#Boy just needs some Ibuprofen and a nap probably

[joohanisms]

i am on my period and in pain which means

i deserve shameless selfish fanfcition

xdh + your period 💭💫

cw: periods, period sex, shower/bath sex, mention of taking pictures during sex, boys taking care of you, toys, slight crack, fingering, pegging

gunil

takes care of you so nicely :-(

even carries you around if you want to

makes you laugh, handles your mood swings, gets you chocolate or sweets, pets your tummy, etc. the perfect guy

is somehow against fucking you on your period because he's so scared of hurting you + the blood makes him even more uneasy because he associates it with hurting you

he likes the bloody mary blowjobs but feels bad you're not getting off :-(

until you get home with one of those phone controlled vibrators. and somehow now you're sitting at your couch shaking in your metaphorical boots because you're not allowed to cum before he says so

always gives you the go ahead. he can"t deny a woman in need

jungsu

takes great care of you :-( my lovely oldest child

has a hot pack at his place for your cramps 🥺

def is one of those people that will clean the house for you when you're not feeling well. you'll take a nap and wake up to your dishes in the dishrack, your floor swept, the living room organized..

when it comes to sex, he is a little afraid to hurt you – but everytime you assure him you'll be fine he breaks his resolve

but in his head, the best thing to do is fucking in the bath. hear him out

1) it's warm. it's relaxing. it'll help with the cramping and the full-body horrors menstruation brings with it

2) he'll wash your hair for you!! he'll give you a massage!! let him pamper you a little

3) you can lay on his chest and he'll either finger you with his head on your shoulder or put his cock in you and fuck you sooooo lazily, just grinding and making you feel full

4) no clean up, no staining, only water and a nice orgasm to tire you out a little

jiseok

first off, always goes thank god you're not pregnant even though you're on birth control + you're both careful. he's ridiculous

ALWAYS!!!! has ibuprofen on him

"how's the uterus?"

def the uterUS guy

which means. he's with you every single second he can. you can't get off your bed? neither can he, guess you'll have to cuddle. you wanna take a walk to ease your cramps? he's by your side, hope you wanna hold hands. you need a good cry? you're crying on his shoulder. you want to eat a mountain of carbs? he's ordering double so you can eat together

guess who's getting fucked!!!!! if you're down ofc.

lays down a towel on the bed Or.. fucks you in the shower <3

used to lift your leg up onto his hip but you nearly lost balance once and now ya'll are scared so. your hands are on the tiles and you're nearly bent over while he slams into you !

really likes how the squelching is louder because of the blood+fluids and

every time he can see blood smeared on the top of his thighs/on his cock everytime he pulls out he goes a little bit insane .

not because it's blood, but because it's SO messy. probably has pictures somewhere in his phone.

likes cumming inside because you were already loose and messy before and now you're even looser and messier .

and thinks it's cute when his cum drips out a shade of pink. he's ridiculous

seungmin

DEFINITELY has a period tracker app

"hey baby have you started your period yet? i'm bringing you some cake either way i know you get grumpy without a sweet treat <3"

response to this ranges from who are you calling grumpy seungmin to full on sobbing because your boyfie is so nice to you

either way, he embraces you in a hug and coos about his baby being emotional

softest ever when you ask him to fuck ;-(

delicate with how he touches you

softest love making towels on the bed missionary.

tender touches tummy pats

"are you doing okay baby? do you want to keep going?"

"is my baby feeling better? is this helping?"

you'd NEVER believe it's the same guy that is usually a menace to you

don't let him fool you though.. his head Is spinning with how sloppy your cunt is

hyeongjun

nicest boy alive. is at your beck and call. if you go [sighs] i wish i had a sweet treat :-( he's already putting shoes on to buy you cookies

lays his head on your stomach because the weight and the warmth makes you more comfortable :-( pet his hair as a treat pls

NOTHING a good nap can't cure. the blinds are closed, the ac is on, the fluffy blankets are on top of you, hyeongjun is spooning you with a firm hand on your tummy, you're only waking up 3h later with a whole new mood. now the gamble is Which Mood

will do Anything you ask fr

now in this blog we have established he's fingering master. that's what you'll be doing .

it's not that he thinks it's disgusting having actual sex on periods or anything . he's just so lazy. it's sooo much easier to just wash his hands later instead of prepping the whole bed in case of any leakage or blood stains

(he has seen you cry over staining the sheets. he's not taking chances)

it's so much faster to shove his hands down your pants and finger fuck you clothed, pad and all.

plus its super common to feel icky about yourself on your period and he respects that so much !!! the clothes only come off if you want them to come off

if it gets Too Much he's not opposed to fucking you in the shower, pressing his whole front against your back and covering your stomach with a giant hand.....

jooyeon

unfortunately for some, he won't be eating you out.

i don't think he'd love the taste of blood (i don"t think many people do,) so it's generally off limits ? but he's making it up to you for sureeeeeeeeeee.

his favorite way to do so is being pegged.

once joked about how once a month you switch both roles and holes and earned a slap across his head.

goes :-( can i pls suck your boobs and if you say no because you're tender he goes :-( pls just the tip just a little bit i swear i'll be gentle

if you give in, he's actually unbearably soft with kitten licks and soft little kisses. and now you want him to be rougher and this fuckass won't do it

has emergency pads/tampons at his place!!!! your period is NOT messing with cuddle time. oh you suddenly started it and stained your pants? no one is going home your clothes are in the washing machine you're wearing boxers and you're chilling under the blankets.

tried to hit you with the hey babe what size pussy you wear and received absolutely NOTHING in return. joo was IGNORED and REJECTED so he bought what felt right+whatever had the same color of the package you had at your house

[puzzlebones]

He took a quick glance at his sibling, not realizing he may have disturbed his book reading with his whining...but he couldn’t help it. He shook his head slowly. 

“...no”

After a few moments of silence, he added in a quiet “sorry”

Coffee is here to huff and whine quietly. His teeth are agitating him today

dark red eyes lights move from the book he's reading to glimpse at his young brother. a grown tugs at the corners of his mouth as he notices the pain coffee is in.

"hm... have you had anything for the pain yet, brother?" he asks softly as he sets the book aside.

[marmixedwithabitofintellect]

The Story of You

And so our journey has come to an end 😭😭 I hope this ending makes your hearts happy as it did with mine 🥺 as always, come talk to me about what you thought of this chapter 🥰 All the love 🤍 Mar

Disclaimer: In no way do I wish to spread hate or negative opinions about any of the characters here depicted, this is just fiction and with the purpose of entertaining you guys

Part 20: New Beginnings Part Two

December 14, 2021

Harry. New York, New York. 5:15 PM

Y/N and Pip were taking a nap when the Rowlands arrived, which was convenient because little man had fallen asleep on the way here too; Sarah and Mitch had helped me set everything up for dinner, meanwhile my family had arrived, along with Harry, Glenne, and Jeff, we were sitting in the living room when Y/N appeared from her room.

Everyone greeted her excitedly and she waved, and said hello to everyone, Sarah then pulled her to seat next to her, “Where’s Pippa?”, Y/N pulled out the monitor from her sweater, “Still asleep, she ate at four so she will probably wake up soon”, I walked up to her and handed her a mug with some tea, she smiled and thanked me.

We talked for a little while until we heard a whimper from my room where Mitch had set the baby for his nap, he stood up and made his way to get him, my mum made her way to where Y/N and Sarah were sitting and handed her a plate with some fruit and toast, I could hear her tell her she needed the extra calories, Y/N nodded as my mum kissed her forehead.

Mitch came out with baby Rowland who made grabby arms towards his mum, Mitch placed the baby on her lap, and he then made grabby hands to Y/N, Y/N grabbed his hand and kissed it, the baby let out a little cry, clearly making sure we knew he was not happy with just holding her hand, Y/N tsked before pouting, Sarah laughed and kissed her son’s head before telling him, “Bubbie your auntie can’t hold you yet huh?”

Everyone in the room awed as the little boy settled on his mum’s lap and grabbed Y/N’s hands, Glenne and Gemma came out of the kitchen after helping me plate everything we had ordered, an alarm on my clock let me know I should ask her if she wanted any pain meds, I walked to where she was and crouched in front of her

“Lovie, how is your pain? Want any Ibuprofen?”, she shook her head, “I’m okay, thank you tho”, I nodded and stood up, out of the corner of my eye I saw Jeff grab his phone and furrow his brows before making his way to the kitchen, I don’t know why, but I followed him, when I entered the kitchen, he was on the phone with someone,

“Shit… have they said anything else?”, he turned and gave me an apprehensive look, my anxiety was rushing, he sighed, “I’ll talk to them, no yeah, thanks for letting me know”, he hung up and I bit my nails before asking him, “What happened?”, he sighed, “Uhm, I think we should discuss this with Y/N”, I nodded and followed him to the living room

I went and squeezed her hand, and she gave me a small smile, “Hey, can we talk?”, she furrowed her brows and nodded, she stood up and I placed my hand on the small of her back, we walked to where Jeff was standing in the hall, “I’m sorry, I really don’t want to ruin this, but Tom just called me and let me know you guys were on Deux Moi”

My heart fell to the bottom of my stomach, and I squeezed Y/N’s arm, she raised her hand and spoke up, “I think this is a perfect chance to talk to everyone, no?”, I nodded, and we made our way back to the living room where everyone smiled, Y/N sat down on her place again and I sat down next to her on the floor.

Jeff took a seat on the armchair where Glenne was seated and cleared his throat, “Well, H and Y/I wanted to share and discuss a situation with their closest friends and family”, everyone turned to see us worriedly and I nodded at Jeff so he could continue talking, “Deux Moi posted two blind submissions about them today; one related to him and Olivia’s break up, submitted by a person who worked at the last concert”

There was a grumble around the room before he continued, “And the other about someone spotting us at the hospital, which was then backed up by someone who heard Anne on the phone”, my mum turned to look at us with a sad smile, “I’m sorry lovies I didn’t mean for this to happen”, Gemma squeezed her hand while Y/N shook her head

“Anne don’t fret, please”, she sighed and turned to see everyone around the room, “We knew this would happen eventually; right now, we are in a position where we can manage and control it”, she then turned to look at me, I smiled back at her, Jeff cleared his throat, “What do you guys want to do?”

I sat up straighter, “I won’t address the breakup, that was something I agreed with Olivia”, he nodded, “As for Pippa’s birth”, I sighed and Y/N squeezed my shoulder, “We have decided to post a picture from my account, we have still to figure out what information to share, I just wish we could’ve keep her our little secret for a while longer”, everyone nodded in agreement while Y/N cleared her throat

“We… uhm we know there is another elephant in the room, and we know you guys are dying to ask”, everyone around had looks of curiosity, weariness and also looks of ‘I know where you are heading’, I squeezed her hand in encouragement

“We are a family, and I, personally, am so grateful to share so much with you guys, and we know that a way to share these things is through taking pictures and when you want to, uploading them to social media; we don’t expect you to stop doing so because that would be selfish of us, but we need to protect our baby just like Mitch and Sarah protect baby Rowland”

I kissed her knee before speaking up, “Some of us here have private Instagram accounts, and we don’t mind if you post pictures of Pippa there, but we also know that some of us have public accounts, so if you guys want to post pictures of her please just don’t post her face, we want for that to be her choice someday, and as her parents it is our duty to protect her”

Everyone nodded and smiled, my mum spoke up, “So, can I post something?”, we both nodded, “Just, please let us post the picture to H’s profile first”, Gemma then asked, “When will you post it?”, I turned to look at Y/N, “I think we will do it later, we know what picture we want to post”, everyone smiled at us, a whimper from the monitor had Y/N standing up

“I’ll go get her”, I stood up and followed her to the room, when we came in Pip was just waking up and wiggling, Y/N reached in to grab her, “Good morning baby, why are you so sad hm? Are you sad you are missing the party?”, she kissed her head and settled her on her arms, I went to kiss her forehead, “Do you want me to change her nappy?”

Y/N nodded and transferred the baby to my arms, while I changed Pippa’s diaper, she folded the blankets and turned off the monitor, we had changed her from her coming home outfit and into a little romper, we swaddled her again and I handed her back to Y/N and we started making our way to the living room.

When we entered everyone smiled and Sarah tapped baby Rowland’s hand to get his attention, “Look bubby! It’s your cousin!”, Y/N smiled, and she slowly made her way to sit next to Sarah, Mitch then cleaned his son’s hand with a wipe and said, “Careful with the baby, okay? You need to be soft”, when she sat down, she turned her body three quarters so the baby could see Pippa before speaking up

“This is Pippa, she is your cousin! What do you think honey?”, Rowland number three looked at the baby apprehensively before trying to pat Pippa, out of instinct Sarah grabbed his hand and helped him pat her belly before cooing, “Aww you’re so sweet with the baby, darling, thank you for being so sweet”, Little Rowland gave us a smile with his binky and everyone awed, the baby then turned to see Pippa and pulled his binkie from his mouth and tried to give it to her who already had a binky, I smiled

“Thank you, little man”, he gave me his binky and then he leaned to rest his head on her belly, Glenne took the chance to take some pictures of them, she spoke up, “Let’s take a picture of the two families”, after taking some pictures she instructed for others to pose for photos, after taking the photos my mum said dinner was ready and we went to eat.

December 14, 2021

New York, New York. 10:00 PM

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? I don’t mind”, I smiled at Anne before squeezing her hand, “We’re sure, thank you for offering tho”, she nodded and hugged me, “Please call me if you need anything okay?”, I nodded, Gemma then came to hug me and kissed my temple, “Welcome home mumma”, I smiled and squeezed her before pulling back.

After dinner all our guests left except for family, I went into the nursery to feed Pippa, but she really wasn’t hungry, which had me thinking she would definitely be hungry a little earlier and that would maybe give us a bigger stretch of sleep, after saying goodbye to everyone Harry walked them out and I sat down on the couch, Pippa was settled on her Dock a Tot next to me.

Harry appeared on the hallway and gave me a smile, “Do you want some tea and cookies? I bought some special breastfeeding tea for you”, I nodded in appreciation before clearing my throat, “Harry?”, he appeared on the door, “Yeah?”, “Can I talk to you?”, he nodded and sat down on the foot of the couch, “Everything okay?”

I sighed, “I’ve been thinking of how I ran into Elisa the other day, and her face… I cannot stop thinking about it”, he nodded, “Something tells me there is more, a reason as to why she reacted like that”, he cleared his throat, “I’m here whatever you need”, I grabbed his hand, “I wanna talk to her, I need to know what happened H”

Harry smiled, “And I fully support any decision you make, okay?”, the teapot started whirring and he got up to go to the kitchen, I grabbed Pippa who started stirring, after settling her on my chest I reached in for my cellphone and started looking for my sister’s contact.

The phone rang for a few seconds, my heart was beating erratically, Pippa made a little grunt which had me patting her bum hoping she would calm down, although I really wanted to hear her voice, deep down I was hoping she wouldn’t answer.

After nine rings there was a beep, followed by her voicemail message, Hi! I’m sorry I could not answer your call, if you feel like it, please leave a message, if not you can try again, if I don’t answer again, maybe I don’t want to talk to you, I laughed as there was another beep

“Hi Ellie, it’s me Y/N”, I laughed a little, “I don’t know why I felt the need to say that, listen… I wanted to apologize for the other day, I guess… I was shocked, but deep down it made me really happy to see you”, I sniffled, “I kinda wished you would have answered, but I know I wouldn’t have had the courage to say what I wanted to say”

“I would really like to see you, to talk about everything, and I would love for you to meet my baby”, I smiled when I looked at Pippa, “I have a little girl Ellie, I have never felt this happy, I didn’t know I needed her, she’s the love of my life”, I cleared the tears that had fallen, “So yeah, call me, I really would love to see you”

I hung up the phone and let out a shuddering breath, I kissed Pippa’s head, “Everything will be alright lovie, I promise you”, Harry appeared holding a tray and he set it on the coffee table, I thanked him when he handed me the mug and I took a sip, we sat there in silence for a few until Harry spoke to me

“Penny for your thoughts?”, I laughed a little, “I’m sorry”, I kissed Pippa’s head, “But how about we put her to bed and then we can talk?”, he nodded and we made our way to my room, while I changed her diaper and pajamas Harry pulled the sleep sack and brought it to me, I then placed her little Owlet and closed her pajamas and swaddled her in her sleep sack.

Harry turned on the monitor and sound machine and made his way to where I kept the little changing station in my room, he grabbed Pippa and kissed her forehead and swayed a little, I took this chance to go into the kitchen and bring the little snack bin Anne had made for me along with my two Yetis to my room.

My heart swelled when I heard Harry hum to Pippa, after placing everything on my nightstand he handed me the baby and I kissed her head before placing her on her bassinet, we turned off the lights and turned on the night lamp, grabbed the monitor, closed the door, and headed out back.

Harry went to the kitchen to refill our mugs and came back into the living room, I took a sip before speaking up, “So… are you giving me my penny now or later?”, he laughed and placed his mug on the table before turning a little to give me his attention, “I’m all ears”, I gave him a small smile

“I really don’t know where to begin”, he grabbed my hand, “This last year and a few has been crazy for both of us, hasn’t it?”, he nodded and kissed my hand, “But it has been so worth it hasn’t it?”, I smiled I little, “It has for sure”,  he squeezed my hand, “But…”, I laughed, “How did you know?”, he shrugged, “I know you”

I laughed a little and sniffled, he furrowed his brows, “Lovie, what’s wrong?”, I whimpered, “I’m sorry”, “What for?”, I let out a shuddering breath, “You know I love you, and I haven’t stopped, not since the moment you stole my heart and begged me five times to go out with you”, I let out a wet chuckle and he did too

“But you also broke my heart Harry, and so many things surged from that; insecurities, doubts, anger, God I was so angry at you, but I was even angrier at me, because I let my heart in the open and heeded any warning”, he sniffled too, “Y/N…”, “And the we met by chance in LA, and I thought things were going to be okay between us”

“But you still left the next morning, and just left a note saying it was a mistake”, “Because I was scared Harry, I was terrified because everything was so familiar, but you were with Olivia, and everything seemed lovely between you two”, he nodded, “Do you know how hard it actually was to come back to New York and realize I was alone? That the man I loved had changed me for another woman?”, he shook his head

“And then Pippa showed up, and she brought with her a crazy ride and somehow we have made things work between us”, I turned to see the monitor, “And here we are today, and I am still crazy in love with you”, I ran my hand down his cheek, he sniffled, kissed my palm, and whispered to my hand, “As I am with you”

I sniffled, “It has been hard for me to understand and remember that, because deep down I still fear that one day you will wake up and leave me again, and I fear that I won’t be as strong this time”, Harry cleared the tears that had fallen from his eyes, there was some hurt and understanding on his face, “When you kissed me the day of your concert, I felt alive again, I felt like the world could end right then and there and I would die a happy girl”

“And every kiss shared afterwards has been a breath of fresh air, and the one we shared when Pippa was born? It was pure love”, I smiled at him, “But deep down there has been anxiety too, because now, we don’t go first Harry, she does”, he nodded, “And I would rather die than to let her feel the heartache I did”

He sniffled and spoke up, “I will never ever let her feel like I don’t love her”, I smiled, “I know you won’t”, he then ran a hand down my cheek, “And will you? Let me make sure you never go a day without me telling you how much I love you?”, I sniffled, he kneeled before me and grabbed my face, “Lovie?”

I started crying harder and he pulled me into his arms, he swayed us while shushing me, hoping for me to calm down, and I hugged him hard, hoping my hug was enough to convey what I was feeling, but also asking for his forgiveness, for what I was feeling and how it would affect him, when I calmed down he kissed my forehead before pressing his to mine, I took a deep breath before speaking

“My heart wants to say yes, but my brain is screaming at me to say no, to protect myself again, because even if I love you with all my heart, I can’t really forget every single bit of pain I’ve felt because of you”, he nodded and kissed my nose, “And I want to, God I want to just let you love me, but I can’t, not right now”

He ran his hands down my arms, and ever so quietly replied, “I understand, please don’t feel bad”, I felt him start to get up but just a few seconds later he stopped and grabbed my face, “Wait… what do you mean not right now?”, I smiled, and my heart fluttered when I saw his hopeful expression, I leaned towards him in order to whisper to the shell of his ear

“Make me fall in love with you again”, he pulled back brightest smile on his face before he placed his hand on my cheek and squeezed my hands with the other, “Really?”, I nodded but then turned to look at him solemnly, “You get one chance Harry, just one”, he nodded, “And you need to remember that above all we vowed to be the best parents for Pippa, and that will always go first”, he nodded again before giving me a smile

“I will prove to you, that you are worth everything and more, and that I am not the same guy who broke your heart, I will make sure you never regret having accepted going on a date with me only after I asked five times”, we both chuckled, “I know I have a lot to work on, and I promise I will do so, for you, for me and especially for her”, I kissed his cheek, “Having said that, we do need to set some ground rules”

He nodded and came to sit next to me, “Okay first of all no kissing”, I wish I had taken a picture of his face, “We are starting fresh H”, he grumbled, “Forehead, cheek, and temples too?”, I chuckled, “Nah, those are okay”, he nodded with his head before asking, “How about dates?”, I placed my finger on my chin in thought before answering, “I mean, if you wanna get the girl you have to woo the girl huh?”, he laughed at that, he then grabbed my hands and gave them a squeeze

“I hope you know you won’t regret this”, I nodded, “I have a feeling I won’t”, I then cleared my throat, “So… are you ready to share our happy news with the world?”, he shook his head, “No, but if I have you next to me, I know everything will be okay my love”, he pulled out his phone and logged into his public account, we chose the picture and pasted the caption from his notes, then he turned to look at me, “On three?”, I nodded, “One… two… three”, and after a click, the world learned about the one who stole our hearts.

He locked his phone and put it on do not disturb, we both stood up and made our way to the kitchen, while he placed our mugs on the dishwasher I made sure that the door was locked and turned off all remaining lights, we both made our way to our bedrooms, he came into mine to check on Pippa and I took the chance to go brush my teeth, when I came out he was standing on the door with a charming smile and his hands behind his back.

I walked towards him with a sneaky look on my face, I stopped and stood right in front of him, we were just watching each other, I was taking in his dimples, scars, the under-eye bags that have shown up recently and how I still got lost inside his eyes, he cleared his throat and pulled me out of my trance.

He pulled his hand out of his back and offered it to me, “Hi, I’m Harry, it is so nice to meet you”, I smiled at him and grabbed his hand to give it a good shake, “Hi Harry, I’m Y/N, it is a pleasure to meet you too”

December 14, 2021

New York, New York. 11:30 PM

Hi little love, it’s your mom again! I have been a little MIA for the last few days, but all has been for good reason, your arrival. All of a sudden, my doubts, fears, anxieties disappeared, and they were replaced by the love, admiration, happiness I felt when I met you.

My little baby, my little love, my Pippa. I am on Cloud Nine as I watch you sleep next to me; how can this be real? I have a confession to make… when I was around seventeen weeks pregnant, I had a dream, and on that dream, I saw a little boy that looked just like your dad, so I always thought that would be a premonition on who you were.

But boy was I so wrong, because on December thirteen, at exactly 3:47 AM you entered my life, with a cry full of life, with your ten fingers and ten toes, and some cheeks to die for, and contrary to what my dream had said, a little girl, my tiny best friend.

Your dad is in shock too Pip, and man is he crazy in love with you, I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up being a daddy’s girl if I’m honest, your arrival has been nothing short of a celebration, everyone is so very happy to meet you and to be able to share your journey and story.

I feel so blessed to have been able to write this for you baby, and my heart yearns for everything that we will still write along with everyone who loves you, your story began in the most extraordinary way possible, but that is what makes it special, that no stories will ever be the same, and I have a feeling that it was meant to be this way.

So, Pippa, my love, when you read this, I hope I am able to transmit all the love I have for you, you are my dream come true, and never ever forget how much you momma loves you little one, I hope you enjoy the story of you.

Taglist @tinydestinybear @i-got-the-cinema @beachwoodcaferryy @msolbesg @clarawolf22 @harrysficreblog @infinitely-yellow @cherrylovesblog @wherethehellhaveyoubeenharry @harryspirate @kaitieskidmore1 @michellekstyles @qualitygiantshoepsychic @irelilien @futuristicpalacegardenpsychic @shawnsblue @behindmygreyeyes @sunshinemoonsposts @dirtytissuebox @little-freak-satellite @tinydeskwriter @be-with-me-so-happily @watercolorskyy @goldenlouvr @jgoff717 @giveyourheartabreak-xx @tpwkstyles1d @alienorknight @voosa @last-saturday-night @dayxoxodreamer @itslottiehere @gviosca @itslottiehere

[absolutewhore101]

You Don't Look So Hot

Pairing: Luke Hemmings x GN!Reader

Summary: you're sick

Warnings: sickness, vomiting

Word Count: 581

Minors DNI

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

The headache. The congestion. The nausea.

You were sick. And you hated it.

Luke was still on tour with the boys, so you were forced to go through this alone.

You had tried to get out of bed to get some meds, but the farthest you had it made it was the floor, and it took 20 minutes for you to get back up.

But now, getting out of bed was the only choice unless you wanted to clean vomit out of your sheets. The speed at which you moved sent another spike of pain through your skull, but you were forced to ignore it if you wanted to make it to the toilet in time.

You knees ached where they hit the floor, before the worst of it began.

The side of the bathtub was cool against your back as you leaned against it, weakly lifting your arm to flush the toilet.

You closed your eyes against the bright light, draping your arm over them to try and settle the pounding in your head.

Luke had just gotten home, expecting to find you moving about the house. But when he was met with silence, he stilled.

He listened for any sign of you, and when he heard the sink running upstairs, he headed that direction.

The bedroom door opened right as you collapsed into bed, burying your face into Luke's pillow.

"Dove?" He gently called out.

Surprise rang through your head at his voice, but you didn't have the strength to look over at him. You lifted a finger in acknowledgment, listening to his footsteps approaching the bed.

He sat down beside you, brushing his fingers through your hair, and you groaned at the feeling. When they brushed across the back of your neck, you swore you were melting. They felt cold against your sweltering skin, and goosebumps immediately rose across your arms.

You finally turned you head in his direction, and if you had the ability to open your eyes, you'd see the grimace cross his face.

His hand landed against your forehead, and a displeased noise sounded in his throat.

"Are you feeling alright? You don't look so hot." He remarked.

"What every person wants to hear." You mumbled back. He gave a weak smile at your joke before he stood, walking to the bathroom to get you some water and ibuprofen.

"Seriously, though, are you feeling okay? How can I help?"

You smiled at his words. "I think it's just a stomach bug. Some ibuprofen and a nap would probably help."

"Okay. You have to sit up to take this, can you do that?"

Your face scrunched at the idea of moving, and Luke felt sorry for what he was about to do. He reached out to you, maneuvering you to sit up, holding the trash can right in front of you in case you needed to throw up, but you were okay.

He placed the ibuprofen in your mouth before he brought the glass to your lips, watching you take a few sips.

He moved to put the glass on your nightstand, and you grabbed his wrist.

"Will you nap with me?" You asked him, eyes barely open enough to see the care on his face.

"Of course, I will, sweets."

He moved around to his side of the bed, gently sliding in next to you. He pulled you into his side, your head falling into the crook of his neck as you quickly fell asleep.

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

Tell me your thoughts! Thank you for reading :)

[obeyme-kaidii-writes]

Period Comfort

All Brothers x gn!MC

NOTE - obviously this story is about people with uteruses. But it’s still gender neutral because more than just females have them. This is based on my personal experience with my horrible periods. Some people may feel differently and that’s ok too. 👍🏻

Format - Headcanons / Scenarios

Words - 1895

Content warnings - talk of periods, but other than that just lots of fluff and cuddles

Prompt/Inspiration - self-indulgent comfort piece, (aka I’m on my period and feeling grumpy)

Summary - You’re looking forward to your date this weekend with your favorite demon when the unthinkable happens - your period starts. The boys drop by to check on you.

AO3

Scene -

Things had been going so well. The sun (well, the moon) was shining, the birds (crows) were singing (squawking). It was a lovely day in the Devildom. Who cares if you had been a little emotional the past couple of days? You didn’t. You had plans for this weekend with your favorite demon and you were not about to let anything get you down.

That’s when you felt it. It must be my stomach, you thought, so you ignored it. Then you felt it again. Is it a cramp? Nah can’t be a cramp, you argued with yourself.

And then you realized what you were doing - it’s the same thing you do every time your cycle rolls around: you try to convince yourself that your accursed uterus wasn’t deciding to shed it’s lining at the most inconvenient time. And you knew from experience, anytime you had that conversation with yourself that that is exactly what was going on, and only disaster awaited you if you continued to ignore your own intuition.

So you dragged yourself to your bathroom, inserted/applied the period product of choice, and popped a couple ibuprofen as a preventative measure, before crawling into bed. It occurred to you then that you should probably message the other residents of the House of Lamentation to inform them they were not to disturb you for a week or there would be...consequences. But before you could even turn on your DDD, there was a knock on your door and in walked….

Lucifer

You were relieved to see it was Lucifer, you knew he wouldn’t pester you.

He had come to check on you, and remind you of your upcoming date

Was immediately concerned when he saw you glaring out from under your bundle of blankets

He asks if you’re feeling ok, and you explain about your situation

He’s not all that familiar with human anatomy, but this isn’t the first time you basically went into hibernation mode

It occurs to him you’ll probably not be feeling up to your date, so he says you can reschedule when you’re feeling better.

Offers to bring you anything you might need, and promises to keep his brothers away so you can rest

Kisses you on the forehead before leaving, but you pull him back for a real kiss. He smirks at you because he knew that’s how you’d react.

No one else comes to your door for the rest of your cycle (except Lucifer when he brings your meals)

Lucifer had to string Mammon up a few times when he caught him trying to sneak into your room

Mammon

You love your precious idiot to bits, but he’s a little clueless sometimes. Like now when he didn’t immediately realize the death glare you shot him when he came into your room unannounced and started talking to you about your weekend plans

Finally stops to see why you aren’t responding and notices the look you’re giving him from under your blankets. His blood runs cold and he starts to panic internally...did he do something? Did he say something?

You have mercy on the poor boy and call him over, he sits on the bed next to you and holds your free hand while you explain what’s wrong

You tell him that you’ll need to reschedule your date, and he’s a bit disappointed at that, but he reassures you it’s fine

Huge sigh of relief from him when he realizes he didn’t screw anything up. Immediately switches gears to wanting to know what he can do for you.

You let him know you really just want quiet and to sleep, and he asks if he could stay, cue the biggest puppy dog eyes 🥺

You tell him he can, but he has to promise to sit still and not to talk. He swears that he can manage that.

To your great surprise, he does. He distracts himself by browsing Akuzon, and you cuddle up next to him for a nice, cozy nap, with him occasionally pressing kisses to the top of your head

Leviathan

Unlike Mammon, he notices you glaring at him immediately and freezes. He knew he shouldn’t have come. You might have been a couple but of course you wouldn’t want him around all the time, right?

Once you realize it’s Levi, you relax a little and smile at him. He’s still nervous so reach out your hand to him until he comes over.

He stands next to your bed holding your hand while you explain to him what’s going on

He really doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do here. Do you want to be left alone? Should he stay? It’s not contagious is it? You aren’t going to die right?!

You reassure your poor panicking otaku that you aren’t dying, it’s not contagious, and that you really just want to rest.

That’s when he realizes that you probably won’t want to go on the date y’all had planned and he’s really disappointed, he can’t even hide it

You kiss the back of his hand, making him blush, and promise you’ll make it up to him

Feeling a little better, he asks if you want to watch an anime or something with him instead and you agree.

He sits next to you in bed with your head in his lap while you cuddle up to his legs.

He gets so engrossed in the show he doesn’t even notice when you fall asleep until the episode is done. He doesn’t want to wake you, so decides he’s just going to be stuck like that forever and picks out one of his favorites series to binge watch instead.

Satan

He raises an eyebrow at you when he sees the look you’re giving him

He notices the bottle of ibuprofen next to your bed and quickly pieces together what must be going on

He does have a basic understanding of human anatomy, but the nuances like your food cravings and self comfort measures are unknown to him

He catches on pretty fast once you explain it though, he may make a couple odd suggestions that he read about once or twice

You let him know that you won’t be able to go on your date that weekend, and he is only concerned with comforting you

Gives you a sweet kiss to your forehead before asking if you need anything, which he’ll fetch immediately

You ask him if he’ll stay with you, just so you can have him close and of course he agrees. He heads back to his room to grab a couple of books for himself, and one for you too, just in case you feel up to reading.

By the time he returns, you’ve already fallen asleep. He’ll make sure you’re tucked in and comfy, giving you another forehead kiss or two.

Takes a seat in the large lounge chair in your room and quietly reads until it’s time for dinner

Asmodeus

He’s the kinda guy that has been tracking your cycle for you. He just can’t help it.

So when he opens the door, he already has some of your favorite snacks and a heating pad in his arms

You’re really relieved to see him. If there is one thing Asmo knows how to do, it’s pamper you! (Besides his other talents of course)

He makes sure the snacks are within easy reach of your bed, and sets up the heating pad for you so you can cuddle with it when needed

Tells you right away that you don’t need to worry about the date, he’s already had it rescheduled.

Asks you if there is anything he can do for you, and you ask if he can just cuddle with you

He’s happy to agree, and crawls into bed alongside you, with you resting your head on his chest.

If you’re feeling up to it, he’ll even brush and braid/style your hair. But if you don’t feel like being touched he’ll just gently hold you in his arms

While you’re sleeping, he does manage to sneak in a few cute selfies snuggling with you. He’ll send you the best ones...once your period is over and he knows you'll no longer be mad about it 🙃

Beelzebub

He is really confused when he walks in and sees how grumpy you look. It kinda reminds him of how Belphie looks when his naps get interrupted so he doesn’t take it personally.

You smile at him once you realize it’s Beel and not anyone else

He comes and sits on the bed next to you, brushing your hair out of your face so he can get a better look at you

You explain why you aren’t feeling well, and he immediately grows concerned. It takes a lot of convincing to assure him that you’ll be fine in just a few days

Realizes that your date will need to be rescheduled and tells you not to worry about it. He just wants you to feel better soon.

When you mention that you have some favorite foods that you crave during this time of month, he is all too happy to fetch them for you

Like seriously - he gets Beel-sized quantities for you, and you’ll probably get sick of whatever it is by the time your period is over, so be sure to ask him to share otherwise you won’t finish it all in your own

He asks if you feel up to cuddling or if you’d rather be left alone (he really doesn’t want to leave you alone though)

If you agree to cuddles, he’ll wrap you up in his arms, holding you securely. It’ll be so nice and warm and comforting you’ll fall asleep really quickly. He won’t be far behind you either.

Belphegor

Doesn’t hesitate to ask you who peed in your Cheerios

You have to laugh at that, and then explain how you’re feeling and why

He realizes right away you won’t be able to go on your date, but won’t say anything about it unless you bring it up. He doesn’t want you to feel pressured.

He also gets a little nervous at first about your health and safety, so expect to need to explain to him that it’s a normal part of human life

He’s still going to be feeling really protective of you though, and will make sure under no circumstances that his brothers bother you. Beel can come visit because he gives good cuddles, but that’s it.

When you mention that you really just want to sleep, his face lights up. Naps are only his favorite thing in the world to do with you, so he’s happy to be able to comfort you this way

You’ll lay on your side and he’ll spoon you from behind. He’ll even give you his cow pillow to snuggle as he holds you. It smells just like him, which you find very relaxing.

For once, he doesn’t fall asleep until he’s sure you’re asleep. Then he’ll give you plenty of gentle kisses to your neck and shoulders before cuddling up to you and falling asleep himself.

His arms will stay wrapped around you the whole time, making sure you stay warm and comfortable.

[tg-headcanons]

Hehehehe hohohoho..seidou alphabet?

He’s always looking submissive and breedable 😌

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex): when it’s over, he’s gonna be needing aftercare. He’s absolutely exhausted, he could use a little clean up and words of reassurance now that he’s no longer horny and probably embarrassed by how desperate he was to be fucked. A quick nap, being held by his partner and getting some ibuprofen is a must

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s): on himself he likes his hands, and on his partner he likes tits. Male or female, if they have tiddy, he wants to drown in it

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically): he knows it’s kind of gross, be he likes to swallow. When he gives head he wants his partner to finish deep in his throat

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs): he’s masturbated to the thought of Houji before and felt really awkward working with him the next day

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?): he’s not very experienced. He had a high school girlfriend who he lost his virginity to and a drunk one night stand or two, but it was always his partners taking the lead and he’s still awkward about making advances let alone doing anything sexual without blushing like a virgin

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying): any position where he’s bent over something. Being pinned between a surface and his partner’s body and unable to escape is the best feeling to him

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.): he doesn’t really joke during it, the most he’ll do are little jabs when he’s hoping to provoke his partner into a bit more roughness

H = Heat (what are heats like for them? How do they handle it?): his heats suck. He’s one of those ghouls who, no matter how many times he’s fucked, can’t seem to make the desperation go away. Even with two partners he outlasts them, ready to again seconds after finishing. With how bad it is, he just lets his partners secure him to the bed and do whatever they can for him, he’s okay with them having control when he’s like that since he can’t think rationally when that overheated and desperate

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect): he’s very focused on his partners during it, paying just as close attention to what they’re saying as what they’re doing to him. It’s romantic in the way being desperate for any word or sensation from someone can be

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon): he does it pretty often. He’s a healthy young man who doesn’t have much time after work for sex, of course he’s going to relieve himself. He usually does it in that same face down position he likes to get fucked in, biting the sheets to stay quiet. He hates that it’s usually insults from akira or praise from Amon that comes to mind while his hand is wrapped around his cock, but it does the job.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks): degradation and praise, being dominated, anything that makes him feel like he’s under the control of someone he desperately wants to please. Anything done to him is heavenly if it’s to please his master

L = Location (favorite places to do the do): I think it comes as no surprise that he’d love to fuck in the office. It’s always been a fantasy of his to get pulled into a storage closet during work hours and fucked against the wall, struggling to stay quiet

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going): praise and degradation. I don’t care that I’ve already said it this boy wants to get noticed and told exactly what is thought of him. If he’s good, he deserves a reward doesn’t he? If he’s bad, there’s gotta be something he can do to make up for it. Either way, any compliment or insult he gets from an attractive superior has him uncomfortably crossing his legs

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs): being ignored/silence. He loves to feel objectified and used, but being completely disregarded as often painful things are done to his body makes him panic when it reminds him too much of being really objectified by kanou. As you can see, there is a dilemma here. He’s found out that he can handle being used as a toy so long as his partner talks to him. As long as he’s reminded that he’s recognized as a person who can give and revoke consent at any time, he can handle any rough treatment

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.): giving, and holy hell can he give. That boy sucks dick like he’s dying and the only cure is semen and eats pussy like it’s a four course meal. He loves the feeling of serving them, like it’s a job to prove just how much pleasure he can give and just how much discomfort he can disregard. Either ask him politely or put a spider gag in his mouth and fuck his throat, either way he’d gladly get on his knees

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.): As fast and rough as possible, he wants his partners to make him their bitch. He wants his legs to shake tomorrow

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.): loves them. Any time, any place, he’s ready to go. He can’t go as rough with these since they don’t have the time for the aftercare he needs afterwards though, but a gentle fuck in back room somewhere is it’s own type of exhilarating

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.): a big part of it for him is being forced out of his comfort zone. Having a vibe in him in public, getting choked, taking a toy inside him he’s pretty sure is too big, it’s all better with the very real embarrassment and nerves. It really could hurt, but he’s been given an order, and he wants to be a good boy doesn’t he?

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?): he can go awhile, it’s not that he has a short refractory period, only that he has no problem being fucked long after he’s already cum

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?): he’s never bought any of his own, but is down for anything his partner wants to use on him

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease): he doesn’t tease, but loves to be teased. Edge him and deny him over and over until he’s a desperate mess

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.): he always starts with little grunts and groans, the demand for his partner to stop teasing and just get onto it, but little by little his submissive nature takes over, and those moans and cries flow freely by the end

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character): he is a very horny drunk. When enough drinks deep, he has no problem grabbing his partner by the collar and telling them exactly how he wants them to make a mess out of him in filthy detail. Doesn’t matter if they’re home or in the middle of a bar, he’ll be crawling into their lap and grinding on their leg. He’s always humiliated the next day, but in the moment he can’t think about anything but getting railed

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes): about 6-6.5 inches

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?): so horny all the time holy fuck This man is down horrendously 24/7

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards): usually pretty fast, once his partner pulls out of him and gives him those gentle touches and words of praise that marks the beginning of aftercare, he’s rarely awake for more than three minutes. Half the time he’s only asleep for a couple minutes, but he needs that to recover and ease himself out of that submissive state

[peralta-guaranteed]

hc of amy having a bad day and struggling with mac? say he’s very clingy or also upset

Guess what, this accidentally turned into a fic too. And it kinda shifted into 'Jake and Amy having a bad day and struggling with Mac for very different reasons'... I hope you still like it!

(read it on AO3)

It had become evident pretty early on that when Mac got sick, he gravitated towards Amy much more. Sure, Jake was also sometimes good for snotty cuddles and cough-soothing baths, but at some point he would call for his mom, or whine and spread his arms towards her with his legs kicking in frustration, and it said a lot about how much Jake has grown that he didn't even hesitate to hand him over without acting hurt. Maybe the blissful calm washing over Mac's face as soon as Amy was hugging him helped with that, too. It was such a wonderful thing to see after hours of crying, coughing, sneezing, whining and general sad pouting that only a Peralta-baby is capable of, Jake barely had the energy to worry about how it felt to be so blatantly rejected by his little boy.

It'd also become evident that Mac’s clingy phase had started a bit earlier than most of their parenting books prophesied. If Amy was home, he wanted to be on her lap, or in her arms, or wrapping his little arms around her leg as she tried to work in the kitchen. Jake got “NO!”ed and waved away far more often than he was asked for a hug himself, and again, it took a lot of newfound maturity not to let that get to him - and maybe he did not have enough of that yet, because it absolutely got to him in quieter moments.

(He knew it’d pass, like any phase in a toddler’s life passes at some point. Like the phase of Mac refusing anything but that one specific carrot puree passed, or the phase of him being unable to sleep anywhere except cuddled in between them, waking up as soon as they tried to carry him back to his own bed.)

The real trouble starts when both these situations collide.

-*-

Mac woke them up at 4:30 sharp, two hours before Amy’s first alarm, crying so hard it almost sounded like screaming. When Jake tiptoed into the nursery, he had to ignore the frustrated shouts of Nonono and Mamam that he was almost used to by now, to actually check what was wrong. Probably another ear infection, he realised after seeing the symptoms they’d become very familiar with during the last time they’d battled through one of those. They had to bring him to the doctor to be sure, but he already knew they were looking forward to at least two days of unsoothable crying and fussing.

He also knew that things would be hell for Amy.

In theory, it would make far more sense for him to call in sick to take care of Mac. As much as he loved his detective work, the simple fact that his wife outranked him (and thus outdid him in both salary and responsibilities, obviously) meant that if one of them had to take a few days off, it should be him first and foremost. In practice, however, Mac was going to be even more insufferable than just from his sickness if left alone with him at the moment. He was still crying for Amy as Jake lifted him out of the cot - he would be screaming bloody murder if she closed the door of the apartment behind her.

“Earache?” Amy asked already as Jake stepped back into the bedroom, Mac’s wailing lessening only slightly as he stretched his arms out toward her. She pulled him to her as Jake sighed and nodded.

“I think so. I’ll take him to the doc when they open.” He tried to offer, but he knew Amy would refuse it anyway.

“No, I can do it. I’ll call in sick - you get back to sleep for work.”

“I’ll try.” He sighed again as he dropped onto his back while Amy was sitting up to sway Mac, who’d actually quieted down into little sobs and sniffles in her arms. “I’m sorry, Ames.”

“It’s nobody’s fault he’s sick, especially not yours.”

“Yeah, but I wish I could help more. If he wasn’t- you know.”

“I know.” Amy let her free hand not holding Mac drift through Jake’s sleep-messy curls. She knew that, as much as he tried to pretend it wasn’t bothering him, he secretly hated the thought of his son rejecting him in any way, even if it was as nonsensical as a clingy toddler phase.

Luckily it didn’t take long for him to actually fall back asleep with her hand in his hair, and she carefully wiggled out of bed to let him rest while settling down with a still crying Mac in his nursery rocking chair.

-*-

They got to get ready together as they usually did in the morning, at least - even if Amy was only getting dressed to drive to the pediatrician and straight back again. She’d already called Holt and explained the situation before Jake handed her a mug of coffee, and Mac had been, at the least, not crying for the last ten minutes while sitting in his playpen in the living room. Maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as last time.

“I can pick up whatever the doc prescribes on my lunch break.” Jake smiled at her, ruefully, and she considered telling him again that it was okay, that she could do it - but something told her to keep her options of at least a few minutes not alone with a sick toddler open.

She desperately needed that option when lunchtime came around.

Doctor Maurice had quickly confirmed their suspicions and told her that there wasn’t much more they could do than wait it out, keep an eye on his fever and medicate with ibuprofen and warm compresses. Not that any of that had helped. When Mac wasn’t crying, he was screaming, and when he wasn’t screaming, he wanted to be close to her, but he couldn’t lie down without the pain getting worse, so simply plonking down on the couch with him was out of the question. She’d let him breastfeed far more than had been their norm now that he was slowly getting weaned, because it seemed to give him some relief at least, as well as quieting him for a blissful moment. But then the infection had travelled to his stomach as well, the same way it had last time, and he staunchly refused any and all food or milk. She’d seriously started considering foregoing the diapers completely and just letting him play in the empty bathtub so she could rinse him off from time to time, because five dirty diapers in under twenty minutes had to be some sort of new record.

So when Jake texted her he was on his way, with a picture of another box of ibuprofen and that herbal steam-bath mix that had helped last time, she sent a silent thank you prayer to anyone who wanted to listen. And she mumbled a not quite as silent thank you against Jake’s lips before he could even get his shoes off at the door.

“I got you one of the good bagel sandwiches for lunch, too.” He said as he hugged her and combed through her messy hair.

“I love you so much.” She hadn’t even realised that the only thing in her stomach so far was still the cup of coffee he’d made her this morning.

He grinned as he put the deli paper bag on the kitchen counter and went over to Mac’s playpen, to say hello to a currently only softly whining toddler smacking an innocent teddy against a pile of soft fabric blocks. Amy followed to wrap her arms around his waist from behind and rest her head against his back, taking in a few deep breaths of Jake, of something that didn’t smell of diarrhea, moist compresses, milk-hiccups and spit up.

“Also Holt gave me an hour for lunch, so if you want to take a nap or something-”

“God.” Amy groaned with pure happiness as Jake turned around in her embrace. “Marry me, Mr. Perfect.”

“Any place, any time, babe.” He kissed the crown of her head while returning her hug, sniffing her hair with a chuckle. “But maybe a shower first before the big day.”

“Rude.” Amy mumbled with her face pressed against his chest. “I rescind the proposal.”

His chuckle turned into a laugh at that, and he slowly unraveled her arms around him. “Nap first, then shower, how’s that sound? Then a bagel. I’ll give Mac his lunch.”

“Good luck with that.” She sighed before giving him another quick kiss and making a beeline for the bedroom.

-*-

She’d hopped straight from bed into the bathroom later, relishing in the feeling of the hot water washing away any aches left over after that much needed nap. Alas, when she stepped out of the oh-so-peaceful bathroom, she was met with a wall of sound.

Mac was wailing, hard, as Jake swayed him back and forth, holding another warm compress against his little ear, and trying to make soothing noises despite the shrill screams of No and MAMA! straight into his face.

“Shsshhshsh, hey, it’s okay, bud, it’s okay. I know you don’t like me much at the moment, but it’s gonna be okay, and mom is coming back soon-”

He stopped as he noticed her stepping into the room, giving her an apologetic smile as she took Mac from him. The wailing turned into regular crying at least, albeit still loud.

“I’m sorry babe - did he wake you up? He won’t eat either.”

“I set an alarm, actually. So you won’t be back late.” Amy sat down on the couch and pulled up her shirt (freshly changed after the shower, and god had that felt good as well). Mac latched onto her breast almost immediately, and a wonderful quiet settled across the room, only his little snuffling and suckling noises breaking through.

Jake’s face was unreadable before he turned towards the kitchen to plate her bagel, but that stoic, almost empty expression told her enough anyway. She grabbed his wrist as he set the plate down on the couch table, pulled softly until he sat down next to her, running her fingers through his hair again to comfort him.

“You know it’s not true, right?”

“Hm?” Jake looked up at her after watching Mac, who finally seemed to calm down completely in her arm, with a vacant look in his eyes.

“It’s not true that he doesn’t like you. He loves you just as much as me. It’s just a difficult phase.”

“I know that.” Jake’s attempt at a smile was still sad enough, and she wiped across the corner of it with the soft tip of her thumb.

“And I love you too. So much.”

“I know that.” And this new smile seemed to turn out right, at least. “You wanna re-marry me, after all.” He teased as he leant his head against her shoulder, looking down at Mac again with a much less forlorn expression.

“Hey, I rescinded that proposal!” She quipped back, falling into their usual banter easily now that she was rested enough and sure that Jake felt better as well. “But I might consider re-re-proposing again if you promise to pick up Polish for dinner.”

“I knew you only wanted me for all the free food delivery.”

“I also need you for other things.” Amy said as she sat up a bit straighter to finish Mac’s feeding, Jake’s head lifting off of her shoulder with the movement. “Like burping your kid. I really don’t want spit-up down this fresh shirt.”

“Aye aye, Sergeant.” Jake joked, already scrabbling for the burp cloth thrown over the armchair next to them and taking Mac out of her arms.

She watched him as he expertly settled the little, squirming bundle against his chest, the swaying and patting motion almost second nature by now, ducking his head down for a quick sniff of that perfect toddler hair scent. He’d have to leave for the precinct soon enough, and she certainly wasn’t looking forward to the rest of the afternoon probably being a reprise of her entire morning, and she didn’t even want to think about the night or next day to come.

Life with a toddler was unpredictable. Almost nothing was in her control anymore. But, as she’d learned over the years, as long as she was with the right people, she could handle anything. And Jake Peralta proved, again and again, that he was the right person for her.

[softie-shua]

stray kids when their partner is on their period <3

req by @yeosunshine: hi lovely! <3 i’d like to request skz headcanons to when their partner is on their period, if that’s okay!

note: thank you for the request love! this is a really cute idea i hope you guys like this 🥺🥺

chan

- chan doesn’t play around when it’s that time

- he knows when it’s coming before you do

- he may or may not have a tracker app on his phone lol

- before he comes home, he always picks up your favorite sweets, food and a warm hug

- he even makes sure to come home early

- makes you warm drinks, knowing they help you a lot

- cuddles for days

minho

- will no doubt bring his cats over for you to cuddle

- you love his cats just as much as he does so it’s the perfect remedy tbh

- he’ll also wrap the both of you up in a warm blanket

- seriously, he put the blanket in the dryer so it was warm lol

- will put on christmas movies even if it’s not christmas time

- and makes hot chocolate lol he knows how much you love it

changbin

- he finds it very hard to go to work if you’re on your period

- he hates the idea of leaving you alone if you’re in pain

- will BEG chan to let him leave early or periodically to go check on you

- and of course, chan let’s him lol

- he’s not supposed to be there too long but of course, he’s there for like an hour lol

- he likes to cuddle you and rub your tummy when the cramps get too bad

- sings to you sometimes too just to calm you down

hyunjin

- another one who hates to leave you alone

- brings you to practice with him lol

- he lets you stay in the studio or on the couch in the practice room

- he’ll come check on you every so often, making sure you’re feeling okay

- he always keeps spare pads or tampons in his bag just in case

- plenty of comforting forehead kisses

- and if he sees you’re in pain, he’ll stop what he’s doing and go lay with you for a while

- plays with your hair uwu

jisung

- he loves taking care of you

- but hates to see you in pain

- he has ibuprofen and a bottle of water at the ready all the time

- he spoils the heck out of you when you’re on your period

- he doesn’t care what time it is, if you need something, he’s going out to get it for you

- he knows your favorite ice cream brand and flavor by heart so he always stocks up on it

- another one who loves to cuddle and rub your tummy

- “i’m sorry you have to go through this, this honestly makes no sense as to why this is a thing.”

- same jisung :(

felix

- he probably hates this time of the month more than you do

- he hates seeing your face contort in pain

- and he hates seeing you have to sit down because it hurts so bad

- he follows you around like a lost puppy

- clings to you, to make sure you’re alright

- is always prepared to give you a cuddle, warm hug or a kiss

- whatever you may need, he’s got you covered

- constant comforting kisses too, he wants you to know he’s there and that you aren’t alone

seungmin

- was a little lost at first lol

- didn’t exactly know what to do

- but once you told him what helped, you best believe he was on it

- you wanted ice cream? done

- you wanted to nap and cuddle? also done

- if he had to leave, he called you every hour or so to check in on you and to make sure you were feeling okay

- as soon as he got home, he was carrying you up to bed

- also rubs your tummy to help with the pain

- he sings to you as well to help you fall asleep uwu

jeongin

- also very confused as first

- he didn’t know what to do, like at all

- he didn’t even know what was happening at first

- but when he saw you wince in pain he was running to the medicine cabinet

- cuddles you constantly

- even asks the boys for advice if he gets confused

- expect a lot of hugs and kisses

- “get some sleep, love. you’ll feel better after you get some rest.”

[gustafsnightangel]

Shattered Lives Ch 40 Pt 4

She was sore, all over sore. That was the first thing she realized when she cracked her eyes open, everything hurt. She grinned, but what a night. They’d fucked each other like a couple of horny teenagers and even though every muscle in her body ached, it was worth it. She’d slept later than Gustaf, his side of the bed already empty, the sheets cold. Hissing as she climbed out of bed, she wrapped her robe around her and padded out to the kitchen to see the kids at the table eating breakfast, Gustaf in the kitchen making tea.

“You know that massage you offered my ass the other day after ice skating?” She said as he kissed her.

“Mmm, I do.” His smirk playful.

“I may cash that in.” She snorted. “I’m so sore. Muscle sore, like I used every single one.” She chuckled as he kissed her tenderly. “Who knew there were that many of them in the most uncomfortable places imaginable.”

“I’m sorry.” He said wrapping her up in his arms and kissing her again.

“Don’t be, it’s a good sore, but damn.” She laughed. “I’ll be feeling you for days.” She purred in his ear and she nipped it.

“Don’t tease kitten.” He kissed her and winked. “Or I’ll have to take you out to the igloo again.”

“Give it a few days and you can igloo me all you want.” She grinned and sat at the table with the kids as he brought the tea over, the don’t tempt me look in his eyes making her stifle the whimper.

They spent the morning out finishing off the forts and entertaining Lily with a pint sized snowball fight. Gustaf recorded the twins hitting Sildie in the face with a giant snowball. He laughed as she got her own back, tossing them into a fluffy snowdrift. He loved seeing that smile, not a care in the world, happy, and stress free. This trip had been good for all of them, relaxing, bonding, and working toward being the family unit the kids desperately needed. But most of all it was just the time to really process everything that had happened last year since he’d met her. His life had done a complete one eighty and he love it, it would settle more with time. Eating an early lunch Sildie stayed indoors with Lily so the boys could have boy time and snowball the hell out of each other. If she was being honest the night had taken a lot out of her, she was physically and mentally exhausted, but in a good way. He gave her that freedom, a freedom to let all control and responsibility go and just feel. When Lily went down for a nap at one, the boys were well into their snow wars, so she took a few videos and some quick photos on a semi cease fire and left them to it. Curling up in bed with her book she passed out a little while later.

She surfaced much later, dark outside later, and she felt worse than when she’d gone to bed. “Probably too much sleep now.” She snorted and went to take a shower.

When she came into the living room the kids were around the fire toasting marshmallows while Gustaf read to them, Lily half asleep in his lap. He stopped when he saw her and smiled.

“There’s my sleeping beauty.” He smiled, his comment earning him a snort from Sildie.

“Sorry guys I crashed out.” She yawned.

“It’s ok we had our snowball war, part two tomorrow.” Gustaf grinned like the kid he was at heart. His brow creased as she went to put the kettle on, something was off. Getting to his feet he snuggled Lily in and stood behind her, hand resting on her hip. “You ok love? You look a little pale.”

“I’m ok, just tired still, I actually feel worse than I did this morning.” She said honestly.

“You catch a chill last night in the fort?” He was concerned, no trace of humor in his voice now.

“I hope not, but if it is, it is. I have zero regrets, especially after what you did to me.” She smiled and played with Lily’s hair. “Go put her to bed, she’s out cold.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to have some tea and maybe some toast and go back to bed.”

“You’re sure you’re ok.” He looked at her flatly not quite ready to believe her.

“Stop fussing.” She said and chuckled. She was fine, just a little off which could be explained by the vigorous activity they’d partaken in last night. She sat with the boys as Gustaf got Lily down and heard about their day, the fun they had as she munched on some toast and jam.

Gustaf put Lily to bed and got the boys settled, Sildie on his mind. He hoped he hadn’t got her sick with his insistence of sex in the snow, igloo or not it had been cold. He came into the bedroom to find her curled up with her book reading like any other night. “How are you feeling?” He asked stripping down and getting under the covers.

“Stiff and sore and just generally tired, wiped out. I think it’s a combination of last night and all the stress leaving my body like you exorcised it.” She chuckled.

“Be serious Sildie.” His tone changed and her face fell.

“I’m ok, honestly, I’m just sore and wiped.”

“Did you eat something?”

“I wasn’t really hungry, but I had some toast.” She went back to reading her book.

“Proper breakfast tomorrow ok, don’t skip too many meals love.” He wouldn’t push because if he did she’d shut him down.

“I promise, breakfast tomorrow.” She shut her book and snuggled down as he flipped the light off.

“I love you Sildie.” He said tenderly.

“I know you do, but I’m ok.” She kissed his chest where her head lay. “I love you too.”

At three in the morning she knew she was in trouble when the mad dash to the bathroom hurled up bile and not much else, her throat feeling like she’d swallowed a coil of razor wire and the devious little gremlins were playing tug-o-war with it. “Shit.” She spat, she was sick. “Fucking shit.”

“Sildie?” The soft tap at the door made her feel worse. Gustaf would blame himself for this.

“I’m ok.” She said feebly as she hurled again.

He came into the bathroom to see her sitting on the floor, hair held back in one hand the other gripping the bowl like her life depended on it for stability. She’d gone ashen grey, his woman was sick. “You’re not ok.” He said gently.

“I feel like ass to be honest.” She croaked, even her voice was sore.

“I’m so sorry love.”

“Don’t.” She held up her finger. “Don’t. I don’t blame you. Shit happens, I’m sick, we’ll deal with it.” Once she realized nothing else was going to be expelled from her gut she started to get to her feet, Gustaf helping her.

“I’ll get it. Brush your teeth and get back into bed.” He said as she went to flush and clean up the mess she’d made.

“I can...”

“Teeth and back to bed. Don’t fight me on this love, you’re sick and look like death warmed up.” He kissed her brow. “And you have a fever.” He added with a sigh. “Back to bed.”

“Ok.” She said simply at the concern on his face. “I don’t blame you.” She said meekly.

“I know love.” He smiled and helped her get toothpaste on her brush. “I didn’t want you getting sick from it though.” He kissed her head and started brushing her hair, the loose braid enough to keep it out of the toilet should she need to puke again.

“Thanks.” She mumbled, resting her head against his chest while she tried to find the energy to walk back to the bed.

“Get into bed, drink some water. I’m going to see if I can find some broth or something so you have food in your stomach or the ibuprofen will burn a hole in your gut.” He waited until she’d finished in the bathroom and helped her into bed before heading to the kitchen. Hunting through their groceries he sighed when it didn’t yield any broth, but there were some cans of chicken noodle soup. “That will have to do.” Sitting the soup on the stove to heat he found some ibuprofen and took it into her, he needed to get the fever down. “I have some chicken noodle soup warming up.” He said handing two tablets to her and a cold cup of water.

“Ok.”

“If this gets worse Sildie we’ll have to take you home.” He said softly.

“No.” She said quietly, it came out more like petulant child’s whine. “I’ll be fine, probably just a head cold.”

“Here’s hoping, but if you get worse we go, no arguments from you.” He would hog tie her to the roof rack if he had to.

“The kids will be heartbroken they spent all that time on their fort.” Why, she thought, why when everything was going so well did shit have to fall apart? Couldn’t the kids have one fucking vacation, one fucking memory where nothing bad happened?

“The kids will understand. Your health is more important.” He kissed her temple. “I’ll be back with some soup and toast.”

Placing the soup in the biggest mug he could find he picked up the toast and brought it in for her, she was already dozing. Grazing his knuckles down her cheek she woke and focused on him, eyes glassy with fever. “Eat love. I’ve already let it cool a lot so it won’t scald your mouth.”

“Honestly that would feel better than the razor wire coiled up in it.” She sulked. She hated being sick and hated that she’d let herself get sick when the kids were finally building some good memories.

“Probably. Let me see what’s in the medical kit here at the cabin, we might get lucky with some throat lozenges or something.” She nodded and took a tentative sip of the soup. He came back to find her dunking the bread in the soup and eating slowly. He could see it was painful as she swallowed but at least she was eating. “I found a packet of lozenges and some stronger paracetamol and ibuprofen. That will have to do for the moment.”

“Better than nothing. Can you make me a ginger tea? I’ll see if I can sweat this out of me.” She handed him the empty cup and plate and got out of bed to put her base layer thermals on and a set of sweats. She was so cold her teeth were almost chattering.

“You’ll cook.” He huffed.

“Yeah, well, sweating it out is the only option I have so I’m not ruining the kids vacation.” She muttered and drank the water. Fluids and sweat it out and sleep. “Well that’s my itinerary for the next few days at least.” She mumbled bitterly as Gustaf went to make some tea.

“This is so fucking typical. I stop to rest and relax and bam, I get sick.” She grumbled to herself. After drinking the ginger tea she bundled herself up under the covers and shivered, the fever had well and truly set in. Sleep took her again and Gustaf stayed awake watching over her. Checking his phone for reception he texted his mother and she confirmed that they were doing all they could for the moment.

If it goes to her lungs bring her home and straight to the doctor. Normal cough is fine, coughing up yellow or green usually means it’s in the chest and possibly pneumonia. Don’t wait on that. Pneumonia, straight to the doctor or emergency room.

Thanks, I’ll keep you posted.

Please do. I’ll let Sam know as well.

Thanks mum.

Take care of her Gustaf.

He drifted to sleep until Lily’s cries woke him with a start, Sildie was still out cold. Brushing his knuckles to her brow he frowned, her fever was raging. He collected a cool wash cloth and wiped her face gently before placing it at the back of her neck to draw some of the heat away. The last thing he needed was her convulsing. Changing and dressing Lily quickly he woke the boys and gave them the run down. They were understandably bummed. “After breakfast I need you to pack your bags and help get everything ready in case we need to leave in a hurry ok? We’re not leaving yet, so you can play in the fort as much as you like.” They all nodded and hugged him. “She’ll be ok, were hoping it’s just a head cold.” Deep down he knew it wasn’t, not with a fever like that. The minute she started coughing they were heading home. They should probably head there now but he’d wait for now.

She slept most of the day, only waking when Gustaf forced her to drink and take pills to get the fever down. She hated him for it, but knew it was a necessary evil and he was worried. Her throat felt worse, she had a headache, and her appetite was non existent. The only blessing was she wasn’t coughing, yet, but she knew it was only a matter of time. She waved to the boys as they stood in the doorway and told her about the snowball fight they’d had and she smiled. At least they’d snuck in another round, she thought. And that was why she didn’t want to go yet. They needed as much time here having fun as possible.

It was around 2:30 in the morning when she started coughing. It started with an occasional one or two in her sleep, a slight tickle, but by seven she was coughing to the point of throwing up. She was a mess, hot, delirious, cold, achy, headache, the cough that wouldn’t quit, her throat so shredded and sore she could barely swallow, and she was only able to take short breaths. It felt as if her body was trying to expel her lungs out via any orifice willing to let them escape. And she was fatigued, like someone had taken all her batteries out.

“Sildie I need you to sit up love.” Gustaf said gently. “Stay sitting up ok?”

“I’m sorry.” She croaked and the tears she couldn’t hold back anymore fell. “I’m so sorry.” She cried and coughed, in no condition to keep her emotions in check.

“It’s ok love. You’re sick, let’s get you home so we can get you well ok?” He kissed her brow, the fever still raging. Whatever had her, had her fully and wasn’t letting go any time soon. “I need you to sit here while I get the boys ready and the car packed alright? Just doze and I’ll come get you when we’re ready to go.”

“Ok.” She sniffed, which only prompted another coughing fit. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok love.”

It was eleven by the time they’d packed the car up and double checked they had everything. Texting his mum he had a spot waiting at the hospital when they arrived, he’d drive them straight there.

Megan will come and sit with the kids and take them home. Sam will meet you at the hospital.

Great thanks.

How is she?

Worse. High fever, coughing until she pukes, short of breath.

It may have gone to her lungs.

That’s what I’m thinking.

Be safe, get her here as soon as you can.

Thanks mum.

Once he had the kids in the car he collected Sildie, carrying her from the bedroom straight to the car, she was barely coherent. Their vacation may have been cut short by a few days, but they’d made some memories at least, he thought as he drove. They would be back again for sure. The boys helped out so Gustaf could keep driving, feeding Lily a snack, keeping her occupied and happy. With one hand on the wheel the other held Sildie’s, the gentle squeeze every so often and reply squeeze letting him know she was at least conscious.

Megan met them all in the waiting room, Alex was with her for some additional support and a driver if needed. “Brendan.” Gustaf said quietly. “I know you’re all worried about Sildie, but I need you guys to go with Megan and Alex and let me get her seen to ok? I’ll call when I know what’s going on.” He hated doing this to the kid, the grief from the last time something major happened well in the forefront of his mind. The teen nodded barely holding back tears.

“I’ll be ok B.” Sildie croaked and winced at the pain in her throat before a coughing fit stole her breath.

Gustaf didn’t wait, he wheeled her to the desk and got her seen immediately. Sure he pulled some strings and his brother came in a moment later with the ER doctor. Sildie waved a hand at Sam, the thought of talking and the pain that came with it making her clam up. They took her away for chest X-rays and after a swab of her throat the doctor confirmed Gustaf’s suspicions, pneumonia.

“We’ll have to wait for the test results to be sure, but I’ll start you on some antibiotics, get some fluids into you and see in a few hours whether we need to admit you.”

Sildie shook her head. “I don’t want to stay.” She said, throat feeling like that razor wire had been ripped from it.

“You may not have a choice love.” Gustaf said gently.

“No.” She shook her head again and the coughing fit silenced her. “Not staying.”

“Let’s see how we go.” The doctor said and went out to order up what she needed.

“Sildie don’t make me fight you on this, if you need to stay to get well, you stay.” He had to be the voice of reason and he knew this wouldn’t end well.

“Then I’ll fucking walk out of here myself.” She spat. “I’m not staying.”

“Love you can barely stand.” He murmured, trying to keep the edge out of his tone.

“Fucking watch me.” She wheezed.

“Breathe love.” That wheeze was panic not pneumonia, though neither helped her right now.

“I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest.” She hissed.

“That’s because your lungs are full of fluid.” Sam said gently. “Sildie I’m not going to tell you what to do, but you might want to consider staying.”

She shook her head. “Not. Staying.” Her voice breathless, but the edge was still there. That edge that clearly said don’t fuck with me.

The nurse came in and hooked her up to an IV, the drip forcing fluids in at breakneck speed, the antibiotics they added hitting her hard. Within about twenty minutes she was almost asleep.

“Lay back and rest love. We’ll be here for a bit.” He kissed her temple and wiped the tears. “I need to go call the kids let them know what’s going on ok? I promised them.”

“Don’t leave.” She cried softly. “Please don’t leave.” Complete panic took over, her wheeze almost causing her to pass out.

“I’ll call them Goose.” Sam said catching on. “Stay with her.”

“Tell them I’m ok.” She croaked. “And I love them and I’m coming home and I won’t leave them.” It clicked for Gustaf then, he should have see it like a flashing neon sign and mentally kicked himself. Fear.

“I will.” Sam smiled at her. “I’ll tell them you’ll call in a little bit ok?” She nodded and wiped her tears away, angry they’d fallen.

“I’m sorry love, I should have realized.” Gustaf said tenderly and held her hand not occupied by the IV, thumb stroking her inner wrist. She just shrugged and closed her eyes, willing the whole process to go faster so she could go home.

“It’s stupid. I’m a grown ass woman scared out of her fucking mind about being left in a hospital.” She mumbled before the coughing fit took her breath away.

“It’s not stupid and stop talking.” He said holding up his hand as her eyes focused on him when she opened her mouth. “I won’t leave you here, I won’t make you stay. You will however, do whatever it is the doctor tells you to do, no arguments. None Sildie.” He said sternly as she was about to protest. “You wanting to argue with me tells me this stuff is already working.” He kissed her fingers. “Close your eyes, rest, sleep. I’ll stay right here.” With that he kicked back in the chair and read his book he thankfully had on his phone.

The hours ticked by and she slept, to the point where the doctor came in to assess her and decided that while she was out cold to add another bag of fluids and antibiotics. Gustaf was more worried about the fever now than her lungs as she shivered, the heat radiating off her, hot and dry.

“I’ll have them draw some antibiotic shots for you to take home, we can keep her on the IV until the fever breaks, the bags are easy enough to change out. It’s either that or I admit her.”

“You’d have to knock her out and she’d never forgive me.” Gustaf said wearily, he was so tired.

“I’ll get you setup then.” He smiled. “Lay down next to her and get some sleep. I’ll discharge her in the morning unless her condition changes. Let’s keep her here as long as we can.”

“Thanks.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry about her outburst before.”

“No need, I remember her brother and wife.” Gustaf nodded, there wouldn’t be many in this hospital that didn’t remember.

Sildie barely moved when he stretched out beside her. Quietly he pulled the side bumper up so he could lean against it without falling out. “Lovely lady.” He sighed out, pressing a tender kiss to her temple. He breathed out and relaxed, she was in the right place for help, he was here with her, the kids were safe with Megan and his brother. It was the best he could do. It has to be enough, he thought. Even half comatose she found him, his scent wrapping around her. She shifted, curling against him, seeking the comfort and security of his body, of him. “I’m here love.” He murmured and caged her in with his massive frame. “Sleep now, rest.” He mumbled. Gustaf felt himself slip into sleep, the exhaustion finally pulling him under.

Gustaf wasn’t sure how long he crashed out for. However, Sildie attempting to get out of the bed woke him in an instant. “Sildie?” He murmured.

“I need to pee.” She fought with the covers trying to get free of them, her strength was non existent.

“Ok, let me help.” He said softly, half expecting the snap of her temper, it surprised him when it didn’t come. “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit.” She croaked as she accepted his hand to steady her as she got to her feet, her cough stopping her cold. It stole her breath and he could see her chest heave as she fought for oxygen.

“Let’s get you to the bathroom then back on the oxygen.” He helped her shuffle to the bathroom with the IV pole, her legs weak like jelly. Sitting her on the toilet he left her to take care of business and stood outside, the door cracked open so he could hear her if she fell or passed out. He got her settled in bed again and sat beside her. “You should stay a few days love.” He held his hand up to silence her. “I understand you don’t want to stay, and if it was something a little less serious I’d agree with you, but you’re sick love, you’re struggling to breathe, and you’re fever is still raging. You need to be here, getting fluids and antibiotics to kick the crap out of whatever is destroying your system.” It broke his heart as tears streaked down her cheeks. “I love you Sildie, and I know being here scares you, I know that it’s the absolute last place you want to be, but we need to get you well love.” He took a Kleenex and handed it to her, the coughing and tears making her nose run. His decision to keep her here was strengthened when the tissue came away pink, tinged with blood. “I’ll do it with or without your approval love, but we need to admit you and get you better. Your approval will make it easier. You can hate me for it once you’re well.”

“I don’t want to be here on my own.” She sobbed quietly, she had no energy to fight him on it, her body wanting nothing more than to shut down entirely.

“I know love, and I’ll be here with you, but at some point I’ll need to go see to the kids and calm them down because I have a feeling they’ll be freaking out a little by now.”

“I need to see them.” She sniffed. “Be with them, not here.”

“I’ll bring them to visit.” He kissed her brow and willed her to just let him take care of her. “Let’s get you settled, I’ll see if Bill or dad can come and sit with you and I’ll go get the kids and bring them here for a visit.” He gripped her chin gently and brushed his thumb over her cheek as she cried. “I know you hate this and you’re angry at me for forcing you, manhandling you. I’m not doing it for giggles, it makes me sick to the stomach.” Her eyes met his. “I love you Sildie, let me take care of you.” Her subtle nod had him breathe a steady breath of relief.

As the admissions staff got her settled he phoned his family, Eija was free and would be there in thirty to sit with Sildie. He needed to get home, shower, eat, and get a grip on how he was going to function with the kids over the next few days. He called Megan and spoke with the boys, the fear evident on their faces as they FaceTimed.

“She’s ok, we just have to keep her here for a few days so they can make her better.” He said gently.

“Can we come see her?” Brendan asked, his voice shaky.

“I’m going to get her settled in and come home. Once I’ve had a shower and food we’ll come visit her later this afternoon ok?”

“Ok.” The teen nodded.

“Brendan?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s ok.” He saw the kids shoulders relax and knew it would be better once they saw her.

Eija waved to him as he paced waiting to see Sildie. “I’ll hang out until she’s settled.”

“Sounds good. She ok?”

“Pneumonia. It got her pretty good.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, and she doesn’t want to be here, same hospital as Quinn and Dana were in.”

“Oh shit.” She breathed.

“Yeah, the kids are freaking out a little too.” He blew out a breath and slumped against the wall.

“Just breathe big brother, you got this and we’ll help.” She smiled at him.

“Have I ever told you you’re the best little sister a guy could have?” He sighed.

“I’m the only little sister you have doofus.” She slapped him playfully as Gustaf hugged her.

“Thanks Eija.”

“Anytime goose. You two are good together.”

“Yeah we are.”

“She’s the one isn’t she?” Eija said softly.

“She is.” It was said without hesitation and was the absolute truth. Sildie was his soulmate and he’d protect and care for her until his last breath.

The nurse came and found him and took him into see her, she looked so small and frail curled up, eyes closed. Eija waited outside as he sat on the edge of the bed and toyed with her hair, it had lost its shine. Her eyes opened at his touch.

“Hey there lovely lady.”

“Hi.” She whispered, her voice and throat too raw to speak properly.

“Eija’s outside she’s going to sit with you for a bit ok?” She nodded at his words. “I’m going to head home and bring the kids back this afternoon. I’ll bring you your toothbrush and stuff.” He kissed her brow as the tears fell. “I’m coming back love, I need you to sleep and let the meds do their job.” She nodded again and it broke his heart to have to do this to her. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Her fingers gripped him, her separation anxiety flaring. Eija came in when Gustaf called softly.

“Not quite the girls day in, but I’ve worked with worse.” Eija grinned and it got a slight smile from Sildie.

“I’ll be back this afternoon love.” He kissed her hair and stepped away, he had to make it a clean breakaway or he’d never go. Eija sat in the chair and started talking, pulling Sildie’s attention to her. As he closed her door he leaned against the wall and took a few breaths.

“You’re killing me love.” He sighed, letting his head thud against the wall. “Fucking killing me.”

The doctor updated him, she’d be in for a bare minimum of four to six days. She was slightly improved this morning but not enough now she was coughing up blood and Gustaf felt a little better at forcing her to be admitted. He headed straight home, a shower and food at the top of his to do list. As he sat for food, the clean clothes making him feel like a new man, he organized a schedule with his family for the kids to be watched and someone to be with Sildie while he bounced between the hospital and home. He knew this was going to shackle Sildie, make her feel like she’s being handled, incompetent, but he had little choice and would take her wrath if it came to that. He felt like an asshole for pushing her, but her health was more important, she could rage at him after. His next call was to Oliver. Sildie was supposed to start back at the office on Monday, that was going to be postponed a few days. The kids tackled him in a group hug when he stepped through his fathers front door, he saw the worry on their faces, that deep seated fear for Sildie. “She’s ok, Aunt Eija is hanging out with her until we get there.” He took Lily from his dad as she lunged for him with her usual dad dad squeal.

“I’ll come with you, bring them back home tonight, I’ll stay with them at your place, they’ll settle better in their own beds.” Stellan said softly.

“I’ll need to stay with her overnight.” Gustaf said, knowing she’d sleep and heal faster with him there while she slept.

“As you should, she needs you.” They sat at the table and Megan sat a coffee and a plate of cookies beside it, the gentle squeeze of his forearm reassuring him that he’d done the right thing. “We’ll take care of the kids, you focus on Sildie.”

“She’s pissed at me for having her admitted.” He snorted as he bit into a cookie, Lily wanting one. He gave her a small piece and she stuffed it in her mouth devouring it.

“She’ll get over it.” Stellan assured him. “Sometimes you’re screwed either way. She’s sick, you made the right decision, don’t doubt that. She’ll see that once she’s able to think straight.” Gustaf nodded at his statement, he still felt like shit for overruling her, especially when she was so fiercely independent.

His conversation with his father and Megan relaxed him, taking the edge off his own anxiety. Loading the kids into the car, his father drove so Gustaf didn’t have to focus on traffic. He was exhausted already.

“Feels weird being back here.” Brendan mumbled and Gustaf pulled him in close for a hug as they walked.

“She’s feeling much the same way.” He told the teen, Brendan got it, he understood it a little better than the twins.

His heart lightened as he stepped into the room. She was sitting up trying to eat something, Eija eating her own sandwich. He watched her face light up at seeing him, the kids rushing in. “Ok, boys, don’t make her talk, it hurts.” He chuckled and she waved him off.

She didn’t care if it hurt to talk, she was relieved to see the kids. The boys told her about what they were doing and their stay at grandpa’s, their speech going a hundred miles a minute. “It sounds worse than it is.” She croaked, the use of her voice sending her into a coughing fit.

No, he thought, it’s much worse than you’re letting on love, but nice try. She was trying to set their minds at ease knowing they would be freaking out much more than she was. He sat Lily on the bed and she crawled into Sildie’s outstretched arms, the both of them needing the contact, her soft mum mum making Sildie smile.

“Hi little lady.” She whispered, whispering didn’t hurt as much. The rest of her felt as if she’d been dragged behind a truck for a thousand miles. So fatigued, just keeping her eyes open was a struggle, her bones feeling like someone had replaced them with lead, and she had a nagging headache. She knew Gustaf had made the right call by forcing her to stay and felt like a cranky bitch for fighting him on it. She’d grovel later, oh how she’d grovel.

He watched her energy fade, the fight to stay present for the kids, to make sure they were alright. Eija said her goodbyes and told Sildie she’d be back tomorrow to give her a manicure and watch some really bad b movies while Gustaf had kid duty. The boys crowded in for a group hug, the separation not as brutal as Gustaf had envisioned. Stellan had after all promised ice cream so the kids were putty in his hands. They were suddenly alone and he saw her relax back, eyes closing, it had exhausted her energy reserves.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“Rest love.” He sat on the bed and stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles.

“No, about fighting you on being here.” Her hand searched for his and she squeezed. “I’m sorry.”

He kissed her temple and lingered. “I would have tied you to the bed if necessary.” He growled and she huffed a chuckle which made her cough. “Shall we get you up for a bathroom break and to brush your teeth?” Her nod was enough. “You’ll feel like a new woman with clean teeth.” He helped her shuffle to and from the bathroom, a smile from her after cleaning her teeth lightening his heart. He sat her on the edge of the bed and undid her braid, gently brushing her hair, the action soothing them both. She leaned into him as brush and fingers soothed her anxiety, lulled and relaxed her body and mind. He took his time braiding her hair, the kiss to her head lingering to breathe in her scent and offer her the same comfort. “Let’s get you into bed.”

“Are you staying?” She asked, her words shaky.

“I’m staying.” He kissed her temple and got off the bed to help her get settled. Putting the bumper up he stretched out behind her and raised the bumper on his side so he wouldn’t fall out.

His arm came around her snuggling her in. “I love you.” She whispered.

“I love you too, sleep now love, let your body heal.”

“Thank you for staying.”

“Nowhere else I’d be.” He kissed her head and felt her relax, giving herself over to the fatigue and plummet into sleep.

That was his brutal routine for the next five days, wake, help Sildie, go see the kids, bring the kids to see Sildie, stay with her overnight, rinse, repeat. The upside was she was getting better, eating a little more, coughing a little less, but she was still fatigued and from what Sam had said she would be for weeks once she got out of the hospital. His time spent with the kids at home was put to good use finding a cleaner and persuading Alice into working for them part time while he was away, starting a few weeks before he left to get used to their routine. At least Sildie would have breathing room when she got home to take the load off, the only issue, getting her to slow down until she was back to full health.

She woke to the feel of him next to her. Her lanky man curled up in a bed not really made for someone of his height and massive frame snuggled in close. Rolling she looked at him, he was exhausted, dark circles painted under his eyes, a slightly haggard look of someone under a shit ton of stress with not enough sleep. She’d put that look there and felt terrible about it. Her own stupid stubbornness and pride. May as well have beaten him about the head with it, she scolded herself. Her head was clearer than it had been in days, the headache a dull roar, her throat still raw. But it was the soul crushing fatigue that she couldn’t handle. She needed a nap every few hours not able to stay upright or awake, her body was literally making her slow down or putting her down on her ass.

His eyes snapped open as fingers brushed his scruff, ice blue eyes looked back. Clearer than yesterday and she had a little more color in her cheeks. “Morning love.” He said softly, his arms tightening his hold on her as if she’d slip from his grasp.

“Morning.” Her whisper was still more comfortable than talking.

“You’re looking better.” He smiled. “Less corpse like.”

“Feeling better, little bit.” She shrugged and his smile got bigger. That was more than she’d said or done in nearly a week. “Can we go home?”

It was the first time she’d asked that since he had her admitted. “I can ask.”

“I’m glad you put me in here, I needed it, but I want to go home now, be in our bed.” He kissed her forehead.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Her fever had finally broken two nights ago, she was a normal temperature instead of that raging inferno burning her from the inside out.

“And I want to shower. I feel gross.” She chuckled.

“I think we can manage that.” He kissed her tenderly before prying himself from her side. Making sure she’d started eating, he went to the nurses station to page the doctor for her to be released, he really hoped he allowed it because fighting with her on this again would be the end of him. He needed a few days sleep in their bed too.

“Well Sildie you’re doing much better.” The doctor said positively. “But if I send you home you’re going to need to continue to rest and not push yourself. The fatigue you’re feeling is normal and it’ll take a few weeks for your body to bounce back. Your energy is going to be low for a little while longer and I want you to stay on the course of antibiotics for another two weeks.”

“She’ll behave or I’ll bring her right back.” Gustaf said in that tone that told her he meant every word and would in fact tie her to the bed if he had to bring her back. He raised his eyebrow at her glare, just try me, he thought.

“If your body says sleep, you sleep. The more you sleep, the more you rest, the faster you’ll heal.” The doctor added.

“I’ll rest.” She whispered, and she would, she didn’t want to see Gustaf look like this again, like he’d not slept or eaten in a month because she’d scared him halfway to an early grave. “I just want to do it at home.”

“Ok then. I’ll get one more round of IV antibiotics into you and you can go home this afternoon.” He said and that was that.

“Do you want a shower now or after they pull the IV?” Gustaf asked.

“After. I want to scrub this place off me before I leave.” She smiled. “You’re so tired love.” Her whisper caught in her throat. How could she have done this to him?

“I’ll be ok once you’re home and we can sleep for a few days.” His smile weary.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault love, shit happens.” He kissed her gently.

“Not your fault either.” Her fingers over his lips and the slight shake of her head silenced his retort. “It’s not. I probably picked up the bug ten days or so before I showed symptoms. It could even be as far back as the Christmas party. The doctor said with the bug and the amount of stress I’d been under it was no wonder I ended up sick.” She kissed him gently. “Not your fault at all my sweet man.”

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak as the relief flooded him.

“And I’m sorry I snapped, freaked out.” She added.

“I understand why. After everything that happened here I don’t think I’d want to be here either. Sam was here, mum works here too, they know me, us, it’s was easier. Next time I’ll take you to a different...”

“No. It’s fine. I just need to stop freaking out. That was then, this is now. Just the entire thing got shoved in my face, pushed my anxiety to the brink and being sick made it worse.”

“The kids were a mess when I went home the first night.” He said softly.

“I’m not surprised. That was the other reason I didn’t want to be here, what it would do to them. I didn’t want to put them through all this shit again.”

“They’re ok love and will be happy you’re on your way home. I know I am.”

“I want our bed.” She sighed. “In our home.”

“Oh fuck me I hear you on that one.” He chuckled.

“Are we ok?”

His brow creased in a frown. “Stronger than ever love.”

“I hurt you and I’m sorry.” His fingers toyed with the wisps of hair at her face, tucking them behind her ear.

“You didn’t hurt me Sildie, just scared a few years off me.” He kissed her temple. “No more now, we move past it. Get you better, lots of sleep and rest, and get those goddess curves back where they belong.” She’d lost weight, a substantial amount and she looked gaunt.

“You saying I’m too skinny?” She played.

“I like your curves.” He growled. “I’d like them back please kitten.” He hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up to look at him before slowly kissing her, that tender yet erotic kiss that made her toes curl.

“Then I need more than jelly.” She screwed up her face, clearly over the taste of it.

“I’ll get you settled in at home and go get whatever you want.”

“Pho. Buckets and buckets of pho and coconut shrimp.”

“I think I can manage that.”

“I need to lay down again.” She sighed. “Just being vertical wears me out.”

“Lay down and I’ll go make some calls, let dad and Megan know you’re coming home.” He said standing and helping her back into bed. “Dad’s been at our place with the kids so they can sleep in their own beds. And before you get upset, he chose to stay so they’d have more stability, it was the right call.”

“I know, it’s just... what a fucking mess.” She sighed.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s family, we stick together.”

“Still acclimating.” She mumbled as he kissed the top of her head and smirked.

“They’ll grow on you.” He said as she coughed. It was still there but not as bad as before, that was progress, it still left her short of breath. “Nap time, I’ll find you some ice cream or something and I have calls to make.” The real progress was her not clinging to him for dear life because he left her alone in the room for five minutes.

After talking with Stellan for nearly an hour he made his way to the dessert shop across the street from the hospital. With a tub of sorbet in hand he grinned as he saw her dozing. With the tiniest amount on the spoon he pressed it to her lips, her eyes fluttering open. “I would leave you napping but this will melt and it’s sacrilege to waste premium pear sorbet.” He said softly,

“Yes it is.” That smile, he thought, how he’d missed that smile. He handed her the tub and pulled his own out of the bag, she giggled which ended in a coughing fit. “I’m ok, better to cough it up than keep it in there.” She said and started to eat. “I can’t taste much but that feels so good on my throat.”

“Don’t make yourself puke. He chuckled. “That’s why I only got you a small one.”

“It’s enough and it’s not jelly.” She said eating another spoonful.

They talked as the final IV bag and medication worked it’s way through her system, the nurse coming by and giving her the last dose of antibiotics by injection and pulling the IV out. The nurse ran through her meds and got her ready for discharge, the doctor coming by saying she could leave when she was ready. “I want a hot shower before I go anywhere.” She chuckled and started coughing.

“Need some help?” He smirked.

“You are not fucking me in the hospital shower.” She quipped as she shuffled past.

“No sex for you for a while, period.” He countered. “I want you at peak performance when I have you next kitten.” He growled, kissing her hand before nipping her knuckles.

“Now there’s some motivation.” He heard her mutter as she closed the bathroom door. Smiling to himself he packed up her things, knowing she’d want to hightail it out of here as soon as she stepped out of the shower.

At this moment in time the shower she was currently broiling herself under was better than sex. There was nothing in the world like a good hair wash and scrub after you’d been sick and wallowing in your own sweat even when you’d done the personal hygiene wash twice every day. She emerged a new woman, had Gustaf help her dry her hair as she was already tiring, and dressed in some leggings and a sweater, total comfort.

He wasn’t wrong, no sooner had her feet pushed into her shoes she was ready to go. “Stay here I’ll bring the car around.” He said as he wheeled her to the foyer.

“Ok.”

He left her sitting in the wheelchair just inside the door to keep her in the warmth and jogged to the car, pulling up at the curb a little while later. She felt bad for having to lean on him so much, her energy fading as they drove home. “We’ll take it slowly, there’s no rush, the kids are still at grandpa’s with Valter.”

“Mario Cart wars?”

“Something like that. It took their mind of everything.” He chuckled.

“Good thinking.”

They made it to the elevator when the coughing fit started, the cold air getting into her lungs and bringing her up short. Pulling her sweater up over her nose and mouth to breathe warmer air she tried to level out her breathing as they took the ride up. “Damn that’s fucking dynamite.” She sighed exhausted.

“I bet.”

“I cough so much and I can’t stop. It makes me want to puke.” She whispered.

“Your body doesn’t want all the muck in there anymore.”

“Nope.” She said shuffling to the front door. “Home.” She sighed and he thought it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. Her tone held such longing and love, they were home, their home. He opened the door to balloons and a welcome home sign the boys had made strung up over the kitchen island. Those boys jumped up excitedly and hugged her as she shuffled inside. Such love in this apartment now, he thought as he watched them, that smile on Sildie’s face both joy and relief.

@hausofobsession @ill-skillsgard @grandpa-sweaters @authentic90skidd @tuckersgirl @fairlyfallacy @flowers-in-your-hayr @raewritesfiction @stinkerbelle007 @kamie-b @mrsaugustwalker @skrsgardspam @loliwrites @trippedmetaldetector @lihikainanea @fay-walden @nandadb @grimeundglow

[beatleszeppelin]

“What were we eating?”

Summary: Reid has been having nightmares, and so they have a sleepover in an attempt to get him a full night of sleep. There’s drinking, strip poker, and cross word puzzles.

Category: Nightmares/comfort

Warnings/Includes: Drinking, and nightmares

Word count: 2.4k

“Ah guys, should we wake him up?” Prentiss asked, with pity in her voice.

“No. He could use sleep after the case,” Hotch said tersely.

JJ lifted herself up with the armrests of her seat to see Reid move, and repeatedly shut his eyes tight together in his sleep. “Poor baby, we should wake him up.”

“Looks fine to me.” Rossi said, not looking up from the notebook he was scrawling into.

“The kid hasn’t been sleeping well recently, and he won’t talk about what’s up with him.” Morgan nodded in, pulling one ear bud out.

Reid was laying near the back of the jet, eyes squeezed shut and knees pulled up to his chest. The leather seats squeaked with every movement, but not loud enough to wake him. He held his shirt in fists near his face.

“If we wake him up you guys have to promise not to treat him like a baby.” Prentiss said.

“I would never,” JJ crossed her arms.

“Just last week you asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom before we got in the car. And Hotch, you told him he needed to go home and take a nap to be less cranky.”

“That was one time, and it was an accident, it’s just that I do it all the time for henry.” “And he was being cranky.”

“No, he isn’t your guys’ child, he is an adult, even though he weighs the same amount as a chubby 12 year old.”

A whimper came from the far side of the cabin, causing the arguing to stop. Their hearts broke for him; everyone had the nightmares, it was par for the course, but they could still sleep. Reid on the other hand seemed as though something else was off, and he wasn’t one to ask for help, so they would just be left guessing.

“I like messing with the kid, but I hate seeing pretty boy hurt.”

“JJ pass me that,” Prentiss said, pointing to a crossword puzzle book across the table. JJ slid it over to her.

Emily picked it up, and walked over to where Reid tossed and turned. “Hey, Reid, wake up!” She whisper-yelled to him.

He gasped and grabbed for the hand she had placed on his shoulder. His chest stopped heaving, as he searched for her eyes, but the second he found them he was grounded. “I was having another nightmare wasn’t I?” He looked around to see a room full of eyes quickly divert from his direction. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“No, it didn’t bug us at all, actually I wanted to get some help on this uh, uh, this question.” Prentiss said flipping to a random half finished page in the crossword book. She sat next to him, shoulders touching, allowing him to lean on her for the remainder of the plane ride.

JJ took this time to text Garcia, canceling the girls night that was already planned and changing it to a more inclusive night, inviting the boys as well. They had enough alcohol for the lot of them, if they could limit Emily. It’ll be fun, they can figure out what was wrong with Spence, or at least let him get to sleep while still being there for him if he needed them. 

***

“Hey Reid, you free tonight?” JJ asked.

“Yeah. Why, do you need me to babysit?” He said, as he spun around in his chair to see her.

“No, no, no. We wanted to see if you would like to come over to Garcia’s for some drinks, and we’d all probably end up spending the night.”

“Is this a girls night?” he said furrowing his brow.

“No, actually we invited Morgan, too.” In that second, he walked past Reid’s desk, “Will we see you at Garcia’s tonight?” JJ then directed at Morgan. “Yeah, I was promised a seat at ladies night, no way I’d miss out. What about pretty boy down here,” He said and messed up the kid’s hair.

“Sure, yeah. I can be there.” Reid tucked a piece back behind his ear.

“Great, see you there, boys.” 

***

After work, in Garcia’s apartment, members of the team started trickling in by the half hour. Garcia, Prentiss, Morgan, Reid, and lastly JJ all found themselves standing around a kitchen of snacks and alcohol. Reid was hunched over a bowl of chips, like Smeagol, threatening any who dare take one.

JJ and Garcie were passing a wine bottle back and forth keeping their glasses full, Morgan nursed a lukewarm beer, and kept sneaking a handful of chips from Reid’s stash. Emily had a bottle of whiskey in hand, lounging on the couch. “Let’s play a game!” She yelled, and patted the couch next to her as an invitation to come sit down. 

Alcohol (and chips) were brought over to the couch, and chairs surrounding the coffee table. 

“What are we going to play?” Garcia asked, sitting down next to Emily.

“Truth or drink.” 

Reid made a face of disapproval, and then looked down at his chips. 

“You can drink for one night, right Reid?” JJ asked.

“Umm…” He stared at her.

“NO! I wanna play strip poker instead!”

“Get ready to get naked, cause I’m gonna… steal your clothes.” Penelope taunted. She got up, ruffling Reid’s hair, and walked to her bedroom to go get a deck of cards.

She walked back just a minute later, a long robe dragging at her feet. Penelope casually walked in and sat down, in at least 3 layers of pajamas. She took her seat in between JJ and Emily, and slid the deck of cards across the table to Reid. 

Spencer smirked, shuffling the deck from one hand to the other. “Texas holdem, 5 card draw, or black jack?”

“Texas holdem,” Morgan said, and scooted up knees to the table.

“Okay, I deal.”

After some rounds went on, Reid had taken off his belt, his tie, and his left shoe. Garcia was down to one pajama set; Morgan in some boxers and his socks. Both Emily and JJ were down to bras, tank tops, and underwear, and had somehow sprawled out across each other when Garcia smashed herself on the same chair with Morgan. Reid was on the floor, chin nearly resting on the table.

“Pair.”

“Pair.”

“Flush.”

“Straight.”

“Full house, I think I win again,” Reid said, and he laid his cards out in front of him. He threw his arms out to the sides, gloating, and smug.

“There’s a lot to hate about you Dr. Reid,” Prentiss said, pushing her cards to the middle of the table.

Reid grabbed everyone's cards, shuffled, and started dealing when Morgan passed his hand back, “Sorry kid, I’m out, I think I’m going to shower and turn in pretty soon”.

“Okay, you guys still in?” He asked with big, brown, puppy dog eyes.

“Ah, I might just go change.” JJ said. She handed her cards back, and went to the bedroom to get into her comfier clothes. 

“I’ll play another hand,” Prentiss started to slur.

“Yeah, I will too, I am getting cold though so I hope we can just play for fun, no clothes this time.”

“Yeah totally!” He dealt three hands only this time. They played a couple more hands until JJ and Morgan had both rejoined the group.

“Movies?” Emily said, eyes falling heavy as she leaned on JJ. Her black hair was tied into a messy ponytail, and was in a bra and boy shorts only.

The clock was nearing midnight, and at some point JJ and Emily decided to cuddle on the floor, Penelope had her head laid on Morgan’s lap as he played with her hair. “What movie are we going to watch?”

And Reid, curled up in an armchair, with blankets tossed over him said, “can we watch Star Trek?”

No one felt like arguing, because the underlying reason that they had this night in the first place was Reid. Garcie tossed a remote over and he opened up his blanket like a fishing net to catch it. (There’s no way in hell he’d have caught it otherwise.)

He hovered over the series, but didn’t click on it yet. Instead he got up to go change into comfier clothes. He came back in a pajama set that were blue and patterned, and his glasses had been put on. He walked out, and curled back into his pile of blankets. His head lay on the armrest, as the rest of him was cocooned in an array of fuzzy pinks and soft blues. He clicked on Star Trek, and turned the volume down real low. 

***

Emily watched him from the kitchen. She toyed with the idea of waking him up, but this was seemingly the first full night’s sleep he got in a long time. She watched; as soft whimpers and heavy breaths filled the room, she sipped her water. 

Finally Spencer sat up and clutched the arm rest as if it was the only thing tethering him to this room. He furiously started wiping his eyes, “Are you crying?” he heard from the kitchen.

“What? Oh, uhh…”

Emily was sitting on the counter in the kitchen, a mug in hand, swinging her legs, and sitting next to her was a bottle of ibuprofen. “Hey, Reid, are you okay? I mean with your nightmares and all. We’ve all been pretty worried about you.”

Reid got up, throwing his blanket over the back of the chair, and sitting on a stool across from Emily. His eyes were red, and he was visibly shaken. “I’m fine, you can tell everyone I’m okay next time it’s brought up. Please.”

“Sure, yeah. But are you?” She asked, and set her mug down on the counter next to a bottle of ibuprofen.

“I uhh… I have been having these nightmares,” He said with big eyes.

“I’ve noticed. Anything you want to talk about?”

“It’s weird; I’ll be sitting at a table, a dinner table, and everyone is there. You’re there, and the team, and Gideon, and my mom and dad.” “Is it like the ones you used to have about your dad?” She asked sliding down from the counter and stealing the blanket off the chair, to wrap around Reid’s shaking body.

“No, no it’s not like that. We start out just eating, and then my dad says something to Gideon, and they get up to go get something from the kitchen I think.” He wraps the blanket farther around himself, swimming in the extra fabric. “I follow them, but when I get in there they are both gone.”

“Why do you follow them?”

“What?”

“When they leave, why do you follow into the kitchen?” Prentiss asked, genuinely curious as to why you’d follow such assholes, after knowing what they did.

“I don’t know. I just assumed they were talking about me, and I wanted to know what they were saying.”

“Okay, I get it. Continue,” she waved for him to finish.

“So, after I see that they aren’t there, I walk back into the dining room, and you guys left on a case. So, it’s just mom and I. And I look at her, but it’s like she isn’t looking back. Or at least she’s looking at me, but doesn’t see me.” He started to feel his eyes get hot, and a pool in his stomach made it churn.

Emily ruffled his hair, and put a hand on his shoulder. His noticeable tremors were happening with every breath, and he started to sniffle (a sure sign he would soon start crying). “What were we eating?”

“Huh,” he was visibly confused and looked up at her.

“Well, we were eating dinner. Was it a goldfish, jello, juice box type of dinner, or a bowl of caviar and some of Rossi’s wine?” She said shoving him, and making him laugh.

“Yeah it was a jello kind of night, no, I don’t know what we were eating,” He chuckled, no longer looking like a lost puppy.

“If you have the dream again, you have to tell me what we were eating.” “Got it,” He smiled.

“And we would never leave for a case without our boy wonder; no need to worry.”

She side hugged him, while reaching for her mug with the other arm.

“Hey, Emily, thanks.”

“No probs, I’m always here to listen.”

“Yeah, not only for this though, for distracting me, for sitting with me on the plane, for not babying me, and probably setting this up,” Spencer leaned into her hug.

“The girls/boys night was actually JJ’s idea,” she said, and made a move to put her drink in the sink, “and you’re welcome.” Spencer smiled and turned around to look at the room, filled with his friends, who need him, who all love him, and he felt a bit better than he had earlier.

“Are you gonna be able to get to sleep?”

“I don’t know…,” he shrugged.

“Would sleeping with someone help?” Prentiss raised her eyebrows.

“Why, what are you asking?”

“I love sleeping next to JJ when drunk, but now I’m sober, and I’m hot, and she likes to cuddle.”

“Are you prostituting JJ off to me?”

“Well I was trying, but if you don’t want to…”

“Fine, you can take the chair,” he said and tossed his blanket over.

“Nice, thank you, I owe you.”

“No you don’t,” he said, crawling his lanky body into the floor bed with his sleeping friend, who smelled like alcohol and baby powder. As he lay his head on the pillow, he felt her hand start to play with his hair, and rub his back. He doesn’t remember much else before he woke up in the morning. No nightmares, and the best sleep he’s had in weeks. 

At breakfast, after Garcia had made pancakes with all the fixings, she got up and announced “I have a surprise,” and she went to the fridge and tossed a cup of green jello over to Reid. He looked at Emily and she shrugged as to say “I had no idea.”

Garcia brought a spoon, and told him “When I heard you were coming I had to get your favorite food.”

And with that they ate together, a meal of jello and pancakes.

[flirtingwitharson]

wolfstar secret santa 2019!

happy holidays everybody! i was given the lovely @hehadlovedthestarstoofondly for secret santa, and her prompt was: illness, mutual pining, snowed in, fake dating. i did my best to incorporate all (unfortunately, i couldn’t comfortably fit fake dating into this one) but i really hope you enjoy it!

No way, not today, not today! Remus Lupin thought with great force and seriousness at his own immune system. He felt the excessive warmth in his skin, the slow crawl of illness making its way through his body. Of course he would get sick today, he mused, just his bloody luck.

Remus had had a very shitty immune system since he was a child, when he was diagnosed with some long-titled condition he had long since forgotten the name of, that basically meant he was twice as vulnerable to sickness as the next guy. His friends were all awfully understanding, and he thanked them constantly. However, today he didn’t want his friends to be understanding, he wanted to be able to be with them without any extenuating circumstances. Well, one of them, that is.

The thing was, he had plans. Plans to go present shopping with one Sirius Black whom he may or may not have been in love with. They were Very Important Plans, and Sirius was due at his house any minute.

Remus grabbed his cellphone off of his bedside table and clicked the call button under Sirius’ name without a second thought. The phone rang as his stomach churned and sweat started to bead on his forehead and the back of his neck; Remus swore under his breath a few times for good measure.

“Morning, Moonshine, look who’s up early!” Sirius greeted upon answering the call. “I’m on my way now, was afraid you wouldn’t even be awake by the time I got there.”

Guilt joined illness on its course through his body as Remus responded. “Pads, I have to cancel today—“

“What, why?” Sirius interjected. The immediate note of worry in his tone sent Remus into a spiral of admiration and disappointment. “Are you ill, Remus?”

“I...” he began—Remus hated to ask others for help just as much as he hated being sick—“ A bit, yeah. I think I’m coming down with something. We can go shopping as soon as I’m better, alright? It’s only the first week of December, we’ve got all month.”

He could hear Sirius finicking with the gearshift through the phone and waited patiently. “Sorry, Moons, I’m borrowing James’ car because of the weather and you know I hate driving this thing...right, okay. I’m still coming over and you’re just going to have to sit tight like a good boy and let me, yeah? You remember what happened last year when you didn’t tell any of us you’d caught the flu?”

He did remember. He was hospitalized for that one, actually—he was incredibly lucky he hadn’t caught something worse, and his friends wouldn’t let him hear the end of it until he understood to never try to shrug off sickness again. Instead of a spoken reply, Remus hummed his acknowledgment, accepting his defeat.

“Well, that’s sure as hell not happening again. I’ll be there soon. Just rest until I get there, alright? I’ve got my key for yours on me, so you don’t even need to get up and unlock the door.” With that, Sirius hung up, and Remus was left clutching his phone in his hand, filled to the brim with a complex mix of extreme appreciation and utter adoration for Sirius Black.

Sirius arrived at the door to Remus’ flat not fifteen minutes later. He’d stopped at Boots on the way to gather some basic necessities to take care of a fever, just in case Remus hadn’t had them (though, knowing him, he did, but Sirius was a worrier). He fumbled with his keys until he found the right one and unlocked the door. After shucking off his boots and his jacket, he looked around and grinned. Remus had put up a few new photos on his walls, including a framed one of the two of them at Sirius’ birthday celebration a few weeks before. There were plenty shots of the Marauders, and of Lily, and of his parents, but Sirius selfishly preferred ones of the two of them best.

Of course, that was probably due to the unyielding crush he’d had on the man since they were sixteen, but that was just speculation. He planned on confessing to Remus some time soon, as he was almost sure the feeling was returned, but inconvenience in timing and his own anxieties had been apprehending him.

Sirius gently opened the door to Remus’ bedroom, and saw his friend scrolling through his phone with the lights off. Remus looked up at the noise and sent Sirius a small, tired grin when he realized he’d arrived. “I’m going to be honest, Moony,” Sirius said as he walked over to Remus’ bed, “you really look like shit.”

“Gee, thanks,” Remus deadpanned. “Listen, you shouldn’t get too close, I might” be contagious—“

“Black’s are above sickness, Lupin. Our blood is too strong for such nonsense.”

Rolling his eyes, Remus scooted over and let Sirius fuss over him. He took his temperature and remarked that it was rather high, so he made him take ibuprofen and drink water to stay hydrated. He made him tea and brought him soup, settling in as if it was his sole responsibility in life to take care of his sick, unfortunate best friend.

“Can I open these curtains, now that your head’s feeling better?” Sirius inquired a short while later. It was late afternoon; they’d eaten, and talked, and napped up until then. They were getting ready to watch a movie, and Sirius was just managing to keep Remus acting like a functional human being instead of staying under the covers and wallowing in the melancholy of being ill. Remus nodded, and when Sirius swept the curtain aside, he let out a low whistle. “Christ, Remus. Looks like I’m stuck here, now—it was hardly flurrying when i drove here!”

As it was, Sirius had not been exaggerating. When Remus leaned forward to look outside, several inches of snow had accumulated. There was no way he’d ever let Sirius go driving in that state.

“I’m sorry,” Remus feebly tried to apologize. He knew Sirius had plans to catch dinner and a movie with James and Lily that evening, and felt terrible that both the weather and his own shitty immune system were keeping him from attending.

“No, none of that,” Sirius shut him down. “I’m glad to stay here and hang out with you, and plus, someone’s gotta make sure you take care of yourself, you poor sod.”

He knew that Sirius had meant his words to come off lightly, but as he sat back down on the bad and got under the comforter, it made him think. He stayed quiet as Sirius lazily clicked through Netflix in search of something to watch. Of course, being Remus Lupin, he couldn’t bite his tongue for much too long.

“Why are you here?” He asked suddenly, catching Sirius off guard. “Not that I don’t love that you are, mind—it’s just, you could’ve blown me off, or called Lily since since she lives just down the block, or even left after you came and made sure I was alright, but you stayed. Why?”

Moments of silence passed before Sirius responded. Remus hadn’t thought it was that deep a question, but he’d been wrong about worse things.

“Right,” Sirius spoke, minutes later, “it’s like this. He sat up and turned to face Remus, and Remus decided to blame it on his fever when his skin had turned a surely noticeable darker shade of red. “Remus, I wanted to wait until the time was right, and call me weak for deciding six bloody years was the right amount of time, but, I’m nothing if not dramatic and self deprecating.”

“Where are you going with this?”

“No, let me speak. Anyways, I’m nothing if not a dramatic, stupid son of a bitch, and I suppose you know what you’re in for if this turns out well, but...damn it, Remus, I love you, alright? I know I tell you that all the time, but...well, I wouldn’t make James soup and sit with him until he could face the light of day, I’ll tell you that much.”

Of course, Remus had absolutely no clue how to respond to that. For such a gifted student, he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box when it came to things like Feelings and Social Cues. So, irrationally, he pressed his lips to Sirius’ instead.

“Fuck me, I’m sorry—please take medicine, I don’t want you getting sick—“ he rambled, having pulled back as fast as he’d kissed him.

Laughing, Sirius grabbed his hand. “Hey, calm down. At least I know I’m not a complete arsehole for telling you I would very much like to date you on your sick bed, now. Perhaps it’s a Christmas miracle, then, that the snow is leaving me no choice but to stay here and cuddle up with you until you’re healthy again?”

Remus nodded, and that was that. Later, when they slept, he hadn’t had the heart to make Sirius sleep on the couch, so he forced him to pop some fever reducers before allowing himself to be held in his arms. Almost masochistically, Remus decided he was looking forward to being taken care of on future sick days at the hands of Sirius Black.

[chocolvte]

STRAY KIDS REACTION — their s/o is anemic

LISTEN TO — if you can’t fall asleep by fr:eden

BANG CHAN

you’re his baby!!! his cute little baby girl (or baby boy!) who needs lots of care. you didn’t tell him you were anemic at first. instead, he found out when you passed out at your favorite coffee shop and he had to go pick you up from the hospital. he’s gotten a little overprotective since, but it comes from a place of love.

“how many times do i have to remind you to get up slowly?” channie’s brows were furrowed as he pressed a bandage and then a kiss to your scraped knee. “you’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days.”

MINHO

noticing you were a little sleepier than normal, it was minho who suggested you go see a doctor and figure out what was causing all of your symptoms. when you found out you were anemic, he took it well, maybe teasing you for it a little, but mostly he just keeps an eye on you without being too overbearing.

“did you eat today?” minho always asked you, pinching your cheek gently. “it’s important, y/n. i don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

CHANGBIN

changbinnie would be a little confused about what anemia is and how he could fix it, so he would listen to you very carefully when you told him about it and probably do a lot of his own research too. he would want to do everything he could to help you, even in small ways. every morning he makes sure you take your iron supplements and he never gets upset if you need to cancel dates over a pounding headache or just plain exhaustion.

“honey, it’s okay,” changbin soothed you through the phone. “i’m coming over with lots of fruit and some ibuprofen. don’t worry about our date, let’s just take a nap today.”

HYUNJIN

no one would be here for you like hyunjin. all you have to do is text him and he would move mountains to help you, whether he’s bringing you takeout or watching tv with you or letting you nap in his lap (which is very comfy and always makes you feel better no matter the situation.)

“hey, baby, wake up,” hyunjin kept his voice low so that you wouldn’t be too upset as he gently shook you awake. you were curled up in bed with your head tucked under his chin, sleeping soundly. “you were talking in your sleep, having a bad dream, but it’s okay, bub. you’re okay now.”

JISUNG

jisung is a worrier. even when he knows you’re okay and there’s nothing more he can do to help you, he still tends to hover a little. he saw you fall once, and you hit your head, so he’s extra careful now. he wants to be there if it happens again and make sure nothing happens to you.

“i’m so sorry, bub,” he confessed right after it happened. he bit his bottom lip, looking even sadder than you as he brushed the tears of pain away from your cheeks and kissed the skin beneath them. “i saw how pale you were. i should have been looking after you.”

FELIX

when you told him he took it very well, understanding that this is just something you have to live with. he does everything he can to learn about it and always asks how he can help you out, but for the most part he leaves you alone.

“don’t make me worry, please,” he requested, cupping your face with his hands gently. “you take care of yourself, okay, sunshine?”

SEUNGMIN

no matter how hard he tries to be nonchalant about this, he still worries over you. he can’t help it. he just loves you a lot and he doesn’t want you to be sick or in any kind of pain, but it wasn’t until you started getting these really awful headaches that he finally snapped.

“baby,” he whined sadly, gently rubbing circles over your temples. you were curled up his lap, crying silently from the pain. every once in a while you whimpered, making seungmin’s heart constrict. “that’s it. we’re going to the doctor tomorrow. i really don’t like seeing you in pain, sweet pea.”

JEONGIN

you were always a little sleepy, jeongin noticed. you liked taking naps, slumped against his shoulder, when you thought no one was paying attention, and more than once he had found you curled up in a corner of the practice room waiting for him. so when he finally confronted you about it and you confessed you were anemic he mostly felt relief.

“thank you for telling me,” he smiled, brushing his thumb over your cheek. “i was getting worried about you.”

[pandawritespoorly]

With Time: Chapter 24 - Sick Day

Author’s Note: Hey, look, and update that's on time. Good way to start off the new year I suppose! I hope the decade has been going well for you guys, and if not, I hope that this angst-free chapter can be, at the very least, something that makes you happy.

Chapter Summary: Falling in a snowdrift tends to have negative consequences on one's health, so the Quantics check on their favorite designer.

First | Previous | Saturday

The moment the bakery opens, Allan walks in. He smiles at Tom and Sabine, waving as he heads in the back. He walks a little faster than what is probably necessary, but he’s worried. 

He’s calmed down some - making something helps - but he’d like to check on Marinette himself. Falling in a snowdrift in this sort of weather is not good for your health.

Looking at his phone he sees a text from Felix.

 Felix: Allan, do not wake up early solely to check on Marinette. I am certain she is fine, perhaps she has a cold at the very worst. Her parents would have let us know if she was seriously ill.

 The Mom Friend: to late

 Melodie: Oh Allan.

 The Mom Friend: I just want to check on her quick.

 Kid Mime: ill head over to

Kid Mime: its ok allan

 The Mom Friend: but stil

 He pushes the trapdoor open gently, “‘Nette? You up?”

No response. That’s fine. She’s probably sleeping. She’s fine. She’s just sick. Probably. 

…

It wouldn’t hurt to check.

He climbs the ladder, breathing a sigh of relief when he sees her curled against the wall, clearly breathing and perfectly fine.

Maybe she isn't fine. She might be sick. It’s just a cold. A flu at the worst.

It could be something worse. She fell into a snowdrift and stayed there for a while.

How long has she been sleeping? Sleeping for too long could be bad. He almost wakes her up, then he hesitates. Maybe she’s only just gone to sleep. If that’s the case, maybe he shouldn’t.

Is there a way to tell how long someone has been asleep?

He’s standing at the top of the ladder, hesitating for too long. Oh come on. She’s fine. She’s fine, you know she’s fine. It makes the most sense given all the facts.

But what if she’s not? He’s no doctor, but when he thinks of the consequences of prolonged exposure to cold he thinks of three things: a cold, the flu, and pneumonia.

Pneumonia.

That can kill people.

Maybe he should wake her up.

He’s still hesitating when the trapdoor opens. He doesn’t have to turn to know Claude has arrived.

“Do you think she has pneumonia?” He doesn't look from her when he asks the question, but Claude can hear the anxiety in his voice.

“No, Allan. I don’t think she has pneumonia.”

“But maybe-”

“Shhh. Allan, she’s fine. Get off the ladder.”

“We aren’t doctors-”

“So we can’t diagnose her with anything. We’ll assume it’s the flu for now, and if it seems bad we’ll get her to a doctor. Come on.” Claude gently coaxes him down the ladder, “How much did you sleep last night?”

“Maybe four hours?”

“Maybe?” “Okay, about two an’ a half…” he sees Claude’s look, “It wasn’t just ‘cause of Mari. It’s just… once I get started…”

“You don’t stop. Oh, Al’.” Claude has safely helped the other boy onto the floor, and they lead him to the chaise, “Sit down at the very least. Mari won’t mind. I understand if you can’t get yourself to sleep, but you deserve to rest.”

“...how long do you think she’s been sleeping? Would it be worse t’ wake her up too early or too late?” he startles at his last words, sitting up further, “I don’t like the sound of ‘too late’ maybe we should-”

Claude squeezes his hand a little, “Allan. Marinette is fine. It’s only a cold. Maybe the flu.”

“Right. She’s fine. Everything is fine.” he doesn’t sound entirely convinced, but he nods anyways.

Claude nods too, claiming the desk chair to work on a few things he’d brought over. They’d only grabbed their backpack, which had only a portion of their homework, but Allan had needed someone. Claude hadn’t been doing anything important anyways - just trying to find the most annoying memes he could possibly send to Felix.

After about 45 minutes, he looks up from the finished packet to see that Allan has fallen asleep against the chaise lounge. He’s rather precariously near the edge, and that just won’t do.

When they stand to move him further onto the longue, they notice that he’s holding his phone loosely. After adjusting his position and putting a blanket over him, Claude swipes the phone quickly, returning to the desk chair as he unlocks it.

He opens to the search results for ‘early signs of pneumonia’.

Allan, sweetie, no.

They close the phone, leaving it on the desk and opening his own to inform Felix, Adrien, and Allegra of the current status of their two most anxious friends.

 Kid Mime: ive ben here for a bit

Kid Mime: al is napping

Kid Mime: hes worried that mari has newmonia

 Melodie: Allan, honey.

 Kid Mime: mari is still asleep

Kid Mime: she seems fine

 Felix: Allegra and I can join you in an hour or so.

 Hug This Boy: I might be able to sneak away around lunch? If I finish the shoots early.

 Melodie: Gabriel does realize you’re a child, not a machine, right?

 Hug This Boy: You already are worried about two of us, there’s no need to make it three.

 Melodie: Watch me.

 Kid Mime: i have 2 say im with her on this

Kid Mime: im gunna kidnap u

 Felix: That’s illegal.

 Kid Mime: that makes it exciting

 Felix: I know when I’m fighting a losing battle.

 Hug This Boy: Do I get a say in this?

Melodie: Of course. We wouldn’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.

 Kid Mime: subtle

 Hug This Boy: What a concept.

Hug This Boy: Maybe I can get behind this.

 Melodie: I wasn’t going for ‘subtle’.

Melodie: More something along the lines of ‘GABRIEL AGRESTE IS A TERRIBLE PARENT WHO WOULDN”T KNOW THE MEANING OF LOVE/CARE IF IT PUNCHED HIM IN THE GUT’

 Kid Mime: pretty close

 Hug This Boy: Maybe putting it a little lightly, but that’s the gist of it.

 Melodie: Oh you poor baby.

---

Felix and Allegra show up, entering the room quietly.

“Good. They’re both still sleeping.” Allegra comments.

“Did Allan tell you how many hours of sleep he had last night?” Felix inquires.

“Two and a half.” Claude says matter-of-factly.

“Honey.”

“And how is Marinette?”

“She’s been sleeping the whole time. She feels a little warm, but that’s about all I can tell without waking her up.”

Allegra hums, climbing up the ladder to check on the girl herself. Marinette hasn’t moved much and is resting contentedly. Putting her hand to the sick girl’s forehead, Allegra can tell that Claude was right. Definitely a little warm.

Marinette’s eyes open slightly, squinting at the braided blonde.

“Hi honey, how’re you feeling?”

Marinette shakes her head slightly, giving a thumbs down.

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Are you gonna get up or are you going back to sleep?”

She gives a half shrug. Being awake sounds nice, but her eyes keep slipping shut.

“Alright. We’re all here. Except for Adrien.”

Marinette mumbles something bitterly, but all her friend picks up is ‘Gabriel’. She’s got some ideas of what Marinette might have said.

Allegra turns to the boys once she’s off the ladder, “She’s awake-ish. I’m not sure how long that’ll last, but she’s awake enough to hate on Gabriel Agreste.”

“Is that honestly her priority right now?” Felix asks.

“It’s always a priority,” is all he gets as a response.

Claude has produced a cup of water from who-knows-where, and he carries it up to Marinette.

“Hi sweetie, are you still awake?”

She shrugs, forcing her eyes open to squint at them. Once she sees the water she reaches for it, but gives up halfway.

“You sure you can hold this? You’re barely awake.”

Her glare is probably supposed to be defiant, but when she keeps having to force her eyes open, it isn’t exactly effective.

“Sure. You can have this when you’re sitting up then.” he returns to the ground and places the water on the desk, turning to Felix and Allegra as he spins in the desk chair, “So what have you two been up to?”

“Nothing that you are unaware of,” Felix sits on Marinette’s case against the wall.

“We got back a little early. I’m glad to be back - not that the trip was bad, it’s just nice to be home.” Allegra rests against the chaise, glancing at the sleeping boy on it momentarily.

“What do ya’ think Mari was doing outside?”

“It does seem odd, given her predisposition to staying indoors when it is as cold as it was yesterday.”

“We can ask her when she wakes up more.”

“She might just try to sleep through it. She’ll probably be even more tired than normal so…” Claude shrugs.

Before the others can say anything, there’s a shuffling from above. Marinette props herself up and blinks down at them.

“Hello,” Felix greets her for the first time that day.

She only blinks, still trying to decide if she made the right decision by sitting up.

“You can have the water now!” Claude grabs the water from where they placed it, carrying it up to Marinette, who is able to grab it this time. She’s visibly shivering.

She finishes it off, placing it on a shelf beside her. It takes a moment, but she is able to give a soft, “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem. How you feelin’?”

She sticks out her tongue, “Bad.”

“Could you specify?” Felix calls up.

“Tired. Cold. Ache.”

“Temperature?” Allegra chimes in.

Marinette frowns as she tries to remember, Claude taps her arm and points out the thermometer.

“38.2 (100.8℉),” They read out for her. She’s beginning to slump slightly, probably debating whether or not she should rest.

“Do you want any ibuprofen or anything?” Allegra offers.

Marinette hums, drooping further. She straightens slightly, trying to seem alert and looking apologetic.

“Still tired?” Claude cocks his head at her, smiling softly.

“...no…I’m ‘wake...” she has propped herself up, relying heavily on one arm, and is sitting up fairly straight. If it weren’t for her head resting on her shoulder, she might have looked a little more convincing - if you also excluded all other factors.

“Really?”

“Yup…” She remains sitting, and feigns attentiveness.

Claude is resting against the wall next to her, looking doubtful, but he doesn’t comment.

“So what were you doing outside yesterday?” Allegra asks. If she’s going to pretend she can hold a conversation, then they may as well try.

Marinette mumbles a little, her arm seemingly failing to support her as before. She leans against Claude lightly, as though she is both in denial of her weariness and worried about somehow upsetting them.

“Still with us, Mare?” “Mhm.” She forces her eyes open again, 

“Somehow, I remain unconvinced.” Felix comments.

This time, she doesn’t respond. Leaning forward, her eyes slip shut again, and Claude moves her to lean against him - it’d be more comfortable than falling on her face. The group thinks she’s finally asleep, but she sits up again.

“Alright, that’s enough, Marinette,” Allegra is firm, but her voice is gentle, “You need to rest.”

Marinette doesn’t seem to quite register this, but goes to rest on Claude’s lap regardless. He combs her hair with his hands, hoping to lull her to sleep. 

After a few moments, she seems to have finally returned to rest, and he turns to the two below him, “Either of you have any homework left? I’ve got mine done.”

“No, I finished it.”

“Mine has also been completed.”

“Do you think Allan and Mari got theirs done?”

“He’s probably all set, but Marinette’s kind of up in the air. Usually I would say yes, but with it being winter…” Allegra trails off, giving a lopsided shrug, “We can ask when she’s not sick.”

“We should make sure that both of them get something to eat. Allan likely skipped breakfast, and the chances of Marinette eating without prior prompting are very slight.”

“True.”

“Same goes for Adrien. I wouldn’t put it past Gabriel to starve him if he doesn’t do well enough.” Allegra mutters bitterly.

“Allegra.” Felix warns.

She crosses her arms, clearly not done with it, but willing to put it aside. For now.

---

It’s another hour before Allan wakes up. He sits up, noticing that Allegra and Felix have arrived, “Oh. Hi. How long have you guys been here?”

“A while. How are you feeling?”

“...how is Marinette?” He ignores the question.

“Allan. How are you? Marinette’s fine.” Claude gestures at the girl still napping on him.

“What’s her temperature? Has she woken up? Has she eaten? What-”

“Allan.” Felix interrupts, “Marinette is fine. She woke up not too long ago. We are currently more concerned about you. How are you feeling?”

“Better, I guess. Napping helped. I don’t do well without sleep.”

“We know.” Allegra consoles, “That’s why Claude came over - they knew someone needed to check on you.” “Yeah, Al’. We’re not going to let you worry yourself into a pit.”

“Thanks.” He smiles softly, and they accept the victory.

“Also, Marinette did wake up. She had some water, her temperature was 38.2 (100.8℉), and she said she felt, ‘Tired. Cold. Ache.’ if I quote her directly.”

“Then she fell asleep on me!”

“Alright.” Allan takes a moment to consider this, “That’s not so bad.”

“Mhm!”

“Did you eat at all this morning?” Felix looks at him meaningfully.

“I might have maybe… put it off?”

“I’ll grab some food.” Allegra stands to get something from the kitchen. The Dupain-Chengs have told them multiple times that they’re welcome to eat when they’re over.

Marinette stirs slightly, eventually sitting up properly as Allegra re-enters. Allan looks to Marinette as he accepts the food from Allegra, “Thanks. How you feelin’ ‘Nette?”

She only wrinkles her nose, sticking her tongue out again. She seems to register that he wasn’t awake last time, “Hi…? You’re  ‘wake now?” Everything is spoken questioningly - she doesn't seem to be entirely sure of anything.

“I am.”

“Despite what he may tell you, Allan isn’t very good at self-care. He’s got the idea, but forgets the ‘self’ part,” Claude adds.

“Yah…’ve ‘noticed…” Marinette looks at the boy carefully.

“I’m all good now though.” He reassures her.

She only makes an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture at him, glaring suspiciously.

“Oh, you’re one to talk, missy!” 

“Mom-off.” Claude whispers.

Allegra interrupts the silent dispute of stares, “Alright, both of you have made your point, but I’d like to point out that while neither of you are in perfect health-” Allan makes a noise of protest, but Allegra raises an eyebrow to silence him as she continues, “Marinette is the only one here with a temperature, so…” She trails off, her statement clear. 

Marinette’s response is to stick out her tongue defiantly, Allan mimics her.

“‘M fine.” The girl insists.

“Sure.”

“I consider it unlikely that you will be able to stay awake any significant amount of time in your current state.” 

---

Despite Felix’s guess, Marinette managed to stay awake for a few more hours. Not that they tried to keep her up, or even that she was really trying to stay awake, she just couldn’t sleep. They’d moved downstairs and were watching movies on the couch when Adrien arrived.

“Hey, I got done early. How are you guys?”

“Allegra, Felix and I are average, and currently keeping an eye on the two that are in denial, which is Allan - who took a nap so he’s better - and little miss I-fell-in-a-snowdrift over here - who refuses to sleep. Or she just can’t.”

“Alright. Mari, how long did you sleep?” Adrien looks to her.

“Yes.” Is all he gets as a response from her. She’s clearly exhausted, but sleepy is a different story.

“How are you? I’ve got pitchforks at the ready for your father.” Allegra asks.

“I’m fine.” He shrugs.

Marinette isn’t having any of that. She points a finger at him and says, “Eat.”

Allan checks the time, “Actually, we should probably all eat somethin’.” 

“Alright! Snack time!”

“A meal would likely be a better idea.” Felix interrupts.

“Food time!”

“That works.” Everyone gets something to eat, though Marinette only takes a noticeably small amount of fruit, but no one comments. She’s also given water, which she forgot to get for herself. They finish eventually, moving back to the couch. Marinette is between Adrien and Claude. She isn’t focusing much on the screen due to her exhaustion.

She wants to sleep, but she can’t. Whether due to ladybug-habits, or just being sick she isn’t sure.

The tired girl frowns, she really wants to sleep. Everything hurts and she feels terrible. Not to mention how cold it is. It’s winter, and snowy, and it’s cold and she’s tired.

Well, maybe it isn’t so cold. Especially with all these people. Hibernating in groups is a good idea, and this is a group.

Wait, humans don’t hibernate.

Whatever. Adrien is here too, and he’s always warm, and she’s still tired.

Her eyes keep slipping closed. She’s so focused on the fact that she can’t sleep, that she doesn’t realize that she’s finally on the edge of it.

Adrien does. He sees how often her eyes are closing, and purrs softly - not enough for the others to hear - that would be hard to explain - but enough that he knows that the girl leaning on him will be able to tell.

As he expected, her eyes begin to stay closed for longer, before she eventually dozes off entirely. 

He doesn’t stop purring, not wanting to risk waking her up. He’s glad she’s finally gotten back to sleep. It’s for the best. She needs rest.

---

Author’s Note: Babys. Love these ones.

I'm not entirely satisfied with some of the dialogue in this chapter, but I don't have time to edit it. I'm sorry if you don't like it either.

These past few chapters have been really calm. It'd be a shame if some angst got in.Hey, look who remembered it was Saturday! I can't take all the credit for that, there's been plans coming up for today and so since I know today's the day, I also know that I should be updating. Woo! Not updating at 8:00 pm this time buddies! Speaking of those plans (starting a DnD campaign if you're curious, I'm excited), I probably won't be able to respond to comments as quickly do to that. I've mentioned it before, but I have a seperate account for writing (thanks anxiety), and all the things I'd need for the campaign are on my personal account. After I update I usually stick around and write for a few hours so that I can respond quickly, but I'm not sure how long I'll be able to do that. It depends on how early I get this up I suppose. Anyways, I may be able to respond via my phone, but I promise I'll still be responding to comments, it might just be delayed. I love talking to you guys!

Uhh, I feel like there was something else I was going to add in, but my little tangent made me forget. Oh well, I can edit this once I remember.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any thoughts, theories, constructive criticism, or anything really in my ask box, in replies or through reblogs. I love seeing what you think!

First | Previous | Saturday

[leviathanlazarus]

Sunshine

Pairing: Josh Kiszka x Reader

Word Count: 1325

Warnings: none; another fluffy piece for our favorite bundle of sunshine~~

Thank you to a lovely anon for this very cute request~ I don’t think I ever need to tell y’all that Josh fluff makes me weak, but I’ll continue to say it. I also realize I already have a fic titled Sunrise for him, but Josh embodies the sun in its entirety so I guess I can’t really be mad at myself for this. We’re all sending so much love to him & the boys right now! I hope they feel it. 

Shout out to @wlwagner for the gif ~

---

It was weird for Josh to not show up to class. You kept glancing to the door, waiting for him to bounce in, all smiles and sunshine, but the moment never came. It felt lonely and weird without him sitting next to you, without sneakily passing little notes back and forth. He also hadn’t texted you to let you know he wouldn’t be in class, which made you worried, so you pulled out your phone, holding it under the desk, and typed out a text to him:

Hey sunshine, are you okay? You’re missing a video day! 

It didn’t take long for him to type back: Sorry Y/N, I’m not doing too hot today :(

Oh no, what’s wrong?

Sick, hopefully just a cold, but I feel so achey, I didn’t think I’d be able to make it.

I get out in a couple hours, can I bring you anything?

That one took him longer to reply to but he finally did: Well, I am out of orange juice…

You got it sunshine, I’ll see you in a bit <3 

After your classes ended you did you due diligence at the grocery store, picking up more orange juice, soup, saltines, Vick’s Vapor Rub (just in case), throat lozenges, ibuprofen and a box of raspberry popsicles. You didn’t know what Josh already had on hand but you wanted to arrive to him fully prepared. 

The door was unlocked and Josh was on the couch, snoring gently with one arm hanging over the side, the orange, brown and green knit blanket over him bunched and tangled haphazardly around his legs and waist. He stirred a little at the sounds of you walking in and the crinkling paper bag, then propped himself up a little on the arm of the couch, reaching one hand up to rub his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Josh,” you said quietly, cradling the bag in your arms. “You can keep sleeping.”

He inhaled a deep breath and rubbed his eyes for another second. “It’s okay, I’m up,” he said, voice a little more gravely than usual, then gave you a little smile, a sincere one despite how flushed and tired he looked. “You’re so sweet to come over. I owe you.”

You sat down on the end of the couch, placing his feet in your lap and adjusting the blanket over them. “No, it’s no problem. I really missed you in class today.” You reached out and laid the back of your hand over his forehead. “You’re really burning up.”

“I don’t have a fever, I checked,” Josh said, reaching across to the coffee table, looking at the thermometer sitting there. “But yeah, I don’t feel great.” He took his hand back suddenly, coughing into the crook of his arm.

You rummaged through the bag for the Vick’s. “I got this in case you didn’t have it,” you said and, when he coughed again, you moved in closer and eased the blanket down from his waist. “Do you want me to put it on for you?”

He nodded, looking a little sheepish, his eyes a little red and wet. You two had been close for a long time and you knew Josh tended to get a little embarrassed when he was down and out--not that he was opposed to help, but he always said how bad he felt about it, even when you would remind him you liked trying to help him feel better.

You opened the plastic container and scooped some of the cool petroleum onto your fingers, then gingerly lifted Josh’s shirt at the hem and slid your hand carefully up, gently spreading it over his chest. He sighed a little then stifled another cough, clearing his throat. He exhaled softly and leaned back, seeming to start to relax as you spread the last of the Vick’s over him.

“I’m gonna wash my hands,” you told him, standing up and grabbing the bag. “I got orange juice--want some?”

Josh nodded. “Please.”

“Want a popsicle? I got the raspberry,” you said, taking the box out. “I couldn’t remember 

if you liked cherry or raspberry more.”

He laughed a little, hoarsely, smiling up at you. “You got it right, Y/N.”

You tore open the box and handed one to him, thankfully not too melty, though you could see the dark, berry-red liquid clinging to the slightly transparent white plastic wrapper. He took it and tore it open and popped it in his mouth.

“Thanks,” Josh said, smiling a little again, already a stain on his lips.

You smiled back and headed into the kitchen. There was an empty bowl and spoon sitting in the sink, the empty carton of orange juice Josh had mentioned earlier also sitting discarded on the counter; you grabbed it and threw it in the trash, then washed the bowl and spoon. Anything you could do to make his life a little easier. 

The popsicles went in the freezer; the soup went in the cupboard, though you’d probably ask Josh if he wanted it later, and at least you knew he’d eaten something before you got there; the orange juice went into the fridge after you opened it and poured him a glass, pairing that with two ibuprofen cradled in your hand.

“Here, sunshine,” you said to him when you returned, handing him the orange juice, then setting the ibuprofen on top of a coaster on the coffee table. 

“Thanks,” he said, the berry stain on his lips even darker, a little bit on his chin, and you giggled quietly to yourself. “What did I miss in class?”

“We watched an anime,” you told him, laughing a little more. “You missed such an interesting day.”

“An anime?” Josh repeated, managing a mucus-choked laugh himself. “Really?”

“Yeah, it was, uh--it was interesting,” you said, settling back on the couch, putting his feet back in your lap. “You would’ve appreciated the animation.”

“Did Jim give his usual narration?”

You laughed loudly, lightly slapping his shin. “Yes! He paused it like, every two minutes.”

Josh laughed too, sounding a little less congested, though he reached to the coffee table to get a tissue. “Sorry,” he said, blowing his nose. “I’m so gross today.”

You pouted a little and stroked his leg. “No, not gross, Joshua,” you insisted. “Just a little under the weather. I hope you feel better soon.”

“Yeah, me too,” he agreed, setting the popsicle stick with the used tissue and taking the ibuprofen in his hand. “I’ll be in class on Wednesday though, sick or not.”

“You should rest,” you told him, smoothing down the blanket over his legs, then leaning over to do the same over his waist. “Jim will probably be relieved of your own commentary.”

Josh laughed at that and nestled himself against the pillow behind him. “Probably.”

“You wanna take another nap?” you asked, watching him as he sipped more orange juice. Gross was not the descriptor for him, even while sick--with his flushed cheeks, the sheen on his skin and his glossy eyes, he still looked adorable. You could remember all the times Josh cared for you when you were sick and you weren’t sure you looked quite that endearing, but he’d done it anyway, bringing you juice and tea, playing with your hair as you dozed off against his shoulder.

“I might fall asleep again if we watch a movie,” he told you. “Anything you want, Y/N.”

You hummed to yourself. “You need something funny. Don’t you think?”

He smiled. “I think so.”

You got up, resting his legs back on the couch, and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Let me take a look.”

“Don’t kiss me, Y/N!” Josh warned, suddenly more awake than ever, giggling and swatting at you. “You’ll get sick too.”

You waved him off with your hand. “No, I’ll be fine,” you assured him. “Besides, if I do, I know you’ll take care of me, too.” 

---

Tagging:  @mountainofthesunn @bigthighsandstupidguys @camomillacatalina @saywecanart @dreams-madeof-strawberrylemonade @kiszkawagnergvf

[drawing079]

Exception On Line 129

Chapter 3: Numin

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

A Human AU SCP-079 x SCP-682 Fanfic

Warnings: Violence, Alcoholism, Brain damage/trauma, Police brutality

Description: Zero is a reclusive computer science major, floating by in college with the help of vodka by his side. His only human interaction seems to be from his distant father, who abandoned him as a child but now is trying to make a bit of effort to be back in his life. And after a failed virus he sends to a Cray supercomputer gets exposed, he is forced to pay for the consequences of his cyber crimes in more ways than one.

During an unnecessarily violent arrest, he suffers a brain injury and anterograde amnesia, damaging his short-term memory. But during his time detained, he meets a violent man with an infamous short-temper, who takes a surprising interest in him.

(Read it here on Ao3 or continue below)

Exception On Line 129: Numin

Bright. That was the first coherent thought in his head.

Too bright, it was overwhelming his senses. Brilliant vivid white that hurts to look at.

Zero stirred, shifting in a hazy state of not-so-conscious consciousness, blinking in response to the white fluorescent lights above him on the ceiling. In the room he heard a rhythmic electronic beat, a synthetic representation of his pulse, and when he shifted in his stiff white bed sheets he felt the tug of the cord around a clip on his finger, along with an unyielding pinch on the top of his hand from his IV drip’s needle being disturbed.

A throbbing bang echoed inside his head, aching from the disturbance brought on by the brightness.

Familiar pain. But he struggled to remember how.

It reminded him of his wasted weekends hungover from blacking out alone in his apartment, a vengeful bang ringing around in his head to haunt him for his indulgences from the night before. Then wasted weekends became weekdays, and the familiarity of a hangover headache was one that often followed him into his morning classes at school.

Not quite, though. Familiar like something else.

It was reminiscent of the first time a girl hit him. It wasn’t a slap; if only, then perhaps it wouldn’t have stung as bad, but granted his back was turned to her it probably made the most sense to her at the time to sucker punch him. It was his sophomore year in high school, and he had taken her to Homecoming, still discovering himself and trying to force himself to like girls. The girl was more into him than he was to her, so perhaps when she stepped outside looking for her date only to find his tongue down another boy’s throat it must’ve really hurt deep. Still, as Zero would argue, not at hurtful as the throbbing headache he had for the rest of the night. At least the cute boy that helped him discover himself that night had some ibuprofen in his car.

But no, still not right. Familiar, but this headache was different. The pain wasn’t from within, it felt… without.

A thin pale hand, shaking undeliberately, reached up to his temple, feeling the skin enveloped in the softness of gauze. Confused, eyes still adjusting to the bright ceiling he was facing above him where he lay, Zero went straight to tucking his bottom lip under his top so he could anxiously chew at his lip ring. Only to find, much to his delirious surprise, that it was missing. A quick swipe of his tongue along the inside of his upper lip also confirmed his medusa stud piercing was also missing as well.

Without his default comfort stimulation, his anxiety bubbled up, darkening his mind.

A horrible burning tightness curled in his chest, and his lungs felt constricted by some invisible weight getting heavier and heavier with each passing moment of being awake.

Familiar, but different. Bright, but dark, oh so dark, everything in his head was dark and faint with every throb echoing in his skull.

Something is wrong. Something is wrong with his head.

Finally, as if waiting to confirm what he had a haunting feeling he already knew, his fingertips ghosted the hem of the gauze on his temple, trailing gently until reaching a heavier padded section of bandages on the side. Perhaps not in the clearest state of mind, his shaky fingertips left the hem to drag his middle and forefinger ever so gently over the thick padding on his head, a little above his right ear.

And, on the ever-so-slightest press from those fingers, a splitting pain tore through his skull and ricocheted inside his head.

A hoarse whimper clawed its way from Zero’s throat, both of physical pain and devastating remembrance.

A police officer had split his head open.

That dark tight grip in his ribcage suddenly squeezed. It squeezed so much that the air leaving his breath was just a little huff, forcing him to suck in an inhale to try and lighten up his painfully constricted lungs, only to have the newfound air leave just as quickly on a sudden exhale. The confusion and fogginess in Zero’s mind swam in circles, riding the waves of the thunderclaps in his head, seemingly throbbing faster and faster.

The lights are too bright. His chest is too tight. There are echoes of drums banging around in his brain.

He couldn’t catch his breath. The air was escaping him, and he felt just the start of tears well up in his eyes in sheer anguish in his confusing new state.

But before grief and anxiety could completely swallow him up in a fit of hyperventilation, A gruff voice caught his attention from within the room.

“Don’t you start with that. You’re gonna get the fucking nurses up in here if you start freaking out.” It was a male voice, decidedly irritated and cold, that drew Zero to finally break his eyes off the ceiling and down to a fellow roommate in his overlit infirmary room.

His eyes meet with the bright green ones of a tan man, lounged back in a hospital bed of his own, one broad arm casually crossed over his midsection and brow furrowed in annoyance. It almost looked as if he had awoken the man from a nap, perhaps by either the start of his panicked breathing or maybe by the growing frequency of his heart monitor’s beats cueing off his racing heart for anyone to hear. A few-day-old stubble decorated the other man’s sharp jawline, matching the same umber brown of his short-cut hair. It seemed his right forearm was wrapped up in bandages, most likely the cause of him being here in the infirmary himself.

As soon as Zero’s confused big eyes met the other man’s, his roommate responded with a disgusted sneer, narrowing his eyes and abruptly breaking them off from Zero’s.

“Ah, I forgot, I’m talking to a doorstop. Your brain’s probably scrambled like eggs after that hit.” His tone portrayed no actual sympathy, more cruelty if anything. As if he was talking to a dirty cockroach on the floor, something he was inherently above and wasn’t gonna waste his time conversing with.

Recognition dusted across Zero’s mind, clearing some of the fogginess of the initial anxiety. Soon enough, it was bitterly overcome with a gripping anger.

“That fucking cop.” Zero hissed, remembering the arrogant officer who split his skull on the toe of his boot just to make a show of himself. “I’m gonna fucking kill him.”

A flicker of intrigue flashed across the other man’s piercing green eyes, surprised. And, ever so slightly, the look of annoyance lifted and the corner of his lip curled just a bit. As if the proclivity for revenge was what made the difference between him and a cockroach not worth his time.

“Oh, are you now?” His hands came down on the bed, and he pushed himself to sit up straight, turning to look Zero square in the eye. The green of his own took on a darker hue, almost mockingly. “I’m sorry to say, but you don’t look like you’re in much shape to even hurt a fly.”

Rather than yield, Zero’s eyes narrowed. Frustrated, even through his headache and disorientation. “Who the fuck are you to say?”

Amused, the larger man chuckled, enjoying the surprising spunk from such a lithe man.

“I’m something you can’t even comprehend,” there was an arrogance in his deep voice, but not an empty one.

There was an obvious power in those words, and Zero could hear it.

With an intrigued raised eyebrow, Zero debated whether he should take that as a threat. The residue anxiety still sitting at the bottom of his chest begged him to play it meek. But there was a dangerous feeling in the back of Zero’s pounding head, to entertain this interesting roommate.  

He crossed his arms. “Does this something have a name?”

The tan man smirked again, this time wider, showing teeth like a predator would to scare its prey.

“Numin.” His voice was low when he responded, more in tone rather than volume. It carried an unnatural power in it that Zero decided he liked.

He returned the man a smirk of his own. Not yielding like the prey Numin expected him to be.

“I’m Zero,” he offered back, a name for a name, “and I’m surprised you’re acting so almighty when you’re in this room, same as me.”

With a nod of his head to the rail of his hospital bed, Numin gave a jostle of his right hand, showcasing the clink of the handcuff chaining him to his place.

“Wouldn’t be here if I had a say in it. Unlike you, I’m enough of a threat that the police feel the need to chain me up, infirmary be damned.”

It was only at his acknowledgment did Zero looked down at his own wrists and found himself unbound. Even in his poor shape with his throbbing head injury, he was technically bound by nothing more than a heart rate monitor and an IV line.

“Ah. How careless of them, I wonder why.” Raising his two hands to show off his bare wrists, Zero felt the IV needle dig uncomfortably under his skin. It was hard to resist the urge to yank it out.

“I know why.” Numin’s gruff voice cut in, distracting Zero from his IV needle.

“Oh? And…?” Zero egged on, albeit distracted in both the steady backdrop thump of his headache, and his still evasive coherence keeping an underlying feeling of slight confusion lingering around.

Numin avoided meeting his eyes, but he wasn’t sure the reason for. Zero tried once more, prying a bit.

“And now you’re not talking… let me guess, you’re the quiet and brooding type?” Gauging the tone of the conversation was less hostile and more easygoing, Zero tested the waters with a further step, flashing him a devious smirk. “The bad boy aura must be popular with the ladies. Hell, even with men-- can’t lie, I’ve gone home with guys like that before.”

The sentiment immediately piqued interest back in Numin, but Zero couldn’t tell right away what from; a bit of regret suddenly washed up with how careless he was being, ignoring the chance this guy who could easily snap him in half could be homophobic.

But, before he could nervous bite at his bottom lip again and forget once more he didn’t have his lip ring, the other man responded with a low chuckle.

“Ha, makes sense why I get so many twinks coming up to me at bars. And here I was just trying to be a brooding recluse in peace.”

Zero blinked twice in surprise, and as if reading it on his face the moment he glanced back at him, Numin offered a solidarity smirk back, “can’t lie either, it’s always nice how easy they tend come home with me.”

Obvious brag aside, Zero was filled with such relief and intrigue all at once that he couldn’t help a quick little smile back at him.

“Thank god, I almost thought you were straight and I was screwed.”

Numin’s expression lit up with a bit of amusement, and he filled the air with a deep laughter. “You’re fine. I’m bisexual though, so don’t just think it’s only men who are constantly throwing themselves at me.”

With a playful roll of his eyes, Zero crosses his arms, feeling the sharp IV needle dig beneath his skin. “Ah, so humble of you”

The larger man shook his head, almost in an all-knowing manner.

“Humility is for the ones who don’t know their self-worth. Too many disgusting people just don’t put their money where their mouth is— I am an almighty force, and I am well aware of it.”

Like thunder forewarning the power of a storm, there was something in the raw power in his voice that persuaded Zero to believe it without needing to see it. After all, one doesn’t need to go outside and witness storm clouds to prove if thunder is telling the truth; rather, it is by nature to know that thunder means a storm.

Just like it is by nature to know an ungodly power when one is speaking to it.

Which Zero, in no doubt to his strength, decided to respond sarcastically in good fun, “Gotcha, so almighty that you can only be contained by a metal bracelet to your bed.”

Taking the comment amiably, despite knowing when he’s in a rage state he’s broken clean out of handcuffs before, Numin jabbed back good-spiritedly, “At least I’m not so unthreatening that they don’t bother handcuffing me at all.”

Amused, Zero chuckled, although upon the reminder of his lack-of-cuffed hands he did get the urge to re-ask his question from earlier.

“Actually, speaking of, you said you knew why they didn’t handcuff me…?”

The lighthearted atmosphere noticeably dropped.

The other man broke his eyes away once more.

“Yeah. I know why they didn't.” Despite his reply, Numin was starting to regret saying that earlier at all.

Zero perked an eyebrow, and cocked his head a bit to the side. He wanted to use the man’s name in a sarcastic reply, but it seemed to have slipped his mind. Disregarding the blank he was drawing, he responded back anyways; “You have me at the edge of my seat. Do I get to know?”

The sarcasm was there but Zero felt the delivery was lacking without the man’s name. His head was still throbbing, albeit less noticeable what with the exciting company, and he blamed his lapse of memory on that.

However, lost in his thoughts he failed to notice a change on the other man’s expression. During their conversation the harsh edge of Numin’s words was softer, finding a surprising liking to the young man rather than disgust. And for the first time since they’ve talked, Zero could’ve sworn a sliver of sympathy danced in those jade green eyes for a split second.

“They, um... I don’t think they expected you to wake up so soon…” Numin’s voice dropped in a lower octave, adding to the weight of his words, an eerie seriousness their chat hadn’t previously had. “...I think, from what I overheard, they were pretty sure your brain was scrambled good.”

Despite mentioning this fact earlier in a mocking jab, Numin seemed to have warmed up enough to Zero to feel a bit dejected at remembering what the nurses had said earlier. It wasn’t to him, it was to the attending officers asking about the state of their detainee, and from what Numin overheard it didn’t sound good.

“Scrambled? Yeah, I’m sure that pig did his worst. But I bet this splitting headache won’t stick around for more than a few days, and then I should be right as rain.” The confusion was tightening up Zero’s chest again, with his roommate’s newfound grim tone making him on edge.

Numin took a deep sigh.

“Look, from what I overheard… They were saying that it’s a TBI, a Traumatic Brain Injury. They don’t know how bad, but it's worse than a concussion, and so they expected you to be knocked out a while longer.”

A numbing drop hit the bottom of Zero’s chest, and that familiar constriction around his rib cage smothered him.

He didn’t realize how dry his throat suddenly felt until he began speaking.

“But… but that’s not right, right? I’m up. I’m coherent.”

Despite an overwhelming attempt to appear stoic, Numin failed to meet Zero’s eyes. His jaw tightened instead, reluctant to continue.

“Zero, you’ve been in a coma for five days. You were like that when you got here. I’ve been here a week and this is the first time you’ve even sat up, let alone speak.”

The banging inside his skull got harder. Each throb disrupting his train of thought, making it harder to keep track of anything else.

“No, no that’s not right. I just woke up here. I haven’t been here long, I-I just barely started talking to you…”

Each word was a fight against the constriction in his chest, and Zero couldn’t clearly recall how long he’s been awake. Or how he started talking to his roommate. Or why there was a painful dig on the top of his hand when he moved it, a pound in his head when he tried to think, and a rhythmic synthetic beep in the room that grew in frequency.

“I-I mean, who are you to even say? You’re not a doctor, I don’t even know you. Hell, I don’t even know your name.”

The delirium was festering inside his brain like a maggot would on raw meat. Further, said incoherence was becoming clearer to Numin, through a grim and painful display-- Zero’s memory was shot.

“Zero, I told you my name. It’s Numin.” Concern began to flood his jaded eyes. Pushing his legs over to sit off the side of the bed, Numin tugged at his handcuffs, testing their sturdiness and gauging their willingness to yield. Part of him felt strange but compelled, getting antsy and on edge seeing Zero get so distressed.

Something about this man he met resonated with a deep lost feeling inside him. Something like empathy. Or maybe something like care.

All he knew was it hurt to see Zero like this.

Perhaps Numin was too much of a stranger to these feelings to control them well. But whatever sliver inside him that saw something in this other man refused to let him feel in control; Numin was acting out of nature, out of straightforward desire to get these bad feelings to stop, as his tugging against the handcuffs grew violent.

Zero was already lost in the tightness gripping around his lungs like his whole ribcage was collapsing down upon them. Air in his chest felt fleeting and weak. Thoughts in his head felt throbbing and foggy. It was getting hard to remember where he was.

He was a bit too overwhelmed to notice a loud snap, the plastic base of the hospital bed’s metal railing breaking off from Numin yanking his cuffed arm with an extraordinary unnatural force to free himself.

And, snaking the cuff off the liberated railing, he hastily pushed off the bed’s side uninhibited.

Rather than panic, he made his way briskly over to Zero’s bedside, and put his hand on the smaller man’s back the very first moment he was within reach, sitting down beside him close.

As if having a sudden ground to the world around him, Zero looked up at Numin, bewilderment in his big watery eyes, and a glisten of a cold sweat starting on his face. Air was escaping his throat on gasps, as if he were suffocating on sheer anxiety.

A deep part in Numin’s chest ached too, just watching him.

“Slow breaths. Count with me, Zero. Inhale; one, two, three…”

The broad hand across his back went in firm yet gentle circles with each number, and Zero found himself instinctually following those instructions. On a count to three he tried to draw in air, even if it didn’t feel like enough. And on the next count, he exhaled, even though it felt like there was hardly any air in him.

“...that’s good, hold it. Now again, exhale, one, two, three…”

For a few moments this went on. Numin did so without question or hesitation, guiding Zero down from his delirious panic.

And as his breathing slowly stabilized and a calm set in, Numin found those bad feelings inside him fading too. Instead, a sense of relief filled him, relief that this new man he’s only just met was now calmed.

The concept was alien to him. All other people, for lack of a better term, disgusted Numin. Like the disgust one would have to a cockroach on the floor, and the lack of remorse they would feel to stomp and grind it under their shoe.

It felt like Numin has been living in a world of cockroaches all these years, until today he met someone else. The first real person on this planet, at least the first real one to him.

Long after Zero’s breathing has stabilized, Numin continued the gentle circles on his back, unspokenly so. And after coming down off of such intense panic, the gesture wasn’t dismissed by the smaller man in the slightest. Not even questioned.

He kept his eyes closed tight, as if it took every mental effort to pace his breathing in his head now that the other man wasn’t verbally guiding him. But it felt good to have those soothing rubs on his back to sync his breathing with, or maybe it just felt good to just have someone there for him.

Somebody there for him. Now that was a feeling Zero was unfamiliar with.

When he finally felt like he was collected enough to step back into the world, he opened his eyes once more, and the first coherent thought in his head kicked in...

Bright. Too bright, it was overwhelming his senses.

But this time there was a tall stranger beside him, warm hand on his back, making the brightness tolerable. His figure was so large, it blotched out some of the light by sitting next to him, enough that grounded him firmly to the infirmary room. It made everything less overwhelming.

Zero like this new stranger, and that’s not something he seems to think about anyone.

When he finally broke the silence to speak, he did it with a sheepish chuckle, “You’re gonna hate me. What did you say your name was again?”

The other man offered a low laugh, deep and rumbling. It felt very rewarding after the tension from earlier, like that last signs of the residue anxiety fading away.

“It’s Numin. Here, I’ll write it on the back of your hand so you don’t forget.” There was a noticeable softness to his voice this time, a fondness that bled through the fabric of his words.

He reached over and plucked a free pen clipped to Zero’s chart at the base of the bed, before picking up the smaller man’s hand, contrasting it in his own broad and calloused ones.

Upon lifting it, he noticed the IV drip needle taped down, lodged deep into a vein running lengthwise down the back of his hand.

Peaking up an eyebrow, he looked to Zero.

“Or with the limited real estate, I could write it on your wrist?”

Zero offered an exhausted smile, weak and drained but still pleasant nonetheless to the other man.

And, finally ridding himself of the irksome dig, he yanked the IV needle out from his vein in a single tug of his other hand, using the tape that once held it down as a surrogate bandaid. After properly smoothing it over, he presented his hand back to Numin, gracefully palm down.

“I think this is more important than some stupid IV.”

Numin flashed him a smirk in response. Uncapping the pen, he made quick work to record his name down in print.

Upon his finishing, Zero brought his hand up to take a good look at the lettering, surprised by the neat handwriting from such a brutish man. Then again, he should start expecting the unexpected with this new roommate of his.

“Numin, huh?” Softly, Zero smiled, bringing his eyes back up. They were practically beaming.

“I think I really like that name.”

[spoponeshots]

ifffff u take prompts can I have a bow x fem!reader w/ "can i kiss you?" and "I'll protect you"

gotcHUU!

Warning, mentions abt blood and almost dying!

Pairing: Bow x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 905

–

(Y/n) sat in the middle of the battlefield, fiddling with the ripped straps of her shirt in desperation, tying them around her open wounds to try and keep her blood from spilling all out. She was bleeding out against a wrecked Horde tank, tapping her earpiece and calling out for someone, anyone. The girl could hear blasts from tanks that weren’t demolished, and a loud scream that came from Adora. The warrior clashed with Catra as they dramatically stared each other down. It was pretty depressing, being in a crippled state as one of her good friends battles her possible-ex. She tried to focus on something different, like how she couldn’t feel her own body from the hips up. Or how she couldn’t twiddle her toes, or how she probably wouldn’t be able to hug her friends ag-

Okay okay, she was getting too sad. Maybe she should just take a nap? Yeah, a nap sounds good.

Her eyes soon felt heavy, as her surroundings grew to look blurry. She started to lose hope, but maybe some weird sword wielding lesbian god could come down on her gay horse and take the half-dead girl to a peaceful afterlife? Y’know that kinda sounds improbable but a girl can dream, I guess. Man, she was getting tired by just sitting and breathing. Before (Y/n) knew it, her eyes went against her will and began to close.

She was fully unconscious (and very bloody) as a panicking boy scrambled on the field to get to her. Bow looked around for someone like Glimmer or Adora, maybe someone that could do some real help in transporting the injured princess. In the past, Bow remembered struggling to drag even Catra around, and Catra is pretty petite. He willed himself as he dug his arms under the beautiful girl, hoping that he was strong enough to get her to safety. He took a deep breath and lifted her, staring at her face before mumbling, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

‘Not that she’d need someone to protect her! She’s a strong and independent wo-”

A Horde tank shot at the ground 7 feet away from Bow, causing him to jolt and start sprinting towards the nearest Rebellion battlefield medic.

–

Bow sat outside on a bench, elbows on his knees with his hands holding his face. Maybe she’d be okay if he stayed close to her on the battlefield? Maybe she’d be okay if he watched out for her more? Sea Hawk silently sat next to him, patting and rubbing his back to comfort him.

He had his eyes on (Y/n) from the moment her kingdom joined the Rebellion, which was a couple of months ago. He adored the way her nose scrunched up if she found one of his puns funny, or how she’d have this sparkle in her eyes while inspecting one of his new arrows. She respected Bow, and he did so in return. He admired how strong she seemed, and how she used her powers to help the citizens of her kingdom. She seemed like a real powerful leader, but the archer wished that he could have stepped forward to protect her, at least once. He couldn’t bear the thought of hopelessly losing (Y/n) on the battlefield, and not being able to do anything about it.

He took a deep breath in, hoping that the girl he liked would live through this.

–

A few hours later, (Y/n)’s eyes slowly opened as she scanned the room she laid in. She twiddled her toes, trying to make sure that she wasn’t part robot with all of her limbs. Mermista and Perfuma sat on a cot next to her, chatting about how many Horde soldiers they took down. Adora and Glimmer were over near a glass table that held bandaids and ibuprofen, things that would get them past the post-battle pains. It took the girl a while to realize she was still on the battlefield, but just located to the side where the medical tent stood in all its glory.

Where was Bow though? She moved her hand off the bed, waving it around to get someone’s attention. The only noise she could make was a very quiet gurgle, since there was a tube stuck down her throat. It felt ticklish and weird inside, so she decided that she wouldn’t move her chest for a while. After a while though, Glimmer turned around to see that she woke up. The purple and pink haired girl smiled and waved, before blinking out of the room for a second. (Y/n) could hear a small cheer from the outside of the tent before Bow burst in, arms flailing.

“(Y/n)!” Bow grinned, jogging to her makeshift bed. His voice cracked as he babbled, “I thought you were going to die! I would have cried! I mean, I did but I uh.. I would cry more!”

The girl smiled and peered at the others in the room as they slowly filed outside. Glimmer gave her a little wink before poofing away. (Y/n) looked back to Bow, moving to grab his hand. He gripped her hand back and blushed, “Can I.. Uh..”

The (H/C) haired girl nodded, closing her eyes as Bow moved closer, pecking her on the cheek.

To be fair, they ended up doing more than cheek kisses after that tube was pulled from her throat.