cat loafed on Whitley’s lap, grooming the pristine white fur on around its pink paw beans. It looked to be a few years old. 

  “Isn’t it pretty?” Whitley caressed the cat’s back, having already moved on from the earlier argument. Winter tried to pat its head but the little critter swiftly dodged her palm and scampered to the edge of the bed and curled up, seemingly to sleep. Rude.

  There’s a more present matter at hand anyways.

  “Where did you find it?” Winter turned her attention back to her little brother.

  “Her”

  “What?”

  “It’s a she, Winnie! Look at her butt!” Winter politely declined the suggestion. She had no interest in inspecting the cat’s backside- she didn’t seem to like Winter anyways.

  “Well, where did you find her?” 

  “I didn’t find her! Mr. Hartley gave her to me”

  “The grounds keeper?”  Winter scoffed. “Why would he give you a cat?”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “Why don’t you don’t believe me?” His eyes started to brim with tears and he grabbed Winters right hand with his own two smaller ones. “Father said we’re not allowed to bring animals in here but I didn’t know what to do! Mr. Hartley said he’s leaving but he can’t take her with him. I said I would keep her. But Father is going to yell at me if he finds out- I’m scared...” 

  Winter’s chest ached at the desperation in Whitley’s voice. This isn’t normal is it? For a child to be so terrified of their parent like this. When she was his age, she felt the same way- so scared and vulnerable. It was the end of the world to get negative attention from Father, and most of the time it seemed to be the only type of attention he gave. It almost seemed par for the course all those years ago. She didn’t know any better- it was just the norm.

  Looking at Whitley, petrified like she was- she could see the abuse from the outside. Almost as if she’s watching her own experiences and she’s chained to a front row seat. Except she didn’t have an older sibling to hold her hand and to share the pain with. To protect her. To defend her. Isn’t that what she always wanted in the worst days of the past? Couldn’t she be that now?

  Whitley couldn’t keep the cat. There was no amount of convincing that could make Father give in- it’s always been about his own ego, more than anything. But that doesn’t mean that Father has to know this cat was ever here in the first place. Atlas has plenty of animal shelters, and having a pet cat was in vogue now. She would convince Whitley to let Klein take the cat to the nearest one in the morning. Father would never know if they were discrete. 

  “Winnie...” Whitley’s bright blue eyes searched her face.

  Winter grabbed him under his arms, and with little struggle, sat him between her stretched out legs. She hugged him around the waist from behind and softly told him her plan. 

  “... do you want to do this with me?”

  Whitley sniffed. “I can’t keep her?”

  “Father won’t allow you to. We can make sure the kitty is safe and taken care of though... Klein will do this for us, I know it. You won’t get yelled at and you can tell her goodbye in the morning. Father will be none the wiser.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that he’ll never know.”

  Whitley was quiet for a few seconds before Winter felt him nod softly beneath her chin. “Can I sleep with her tonight?”

  Winter blinked. She forgot it was currently hours past Whitley’s bedtime. He must be half asleep.

  “Yes. Just make sure to keep her in your room, okay? I’ll leave a message for Klein to see in the morning. Don’t...” She paused. She noticed Whitley breath start to even out as he fell asleep against her.

  I suppose I’m going to be sleeping her tonight also. She needed to make sure that this all goes well. However, Winter couldn’t ignore the uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. Was she just getting Whitley used to this? Hiding secrets out of fear? Was she allowing Father to have his way in Whitley’s eyes? Getting Whitley accustomed to living under Father’s thumb? She was just trying to protect him. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of selfishness, that she was denying Whitley happiness for the sake of peace with their Father.

  Mom always told her to choose her battles carefully. 

  She couldn’t help but feel that if she chose all the wrong ones, she’ll end up hurting Whitley beyond repair.

[ranekvilmas]

Confrontation

Disclaimer. 

This has taken me a good month and a half to finish. It is not my best work, but it needed to end, finally. Work has gotten in the way of me being able to really sit down and make this superior, but I mostly toughed through it and waved my hands in submission. So thank you for baring with me. This took place icly in the beginning of September. The RPs I have ongoing on tumblr took place prior to this. The Visitor stoyr was a week before that, the end of August, HERE.  Thank you, lovely listeners and readers. For all the help and inspiration to keep me going. This story started when I made Ranek, i think February of 2018. Two and a half years! years! This is my first true story arc and I am so very happy to have it concluded. I look forward to getting back to meeting and greeting with all of you. Love you all! 

And now, to the moment I have been struggling to write for weeks. 

Accompanying Music

The portal closed and Ranek breathed a sigh of relief. Halneth screamed at him as she was gently shoved through the tear in reality, weak and unable to resist. He had drained the creature of her Void essence and sent her back to Azeroth, now free to live as she pleased. She would hate him for sending her away, but he could not let her die for his actions. 

She had done her job well, the beings that assailed them were almost gone. He and Halneth fought with ferocity and determination to tear the mob apart. Had she not trained Ranek to resist the fear and power that came with Void creatures, he would not have survived more than a few minutes. The Gilnean had spent countless nights letting Halneth unleash his deepest fears and how to resist and combat them. His rune was further strengthened to boost his defenses and allow him to harness Void energy. He knew the corruption would take its toll one day, but he could only do one fight at a time. This did not protect him from the glancing hits of claws or teeth, and he was bleeding from multiple cuts and close calls. His breathing was steady, but he had to end the rest of the chaff before he confronted the Entity itself, which was perched on one of the large boulders and watching the fight intently. A small smirk crossed his lips as he looked to the remaining enemies around him, beings of untold horror that would have most people running or paralyzed in fear. One was made of pure shadow, not keeping any specific form aside from the multiple arms that ended in long talons. The second was a worm-like creature, reared up with a long split down its body as tall as Ranek was. It opened the slit, revealing rows and rows of teeth. Another was an impossibly tall and emaciated humanoid, though it did not have any defining features. No mouth, eyes, ears or nose. No definition at all with it’s body. The long, thin arms ended in sharp points, not unlike a mantis. As one they charged, their screams echoing in his mind and causing him to shiver before flicking his hands. Ranek planted his feet and grasped a pair of knives. These were purchased at a bazaar, claiming to seek their target even if it is on the move or around a corner. One knife pierced the shadow creature dead center, causing it to screech and fade from existence. The other sunk deep into something with leathery wings and talons as long as his arm. It’s piercing cry was cut short as it flopped to the ground. Two down. He grasped another pair while he jumped away from the worm creature, startled at how fast it could slither despite how bloated it looked. 

Rolling to a crunch, he empowered the blades with some of his stored Void energy and sent them at the emaciated foe, both daggers flying true and pinning it’s arms to the rock behind it. With a small window to finish it, Ranek jumped as high as he could, burying his short sword into its chest, letting his weight and gravity split open the creature’s torso. It screeched loudly, the high-pitched keening wail making Ranek clap his hands to either side of his head to deafen the noise.

As he steadied himself, the worm creature took the opportunity to pounce, gripping his leg and bit down hard. A howl of pain left his lips as he lost his footing, collapsing on the ground. The bulk of the worm moved to his chest, the weight crushing him and pushing the air from his lungs. He moved his hands to either side of the creature’s head and focused his Void energy, causing a surge of power to leap between his hands and burned a hole clean through it. 

With a grunt of pain mixed with exertion, he heaved the corpse from him and slowly got to his feet. Taking a few breaths, he looked to where the Entity was and found the perch empty. He took the opportunity to use a vial to enhance his healing, and the pain in his leg lessened.

“Shit.” The Gilnean looked around cautiously, holding his sword and remaining knife in his hands. He strained his eyes and ears for any sign of the entity, becoming more and more on edge as silence settled around him. A few seconds later he could hear the faintest of noise, soft fluttering sound. It was a casual swipe of a wing that sent Ranek flying almost ten meters away. A large, jagged rock was the only thing stopping his momentum. All of the air he was already gasping for was forced out violently, causing a pained gasp to leave his mouth with a loud groan. He could feel something crack, each movement sending pain throughout his body. As he struggled to get up once more, panting heavily and trying to focus, he turned to meet his new attacker. His eyes widened as he finally was face to face with his true foe, and his guts went cold.

The gargantuan three-headed raven did not move from its place. It watched the mortal rise slowly to his feet. The heads bobbed in rapid succession and emitted a distorted chortle, something akin to a laugh. The self named Lord of Ravens had grown since Ranek had last encountered it. The entity towered over him, and he craned his neck to meet the gaze of the middle head. The Entity had become bloated with souls, harvested and plucked from death to bolster its power. It’s body pulsed with unnatural energies, causing his rune to flare and make his chest tighten.

It stepped closer to him, the power causing Ranek’s barriers to flare and cause a dull ache in his mind. Ranek kept his eyes on the entity, hands tightening on his weapons as his mind raced to come up with a plan. That was a most exquisite entrance, little wolf. I was not sure if those minions would be too much for you, but I can see you have grown in power. Was it the bottom feeder who taught you? It’s three heads tilted to look Ranek over. This is better than anticipated, more power for me to harvest. Your connection to the Void is so strong now, yet you resist the torments. That will benefit me greatly. You will be the key to-”

The worgen suddenly braced his legs, ready to pounce and get a few hits in before it could react. Maybe he could wear it down. He clenched a fist around his sword, shadows forming at his feet before jumping high towards the Raven Lord and slipped from sight. He aimed his body to strike at the entity’s chest, but he was caught mid air by an invisible force. Pressure wrapped around his body, squeezing him tight. Both blades fell from nerveless fingers to the ground as his vision threatened to give out. Fool. you have more strength that I anticipated, but you will never beat me. I see all and little tricks like this will not best me.  The three sets of eyes focused on the mortal, the purple glow of the Void forming. Your resistance will be punished..

The multiple eyes glowed brighter, and Ranek could feel immense pressure on his mind. The barriers and wards placed began to unravel, causing a searing pain to form like needles in his brain. He bellowed in anger and pain, his body thrashing feebly in the invisible grip. He attempted to push back, a steel trap attempted to shut around his mind as he squeezed his eyes shut. Foolishness.

The pain grew, so much that Ranek could not think or even move. The layers of his mind were being peeled away, the pressure and power being forced him to begin convulsing wildly. He pried one eye open, defiant to fight back as he focused his own power to a single point in the back of his mind, the place the inner wolf guarded fiercely. He drew more power, overtaxing the rune on his chest to make a single strike. 

One of the heads tilted slightly, meeting his gaze as the glow flared, a blast sent back to Ranek’s face, destroying the defiant gaze and peeling the flesh of his face back and burning it instantly. He screamed, one of pain and loss as his vision went back, unable to open the other eye. His head tilted back as more agony surged through him, going limp in the grasp.

Do you wish this to end? The suffering can stop when you cease this farce of bravery. My patience is growing thin, wolf. Give yourself willingly, and I might just spare those you care for most.

The force holding Ranek dissipated, causing a ten foot fall to the ground. He landed hard, the already cracked rib separating more, a hard wheezing sound came from him as he struggled to get to his knees, not willing to die on the ground. He defiantly tossed his last seeking knife, watching it cut through the air towards the center head. It soared fast through the air, imbedding itself between it’s eyes. It howled in pain, thrashing to pluck it from it’s flesh. It took a few moments for one of the other heads to grasp it and pull it away.

“You….. cannot harm anyone. Wards. Runes are in place. You will not take-” He said with a raspy voice, all the bravado he could muster to stand up against it.

The entity’s body bristled, feathers rippling with energy. A wave of Void energy surged from the creature, easily knocking Ranek back down with a grunt of pain. The Lord of Ravens placed a talon on the worgen’s chest and gently pressed down, the mortal’s remaining eye widening as blinding pain coursed through him, so intense he was unable to scream. 

I WILL find them all. I will twist the ones you care for, torture them and corrupt their souls until they beg for death. It will all be on your head, little wolf. The changeling never fails.

Ranek coughed up some blood, spitting it onto the entity’s clawed foot. “It.. dead... You will not find anyone.. Stuck here. You cannot-”

The taloned foot pressed harder and Ranek could feel his rib cage crack. The Lord of Ravens screeched in frustration. He bellowed in pain, his clawed hands trying to pry the foot away, but it would not budge. The center head moved to focus it’s gaze on the worgen’s chest, the beak becoming pure Void as it sunk into his chest, shattering the rune bound to his soul, fracturing the very essence that made Ranek a mortal. It began to feed

The center head leaned close to Ranek, the opposite heads rearing back as it harvested his soul. You seem broken, wolf. Your pain will suffice instead of them, you will suffer for eternity as part of me. The curse that afflicts you will be my key to the power of the Old Gods. I will be an avatar of death! Rejoice in the fact you will not see Azeroth burn. You will-”

There was an abrupt silence as the Void-filled eyes blinked, then a loud screech of pain sounded as it thrashed, a blade of pure Void sticking in one of the eyes. Ranek laughed, a wet rasp coming from him until it was just blood. He grinned up at the beast as his arm fell limp to his side.

The center head’s eye flared in pure anger, then swiftly came down in a flash, impaling Ranek and puncturing the rock surface he was laying on. 

The final thoughts going through the shattered, broken mind of Ranek Vilmas was an apology to those he loved, and that they would never be threatened by the Lord of Ravens. As darkness claimed him, a small smirk spread on his lips.

[khenvs3000]

Reminiscing on My Journey With Nature

A photo of me standing at the gardens in the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple,  Kyoto, Japan (My sister took the photo)

Every person’s relationship with nature is unique; it is created by your emotional responses to the world based on your individual experiences. To fully understand how nature may be perceived differently, think about your favorite place for a moment. What about this specific place entices some form of emotion from you? While some people may say the warm feeling of summers on a beach, I think of my favorite place as floating in the ocean, relaxed, as rolling waves gently sweep under my body, lifting me and placing me back down. The answer to this question stems from the interactions you have with nature.

This is a photo of my favorite place in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where the water is warm and relaxing, and the beaches are quiet and undisturbed. (photo taken by me)

Ever since I can remember, my parents have instilled a sense of respect and admiration for the natural world by bringing me along as they traveled. I have luckily visited countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and North America. It has taught me to develop a deeper connection with various environments, whether it’s the coastline of California, the savanna in South Africa, rainforests in Costa Rica, or the old-growth forests in British Columbia. In each of these places, my parents were quite adamant about seeing and doing as much as physically possible to take advantage of the unique experiences each country has to offer, such as hiking to the top of one of the highest waterfalls in the United States or getting up at an unearthly hour to track lions. Having the privilege to grow up in the presence of these different environments has made me understand and respect the world and its infinite glory.

I took this photo during the sunrise at Kruger National Park while on a safari tracking a pride of lions. 

While traveling is continuously evolving and strengthening my bond with nature, I also appreciate the experiences I had growing up in Ontario. When I was younger, I tried every summer to attract a scarlet tanager into my back yard, a vibrant red bird with black accents. Finally, after countless days of staring at my window and waiting, my mother and I watched as it perched itself upon our bird feeder. The joy my mother and I felt at that moment will forever resonate with me. It may seem absurd that something so small can evoke so much emotion. It’s the activities that I’ve grown up to love, such as bird watching, gardening, and hiking, that’s played a role in shaping my relationship with the environment.

When you think back to the question I asked you earlier, I got you to remember your special place. In some way, shape, or form, it’s those around you who influenced the emotions you feel when you think of your favorite spot. My mother gave me a “sense of place” in the natural world in my personal experience. She made sure I encountered various environments and appreciated every aspect these landscapes had to offer. She always taught me when I look at something in nature, such as a river, not just to focus on how beautiful the view is, focus on the little things, such as the relaxing sounds of water meandering over the rocks. The connection I have with the natural world has definitively shaped the person I am today as an environmental science student.

A photo of my mother who gave me my “sense of place” at the Redwood Forest, Vancouver Island (I took the photo)

[tsukaramachi]

Lovesick Valentine (Amir x Reader)

(The lovesick valentine for this year is Amir requested by an anon)

Gentle waves brush up against your ankles as the water climbs up onto the shore. With your hands behind you back, you admire the view of the open ocean. The clear blue skies up above you with the vast ocean beckoning you with its tranquil surface. The sand is soft underneath you and the sun’s rays caress your skin like a thin blanket. 

You always loved the ocean since you were little. Many find it enticing with the many mysteries and wonders kept down below and others fear it for how it can change any moment. But for you, it’s just always on your mind like nothing else. 

It’s charming and beautiful, yet alluring and vicious. Which is why you love it so much.

You feel arms slowly snake around your neck as you’re pulled into someone’s embrace. Looking up, blue gentle eyes look back lovingly at you. Amir’s fingers tenderly brush against your cheek.

“I see that the ocean is taking your attention away from me once again, my dear.”

“Ah sorry Amir...” you look back towards the sparking blue water, “It’s just that I’m always drawn back to it.”

While you stare at the water with your mind up in the clouds wondering what could lie in the ocean. You fail to notice the forced smile Amir kept on as he looked at the sea with you.

After spending some more time watching the water drift. Amir proposed for the two of you to go to into town. While the thought of leaving the beach pained you. The opportunity to go and see the various shops along the docks is a rare occasion for you. 

You didn’t like going into town. The busy crowds and, the exuberant shopkeepers, and the overwhelming amount of people in a big area made you feel sick. Before, you didn’t have anyone to go shopping with. You had no one to wait for. No one to browse with and no one to keep you company. But that was before you learned more about the ocean.

Now that you’re older, it’s been quite a long time since you went into town. You never needed to before for how your family would have others run errands in town and so you mostly stayed in your room or be escorted to the beach by Amir. But maybe, you’ll have fun like the others now that you have him by your side.

As you walk along the docks, you cling close to Amir. The various voices filling the air is a bit too much for you. It makes your stomach churn more when the voices of others reach your ears. You’re not used to crowds and loud sounds, so it makes you feel dizzy. You close your eyes and hide your face into Amir’s white sleeve.

You can hear him chuckle, but it’s quickly muffled. Opening your eyes again, the voices aren’t as overwhelming and they’ve become more manageable. A small smile graces your lips as you continue to walk forward with Amir as his hands stay cupped over your ears. It’s much better this way. 

As you continue to look around, out of the corner of your peripheral vision. Dazzling blue, green, and white catches your attention. On the planks of white wood, you can see the colors projected on its surface. Looking up, you can see differing sizes of bottles hung up with rope along the opening of a small shop. 

Inside, you can see that there’s various treasures within. The wooden carvings of dolphins; turtles; whales along with crates full of assorted colors of seashells draws you in. You head towards the shop and Amir follows you closely behind. 

As you take a step in, you feel the pressure on your ears release. The sounds around you becoming more clear, you feel relief wash over you as the sounds from outside are subdued. 

“It seems that no one fancies this place.” Amir steps next to your side, a pleasant smile up on his lips.

You nod, “But I do.” taking a look around the shop, you explore the items littered across the shelves up on the wall. A ship in a bottle, a painting of a might kraken emerging from a sea of storms, and dried up chunks of coral. Inspecting each one, the smile on your face spreads as you can’t help but feel like your back at the beach. But as you continue to explore the store’s goods, a cheery voice breaks through to you.

“Find anything interesting?”

A young man greets you. Black hair, tan skin, and ocean blue eyes catch you off guard as his face is centimeters away from yours. Startled, you take a step back. 

“I uhm...” it’s a struggle to figure out what to say. You start to feel nauseous in the pit of your stomach as your palms begin to sweat. But the fear holding you ceases as the young man calls your attention to a clam shaped box in his hand.

“Ah I’m sorry miss... here, please take a look at this!” he winds up a golden knob in the back of it. With care, he opens it up to reveal a small sun and moon. The two gracefully twirl around another in the center to the sweet tune that emits from the box. Behind them, a picture of the ocean’s wonders. Black silhouettes of fish flow around colorful coral as white jellyfish are scattered about. It’s painted so delicately and the details are distinct despite being so small. 

“This music box is one of my favorite items from the shop. I’ve never seen anyone so immersed in the shop before so I thought you might like it!” the man says cheerfully as he hands you the music box. The music still playing, you feel yourself drawn to the box.

But before you can touch it, the top is shut making the music abruptly stop. You snap out of the trance you were in and see that Amir has his hand on the top. 

The young man looks confused “Excuse me sir but-” 

With closed eyes and a small smile, Amir cuts him off.

“I’m sorry but it looks like it’s time for us to leave. My lady has had quite enough troubles to deal with today.”

You feel yourself be pulled back by Amir’s arm and his hand rests firmly on your shoulder. He bids the man a good day and ushers you out to the front door. When you look back, you can’t take your eyes off of the music box in the man’s hands.

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

It’s been a couple days since your trip into town. After leaving, Amir has had you kept in your room. But you don’t mind for the big window facing towards your beloved ocean is always open. 

A few knocks come from your door and Amir walks in. With a hand behind his back, he walks over to you and sits next to you on the soft sheets. As your occupied staring out the window, he pulls you into an embrace. 

“You know my dear, it’s Valentine’s day and I’ve gotten a surprise for you.” he pulls back and hands you a sky blue box encased by a white ribbon topped with a white bow, “To show my love to you.” 

You take the silk ribbons off and open the top of the box. Your eyes shine as you take out the clam shaped music box you saw from the man before. Brushing your hand over it, the smooth texture soothes you. Turning it around, you wind up the knob in the back and face the music box towards you. 

The top opens and the same small sun and moon begin to twirl, but a horrible twisted tune creeps out from the box. Your brows furrow as the music grows louder. It sounds ominous and the lullaby like tune is replaced by a rotting melody. The sun and moon begin to slow down and stop in place, but the haunting music continues to play. 

You feel uncomfortable by the music box. The sick feeling from before arouses in you and you cover your ears. It feels hard to breathe and your head feels dizzy. But before it can utter out another sickly note. Amir closes the box and tosses it onto the floor. With a swift graceful stomp, he brakes the box and the music stops.

The sick feeling is still present within you. It’s hard to think and you don’t like the strange feeling in your chest. 

As you continue to hold your hands over your ears. Amir briskly walks over to the window and closes the curtains. Your once bright room is now dimmed from the lack of sunlight. With a small shut of the window, Amir goes over to you and wraps his arms around you. Gently rocking you back and forth, he continues it for the next ten minutes as he hums a small lullaby of his own to you.

It’s the same tune he always hums to you when you feel ill and it never fails to calm you. After you feel better, you free your ears and listen to what he has to say.

“Oh I’m so sorry my dear. I knew that small shop we visited enchanted you. So I went back and bought you that music box from the young man. Ah, but it seems like it’s gone bad hasn’t it? How silly of me to buy such a wretched thing.” Amir says as he pets your hair softly.

“Forgive me my dear. If I had known that it would croak out such an ugly tune, I would’ve gotten you a better present...”

A frown hangs on Amir’s lips as he lays his head on top of yours. No longer feeling sick, you now feel troubled by his sad expression. You don’t wish for your dear playmate to feel sad because of something so small. Nuzzling your face into his chest, you hug him back and hum him the tune he had sung to you earlier. Rocking back and forth like the oceans waves, you try to comfort him the only way you know how. 

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

“How adorable you are my dear...” brushing his fingers against your cheek, Amir cradles you in his arms. You had fallen asleep while you comforted him and seeing you rest peacefully in his arms is the most beautiful thing in the world. 

“I wonder what you’re dreaming about my love...” he looks up at the white canopy with a smirk across his face, “I do hope it’s me. The thought of something else invading your mind is quite annoying, but I’ll keep those thoughts at bay for you.” 

Looking down at you, he smiles as he thinks about how you’re his alone.

“Oh my dear sweet love. I���m sorry I have to expose you once again to those unpleasant bottom feeders.” He chuckles out a low sickly laugh, but it doesn’t wake you.

“Ah I love you so much (Y/N). You know, I’ve always been jealous of your adoration for the ocean. You find anything about it fascinating just as much as how I find you intoxicating. I can never get enough of your pleasant scent. I’m drawn to your form where ever you go... but I hate how you look at the ocean as if you’re in love.”

He grits his teeth.

“You always gaze at it so longingly...yet I’m right here. Don’t you know I was made for you? I exist only for you but the ocean seems to always clog your thoughts.” 

Holding you tight, his form begins to tremble.

“Why must something so endless cloud your mind? I’m unable to get rid of it like I did with the others. But maybe that’s the charm I see in you. As you fall more in love with the ocean’s mystique. It makes me want to make you mine even more. My body, mind, and soul are all for you yet you choose not to explore them.”

He sighs as he stares down at you.

“I try so hard to make sure that you only enjoy the things I know that are suitable for you. I can’t have you being drawn to others and it helps that you’re slowly getting used to it. Ahaha~ you can’t help but rely on me when those ugly feelings begin to creep in, but I love it so much. I just can’t get enough of you and knowing that you need me more just makes my patchwork heart overflow.”

Leaning down, he inhales you scent.

“One day, one day (Y/N)...I’ll make you sink down into something more wonderful than the ocean’s depths. I want you to drown in this love that I harbor for you. So that you can never escape and no matter what happens, you won’t reach the surface. It excites me to think that one day this will happen and when it does...”

He leans down and plants a kiss on your forehead.

“We’ll be trapped together and forever. Soon my love, you’ll be bound by the red strings that draw me back to you~”

[spookyceph]

Comfort Zone Pt. 2, a Shigaraki & Toga Fic

Sorry it’s not exciting, but here’s the rest. For anyone who hasn’t read the beginning, find Part 1 here or on my Ao3 account. 

Rating: T and up

Words: 1,936

Warnings: Swearing, blood, canon-typical disturbing thoughts and imagery

Several seconds slipped past and he thought his first apology had gone to waste. Then, a messy bun peeked back out past the edge of the window. Just enough face to let one wide, gold eye peer at him followed. Tomura’s nerves demanded he say something, anything, but his better instincts told him to keep quiet and still. Patience paid off; the girl emerged halfway, gaze now curiously flitting all over him.

“Are leaders of villain gangs supposed to apologize?” she said.

Scanning each of her facial features, Tomura detected no hint of being fucked with. On the contrary—she practically hung out of the sill in anticipation of an answer. He scowled behind Father and picked at a scab on the side of his neck.

“I don’t know. Or care. What’s the point of being a villain if I’m just going to follow the same shitty rules under a different label?’

Toga’s attention landed on his busy fingers. Her metallic eyes glazed over and a blush flared in her cheeks. Ah, right. Her quirk involved drinking blood and right now his skin down to his collarbones was tacky with it. Did it call to her like destruction did to him? With an effort he made sure not to show, Tomura relocated his fingers from picking away at his neck to tapping on the metal mesh underneath him. Toga’s gaze, however, remained glued in place.

“Did I wake you up?” he said, hoping that breaking the silence would do the same for whatever spell she was under.

Success. She blinked, refocusing on Father. “Hm? Oh, no. I came out here to—yeah, that’s right!” Flashing a dainty set of fangs in a delighted grin, she disappeared inside once more. Tomura caught the faint clatters and thumps from boxes being rummaged through before Toga returned. She swung her legs out first, the rest of her body shimmying out after. Even in her excitement she moved silently, not getting so much as a squeak from the fire escape when her small frame settled onto it. Tomura analyzed each movement, noting the angles of her joints, how she distributed weight, the order she moved her limbs. He could be stealthy when he tried, but Toga flowed naturally, without thought. No doubt her victims never saw her coming unless she wanted them to.

“Ta-da!” She held up the reason that had brought her outside for his inspection.

Tomura tilted his head. “A bird feeder?”

“Yup! I know it’s against city ordinance, but…villainy, right?” She offered another toothy smile. Giggling, she hung the little ceramic dish of seeds from the edge of the platform above. Her cheeks glowed pink again as she gave it a gentle push with a finger, setting it to swinging.

“I love the little birdies. They’re so soft and warm and cute.” She wiped away a trickle of drool from the corner of her smile on the sleeve of her sweater. Tomura wondered just how many knives she hid under the bulky fabric.

“Can you turn into one?” He knew what her files from the National Quirk Database said, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have manifested new abilities that went unreported.

She shook her head, eyes on the feeder but dreamy, looking inward rather than out. “I wish. Life would be so easy then. I could fly anywhere, see anyone without being chased or told what to do.”

“If that’s what you want, why come here?” Not that he wanted her to leave, not anymore, but Tomura needed to understand. If this whole League of Villains thing was going to move beyond being just a stupidly named front he needed more than throwaway NPCs. He had to grasp what made each member of his party tick, what they were after, in order to make the most of their skills. And, when the time came, he needed to be sure whether he could rely on them to see a mission through.

Think of this another way. As a show of trust.

Beneath Father’s waxy grip Tomura’s face had to be even pinker than Toga’s. Eventually, the emotional charge would deplete from the memory. He just wished there were some way to speed up the process.

“It is easier,” Toga answered him. The daydreaming fog had cleared from her eyes. They settled on him, bright, gold, intense, like tiny twin suns. “I can’t do the things I like alone. I don’t want to be alone anymore. Everyone treats me like I’m strange or stupid—or both. Why? Because I stopped following the same old scripts as them? Because I don’t drag my feet through the same boring steps?”

Probably more because she killed people to suck their blood, but Tomura kept quiet. It amounted to the same reactions from society, he supposed.

“Well, I can’t be what they want. I won’t!” She huffed and hunkered down next to him, hugging her knees and glaring at the brick wall across the way. “I’m too full of life to pretend to be like them. I have too much love to let it go to waste. You and Mr. Stainy showed me that.”

Tomura’s spine straightened. He stared at her in disbelief. “What?”

A sharp, almost sly smile slid across Toga’s face. “I know you don’t like hearing about Stainy…but you’re more alike in some ways than you want to admit.” She giggled even though his hands twitched with momentary thoughts of murder. “Don’t look so grumpy—you know it’s true, otherwise you wouldn’t be so annoyed. Anyway, the League got a lot of stuff right that my poor Stainy missed.”

That soothed the sting. “Such as?”

Her hand flapped back and forth in the space between them. “This! Mr. Stainy thought he could change things all on his own. I mean, he did, a little bit, but only around the city. You think they’re talking about him out in Osaka? Hokkaido? Ha! Nevermind outside Japan.” One by one, she ticked off points on her fingers. “He doesn’t have anyone to bust him out of Tartarus. No one’s going to carry on his work except random fanboys. The public only cares that he looks cool and really has no idea what he stood for, so they’re not really changed by what he did. As far as the world is concerned, his fifteen minutes is over.” With a mournful sigh, she picked at a loose thread along her sweater’s hem. “My poor, silly Stainy. It takes more than belief to pull off a revolution.”

Tomura mulled her observations over, rubbing at the patches of dried blood crusted over his collarbones. Sensei had been right once again; the League was born from his suggestion that Tomura start gathering followers. Railing against hero society wouldn’t get results. He had to seek out those whose skin itched with the same murderous rage, crawled with the same hatred. Banding together, attacking as one, that was their only chance—and where most villains failed.

Stain may have turned up what was left of his nose at working with the League, but he’d wound up laying the groundwork of a recruitment drive for them at least. The clouds of resentment thinned enough for Tomura to finally see Kurogiri’s wisdom on that point as well as not driving Toga or Dabi away. Maybe he’d even admit it to the nagging old ink blot. The phantom of a smile possessed his mouth, faintly pulling at the corners.

“Why do you cover up with this thing?”

Surfacing from his thoughts, Tomura’s breath caught in his throat. Toga had reached out when his guard had fallen, only centimeters from giving Father an inquisitive poke. He twisted away, grabbing her wrist with his first two fingers and thumb.

“Don’t.” Taking a deep breath to shift his pulse down a few gears, he eased his grip somewhat. “My sensei gave them to me so I’d always remember my purpose. So the feelings that keep me striving toward it don’t fade.”

Tilting her head, the long look Toga gave him held more appraisal and speculation than any love-crazy teen girl supposedly had a right to. When she gently tugged her hand back, Tomura let her without a fight. He had to tamp down the impulse to let his own settle at his neck under her scrutiny.

“Sorry. I won’t touch them if it’s important,” she said at last. Her usual persona fell back into place as she wrinkled her nose. “It’s a shame, though. I bet you’re really pretty under there—especially with those red eyes of yours. They match your scratches. Not my type maybe, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate these things.”

This girl had developed a serious knack for dropping opinions like anvils on his head. Through his shock, though, Tomura had the urge to ask if she was sure. How could she tell? Would anyone else think so? In the momentary lapse of rational thought he even considered removing Father to let her have a proper assessment. Midoriya Izuku had already seen it, after all. Dabi had touched it, for fuck’s sake. But no…making mistakes didn’t give him a free pass to keep blundering ahead. He needed to get a grip. Until he fully trusted these lunatics Giran had showing up on his doorstep he wouldn’t reveal himself again. Only once they’d proved their worth.

“The last thing I need is for some hero to think I’m ‘pretty’,” he muttered.

Grin stretched ear to ear, Toga cupped her ruddy cheeks in her hands. “You never know. You could conquer the world by making it fall in love with you, one person at a time.”

Scoffing, Tomura folded his arms across his chest to keep from clawing his neck in a panic. She couldn’t have seen him and Dabi downstairs. And it wasn’t like her quirk would let her smell anxiety or endorphins or whatever the fuck, right? Right?

“Welp, I better get to the rest of my to-do list. I still got lots of stuff to arrange.” Standing, Toga straightened and dusted off her skirt before beaming down at him like a psychotic cherub. “Don’t be a stranger, Tomura-kun! Knock on my door or window whenever you want to chat or hang out.”

“Hang…out?” The words were almost too alien to manage.

“Sure! After all, we’re friends now. ‘Night!” She wriggled back through the window, closing it and the subject before he could stammer another word out.

Tomura found himself lost in the middle of a no man’s land on the borders of irritated, alarmed, and completely blindsided. “Friends.” He scratched below his eye, between Father’s stiff fingers. “Just like that, huh?”

He was supposed to be their leader, not friend. Supposed to, but then again…villainy. Breaking the mold. Sensei had told him he could do as he pleased.

After double checking Toga’s window remained closed, the blinds down, Tomura carefully removed Father so he could scratch with impunity. He paused a few seconds in, deliberating. Reaching into his pocket, he fished out Dabi’s little gift. He turned the small jar around and around, over and over, while his mind did the same with the night’s events. Well over half an hour later, his hands stilled. Slowly, he unscrewed the lid. The salve was cool against his fingers and face in a way entirely different from wearing Father. Different…but not bad. Not exactly.

He had almost no experience coexisting with others. Even less about leading them, interacting, building the foundations of a lasting arrangement.

Slipping the jar back into his pants pocket, however, Tomura thought he might like to try.

[darkanima2345]

A continuation of the continuation. Enjoy!

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

“Here we are, Light,” Hope said as he pulled into the driveway of a small thatched cottage in the middle of nowhere. Ivy covered the front of the house; birds flew around several bird feeders that had been set up; bees zipped in between scores of flowers that surrounded the base of house.

“It’s absolutely breathtaking Hope,” she said as she got out of the car. He smiled.

“Wait until you see the best bit,” he said wiggling his eyebrows. “Here, let me get that for you.” Hope took Lightning’s case from the passenger footwell. She gave him a smile, those reserved solely for him, and have been since the Whitewood. Hope unlocked his front door and held it open for Lightning to enter. Oooh, he's such a gentleman. Lightning could practically hear Lumina swooning.

Lightning entered Hope’s home. The first thing she noticed was the enormous window directly opposite the front door; the window went from the floor to the ceiling and was several paces in length. It had a stunning view of vast fields covered in flowers, with mountains in the distance and a fast flowing river curving around the base of them. Lightning moved up to the window, placing her hand on it palm flat.

“I take it that this window is the best bit then Hope?” she said, barely above a whisper .

“Yeah it is. Wait until sunset though, then it is truly spectacular. Although I must say that my view right now rivals it.” Lightning turned round and saw a pink cheeked Hope with his soft green eyes looking straight at her. Kiss him! Kiss him! Kiss him! Lightning was struggling to restrain Lumina now. Hope shook his head.

“Sorry Light, I’m being a terrible host. Allow me to show you to your room.” Hope turned on his heel and walked to the left of the front door, Lightning’s bag in hand. Lightning followed, noting that the room she was in had nothing on the walls.

“Here you are Light.” Hope opened the wooden door to reveal a small room, with a bed and a chest of draws in. Again, Lightning noticed, there was nothing on the walls. She walked in and placed the box containing Odin's crystal on top of the draws, next to a vase of freshly cut roses.

“There is a bathroom through the door there. It has a shower in, but if you would like a bath then feel free to use the bath in the main bathroom. My home is your home Light. Please help yourself to anything you would like. I’ll let you get some rest and freshen up.” Hope placed Lightning’s bag on her bed and turned to walk out of the room.

“Oh! That’s right. Wait Hope. I have something for you.” Lightning went over to her bag and opened it. Inside, buried underneath clothes was a rectangular package wrapped in blue wrapping paper.

“Oh just what I always wanted! A blue rectangle!” He said, smirking. Lightning shot him a glare.

“Don’t get cute. It’s a gift from Serah.”

“From Serah?” Hope moved over to the bed and sat down, taking the item offered by Lightning. Lightning sat down next to him. Hope peeled the wrapping paper off the corner and carefully unwrapped it. He was shocked to see a hand drawn Alexander in his Gesault form staring back at him, beautifully framed in a wooden frame. Hope traced Alexander’s left shoulder with his finger.

“Did Serah draw this Light?”

“Yes she did. She’s always had quite a passion for drawing.”

“But how? She never saw Alexander. How could she know what he looked like?”

“She doesn’t. She says that she can ‘see' him. But what is really strange is that she couldn’t continue the drawing unless I was in the room with her. She loses her glimpse of him if I’m not in the room” Hope looked up from the picture and turned to look at Lightning. Calming green met calming blue; she had been staring at him.

“Please pass my thanks onto Serah for me, and my regret that she couldn’t make it. And thank you Light, for bringing it all this way.”

“Its no problem Hope. I was coming to see you anyway, with or without Serah.” She smiled at him. He smiled back. They stayed there for some time, or no time at all, staring into each others eyes. Slowly, they both began to lean in, eyes fluttering shut. They were millimetres from each other, moving closer, Lightning could feel Hope’s breath on her lips. The moment was shattered when a loud buzzing noise came from Lightning’s pocket. Nooooooooooo! Lumina really did have a piercing scream, Lightning thought. She took her phone out, still buzzing in her hand, and read the name Serah on the screen.

“Sorry Hope. I need to take this.”

“Of course. Let me know if you need anything.” Hope stood up, walked out of the room and gently closed the door, taking the picture of Alexander with him.

Lightning slid her finger along the front screen of her phone, answering the call.

“Hey Serah.”

“Hi Sis! Did you get to Hope’s safely? Is he okay? What’s his house like? Did he like my drawing?” Lightning chucked at the rapid fire questions from her younger sister.

“I’m here safely, yes. Hope is fine, if looking a little tired. His house is beautiful, a picturesque countryside cottage. He was made up with your gift, yes. Although I’m sure he would have appreciated it more if you were the one to deliver it to him. Remind me again why you and Snow and Vanille and Fang and everyone else couldn’t make it?” Serah just giggled.

“Because of work and other reasons that you couldn’t argue with. You were always close to Hope sis, and I know that he held you very close to his heart. You two should have some time to catch up without all of us there distracting him. Although do pass on all of our phone numbers and emails to him so he can get in contact when he wants to.”

“Yeah I will do.”

“Anything else to tell me sis?”

“No I don’t think so...” Lightning’s eyes glanced over to the draws and to the purple box that sat on top of them. “Oh, Hope bought me a gift. He gave it to me when he picked me up from the station.”

“Oooooh. What is it?”

“It’s a copy of the crystal I used to summon Odin in the old world.”

“Oh wow sis. Can I see it?”

“Unless you fancy making the trip down here, no you can’t.”

“Honestly Claire, you are so bad when it comes to technology. If you look at your phone screen it should have a symbol that looks like a video camera. Tap it.” Lightning did as she was instructed and Serah appeared on her phone screen, giving her sister a small wave. “See, you can show it to me and I don’t even have to be there.” Lightning smiled.

“You always were good with technology Serah. Hold on.” Lightning went and carefully removed the crystal from the box. She held her phone in her right hand and held the crystal in her left by her face. She wanted to see Serah’s reaction after all. Once Serah’s eyes fell onto the crystal Lightning could have sworn that they flashed white, if only for a moment.

“Oh wow Claire. That is absolutely stunning. I...” Serah paused, looking down, brow furrowed in concentration.

“You okay Serah?”

“Yeah. I- I- I think I may know what Odin looked like. Could you send me a picture of the crystal sis? I feel like drawing all of a sudden.”

“Of course. I’ll do that as soon as were done.”

“Thanks sis.” Lightning heard a knock on the door.

“One sec Serah. Come in.” The door opened and Hope popped his head in.

“Sorry to disturb you Light. Would you like anything to eat or drink at all?” As if on cue, Lightning’s stomach made a noise that could have passed for a whale’s mating call. Hope struggled to hide his laughter.

“I’ll take that as a yes then. Come on out when you’re ready.”

“Thanks Hope,” she said giving him a smile and trying desperately to ignore the burning she felt in her cheeks. He turned and gently shut the door. “You could have said hello you know Serah.”

“No I couldn’t. This is meant to be your time with him Light. I’ve kept you talking long enough. Speak soon!” Serah abruptly ended the video call. Ruuuuude! Lightning couldn’t help but agree with Lumina.

Lightning stood and carefully placed Odin’s crystal back into its box, taking a picture and sending it to Serah, and putting on the lid.

Lightning found Hope facing a counter in a kitchen, in a little offset next to the large window that she hadn’t noticed before. Hope turned around and held a tray full of cheeses, biscuits, crackers, and what looked like chocolate cake in his hands.

“Would you mind getting the door just there for me please Light?” Lighting turned to her left and saw sliding patio doors. She opened them and saw a small patio with a table and two chairs facing the mountains that had been revealed so well by the huge window. On the table were two champagne glasses and a bottle. Hope gracefully moved past Lightning and placed the tray onto the table, grabbed the bottle and after a loud pop!, was pouring fizzy liquid into the glasses. He pulled a chair out from underneath the table and motioned for Lightning to sit, then taking the seat opposite.

Lightning sat down, enjoying the heat the chair gave out after spending all day in the sunlight. Hope picked up both glasses and handed one to Lightning. He held his up to Lightning in a toast, “To the new world, and to the savior who brought us here.”

Lightning mimicked Hope’s actions, blushing ever so slightly, lifting her glass to him.

“To the new world, and to the man who saved the savior.”

[xandars]

farmhouse

word count: 1289

warnings: none

ao3 link

summary:  Bucky keeps talking about a farmhouse and it drives Sam crazy, that is until he finally asks why.

"You know, I think I'd want a farmhouse."

"A what?" Sam turns to look at him, slightly annoyed. This was the first thing Bucky has said in the past hour and a half they've been cramped in this god forsaken car. He had a knack for impulsively voicing his dumb thoughts at the worst times, but whenever you wanted to know what was actually going on in that head of his, he'd never say.

They were staking out the front gate of a large mansion, very much not a farmhouse. It was mind numbingly boring, being stuck in a beetle with absolutely nothing else to do than stare at the gaudy gates of some rich asshole.

"A farmhouse," Bucky repeats nonchalantly, "If we ever get out of this business, or you know, live long enough to retire maybe--- I want a farmhouse. With a lot of animals."

We?

Sam tries not to overthink it. It's not that he's never thought about it before, but he knows it's not time to imagine a life with Bucky, a normal one at that. Besides, Bucky couldn't have possibly meant it that way.

Could he?

"What made you think of that?" Sam pries, against his better judgement. Regrets it as it comes out of his mouth, actually.

"Staring at that mansion for so damn long got me thinking---"

"That's a first." Sam quips.

"Oh shut up," Bucky shoots back, then returns to his previous thought. "I just think living in a place like that all by yourself would just be lonely."

"Stark did it for a while," Sam adds, looking back at the unmoving gates.

"Well yeah, look how he turned out."

Sam holds back a laugh which Bucky notices because he leans back in his seat, gratified. Then he says, "I dunno, call me old-fashioned if you gotta. Those people have the right idea is all I'm sayin'."

They leave it at that. It takes about ten minutes of silence before Bucky speaks again.

"We could get bird feeders, like those red ones that I always see people using. Though I guess we'd probably have chickens already."

There it is again.

This whole "we" thing was starting to gnaw at Sam. He just wants to ask Bucky what he means, but he knows if it isn't--- if it's not what he thinks it is--- Sam would be trapped in here with Bucky and his thoughts for the next few hours.

So, he doesn't respond, which Bucky doesn't say anything about, just sits quietly and goes back to looking out the window.

---

Sam and Bucky are kneeling behind some fallen debris, bullets flying over their heads. They'd accidentally got caught while infiltrating what was left of a HYDRA base. Just another day for them.

"I think yellow is a nice color for a farmhouse," Bucky says suddenly, getting up to peek with his gun.

Sam groans and starts searching the room for an escape. "Barnes, now is not the time!"

"Just trying to make small talk, sweetheart." He shouts over the drilling sound of his gun. Sam resists the urge to smack him upside the head with his wings.

He spies a large window on the far side of the room and elbows Bucky's leg.

"I found our way out of here, but you aren't going to like it."

Bucky crouches back down and follows Sam's gaze to the window. "Oh hell no."

"It's the only way," Sam tells him, knowing full well he already knows. "We're surrounded."

"Sam---"

"I know you're scared," He turns to Bucky, who keeps staring at the window like it'll bite him. He knows Bucky is afraid of heights, knows it still haunts his memories. "But I got you."

Sam holds out his hand. Bucky looks at it, eyes wide and unsure. The bullets are still whizzing by and he's sure there are more reinforcements coming, but it's just him and Bucky at this very moment.

Bucky nods and takes Sam's hand.

---

It's breakfast this time. Sam is eating his cereal while Bucky is drinking his morning coffee, scrolling through something on his phone.

"Did you know that chickens can eat their own eggs if you don't collect them fast enough?"

Christ, not this again.

Sam pauses before eating his spoonful of cereal. "Bucky, why would I ever need to know that?"

He shrugs, "You're a bird guy. Just thought it was interesting."

Sam brushes it off, taking a bite of cereal.

"You're also a chicken." Bucky adds soon after and grins at him. It's annoyingly smug, but also bright and lovely at the same time.

"I don't think I'll be eating my own eggs anytime soon." Sam replies and smirks at him.

His smile falls. "Okay yeah, that's gross."

"Then let me finish my goddamn breakfast."

---

They are going over some mission plans when "we" comes back to haunt Sam. Bucky is across from him, standing on the other side of the cluttered table. He's looking at a file when he scratches his beard, then mumbles, "We could get a cat."

As far as Sam remembers, cats were definitely not in the mission plans.

He can't decide whether the torture of "we" outweighs the possible torture of having to confront his feelings for Bucky. If Sam pried, asked about it and the "we" turned out to be something--- someone else…

Sam decides to shoot his shot.

Load the bullet.

"Bucky." He says sternly, and Bucky looks up at him. His blue eyes are curious, but there is something else Sam can't quite place.

Put your finger on the trigger.

"What are you even talking about?" It comes out more bitter than he intends, but Sam can't take this anymore. He has to know.

He watches Bucky put the file down.

Safety off.

"What do you mean?" Bucky replies painstakingly and god, did Barnes frustrate him sometimes and---

Fire.

"I mean this whole--- we thing," Sam finally spits out. "What's all this stuff about this farmhouse? What is we?"

Bucky blinks. Moments pass. Months. Years even. "Well, what do you want it to be?"

Us.

"I don't know." Sam says instead. He wants to take it all back now, unsure of where to go from here. The room is entirely suffocating now.

"I think you do," Bucky cuts through his lie, making his way to Sam's side of the table. "Cause I know what I want it to be, and I hope you do too."

He hesitates, but Bucky's hands come up to cup Sam's face gently. Sam feels the hum of his arm, strangely comforting and sighs.

He tilts Sam's chin up. "Can I?"

Sam gives him the slightest nod before he presses their lips together.

It's careful and sweet and this--- this is where Sam decides that this is what he wants. He wants to be right here with Bucky, for as long as he can. Sam's hands come up to grip Bucky's shirt and he deepens the kiss. He smiles when his beard tickles his face.

When they finally break apart, they touch their foreheads together.

"It's all yours," Bucky says softly. Sam feels his breath on his lips. "The farmhouse, I mean. I've never wanted it with anyone else but you." Bucky's arms wrap around his waist.

"Yeah?"

"You can even name the cat, if you want too."

Sam laughs and pushes Bucky away lightly, until he comes back to plant another kiss on Sam's cheek.

"And I promise we will have so many birds you won't even know what to do with them."

Sam puts a finger to his chin in fake thought. "I don't know, that's a pretty big promise, Barnes."

Bucky gives him a smile. "Well I plan to keep it."

[koala-soap]

Content In Your Presence

Chapter Two

Pairing Foreign Reader X Japanese Shouto Todoroki

Summary Moving to Japan seemed like the only option left open to you, to escape your rapidly increasing problems that latched themselves onto your life back in Australia. As if to cut it off, wipe everything off the table, and have some sort of a new start for yourself, despite the guilt that stuck to you like rust.

Through getting lost at airports, loosing luggage and being surrounded by a foreign language, moving to Japan managed to weasel it’s way into being the best decision of your life, thanks to someone you met on the balcony next to you: a sweetheart called Shouto Todoroki.

A lovely story about a foreigner falling in love with a Japanese sweet heart, and all your adventures and mishaps together.

。。。。

For the first few seconds after opening your mucky eyes against the sun, you had expected to see a different sight. The sight of a cup of water your mother had placed on your wooden side table that was worn with age, the ceiling fan busy whirring away above your head, photo frames with smiling faces behind the glass, or even just your own quilt and cookie crumb stained pillow. Instead you are met with an empty room sealed in with bleach white walls, and a shiny wooden floor covered in the very few amount of belongings you had. The mattress you had layed awake staring at the roof at on and the thin sheet had shifted in your horrible sleep.

Those first few seconds of feeling at peace in your own bed were heaven, but were quickly obliterated to pieces. Sticky sweat that had sunk into your skin made you groan when you sat upwards, eyelids still reluctant to open up to your new life. Through the blurry slits, there was your digital clock reading the time with its horrendously dim light. "Holy hell... Ten?"

The tired legs that struggled to pick you up out of bed were now carelessly stumbling into crinkled jeans, and the sweaty top you woke up in was now forgotten in the corner of the room, balled up and lonely. A few small jumps were able to get the tight pants fully over your waist, and you swiftly grabbed the sheer yellow top you had seen laying on the floor to fling it over your head. The messy head of hair that decided to get all fluffy in your sleep was none of your concern as of now, and instead just the painful growl that cried from your guts.

Now thinking of it, the last time you'd eaten was on the plane ride, over twenty hours ago.

Your feet barely lift off the ground when you tiredly trudge down the hallway, and stop in front of the pantry. It creaks when it's opened, revealing absolutely nothing to you since you hadn't gone shopping yet. Just a lonesome, half eaten bag of stale chips laid in the bin, greasy finger prints still all over it from the Japan airport. It read ' しお ばくだん！[ Salt Bomb ! ] ' in huge bold letters from where it poked out the trash can.

Having that less that appetizing option the only thing left to eat in the house, you decided that maybe it was time you left the apartment to get some fresh air in your lungs, and not just Luke-warm air produced by your teeny plastic fan.

You had realized the small bakery was much more cuter in person than the pictures on your phone when you finally finished walking there, and you stood in front of it, one hand gripped onto your backpack's strap. Around you were a significant amount of people casually walking by, each minding their own business in the huge city of Tokyo. There were small cars that smoothly zoomed across the clean roads, and tall buildings that sat against the footpaths lined with bright plants and trees. When you first stepped out into the street without your four suitcases and a bunch of fatigue, you took it in properly and realized it really was beautiful.

" すみません。。[ Excuse me.. ] " The polite voice of a young woman fiddling with her apron's strings caused you to flinch your eyes to your side, and she smiled and shifted past you before you had the chance to speak. So far, even the people were different to the ones back home in Australia. Quiet and extremely polite: both things you hadn't seen out of someone in a long-ass time.

The lady managed to tie her apron's ropes behind her back and swiftly swung around the bakery's long counter with glass cases full of adorable baked goods and sweets. Some of the rolls were shaped like a small bear, matching their small, cheery mascot cartoon on the signs hung up around the place.

When you walked inside, the smell of sugar and custard got even stronger. " おはよ。。。あ、その クロワッサン、 ください。 [ Morning.. Uh, that croissant, please .] "

Another woman appeared from behind the small door guarding the kitchen, flour prints all over her apron. She nodded at your friendly smile, as you watch her gently pick one up with tongs and hoped you didn't sound rude with your curt sentence. While you knew quite a little bit of Japanese, nerves where still present since you were surrounded by native speakers.

" ここ に！ ぜんぶです か？ [ Here! Is that all? ] " A brown paper bag with a cheerful bear printed onto it was handed to you, and taking it, you nodded.

" うん、ありがとうございます。[ Mhm, thank you . ] "

The detailed metal chair sat coldly under your butt, and clanged against the concrete when you scooted yourself into the glass table. You had chosen a seat outside the bakery, to get a look at the bright blue sky and have the sun hug your skin for once, and to be frank, the breeze was just perfect. So was the croissant that you got, and it was borderline divine. For a good two minutes, you sat marveling in the breakfast in your hands, and the wonderful city around you. It really was surreal sitting in the middle of the bustling streets of Japan, like a tiny fish in a big, big pond.

Once the treat was reduced to crumbs and it sat comfortably in your full belly, you scrunched your paper bag up and placed it in the bakery's bin.

Behind the windows, there was an elderly woman with jet black hair pulled into an un-bothered bun, creased hands reaching up over the pin board hung to the wall. Once her piece of paper was successfully pinned to the board, her arms sunk back down and shakily picked up a mug set on a nearby table. Absentmindedly wiping your greasy hands against the shirt on your torso, your eyes caught the friendly nod and smile that she cast up at you, hobbling out with a pikachu mug in her hand full of bird seed.

Once the curiosity took over, you wandered over to the piece of paper, and let it slide between your hands.

' ていき-てきな しょくぶつ の きゅうすい-き を さがしています！

わたし は りょこう に いきますが、 わたし の しょくぶつ に みず を やる ひと が ひつようです 。 1-にち 20-どる を ていきょう する ひと に しはらいます。

いんたあねtと が きらいなので、-し を つかっています 👍 でんわ して ください！'

[ Looking for a regular person to water my plants !

I'm going on a trip, so I need someone to water my plants. I will pay whoever offers 20 dollars each day.

I hate the internet so I'm using paper 👍 Please call ! ]

。。。。

Once again the sun shone it's last minutes of golden orange rays over the city, until the sky darkened and the moon covered it in black ink. The air had a certain warmness drifting throughout that massaged Shouto's skin and he melted further into his outdoor couch's bouncy cushions. The usual mug of steaming tea sat loosely in his hands, eyes swaying between the sky's beautiful shining stars in countless intricate patterns. Soon enough, the smooth silence was interrupted by the sound of a glass door sliding open, and shoes shuffling down onto the paving. His head softly turned, an old lady sighing and stretching past the two lines of balcony railings.

She's greeted by the young man, bends over with her pikachu cup, one hand supporting her on a wrinkly knee. " ばけつ を すすりなき はじめた かた が いい よ！りょこう に いきます。 [ You'd better start crying buckets, my boy ! I'm going on a trip. ] "

" りょこう ? [ Trip ? ] "

" うん。 まご お ほうもん する ひつよう が あります。[ Yeah, I need to go visit my grandson . ] " Bird seed fell from the bright mug, and clinked against the bottom of the old metal bird feeder.

"ああ、どれくらい いく の？ [ Oh, I see. How long are you gonna be gone for ? ] "

" お、ただ の しゅうまつ。だれか に しょくぶつ の みずやり お して もらいました。[ Oh, just a weekend. I got someone to water my plants ] "

。。。。

Somewhere a few streets away, artificial light was cast out from your phone and lit up the bottom half of your already glowing face. A quaint smile greeted your phone that was held tightly in excited hands, mind buzzing like that of a puppy's when the new message popped up below the others. A message from the sweet old woman you talked to stared back at you, telling you that you now had a temporary job to busy yourself with.