#A stroke of what I and some of my friends like to call “accidental genius”

[sketchingstars03]

honestly I think the fact that Ink and Error have been unintentionally written to parallel each other is super interesting

For instance

Ink, while being the embodiment of creativity, can be a bit destructive (causing chaos with his shenanigans and making messes of paint)

And Error, while being the embodiment of destruction, can be a bit creative (knowing how to knit and making dolls of various AU characters)

Both were created completely separately, without their creators considering the other at ALL when making them. And yet they work so well as near polar opposites. (emphasis on NEAR. They still have lots in common)

**This post is NOT about 3rror!nk**

[stevengrant-my-beloved]

(he love me) he give me all his money I Part 2 [18+]

Part 1 I Series Masterlist

summary: A brief interaction with a catfish on a sugar daddy website leads to something quite unexpected and suddenly you're on the radar of genius tech billionaire Nathan Bateman, and honestly, you don't mind the attention.

chapter warnings: none (?), light sprinkling of daddy kink (as a joke mostly but...)

a/n: honestly i dont even know where im going with this but here we are

also just a note about the texts in this fic

> Texts like these are from Nathan. [bold and italicized]

> texts like these are from you [italicized]

The next morning finds you laying in bed, eyes wide open as you scroll through the text thread you now had with the CEO of BlueBook.

You're really hot.

That's the text that the Nathan Bateman had sent you the day before, the one you'd opened but still hadn't replied to, and honestly you didn't know what to write back because Nathan fucking Bateman had called you hot.

Thing is, you know that you're hot, you're fucking smoking, you had thousands of pictures on your Instagram to prove it, but you never did get used to compliments, especially when they came from someone like Bateman (a man you'd lowkey been thirsting over for years).

And, fuck, you realize how casually you'd spoken to him yesterday, and a part of you cringes because he's probably just sitting in his huge cabin in the mountains or some shit, gawking at your audacity to not only speak with him like you were old pals but to also seen zone him.

Then there was the issue of the eighteen hundred dollars just sitting in your bank account. Somewhere along the way you'd managed to forget he'd actually sent you money because of a stupid joke in a video.

You open up your mobile banking app, your finger hovering over the send button for a few moments, before hurriedly typing out the necessary info to send back the money you'd received.

Successfully sent.

You sent $1800.00 to Nathan Bateman.

Not even a second later, you get a banner notification from the man himself.

You seen zone me AND you give me back my mon...

And in the panic to put your phone away, you fumble and accidentally click on the notification, which meant Bateman could now see that you'd seen his text.

> You seen zone me AND you give me back my money?

> Were you lying in your Top 10 video? About me being your favorite?

And not even a second later-

> Well?

You imagine him sitting in his swivel chair, in some big office in his cabin in the middle of god knows where, one eyebrow raised up like it usually is in almost all the pictures that have been taken of him. Maybe he's stroking that luscious beard of his as he waits for you to reply, and there's a part of you that wants to ignore him a little more, see what he might do next, but you don't want to risk the possibility of him just not ever talking to you again so you text back.

> i panicked okay?? ur like this rich CEO guy and im just some silly goofy internet person ..

> and bout ur money. that was just a lil joke for the video, please keep your dollars Mr. Bateman

> Fuck off with that Mr. Bateman shit. Call me Nathan

> And, it's my money, I can do what I want with it.

You chew on your bottom lip, typing out words and deleting them, unsure of what to say to him.

> ik you've got enough of it to go around but i really dont know how i feel about just taking your money..

> Think of it as compensation for what you had to endure at the hands of Imposter Bateman.

> i- dude that was a JOKE

> Too bad I'm quite literal-minded.

> Okay in all seriousness, can you go back to how you were yesterday? 

> Just talk to me like you would with any other friend.

> And I'm sending the money back. Treat yourself to something nice.

You've received $1800.00 from Nathan Bateman

"Daddy Bateman sends his regards."

---

Texting Nathan became a regular thing after the initial awkwardness. It was simple stuff at first, short greetings throughout the day, followed by things like 'spent some of that 1800$ u sent on this shitty coffee' with a picture of you holding your coffee cup or 'thoughts?' accompanied by the Imposter Bateman drawing you made one day, basically just a rough sketch of an Among Us astronaut with Nathan's head instead of a visor. He'd always reply, no matter how late he got sometimes (he was a busy man after all, you could understand), even sending back blurry pictures, sometimes of piles of paperwork, sometimes of strings of code on a computer with messages like 'that looks awful i'm suing you for psychological damage' (with regards to the Imposter Bateman sketch) or 'good to know my money's being put to use' and 'let me know if you need more'.

That last kind of text was always followed up with a transfer of money into your account, anywhere between fifty dollars to two thousand, and any attempts you made to return the money were just straight up rejected.

> am i a charity case?

> No.

> so why spend ur money on me when u could be donating?

> First off, I barely send you any money. Second, I do donate, actually.

> 2000$ isnt 'barely any money'

> wait i forgot who i was talking to nvm-

> so why give me money?

> Because I can.

> ugh whatever

> can i post about u? about us being mutuals and u sendin me money n shit

> Sure.

> cool

---

You'd felt a little bad about keeping your followers in the dark about everything that had transpired after you'd posted the sugar daddy video, especially when they'd been so invested in getting Nathan's attention for you, but in the end it didn't matter because once you posted the screenshots of the notification that you'd received when Nathan followed you and when he'd sent you money, your fans had excitedly started tweeting about your 'sugar baby era' and about how you'd gotten Nathan Bateman of all people to follow you first (because yes, you'd made sure to clarify that little detail, which Nathan later confirmed in a tweet).

And since everything was now out in the open, you and Nathan began interacting outside of your Instagram DMs, tweeting at each other about the most random things. You'd even tagged him in a couple of Instagram posts with captions like 'this post was sponsored by @thenathanbateman_official . cause i bought these clothes with his money' or '@thenathanbateman_official can u please text me back im sorry i used ur money to buy new airpods i know better now #bluebookissuperior'

Your fans loved it. It seemed like they lived for every interaction between you and Nathan, and honestly, you lived for them too.

You'd even turned on notifications for the guy! You didn't even do that for the friends you knew in person, although, it didn't really amount to much since Nathan rarely posted anything on his Instagram. It was usually just reposts from different accounts that had mentioned his work, or the occasional post on his stories about life at his secluded cabin.

You'd asked him about it only once.

> where do u actually live tho??

> cause im dying to know

> Can't tell. Last thing I need is the press coming out here.

> i wont tell anyone. pinky swear

That's the first time he'd called you.

"Hey," his low voice sounded through your phone. You could hear a faint buzzing in the background but besides that, it remained quiet for a few seconds.

"It's Nathan."

You swallow the lump that had suddenly formed in your throat. "Uh, hi, yeah, what's up?" you ask, mentally kicking yourself for how awkward you sounded.

"Needed both my hands free to get this job done, so I thought I'd call."

"Yeah, no, that's fine."

"You wanted to know where I lived yeah? Any guesses?"

You hum, like you're deep in thought. "I always thought you might be on a private island or up on a mountain maybe."

Nathan chuckles, and you try not to focus on the way it causes a shiver to run down your spine. "I have better things to spend money on than a private island. And no, I'm not up on a mountain."

"Okay, so where are you then?" you ask, holding back a remark to the comment he'd made about 'having better things to spend money on'.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he asks, and you try not to focus on the way your thighs had involuntarily clenched together at the way his voice dropped just a little.

"Yeah, that's why I fucking asked, Bateman," you bite back, hoping he doesn't catch onto how out of breath you sound, because holy fuck, Nathan Bateman was talking to you on the phone and you were pretty sure you were having a mild heart attack or something.

"Relax sweetheart," he says softly, and yup, that definitely made you throb a little in the nether region. "And didn't I tell you not to call me that?"

You try not to focus on the way he calls you sweetheart, either.

You and Nathan ended up talking for hours (2 to be exact), about your work and his, about your next video, about his money that was still in your account, going back and forth trying to argue about what you should and shouldn't spend it on ("Kitten, you absolutely cannot spend my money on anymore Apple Products, I will block you I swear-" he'd said, to which you'd replied "I posted a picture wearing cat ears once, a year ago. Let it go. Also, screw you, it's my money now, I get to buy whatever the fuck I want."), before you eventually said your goodbyes and headed to bed.

You try not to focus on the way your heart is still hammering in your chest even hours after your call with Nathan.

---

"Did I wake you up?" Nathan asks one night, after he'd called you at around 2 a.m. in the morning.

Luckily for him, you'd actually been getting ready to do a late night Twitch stream.

"Nah, I was up. Going live on Twitch in a bit."

"Right, right. Reacting to another bad web series? Or are you gaming this time?"

You pause for a few seconds, still not used to the fact that the Nathan Bateman was so aware of your online presence. Technically, he was aware of everyone's at any given moment, but it still threw you off.

"Gaming," you reply as you check on your cam settings and make sure you have everything set up for the stream.

The calls had become a regular thing too, at some point. Usually you'd text Nathan, and ever since that first phone call, without fail he'd call your phone instead of replying to your text, and that conversation almost always went like this-

"Why the fuck would I put everything aside just to text you, when I can just call you and work at the same time?" he'd say.

You'd scoff and reply with something like "Wow, fuck you too asshole," before the two of you would settle into pleasant conversation about anything and everything under the sun.

This time was just like every other time, except-

"Alright, I need to start the stream soon, so..."

You hear him sigh, before saying, "Yeah, yeah, I'll let you go. Don't stay up too late."

"Yessir. I'll text you later."

"Good girl. Have fun with the stream." And with that, Nathan hung up.

The next few hours had gone by pretty quickly. You'd started the stream, played a couple of hours of some old indie game that your subscribers had been requesting for you to check out, before signing off.

It was only after you had gotten ready for bed at 4 a.m. that Nathan's words had really settled in.

Good girl.

You didn't think that would do it for you, but surprise, surprise, it obviously did, especially because it came from Nathan, and you find yourself tossing and turning in bed with a growing ache deep and low inside you, your skin growing warmer by the second.

"Fuck," you whisper out into the darkness for no one to hear, squeezing your thighs together only to feel how wet you'd gotten and it was honestly a little mortifying how one man's voice coupled with the words 'good girl' had gotten you to this state.

You always had been a sucker for praise, but this was new.

Just as you're about to turn over to sleep on your side (because yes, you're going to ignore the way your underwear is essentially sticking to you from how wet you are), your phone pings with a new notification.

> Make sure you're home tomorrow at around 3 p.m.

> ?

> Just make sure you're at home.

You roll your eyes at your phone (with the biggest smile on your face), before typing out-

> yes daddy

You see Nathan typing for a few seconds, which is a little weird since he's usually quick to send a reply.

> Good girl.

> You should sleep. We can talk later.

> Night.

You stare at your phone, wondering what the fuck happened because Nathan usually isn't one to leave a conversation first, at least not with you. Even if he said you should sleep early, he usually was up and texting you until the sun rose, but apparently not tonight.

Weird.

You don't have much time to dwell on it though, because you get another notification from your mobile banking app.

You've received $2500.00 from Nathan Bateman

"For being a good girl."

[klqrambles]

Hand kiss turns into sneaky nibble turns into smack

This screamed Vampire AU Basil and Henry so have some good Artisan Philosophy shenanigans

First part gets mildly suggestive but Henry accidentally prevents anything from actually hapenning

Basil didn’t trust the way Henry was looking at him. His eyes were flashing between their normal piercing ice blue and an excited vibrant violet color with each blink, which meant he was plotting something. Usually something Basil wouldn’t approve of. The artist sighed, turning his attention instead to the painted landscape he was working on. Whatever it was his friend had planned, he was sure to learn soon anyway, given he was the likely target.

A few minutes of comfortable silence passed between the two. Or it might have been longer, as Basil found himself once again engrossed in the painting, adding more strokes to the grass to make it seem more alive. With a different brush and color from the stand to his right, he added a few small wildflowers. He hummed to himself. The painting was certainly coming along as he’d hoped.

A hand coming to rest on his shoulder and another grasped his unoccupied left hand shattered his concentration completely.

“What—“

Basil’s thoughts ground to a halt as Henry raised their joined hands to his lips, laying a gentle kiss on Basil’s palm. Violet slitted eyes met green for a moment. Henry smirked at Basil’s blush, laying another kiss onto his palm. He turned away, stiffly putting his brush on the stand and trying his best to ignore whatever it was Henry was trying to do. Slowly, the kisses trailed down to Basil’s wrist, stopping on the faint bite mark on Basil’s wrist. He shut his eyes as he felt the hand on his shoulder grasp his forearm, Henry’s breath ghosting along his wrist.

“Such hands,” Henry whispered, “able to create beauty out of nothingness.”

Another kiss sent shivers down Basil’s spine. Then he felt the sharp prick of fangs on his wrist.

Henry let out a small yelp as Basil smacked his temple firmly with his right hand.

“Henry!” Basil admonished, “we had agreement. Feeding is on Fridays only.”

“But that is predictable,” Henry groaned, dropping Basil’s arm and eyes flickering to a dull blue, “and you know how I detest predictability.”

Basil rolled down his sleeves, breathing deeply to school his blush.

“And you are aware how I prefer ‘predictability’, although I’d call it a schedule, Henry. Besides, we’re meant to be attending that Oxford alumni meetup later, or have you forgotten?”

“And what,” Henry huffed and lit a cigarette with a flash of red, “does that have to do with me not being allowed to feed. Barring it being ‘off-schedule’.”

Basil glanced back at the vampire. While he may not have been obviously pouting, Basil could see it in his stiffness, slightly angled away from Basil, tapping his ashes onto the floor with no regards for the flooring, desaturated blue eyes stuck firmly on Basil’s shoes.

“For a genius, you rarely do think of the consequences of your actions,” Basil sighed sitting back down in the stool he’d stood from.

“The surprise is part of the fun, Basil. Spontaneity and flexibility are some of the most important factors in living a lifestyle worth living. Or non-living as the case may be.”

“Yes, yes, do save your ideas this time. What I was saying is that we have an event to attend, and I would rather not be tired from having had you drink my blood.”

“But the event is in a couple of hours,” Henry scoffed, “surely you’d be recovered by then or else I’ve severely overestimated your constitution.”

“Then perhaps you have overestimated me,” Basil sniffed, “as it takes a good five to six hours before the lethargy begins to pass.”

Basil saw Henry attempt to say something in retaliation, but he barreled through, “and don’t say we can simply skip this event. I haven’t met some of the people attending in years and I know you were planning on discussing with Alan whatever it is you two talk about. Speaking of Alan, I would much rather not get another letter demanding to know where I’d been during the alumni meetup after we missed last month’s.”

Henry snorted a laugh at the last point, remembering the letter that had turned to ashes soon after he’d opened it, eyes brightening to their usual icy blue.

“You burned it, didn’t you?” groaned Basil, getting a noncommittal shrug in response, “you’re lucky I figured that and responded for the both of us.”

Henry smiled, “thank you for the pointless endeavor, but am I really not allowed to feed today? At all? Even you humans have tea and biscuits before your dinner.”

Basil was unsure of how to feel being compared to tea and biscuits, so he simply put it on the list of weird comparisons the vampire has made.

After a few more moments of contemplation, Basil sighed in defeat. “Alright, should we decide to retire from the event early, I will allow you to have your ‘tea and biscuits’. Does that sound alright to you?”

Henry’s smile turned into a smirk with a flash of red and violet. “More than alright, wonderful in fact. I’ll be sure to pull us out at the earliest possible convenience.”

All the artist could do was shake his head in fond exasperation, shooing Henry back into his corner.

“I require time and space to finish this piece, one of which I only have limited supply, therefore I require space, Henry.

Henry raised his hands in defeat, opting to comfortably fling himself into a nearby seat and finish off his cigarette. Basil turned back to the painting, a small grin adorning his face, to continue fussing with it until they had to leave.

[fayemarvels]

Please come pick him up

Spencer Reid x fem!reader

Summary: After a hard case, Spencer and the team go get drunk to forget about it. Spencer gets drunk and this leads to (Y/N) accidentally meeting Derek.

Warnings: mentions of death, murder, unsub, consumption of alcohol – not specified, 1 sexual joke, / please inform me if I missed something

Word count: 2k

! Please don't repost my work anywhere without my permission. Thank you!

My masterlist : *******

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

Spencer and (Y/N) have been dating for 9 months. Everything was going great, they met each other’s parents and Spencer even met (Y/N)’s parents. But she still hasn’t met his. It wasn’t because he was ashamed or embarrassed by her.

He just knew the team would make a huge deal about it, and would probably embarrass him or make a huge deal out of it. He knew he would have to introduce them eventually. But for now, he wanted to keep the relationship a secret from the team.

(Y/N) knew the reasons as to why she didn’t meet the team, and she was okay with it. He wanted to introduce them on his own terms, but he didn’t think she would meet them because of his alcohol intolerance.

It was 1 am and (Y/N) was waiting for Spencer to come home. He and his team went out to get their minds of the latest case in California. It was physically and mentally very draining. It took them 4 weeks to catch the unsub, who killed 9 people before they got to him. And as usual, everyone on the team blamed themselves just a little, for all the lives that were lost, especially Spencer. Scratch that, Spencer fully blamed himself for the killings, and it broke (Y/N)’s heart.

“I should’ve known where he was hiding, it was on the geological profile and I glanced over it! They would still be alive if I saw it sooner.” Spencer was sitting on the ground with his back to the couch sobbing. His hands were tugging at his hair, his eyes full of tears, his cheeks red and blotchy and he tried to catch his breath.

“Bub, please don’t do this to yourself,” (Y/N) begged as she tried to get his hands out of his hair. She took him into her arms and he leaned against her.

“It’s okay, it’s fine,” she tried to calm him down. He put his face into the crook of her neck and breathed in her scent. His breath started to calm down and his eyes started to close.

“Bub, we have to get to the bed, your back will hurt if we sleep here” She slowly walked him into his bedroom and helped him into his pajamas. When they flopped onto the bed, Spencer immediately laid his head on (Y/N)’s chest and wrapped his hands around her waist.

“Goodnight bub, it’s gonna be better tomorrow, I promise.” She whispered and ran her fingers through his hair. He fell asleep quickly that night.

Originally, Spencer didn’t want to go to the bar with his friends, but (Y/N) persuaded him. She said it would be good for his mind, to get his mind off the case.

She dropped him off in front of the bar and kissed his cheek.

“Call me when you want to go home, have fun, get your mind off the case, don’t drink too much please, your head hurts when you are hangover.” He nodded and got out of the car.

“I’ll call you, Love you bye,” he said and walked into the bar.

He came to the bar at around 9 pm. Penelope, Emily, and Derek were already there and they saved him a place in the booth. They talked about work, personal lives, and the rest of the team. Rossi and JJ came at around 10 pm and Hotch came 15 minutes after them. The alcohol started coming their way, and Derek persuaded Spencer to drink.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3 hours later, Spencer couldn’t stand on his own properly. He was really tired and wanted to go home and cuddle with his love.

“Okay pretty boy, I think that’s enough for you,” Derek said and Spencer shook his head.

“Noooo I want some more, she told me to have fun,” Spencer whined and Derek looked at him confused,

“Sorry pretty boy, but we need to get you home, you said you have someone who will pick you up, give me your phone, I will call.” Spencer pouted and mumbled,

“I want to go home, she will be worried, I told her I won’t drink.” Everyone looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Her? Who is her? You have a girlfriend we don’t know of?” Derek teased and Spencer nodded dreamily.

”Yeah, her name is (Y/N) she is the most beautiful person in the whole world. She is my ride home, call her.” he instructed and Derek rolled his eyes.

He fished out Spencer’s phone from his back pocket and dialed the contact with the name “My (Y/N)”

“Hey love, everything alright?” he heard a cheery voice from the other end and he chuckled.

“Hey, this is Derek Morgan, Spencer is very drunk and he says that you are his ride home, can you come to pick him up please?”

“Um, sure yeah I’ll be there in about 10 minutes, bye.” She said and ended the call.

“So, pretty boy, tell me about this girlfriend of yours.” Derek teased and Spencer grumbled.

“I won’t tell you anything, you will make fun of me”

“I won’t, I promise, I just want to know everything.” Derek tried to get any information out of him, but Spencer didn’t budge.

“No, if I told you anything, I would regret it tomorrow.” Spencer shook his head and Derek shrugged his shoulders.

“Ok, but just now, I will get it out of you.”

Just as he finished his sentence, a car pulled up next to them.

“Hey lover,” The woman in the car called out to Spencer and his eyes widened in happiness.

“My honeybun, you are here,” he slurred and (Y/N) laughed in embarrassment. She got out of the car and walked towards Spencer.

“Well hello,” Derek greeted and she smiled at him.

“Hi, I’m (Y/N), it’s pleasure to finally meet you, ” she shook his hand.

”I would like to say the same but considering I just learned about your existence, I would be lying.” He glared at Spencer and the genius wrapped his arms around his girlfriend’s shoulders from behind.

“I missed you so, so much, honeybun” he mumbled.

“I missed you too Bon Bon,” she teased and he glared at her. He always called the weirdest nicknames when he was drunk, and she loved it.

“Okay lover, let’s get you to bed,” she said to Spencer and he wiggled his eyebrows and she smacked his forehead very lightly.

“Not like that you idiot,” she shook her head and his shoulders sagged.

“Come onnnn,” he whined and she started to push him towards the car. When she finally stuffed his long body into the car, she turned to talk to Derek.

“Thank you so much for calling me, do you need a ride home?” she asked him and he just waved his hand.

“No, I have a ride, thanks for asking though.” She nodded and thanked him once again.

They said their goodbyes and (Y/N) sat in the driver’s seat. She turned towards Spencer and saw him passed out with his head against the window. She covered him with her jacket and started the car engine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She drove through the empty streets and listened to the random song on the radio, which played through the car quietly. The bar wasn’t far away from Spencer’s apartment, only about 10 minutes. She pulled up to the parking lot in front of his apartment and turned off the engine.

“Baby wake up, we are at home,” she softly stroked his cheek and he slowly opened his eyes.

“Already?” he asked groggily and she hummed in agreement.

“Yeah, come on, I’ll help you” she got out of the car and went to his side. She opened the door and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Come on, up.” She struggled to get him to stand up, but they finally made it. His limbs were like jelly and didn’t listen to him at all.

“m’ really tired” he whispered and she rubbed his side.

“I know my love, we are nearly there,” she tried to comfort him.

They slowly walked into the building, and towards the elevator. After they stepped in, and Spencer pushed the floor number, she sighed in relief. Her back was killing her, and her arms hurt from holding Spencer’s body weight.

The elevator came to stop and (Y/N) dragged him down the hall towards his apartment. When they got to his door he slumped and she fished out keys from her pocket.

When she finally opened the door he stumbled in and slid down against the wall, and stretched his long legs in front of him. (Y/N) laughed when she saw him and he made grabby hands towards her.

“What is it bub?” she asked and crouched down beside him. He pulled her towards him and she sat on his lap. She moved some hair from his forehead and he kissed the inside of her palm.

“I love you so much, you know that?” he asked and she hummed.

“You told me quite a few times.” She put her forehead on his and pecked his lips softly.

“I love you so, so much.” They stayed like that for a couple of minutes before (Y/N) pulled away.

“Come to bed” she whispered against his lips and he nodded his head. She could see that Spencer sobered up a bit. When she helped him up, he could stand on his own and move quite easily.

They walked into the bathroom first. (Y/N) put some toothpaste on both of their toothbrushes while Spencer pulled out the things each of them needs for their skincare routine.

“Thanks love,” He thanked her when she handed him his toothbrush. They brushed their teeth quietly and occasionally bumped their hips together. When they spit out the toothpaste and flossed their teeth, they did their skincare routine.

They started by washing their faces, put on some cleanser, toner, eye cream, and moisturizer. They put it away and shuffled into the bedroom hand in hand.

“What do you want to sleep in?” (Y/N) asked Spencer, who was already laying in bed, trying very hard not to fall asleep.

“Pajama pants and your pink sweater, you know which one” Spencer replied and (Y/N) threw the clothes at him. He caught them and changed into them.

“Come cuddle me please.” He requested softly and she complied. In her pajamas, she walked towards the bed and slid under the comforter. She opened her arms and Spencer put his head on her chest.

“The headache tomorrow is going to be huge,” he sighed softly and she ran her fingers up and down his back soothingly.

“Don’t worry, I’m gonna take care of you.” She comforted him and he snuggled deeper into her side.

“You know, you have to introduce me to your teammates now that they know I exist.” She teased and Spencer nodded

“I’ve thought about it quite often lately.” He confessed and (Y/N) looked at him shocked.

“You have?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yeah, I want them to know all about the girl I love.” He said and she kissed his cheek in gratitude.

“I can’t wait” she whispered.

“We should sleep, so we can go to the market tomorrow.”

The market thing was their tradition. It started about a month before they officially started dating, back when they were just friends. She membered it like it was yesterday. They were watching doctor who at Spencer’s apartment and she wanted some apples in caramel.

They went out and wandered around quite a bit before they stumbled on the little farmer’s market. It was October and apples were everywhere. It turned out great, (Y/N) got her apples in caramel, and they got a tradition that would last for a very long time.

(Y/N) came back into reality, when she heard a snore come from Spencer. She smiled at the sight of him, looking so peaceful. He looked so beautiful when he slept. All of his facial muscles relaxed, and with his mind at peace.

“Goodnight my love, sweet dreams” she whispered softly, tucked the comforter up to his chin, and kissed his forehead one more time. Her eyelids closed and she drifted off into sleep.

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

I am sorry this took so long, but I have been so busy, we are back in school, homework and everything piled up and I didn’t have time for writing.

Also, thanks for 57 followers, I am so, so happy you are enjoying my work.

I want to write some more one shots around this one ((Y/N) meeting the team, the farmers market tradition origin), would anyone be interested in reading it?

Thanks for reading my work, and if you enjoyed this story, please check out my other work, like, reblog and follow.

If you have any ideas or requests for fanfics, blurbs, or headcanons, you would like me to write, please write me and I will do my best to write it.

Also, would anyone be interested in a permanent taglist? You can let me know

I would really appreciate it if you left some feedback, so if you think I could improve something, please let me know.

-Faye xxx

[intynidad]

Hi hi!! Could I request the dorm leaders (if that’s too many, your favorites!) with a child MC? (Parental or older sibling sorta relationship) (also by child I mean 8-10 years old) Have a wonderful day, drink some water and eat protein! 💕

@moomoo-mochi OMG THANK YOU??

I love this so much I’m just a sucker for this kind of prompt!!

Also, this will be based on how I acted as a toddler (spoiler I was a stupid kid)

a health potion with risu giggles for a fellow merchant!

(also sorry I didn't know what to write for iidia or vil and I didn't want to write something that I wasn't satisfied 

The beginning 

-you careless puppy, How many times I told the two of you to be careful!- professor crewel was scolding you and your lab partner...well at your lab partner more than you, you were kinda busy trying to get out of the cauldron to listen 

You and your lab partner were assigned to do a regression potion that was supposed to work in reviving dead plants or turning rotten food into edible again but when you were measuring the exact amount of the last ingredient to finish the potion, somebody accidentally pushed you making you spill all of the ingredients...and yourself into the cauldron.

so now there you are extremely confused about what just happened and incapable of taking care of yourself for the 3 days the potion was supposed to last and now your lab partner has to take care of you until the potion wore off or mister crewel finds an antidote

Riddle Rosehearts

Riddle has an abusive mother and no younger siblings so our dear tomato is lost, he doesn’t know any rules that would help him take care of a little child so he asks trey for help (like most of heartsalybul when they have problems).

trey lets you eat pastries while riddle does his dorm leader duties but he looked away for a second and oops no child in sight...ok time to panic.

riddle was scolding some heartsalybul students that spilled all of the red paint in one of the chairs so now not only the other members of the dorm couldn’t continue painting but now the unbirthday party had to cancel and you know what happens when you break one of the queen’s rules

-OFF WITH YOUR- Riddle swung his magic pen

-wead!- riddle turn around to see you with a rose in your hand pretending it to be a magic pen

-off widd your wead!- you repeated swinging the rose up and down

riddle was stroked by your cuteness like a truck; he was speechless (also because picking roses was against the rules but lest ignore it) the two students he was scolding ran away because their dorm leader was picking you up and giggling at your little imitation of him 

-nono Off, with, your, head!-

-off wid your wead!-

Leona kingschoolar

-agh how annoying- the savanaclaw dorm leader wasn’t a big fan of children and much less taking care of them, he probably was gonna throw you at Ruggie or jack, both of them had younger siblings so they could probably take care of you better but there is one thing he didn’t count off

-LEONA OJI-TAN-...fuck, today was the day Cheka came to visit his dear oji-tan, now Leona is not only stuck with a brat but with a furball too.

-who are them uncle?-(owo who this) Cheka waved at the child that was behind his uncle’s legs-hi I am Cheka, wanna play tag?!-oh ho ho this gives him an idea

-Cheka this is Y/N, your new playmate-the lion cub had a little sparkle in his eyes

-you two can play all day and ill be watching you from that tree so have fun-hell yea he was a genius Cheka and you are entertained, and he can nap is a win-win situation for everyone

-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH- and there it goes his perfect plan

-oi, what happened- you were in  sitting on the ground while hugging your knee and crying your heart out and Cheka kneeled beside you trying to comfort you 

-I’m-I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to push you it was an accident- now he looked like he wanted to cry 

-agh you two cut it out-Leona said in a low growl while kneeling beside you-is just a scratch don’t worry just let me-he picked you up.

now all of you were in his room he gently  bandages your knee while Cheka was holding your hand for “moral support”

-kiss to make it better Leona oji-tan!-

-only if both of you promise to be more careful-Cheka nodded- ok “pain, pain go away *woshh*, there you go- you moved your knee and started to giggle while Cheka was already dragging you to continue playing, the two of you were lucky that both were cute because not everybody can see this side of Leona and live for telling it 

Azul Ashengrotto

-Come, come everyone!-the leader of octaville tapped his fedora-For the price of 25 madol you can have for a limited time only a  photo of our dear Y/N as a toddler!-

and of course, our dear capitalist Ursula is taking profit from this situation.

you were sitting in a little chair all dolled up while jade took pictures of you with different students and Floyd was taking the money from dose poor unfortunate souls

An hour passed and there were still about 50+ students in line for a photo when Azul notice something about you.

your hands were in the form of a tiny fist and your eyes were watery and you haven’t smiled at the camera for the last photos even when Floyd made funny faces behind jade you weren’t enjoying this.

usually, he wouldn’t care about it, he was making some good money and that was the important thing but you were different, you were his friend

-the lounge is closed, everyone get out, Floyd take care of that and jade-he looked for a second at you-make something warm for our little guest-

all of the students in line emitted different protest sounds but a look at Floyd grin and everyone was already on the exit

-sorry for all that little one- he lightly patted your hair-what about I pay you for your work with some treats?-

-*happy gasp* YESH!!-you hugged his leg with a strong grip-

-nee~ nee~, why Azul can have a hug from shrimpy and I cant?-

-FWOYD!! :D-

Kalim al asim

-Kalim, please calm down-Jamil said looking like he is gonna pop up a blood vessel

-LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y/N LITTLE Y-he was let’s say...excited about this situation

-JAMILLOOKATTHEMTHEYARESOCUTEANDTINYIWANNATROWAPARTYFORJUSTTHEMOMGTHEYARESOCUTE- 

-Remember to breathe Kalim and please calm down you are scaring them-Jamil said while kneeling to be on your level

-*gasp* I’m sorry y/n, I’m just so happy to be with you, are you hungry?-you give a quick nod

for the surprise of Jamil, the fact that you turned into a child made Kalim more independent???

he knew that crewel sensei asked Kalim to take care of you but he kinda assumed he is the one who will end up taking care of both of you.

-emmm Jamil-and here we go-have you seen Y/N around?-

-excuse me whAT??!!- Jamil shouted- HOW DO YOU LOSE A CHILD?-

-I didn’t lose them I just….temporally misplace them...OK YES, I LOST THEM BUT IS NOT MY FAULT WE WERE PLAYING HIDE N SEEK!-

-sure sure Kalim never anything is your fault-Jamil said between teeth-

Kalim could be a literal ray of sunshine but one of his bigs flaws were his “rich person behavior”

because he was spoiled and lived in a bubble he didn’t understand that his actions had consequences, in the good side he was working on it.

two hours had passed since that moment are you were nowhere to be found

now the scarabia duo was starting to panic

-OMG HOW IM SO CARELESS THAT I LOST THEM WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THEM IM THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD-

-KALIM CALM DOWN, PANIC WILL NOT HELP IN THIS SITUATION-

-WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME-

-BECAUSE YOU ARE YELLING-

-*snore*-

-..............................-

-Jamil,...did that pillow made a sound?-

-I think so ?-

*SNOOOREEE*

and there you were sleeping under a big mountain of pillows you fell asleep while playing so that, why you didn’t, respond to the calls of the two boys

-ok Kalim we found them and I hope this had taught you a lesson about taking care of things...well taking care of people-

-oh for the great seven I thought I was gonna have a heart attack-

-now you know how I feel and I really would appreciate it if you used this experience to-

-*SNOOOOREEE*-

And now Kalim was sleeping beside you

great seven give Jamil patience and have mercy on both of you when morning comes 

Malleus draconia

-arent you a little thing fufufufuf-

-old man be careful with them-silver said

you might be wondering, I thought malleus would take care of toddler Y/N?

Well, that was the plan...malleus is a reserved man, with no friends more than his two guards and the older fae that raised him, that was until he meets you, you looked at him in the eyes with no fear just a hint of curiosity.

you gave him his first nickname,”tsunotaro” a childish name that was almost disrespectful to the heir of the valley of thorns and one of the most powerful wizards of all twisted wonderland, yet you called him that silly name, you hugged him, you listen to him and he listened to you, you were his friend and precisely because that he left you at the care of Lilia, the mere thought of you screaming and running away from him made his heart ache

that always happened…

Malleus is used to that, since he was a child people looked at him with fear or caution but never with kindness except for one person, you

and he was determined to let that like that, but he couldn’t stop thinking what if something happens to you?

what type of friend he would be if he lets somebody take advantage of you in this vulnerable state?

a peek wouldn’t hurt

there you were, in the flower bed of ramshackle dorm both planted, taking dandelions from around and with inexperience and tiny hands crafting a flower crown too small for anyone except you.

he looked at you from the shadows carefully to not being spotted warding you like the dragon he is.

-hewo-small and tired eyes fixed behind a large tree

malleus was behind that tree…

-whats yowr name?-now standing up and slowly walking to the tree in question-are you shy?, is oke I won’t hurt yow-

like if a child could do any damage to him

-I made thwis fow you-you said reveling a second flower crown that was just a little bit bigger than the one in your head 

you let the flower crown on the floor near the tree and waited, malleus knowing how stubborn you were he knew you wouldn’t leave so he left his hiding spot thinking about the screams and the fear your little face will have

-waaaa, you big! (giggles)-again, no signs of fear-uppa uppa!-you said while rising your hands to the sky and opening and closing your little fists

malleus emitted a low chuckle and picked you up, when you got to his eye level immediately went for his horns  touching and grabbing all your little hands could

-you sure are a strange thing, little child of man-

[sehunniepotwrites]

sakura kiss | n.yt

PART III OF FOR YOU IN FULL BLOOM: THE HANAHAKI COLLECTION

🌸 synopsis—the four times you noticed yuta’s love for flowers and the one time you realized it was not the flowers he was in love with

🌸 genre—  would you be so kind? universe ; hanahaki!au, university!au, flower shop!au, angst, romance, slight fluff, mutual pining, strangers to lovers!au 🌸 pairing— art student/florist!yuta x art student!reader (f) 🌸 word count— 9000+

🌸 warnings — cursing; mentions of coughing, vomiting, hospital visits, death (no one dies!!), two idiots in love

🌸 author’s note—so i finished a fic with my favorite trope in time for my birthday today (dec 11th) and i’m posting to celebrate! it all started with this tweet that said yuta used to work at a flower shop and enjoyed drawing the plants during his free time! 

this was a fun write and it takes place in the same verse as wybsk, which is linked above! you can read sakura kiss as a stand alone or after wybsk to get a better understanding of two scenes! to those you came from my mark fic, i gave yn a name (kira)!

but here she is! enjoy and be sure to tell me what you think!! i love feedback uwu

Nakamoto Yuta, you noticed, was an unusual fellow. He was your senior in the art department, a fourth-year preparing for his graduation while you were a couple of semesters behind him. Other than his small circle of friends, the foreign exchange student kept to himself, burying his handsome face in his sketchbook. You had classes together before but those were large lectures with over fifty students in the room— this was the first time you shared a small studio lab with him.

Barely interacting with him in the past, you were determined to change that no matter how intimidating Yuta was.

Were you intimidated by his extremely good looks or his unmatched talents in the fine arts? Both. Definitely both. He turned heads without fail and when he smiled, oh my god, you thought he was the sun. Yuta was pretty, beyond pretty even, with his striking face, brown eyes, and perfect body proportions. 

To add on top of his perfection, his art style was immaculate. The artist never failed to steal your breath away with a couple of strokes and a swipe of his blessed hand. Anything he touched turned to gold. Never sharing those thoughts with him in the past, you made a firm decision to tell your senior this coming semester.

Yuta sat at the easel next to you, barely two feet away from your station. His sketchbook and drawing utensils were already splayed out on the holder. He was fiddling with his phone to pass the time, his painted nails rapidly hitting his touchscreen. How did Yuta make something so mundane as checking his phone look so ethereal? The inner most thoughts in your head cursed whatever beings lived in the beyond for not endowing you with such looks. 

You gulped, gathering up the courage to talk to him. “Hey,” you greeted shyly. 

Hey? That was the best you could do?

Yuta turned towards you, gaze shifting away from his phone. “Hey,” he said back with a slight curve of the lip. 

“I don’t know if you remember me but we had a couple of classes together last semester,” you forced yourself to say with an awkward smile.

He grinned and his teeth sunk into his bottom lip, almost like he was holding back a laugh. “Yeah, no, of course, I remember you.” Your name slips from his mouth, causing your awkward smile to turn into a genuine one. His tone is kind and his voice is low, sending shivers down your spine.

You tried your best to keep the conversation going, wanting to finally compliment him on his work but your professor entered the room and called for everyone’s attention. He handed out the syllabus to a student upfront and around the papers went, signifying the start of your first class. Yuta shot you an apologetic look, conveying that you could always continue the conversation later. 

The overview of the course’s syllabus was always the boring part of the first days. Your eyes glazed over, still not fully awake from rising early, and you tried to shake the sleepiness away. Stealing a glance at Yuta, you almost laughed at how his easel was angled in a way to hide that he wasn’t paying any attention. His syllabus outline was discarded off to the side and Yuta’s hands were moving rapidly, sketching out a large tree in full bloom in a page of his notebook.

It looked like flower petals raining from the branches and a person leaning against the tree trunk, hiding underneath the shade. His sketching speed and quality amazed you— how exactly did he sketch that fast and that beautifully?

You made sure your professor wasn’t looking in your direction before nudging Yuta’s side to grab his attention. He snapped out of his drawing daze and turned to you with widened eyes. A red seeped into his ears and pale cheeks, but you missed it completely, eyes zoned in on his quick draw.

“Hm?”

“That’s really good,” you whispered.

He rubbed the back of his neck at your compliment. “It’s just a quick sketch,” Yuta tried to play it off. He was never one to take compliments so well.

You leaned over to get a closer look. Noticing you almost falling off your stool, Yuta shifted his easel slightly closer to yours. “Is that a cherry blossom tree?”

He nodded, “Yeah, they’ve been on my mind a lot.”

“Do they remind you of home?” you asked. You couldn’t imagine being an exchange student in a foreign country— you would miss home too much.

“Yeah but that’s not really the reason why I’m drawing them,” he replied. His eyes shifted to a look of pain or discomfort as if he was reminded of a scarring memory. You watched him closely to make sure he was okay. He cleared his throat before letting out a couple of concealed coughs, face digging into his shoulder. 

“You alright, Nakamoto?” You were too embarrassed to call him by his first name.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just a little cough.” Yuta gave you a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “And you can just call me Yuta, you know?”

“Right, noted,” the name felt so foreign on your tongue. 

“I have cough drops in my bag if you want some,” you offered, already reaching down to grab your backpack. He quickly dismissed you, telling you it wasn’t necessary. 

Continuing to watch him sketch, you admired the way Yuta fussed over the smallest details— the lining, the shading, etc. It was nothing more than a simple sketch but if it was gifted to you, it would be framed and hung for the world to see. 

He really was an artistic genius. 

“Cherry blossoms are my favorite flowers,” you said.

You were too absorbed in his drawing to hear him mutter, “I know.”

“You say something?” 

Yuta cleared his throat again with a pained expression. His hand held his neck for a second before shaking his head. “I said, they used to be mine too.”

Huh, you never really picked him as the flower loving type. 

—🌸—

This was the third time Nakamoto Yuta had flowers growing in his chest and he hated it. 

It was less painful the first two times around, probably because they were nothing more than fleeting crushes. He was in high school then, wholly infatuated with two different students during those years. Yuta followed them around like a lovesick puppy, all smiles and waiting on their hands and feet. He coughed a couple of petals out and it caused some uneasiness, but after being rejected harshly, Yuta pushed himself to move on. 

The pain of high school rejection could never compare to the dull ache he was feeling as he looked at you. There you were, the person he secretly admired for the past two semesters, merely two feet away at your own easel. 

You looked so in your element, eyebrows knitted and pencil in hand as you sketched away. A sight so captivating, Yuta almost forgot to breathe. Being an artist himself, he wanted to preserve that image on a canvas but he didn’t think his hand could do you justice. No pencil sketch, no painted canvas, no marble or clay sculpture could even compare to you. 

This was more than puppy love. More than infatuation. Yuta was sure of it but how was he to let you know? You barely knew each other and a confession out of nowhere wouldn’t be the best way to get acquainted. 

Perhaps another time, he thought to himself, before turning back to his sketch. 

You would’ve never guessed that Yuta Nakamoto had a thing for flowers but he did.

Then again, you didn’t really know what he had a thing for to begin with— your friendship just started to bloom. It was like a bud barely opening under the sunlight; with each interaction, there was something new you learned about the quiet yet charismatic art major. 

You knew he was a Japanese exchange student that majored in art, that was a given. You recently learned he loved cherry blossoms and that watercolor was his favorite art medium yet you still wanted to learn more. 

The first time you ran into him outside of class was in the university library. Yuta sat at one of the tables, his space surrounded by books on flowers. There were books on the language, arrangements, and gardening tips. His face was deep into his sketchbook once again, back bent over the desk but his focused eyes darted back and forth between his drawing and his page of reference. 

Yuta didn’t even notice as you hovered over him, debating on whether you should say hi. Even with your shadow casting over his body, his deep concentration never faltered. 

His page was filled with various plants and flowers, little notes in a messy scrawl right under their pictures. He was currently drawing cherry blossoms, the page he was referring to showcasing the anatomy of the famous flower.

“Cherry blossoms again, Yuta?” you broke the silence.

Your voice startled him, causing his pencil to slip from the artist’s grip. It made an accidental mark and you whispered an apology as he clicked his tongue. 

“Don’t worry about it, nothing an eraser can’t fix,” Yuta reassured you as he rid his paper of the unwanted mark. He blew the eraser bits of his page, hand sweeping his surface clean. He offered you the seat next to him and you gladly took it.

“So, why are you always sketching flowers?” you posed as your hand gestured to all the books he had on his person. 

“They’re beautiful, don’t you think?” he answered with another question. He gave you a cheeky little grin, his lips widening to show off his beautiful pearly whites.

“Well, yeah.”

“It’s a shame they die so easily,” Yuta said, fingers running over his sketches. “Beautiful but fleeting.”

“But that’s life, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is.”

You hummed at his answer. “You’re really passionate about flowers, aren’t you?” 

“Something like that. I actually work at a flower shop nearby, maybe you’ve seen it?” Yuta fiddled with the front pocket of his backpack to pull out a business card. “I like learning about the meanings to help the customers in the shop, amongst other things.”

You took the card from his grip, examining it. For You in Full Bloom was printed largely on the thin piece of cardboard. Staring at the name, you wondered why it sounded so familiar until it hit you.

“Oh, I pass by it everyday while walking to campus! I live two blocks away from the shop.” Your smile grew wider and he smiled back for a second before his face contorted into one that conveyed pain.

Yuta turned away from you to cough into his hand, his free one hastily digging into his pocket. He pulled out a handkerchief and began to cough into that. Shocked by his sudden sick fit, you quickly patted him on the back, hoping it would help him hack out whatever was lodged in his throat.

You saw him peek into the small square of fabric and wince at whatever it caught. He cleared his throat before turning back to you. “Sorry,” Yuta muttered, rubbing the front of his neck to soothe it. Placing a cough drop in his hand, he took it without complaint and popped it in his mouth. The relieved sigh he let out made you feel slightly less worried. 

“You’re still sick?” you frowned. “You should really get that checked out, you know?”

He waved you off, “It’s nothing serious, I swear. What were we talking about again?”

“Cherry blossoms?”

“Your favorite flower.”

“And yours,” you added.

He hummed, “And mine.” There was a solemn tone behind his words but before you could press on the subject, he coughed again.

“Did you know that they’re also a symbol of renewal?”

Shaking your head, you urged your classmate to continue.

“Cherry blossoms hold the bittersweet meaning of life and death but they also bring the message of new beginnings.”

—🌸—

Yuta just wished when it came to you and him, the flowers meant the start of something new but no— instead, they just reminded him of the ache in his chest. 

They reminded Yuta of how alive he was but also how he was one step closer to his grave. 

Yes, you were merely classmates but he felt like he knew you solely from all the stories that were shared by your mutual friends in the art department. Ten and Taeyong sang praises on how thoughtful you were, always helping professors clean their studios after hours. Sicheng brought up how passionate you were about your major— Yuta himself bore witness to this many times during lectures and he wanted to know more about you. 

A lot of charm filled your figure and it was enchanting, it really wasn’t that hard for him to fall. 

Yuta fell for you much like the blossoms from the cherry trees. 

And just like the blossoms, his time was fleeting but you were so completely unaware.

You left the library first, having forgotten that you had office hours with a professor. He watched you leave, eyes fixed onto your back.

Someone once said that you become miserable if you love someone too much. Yuta believed that to be true. There was a pang in his chest, heart racing against his rib cage as a stronger nausea attack hit him. 

He gasped for air as his weakened stomach turned with sickness. Something was rising, working its way up his body. Yuta quickly slapped his hand over his lips as he hurled. Instead of bile, cherry blossom petals rained out of his mouth and into his palm.

He chuckled under his breath. Was it sad that he found beauty in his suffering? 

Yuta thought himself to be crazy as he quickly shoved away the pain to begin sketching the petals in his hand.

For You in Full Bloom— what a nice name, you thought to yourself as you entered the shop with your friend Sicheng right behind you. The light ringing of the bell attached to the front entrance alerted the people at the counter of your presence. You picked up on harsh whispers before the tall male worker rushed to the back, forcing the young girl to assist you.

“Hi, welcome in!” the girl smiled brightly at you. “How can I help you today?”

Before you could reply, Sicheng stepped forward to answer, “Kira, we’re looking for Yuta— is he here?”

“Oh, Sicheng, hey! I didn’t even see you,” Kira exclaimed. “He’s, uh, not here right now.” Kira shot Sicheng a frustrated look, eyes darting to the back. Your companion sighed, done with his friend’s stupidity. You missed the quiet interaction, being too preoccupied with your surroundings. 

“We’ll catch him another time then,” you answered her.

The small and quaint store was filled to the brim with flowers and your hands ghosted against the magnificent displays in the front window. The petals felt soft and the pleasing smells overwhelmed your senses in a good way. There was beauty all around you— there was no wonder why people loved visiting flower shops.

Various watercolor pieces were framed on the wall and you examined every artwork displayed. They were simple paintings of the plants that found a temporary home in the store. Some pieces were the flowers by themselves and others were of the many arrangements offered. They were vibrant, bright, and so incredibly detailed.

“I’ll tell him you stopped by,” she paused to ask for your name. You replied with a smile before turning back to take in the art. 

“The paintings are a nice touch,” you commented, finally turning to look at her. 

“Oh those? Yuta painted them,” Kira grinned, her body straightening up with pride. “He paints a lot when the shop is slow and my mom, the owner, loves to hang them up.”

“I should’ve known.” You took a closer look and spotted Yuta’s signature at the bottom of every picture.

“He’s very talented, isn’t he?” Kira hummed. Sicheng snorted for some unknown reason and you slapped his shoulder in response. There was nothing funny about Yuta’s skills and he knew that.

“Yeah, his skill is unmatched. I admire him for that.” 

“Have you ever told him that?”

“God, no!”

“Why not?” Kira pressed. Sicheng joined in on the pressing and you moaned, an embarrassing heat creeping up your face,

“I don’t know. We talk but I find him to be a little intimidating,” you leaned against Sicheng’s shoulder and looped your arm through his. “I can’t just go up to him and fangirl over his work, can I?”

“But you want to,” he groaned. “And I’m tired of hearing you go on about it. Just tell him.” 

A whine left your lips and you pinched your friend’s arm at the comment. He yelped and Kira just watched as the bickering continued. 

“Yuta looks intimidating, yeah, but it’s just his resting bitch face, I promise. He’s just a softie,” Kira laughed and Sicheng agreed. “You should definitely tell him. He would love hearing it, especially from you.”

There was this knowing smile on both of their lips and it just seemed like they knew something you didn’t. You tugged on Sicheng’s arm as an attempt to ask him the florist meant by the last bit of her sentence and he tried to shrug you away.  You just clung on tighter to your friend with a playful smile with Kira keeping a close eye on you.

You heard a cough come from the back of the store, causing both Sicheng and Kira to look up with concern. The coughing fit grew louder and louder, leaving Kira to excuse herself for a bit. 

“If the other florist is sick, they should be at home resting,” you tutted with a frown. 

“Some people are stubborn,” Sicheng threw back with a bit of distaste. Picking up on your friend’s bitterness, you wondered why he felt so strongly about it. You waved it off when a small display of sunflowers and red roses together captured your attention. Holding it in your hands, you admired how the two vibrant colors compliment each other.

Kira swung her way around the counter, “You like that bouquet?”

“It would be really pretty to paint,” you say, still spinning it around in awe. 

“Yuta put it together himself yesterday, he’s pretty good at arrangements,” the florist beamed.

“What can’t he do?” you scoffed.

“Apparently, open his mouth and say what he needs to say,” Sicheng muttered beside you. Kira elbowed his stomach and he lurched over in pain. 

“What was that?” 

“Nothing,” Kira laughed nervously. She worked her way to you and gestured towards the flowers, “It’s yours, on the house.”

You rejected the offer right away. “Oh no, I couldn’t,” is what you reply, attempting to shove the arrangement into her hands. With a kind grin, she persisted for you to take it and just asked you to buy from them the next time you visited. “I’m sure Yuta would love it if you took this one off our hands.”

With a promise, you hesitantly accepted the bouquet. Sicheng was snickering in the background and you had to hold yourself back from whacking him with the flowers. Thinking you’d taken too much of the florist’s time, you quickly said your thanks and headed out the door with a coy Sicheng trailing behind you.

—🌸—

“They’re gone,” Kira yelled towards the back of the shop. Yuta made his way back to his spot at the cash register while wiping at his mouth with his uniform sleeve. He quickly pulled out his art supplies from underneath the counter, setting everything up to resume his painting. Taking a seat on the stool, his body was slumped over his makeshift desk as he messed with his pencils. 

His coworker rolled her eyes at him as she began to work on a bouquet of blue cornflowers and daisies— good fortune and new beginnings. Her nimble hands hastily worked their magic with ease as if she’s done it a million times before. Yuta observed her, quickly sketching her hands at work. 

“You’re ridiculous, I don’t get why you had to hide.” 

“I didn’t want her to see me like this,” Yuta said, his pained eyes covered by the long bangs that drooped down over his sketchbook. 

“Like what?” Her hands went to her hips. “Sick and hopelessly in love?”

“Yeah, let’s put it that way.”

“There’s a solution to this, you know,” Kira pressed with furrowed brows. “You don’t have to keep suffering.”

This. Hanahaki is what she meant— the disease of unrequited love.

“I’m fine, Kira,” Yuta hissed with a bit more annoyance than he intended to. She flinched at the tone but still pushed on when he coughed again. He felt the discomfort of something being lodged in his throat and his body had the urge to hack it out. Suddenly, he was leaning over the counter with cherry blossom petals littering the cash register. 

Yuta practically hacked up a storm, body curling in pain. One hand was clutching his stomach while the other had a death grip on the edge of the counter. The dizziness returned and he felt lightheaded as the retching subsided. A weakness took over his athletic body and Kira rushed to assist him back onto the stool. There was a bottle of soothing eucalyptus oil sitting right on the counter and she scrambled to open it before shoving it under his nose. 

“You’re obviously not fine. You need to go to the hospital to get checked,” she said as Yuta took the small bottle from her grip. He dabbed a couple of drops onto his hands and rubbed it on his nose and throat. “Why won’t you accept any help that’s offered to you at the hospital?”

“I’ve gone through this before, Kira. Don’t worry about me.”

“Sometimes you forget I’ve gone through this, too!” she yelled. “I don’t want you to end up on your deathbed like I was at one point.” 

Yuta couldn’t argue with that. He was hired back when she was in the hospital recovering from the final stage of the dreaded disease. 

“We’re all worried about you here. Mom, Jongin, Mark? And your friends— Sicheng, Ten, and Taeyong? We all hate seeing you like this!” her voice grew louder and louder with each word, causing him to flinch at the shrill tone. Deafening noises plus nausea and headaches never meshed well with him.

“You don’t see how much it hurts seeing someone you care about suffer like this, Yuta. It hurts even more when we can’t do anything to help you go through this.”

Silence filled the room.

“Have you seen Dr. Kim lately?” Dr. Junmyeon Kim was the Hanahaki specialist that Kira recommended. He eased her back into normalcy after her scare.

“I will soon, I promise,” he said through haggard breaths. She guided him through a couple of breathing exercises and it calmed his racing heart down. 

Kira sighed. With a quieter tone, she said, “It’s a shame the world made us experience heartbreak this way, isn’t it?”

Yuta smiled sadly at her— it was a shame.

The front door of the shop opened and the bell rang. They both turned to see Kira’s boyfriend Mark walk in with a cute grin. He clumsily hopped over the counter to plant a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Well, at least you got your happy ending,” he muttered too low for his coworker to hear. 

Yuta knew there was a chance of having it too, he was just too afraid to speak. 

If one were to look at him at that moment, his features hid nothing. Nakamoto Yuta was slowly ripping at the seams with the sakura branches poking their way out of his built figure and although multiple options were given to him, he still felt so unbelievably helpless.

It was the middle of the semester when you caught Yuta wandering the halls of the main art building. A grin found its way to your lips as you saw him with his messenger bag and a tubed container slung over his shoulder. Running to catch up with him, you slipped your arm into his free one. Your classmate yelped at the sudden contact and you let out a loud giggled that echoed in the empty hallway.

You finally felt close enough to initiate contact after sharing supplies with him during one studio session. That being said, it didn’t mean you were comfortable with revealing the feelings you harbored towards him— you wanted to keep that a secret for a little bit longer. 

“What are you doing here? I thought you didn’t have classes in here today,” you asked.

“Oh, it’s just you,” Yuta sighed. You felt your heart drop at his words but you played it off with a scrunch of the nose and a teasing tone. 

“Were you expecting someone else, Nakamoto?” you nudged his stomach and he avoided it, already predicting your actions. Yuta held back another series of coughs, quick turning away from you to cough into the handkerchief always kept on hand. He looked in pain as he continued to hack into the small piece of cloth and you brought a comforting hand to rub at his back.

“Every time I see you, you’re coughing,” you frowned. “You really need to get yourself checked, it’s been months.”

“No, no, I promise you I’m fine,” he replied with the shake of the head, his dark hair moving along with him. Even when ruffled and out of sorts, he looked good. He attempted to clear his throat by downing some water. 

Your lips pursed at his words, not satisfied with his dismissive answer. “If you say so. Promise me you’ll see someone if it gets worse though.”

He agreed but you suspected it was to stop you from nagging. “To answer your question before you went all mom on me, I was here to talk to the department about my senior project.”

“Have you decided on your theme for your exhibit yet?” 

Yuta smiled wistfully, “Flowers.” 

“Should’ve known— it’s always flowers with you. It’s like you’re in love with them or something.” 

He let out a scoff at your words. When you shot him a questioning look, he dismissed the act completely. 

Time spent with Yuta always passed so quickly; one moment you were on the top floor of the building and the next, you were already at the bottom of the staircase. Ever the gentleman, he held the front door open for you and you thanked him with a smile. His brown eyes shrunk into little slits and whiskers appeared at the corners as he grinned back with a little chuckle.

How you longed to sketch that image.

A strong breeze blew through, causing a couple of leaves and fallen petals to fly around your figures. You crossed your arms around your front to keep the cold from seeping in and shut your eyes to keep debris out. Peeking at Yuta, you saw him cover his eyes with a calloused hand and he gently pushed you behind him to use his body as a makeshift shield. As soon as the breeze stopped, his grip on your arm loosened but the grip he had on your heart was still as strong as ever.

He whirled around to make sure you were alright and next thing you knew, his hand was lingering above your head. “You have something in your hair, do you want me to take it out?” 

Yuta looked down at you with cautious eyes and you just noticed how close you were. Heat radiated off his body and your cheeks as you nod in approval. One dry hand moved to delicately clutch the side of your head as the other plucked a leaf out of your hair. 

Your breath hitched as his fingers ran against your skin and tucked a stray piece of hair behind your ear. There was a sudden pounding in your ears that matched the drumming rhythm of your heart.

“There,” he whispered as he let you go. With a smile, Yuta added, “good as new and pretty as a picture.” 

“Pretty enough to paint?” you fired back with sarcasm.

“Definitely worthy of being displayed for the world to see,” he winked.

Was he flirting? It seemed like he was. 

Maybe, Sicheng was right— Yuta could have feelings for you. But it could also just be wishful thinking.

Were you flirting? Is this how flirting works? 

“Speaking of displays,” Yuta started nervously as he walked you to your car. He slowed down his walking pace and you easily matched it, your steps moving in time with his. The main walkway on campus was devoid of people, seeing how it was later in the school day. The path from the art building to the lot you parked in was short and you wished there was some way to extend it so you could spend more time with him.

“Will you, uh, come to my show?” he asked, his hand scratching the back of his head. His hair flopped with the wind and his unsure grin made him look so incredibly endearing. “I know it’s still too early to give you a set date but I’d love to see you there.”

“What? Of course I’ll come!” you said, stopping to slap his arm. 

He winced at the contact. “Ow?”

“I would’ve gone even if you didn’t ask me,” you proceeded on the path with a smile. “I have to go and support my friends.”

There was a coughing fit coming from behind you and you whirled around to see Yuta hacking into his handkerchief again. It looked more painful than the last attack he had a few minutes ago. His breathing was shallow and he clutched his chest as the coughs continued. 

“Oh my god, Yuta!” You were pretty sure you heard him gag as you rubbed his back. “Okay, I’m taking you to the hospital. You’re clearly not alright.”

He lifted a hand to tell you to stop. “No, no. I’m fine. I just—I gotta go,” was all he said with his hoarse voice before jolting away.

Staring at his strong back as grew smaller and smaller, you almost missed the fallen piece of cloth on the ground. Keyword: almost.

“Wait, Yuta!” you shouted, bending down to pick it up. “You dropped your hanke—” As soon as you lifted the handkerchief, perfectly preserved cherry blossom petals fell out of its hold. They rained towards the ground, decorating the sidewalk with the prettiest shade of pink.

Yuta was long forgotten. You were too lost in your confusion of the flowers. 

“Cherry blossoms?” you asked yourself. “They’re not in season yet.”

—🌸—

Yuta heard you calling for him but he refused to turn around. He pushed himself to keep running despite the tight pain in his chest. Pulling out his phone, he sent quick text messages to Sicheng and Kira with his location, asking them to stop by and help him. The disorientation hit faster this time, causing him to tumble into a bench. He gripped the iron lining as he hurled and for the first time, it was so painful that it brought tears to his eyes. His mouth trembled as he let out a cry.

Yuta tasted the bit of blood that poured out of his lips. 

Wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket, Yuta ignored how the crimson stained the fabric. A butter chuckle escaped him. 

“Pink goes good with red,” he whispered to himself as another stinging pain made its way up his body. 

He felt the branches slowly poking his lungs, climbing a path up his chest. It was just as Kira described— it was piercing like a sharp arrow to the heart. The arrow pressed and pressed and pressed until he was exploding with petals, blood, sweat, and tears.  It was aimed to kill. He thought arrows to the heart were supposed to fill him with love, not a heart-wrenching pain that tempted him to rip the beating organ out of his chest.

This was all too much to bear.

The full flowers and the scratching of wood tickling his throat. 

The lack of oxygen and struggle for air.

He felt it all. He wished he didn’t. 

Yuta wished he was one of the people that found their soulmate with that ridiculous red string of fate tied to the end of his pinky. They were blessed with a lifetime of happiness while he was cursed with what felt like an eternity of agony that his weakening body could no longer withstand. 

Yuta knew you didn’t love him but he adored you anyway. 

This wasn’t a shoujo manga, Yuta knew that. This was real life. No one was going to kiss, kiss, fall in love with the blink of an eye.

Picking petals off of flowers wouldn’t solve his problem. He wished it did, though.

If only it was that easy.

The rest of the semester flew by quickly with midterms and mid-semester projects keeping you at bay. You barely saw Yuta, yet alone the rest of your friends, if not for your classes. All of you shared the same appearance: dark circles, eye bags, sunken cheeks, hunched backs, and glazed over eyes. Your group survived the weeks with a crazy amount of caffeine and not enough food.

 With the school year finally over and graduation season starting, that meant one thing for the college of fine arts at your university— exhibitions. The music and dance departments already had their concerts and showcases. Final showings of the theatre department’s newest production just wrapped up yesterday; the only thing left were the senior art exhibits.

Dressed to the nines and not at all like a struggling artist, you paced back and forth at the entrance of the student art gallery with a bouquet of irises in your hand. Sicheng, your emotional support for the day, stood as you walked the same path with annoyance. You couldn’t exactly pinpoint why you felt nervous— it wasn’t even your exhibit, it was Yuta’s. 

Ten and Taeyong wrapped up their exhibits the week prior; Yuta’s was the last one.

“Are you done freaking out? Can we go in now?” Sicheng cocked a brow at you with his phone in hand. “The others are already inside.”

Wringing your hands together, you took in a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this.” 

Sicheng rolled his eyes before opening the doors to the gallery. Stepping inside, you were immediately welcomed by paper flowers of all sorts hanging from the ceiling and the quiet chatter of the gallery’s visitors. To the right, you saw a sign displaying the exhibit’s name: Efflorescence. A brief description of the exhibit was placed below it and you took the time to read it before stepping further in.

Snapshots of his life told through the appearance and language of flowers.

Ten and Taeyong, your seniors and close friends, were waiting for you off to the side. 

“Sorry for the wait, you guys.”

Sicheng grumbled, “Took her long enough to calm down.”

Ten laughed, “Were you nervous for him? You weren’t like this for our final exhibits.”

“Oh, leave her alone,” Taeyong hushed the other two. Wrapping an arm around you, he pulled you close, “She’s nervous because this is her crush we’re talking about.”

“For heaven’s sake, say that any louder and he’ll hear you!” you screeched. The boys chuckled at your embarrassed state as you went ahead of them, ready to walk your way through the large room. From the corner of your eye, you saw Yuta smiling by the exit, surrounded by people singing praises about his work.

You weren’t in a rush— you wanted to take the time to appreciate every piece before talking to him about why he chose to display each work. Talking to the object of your affection could wait.

The first few paintings were of his childhood and the flowers that accompanied each scene all had similar meanings— innocence, purity, etc. You noticed that most of his paintings were done with watercolor, which made complete sense. 

It seemed like he was always prepared to paint something, brush and paint always at the ready. The genius basically carried his foldable watercolor palette and pad everywhere he went, not wanting to miss an opportunity to paint a beautiful picture if he were to pass by one. That was another thing you admire about him— Nakamoto Yuta saw beauty in everything.

Deeper into the gallery, you found more familiar scenes and faces. There was a landscape of the fine arts department, with daffodil petals scattered across the canvas and it was titled New Beginnings. You passed various portraits of your friends, their beauty rivaling that of their birth flowers that shared the same space. Marveling at how realistic his paintings looked, you made a note in your brain to relay that thought to the artist later. He captured the essence of each person perfectly in a painting, breathing life into it, and you honestly couldn’t understand how one could do that. 

Spotting Kira’s familiar face admiring a painting up ahead, you quickened your pace to catch up to her. Feeling the light tap you placed on her shoulder, she turned around with a surprised look that turned into a genuine smile upon seeing your face. She released her hold on her companion, a cute boy with doe eyes and bright smile, before giving you a hug. 

“You’re here!” she squealed. Taking notice of the flowers in your hand, she winked, “Irises, huh? Nice touch.” 

“I stopped by your shop beforehand looking for you and an older guy wrapped them up for me,” you smiled sheepishly. “Should’ve known you would be here and not working.”

“My brother, Jongin,” Kira said. “And of course, I wouldn't miss Yuta’s exhibit for the world. He’s done a lot for me and my family.” She shared a fond look with the boy next to her and he squeezed her hand in return.

“This is my boyfriend, Mark, by the way,” Kira gestured to the boy next to her. 

“Yo, nice to meet you, dude,” Mark extended his arm out towards you and you gladly took in your hands to give it a shake. You laughed at his casual greeting; it was charming. 

“Back at you, dude,” you giggled back. 

Turning to take a peek at the picture they were admiring, you couldn’t help but break out into a wide grin. It was the two of them with the flower shop as their background. Yuta had painted Kira seated on top on the counter, eyes closed with glee and hands clutching a small bouquet of blue flowers. Mark, on the other hand, leaned towards her with fingers gripping the table top and looking at her with a loving smile. 

You could feel the love pouring out of it and it warmed your lonely heart. “Wow,” you whispered.

Kira leaned her head on Mark’s shoulder and he placed a tiny kiss to her temple. “I’m buying it from him once this is all over,” she said.

Knowing each flower played a part in Yuta’s paintings, you tried to distinguish what flowers she clutched in her hand. “They’re cornflowers,” Mark answered the question that lingered in your head.

“Why cornflowers?”

“Oh those things put us through a lot— a little pain sprinkled in with their beauty,” Kira smiled, leaving Mark to chuckle lovingly at her comment. It felt like a secret between the two of them and you were invading in their space. “They were what got us together in the first place.”

Her  sentence made you cock a brow. How could flowers be painful? That was awfully cryptic, even a little unsettling but it sounded a little familiar to you; it was on the tip of your tongue. 

“Yeah, they’re pretty special,” the boy grinned, gaze still glued to the person wrapped under his arm. “Cornflowers are my favorite.”

“They’re starting to become one of mine, too,” she returned the look. 

Mark’s bright brown eyes were shining with the love you wish someone had for you. It was a sweet sight, to see such a young couple in love. A part of you was jealous that they found a love like that so early in their lives while you pined after an artist that was so infatuated with flowers and their meanings. 

Wanting to leave them in their moment, you excused yourself with a smile. There were only four paintings left to see.

The first was a design you recognized. It was a more detailed painting of the sketch you had seen Yuta draw on the first day of the semester. A girl was seated on the grass, leaning her back on a trunk of a cherry blossom tree. Her hands were outstretched to the sky, trying to catch the falling petals in her hand. Stealing a glance at the title, Yuta titled the piece, Wishful Thinking. 

Moving to the next piece, it was a close up of Yuta’s hands. His palms were pressed together, cupping cherry blossoms in his hand. Petals and full flowers were scattered around the canvas, filling out all the empty spaces. The bright pink stood out against the color of his skin. You admired the amount of detail this piece had— the wrinkles on his skin, the gradient found on the petals. It held your interest, leaving you to wonder what this piece titled Inside meant to him. 

Yuta’s self-portrait was showstopping. He borrowed the flower shop’s name, calling this piece For You in Full Bloom. The painting brilliantly depicted him in all white, his eyes closed with pain and hands clutching at his throat. The blossoms were spilling out of his mouth, the petals tainted with a blood red. You could feel the sadness and the suffering emitting from the picture and it pained you to see such a vulnerable depiction of him. 

Putting two and two together, you figured it out. 

Hanahaki. You had read about the disease before, one of the artists you admired had it. They created art as a way to tell their story. It was their escape from the suffering, a way to ease their pain, and the one course of action they took to be remembered after their death.

The only piece of information you lacked was who made him tolerate such pain.

Skipping the last painting of the exhibit, you made your way through the crowd to find Yuta. He stood at the end with a polite smile, thanking everyone who attended his exhibit. Onlookers were showering him with compliments, leaving you to wait until the small crowd cleared out.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?” you breathed out with a concerned look. You couldn’t even spit out the name of the disease.

His smile widened into a genuine one, eyes gone soft at the sight of you. “You made it.”

Spotting the irises in your hand, he gestured towards the bouquet. “Are those for me?”

Still in shock that the person you were in love with was suffering all this time, you handed them to him without a word.

“Irises mean ‘congratulations,’ nice choice,” he laughed, trying to steer the topic away from his illness.

“Who?” you asked. “Who is it?”

Cocking his head, he answered you with another question. “You didn’t see the last one, did you?”

Shaking your head negatively, Yuta took you by the hand and the feeling made fireworks explode in your chest. Your heart was beating rapidly as he led you a few steps away. Nodding his head towards the last frame, he whispered, “Take a look.” 

You felt his hand break out into a sweat and you wondered why this last one made him so nervous. Glancing at the title, you read the words Love Me Now. 

Taking a deep breath, you mentally prepared yourself to see the person who had a hold on Yuta’s heart. Unlike him, you thought yourself strong enough to take the heartbreak— after all, you weren’t the one with flowers blooming inside you. Shifting your eyes over, you gasped as soon as you spotted whose face was framed on the wall. 

Staring back at you was the most beautiful painting of yourself. It was a you that you had never seen before. He painted you in flourishing pastels to match the happy look on your face. He captured your smile lines, the curve of your eyes, and the scrunch of your nose in such detail; it amazed you beyond belief. 

There was movement in your hair, the strands swaying in the wind along with the petals behind you. Your hands held a branch of your favorite flowers, half of them covering part of your face.

Captivated by seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes, you couldn’t tear your gaze away.

“Your smile makes flowers grow in my chest,” Yuta’s voice came from your side. You turned to see him wear a strained smile. Yuta’s huge eyes that were usually filled with kindness were taken over by something else— pain. 

There was pain in his words and you hear the ache in his voice. His tone is hoarse, like his throat is unbelievably dry or irritated. 

“I— I don’t know what to say.” 

Everything was extremely overwhelming. 

He shook his head to tell you that it was okay; he just needed to get the words off his chest. “It’s so beautiful and enchanting and it makes my heart clench and flowers take over my lungs.”

“Cherry blossoms,” you found yourself saying. You couldn’t believe this was happening. There were words you wanted to say but you were struggling to find them.

“Sakura,” he repeated in his native language.

“My favorite flowers.”

“Your favorite flowers.” 

“You were never in love with flowers,” you stated, still in a state of shock. 

Yuta released this low, almost bitter sounding chuckle that comes from deep within his chest. “Never.”

“Then, you’re in love with—”

“You.”

“—me.”

Just like the artist you admired, Yuta painted his way through his pain of loving you. 

Nakamoto Yuta felt like he had been in love with you for the longest time. He had loved you before he could even muster the guts to let you know it, to invite you to this exhibit that displayed art dedicated to you.

He really hoped that you would show so he could take the chance to confess. Sure, you had promised but sometimes, people never intended to keep them. If he didn’t get it off his chest, he would never be able to breathe and Yuta desperately wanted to.

Yuta wanted to fill his lungs with breaths of fresh air and just breathe you in. That was all he longed for. 

“Oh,” was all you could breathe out.

“It’s okay that you don’t feel the same,” Yuta tried to comfort you, getting the wrong idea from your lack of words. “I just needed to let you know.”

The sharpening ache that became so familiar to him was building up in his chest again, preparing him for the worst. Yuta swallowed thickly, already feeling the petals working their way to his mouth. His airways began restricting, his breaths growing more haggard by the second. He had so many things to say and he was determined to let it out before the petals escaped. The words spilled out his mouth, his lips running like a motor, “I used to be afraid of being in love and being happy with a person that I loved because it hurts.”

“Yuta—”

He stopped you with a lifted palm. 

“Happiness never lasted with me, the flowers always ripped it away,” he explained, his trembling eyes focusing on your portrait and not the real person beside him. 

“But then I met you and felt things I have never experienced before. So, I pushed my way through the pain just to be with you because I felt like I reached for the stars and touched the sky when we were together.”

His words brought tears to your eyes. You couldn’t believe someone would sit through the pain just to spend time with you nor thought you were worth it but here Yuta was, proving you wrong.

“There were times I wanted to beg you to love me, just so the hurting and the bleeding—just everything— could stop but I was too much of a coward and it led me to this.”

Here he was, pouring his heart out to you with his images and words, and you couldn’t let out a single noise. You forced yourself to move forward, to slip your hand into his. The sensation of your fingers intertwining with his brought Yuta out of his daze to look at you.

“Yuta,” you said with trembling lips. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”

“It’s not your fault,” he replied with a sullen tone. You squeezed his palm and he gave you a light one in return. “If I don’t get this off my chest now, I’ll never be able to breathe and I really want to.”

“There’s no reason for you to lose your breath over me.” A sniffle escaped you and Yuta turned to see you crying. He bent down to wipe your tears away, his finger swiping against your skin ever so gently. 

“Why are you crying?” 

“Because you suffered because of me and you didn’t have to,” you shot back with a whimper.

“You couldn’t have known, it’s okay,” he tried to reassure you.

“No, no,” you interrupted him to his confusion. “It’s not that.”

Your voice was so soft under your quivers, he could barely hear you over the loud chattering of the other guests in the room. Yuta guided you just outside his exhibit to a bench and dried your eyes with the sleeve of his sweater. 

“What’s wrong?”

Yuta’s question made you laugh through your tears and at all the time wasted. He had been in pain for so long because he was yearning for you just as you were for him. The mutual yet silent pining took you down this route and it could have been avoided if you had just stopped being a coward and spoken up like Sicheng pushed you to.

“There’s nothing wrong,” you said with the dismissing wave. You willed yourself to look him in the eyes and bring a hand to his cheek. “It’s just that I think I’ve been in love with you as long as you have been in love with me.”

Your confession caused him to freeze in his seat. His brown eyes were blown out wide and mouth dropping in shock. Giggling as more tears fell, you quickly slide the hand cupping his cheek down to his jaw to shut his mouth closed. Running a thumb against his lips, you felt his pulse quickening at your touch. 

“You’re in love with me?” he asked, voice as gentle as the breeze. There was uncertainty and disbelief behind it. Yuta wanted to hear you say it again.

—🌸—

“I’ve been in love with you for a while now.” Your earnest words were music to his ears. 

He felt this comforting rush take over this body and it sent tingles down his spine, traveling all the way to the tips of his fingers and toes. Your confession worked like magic, spelling him with this high that made him soar to the skies. 

Yuta thought you were a witch, entrancing him with a love charm so strong that it brought instant relief to his pain. His heart was trying to fight its way out of his chest and the ache of his airways dulled. The muscle was pounding so loudly against his ribcage, he could hear it in his ears, and he swore you could hear it too. 

His lips upturned into the biggest grin, he felt like his cheeks were about to burst. 

Was this how a requited love felt? If it was, he never wanted to go without it again. 

Yuta rushed to pull you in his arms and sighed when you nuzzled your head into his neck. He shivered when he felt them whisper the three words he longed to hear into his skin. His body shook with laughter as he placed a lingering kiss at the crown of your head, reveling at the feeling of you encased in his hold. 

You tried to fight your way out of his grip but he only tightened his arms, not wanting to let you go. The action left you giggling into his neck, causing him to squirm until his hold loosened. Your hands trailed their way from his waist up to cup his face and suddenly, his eyes were locked onto yours. Just as you were getting lost in the deep sea of brown, his gaze flickered to your lips before looking back at you. His lips quirked up as you did the same. 

He felt your breath hitch as he leaned in to slot his lips against yours and the overwhelming rush returned. It seemed like his heart was racing against time, beating erratically as you kissed him so tenderly. Your lips were so soft and they tasted like the vanilla flavoring of your color, leaving him to chase after you every time you pulled away for a breath. 

Yuta fought the strain in his airways as he pursued your lips again and again, loving the way you felt and tasted. He picked up the smell of your cherry blossom shampoo and laughed into the kiss. The feeling of having you was so addicting— your love was his drug and he was forever hooked on you. He would devote himself to nothing else but you.

The sensation of Yuta kissing you and smiling against your lips sent you into overdrive. There were butterflies in your stomach, fireworks going off in your head, tingles down your spine and you loved it all. 

In the past, you only noticed Nakamoto Yuta’s undying love and admiration for flowers but this was the first time you finally noticed his love for you and it was nothing short of wonderful. 

It was the start of something new. 

🌸 author’s note— that’s it! it came out a bit more angst than i intended, definitely lacked the fluff i was expecting but i’m still satisfied with the ending uwu  i loved writing my little markie and kira in the fic, i’ve missed them! but yes!! that’s the end of my little bday present to myself! i hope y’all loved it! please leave some feedback; i would love to hear what you thought of it!! i think i literally fell in love with yuta while writing this.

🌸 taglist— @danishmiilk​ @hyunjins--laugh​ @littleflowercrown13​ @orange-nimon-cross​ @radiorenjun​ @ncteaxhoe​ @chancrispy​

[aobakukkii]

Wanna hold hands?

Bokuto x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Warnings: Bad jokes

Male Reader

Word Count: 1748

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You shouldn't have to worry about this. You shouldn't act like a 12 year old walking next to his first crush... Wait were your feelings actually much different?  

Anyway Bokuto and you decided to go to a Christmas Market together to fulfill some foodie dreams of yours and only a few minutes separated you from your date destination. Well it wasn't one officially, but this couldn't stop you from dreaming, because all hope for not hopelessly pining on the owl boy was gone for a long time. So it was only natural to indulge in your feelings.

Bokuto and you first met on a mutual friends hang out in a park many months ago. Just after you arrived however, your friend who came a bit earlier soon volunteered for the "Oh f*ck we don't have anything... Let's get some drinks!" group mission to the nearest supermarket which left you awkwardly standing at the sidelines. Two small groups had already formed, involved in whatever topic they were talking about and you being to shy to disturb anyone just played with your phone for awhile. At least until a guy way too big to go unnoticed plopped up besides you.  

"Hey you're friends with f/n aren't ya? My name is Koutarou."

You just nodded for the first statement "I'm y/n" you quietly responded.  

"Oh cool where did you meet them?"  

Introducing yourself was normally an incredibly awkward situation, but somehow it felt natural with this guy. He kept a flow of conversation, getting to know your daily responsibilities and hobbies among other things. It didn't feel forced or like he just wanted someone to yak at or anything, he kept everything on a level that made you feel comfortable although you barely knew him, except for the few things he mentioned like his huge interest in volleyball.

The spiky haired boy was genuinely interested in anything you told him and even hyped some of your interests as well.

With him you were more or less smoothly introduced back into the (luckily) small group he left earlier and despite the fact that you felt uncomfortable with all the attention of the others in the beginning, his huge presence while talking quickly took this burden away from you. For socializing with new people, it was an incredibly alright experience.  

As it turned dark he offered you to join them go and play video games at his place and even if you would have normally declined such a request from new people, "Yes" felt just right.

Looking back at it now, the massive amount of praise you received from Bokuto for your skill made the decision even better. Especially when the praise came from a guy who would deserve the title pro himself.

In general Bokuto became your hype man in no time. You could just breath and he would still be like "Yas that's my boy!".  

This wasn't anything special in particular, he was supportive of the people around him and especially his friends, but to you his intensity towards felt special. He made you feel special. And now you wanted to be his special one and make him feel just as special and happy as he made you.

However you were worried that you misread his kindness towards you. Because he really treated everyone that he liked amazing, that's just the kind of person he is. This big chunk of love called Bokuto's heart is the reason why you fell for him, but it was also was where all your anxieties came from.  

Back to the present at hand, Bokuto's hand was what you were drawn to in particular. You never wanted to grab anything that badly in your life. The thought of holding his hand made you all giddy.  

Focusing on it was another challenge you had to face, since that guy swung his arms around a lot when he was excited to go somewhere, which happened quite often. Luckily, he was focused on the story he was telling you and looking at the illuminations so your starring went unnoticed.  

That until one of his swings touched your arm and more importantly, your hand.  

"Oh sorry I wasn't paying attention" Bokuto laughed. He stopped his movements and slowed down his step a bit.  

"It's fine" you giggled to hide your massive inner panic. His hand just touched yours!  

"Hey hey hey we should focus more on the lights there! You see those around the tree over there? They remind me of your eyes bro."

You just hummed and mumbled a silent "thanks" in response, being blessed with the chance to look towards the lights on your right to hide your face from him.  

Stuff like this wasn't usually included in the all-inclusive hype man package for you. And it made your cheeks heat up even more than his usual compliments. In the past Bokuto loved to tell you that you were cute, saying that you're shy reaction to the compliment just made you even cuter.  

Honestly Bokuto crossed the line to teasing hype man a long time ago and threw really flattering stuff at you like spikes at the opponent in a game whenever he felt like it, but this was a first. He never said anything directly about your looks. In fact you never heard him point out anyone's looks like that. You heard "handsome" and "pretty", but never something specific.  

"I mean it, I never saw someone whose eyes were sparkling like yours."  

This was straight up flirting at this point.  

You hid your face behind your hand, still looking away.  

"Kou seriously stop it."  

"Can't help it if it's true."  

You knew Bokuto was good in reading you, but you thought your crush and the insecurities with it were a secret. At least until now. This setting, this compliment, the smooth delivery. You were maybe anxious about the topic of love, but not that dense. This was his sign that you were special to him.  

He did his part, so now it was time to do something yourself.  

A mix of the compliments' confidence boost, your newfound view on his feelings and the still present panic and shyness robbing you of the ability to think or act like a normal human being, you drew the most genius conclusion you had in a while. If you swing your arm a bit and touch his hand again and again, he might read you once again and notice your wish to hold hands and you guys can live happily ever after.  

"100% risk free strategy dude" you thought to yourself.  

A comfortable silence was in the air as you continued your walk. You could already see the market, but it was still far enough away to be heard clearly. Bokuto was admiring the view around you, the illuminations being his favorite part of each December.  

You tried to give it a shot. You slightly swung your arm and hit his hand with yours, so slightly that it just seemed like something that would happen normally.

Bokuto didn't react in the slightest and you were not sure if he even noticed it, but you weren't giving up just yet. Your childish tactic deserved some testing before being discarded. So you did it again with the same force and the same result. Time to step up your game.  

You planned on a slightly increased force for the next one, which your body executed as "Tackle that hand like it's a Rattata." A now fainted Rattata at that, because Bokuto suddenly stopped walking and looked directly at your face. You had just enough time to conclude that you can't read his expression at all before avoiding your face. Your mind worked on a quick list on of how often you should apologize for this awkward moment, hoping that he would interpret it as a mistake. Judging by his face and the awkward pause right now however, he noticed what you were going for, which was honestly impressive from this stupid plan. You really wanted to apologize right away, hoping that the embarrassing gesture didn't ruin your chances with him.  

Before you could say a word however, you saw a big hand around yours. You couldn't possibly believe your eyes, if not for the squeeze you felt and a small motion upwards, bringing your face to a happy and slightly pink Bokuto.  

"Geez all I wanted was a small confirmation from you before starting anything, but I didn't think you would be the type to go all the way" he said his voice although more quiet than his usual one still matched the grin on his face. "You could have asked as well you know?"  

"I just... Didn't feel like it?" you laughed between your words, being overwhelmed by the sudden confession.

Bokuto quickly pulled you to the side of the street, not wanting to accidentally block the path of anyone else right now and to give the two of you a tiny bit of more privacy.

"Y/n I really wanted to confess to you for a long long time, but I didn't dare to say anything before I could be sure that you were interested." He started rocking your arms slightly.

"When I have my moods and try to hide from the world, you're the first to come to seek me and pull me back up again. When I'm loud, you're the one who listens to my rambling anyway. I discovered so many cool games and shows thanks to you and, most importantly, I can count on you whenever I'm at my low and my highs. You make me feel special y/n, and I really didn't want to destroy that without a clear sign of you feeling the same way."

The rocking stops as he slowly starts to stroke your hand with his thumb.

"This wasn't the one I expected, but again that makes you special. Just like you make me feel." he chuckled. "Man I can't really explain it, can I just show you?"

His unoccupied hand pressed against you back, pulling you closer to his body. You were glad that he took the lead from here on because you were complete lost in the moment. He bent down to capture your lips with his. It was bit clumsy due to your excitement, but still sweet and it definitely showed what Bokuto intended.

You pulled away with flushed faces, both unable to hide your smile.

"This is what I had in mind"

✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬✬

AN: So this completely self-indulgent fic is actually based on two dreams I had. When I already dream like in Fan-fictions, I might as well write them.  

Feedback would be highly appreciated. Thank you for reading ❤️

[hannigramficrecs]

Fluff

A Perfect Fit by Magnetism_bind [words: 3,736]

Will finds himself sleepwalking again and there's only one person he can call. In the process he winds up wearing Hannibal's shirt.

Not the Plan by love_in_the_stars [words: 2,011]

Every genius has one weakness in common: their own hubris. Hannibal's simply took an...unexpected form. For his hubris lay in thinking he could so totally control William Graham and be untouched by him in return. By the time he realizes this mistake it is already too late

Slice of Life by AVegetarianCannibal [words: 6,332]

It's time to take a look into the life that Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter now share, from cooking together to doing the laundry to taking walks in the balmy Havana evenings. Somehow, most of these things lead to the bedroom.

Tender Loving Care by extremelyperturbed [words: 2,424]

AU in which Alphas during their Rut are as weak as Omegas in Heat. Driven by pheromones, they have only one thing on their mind and forget completely about water, food and sleep, and their Omegas have to care about them, feed them, calm them and make them rest.

Mistletoe by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite [words: 2,044]

A little drabble about a little party and a little bit of mistletoe.

Records by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite [words: 4,922]

Lazy winter afternoons lead to lazy sex.

Sazerac by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite [words: 4,732]

Will has Hannibal over for dinner.

Ma by murdergatsby [words: 1,440]

Will accidentally falls asleep on Hannibal's couch.

Pleasurable Awakenings by stratumgermanitivum, whiskeyandspite [words: 1,910]

He loved tracing his fingers over the silver hairs that had started to appear at Hannibal’s temples as they sat together and just talked, reminiscing or daydreaming about whatever life they wanted. They could have that now, together. They did have that, and so much more.

Le Chocolat Chaud by the_heart_and_the_brain [words: 1,024]

It's winter and Will gets snowed in at Hannibal's house. They sit in from of his fireplace and Will asks for hot chocolate like he used to have when he was a kid. Hannibal is amused and makes it

A Sleepy Morning by TigerPrawn [words: 1,305]

Hannibal is aiming for early morning sex before their toddler son wakes up. Will is sleepy but always receptive.

Ground Lamb by murdergatsby [words: 1,502]

“Skin to skin contact is one of the best ways to stay warm.” Hannibal said, not so much arguing as he was...playing along. He wasn’t sure what game Will was playing, but he knew there was one being played. Will shook his head and smiled. “But I like this.”

You Need Only Ask by peacefrog [words: 1,489]

“I want you to…” Will feels suddenly like a bundle of coiled nerves, frayed around the edges. “I want you to hold me. While I sleep.”

Here by Petronia [words: 2,883]

Hannibal wanted to cook again. He wanted to ply Will with more than hot drinks and canned vegetables and fish. He wanted to make fine dishes, kingly extravagances from Carême or Escoffier, and watch the involuntary pleasure in Will’s face and body as he ate. He wanted, too, to take Will’s hands between his, and sometimes he did, but it was not enough -- he wanted to be able to sate Will, to fill him a little too much, to match the way Hannibal felt when he looked at him.

It's The Little Things by victorine [words: 1,343]

Will asks one innocent question and finds himself at the mercy of Hannibal's obsessive tendencies (only in a cute, fluffy way).

A Call From the FBI by chronicopheliac [words: 876]

Hannibal's phone rings in the middle of a dinner party. RUDE.

Love By Any Other Name by Devereauxs_Disease [words: 2,563]

Will doesn't say "I love you" the same way Hannibal does. That doesn't mean he isn't saying it.

More to Love by chronicopheliac [words: 1,437]

Will has gained some weight. As it turns out, Hannibal really, really likes it. Also, he's kind of a dick.

There Are Worse Things I Could Do by chronicopheliac [words: 2,475]

Will drags Hannibal along to his high school reunion, which he was only going to because an old friend begged him to go. Said friend ends up cancelling at the last minute, and he deals with it by trying to annoy Hannibal.

The Blue Thing by chronicopheliac [words: 1,047]

Team Sassy Science takes Will out for drinks in Vegas. Will kind of gets drunk. And lost. Hannibal finds him. And then it's all just fluffy as hell. 

Entertain Me by harleygirl2648 [words: 1,383]

Will is drunk and adorable, and Hannibal is so in love that it is gross.

Something Else by HotMolasses [words: 2,137]

“Why didn’t you pull away, Will?” he said, genuine curiosity in his voice. “When I was mere inches from you, with a deadly blade in my hand, you leaned toward me. Did you hope I would kill you?” “Because I wasn’t thinking you were going to gut me.” he said. “When you put your hand on my face, stroked my cheek I thought…” the room blurred around the edges because Will had kept his eyes fixed to a single spot on the floor for so long. Now he forced them to look into Hannibal’s face. “I thought you were going to do something else.”

Seperation Anxiety by harleygirl2648 [words: 2,432]

Will and Hannibal are separated for just one night. How long before one of them goes out of their mind?

Going My Way by fragile-teacup (Mrs_Gene_Hunt) [words: 2,746]

What if, when Will and Hannibal had first met, Will had been in a slightly better mood? What if it had happened away from the stultifying atmosphere of Jack Crawford's office? Maybe somewhere Will could better appreciate the good looks and charm of everybody's favourite cannibal?

Bigger than a Breadbox by KatherineKrawl [words: 4,083]

Every day at work, Will's lunchbox is filled with decadent creations, prompting questions from curious coworkers. Hoping to solve the matter, he asks Hannibal for a 'simple' sandwich, but quickly learns Hannibal doesn't quite grasp the meaning of this. Or does his boyfriend have an ulterior motive for his lavish lunches?

1 (25/25)

[raziroo]

Chapter 3 | I Am Not At All Wise

Pairing: There's hints, but none

Genre: Angst?

Warnings: Overly Casual Mentions of Depression and Anxiety, Mentions of Trading of Lives

Word Count: 1,926

Author's Note: This might appear a little rushed, because I got this sudden surge of inspiration and sat down to write this and this isn't even proofread. Sorry, hehe.

‘Guys, what’s wrong with you?! This my father we’re talking about, my father! Why are you so hesitant to trade him for Lotor?’

The tense energy in the room only became even more suffocating when Pidge let that question, among others, loose like cannonballs. I was glad I was sitting even a bit away from the ongoing discussion, because the questions and not up to par answers were succeeding in making me uncomfortable. After all, the topic at hand wasn’t light at all – a topic such as trading of lives is one that questions your morals, your beliefs, literally everything you, as a person, stand for. I stared at Pidge, her absolutely enraged expression making me gulp nervously`. If Pidge didn’t get her father back now, after finding out his destination, then God knows how many shots are going to get fired at whom. And although I’m not saying that Pidge is wrong, she isn’t even right.

That’s confusing.

What I meant to say was, that although Pidge’s actions and fury and incredulousness were fully justified, it didn’t mean that we could all just nod heads in tandem and send Lotor off as some sort of pig for slaughter in exchange of Pidge’s dad. It wasn’t fair.

As my eyes lost focus, I recalled Captain America’s words – we don’t trade lives.

I snapped out of my thoughts. I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t want to. I wouldn’t, ultimately. Heading to my room now instead of just sitting there and making myself look like an unopinionated fool wasn’t helping me anyways, and neither was Lotor’s presence a couple feet beside me.

I decided to head to my room.

After all, that was what I was best at, wasn’t it? After finally accepting that I was a time traveler and couldn’t ever see my friends or family ever again and that aliens did actually exist, and not just on Mars (wait, did aliens exist on Mars? I never asked that), all I did for a good sum of time was hide in my room. Activities except hiding in my room included roaming through the castle and running to my room as soon as I deducted any trace of intelligent life near me, being strangely intimate with the white lion – intimacy including venting about how I was probably depressed, possibly had anxiety, caressing the lioness because she’s beautiful, and nestling in her cockpit because she felt like home – and running to my room when Shiro questioned me about my connection with White.

A bit after, when I felt more reassured and had begun craving human communication, I finally emerged from my cave, only to find that some of the Paladins didn’t seem too happy with my presence. Time went on, spirits fell, only to rise once again in blazing hopes of dethroning Zarkon, and my naturally social abilities helped me blend in with the Paladins soon. A lot of the comfort I felt among the Paladins, I owed to Shiro and Hunk. Those two were literally angels, especially to me. I couldn’t count on all the fingers of the Paladins and Allura combined how may times those two, and occasionally Lance, came to offer me a hug or talk to me when I looked glum. Even Allura and Pidge talked to meif they were free. The only person I had problems interacting with was Keith. But we’d nod to each other, say our greetings, and I accepted that. I couldn’t be besties with everyone. However, mine and Keith’s communication skills only worsened and problems only increased once Shiro disappeared. Keith straight up would refuse to pilot the Black Lion, and even when he finally agreed, he was so unorganized and his decisions so rash it was costing the coalition. When Lions started becoming unstable to fight after longer, tougher battles, White was expected to fill in. After all, it was the White Lion’s purpose – to be the mind of Voltron when the Paladins couldn’t, to keep the soul, fire, water, air and flora elements in check, Allura had once said to me. Only, White needed a pilot, a Paladin. And all expectations of being White’s pilot were pinned on me, naturally, because I was the one who seemingly materialized in her cockpit out of nowhere.

I, obviously, failed to do that. Because apparently (and quite obviously, if I do say so myself) even though White warmed up the cockpit for me when I slept there and seemed to purr when I caressed her face, I wasn’t worthy enough, in her gaze, to be a Paladin. And I truly had no qualms about that. The only issue was that Keith wasn’t satisfied with that. Pidge and Lance tried to hide it, but they too, felt that I should try harder. Hunk comforted me when I accidentally let the hurt I was feeling shine through. Allura tried to convince everyone that it wasn’t my fault at all, that the Lions only accepted whom they deemed fit to Pilot them, and the reason the White Lion even was the “extra” Lion in the first place was that it was hardest than any of the other Lions to convince to be Pilot of. It was simply too calculating and cynical and choosy – and I agreed with White wholly, because stepping in as the voice of reason, as the mind of Voltron when all these worthy, noble, brave people who were specifically selected to be the defender and judge of the universe when no one else could failed to do their jobs, then you needed to be one hell of a person to be honoured with the name “White Paladin of Voltron”.

When Shiro had come back, or as he said, when Keith brought him back, the Castle seemed to light up more. I understood why he was chosen to be the soul to combine the other elements and form Voltron. I was ecstatic, perhaps happier than some of the Paladins even, but that didn’t mean I didn’t notice – or rather, didn’t choose to shrug off - his strange and simply out of character behaviour at times. I wasn’t the only one that did. It was when I voiced to White about my concerns, and she glowed – literally glowed as if in agreement did I know that shit was serious. White, as weirdly impossible as it sounds, also noticed. She knew, too, that something wasn’t right with Shiro. It was beyond me how she did, but I didn’t get to ponder on that for too long.

Why?

Because Lotor happened. He arrived as our saviour at the most unexpected moment and in the most unexpected way, and then became unpredictability, unanswered questions, and uncertainty personified for us. How many rifts and arguments he alone had caused between the Paladins was the slightest bit alarming, but justified, in my opinion. Lotor had succeeded in messing up our functioning. It didn’t matter if it was only a tad – he was the anthropomorphic form of all the flaws and hesitancies and wrongs and uncertainties in the coalition that we’d turned a blind eye to.

And now Zarkon had offered us Pidge’s dad’s freedom in exchange of Lotor, but I would be lying if I said if I wasn’t the tiniest bit worried as to just what Zarkon would do to Lotor. I know, I know, I really was no one to be straining my brain for that, since Lotor was an alien Prince who had equal chances of being good and evil, was capable of killing us all if he wished to, and had probably endured worse than his father’s wrath. But that wasn’t even the biggest issue we had. Pidge getting fired up was reasonable enough, I was aware of how emotionally driven she could become at times despite being a genius. And her brain refusing to work when her family came into play was the reason I was bothered most – even if she convinced the other Paladins to go through with the exchange, there was absolutely no surety that Zarkon would keep his part of the deal. It was legit the dumbest, most irrational thing the protagonist could do. If that happened, we’d lose both Pidge’s father, and an extremely valuable asset to the coalition.

I didn’t really realize that during my very acceptable train of self-depreciating thoughts I’d changed my route and had instinctively begun for White. I guess it was only right, as I felt more at ease there than anywhere. It was only when I reached her and stroked her, she seemed to… close in on her herself. I furrowed my brow, a small frown on my lips.

I sighed. It was probably nothing.

Relaxing my facial muscles, I closed my eyes, leaned forward, and nudged White’s snout. I jumped back with a start when instead of the usual purr or whimper, she growled at me. The crease between my brows returned with a higher intensity.

‘What is it, girl? Hmm?’ I cooed at her, not risking touching her. ‘Is something wrong? Do you not want to talk? Should I go?’

Silence was what I received in exchange.

‘My love,’ yes I called White “my love”, “girl”, have and will continue to call her “babe”, and no you cannot do jack about it. ‘You need to tell me, please,’ I continued, my voice gentle as ever, ‘how am I supposed to know what you want to say? You’ve never growled at me before. I don’t know how to interpret that gesture. Do I take it as you being upset? Angry? Sad?’ She still didn’t answer. All the life seemed to leave her.

I tilted my head. My sigh bounced off the walls.

‘The White Lion is said to be the mind of Voltron,’ a naturally assertive, deep, thunder-like voice called. I was sure I jumped at least a foot before whipping my head to where the voice resonated from. Lotor. What -?

‘Forgive me if I scared you. I thought it wise to offer some assistance; you seemed to be in need of help.’

I didn’t answer. He took it as a “yes, I need your help”. ‘The most probable reason it is not responding to your calls, is because you are contradicting what the White Lion stands for, you aren’t being wise. That is, assuming the Lion does answer you typically.’

I turned back to White, my jaw setting. My lingering suspicion turned into certainty at Lotor’s remarks.

Well. As much as I cherished my relations with White, I wasn’t going to voice my thoughts and concerns regarding the life trade. I wasn’t particularly keen on getting involved. I wasn’t the White Paladin. I wasn’t the voice of reason. I couldn’t be. This was the exact reason as to why I couldn’t be the White Paladin. I had many a thought, but didn’t always think it wise to share them with others.

Especially not when “others” included a leader that was not being himself, a princess who wanted to get rid of the Galra empire and Zarkon as soon as possible no matter the cost, and a Paladin who was going feral and becoming blind by rage at the thought of not getting her father back when she was so close.

Yes. Now definitely not.

Without sparing Lotor or White another glance, I headed to my room, for real this time. I didn’t notice both of their piercing gazes aimed at my retreating figure.

[janeyseymour]

I’m Sorry

Jane Seymour went through life passively. Almost too passively. She often found herself apologizing for things she most certainly shouldn’t be apologizing for. 

Jane Seymour had always been quite a passive person. It made sense. In her past life, she was known as the loving and devoted wife. There was a reason for it. She hadn’t interfered with her husband’s affairs. The one time she had, she was quickly reminded of her predecessor’s fate. She quickly apologized for it.

Even when she was a child in her past life, she was very much a passive person. Growing up with nine other siblings, she was always the quietest and often perceived as the kindest. She held herself to this standard that she had been given, oftentimes getting the short end of the stick but never minding too much. 

As time went on living with the queens in their reincarnated state, she found herself falling into old habits again. Some were wonderful. For example, she had taken up needlework and embroidery again, something she had loved in her past life. Her skills were still just as wonderful and only improving. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence for the other queens to curl up next to her as she worked. It also wasn't an uncommon occurrence for any of the queens, but specifically Katherine, to be walking around in something that Jane had added an embroidery to herself. 

And as time continued on, she had been labeled “mom friend”. Being labeled as this wasn’t a bad thing; no, the third queen was, in fact, overjoyed to be able to put her maternal instincts to good use. Some of the other queens, specifically Anne and Katherine, were in need of somebody to look over them, and Jane was more than happy to be that person for them. She was more than happy to speak up for her, who she lovingly referred to as, her children. The issue?

In this life too, she had become quite passive. After being reincarnated and given back her memories, she made a promise to herself that she would be bolder and more outspoken. In a way, she was bolder and more outspoken. She was more than happy to stand up for her children, telling others just how wonderful each of the other queens were. She was more than happy to do something small like go back through the drive thru window at McDonald’s for Anne because they didn’t give her the right amount of chicken nuggets. But, she refused to do any of this for herself. The show they were starring in now was a wonderful example of this. Jane Seymour was about to stand up for herself in the show, and she had even gotten comfortable with lashing out on stage at Catalina at this point. She was hidden behind her armor of sequins and make up though. But, the Jane Seymour the public saw on the stage was not the Jane Seymour that she was in real life. 

In real life, the third queen was much quieter, and happy to be so. She went through life quietly and flew under the radar most days, and this was received in interviews she had been forced to do for the show. The others were quite happy to use their voice to express their opinions and views on the world as well as post quite often to social media while the third queen could almost always be seen listening, nodding along, or just watching the chaos that had been posted.

She was scared. She was scared of what the world would think of her if she had voiced her opinion because in her past life she wasn’t allowed to do so. In her past life, her fate could’ve been the same as Catherine of Aragon’s, or worse yet, Anne Boleyn’s. Now, she knew that in this life she wouldn’t be beheaded, but she had seen some of the fire other celebrities had faced because they vocalized their thoughts. 

And so, even when cameras were off and there were no spotlights following her, she kept her head down when it came to vocalizing her opinions, and she often apologized for things she most certainly shouldn’t have been apologizing for. 

On most of their off days, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for the girls to be spread out around the house or the town. Catalina, Jane, and Cathy were mostly around the house entertaining themselves in various ways. Anne and Anna were almost always out, claiming they needed to see the world and discover the chaos they could bring to the world without being beheaded.

“Just don’t get arrested,” Jane called earlier as they walked out the door. “Again.”

“You know I can’t promise that Janey,” Anne cackled.

“I’ll try to keep us out of that much trouble,” Anna called over her shoulder as she closed the front door.

Katherine was unpredictable. Some days, she preferred to go out and complete what the six had lovingly nicknamed “The Chaotic Three”. Other days, she preferred to stay in and read with Cathy or watch television with Catalina. The days that were most often seen, though not by much, were the days where Katherine chose to curl up next to the blonde while Jane either read, watched television with Catalina, or worked on her embroidery. 

That day, Jane was working on yet another needlework quietly on the couch with Katherine, someone who she now referred to as her daughter, curled up against her.

“Mom?” Jane was very focused on this difficult work and was caught up in it, not responding. “Mom?” The pink haired queen tried again. Jane stayed silent again, this time her tongue poked out of the corner of her mouth slightly in concentration. “Mom?” Nothing.

“Jane Seymour, your daughter is trying to get your attention,” Catalina sighed from the other side of the couch and not looking away from the program on the television.

“Oh!” Jane snapped up. “Sorry Lina.” 

“No need to apologize, just trying to help you out.”

She set the needlework on the side Katherine wasn’t occupying and turned her attention to the girl.

“I’m so sorry Kitty. I guess I just got a bit distracted with my embroidery. I’m sorry love. What’s up?”

“Mom, you don’t need to apologize.”

“I-” Jane was caught off guard. She didn’t need to apologize? “I’m sorry. What can I do for you sweet?”

“I just wanted to know what you were working on. You seemed really focused. It was kinda cool.”

“Oh, just another little something for you.”

“Wait really?” Katherine perked up. She loved the things Jane had added onto her clothing, often intricate patterns and flowers and other times small patches to cover the holes she had accidentally created. “Do I get to know what it is?”

“Nope!” Jane popped her ‘p’. “Sorry love.”

“Don’t apologize! I’m just excited to see it!”

There it was again. Don’t apologize. Surely, this was confusing. Why wasn’t she supposed to apologize for this? Surely, she was supposed to apologize for her wrongdoings, and keeping a secret from her beloved daughter was clearly wrongdoing. Nevertheless, she shrugged it off and continued on with her day.

The third queen was currently doing laundry, and wasn’t able to see where she was going when Anne, their local gremlin, had heelied into her and made her drop the basket.

“Oh sorry Anne! I didn’t realize you would be there!” 

“Jane, why are you apologizing? I hit you!” The girl with space buns cackled and began to pick up the clothes on the floor.

“I was in your way?” Jane stated this more as a question.

“If anybody was in anybody’s way, it was Anne,” Parr noted without looking up from her book. “You shouldn’t be the one apologizing.”

“Sorry Janey!” Anne quickly threw the rest of the clothing into the basket and handed it back to the blonde.

“You know Jane, you don’t need to apologize for everything.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

The found family was gathered around the dinner table on their night off when Jane and Anna had both gone to reach for the serving spoon at the same time.

“So sorry, so sorry. Go ahead Anna!” Jane pulled her hand back and allowed the fourth queen to serve herself first.

“That’s it!” The first queen half-shouted.

“What?” The third queen asked, rather confused. 

“All you do is apologize. Why do you do that? Most of the things you apologize for aren’t even your fault!”

“I-I-I” Jane stammered. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re doing it again,” Cathy mumbled.

“I just-” Jane began. “I don't know. It’s just something I’ve always done? I’m sorry.”

“Mom, you don’t need to apologize for that. We all have little things about ourselves. We just know that whenever you say sorry, you genuinely mean it, and a lot of the things you apologize for, you shouldn’t feel guilty over!” 

“Yeah!” Anne piped up. “Like, when something happens, if it’s something small and not your fault, don’t apologize! But like, if something is actually your fault, then it’s okay to apologize.” Jane sat there in wonder. Was that how it was supposed to work? She had always just apologized for everything. She figured the strange looks she had been given in the past were because people were upset with her actions and not because they were confused about why she was apologizing. Maybe she had been reading it all wrong.

“We’re not trying to gang up on you or anything. We just want you to know that it’s okay to not apologize for every little thing that might happen,” Catalina chided gently.

“I’m-” The rest of the queens groaned. “I mean, I’ll try to remember that.”

The next few days went by as usual. Things happened that Jane felt guilty over, but each time, the queen she was interacting with reminded her she wasn’t to apologize. The blonde was walking down the hallway to her room looking down at her phone when Anne whipped open her door and walked straight into the third queen, knocking her to the ground.

“Oh sorry Anne. Should’ve been looking where I was going I guess!” Jane stood up, slightly embarrassed. 

“Jane, I walked into you.”

“But I should’ve been looking where I was going instead of looking at this darn phone.”

“Jane! I walked into you! There’s-”Anne stopped in her tracks, a stroke of genius hitting her. “Nevermind.” She ran off in search of the other queens. 

“Okay. I’m sorry.”

That night after the show, Anne, along with the rest of the queens waltzed into Jane’s open bedroom. 

“Oh hey loves! I’m sorry I’m not downstairs tonight. I’m just a bit tired is all.” She turned down the television volume and turned her attention to the five in her room.

“That’ll be 25 cents please.” Cathy held her hand out expectantly. 

“I don’t have 25 cents on me right now Cath. I’m sorry.”

“That’ll be another 25 cents.” Kitty also held her hand out expectantly.

“Kitty honey, if I don't have one quarter, what makes you think I’d have two quarters?”

“Mom, it’s our new system! Every time you apologize for something that you shouldn’t be saying you’re sorry for, you have to put a quarter in...” 

“This!” Anne held out a large mason jar painted blue, white and silver, with Catalina’s handwriting saying “Jane’s Sorry Jar”. “We all made it for you! See! It was my idea!”

“Yeah! If you fill it up quick enough, we may even get to go on vacation!” Anna joked. Both Catalina and Cathy smacked her playfully.

“Well, hopefully she learns quickly and doesn’t fill it up fast enough for that,” Kitty laughed. “Although...” 

“It’s beautiful! I can see where all of you contributed! Anna, beautiful paint job! Kitty, I love the glitter! Cathy and Anne, nice splatter paint! It really looks like stars! And Catalina, your handwriting looks beautiful!” Jane grinned. “I’m sorry you went through all of this trouble for me though!” 

“That’ll be another 25 cents!” Anne giggled. “Maybe Anna was right. She might just fill it quick enough for a vacation! That’s already 75 cents she owes!” 

“I’m sorry, but I don't have quarters!”

“Well, do you have a dollar? Because you just apologized again,” Anna pointed out. The other queens looked at her. “What? I’m good with money.” She smirked.

“That- that wasn’t the point. But yes, I do have a dollar.” Jane pulled out a one dollar bill from her pocket and placed it into the jar. 

In the beginning of this new system, Jane found herself putting many quarters in the jar a day. Whether it was bumping into someone, or misstepping during a show, or even something as silly as drinking the last of the bottled waters in the house. As time went on though, the blonde found herself using the jar less and less. Yes, she still slipped up on occasion, but it wasn’t a bad thing. Apologizing for something she truly felt guilty over happened often, but she found herself apologizing less and less for things that weren’t her fault. The queens were happy to help the third queen even in such a small way. And Jane?

Jane had almost single handedly paid for a week's vacation with her many, many quarters placed in “Jane’s Sorry Jar” happily. 

[littlemissagrafina]

Comfortember Day 20. Movie Night

Wrong Leavers and Pizza Boxes

@comfortember

I had the opportunity to use a really fun roleplay that I did with my best friend for this one! Thank you my darling @iambambistark for letting me use our work! I love you 3000🥺💛🌻

Read On AO3

Peter practically bounced into the common room of the compound, looking for his mentor. The older man had  promised that today would finally be their movie night and Peter was going to make him stick to it whether Tony wanted to or not.

Peter couldn’t help the smirk at his thoughts as he finally found Mr Stark, his body practically vibrating in excitement.

“Mr Stark! Are you ready for movie night?!”

Tony watched in amusement as Peter basically vibrated in place from his excitement. I wish I knew where he got the energy from because Thor knows I need some of it, Tony thought.

"Hey kid!" He smiled at Peter as he got up from his place on the couch to give him a hello hug. "I'm definitely ready. Are we doing Disney tonight again?" He asked with a soft smile.

Peter beamed when Tonh didn’t say that he couldn’t do movie night, yet again. He has way too many meetings, I veto meetings. Peter thought to himself.

“Of course! Would it really be movie night if we didn’t watch Disney! I want something funny though, too many Disney movies are sad.” There’s nothing better than laughing with Mr. Stark at a Disney movie.

Tony felt a laugh bubbling up in his chest. This kid always seemed to be able to make him smile and laugh. "Of course! How could I make the mistake of insinuating a movie night without Disney. It would be criminal!" Tony smirked at the teen.

The billionaire was glad that he had the chance to joke with him like this. He'd been swamped with meetings and conferences that couldn't be put off as much as he wanted to. It had led to a few lab days being cut short and cancelled movie nights, which Tony made sure to complain about to Pepper and Rhodey.

"Do you want to order take out or just grab some snacks from the kitchen?"

“Hmm, well, if we only do one movie then snacks are good, but if we do multiple movies then I think take out would be good. How many movies will we doooo?” Peter drew out the last word. He hoped Tony would say that they could watch multiple movies, but he was just thankful Tony was available to spend time with him at all.

"What are May's shifts like this weekend?" Tony asked Peter, a plan already being thought out in his head. "Because if she is busy at the hospital and fine with you staying the weekend again then we can binge a few movies and get take out." Tony tried to keep the eagerness at spending more time with Peter from his expression. He knew it probably didn't matter at this point but he still had a slight reputation to uphold.

Can't let the world know that Iron Man goes soft because of a spider kid who is literally a puppy in human form. Oh who am I kidding. It's too late I might as well roll with it at this point.

Peter somehow smiled even bigger upon seeing her smile, “Mays gonna be out, she’s been picking up a lot of extra shifts lately.” He said, his smile drooping a bit. No I can’t make this sad I can’t ruin our night being sad , Peter changed subjects, “I can text her real quick to double check I can spend the night! I’m sure I can though,” The smile came back to his face. He pulled out his phone, and asked May if he could stay the night, surprisingly she responded pretty quickly.

She must be on break. She already expected my question though, and allowed me to stay, but warned me not to make Mr. Stark lose even more sleep than normal. Looking back up at his mentor, Peter was pretty much bouncing again in excitement. “She said I could stay! If you still want me, I mean, like if you still want me to spend the night. Anyway, what are we gonna get for take out?”

Tony huffed out a laugh at the rapid action and conversation shifts that Peter was prone to. The man could tell that Peter had been a little sad about May being more busy with work but trying to hide it. Tony pulled the teen into another hug and rested his chin on his head.

"I'm sorry she's been working more shifts, kid." He muttered knowing he would hear it clearly because of his enhanced hearing.

Tony shifted away gently and smiled at Peter before dropping the subject. "Since we had Thai last week, what about pizza or Chinese?" He asked as he turned back towards the couch, making a slight detour to grab the big blanket they liked to use for movie nights before dropping down to sit on the couch. "You can choose whatever." He continued as he shifted into the corner slightly so Peter could squeeze in snuggly next to him the way they both knew he liked to.

Though part of Peter was disappointed when Tony pulled away from the hug, the comfort still meant the world to him. It still amazes Peter sometimes how Tony can always tell his emotions even when he tried to hide them.

The teen followed the older man to the couch like a puppy, “Pizza sounds good. Is that okay with you?” He asked, sitting down, snuggling into Tony. At this point Peter knew Tony didn't actually mind his craving for physical affection.

Peter moved the blanket so it covered them both nice and cozily. God what did I do to deserve such an amazing dad- I mean mentor. An amazing mentor. He could feel the blush start to rise to his cheeks before he could stop it. Dammit, he didn’t even say it out loud! Peter hid the blush by snuggling into Mr Stark more.

"Pizza is perfect, kid." Tony grinned at him when he snuggled into his side and shifted a hand to run it through his curls. How he always has such soft hair I'll never know.  

"What movie do you wanna watch? You said a happier one right? What about Brave, Moana, Tangled, Emperor's New Groove?" Tony was slightly surprised that he could actually list the movies. It seemed that he would always remember something as long as it related to Peter Parker

“Mm” Peter hummed in comfort as Tony held him close, running his fingers through his hair. How a guy who always works with his hands can be so gentle and comfortable beats me but I will always relish in it .

Peter smiled when he heard how many movies Tony knew. A few months ago the man wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between Moana and Brave and now he actually knew different movies. It made Peter feel warm inside. “Why don’t we start with Emperors New Groove, it’s the funniest I think. Then after that you pick.”

I wish it could be like this all the time, if May and I could move here and be with Mr Stark and Miss Potts and all the avengers, I would be the happiest person in the world. But no use wishing for things that’ll never happen, I need to just relish in this moment. This happiness.  

“What kinda pizza do you want?” Peter asked, trying to move away from his thoughts.

"Good choice." Tony smiled. Emperor's New Groove was one of his favourites.

He gently combed his fingers through when they snagged on a knot in Peter's hair as he contemplated on what pizza he wanted. "I think I want plain cheese pizza. Maybe get a pepperoni for later on so Pep can grab something when she gets home. What do you want?" Tony asked the teen back.

Unknowingly, he echoed Peter's own thoughts from moments before. Je wished that it could be like this all the time, just them together and doing what they enjoy. That Peter and May lived with him and Pepper.

He could picture evenings like this, waiting for Pepper and May to get back from work and them joining in on their movie nights would be amazing. Rhodey, Happy and the rest of the team joining from time to time too.

Peter winced when Tony tried to get a particularly stubborn knot out of his curls, but Tony gently rubbed over the sensitive part, making it all better.

“Pepperoni for Pepper,” The teen giggled, "Pep for Pep.”

Tony laughed at the name pun. "Yeah, it's her favourite pizza type. I find it hilarious."

It would be so nice if Pepper could join us too, she’s like my second mom, well second to Aunt May who pretty much is my mom.

“Cheese sounds good to me. But we might not be able to share with my metabolism.” Peter felt bad to hinder the man, not wanting to waste his money. "But it’s okay! I’m happy to share if you wanna.”

I can’t be a bother to him, I should be grateful enough he’s letting me spend the night.

Tony frowned  slightly at Peter's comment about sharing the pizza. Luckily Peter didn't see it because of the position of his head. "Don't worry about it at all, Roo." Tony reassured him. "I asked FRIDAY to always add to your orders so that you have enough to fill you and have leftovers."

Before Peter could speak, Tony carried on. "And you don't have to worry about it being an inconvenience either since I did the same for Steve and Bucky because they have similar enhanced metabolisms to you."

Tony had a sudden idea. A stroke of genius on his part if he did say so himself. "We should make our own pizza sometime again. Maybe don't tell Pepper though. She still has me banned from the kitchen." Tony smirked. "Buuuut she didn't ban me from the communal one!"

He always manages to make me smile when he calls me Roo, always reminds me of Winnie the Pooh with his friends Kanga and Roo. How does he always know what I’m thinking? He knew I felt like an inconvenience even without me saying it, and they call Wanda the mind reader.  

“That would be SO fun to make our own pizza! But I can’t promise I can keep us from being banned from the communal kitchen,” Peter laughed. How could one even be banned from one's own kitchen? The thought made him giggle harder.

Tony laughed as well when he saw the amused curiosity on Peter's face. "I may or may not have accidentally blown up the toaster while I was making Pepper an omelette. And no I don't know how because I wasn't even making toast!" He explained knowing that the kid was curious about it.

"But, in my defence, I hadn't slept for a few days so the file not found error was bouncing around in my brain a lot. It was a disaster at the time but now it's just plain funny."

Yeah yeah, Tony thought to himself, I was a walking disaster but it has gotten a lot better since I've been trying to be a good role model and influence for the spider baby. Take that, toaster.

Peter couldn't stifle his laughter at the ridiculous story, he wanted to ask how Tony could manage to do that but knew that he was prone to even more ridiculous disasters himself.

“It’s definitely funny,” He laughed. “For tonight we should probably stick to ordering out though,” He kept giggling. How does he always manage to make me so happy?  

"That would definitely be for the best, kid." Tony smirked "No messed up appliances or kitchens tonight." This kid was amazing. How he always amuses me and makes me smile is something I'll never know. I just know I like it. Pep and Rhodey can laugh all they want but I'm so here for this super dad/mentor thing I have going.

“When are we gonna order?” Said kid asked.

"We can order now if you want? If you get hungry later we can just heat up some of the extras."

He knows me too well, it still surprises me sometimes that he’s so accepting of my stupidly ridiculous metabolism. I never told him I don’t eat enough at home, the amount of food I need is just too much money to ask May to buy, yet somehow he just knows to make sure I always have more than enough food. He really is better than I could ever ask for...

“Sounds good! Wanna start the movie now or once the pizza gets here?” Realising just how many questions he seemed to be asking, Peter cringed inwardly. I hope he doesn’t get annoyed by my endless questions.

"I'm about ready to eat anyway so I'm sure you are more than ready for some cheesy goodness considering that metabolism of yours." Tony answered him. "Now, what pizza do you want?"

“I’ll eat anything, get whatever,” Peter smiled. Even though he ate before he came over, his stomach was already getting that hollow feeling.

I just need to eat something, I don’t care what. Is this annoying? Me needing so much? I ask so much of him, I text way too much, always want to come over, and practically invited myself over for a sleepover. What if he gets sick of me? Should I ask?

Tony was about to ask if the plain cheese with a few other flavours for the others would be okay when he practically felt Peter's mood shift.

“Mr Stark,” Peter began but changed his mind. It would be stupid to ask, if he wasn’t thinking about me being a nuisance before then I’ll just put the thought in his head and neither of us need that .

"Yeah kid?"

“Nevermind.” Peter mumbled, shifting to bury his head in the man's shoulder. Why am I so stupid?

Tony nudged him, trying to encourage Peter to talk but the life just shrugged his it away and burrowed into the man's shoulder and side.

"You okay?" Tony asked in concern, bringing a hand back up to his head and smoothed some stray curls away. Tony lifted his chin so I could look at him properly. "You can ask and say whatever you want, kiddo."

If I let myself, I could just break open. I could just spill out every bit of emotion I’ve been suppressing my whole life. But I can’t, I shouldn’t, it’s crazy to think he’s sick of me, right? He wouldn’t have invited me to spend the night if he was sick of me, and he wouldn’t be holding me like this if he couldn’t stand me. Peter thought.

Peter pulled away from Tony's hand on his chin. Pressing his face back into his shoulder, he mumbled, “S nothing.” It was a feeble attempt and even Peter knew that it wouldn't suffice. “Just dumb thoughts.” He finished.

I get a lot of dumb thoughts for someone Mr Stark says is so smart.

Tony seeing that Peter was at war with himself for saying anything. Sadly, he knew what it felt to second guess yourself like that all too well. He hated that Peter had to feel it too.

Tony let Peter press his face back against him, knowing it was so much easier than the vulnerability that eye contact brought.

"It might be nothing or something you think dumb, but wouldn't it be nice to say it anyway? What's going on up here, Bambino?" He murmured gently to his kid, tracing a finger over his temple.

Despite feeling that his mind was being all dumb, the silly and sweet nickname still gave Peter the slightest smile. Though I know he has a point and I trust he knows what he’s talking about, it’s not so easy just to be honest and open. Maybe if I just say part of it then it would satisfy him, but not maybe me too vulnerable .

“Do you ever get sick of me?” Peter whispered. Since he was still cuddling close to him, Peter wasn’t sure if Tony could even hear him, but he didn’t dare repeat the stupid question. Why do I always have to ruin the mood? I picked a funny movie so we could be happy and I ruined it before we even had a chance to start.

When Peter asked him if he ever got sick of him, Tony felt like his whole body froze. Like he was a tv in the middle of a show that had been unplugged suddenly. "Oh, Tesoro. No! I don't get sick of you." Tony decided to let himself be fully open with his kid. It was hard but he made it easier, brought out a trust in Tony that he didn't know he had. "I couldn't get sick of you if I tried. I always miss you when you aren't around and talking my ear off about Star Wars and Ned, or a puppy you saw on patrol, or the latest food that May attempted only to burn."

He pressed a kiss on the top of his head. "Everything is too quiet when you aren't around. The silence used to be normal but now it bores me and makes me lonely sometimes. I always look forward to the time we spend together and the messages we send to each other. I don't get sick of you, I get the opposite. Unsick? I dunno what the word would be but that's what I'm trying to say here." Tony finished. He wrapped both of arms around Peter and pulled him close. They both always needed these easy hugs from each other

While Tony spoke, Peter found himself blinking back the tears from his eyes. God, he hoped everything he was saying was true.

Peter wrapped his arms around his neck, holding as close as he could to his dad. He didn’t try to correct himself to mentor instead of dad. “‘M unsick of you too.” Peter said into his chest as he hugged him.

Tony couldn't stop the sudden burst of laughter when Peter said he was unsick of hom too. The laugh may have slightly stuck his throat from the rush of affection but that was neither here nor there.

"I love you, bud. So so much. You're my spidey kid." Tony mumbled, resting his cheek on his head, never letting him slip from his place in his arms. Peter hugs are the best

Peter thought his cheeks would catch on fire from how red they were when he said it. “I love you too Da- Mr Stark.” Hopefully he missed that little slip up, I don’t need any more vulnerability today. Peter thought.

Trying to distract him, Peter joked, “And I’m not a kid, I’m a spider man! ” He insisted with a nervous smile.

Tony smiled also at his slip up but didn't comment on it. He could see that Peter was at his limit, especially after he used a joke to deflect. "Nah, you're a spider baby. Ask anyone, May, Pepper, Rhodey. Heck, even FRIDAY."

Just don't ask Karen, Tony thought to himself. That AI was endearingly loyal to Peter.

"Since FRI ordered for us, the pizzas should be here soon. Do you want to start the movie now or wait for it to arrive?"

Peter stayed cuddled up with him, soaking in the comfort. “If ‘m a spider baby then you’re an old iron man.” Even though he knew it was a lame come back, Peter was suddenly too tired to care. Opening up had exhausted him and he couldn't be bothered to think anymore. “Can we start the movie now?” He asked, wanting to focus on something more light hearted, “That okay?”

Tony gasped in faux shock. "How could you betray me like this!?" He dramatically put a hand over his forehead. "I am not old! I am the very picture and essence of youth! I am appalled that you would ever suggest otherwise!" He exaggerated as he poked Peter in the side.

"But, moving on from your treachery, we can start the movie. Do you want a pillow or anything or are you comfortable where you are?" Tony arched a brow at him in amusement at how cuddled Peter was into his side.

Peter smiled at Tony's antics. The fact that he wants to get Peter to laugh makes him smile even bigger. I could never deserve someone so wonderful and kind and caring and loving as him as my mentor.  

“Mm” Peter thought, but just the idea of moving from his comfort made his chest tighten uncomfortably, “No you’re comfyyyy” He drew out the word, stating right where he was. Though he did shift a bit so he could see the tv better.

"Well I'm so glad I make such a good pillow then." Tony chuckled and fixed the blanket that had fallen slightly when Peter shifted. "I can add personal pillow to my various monikers now. Genius, billionaire, philanthropist, and personal pillow. Oh, and irondad as Rhodey so affectionately dubbed me." He smiled softly down at Peter and rested his cheek on his fluffy curls.

Peter giggled at that, “if you're my iron dad, then am I your spider-son?”

“Cuz then I know what to put on the Father’s Day card this year,” Peter hoped Tony could feel his smirk even if he couldn’t see it as he faced the tv.

"It works. We can coin it. It'll drive Rhodey insane that he can't use it to annoy us." Tony smirked back.

"FRI, play Emperor's New Groove please?" The only response was the lights being dimmed and the beginning of the movie playing on the tv screen.

Once the movie started Peter asked, “oh! Who’s your favorite character?”

"Kronk. He's a lovable oaf and kinda reminds me of Thor. And you, piccolo ragno?" 

“I love kronk too,” The teen said in approval. Not stopping the smile at Tony's nickname for him. The world would end if he ever ran out of nicknames for me.  

Only a few minutes into the film, Friday announced that the pizza was here. When Peter I felt Tony shift to get up to get it, he started whining not caring how childish he sounded. “Noo stayyyyy.” He grabbed onto his shirt so that his ‘pillow’ wouldn’t leave.

"Nooo, sustenance." Tony whined back as he chuckled. How Peter simultaneously brings out my dad side as well as my childish side I'll never know.

Tony didn't bother letting Peter go as he got up from the couch. He just hefted him over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes and walked to the elevator to grab the pizza.

It still surprised Peter at times that Tony could carry him around like he was just a little kid. I mean I can’t weigh that little right? Maybe it has something to do with my powers.

Inside the elevator there was a compartment that had been added so that the various take out delivery people placed the food in so that they didn't have to deal with the stammering and gawking. It got old after the first six times that it resulted in cold food.

Tony dropped Peter gently to the ground and gave him some of the pizza boxes to carry. Eight pizzas were a little difficult to carry alone.

Peter easily took the pizzas, relishing in the delicious smell as they brought the boxes back over to the couch and placed them on the coffee table in front of it. No use bringing it to the kitchen when they both know they'll just be eating on the couch anyway.

The teen put them down, checking the labels for Tony's pizza before handing him the box. He sat down next to him, once again putting the large blanket over their laps. “Is there a specific one for me or any?” Peter asked, not remembering if he had asked for a specific  order or not.

"Nah there isn't really. Although I did get you at least one or two that are plain cheese because I know you like that. Otherwise I just had FRIDAY order the kinds we both like so grab whatever." Tony answered as opened his box and passed Peter a napkin when he grabbed one for himself.

“Okie dokie,” Peter grabbed a box at random, opening it up to discover pineapple pizza, “yum,”He smiled and leaned back into the couch, not sure whether it would be weird to cuddle so close to Tony again after being so openly clingy.

Tony pouted dramatically when he saw the pineapple. "I forgot that you and Rhodey have the ability to eat fruit on pizza. It's not right. I can feel  disturbance in the force." He bumped Peter with his shoulder and shifted so that they were sitting close, knees bumping as well as their elbows occasionally when they took a bite from their pizzas.

Peter smiled when he shifted closer. Somehow he just knows I want to be close even without me having to say it. It still astounds me sometimes how close we’ve gotten. He really is like a dad to me... my iron dad. That thought made him smile more as he went onto the next piece of pizza.

After a few moments of silence Tony saw Peter smirk at him, taking a dramatically large bite of the (in his opinion) delicious pizza. “It’s criminal that you don’t like pineapple pizza, it’s clearly the best.”

"What's criminal is that you think pineapple pizza is the best. I shall never accept it. It's a felony." Tony gestured at him with the slice in his hand. He wiped the grease from his fingers with a napkin before nudging the kid. "I'm gonna grab something to drink, do you want anything? There's coke, juice, milk, lemonade, and probably a few other things."

“Mm," Peter thought over the options, "Can I have juice por favor? Do you have orange juice?” He asked, watching Tony throw the part of the blanket that was on him onto Peter's, suffocating him in warmth. I could follow him, so we can keep talking. No no that’s weird, I should stay here.

"Yup sure do. One coke for me and orange for you coming up." Tony darted into the kitchen hoping his hurry to get back to the couch wasn't too obvious. He grabbed their drinks, and darted back, plopping down heavily next to Peter, careful not to spill anything, and passed him his juice.

Tony wriggled around to get comfortable before grabbing the last slice of his pizza. He finished it and wiped his hands again before relaxing back into the couch, coke in hand.

Peter mumbled a thank you with a smile when he was handed the glass. He had to refrain from chugging down the whole glass of orange juice. It wasn't like he would get sick from drinking too quickly but he didn't want to make Tony have to get up again.

He easily went through one entire pizza but stopped himself from grabbing a second pizza, he didn't want to be rude and eat too much of the food.

Tony finished his coke and put the glass on the coffee table. AsIhe did, he noticed Peter's half full glass and empty pizza box. "Have more pizza if you want, kid. I know that one isn't nearly enough for your metabolism." The man grinned reassuringly. "And you can have as much juice as you want as well." He leant forward and grabbed another random pizza and passed Peter the box in hope that he would take the invitation and eat and drink his full.

Peter, after only a moment of hesitation, happily took the pizza box and practically inhaled the first slice. God this pizza is so good.  

Between pieces of pizza he laughed at the movie. “This movie is so underrated,” Peter said offhandedly as he finished the second box of pizza. Before grabbing a third, he looked over at his mentor for approval before being greedy.

"Agreed. The 'wrong lever' part is brilliant and I hate it but the cat Yzma turns into is adorable." Tony said in agreement. He turned his head when he felt Peter's eyes on him.

The kid was holding another pizza and his head was tilted in question. He looked like a puppy. "Go ahead, bud. Eat as much as you want." Tony reassured him again as he got up to grab the juice box from the fridge for when Peter's glass finished.

Peter nodded in thanks when Tony let him continue eating even though he himself was far done with his own dinner. Once Tony settled back in, Peter commented, “They really should make a roller coaster for the wrong lever part, would be so great,” He chuckled at his own statement and Tony laughed too.

"They should make it look like it's going up, only to suddenly have Yzma's voice saying 'Pull the lever, Kronk. Wrong lever!' as the ride suddenly drops out of nowhere." The man snickered at the idea and turned back to watching the movie as Peter continued eating. He would occasionally poke Peter at a funny part or they would laugh at something but they mostly sat in content silence.

Peter giggled when Tony continued onto his dumb idea, “Aw that’s the kinda thing you’d see on tumblr,” He snickered and picked up the last slice in his box. By the time he actually felt full he had eaten almost all the pizza that Tony had bought. But thankfully he didn’t seem to mind.  

As the movie continued Peter began leaning more and more onto Tony until they were cuddling like before again. Like a dad and his son.

Days like these were Peter's favorite, when they can just be together and have deeper conversations and but also talk lightheartedly about funny movies.

Tony felt him get heavier on his side as the movie went along. He was probably getting sleepy from the food which Tony was happy that Peter had eaten and seemed to enjoy the pizzas. He liked that he could do small things like that for him.

Feeling the kid shift slightly again, Tony shifted as well to lay with his head on the arm of the couch and let Peter snuggle back into his side. He absent-mindedly started running his fingers through his curls again as they watched the movie.

Full from the food and relaxing more from the hand in his hair had Peter finding it harder and harder to keep his eyes open. Every time he blinked his eyes stayed closed longer and longer until they just didn’t open again. Peter didn't let himself fall asleep right away, though. Maybe if I just rest my eyes for a few minutes then I can focus back on the movie after.  

Before long he couldn’t focus on the movie anymore, only thinking of the gentle fingers combing through his hair, and how peaceful and comfortable he was. The call of sleep was strong however. He felt like he could sleep forever like this if he let himself.

When Tony noticed that Peter was falling asleep, he started humming slightly, knowing the vibrations soothed him because of his senses. He was more than happy that he would fall asleep, the kid needed the rest.

With the soft glow from the tv and Peter's rhythmic breaths slowing to a gentle snore, Tony soon found himself falling asleep too. Just before he let himself drift off, he tightened his arms around Peter and pressed a kiss to his head.

He let himself all asleep, content to lay there with his Piccolo Ragno.

[imyourbuddie]

Kiss Under The Mistletoe(3x10 Coda)

Buck has the mistletoe.

Eddie’s not sure how he feels about it.

Buck dangles the bundle above Hen’s head and leans in to brush a soft kiss on her cheek. Eddie’s insides does something funny, and he’s not sure if he should run and hide or bolt across the room and hip check Hen and take her place.

He does neither. Instead, he watches as Buck prances, prances, over to Athena and Bobby, waves the mistletoe around like some sort of trophy, and demands kisses from them both. On the cheek, of course, but the slither of something cool and unsavoury under Eddie’s skin makes him think his brain hasn’t quite gotten the memo.

Buck grins, his teeth so white they’re blinding, then twirls his way to May and Harry, earning himself two more kisses, before catching up with Chim and Maddie. Buck holds up the mistletoe, and Chim and Maddie laughs as they each plant a kiss on both of Buck’s cheeks.

A petite blonde woman taps Buck on the shoulder. Eddie doesn’t recognize her. Maybe she’s with the group home Karen invited. She smiles up at Buck, her thick curls cascading down her back as she leans up on her tippy toes, and her cherry red lips brush the corner of Buck’s mouth. Buck blinks, surprise evident in his wide eyes, but by the time he gets his wits about him, she’s long gone.

Eddie’s stomach does a flip-flop, and he doesn’t notice the death grip he’s got on his cup until the plastic snaps. Shit .

Buck shakes his head, his cheeks rosy even as his lips curl into a faint little smile. That cold thing pools in Eddie’s stomach and turns sour.

The rest of the evening sees Buck clinging to his little bundle of mistletoe like it’s his new favourite toy, and people coming up to him and showering him with kisses. Some on the cheek, some on the lips, and every kiss is like a kick to Eddie’s gut.

But he can’t just walk up to Buck and kiss him. There’s no way Eddie can plant a platonic one on Buck and walk away. Not after his feelings for his best friend have been building ever since they removed that live round from that guy’s leg together, snowballing until Eddie’s careening out of control, stuck in the middle and dragged along for the ride.

Dinner comes and goes, and of course, Buck sits with Eddie and Christ. Buck brings Chris his present, and Buck hovers wherever Eddie looks. Close enough that Eddie can see the mistletoe poking out of his pocket, wilting around the edges, but still so far out of Eddie’s reach.  

Why Buck’s still hanging onto that thing even though he’s kissed literally every person at the party is beyond Eddie. Well, every person except him. And Eddie should feel relief, should be grateful that he won’t be accidentally outed by an innocent gesture like kissing under the mistletoe. But he’s so far from happy even Chris noticed.

“Daddy? What’s wrong?” he asks.

And Eddie wants to kick himself. “Nothing, mijo. Just tired.”

“Does that mean we have to go home?” Chris sounds dejected, his smile a little forced, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out Chris is looking out for him. When did Eddie become this person who needs his son to protect him? When did he become so fragile?

“No, we can stay a while longer if you’d like,” he says and ruffles Chris’ hair. Chris beams, his eyes turning into slits. His mouth move, but before he can reply, Denny comes by and drags him away, no doubt to play with the new train set Karen got him.

Eddie scrubs a hand down his face and takes a deep breath. He needs to clear his head, get himself out of this ridiculous funk before his abuela notices. Slipping away from the festivities is easy with so many people crowded in the lounge and kitchen. Cool evening air greets him as Eddie pushes through the backdoor of the fire house, and for the first time that night, he breathes easy.

It’s a beautiful night with clear skies and just nippy enough Eddie wishes he’d grabbed his jacket. He finds a spot by the engine bay door and sits, leaning his head against the side of the building. The cool air helps clear his head. One breath in, one breath out.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

He’s no less agitated, but at least his hands have stopped shaking. Eddie stares up at the sky, wishing he could see past the glow of the city that seems to never sleep, wishing he could see the stars he knows are up there.

So he could make a wish. One small, selfish wish where he can call Buck his.

Eddie chuckles, the sound humourless and a little desperate. After all this time, all these signals he thinks Buck’s given him, Eddie’s still too afraid to reach out and take what he wants. Too afraid to make the same mistakes he’s made with Shannon.

Buck’s his best friend. Could he risk ruining that for something he’s not even sure is actually there?

“Yo, Diaz.”

Eddie startles, his head snapping to the sound of that familiar voice. “Buck?”

“Thought you don’t answer to Diaz.” Buck smirks as he eats the distance between them in long strides, a blanket draped over his arm.

Eddie can’t help but notice the long lines of Buck’s legs. Christ, the guy’s all legs, and Eddie never knew he was a legs man until now. “I don’t.”

“Uh huh.” Buck plunks down next to Eddie and spreads out the blanket over them. Eddie shivers, but he’s not sure if it’s from the cold. “What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?”

“Who says I’m lonely?”

“You just did.”

Eddie sucks in a sharp breath and looks away, his cheeks burning. Shit. Why does he have to be so defensive? Now he’s talked himself into a hole he’s not sure how to crawl out of. So he stops talking, and silence descends upon them like dust.

Buck shifts next to him, drawing his legs up and pulling the blanket to his chin. His bare arm brushes against Eddie’s, and the dry heat of his skin scorches hotter than any fire Eddie’s ever run into. Somewhere in the distance, a car alarm blares and a dog barks. Someone shouts in Spanish, and Eddie chuckles.

“What did he say?” Buck asks, his voice a little hoarse.

“It’s not for polite company.”

“Since when am I polite company?” Buck turns and pins Eddie with his stare.

Eddie swallows under the weight of all that blue, and his mind blanks. Spanish, English, he can’t think straight when Buck’s staring at him with so much intensity. He should say something, anything, but his tongue’s stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Buck leans closer, his tongue darting out to lick his lips, and Eddie can’t help tracking that small movement. Can’t help but wonder what that tongue tastes like, what Buck tastes like. Buck shifts closer, inch by agonizing inch until his nose is a hair’s breadth from Eddie’s, and something green creeps into the edges of Eddie’s vision.

“Mistletoe?”

Buck grins, and before Eddie realizes what’s happening, Buck’s lips press against his.

Fireworks explode behind Eddie’s eyes, and that pathetic, startled moan can’t possibly be from him. Calloused fingers stroke along Eddie’s jaw, then Buck’s warm palm cups Eddie’s cheek with incredible tenderness.

Eddie presses a hand to Buck’s chest, and the erratic beating of his heart seems to match Eddie’s. Buck opens up to Eddie, and Eddie doesn’t need a written invitation to finally, finally savour the taste he’s been yearning for so long.

The press of Buck’s tongue is electric, and the heat of his mouth and the softness of his lips are beyond anything Eddie’s ever dreamt of. Eddie pulls back, but he’s barely pulled a breath before Buck’s on him again, and this time, the kiss is anything but chaste.

The blanket slips and Buck crawls into Eddie’s lap, strong thighs on either side of him. Eddie’s arms slip around Buck’s torso, fingers curling into the fabric of Buck’s uniform, and Buck grins before licking into Eddie’s mouth.

Eddie’s drunk on the taste of Buck’s mouth, the weight of Buck’s body. Drunk on the heat of his skin and the scrape of his nails along Eddie’s scalp. Everything about this moment is incredible, and Eddie believes a little more in Christmas miracles.

Buck pulls back and leans his forehead against Eddie’s, his blue eyes lust-blown, his lips kiss-swollen and glistening. His hair is disheveled, and Eddie can’t remember when he did that. They stare at each other for a long, loaded moment, their chests heaving together and slowing down in time until they both finally stop panting.

“Fucking finally,” Buck huffs.

“Hm?”

“Been waiting for you to kiss me all night.” Eddie blinks. His face must be doing something stupid, because Buck throws his head back and laughs, the sound throaty and rich and full of mirth. “Figured at some point I just gotta take matters into my own hands.”

Eddie chuckles and shakes his head. He picks up the forgotten bundle of mistletoe and holds it over their heads. “I’m glad you did.”

Their lips meet once more, and this time, Eddie’s never letting Buck go.

[blarrghe]

10 and 16, your choice 👀

Currently neglecting everything else I have going on for this Dorianders modern au. This is going to go somewhere...interesting.

16. I need a date for this wedding from the cliche prompts

Dorian asks a favour, he even has the foresight to ask using kittens. How can Anders say no?

Continues from the last one, for more of this tale you can read them in order on AO3

--

He had a wrap made with roasted vegetables, house made hummus, and smoked tofu, and it was surprisingly good. A little expensive still, but the menu said that a portion of all the proceeds went towards supporting the animal shelter, so really no part of him could find reason to complain. A skinny young tabby came and sat by them while they ate, and Anders stroked its stripes slowly, almost mesmerized, while Dorian told him the latest dramatic tale from some high-brow party he’d been to the night before. Anders was only half listening; they’d been friends for just over a month, though with all the little chunks of time they found to spend together, it seemed longer, and in that time Anders had learned that Dorian went to an unbelievable number of fancy parties. It seemed like there was a new one each night, fundraisers and awards ceremonies and shows of support for one cause or another. Pompous, stuffy affairs that he looked to Anders to laugh over, later. Anders didn’t mind, exactly, he could make fun of upper class excess any day of the week, and he actually appreciated being privy to some of the more political gossip, but there was a reason why Dorian seemed to always cap the nights off with an outing to some noisier, bouncier club. Most of what he did for work was painfully boring. And the stories that came after, about what happened at said bouncy clubs, were worse still. 

He was going through it, Anders reminded himself, he didn’t really talk about it, but it was there. Grief and guilt and an unmistakable feeling of relief, which only led him to more guilt. There was a good deal of alcohol in the mix, too. He looked good, tall and handsome, workouts the next day to detox from the wild nights, but he was still a mess, underneath it all. Easy to forget, smooth as he talked, but Anders had an uncanny ability to see through veils, thanks to that ghost still shadowing his soul. 

As his friend, Anders was more or less supportive; reminders about the uselessness of detoxes, a sounding board for work-related gripes, encouraging smiles when it looked like Dorian might say something a little closer to the truth. But as a man who had seen him, been struck down by the lightning bolt of his smile every time it graced his lips, he was mostly just jealous. But Dorian was busy treating his grief with sex and mindnumbing dance beats, and Anders would rather be a friend than a drunken encounter at a noisy club, so that was that. And he was very deliberately not waiting. He’d done all that before, the yearning and pining and endless aching for a one-sided love, and it was fucking terrible. Unhealthy. Friendship was good, friendship was healthy. Being used as some kind of distraction would not be, no matter how tempting. 

Anders, meanwhile, had found his own distraction in the form of a coworker who was also decidedly going through something. Someone as different as could be from Dorian, and who had no undue attachment to Anders whatsoever. In fact, she had three or four men in rotation and was very obviously beginning to fall in a complicated way for one of the other ones. So distractions abounded, but at least between himself and Dorian there could just be a solid foundation, untroubled by jealousy and sex. Except for when he smiled. 

“Anders?” Dorian’s voice cut through his thoughts, and the skinny tabby looked up, irritated that Anders had abruptly stopped petting it. “Alright, I get it, Tevinter politics, boring.” Dorian went on, “shall I leave you here with your new friend?” The cat hopped down from its perch on the seat next to Anders, and slunk away, indifferent. 

“I — ah,” Anders shook his head, turning his focus back to Dorian, who always seemed to be smirking at him. “Sorry, I’m just tired.” 

Dorian raised an eyebrow, then glancing away over Anders’ shoulder, he indicated something with a slight nod. “Would a kitten help?” 

Anders turned to look, and whatever else was going on in his heart simply melted away, as two bright white kittens emerged stumbling from one of the carpeted cat tunnels set out under the windows of the cafe, wobbling and hopping over one another with fluffy little tails and bright blue eyes. 

“Sweet maker,” he breathed, and he could hear Dorian laughing under his breath as he watched, “I’m going to go pet those kittens now.” Anders announced, leaving his head-shaking and amused friend behind. 

He played with the kittens until they finished being curious about him and wandered off to sniff at someone else, and then he took a look around the place, appreciating the genius of it. Lots of fun shelves and carpeted tunnels and posts with fluffy balls on strings tied to their ends, cats lounging and wandering about; the skinny tabby, the two white kittens, an old black and brown giant with long hair and a grumpy expression, watching from a shelf on high, and several others, sleeping in happy piles on top of one another in various hiding spots or jumping from platform to platform overhead. There was a bulletin board on the wall with each cat’s picture posted up, along with an informative biography detailing their name, breed and personality. Paperwork for adoption could be requested from the servers, and the place had purportedly housed over a hundred lonely cats in the short time since its opening. There were some pictures of the lucky adoptees up on the board as well, and a flyer requesting volunteer help at the shelter. Anders ripped off one of the phone numbers hanging from it. 

By the time Anders returned to their table, feeling altogether lighter and refreshed, Dorian had paid their bill. Anders watched as Dorian stood, pulling the strap of his gym bag back up over his shoulder and checking his watch with an apologetic grimace. 

“You didn’t have to pay,”Anders frowned, reaching in his pocket for the bills to cover his share. Dorian shrugged. 

“I may have ulterior motives, actually.” He replied, and Anders’ frown deepened. “I need to ask you a favour.” 

He crossed his arms, feeling rather buttered up, what with the kittens and the lunch and the way Dorian was still slyly smiling at him. 

“There’s an event next week, and I need someone to accompany me…” 

“I’m no good at formal events,” Anders warned, “I’ll get you voted out of the Magisterium just by holding my fork wrong or something.” 

“It’s not that kind of event, it’s a — it’s a family affair. A wedding.” Dorian admitted the context stiffly, a tenseness in his jaw already. It had been weeks since the funeral, which he’d never talked about at all, but the way he said wedding sounded about as much like one. 

Anders’ heart stilled. “Can’t you find a date?” He quipped, or tried to quip, throat going dry again. 

Dorian sighed. “I could take the one my mother’s found, or I could take a friend.” he replied, eyes pleading. Fuck that word and his desperate eyes. “Besides, the whole thing would be much more tolerable with someone to make snide remarks with on the sidelines. Free food, free wine, saving me from an evening of drudgery celebrating the union of some distant fourth-cousin and her fifth husband. Please?” 

“I don’t much want to antagonize your mother.” Anders said, still frowning. He remembered her in the hospital, shouting bloody murder at his supervisors and snapping at the nurses. And it didn’t escape him either that for Dorian to bring another man to a family affair would set tongues wagging; that he probably wanted it to. Anders had a habit of flaunting Tevinter sensibilities where it came to things like gender presentation and respectable life choices. Some of it was accidental — there were so many rules to Tevinter codes of behaviour, it was too easy to break them — but some of it was deliberate. He missed Kirkwall, where none of it had really mattered, and some part of him didn’t want to let Tevinter rigidity take away his freedom. Halward Pavus, rest his temperamental soul, had seemed to pinpoint him for his otherness even while laying on his deathbed, and had let him know it with regular scorn. Scorn he’d no doubt directed at Dorian his whole life, given all the maladaptive coping mechanisms he was displaying in the wake of his death. And Anders was still trying not to become a maladaptive coping mechanism. Spirits on earth, he needed to call Merrill. 

“Not even a little?” Dorian prodded, breaking through his brooding once again, “it can be great fun you know; it’s practically a hobby of mine.” 

Anders sighed. “I wouldn’t know what to wear.” he said, a lame excuse that Dorian would happily rectify in a second, given how much he delighted in his own stylings. He could see it already, a smirk coming back to his lips out of that tense jaw, ready to make some suggestions as soon as Anders gave him permission. 

“We can work on that. Come on, if you say no I’ll be forced to get exceedingly drunk, reject a probably perfectly tolerable woman, and generally make a scene.” 

“As though inviting me isn’t going to do that,” Anders protested. No, Dorian didn’t talk about his family much, but Anders didn’t need him to in order to figure him out. 

“You’re a friend, and a doctor. It’s plenty respectable.” Dorian leaned back, “and an excuse to leave early, if you get called away for some sort of...medical emergency.” he winked. 

Anders sighed again. “Fine,” he said, shaking his head and wondering who exactly was deciding his responses at this point; clearly not the part of him that was sensible. “But I’m not buying new robes.” 

“Of course not, you have terrible taste.” Dorian grinned, “I’ll find you something.” 

Anders took the bus home, and fell asleep on his couch, an unsent text message still in the draft stages on his phone. Not to Merrill, she would be useless in this particular dilemma, but to a different old friend. Not that he trusted Isabella to know what to do, either, but at least her advice would be fun. 

[greyfongschemmenti]

Hesitate 4|15

FryeArcana

Chapter 4: Welcome to Republic City

Alarm blaring and you groan turning over onto your back and slam on the snooze button. You take a couple of seconds to take in the morning keeping your eyes closed and take a couple of breaths, then slowly open your tired eyes. You sit up and rub your eyes then run your hands thru your hair taming your bedhead then look out your window.

Darkness

It’s still dark outside, but you can see yellow-orange rays start to creep of the sun coming out of the horizon.

You turn to go to the bathroom and get ready for work. Images of Lin creep up into your mind while you shower, and you feel a slight tickle in the pit of your stomach. You quickly brush it off and get dressed metal bending into your armor before leaving your apartment and mount onto your cycle and head to work.

*

You make way to your desk and look over at the chief’s office, it is in her line of sight she can’t easily look out and your desk being the first she sees. It can be a good thing or a bad depending on the chief’s mood. You put your helmet in your bottom drawer and walk over to look over at a couple of cases, grabbing a cup of coffee at the snack station and return to your desk. You get called by officer Song and get told to come for a ride along, going to spend some time surveilling the streets. You nod and stand back up as both of you start to head out and get into a squad car.

*

Officer Song and you walk back to the station as you walk to your desk you’re stopped by Lin who touches your shoulder which sent a light shock down your spine and you looked over at her over your shoulder and see her index finger curve signaling for you to follow.

“Yes, Chief?” you follow a step behind

“You will accompany me to City Hall this morning for some security.” The chief stated in a slight annoyed manner.

“Sure Chief, what’s going on at City Hall?” you can’t help but ask

“The Avatar has decided to present herself to the public and wants to make an announcement. Since you have previous experience with security details being in the security force at Zaofu. You seemed to be the perfect choice.”

“Well thanks for the vote of confidence, Chief.” You smirk but can’t help but get a slight annoyance about the Avatar. Your first impression on her wasn’t the best, maybe this press conference will change her mind.

You and Chief Beifong arrive to city hall and you walk around the perimeter to make sure every corner has officers before getting back to the steps and stand nearby on the left side of Avatar Korra while the Chief stood at the other side, both of you with your arms behind your back. You listen to the Avatar not being able to answer any of the reporter’s questions. Most of them wondering on her plans on handling the growing number of triads and the anti-bending revolution.

“but, honestly, I-I don’t exactly have a plan yet.” Korra nervously stated while standing at the podium. You look over at her and can’t help, but roll your eyes wondering why she would even gather the public without some sort or plan.

“but, look, all I know is Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world, and I believe we can make his dream a reality. I look forward to serving you. I’m so happy to be here. Thank you, Republic City.” She spoke more animated and confident as she spoke you can’t help but look down at the crowd, once she finished councilman Tenzin took over and escorted Korra out of the press’s views. Lin leading them inside with you following behind Tenzin and Korra while the rest of the security force disperse the crowd.

“well that was…” Tenzin

“stupid?” Chief chimed in as she crossed her arms as she stood her ground

Korra quick to get upset “Hey, I’m just doing the best I can”

“I agree…” you chimed in and all three look over at you as you glance up and look at Korra “…with Chief Beifong. It was stupid and a waste of the people's time, you just welcomed yourself to the city but offered no sort of plan or action or even have any idea on how to help the city. It was basically a publicity appearance. I’d rather you had kept your appearance low until you had a good grasp on the situation rather than look like a fool out there” you spoke calm, collected but annoyed not breaking eye contact with her as you cross your arms.

Korra red on her cheeks steps over towards you “wow, thanks for the vote of confidence. The city is totally out of whack and needs direction, I’m sure the police is doing what they can, but they need the avatar. Whoever you are.”

“y/n” you quick to respond back to her, not fazed but a slight smirk as you see how hot tempered the avatar can get.“alright stand down, y/n.” chief interjected. You huff as you stand down and both of you try to calm down. “well the conference is over no need to stay huddled” Lin sternly spoke as she walked past Tenzin and Korra toward the door and you followed closely behind.

You both get into the squad car and make it back to the station not before Lin looks over at you on the way there.

“that was some words in there, y/n” she looks out not taking her eyes off the road while she drives.

“yeah, sorry chief. Just it makes no sense, She’s the avatar but doesn’t seem to know what she’s doing” you mutter

“hmm, well as much as I agree with you, she hasn’t done anything to deserve praise for that little show back there, but are you going to lose your temper at every conference?” She frowned as she raised her eyebrow at glancing at you while she drives.

“no, sorry chief, it won’t happen again.” You look out onto the streets till you reach the station and head out of the car and head back inside of the station with the Chief.

"you better" Lin said as she walked back to her office while you take a seat at your desk. For your little outburst you got assigned to rewrite reports and conduct preliminary & follow-up criminal and traffic investigations for the remainder of the day.

One thing is for sure you have a feeling that this won’t be the last time you’re going to run in with the Avatar.

You finish with your shift and rub the back of your neck after a shower at the station and changing into your domestic clothes. You walk by towards the officers desk and notice the chief still at her office when the majority of officer have gone except for the night shift.  

you walk up at the door frame and knock as you look at Lin "you're not heading home, chief?" you asked

"no, got piles of paperwork to get down, but I'll leave in an hour or two, but you go ahead on home or wherever you're planning on doing" she mutters as she shuffles the papers around as she writes down notes and signs others then glances up at you. "anything else?" she pushes her glasses down.

"nothing chief, I hope you have a nice night. see you later, goodnight" you give her a warm smile and head out the station. You’re tired and ready to relax but decide to head out into the city and go visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

*

The door opens with the butler welcoming you inside “ah welcome miss y/n I’ll let master Hiroshi and miss Asami know you’re here”

“thank you” you smile softly and stood in the giant foyer of the Sato family mansion.

“y/n!” you turn around and notice Asami and smile as she runs up and gives you a hug. “it’s been a while since I last saw you. You should join father and I for dinner?” she smiled as she looks at you

“sure, I hope I’m not intruding family dinner. I should’ve called before coming, sorry about that” You sheepishly smile

“oh nonsense, you know you’re always welcomed here. So what brings you to the city?” she says as you both walk over to the dining room where dinner has been prepared and the butler sets out a plate for you. You look around and notice Mr. Hiroshi isn’t there.

“I’ve actually moved here; it’s been a couple of days, so I’ve been adjusting to the move. I got a job at the police force…. Is your father not joining us for dinner?” you look at her as you take a seat beside her while the butler serves your dinner.

“no, my dad is busy working tonight. He got a stroke of genius and wanted to work on his ideas before he could forget it. You know my father. So he’s working at his workshop behind the house.”

“ah well that’s nice, wouldn’t want to get in the way of success.” A quote she heard a lot from Suyin growing up in Zaofu.

“yeah you’re right” Asami softly laughed “you should stop by the factory. I’m sure father wouldn’t mind getting a second opinion on the designs of the new line of satomobiles we have lined up. Dad actually misses you at the office, your designs are still being used on the current models. Remember how we would race each other on the tracks?” she smiled

You can’t help but reminisce the brief time you spent in Republic City before you had settled in Zaofu. “yeah, I guess I can swing by on my day off and look over at the designs… I remember beating your butt on the tracks, but I’ll admit that you’ve served me mine too” you grinned and can’t help but laugh. You both enjoy your meals and you talk about your time in the city and can’t help but vent out to her about your encounter with the avatar.

“yes, I heard on the radio about how the Avatar has come to Republic City, but this is a new environment to her. She needs time to adjust and get a handle on how the city runs. Maybe you should ease up and see how she works?” she has her finger on her chin as she thinks. You can’t help but smile at how she would always try to think about the other person.

“oh like the first impression I had of you when we first met?” you chuckled which caused Asami to smile as well thinking back. “oh yes, just like that.”

*

You remember back to meeting Asami the first time at one of the shopping centers. She was looking for some parts for a project she was working on while she had a guard standing by. You were buying a new clock when you had accidentally smashed the last one with your bending. When you both turn into each other knocking each other out and landing on your bums.

“hey, watch where you’re going” you spat out and look at the newly bought clock broken on the ground beside you “oh great” you groan

“sorry, I should’ve watched where I was going. I didn’t see you” a soft voice spoke, and she helped you up and noticed your broken clock. “oh man, I broke your clock. I can fix it for you if you like or replace it for you. Here follow me.” she absentmindedly grabs your hand and takes you to the private car where the chauffer is there to drive back to the mansion.

“wait what? I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to follow you. I mean people would think I’m robbing you or something”

“robbing you in my own car and chauffeur?” Asami stopped and looked back confused “just get in, nothing is going to happen.” You exhaled and stepped inside the car with her following behind.

You look around quietly taking in your new surrounding before speaking “so, are you rich or something? It’s not every day you have a chauffeur around. Who are you?” you muttered

“oh sorry, I’m Asami Sato”

“Sato? As in daughter of Hiroshi Sato, industrialist and founder of Future Industries Sato?” you looked at her shocked as she looks out the window “what’s a rich girl like you walking around in the busy streets of republic city. Shouldn’t there be security following you around?”

“I’m not rich, that’s my father’s success. I don’t need security; I know how to defend myself. My father had me tried by the best self-defense teachers in the city so I would always be able to protect myself.”

“uh well I guess that’s smart of your father” you keep eyeing Asami as the drive continues your first impression of her was quick to think that she was another heiress who would be prissy and want to flaunt her riches, but you were soon be oh so wrong.

Once you get to the Sato mansion you are in amazement at just how large the estate is. Asami walks you towards her room as she has a desk with a small set of tools. She grabs your clock that you haven’t let go and started to fix it right up in no time. You look around and notice that her room looks just as normal as any teenager just slightly messy desk with drawings and ideas. Seems like she has the same innovative mind just like her father.

“ok, all done” she says as she turns on the clock and works in perfect condition.

“wow, well would you look at that, thanks” you smile as you look over the clock and see how she was able to fix it.

“I guess I pegged you wrong, sorry” you softly spoke a slight blush creeping up on your cheek

“what do you mean?” she looks at you as she sat at her desk

“well once you told me who you were I figured you were some prissy rich girl but looking around and getting to know you a bit more I can see that I was wrong” you look at her.

“well, you shouldn’t be so quick to judge someone. You’ll be surprised to find out about a person once you get to know them” she smiled softly

You couldn’t help but smile back

You come back from that memory as you look at Asami “since then you’ve always been like a little sister to me. It took getting used to being friends with a girl who 7 years younger, but you’ve ways been more mature than kids your age. Sometimes I forget how old you are, Sami” you laugh “what are you 19?” you smile as you take a drink from your cup.

“close, 18. Well you’ve always acted younger than you are. You’ve had a kid like spirit, but I see your time at working with the Zaofu security force matured you, a bit.” She smiled back.

“hey, I can act my age when I want to, just went I’m with the right company well my attitude differs” you look at her and you both can’t help but laugh.

After some more time with catching up with each other it was time to dismiss yourself and say goodbye to Asami.

You make your way out of the residence when a catch a glimpse of two figures huddled in the corner whispering. You try to get close without getting detected but a small crunch of leaves blows your cover and you quickly mount on your cycle and speed off before either one of those figures realize your identity.

You mind races as you’re settled in your apartment and set for bed. Thinking at who those figures were nearby the Sato residence whispering about. Should you have turned back and meddled? It didn’t seem dangerous just some shady whisperings, you think back that time about the break in and robbery at the Sato mansion and decide to just give Asami a ring to calm your nerves.

“hello?” you hear Asami’s voice on the line

“oh hey Sami, sorry to bother you just I forgot to let you know when I got home. Just in case you were wondering. Everything cool at home?” you tried to sound as calm as you can.

“oh that’s great you made it home safe. Yeah, all good over here, just getting ready for bed, you?” her voice just as calm, she didn’t sound nervous or give any indication that she was other than okay, which calmed you.

“that’s good, well I should let you go. Hope you sleep well. Thanks for dinner by the way. It was great as always.”

“anytime, y/n. you’re always welcomed here. Goodnight sleep well too” you both ended the call and you head to bed and look up at the ceiling which is something you always tend to do before falling asleep. Though everything gave you the indication that Asami and her father are safe there is a feeling you can’t help but shake.

[gothicfury]

Maouju de oyasumi

Sleepless Princess in the Demon Castle.

Episode 1 Sleepless Princess of the Castle 眠れぬ城の姫

Nemurenu Shiro no Hime

review and spoilers

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Magic, Shounen, Slice of Life, Supernatural

Disclaimer: There will be a lot of Lol.

Lol. Let's start with that, this has to be one of the funniest and cutest anime that I've seen for a while aside from Overlord.

It's a tale about Princess Aurora being abducted by a Demon and placed in a Demon Castle where it's incredibly boring so there is nothing to do but sleep, but she can't doze off because she finds many obstacles along the way, It is after all a Demon Castle.

So the focus of the story is the Princess's quests in trying to find a good night's rest.

When she first tries to snooze she finds out that she cannot doze off because of her cheap pillow, it then becomes a mission for her to find things to aid her in her sleep.

This is where the teddy demons come in to bring her food, she sees the knife and fork from the platter that they brought, and akin to a murder movie she menacingly races her knife, ready to stab these cute teddy demons.

The teddies get scared but luckily right beside them lay a cute little green hairbrush, ergo instead of opening them up for their stuffing, she just brushed off their teddy fur, which the teddy Demons thoroughly enjoys, and for this reason, they become her minions who give her the dungeon keys to escape when she needs to, in exchange of forever being groomed. lol.

Her next undertaking was to collect things to make the pillowcase, she starts running around the palace stealing things leaving the demons hilariously worried and confused, making them think that she had escaped.

At first, she steals a furry-looking hedgehog's hair which they call a Quilladillo, then she rips off the cloth from the curtains and uses them as a disguise, tricking a headless knight into giving her rare herbs from the treasure room, which she mysteriously pulls off. She laughs while leaving the knight farcically bewildered.

She goes back to her room with her obtained materials to construct what she desired. She made some soft yarn from the teddy's fur by spinning them by hand, then she sews the herb-dyed curtains with the hedgehog's hair as a needle to make a pillowcase then she filled it up with her fluffy stuffing. Alas! her Soft Princess Deluxe pillow is complete. A game-like frame jauntily appears saying her Quest is complete making us, viewers, proud and giggling at the same time.

She hugs it and immediately feels the difference, she starts to feel lethargic from all the running around that she made, and finally she is able to fall asleep.

Next, is The Demon King finds out that the Princess had escaped. He appeared frightening at first but he actually turns out to be a funny guy and decides to have a talk with the Princess about her actions.

But when The Demon king along with his minions tried to confront her they found her sleeping peacefully emanating the peace she feels with everyone so they ended up staring at her for a few seconds and felt as if it was just a tragedy to wake her up. The demons just suggested to just have a talk with her tomorrow instead, To which the King agreed by comically walking away.

They briefly show the Princess castle along with the residents and the hero worried for her contemplating if she is in a horrible state.

The scene ludicrously moves to the Princess waking up satisfied from her long power nap, but seconds later she finds out she has sheet marks on her face and marks on her forehead from wearing her crown since she wore it to prevent her bangs from moving.

Mortified, she now decides to make a headband from the pillow remnants but she needs tools to make something cute, emphasis on the cute.

Inadvertently a demon with scissor hands come in and she focuses on the scissors as if in a trance, paying no mind to whatever the demon is saying, coincidentally some of his scissors fell, she then proposed to exchange her crown with the scissors, to which the demon happily accepted Thus she was now able to make her soft cute crown headband, Alas! The Congratulatory Quest Complete Screen appears again. Hoorah! for the Princess!.

And now the Princess moves on to a new quest, by a stroke of luck, a Demon passed by with a soft shining cape. She then prepares her scissors for the pursuit to find Luxury Sheets. She calls her teddy demon minions by clanking the brush to her dungeon cells iron bars, with the dungeon keys at hand the small demon teddies fly to the Princess with their small demon bat wings blushing with excitement.

The castle rings of snipping scissors sound followed by screams, The Princess was hunting down cloaks. Everyone was in a panic haze.

Finally, she sees it, but she finds that it wasn't a cloak instead it was a silky ghost shroud that was alive and can talk.

This is the part where you cover your mouth because our Hime apathetically says, "But I have no need for the head and arm."

Then proceeds to cut off its head and arms, killing the ghost shroud much to his dismay. This scene will get you laughing so hard, as his friend screams his name in terror whilst he dies... "Ghost Shroud!" and to top it off she leaves the demon traumatized.

Another quest complete, she gets a Celebratory "Excellent work!", from the narrator. The Princess then Enjoys herself by diving into a sea of her sheets enjoying the silky wonderful aura of the cloth she had murdered until she falls quiet slumber.

The King angered, concludes to talk to her again, but just like the other night, they find her sound asleep again and they just didn't have the heart to wake her.

Meanwhile, The hero in the Princesses' kingdom went on an exploit to find her and talked about fighting demons near the wind fortress but it was to no avail.

The Princess was now having a hard time because there was an increase of snoring demons in consequence she still can't get some shut-eye even though she made a pillow and sheet. She summons her Teddy Bear demon minions again and is determined for a quest to find a new place to sleep in; The pursuit for a comfortable bed.

The Princess finds herself lost since the castle is huge, she now sits atop of chests for treasure loots in the noble armory. She tries her luck and opens one of the treasure chests in hopes that she can salvage things that she requires. Two items fall out of a box, a talking diamond that she accidentally trips on and a shield with tornado wind which she was supposed to tumble on yet subsequently the wind catches her. She figures out that the wind was cushioning her and is quite comfortable and cinches to take it but it's too big so she uses the talking diamond to violently bash into the shield so she can take out the important part, all while the diamond was screaming in pain and disagreement.

Meanwhile, the King has a conversation with one of the demons about the importance of the shield stating how rare and valuable that item is, all while our Hime ferociously clobbers it in the background.

She was able to take the orb where the wind came out but she passed by a lava room, and accidentally trips on a blob and falls on the pool of hot lava and dies, while demons watch frantically from afar.

She gains consciousness but without control, she found it calm and relaxing, and though she found a good place to relax, she later finds out that she was revived by a cleric, and what she was lying on was a crude casket and was mortified.

Later on because of her genius she resolves the casket was closed she would get the shut-eye that she desperately yearned for. She saw some of the parts were rigid and sorts out that it needs to be smoothened, which funnily she sees the cleric horns and looks at him mischievously.

The Princess then forcibly uses the cleric horns to sand the sides of the casket while he frenziedly argues. Realizing next that it needs to be shiny, she grabs the blob that she slipped on earlier and uses it to shine the casket. In the background, you can hear zombies and demons trying to stop her asking for mercy, begging her to not do that to the blob because the blob will, die, well because it's alive. lol.

But our Hime did not listen, instead, she finished fixing her casket and is in awe of her creation, she placed her magic sheets, soft pillow, lied down inside, covered the casket, and finally, she's able to attain a quiet stupor, triumphant she falls into dreamland.

To which the last commendatory Quest Complete appears, and the narrator says, "Achieved peach and quiet."

It ends with one of the cutest ending themes "Gimme!" by ORESAMA

And just leaves you feeling cute and happy,

In conclusion, this was a really funny anime, I highly suggest you watch it. It's reminiscent of Akazukin cha cha at least in my experience. I will tell you that it falls dangerously near the kid's genre because of how kawaii it is, but I doubt it because of all the violent murders our Princess has committed.

If I will rate it, I would have to say this is a seven out of ten bunnies.

Enjoy and Thank you,

Chotto Matte,

Mat

#Maoju de Oyasumi, #Sleepless Princess in the Demon Castle.

#Sleepless Princess in the Demon Castle.

#Nemurenu #Comedy, #Fantasy, #Magic, #Shounen, #Slice of Life, #Supernatural

#Anime Nemurenu Shiro no Hime

[companionjones]

Legendary House Guests

Pairings (only including the romantic ones): John Constantine x Sorcerer!Reader, Sara Lance x Ava Sharpe, Nate Heywood x Zari Tomaz, Ray Palmer x Nora Darhk

Fandoms: Arrowverse, Legends of Tomorrow, Constantine

Summary: One day, a strange group of people show up on your doorstep. Of course John Constantine would be behind it.

Warnings: LONG, I think there’s some curses in it but I really don’t remember, I might’ve made Avalance a bit oc in one part but it’s only because I love them so much XD

(I HAD to use this gif. PLEASE tell me some of you get it!)

*******

    “Hey, Y/n.”

    It was the middle of a Saturday, and John Constantine knocked on your door. Ten others were with him.

    Sighing, you looked him up and down. You stuck out your hand.

    He placed a pack of cigarettes there.

    “And your spare.”

    He placed another pack in your free hand.

    Both packs burned to nothing. “And your spare’s spare,” you ordered.

    He blanched, “How did you know? I only started carrying this around last week!”

    Responding with no actual words, you curled your fingers in a ‘give it to me’ motion.

    Constantine begrudgingly handed it over, and it disappeared like the other two packs. “Legends, meet Y/n L/n. A sorcerer friend of mine. Y/n, meet Sara Lance, Ava Sharpe, Nate Heywood, Ray Palmer, Gary Green, Nora Darhk, Mick Rory, Zari Tomaz, Mona Wu, and Charlie.”

    As each was named, they waved or nodded to confirm who they were. It was pretty awkward.

    The last introduced explained, “I don’t exactly have a last name.”

    For a few moments, you looked everyone over. “Okay. Come on in. You guys are safe here. I assume you need somewhere to stay?”

    John assured, “Just for tonight.”

    Reaching up to stroke the side of his face with your thumb, you smiled for the first time he’d seen you that day. “John, you are always welcome here. You and your friends can stay for as long as you need.”

    John Constantine returned your smile. The sincere look on him was rare, but you enjoyed it nonetheless.

    From a few feet away, Sara cleared her throat.

    You glanced at the ground to try and hide your blush. You told the Legends that they could have a seat in the living room. “There’s a bathroom upstairs and in the basement. Towels are in there for you. I’ll set up beds for you all and leave you clothes.” You then went on to give rooms to everybody.

    Mona and Charlie would take the couches in the living room. You would set up beds for Mick and Gary in your finished basement. You had two spare bedrooms with one queen-sized bed in each. Sara and Ava would take one, and Ray and Nora would sleep in the other. Nate and Zari would have to do with a twin sized cot that you would set up in a semi-sizable hall closet you had on the second floor.

    “John, I hope you would still like to share a bed with me,” you joked.

    He smirked, “Of course I would, love. It’s been too long. I need a fix.”

    Nate cut off your giggling by trying to ask, “Um, how did you know--”

    “About the couples among us?” you finished for him. “I’m a bit of a clairvoyant as well.” There was a glimmer of feigned bragging in your tone. “I’ll go make a little lunch. You guys go get yourselves cleaned up and situated. There’s water in the fridge.” With that, you excused yourself to the kitchen.

    Once some sandwiches were made and some fruit was cut up, you went back to the living room. You found that Mick and Zari had just gotten out of the shower; and Nora, Sara, and Ava were the only ones missing from the living room. You chuckled to yourself. You hoped to get as close to someone as Ava and Sara were to each other. Maybe you could be that close with a certain wise-cracking demonologist one day, you thought to yourself.

    “You know, you could start a fire if you want,” you offered to Mick, who was crouching in front of, and staring intently at your fireplace.

    Everyone’s eyes snapped toward you as if you had suggested something crazy. You felt you understood why they all thought it was an insane suggestion.

    Setting the food on your coffee table, you walked closer to Mick to study him.

    “Hmm...Yeah, I trust you. Just don’t let the fire too big, okay?”

    Mick looked up at you from where he was on the floor. You thought you caught a smile. “Thanks,” he curtly noted.

    “No problem. And I said not too big. Pretty big is fine with me,” you winked.

    You earned a smile and a chuckle then.

    When you turned around, Sara, Nora, and Ava were in the living room, and the whole team staring at you were in complete awe.

��   You chuckled and headed back into the kitchen. “I’m going to start on dinner.”

    “Already? You just finished lunch,” Ray protested.

    Shrugging, you justified, “I like making food for my guests.”

    “Holy crap!” exclaimed Mona with two sandwiches stuffed in her mouth, “Make as much food as you want. This is delicious.”

    “Thank you,” you smiled, then continued your trek to the kitchen.

    However, you were interrupted again when Constantine gently took your hand in his and encouraged, “Don’t start dinner yet. Stay here...I’d like you to properly meet my team.”

    “Your team,” you jeered. “Yes, please. I would love to know about ‘your team.’” You took a seat on your couch next to Charlie.

    John sat on the other side of you. “Stop being smart.” He feigned annoyance.

    The following three hours were spent by the Legends taking turns to shower, along with everyone swapping stories of past adventures; including yourself.

    “No, I’m serious!” you were laughing so hard that you could barely talk, let alone breathe, “I turned around, and Tyler was completely naked! For some reason, he thought it would help with the ritual. I have no idea why...even to this day.”

    Your stories sometimes included Constantine.

    “And we just ran!” you practically squealed because you were laughing so hard.

    John was losing his cool as well. “Looking back on it, running wasn’t exactly a stroke of genius. After all, he was a...what’d ya call it again?”

    “Speedster,” Gary named for you and John. The time agent had the biggest grin on his face.

    Constantine dismissed, “Yeah, speedster. Whatever,” and tried to continue on with the story.

    Rolling your eyes, you playfully hit John on the shoulder to scold him for his behavior. You then thanked Gary.

    Eventually, you pulled yourself out of the living room to go make dinner. Everyone was eating again by 6pm.

    After the meal, you all relaxed and talked more in the living room. Mick accidentally almost burned the house down, but you found the whole incident funny as you put out the growing fire with your powers.

    The team retired to their makeshift bedrooms.

    “Do you sleep with the TV on?” Charlie asked Mona.

    The shorter woman thought for a moment. “Not usually, but the sound is fine with me.”

    “Thanks,” Charlie smiled. She turned on the television, then flopped down onto her respective couch. “So, Mona. Mona Wu. We’re kind of the same.”

    Mona took a seat on her own sofa, “We are?”

    Charlie nodded, “I think we are. I mean, sure, I was trapped in something close to Hell for what felt like 500 years, and you’re a food delivery person turned werewolf, but I personally think we got a good amount in common with each other.”

    “...Because we both shift?”

    “Yep,” Charlie popped the ‘p.’

    Mona thought for a moment again. “I mean, it feels pretty cool to be another thing.”

    “Doesn’t it?” Charlie bubbled up, “It feels like you’re the best master of disguise in the history of anything, right? Like you’re a completely different being?”

    The other living room resident smiled, “Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.”

    “See?” Charlie gestured between the two of them. “Not so different at all.”

    The basement had a more uncomfortable atmosphere.

    “Which cot do you want?” Gary asked fearfully.

    Mick didn’t say a word. He just laid down on the cot furthest from the stairs facing away from Gary.

    “Okay, sure. I’ll just take one.” Gary awkwardly sat down on the remaining cot. “...Constantine’s friend sure is kind, letting us stay in their home, giving us food, a place to sleep--”

    “Shut up,” grumbled Mick into the then darkness.

    Gary immediately apologized, then settled in for a long, sleepless night. Gary wasn’t sleepless because he was uncomfortable, no. Well, at least he wasn’t physically uncomfortable. Gary couldn’t help but feel too unsafe to be able to sleep alone in a basement with that particular pyromaniac.

    Meanwhile, on your second floor, Nora and Ray were getting ready for bed in one for your spare bedrooms.

    “You know,” Nora started, “I’d like living in a house like this.”

    Ray smiled to himself. “You would?”

    “Yeah,” confirmed the sorceress, “It’s a nice, quiet neighborhood.”

    The Atom laughed, “When have you known our lives to be ‘quiet?’”

    “Well, maybe we should lead quiet lives...Eventually.”

    Ray paused, and carefully eyed his girlfriend, searching for any doubt. He didn’t fine any, and smiled, “Maybe.”

    A few doors down, Zari and Nate were struggling.

    “Come on, Nate. Move over,” Zari urged.

    Heywood reasoned, “If I move over anymore, I’ll fall off.”

    Zari sighed, “This clearly isn’t working. Is there anyway you can go down to the basement?”

    “With Gary and Mick? No way. I do not want to be down there with them and only them.”

    Tomaz groaned, “Well, I can’t go to the living room! I just got some water from the kitchen, and I heard Mona and Charlie bonding over their shifting abilities. It was getting weird...Plus,” she sighed again, “I don’t want to sleep away from you. That’d suck.”

    Upon hearing Zari’s confession, Nate felt a soft smile appear on his lips. “Come here,” he lightly directed. He rearranged the two of them.

    “What? Nate, no I--Oh.” Zari was suddenly laying on top of him.

    Nate gently inquired, “Is this okay?”

    “Yeah. Yeah...I like it,” she cuddled closer to his chest so she could hear his heartbeat. “I like it a lot.”

    Further down the hallway, Sara and Ava were also in bed together.

    As usual, Ava was stressing about something.

    “Babe, everything will be fine. The Time Bureau can survive without you for a day or two,” Sara assured her partner.

    Ava bit her lip. “I know, but I won’t be able to make contact until noon tomorrow. What if they need me?”

    Sara brushed some hair out of Ava’s face. “There are protocols in place to keep everything from imploding until you get back. Honey, everything is okay.”

    “Everything is okay,” Ava repeated with a deep breath, starting to believe Sara’s words.

    Captain Lance was relieved. “Thank you for calming down...Now, come here and give Mama some sugar.”

    “Give Mama some sugar?” Ava repeated with a growing smirk.

    Sara smugly nodded.

    Ava laughed. “Oh, I’ll give Mama some sugar, alright.” She then leaned down to kiss her girlfriend.

    “Man, they really go at it, don’t they?” you commented to John in the next room.

    He chuckled, “When Miss Sharpe stays over on the Wave Rider, anyone within the distance of three rooms has to wear ear plugs.”

    You laughed as well. “Don’t you guys tell them how loud they are?”

    “We usually just let let them enjoy their happiness. There isn’t much of that these days.”

    “Especially since you started time-travelling,” you admitted bashfully.

    Regretfully, he started your name.

    “I understand,” you interrupted him before he could continued, “You’re helping people. A lot of people. The whole world in fact. But I barely got to see you when you followed this timeline. And now...”

    John tried to speak again. He seemed truly sorry.

    You continued, “Look, I know we weren’t anything official. But what can I say, John? I lov--” you didn’t get to finish.

    Constantine had kissed you.

    He caught your lips simply at first, then circled his arms around you to cradle your lower back and the back of your neck.

    You hadn’t felt that safe in months. You clutched on to the lapels of his trench coat for dear life.

    John moved closer, then stopped the kiss to rest his forehead on yours. “I love you, too.”

    Automatically, your eyes flashed up to meet his. Silently asking if he was sure, you touched the side of his face.

    He just nodded.

    Unable to contain your joy, you kissed him again, and again, and again, and countless more into the night.

    For breakfast the next morning, you made your favorite: pancakes and bacon. It took a couple hours because you loved to make your pancakes from scratch, and because the delicious smell was wafting around for a while, the Legends all eventually made their way downstairs to join you.

    “Mornin’ love,” John greeted you with a kiss on the cheek when he came up behind you and placed his hands on your sides.

    You smiled down at your task, “Careful, Constantine. You’re going domestic on me.”

    “Only for you, sweetheart.”

    Just like the night before, everyone complimented your cooking. You really wished you could have the Legends as guests for at least a few more days.

    But you also understood that they couldn’t stay.

    A little before lunchtime, Ava finally got in contact with the Time Bureau. She and Sara went to make a call to them.

    Soon, the couple returned to the living room. They informed everyone that it was time for the team to leave.

    “No!” protested Mona, “I love it here. Y/n takes such good care of us. Let’s just stay here forever.” She curled up near the fire that Mick had built in your fireplace.

    Ava replied, “Sara and I like Y/n, too. So, that’s why Sara has a proposition for them.”

    “Y/n L/n,” Sara smiled and stepped forward. “Would you like to become a Legend?”

    The question took you by surprise. “I...what? So, like, travel full time with you guys?”

    “And help us defeat weekly evils,” Zari cut in.

    Charlie nodded, “But, yeah. That’s the gist of it.”

    Almost the whole room sounded with words of encouragement for you.

    Then, John stood up. “Y/n? May I speak with you in the kitchen?”

    Of course, you agreed. “What is it?” You asked when you and John were by the stove.

    “I don’t want you joining the team,” he heavy-heartedly admitted.

    Right off the bat, you knew why. “John,” you had him make eye contact with you. “You know me. I’ve been literally been to hell and back. You know I can take care of myself.”

    He worried, “What if you get hurt? I can’t...I can’t lose you.”

    “Don’t you see, John? You going away like this...It could be months, even years until we see each other again. If I go with you, so many morning could be like this one. You and I can finally be together for real...Please. I love you, John Constantine.”

    Before he said anything, John brought you in for another kiss. He held you close. “...You have to promise to make us breakfast like this every morning,” he joked.

Finally.

    “Oh, shut up before I throw out that pack of cigs you bought last night,” you teased.

    Shock covered his features. “It was 3 in the morning. I thought you were asleep!”

    “Uh, can we come in yet?” Ray poked his head into the kitchen. “We’d kinda like to welcome the newest member of our little family.”

    The next thing you knew you were being nearly smothered in the largest group hug you’d ever been a part of.

    Your life with the Legends was amazing to say the least. With your sorcery and clairvoyance, you came to be a very crucial member of the team. None of the Legends wanted it any other way.

    As for John, you married that man a couple years into your time-travelling adventures. And if you thought it was hard for Constantine to be away from you before, you should’ve just waited until he became your husband.

*******

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I also would love a comment if you have the time. If you would like to read more, I have more fics about the Arrowverse over on my page. You should go check it out. Also, REQUESTS ARE OPEN. I take requests for one-shots, drabbles, multi-chapters, headcannons and preferences. No smut, please. I write for a variety of fandoms. If you’re wondering if I write for a specific fandom, please ask me. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you.<3