#DID VES PULL HIM BY THE BUN?????

[rumble-aint-a-rumble-without-me]

“Tu trasero se ve genial esta mañana.”

Sylvia grins, hands growing warm when he drapes his own over the back of her hands and fingers. “What did you just say?”

“Said your eyes look beautiful this morning,” Tim hums into her hair, lips and nose casually making their way down from the back of her head to the side of her face… then her neck.

“Thanks, lover-, Loretta Jean, what are you giggling about?”

Tim curses as Lori is pulled onto her momma’s hip. “Daddy wasn’t talkin’ ‘bout your eyes, Momma. That’s ojos.”

Sylvia shoots him a look over her shoulder, gold hair piled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. “That so, baby? What did he say?”

Lori giggles, kicking her feet and hiding her face in the crook of Sylvia’s shoulder when he steps forward. “Remember what Tio Curly told you ‘bout snitches n’ stitches, chiquita?”

“Don’t listen to him, baby, he’s just bein’ a bully. Now tell momma what he said-,”

She erupts into giggles again, Tim’s fingers finding the ticklish spot beneath her ribs. “He-! Was talkin’-! Daddy was talkin’ ‘bout your-!”

“Oh, Jesus,” Sylvia huffs, “you’re gonna give the kid a heart attack, Tim.” She slaps his hand away, quickly wiping away the tears rolling down Lori’s cheeks as she catches her breath.

“He was talkin’ ‘bout your a-double-s.”

SCREAMING BECAUSE I LOVE THEM

[just-some-random-blogger]

I AGREEE JAILLLLLLLL JAILLLLLL JAILLLLL SOBBINGGG CRYINNGGG WEEEPPPINNGGG WAILLLINNGGG JAILLLLL I NEED JUSTICE JAILLLL

Her grip tightens around her martini glass, eyes narrowing, as jealousy bubbles acrid and bitter within her chest.

NO CUZ HE STARTED THIS 😠😠😠😠😠 HE STARTED THIS 😤😤😤😤 WHY DO I HAVE TO SUFFER WHY DO WOMEN HAVE TO SUFFER FOR MENS ERRS not that im complaining but also i am i am very much whiny and complaining

Worse still is that Aemond appears to be doing nothing to stop her, he is allowing this woman to flirt shamelessly with him. While his mannerisms are impassive, not returning the woman’s touches or suggestive grins, she believes he should be making it explicitly clear he is unavailable.

HEEE SHOULD HE FUCKING SHOULD I FUCKING HATE HIM FUCK YOU

Two can play at that game.

Swallowing the remnants of her drink in a single gulp, she winces slightly as the combination of vodka and vermouth burns lightly in her throat, then heads over to where Aegon is standing.

NSJEJSJSJSJ ROPING AEGON INTO THIS A FUCKINF FAMILY AFFAIR WHAT THE FUCK

“Thanks,” He says with a smirk, his eyes traveling over her appreciatively, before nodding towards her glass. “Looks like you’re empty, shall I get you another?”

AS HEEE SHOULLDDDD APPPREAAACCIIATTEEE HERRRRR

Drawing back, she watches the bob of his throat with a satisfied smile, as he swallows thickly. She was having the desired effect on one brother, at least.

It’s then that she feels a firm but gentle grasp on her upper arm and turns to look up into the steely gaze of Aemond. The taut bun that his long, silver hair is pulled back into leaves his face unobscured, so the hardened lines of anger are unmistakable. While his left eye remains milky and lifeless, the fury that burns bright within the blue of his right more than makes up for its absence.

Its been nice knowing you

“I wasn’t asking,” He shoots back, grabbing her hand and leading her through the crowded bar.

I LITERALLY DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING

He is silent on the drive home. The hand that would usually rest against her thigh keeps a firm grasp of the steering wheel as he stares straight ahead. 

WWHY ARE YOU VEING LIKE RHIS I DIDNT DO ABYTHINF

“Oh, it looked like it was more than chatting, much more.”

YOU HAVE ONE EYE MISS ME WITH THAT BULLSHIT U DIDNT EVEN SEE 😠 YOU DIDNT EVEN SEE THE GIRL FUCKING FLIRTING WITH U STFU

“Hm,” He raises his free hand towards her face, tugging at her bottom lip with his thumb. “Open.”

🧍😮

She opens her mouth, steeling herself for what’s to come, but still shivers when she feels him spit harshly onto her tongue. She swallows without having to be asked, inwardly delighted at the hum of approval that Aemond emits.

“Thought you could use something to accompany the filthy lies that are coming out of your mouth,” He mutters darkly, his grip on her throat tightening.

Howd you know

“Ah, there it is,” He smirks. “You behaved like a stupid, little slut with my brother because you were jealous? Pathetic.”

IM CRYING WITH MY EYES AND THIGHS

“But I didn’t do anything, did I?” He snarls, eye narrowing. “If you saw the number of women I turn down when you aren’t around you’d fucking cry, yet I can’t trust you not to throw yourself at my brother. Would you rather be with him instead?”

FUCKKK YOU SHOLD I BEE FUCKINF TGANKING YOU FFUCKKK YOU

The praise shoots straight to her core, making her clench around nothing. He leaves her with no time to ponder on what his next move might be, as his hands disappear beneath her skirt to tug down her underwear.

She like me fr

“Good girl. And that’s because you can trust me.”

He purses his lips. “We’ll see about that.”

“Little slut,” He whispers, before freeing his cock, showing he’s every bit as turned on as she is.

THESE LINNES ARE OUT OF ORDER BUT

Aemond switches the toy off, tossing it to the side and slowly pulls out of her. She hisses at the sensation, noticing that he is still rock hard, not having peaked himself yet.

VIOLENT SHAKING I WILL NEVER RECOVER

He rubs gently at her wrists as he unfastens the belt, helping to get the blood circulating once more. Brushing his lips against her temple, damp with perspiration, he whispers softly to her.

“I’m not done with you yet, just giving that sweet little pussy of yours a rest. For now–” He leans back on his haunches and taps the head of his cock against her lips. “You can put that pretty mouth of yours to work, you’ve got quite the mess to clean up.”

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAH IM GOING TO JUMP OUT OF MY WINDOW

Invidia

Pairing: Modern!Aemond Targaryen x femme Warnings: Plot? I don't know her. Jealousy, dom/sub dynamics, slightly toxic relationship, alcohol consumption, light choking, spit kink, light bondage, P in V action, use of sex toys, overstimulation, degrading language, slight praise kink, implied oral (m receiving) Word count: ~1.7k

Summary: Aemond dishes out a punishment that won't soon be forgotten when his partner attempts to make him jealous. Based on this request.

Author's note: I don't have a tag list - please follow @fics-by-ewanmitchellcrumbs and turn on post notifications. Community labels are for cops.

Her grip tightens around her martini glass, eyes narrowing, as jealousy bubbles acrid and bitter within her chest.

She watches as the dark haired woman grazes her perfectly manicured nails over Aemond’s bicep, red stained lips pulling back into a saccharine smile, revealing pearly white teeth. She knows the woman is drop dead gorgeous, but in her envious state she sees only a predatory threat to her relationship, her thoughts darkened and unkind with internalised misogyny.

Worse still is that Aemond appears to be doing nothing to stop her, he is allowing this woman to flirt shamelessly with him. While his mannerisms are impassive, not returning the woman’s touches or suggestive grins, she believes he should be making it explicitly clear he is unavailable.

She hadn’t even wanted to come this evening, she had been desperate for a quiet night in front of the TV, just her and Aemond. He’d insisted they go though; the opening night of Aegon’s new cocktail bar and he simply had to support his family. So she’d dolled herself up, allowed herself to be dragged along and how here he was making a mockery of her.

Two can play at that game.

She wants to make him feel every bit as jealous as she does, to remind him he isn’t the only desirable person in their relationship, and she knows just the person who will strike that blow hardest.

Scanning the crowd, she spots the man of the hour propping up the bar, tipping back tequila shots. 

Swallowing the remnants of her drink in a single gulp, she winces slightly as the combination of vodka and vermouth burns lightly in her throat, then heads over to where Aegon is standing.

“Hey, you,” She greets him in a sing-song voice, reaching out to brush her fingers against his forearm. “Love what you’ve done with the place!”

“Thanks,” He says with a smirk, his eyes traveling over her appreciatively, before nodding towards her glass. “Looks like you’re empty, shall I get you another?”

She knows that the music isn’t so loud that she can’t be heard by simply raising her voice a little, but she also knows that doing that won’t grant her the attention she so desperately seeks from Aemond. So, she leans in, her lips brushing against the shell of Aegon’s ear as she whispers to him.

“Oh, I would love one, thank you!”

Drawing back, she watches the bob of his throat with a satisfied smile, as he swallows thickly. She was having the desired effect on one brother, at least.

“You got it,” He tells her, his hand brushing hers as he relieves her of the empty glass and turns back towards the bar, holding up two fingers towards the bartender.

It’s then that she feels a firm but gentle grasp on her upper arm and turns to look up into the steely gaze of Aemond. The taut bun that his long, silver hair is pulled back into leaves his face unobscured, so the hardened lines of anger are unmistakable. While his left eye remains milky and lifeless, the fury that burns bright within the blue of his right more than makes up for its absence.

A shiver runs through her. Perhaps she has pushed this too far.

“We’re leaving,” He tells her flatly.

Her eyes widen as she tries to protest. “But Aegon’s just getting me a dri–”

“I wasn’t asking,” He shoots back, grabbing her hand and leading her through the crowded bar.

He is silent on the drive home. The hand that would usually rest against her thigh keeps a firm grasp of the steering wheel as he stares straight ahead. 

The tension inside the car is unbearable. She knows she’s in trouble. Her stomach flutters nervously, wondering what she can say to calm him down, but can come up with nothing that she doesn’t think will enrage him further, so she stays silent.

The moment they arrive home, he spins her around to face him, pressing her against the wall, causing her to gasp. His hand grasps lightly against her throat as he stares her down. Arousal pools warm between her thighs.

“Just what the fuck was that tonight?” He hisses lowly.

“I-I was just chatting to Aegon…” She stammers, gazing up at Aemond, doe-eyed.

“Oh, it looked like it was more than chatting, much more.”

“It wasn’t, I swear!” She whines, regretting ever having approached Aegon in the first place, but unable to shake the effect that Aemond’s display of dominance is having on her.

“Hm,” He raises his free hand towards her face, tugging at her bottom lip with his thumb. “Open.”

She opens her mouth, steeling herself for what’s to come, but still shivers when she feels him spit harshly onto her tongue. She swallows without having to be asked, inwardly delighted at the hum of approval that Aemond emits.

“Thought you could use something to accompany the filthy lies that are coming out of your mouth,” He mutters darkly, his grip on her throat tightening.

She whimpers as her resolve crumbles. “That woman was flirting with you!”

“Ah, there it is,” He smirks. “You behaved like a stupid, little slut with my brother because you were jealous? Pathetic.”

“She was all over you, you did nothing to stop her!” She snaps back, feeling herself grow angry.

“But I didn’t do anything, did I?” He snarls, eye narrowing. “If you saw the number of women I turn down when you aren’t around you’d fucking cry, yet I can’t trust you not to throw yourself at my brother. Would you rather be with him instead?”

“No, Aemond, I only want you!” She clings desperately to the front of his black button up shirt.

“Is that so?” He cocks his head slightly, his hand still around her throat.

“Yes, I was just trying to make you jealous. I’m sorry,” She pleads.

“Hm. You’re about to be. Bedroom. Now.”

He releases her throat and she walks on unsteady feet towards their shared bedroom, nervous excitement making her heart race.

She lays back on the bed, biting her lip in anticipation, as Aemond stands at the foot of it, the metal clink of his belt being unfastened the only sound in the room. The audible slide of the leather against the cotton of his suit trousers as he removes it from the loops causes her skin to break out into gooseflesh.

“Wrists together. Above your head,” He orders.

She does as she’s told, her throat running dry when she feels the mattress dip either side of her as Aemond straddles her, winding his belt around her wrists and using it to bind them to the headboard.

“Colour?” He asks simply, making eye contact.

“Green,” She whispers.

“Good girl,”

The praise shoots straight to her core, making her clench around nothing. He leaves her with no time to ponder on what his next move might be, as his hands disappear beneath her skirt to tug down her underwear.

She arches off of the mattress slightly as his deft fingers swipe through her folds, coming away glistening with her slick.

“Little slut,” He whispers, before freeing his cock, showing he’s every bit as turned on as she is.

He takes a firm hold of her hip with one hand, grasping the base of his erection with the other and forces himself all the way in to the hilt in one fluid motion.

She is wet enough that any preparation isn’t required, but the sudden stretch still steals her breath away.

Aemond’s thrusts are quick and sure, his hips snapping against hers harshly as he brings his thumb between their bodies to rub at her clit in rapid, tight circles.

Her nails bite into the leather of the belt around her wrists, struggling to ground herself as pleasure builds steadily within her gut, each slap of his skin against hers nudging her closer to the edge.

His breathy pants combined with the look of determination on his face give her the final shove she needs, and she falls apart with blinding white warmth that washes over her from head to toe.

She’d believe her punishment was over were it not for the fact that Aemond has yet to cum. His low chuckle as he stills inside of her is all the indication she needs that he’s just getting started. He leans over, never slipping out of her, and pulls her Hitachi magic wand from a drawer of the bedside table. 

Fuck.

“Colour?” Aemond demands again, his voice husky.

“G-green,” She breathes shakily.

He purses his lips. “We’ll see about that.”

The jolt that rockets through her body when he presses the toy against her, at maximum speed, causes her to squeal. He keeps it there, resuming his thrusts inside of her and the combination of the two is too much. She trembles all over, her mind feeling foggy.

“What are you going to do the next time you feel jealous?” Aemond asks.

“N-fuck-nothing!”

“Good girl. And that’s because you can trust me.”

A sob of pleasure is ripped from her as another orgasm has her tightening and spasming around Aemond uncontrollably. He shows her no mercy, keeping the wand firmly on her, the momentum of his hips never slowing.

Aemond’s breathing is ragged, sweat visible upon his brow from exertion. “Do you trust that yours is the only cunt I want to bury myself inside of?”

“Aemond…please…” She mewls piteously, overstimulation making her shake.

“I need you to say it,” He grits out.

She tugs involuntarily at her restraints, tipping her head back. “Yes, I trust you!”

He brings her to peak three more times, before he finally relents. “Colour?”

“Yellow,” She says weakly, voice hoarse and eyes teary.

Aemond switches the toy off, tossing it to the side and slowly pulls out of her. She hisses at the sensation, noticing that he is still rock hard, not having peaked himself yet.

He rubs gently at her wrists as he unfastens the belt, helping to get the blood circulating once more. Brushing his lips against her temple, damp with perspiration, he whispers softly to her. “I’m not done with you yet, just giving that sweet little pussy of yours a rest. For now–” He leans back on his haunches and taps the head of his cock against her lips. “You can put that pretty mouth of yours to work, you’ve got quite the mess to clean up.”

[tobesolonely]

kindergarten teachers

summary: teacher!harry and coworker y/n have a hard time coming to terms with their feelings for each other

a/n: ahhh she’s finally done! i’ve been working on this fic for sooo long and i hope u all like it! big thanks to @queencharry​ for helping me when i got stuck and beta reading, and @behindthatbabyface​ for beta reading as well and giving me feedback!! i appreciate u both <3 enjoy ~11.3k words of some mutual pining and teacher!h interacting with lil kindergarteners 🥺also i am sorry if theres any major grammar mistakes (as always) or crazy typos, i always miss some things when i go back and proofread that im sure i’ll catch later! thank u

warnings: smut, mentions of alcohol 

talk to me about harry and y/n! let me know your thoughts!!

my ko-fi! thank you :)

From the time you were very young, you knew you wanted to be a teacher. One of your earliest childhood memories was going to school dressed up as one for career day. Your usually untamed hair was pulled back into a sleek bun (courtesy of your mother), and you donned a funky baby-pink sweater. For bottoms, you wore the closest thing to a pencil skirt you had in your five-year-old wardrobe. When you look back on the photographs your mother took of you that day, you did not resemble a teacher in any way. You were sure if you had not done your Career Day presentation in front of the whole class, no one would have even known who you were dressed up as.

Once you moved onto college and declared Education as a major, that was when people really started to let you hear their opinions on the career path you wanted to pursue. It seemed like whenever you went home for a holiday, relatives were always in your ear saying, “You know teachers don’t make a lot of money, right? Have you ever considered something in the sciences?”. You always responded, “I know, but what would the world do without teachers?”.

Eventually, you finished your undergraduate career, successfully completed student teaching with the highest praise from your superiors and colleagues, obtained your teaching credentials, and even went back to school to get your Master’s degree. So, it was much to everyone’s surprise when you settled on being a Kindergarten teacher. People assumed that because you completed so much schooling, you wanted to be a university professor. However, the thought never even crossed your mind. You always thought Kindergarten teachers were the most impressionable people out there and knew you wanted to be one.

To you, there was no greater responsibility than that of a Kindergarten teacher. It was your responsibility to teach your students reading, writing, art, and music at the most basic level. You showed them how to play with others, how to be kind, and give them the tools necessary to succeed once they leave your classroom. You were the first teacher your students ever had, so you needed to make them fall in love with school instead of hate it, considering they’d have to stick to it until they were at least eighteen. 

You’ve been a credentialed Kindergarten teacher for the last three years, and you’ve loved every moment of it. You were one of the younger teachers at school, but you never felt left out. Your colleagues were amazing people who often shared tips and tricks they wish they knew when they first started teaching.

Now, you were groggily unlocking the door to your classroom, feeling those first-day-of-school jitters you always felt. You knew kindergarteners weren’t there to harshly critique you. Still, you wanted them to go home and tell their parents about how excited they were to have you as a teacher, not run home in tears. That never happened, of course, but you didn’t want to take any chances. You drop your keys and mutter a quiet, “Shit!” setting your travel mug filled with coffee on the ground and readjust the box of donuts you had for your kids on your hip. As you reach for your keys, you hear a deep voice ask if you need help. You quickly turn around, eyes wide from being startled.

“Oh! You scared me,” you place your free hand over your chest. “But yeah, actually, that’d be great. I’m struggling to get my door open.” The man nods, his own keys he wore around his neck jangling as he retrieves first your keys, then your coffee mug.

“I’m Harry– Mr. Styles, if you want,” he holds your keys out for you to take, your coffee mug still in his large hands. “Uh, I’m the new Kindergarten teacher.” You give him a confused look and trade the box of donuts in your arms for your keys, opening the door. “The last one, Mrs. Brown, I think it was, I guess she decided a few weeks back that she wanted to retire.” You get your door open and walk inside your classroom, turning on the lights. It was a little stuffy, considering you hadn’t been there to open any windows in about a month.

“Oh, that’s right! Welcome,” you give him a warm smile. “I’m Y/N– Miss Y/L/N if you want.” A slight blush appears on his cheeks. “We’re gonna be working together then, it seems. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Mrs. Brown, but it’ll be nice to collaborate with someone closer to my age, you know?” Harry nods, and you realize he still had your coffee mug and box of donuts in his hands. “You can just set that on my desk, thanks for helping out. Would you like a donut?”

“Um, I- it’s okay,” he stammers, setting the items down. “Sorry, it’s just that I’ll probably crash if I have a donut first thing in the mornin’.” You smile at him and move to open all your windows and the back door, wanting the stuffy classroom to air out a bit before the children got here. 

“I totally get that,” you giggle, walking back over to your desk. “Are you excited about the first day? I always get a little nervous. I also talk a lot when I’m nervous, I’m sure you caught onto that.” 

For the first time that morning, Harry laughs. “Yeah, I’m nervous, too. ’ve never taught in the States before, so this is a bit new to me.” He’s playing with the keys hanging from his lanyard. 

“I noticed you had an accent, but I didn’t know if it was weird to ask about it. What brings you to California?” You open the box of donuts and take one out, wanting to eat it before it gets cold, and the glaze hardens.

“Uh, I went to University here, but when I graduated, I decided to go back home and teach for a couple of years. I really missed being here though and wanted to come back, so I got my credentials, and uh, here I am,” he tells you with a grin, and you notice he has deep dimples. 

“Well, we’re glad you’re here,” you tell him earnestly. “The kids are just gonna love your accent, too!” you joke and Harry laughs for the second time that day. 

“If all else fails, ’m hopin’ to charm everyone over with my accent,” he stares at you for a moment before speaking again. “Well, I better finish getting situated. It’s fifteen til, and I reckon the children will be arriving soon, yeah?” He asks. You nod. 

“Best to be waiting at parent drop-off too, there are always a few parents that are just as nervous as their babies, if not more, and could use a quick pep talk.”

“Thanks for lettin’ me know. I was thinking about standing out there anyway, just to make a good first impression.” You take another bite of your donut, giving him a thumbs up. 

“You’ve got this, Harry. I know you’re not completely clueless since you’ve taught before, but I know the first day can be a little intimidating. You know where I am if you need anything.” He gives you a grateful smile, quietly thanking you before turning to walk out the door. You’re left thinking about your new coworker, only being pulled from your thoughts of him when the first bell rings.

“Good morning everyone, my name is Miss Y/L/N. Are you all excited to get this school year started?” A chorus of high-pitched yeses fills the room, and you smile warmly at your class. “I’m so excited that you’re all here! I have a little surprise for each of you!” You grab the box of donuts and walk back to the rug in the center of the room that the children usually sat on for storytime. Little gasps fill your ears, and they all say, “Donuts!” and “Yummy!”. You smile at the kids again, already feeling overwhelmed with how adorable they were. 

“We all get a donut?” one little girl asks, her eyes wide. You nod at her.

“Of course! Everyone will get a donut, sweetie.” You move to get the plastic food gloves you kept so you can safely hand out a donut to everyone. “Okay guys, I’m going to pass a stack of napkins around the room. Take one and pass the stack to the person sitting next to you. Does that make sense?” All the students nod their heads in confirmation, so you grab a stack and hand them to the child sitting closest to you. “Once the last person has their napkin, let me know, and then it’ll be donut time!” You say this over-enthusiastically, and the children squirm in their seats in excitement.

As you go around handing out donuts to each of your students, you learn their names and ask them to tell you one fun fact about them. Most children say things like, “I have a brother/sister!” or “I can run really fast!”, and you find it absolutely adorable. One thing you loved the most about teaching five-year-olds was their ability to think everything was cool. It was comforting to know that no matter what you did, they’d find you cool, and your first-day jitters quickly dissipated. As the children eat their donuts, you read them a story, putting on different voices for all the various characters. You show them how to raise their hand when they have something they’d like to share and remind them to use their “listening ears” when you or one of their classmates are speaking.

When it’s time for recess, you show them how to line up quietly at the door, and assign a line leader and a hall monitor. You remind the children that they will all get a turn at these tasks eventually because it’ll switch every week, and not to worry. As you’re walking down the hall backward (one of your teachers walks that you’d finally perfected), you hear Harry’s voice.

“Okay Room Ten, we’re gonna go out to the playground now, where you all will get to play every recess and lunch. That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?” He asks them, and you hear little voices chattering out to him in excitement. You can’t help but peek into his classroom as you walked by, as his door was open. He didn’t see you because he was busy organizing his class into a straight line, so you keep going. Your class, who, much to your surprise, was walking very quietly, got loud once they saw the Kindergarten play area had a slide and monkey bars.

“We get to play on this?” one of your students, Destiny, questions. 

“Yup! This is a pretty cool play area, isn’t it?” They nod and stare at you, waiting for direction. “Oh, you can all go play and run around, get some of that energy out. When the bell rings, though, I want you to listen to the yard teachers because they’re gonna help get you all lined back up so we can go back inside. Deal?” The children give you nods and thumbs up, and you grin at them, telling them to have fun and be nice to one another. As you’re turning to go to the teacher’s lounge to refill your mug of coffee, you see Harry walking down the hallway with his class, and decide to wait for him. He gives his class the same spiel you gave yours and tells them to “Treat each other with kindness” before noticing you waiting for him.

“Hey,” he gives you a grin, looking far more relaxed than he did when you saw him earlier that morning. “How’s it going so far?”

“It’s great,” you reply, leading him in the direction of the teacher’s lounge. “They’re all adorable.”

“Yeah, don’t know what I was so nervous fo’. They’re great. Also, you’re right,” Harry has an amused look on his face. “The first thirty minutes of ’em bein’ there was just them askin’ me to say things because they think I sound funny.” 

“I told you!” you exclaim, laughing at him. “A British accent is definitely not something we hear every day, not here at least.”

“I figured,” he replies, and silence falls between you. “Where are we going, by the way?”

You stop in front of a blue door and sift through the keys on your lanyard, finally finding the one you were looking for. “Teacher’s lounge. Have you had the chance to check it out yet?” He shakes his head, and you pull open the door after having unlocked it. “After you.” He shakes his head and steps back, signaling you go ahead of him. You quirk an eyebrow at him, and he gives you a defensive look.

“What? ‘M a gentleman. Ladies first,” he insists, holding the door open. You walk inside the room, trying to refrain from rolling your eyes. There aren’t many teachers in the lounge. You figure they all must be in their classrooms, trying to do some last-minute organization and lesson planning amidst the first day of school chaos. However, a few colleagues that you’re rather fond of are in the room, so you take it upon yourself to introduce them to Harry.

“Hello everyone, I hope you’re all having a relaxing morning!” They chuckle lightly at your sarcasm. “I’d like you all to meet Mr. Harry Styles. He’s the new Kindergarten teacher that took Mrs. Brown’s place.” A look of realization washes over all three teachers’ faces, and they warmly greet him. Harry goes around, shaking each of their hands, voice dripping with charm.

“Lovely to meet you all. Looking forward to collaborating,” he tells them quietly. They begin engaging in polite conversation, so you leave Harry’s side, walking over to the coffee station to get what you came for before recess was over. He joins you shortly after, grabbing a disposable cup. “They were a nice bunch.” He mutters, pouring the steaming coffee into his cup. You hum in agreement.

“Everyone here is nice. The lounge is usually much more crowded than this. Everyone else must be in their rooms,” you flick your wrist up to check the time. “We got some time to sit down and breathe for a bit if you’d like? Unless you wanted to get back to your room.”

“‘M in no rush, trust me,” he tells you, flashing you a small smile. “Let’s take a seat.” Harry walks over to an unoccupied couch and sits down slowly, taking care not to spill his coffee. 

“You didn’t want a lid?” you question when you see him struggling. He shrugs.

“Not necessary. Jus’ some extra plastic,” you hum and look down at your lap. You were quickly learning that Harry was not a big talker, and he liked to get his point across in as few words as possible. Him being a Kindergarten teacher contradicted heavily with his rather bashful demeanor, but that just made him all the more endearing to you.

“Do you live nearby, or is your commute long?” you ask him after a few moments of silence. As soon as you ask the question, you internally cringe, feeling like it was too invasive. If Harry thought the question was weird, he doesn’t show it.

“I live in town. I actually walked here today, believe it or not,” he tells you with a chuckle. “Was such a beautiful morning that I figured I should.” Every time you think Harry can’t possibly get any more captivating, he does, and you find yourself biting back a smile.

“How long is your walk?” You cross your legs and then uncross them, a nervous habit that you had. Harry takes a sip of coffee, mulling your question over.

“I’d say it took me about twenty minutes. I was walkin’ at a pretty leisurely pace, though,” Harry shrugs. “How about you? Do you live nearby?”

“I also live in town, but I’m way too lazy to walk, so props to you,” you smile. “The best thing about living around here is seeing your kids out in public. It’s the cutest thing.” Harry smiles, not saying anything else. A silence falls over the two of you again but instead of feeling the need to fill it, you just sit beside him, drinking your coffee. Your mind wanders off to what you were going to do for the rest of the school day, if you had enough groceries in your apartment for dinner or if you should go grocery shopping after work, and if you remembered to pay your bills on time. The bell rings to signify the end of recess, and you jump slightly.

“Ready to go back?” Harry asks, standing up and walking back over to the coffee station. “Think’m gonna get a bit more.” You go to stand by the door, waiting for him to pour another cup of coffee. He quickly rejoins you, and the coffee sloshes a bit, some getting on his hand, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “Hope those lil’ buggers got some of their energy out.”

“Right! Mine was even more hyper than they probably would’ve been ’cause I gave them those donuts this morning,” you laugh. “So, for my sake, I hope so too.” When you and Harry arrive back at the Kindergarten play area, your classes are already lined up quietly awaiting instruction, thanks to the yard teachers. You and Harry both thank them and move to stand in front of your kids. 

“Miss Y/L/N,” one of your children calls out from the back of the line. “Can we get more donuts when we go back inside?” You see Harry smile out of the corner of your eye as he’s giving instruction to his class.

“There are no more donuts, you guys ate them all! I have something even cooler than donuts planned for us, though, okay? Now, remember what I told you all about walking quietly, right? Mr. Line Leader, how does your line look? Do you think we’re all set to go back inside?” The child you appointed line leader turns around to look at everyone, occasionally shushing some people. After a few moments, he turns back to you, giving you a thumbs up. 

Harry moves to stand beside you, leaning down to whisper in your ear. “Wanna eat lunch together and do some planning? I feel like it would be a good idea for us to be teachin’ the same things, more or less.” Your body feels warm all over, and you just look at him and nod, not trusting yourself to speak. Harry smiles and places a hand on your shoulder. At a normal volume, he says, “See you then, Miss Y/L/N.” 

Upon entering Harry’s room, you’re immediately met with the scent of vanilla and the loud hum of the air conditioning. It was bright, adorably decorated, and surprisingly decluttered. It was the polar opposite of your room, and you found it very welcoming and comforting. “Nice set-up you’ve got going on in here,” you tell him. He jumps in his seat at his desk, not having heard you come in.

“Fucks sake,” he mumbles, face going red. “You scared me. Thanks, though. My sister helped me decorate, I don’t really have an eye for this type of stuff.” He rubs the back of his neck, sheepishly. 

“Well, if you ever need any help decorating for back to school and your sister isn’t around, I’d be more than happy to help.” Harry smiles and suddenly gets up from his chair, offering it to you.

“Please, take my seat. I’ll just sit in one of the kids’ chairs,” he rolls it towards you, and you shake your head, about to object, but he interrupts you. “It’s okay, Y/N. Their chairs aren’t that bad.” You take the seat Harry was just in, mumbling a quiet thank you. He hums and pulls a tiny chair up beside you, legs scraping loudly across the floor. When he sits down in it, you can’t but burst out laughing.

“Harry, that chair is so tiny! Are you sure you don’t want me to sit there instead? You look so uncomfortable,” you tell him in between laughs. “This is your classroom, after all, I’m just a guest.” Harry shakes his head, cheeks flushed.

“It’s okay, Y/N, really. ‘M perfectly comfortable in this lil’ miniature chair,” he looks at the lunch bag you sat on his desk. “What’s for lunch?” You reach for your sack and unzip it, pulling out a pre-packaged salad from Trader Joe’s.

“I’m very lazy when it comes to packing my lunches,” you admit sheepishly, pulling out a fork. “How about you? Did you eat already?”

“Oh yeah, I had a green smoothie. Not a big lunch guy,” he replies calmly. “Wanna get started with planning? I think we only have about thirty minutes left.” He looks down at his watch to confirm the time. Harry opens his planner, and you see pages filled with his neat, blocky scrawl. He jumps right into talking about the ideas he had in mind, excitement filling his voice that you haven’t yet heard. 

The passion and enthusiasm he has for teaching are evident through the way he tells you about the activities he has planned, new materials and teaching methods he wants to try implementing, and things he’s tried before that didn’t work out the way he wanted them to. He asks you for your advice and listens intently when you speak, jotting down notes.

You find yourself having to mentally remind yourself not to stare at him. He was a handsome man– there was no denying that. He had curly brown hair, soft and wild-looking, the most beautiful green eyes you’d ever seen, and arms covered in tattoos. You also noticed he had the tiniest cross on his left hand. You wanted to ask him about it, but you figured that was a conversation for another time. 

“Y/N? Did you hear what I just said,” Harry asks, giving you a concerned look. “Are you alright? I think you just zoned out for a couple minutes or somethin’.” You nod quickly, feeling your palms growing sweaty.

“Oh yeah, sorry, I was just thinking about something I have to do later. What did you just say?” You play off how you were just wholly drooling over your new coworker, feeling scrutinized under his piercing gaze.

“Jus’ got an email from the principal. Said we have a faculty meetin’ after school at three. Wanna go together?” He asks. You know Harry’s asking you to accompany him primarily because you’re the only person he really knows so far. However, it still makes you feel warm and special. “He said we’re gonna go over some planning for the Fall Festival. What’s that?”

“Oh, it’s just the back-to-school festival. It’s adorable,” you explain. “It’s like a mini carnival that we have right here on the playground. Every year they have teachers host booths. It’s a great way to get to meet your kids’ parents and bond with the other faculty.” Harry nods, standing up from the tiny chair right as the bell signifying the end of lunch rings.

“That sounds lovely,” he chirps, smiling down at you. “We’re gonna have the best booth out of everyone Y/N, trust me.” He jokes, the corner of his eyes crinkling. This was the most Harry had talked since you met him that morning and you were enjoying witnessing him open up to you more and more with each conversation shared.

“It is,” you stand up as well, gathering your trash and empty lunch pail. “Thanks for having me, Harry. Next time we can meet in my room. I wouldn’t mind making this a daily thing.” As soon as the words came out of your mouth, you physically wince, figuring Harry had to think you were obsessed with him at this point. He looks down, the corners of his mouth upturned when he makes eye contact with you again.

“I’d like that, Y/N. I’ll actually start bringin’ a proper lunch, so you’re not the only one eating,” you smile. “I’ll meet you in your room after school?” You nod in confirmation, walking out the door in front of him. 

“See ya later.”

“Did everyone have a good day today?” You ask your class, walking backward to the dismissal gate. You’re met with a chorus of cheerful sounding ‘yeses,’ and you place your hand over your heart in a dramatic fashion. “That makes me so happy, everyone! You’re all incredible little people, and I think we’re gonna have a fantastic year. What do you guys think?” The children chatter excitedly, glad to have made it through their first day of school and see their parents on the other side of the gate eagerly awaiting them, cell phones snapping pictures. 

Harry’s already at the gate, waiting for the bell to ring so he can dismiss his class. He’s walking down the line asking each of the children if they see who they’re supposed to go home with, crouching down to their height so they can point them out to him. Some children in his class look a little upset because they don’t see their parents yet. Harry quickly consoles them, telling them they can all play a fun game together while they wait for their ‘Mummies and Daddies.’

You do the same with your kids, and by the time the bell rings and you finish dismissing the ones who saw someone there to pick them up, there was one child from your class who was still waiting and two from Harry’s. He walks over to you, one of their tiny hands in each of his. The boy looks unbothered, but the girl was beginning to cry.

“Hey, Ava, should we ask Miss Y/L/N and her friend if they want to play iSpy with us? The more, the merrier, isn’t that right?” He looks down at her, and she nods, looking down. You figure she’s one of his more shy students he was telling you about earlier.

“Hi, sweetie! I’m Miss Y/L/N, are you waiting for your mom or dad?” She nods, biting her lip. You turn and gesture to your one student who was waiting as well. “Well, so is she! Don’t worry, they’ll be here.”

“I’m Matthew,” the little boy holding Harry’s other hand informs you, shifting from foot to foot. You give him a big smile.

“Hello, Matthew! I love your Spiderman shirt; he’s just the coolest. Jade, do you want to introduce yourself to Mr. Styles, Ava, and Matthew? Remember when we learned about introductions today in class? When you got to introduce yourself to all your classmates?”

Jade nods, a big, toothy grin on her face. “Hi! My name is Jade, and I am five-years-old but my birthday is September 19th, so I’m actually almost six-years-old,” she tells them matter-of-factly. “It’s very nice to meet you!” She adds, remembering the script you gave them earlier. Harry looks down at her, an impressed look on his face.

“Well, it is very lovely to meet you too, Jade! Do we all know how to play iSpy?” Jade and Matthew shout in excitement, but Ava just grips tighter onto Harry’s hand. He looks down at her again. “Do y’ want Miss Y/L/N and I to show you how to play, Ava?” His voice is very quiet, slow, and soothing. She nods, letting go of his hand.

“Well Ava,” you say, looking around for something to start the game out with. “I would say, “I spy with my little eye something green. Then you, Mr. Styles, Matthew, and Jade, would have to look around and name out everything that’s green. If you name something and it’s not it, then I will tell you nope, and you can try again, but if you figure it out, then you’re the winner! Does that make sense?”

She nods, and you see a gleam of excitement in her eyes. “Can I go first?” She asks quietly. You tell her, yes, and she looks around quickly, trying to find something to say. “I spy with my little eye something blue!” She has a triumphant smile on her face, and even though you immediately know she’s talking about the sky and you’re sure Harry does too, you both decide to take a step back and let the children take the game into their own hands.

“Y’know, that lil’ introduction Jade gave was really somethin’. I didn’t even think about teachin’ my kids that. Think I’ll try that out tomorrow,” Harry whispers, craning his neck slightly to be at your ear. You shiver at the feeling of his warm breath against your skin. 

“Yeah, I feel like that’s always a good first day of school activity for them to do. A lot of them have never really been exposed to people outside of their immediate family, so they’re not too sure how to talk to others.” Harry hums, standing back up straight.

“Mr. Styles,” Matthew calls, running over to Harry. “My mommy is here. Can I go now?” Harry nods, telling Matthew to wait for him so he can say hi to his mother. You watch as he walks away, overhearing as he tells the boy’s mother what a great job he did today and how he’s so excited to go through this school year with him in his class. Ten minutes later, Jade and Ava are gone as well, and Harry locks the dismissal gate. 

“I forgot how exhausting the first day could be,” he tells you, letting out a quiet sigh. “Ready to go to that meeting, though? It’s just about three.” You check your watch and see the time read at 2:57 PM.

“Yeah, just let me grab my bag, and we can head over there. I’m really hoping this won’t take too long; I was planning on going grocery shopping after this,” you walk down the hall towards your classroom and feel Harry’s gaze on you.

“Where do you like to go grocery shopping?” he asks after a few moments of silence. “I need to pick up some groceries this week, too. ’ve been eatin’ takeout for the past week, and I’m starting to feel like shit.” You laugh, unlocking your door. Harry stands outside, holding it open while you grab your purse and lunch bag.

“Honestly, I don’t have a preference. I switch it up a lot,” you shrug, making sure all the windows are closed before walking out. “Was there something, in particular, you were looking for?”

“Uh,” Harry scratches the back of his head. “No? Maybe you could text me a list of all your favorite stores, though. Jus’ so I won’t forget.”

You quirk an eyebrow at him, ignoring how fast your heart was beating. “Are you asking for my number, Mr. Styles?”

“I guess I am,” he replies nonchalantly. “We’re gonna be workin’ together a lot. Might as well have your number– if that’s okay, I mean.” He looks down at you.

“Yeah, remind me after the meeting,” you tell him, trying your hardest to play it cool. “Don’t let me forget.”

“Trust me, I won’t.”

“So Y/N and Harry, you two will be in charge of the pumpkin decorating booth? Is that right?” The principal looks down at his notes and then shifts his gaze between the both of you. You both nod.

“Yeah, I’m excited! I think it’ll be a lot of fun,” you reply excitedly. “We can go to the craft store and get a bunch of paints, but where do you think the best place to get the pumpkins would be?” You pull out your planner, ready to jot down any suggestions.

“You two could try going to a pumpkin patch? They’re starting to pop-up around town,” one teacher suggests. “I’m sure if you purchased a bunch and told them it was for a school event, we could get some kind of deal.” The rest of the faculty buzzes in agreement.

“Y/N and Harry, could you get to a pumpkin patch sometimes this week and see if they can give us an estimate of how much it would cost? Then I could let the PTA know.” You and Harry confirm that it will be possible to do sometime this week, and the meeting continues on.

By the time you’re finally free to leave the meeting, it’s already growing dark outside. Harry’s hands are shoved in his pockets, and he’s looking down at his feet. “So–”

“Do you want–”

You both stop, laughing awkwardly. “You go first.” you tighten the grip on your purse.

“Uh, I was jus’ gonna ask if I could get your number now. Yanno, so we can plan when we’re gonna go get all the stuff for our booth? And you still gotta tell me what your favorite grocery stores are,” he has a playful look in his eyes. For the thousandth time that day, your hands become clammy. There was just something about every interaction you had with him that made you so nervous. 

“Oh yeah,” you answer coolly, digging in your purse for your phone. “Just text your number, so I have it.” You hand him his phone, and he stops dead in his tracks, a look of concentration on his face. 

“I can’t walk and be on the phone at the same time,” he mutters when he looks back up and realizes you were watching him the whole time. “I don’t know how people do it.” He hands you back your phone. “What were y’ gonna ask me?”

“I was just um, I was gonna ask if you wanted me to give you a ride home? I mean, since you walked to work today and it’ll be dark soon,” talking to Harry made you feel like a nervous school girl interacting with her first crush, and you hated that feeling.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that–”

“It’s no bother, really,” you cut him off, and you realize you sound a little eager, but at that point, you didn’t even care. “I’m sure we don’t live too far from each other.” Harry looks slightly unsure but nods, and you let out a breath you didn’t even know you were holding.

“If you’re sure, Y/N. I appreciate it, I owe you one,” he’s following behind you to the teacher parking lot. You silently pray your car isn’t messy inside like it usually is as you approach it. You decide to pick up your pace and walk ahead of him, telling yourself if the passenger side was messy, you’d just quickly throw everything in the back. “Heyyyy, why’re you walkin’ so fast? Are you sure you’ve got the time to take me home?” He takes a few big strides and quickly catches up with your hurried, tiny ones.

“Yeah, of course, I have time,” you respond, unlocking your car as you approach it. “If it’s messy, then just ignore it.” you preface, honestly not remembering the state in which you left your car this morning when you walked into work.

“Don’t worry about it. You should see mine,” Harry jokes, and it immediately puts you at ease. As you’re about to open your door, Harry quickly rushes to your side, opening it himself. “Let me.” 

His hand rests over yours, and you quickly pull it away, your body heating up. “Harry, I’m already right here. I can open my own car door.” 

“I know you can. But I’m a gentle—“ 

“You’re a gentleman, I know,” you playfully roll your eyes and take a step back, allowing Harry to open your car door all the way. You couldn’t lie and say you weren’t flattered and honestly a little bit turned on. He flashes you a smile as you situate yourself behind the wheel of the car and makes sure you’re all the way in before slamming it shut. You see him lightly jog around to the passenger side, and soon enough, he’s beside you, your car immediately starting to smell like his cologne. 

“What music do you like to listen to?” Harry asks, pulling his phone out of his pocket. 

“You ask me a lot of random questions, Harry,” you reply, looking behind you as you slowly back out. 

“Is it a crime to wanna get to know my new coworker?” you can hear a smile in his voice. “C’mon. What’s your favorite music to listen to?” 

You shrug, looking both ways before exiting the parking lot. “Where do you live?” 

“I don’t know my address yet. Just take a left at this light coming up. Favorite music?” Out of the corner of his eye, you see him scrolling through his music library. 

“You don’t know your address yet?” 

“No. I’ll play something random,” he says, tapping his hand on his knee. “You can take a right at that stop sign up there.” You put on your blinker and glance over your shoulder before switching lanes. Harry quickly pairs his phone with your Bluetooth, and a song you’re unfamiliar with blares through your speakers. Neither one of you says anything else, only speaking to each other when he’s giving you directions to his house, and you’re confirming what he said.

After two more songs, Harry says, “S’right up here.” He’s led you to a beautiful apartment complex— one you were looking at when you were moving out of your parent’s home but just couldn’t afford as a new graduate. You expertly parallel park and then turn the car off, a silence falling between the two of you.

“This is a nice complex,” you tell him after a moment. “Really close to school. I see why you opted to walk to work today.” 

“Mhm,” he hums. His seatbelt is still fastened. “I understand if you’re busy, but did you wanna come in?” You raise an eyebrow at him, and he quickly backtracks. “I mean— it’s just— remember the activity you taught your kids today? About introductions? Jus’ wanted to know if you could walk me through it, that’s all.” 

“Oh. Well yeah, I can hang out for a bit.” You unbuckle your seatbelt and reach in the backseat for your purse that you threw haphazardly over your shoulder earlier. 

“Will your boyfriend be okay with you coming in, though?” He’s chewing on the inside of his cheek.

“What makes you think I have a boyfriend?” You’re slightly taken aback and oddly flattered that he thought you were in a relationship.

“I dunno,” his face grows red. “You got all weird when I opened doors for ya. Figured you had a boyfriend.”

“I don’t.”

“Cool.” More silence falls, this time an awkward one.

“Should we go inside now?” you unlock the doors, quickly getting out of the car. Harry follows behind you and waits for you to walk onto the sidewalk before going up the walkway.

“How close do you live to me?” Harry asks, punching in his gate code. He pulls the gate open and gestures for you to go ahead of him. You decide not to comment on it this time.

“A couple blocks away. I could probably walk over here if I was in the mood to,” Harry shuts the gate behind you and walks over to the first set of stairs, taking them two at a time. “I was interested in this complex when I was moving out of my parents’ but I settled on something else.” He hums, stopping in front of the first door at the top of the stairs. There’s a brown ‘Welcome!’ mat outside his door, along with a few potted plants.

“Here we are,” he looks over his shoulder as if he’s checking if you’re still there. “Excuse the boxes. ‘M not done unpacking yet.” He pushes open the door and steps in, quickly turning on the light. You’re met with the same sweet scent of vanilla that’s in his classroom. Considering he was in the process of unpacking, his apartment was reasonably tidy.

“It looks good in here,” your heart felt like it was going to beat out of your chest. You were in your coworker’s house that you just met that day, and you could already feel yourself developing a crush on him. There was obviously no way you’d let this relationship progress past anything strictly professional, but that didn’t mean you weren’t allowed to admire his beauty.

“Thanks,” he gives you a smile, relief washing over his face. “You can set your bag down if you want. Take a seat, make yourself at home.” He leaves the room, and you hear him rattling around in the kitchen. “Can I get you anything to drink? Wine? Coffee? Tea?”

“Coffee sounds great,” you reply. You set your purse down on his coffee table and sit on the edge of his couch, inspecting his living room closer. There were two books on the table, both flipped upside down as a way to mark his page. There were a few more plants inside, similar to the ones in front of his door. There was a framed picture of him with two beautiful women you assumed to be his mother and sister. Harry comes back into the room a few minutes later, two steaming cups of black coffee in hand.

“Here you are, Miss Y/L/N,” he puts on an exaggerated posh accent, and you giggle.

“Why thank you, Mr. Styles,” you respond in the same voice. “Do you have cream and sugar?”

He wrinkles his nose. “I think I might have sugar. Is oat milk, okay? I don’t have cream.” He goes back to his kitchen to retrieve the items before you can tell him it’s okay, and you’ll just drink it black. You thank him, pouring the tiniest splash of oat milk into your coffee. You can feel his eyes on you as you add a bit of sugar, stir, taste, and then add some more.

“So,” you begin after your coffee is made to your liking. “What did you think about your first day? You can be honest since we’re not on campus anymore.” Harry laughs, looking down at his fingernails.

“Uh,” he starts. You notice he says, ‘uh’ a lot. “It was terrific. Not so sure I would’ve felt the same way if I didn’t have you to help me through it.” 

“We’re partners in crime now, Harry. We’re the two Kindergarten teachers, and you’re the only other person there my age? We’ve definitely gotta stick together,” you give him a big smile. He doesn’t smile back but looks a bit troubled instead. You wait for him to speak, coming to accept that long pauses were just a thing when having a conversation with Harry.

“Y’know how I assumed you had a boyfriend earlier? I thought after I’d said that–– rather I hoped after I said that you’d be like,” he clears his throat. “‘Why, no! I don’t have a boyfriend. Do you have a girlfriend?’” He put on the worst American accent you’d ever heard to imitate your voice, causing you to laugh. “To which I would’ve replied with a simple ‘no.’” 

Now it’s your turn to leave Harry wondering what you’re thinking for the first time all day. You can feel his eyes on you as you look at his couch cushions, noticing a bit of crumbs that you hadn’t seen before. “Are you flirting with me?”

“I think you’re beautiful.”

“You don’t even know me. We just met today.”

“Does that mean I can’t think you’re beautiful?”

You bite your lip, feeling yourself starting to grow a bit turned on by his forwardness. There was a part of you that would risk it all for just one night in bed with Harry because you just found him that attractive. The rational, adult side of you was screaming, ‘Don’t mix business with pleasure!’. By now, you had both moved closer on the couch to one another, knees nearly touching. “I think you’re beautiful, too.” He grins, setting his coffee cup down. You do the same.

“Would it be crazy of me to tell you that I really wanna kiss you right now?” His face is mere inches from yours, so close that you could smell the coffee on his breath. You shake your head.

“No. I really wanna kiss you too.”

“C’ mere, then.” 

Harry leans forward a bit more until his lips are ghosting over yours. You pull at the collar of his shirt, bringing his already close body even closer to yours. His lips are softer than they look, and he’s a better kisser than you thought he’d be, too. He brings his hands up to tangle them in your hair, and that’s when you abruptly pull away, not wanting things to go too far. “We shouldn’t…” He looks at you with sad eyes, but he nods, understanding what you mean.

“Probably not the best idea?” his response comes out as more of a question than a statement, but you nod in agreement anyway.

“Definitely not. I’m um–– I’m actually gonna go,” you stand up, slinging your purse over your shoulder. “Thanks for the coffee, Harry. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, see––”

You’re out the door, rushing down the stairs before he can even finish his sentence.

The rest of the school week goes on without either one of you mentioning it. It’s a little awkward for a couple of days, but by the time Friday rolls around, both of you decide the best course of action to take regarding the kiss would be to act like it never happened. 

You’re in your room at lunch hanging up your kids’ artwork they made during their ‘Free Time’ this morning, having declined Harry’s lunch invitation for the fourth time that week. You decided to pretend to be busy with work so you wouldn’t be too tempted to go into his room. To most people, you’re sure it looked like you were avoiding him–– and maybe you were. However, you were trying to get over this crush on him in the best way that you knew how.

“Need some help?”

You jump, nearly falling backward off the stepstool you were on. “Holy shit, Harry! You scared the hell out of me!” You feel your body getting warm, and you quickly look away, not wanting him to see how flustered you were.

“Sorry, you weren’t answering my texts, so I decided to come see what you were up to,” he walks over to where you were standing and hands you a piece of art, smiling at it before handing it to you. “You’ve got some artists in your class.”

“Mhm,” you hum, not looking him in the eyes. You hear him let out a quiet sigh.

“Still able to go see about getting those pumpkins ordered after work?”

You had completely forgotten that you and Harry decided today would be the day you’d go get the pumpkin situated figured out for your booth. For a second, you consider making an excuse to get out of it, but you decide against it. This was something that both of you were asked to do, not just him, and you didn’t want the fact that you let your attraction to him cloud your judgment getting in the way of your professional responsibilities.

“Yeah, that works.”

He doesn’t say anything, and even though you’re not looking at him, you can see the gears in his head turning. “Should we talk––” 

You’re quite literally saved by the bell, the end of lunch interrupting where you knew he was about to lead the conversation. “I’ll see you after school? Did you walk here again? I can drive.” Harry nods slowly.

“Uh, yeah. he replies. “I walked. Uh, ’m gonna go get my kids. See you after school then?”

“Yup!” you respond, fake enthusiasm in your voice. Harry gives you one more look before walking out of your room. You wait until he’s all the way down the hall before following behind him to bring your class back inside. You knew you were the one making things awkward between you and Harry. However, the realistic part of you knew getting involved with your coworker was one of the worst ideas you’d ever had in your life. For now, you’d just tell yourself that you were probably more into Harry than he was into you and pray that would be enough to make you get over your crush.

“I haven’t been to a pumpkin patch since I was a kid.” Harry stuffs his hands farther into his pockets while yours are tightly hugging your chest. You hum, not saying anything. The car ride there was a little awkward, and you were glad it was so short. You could tell there was a lot Harry wanted to say, but you were glad he wasn’t saying it. You keep seeing him glance at you, but you pretend not to notice.

“What size pumpkins should we ask for? Small ones, huh?” Harry nods, looking around in childlike awe. There was a small petting zoo, booths selling warm drinks and kettle corn, and an obscene amount of children.

You walk around together for a moment before encountering a friendly-looking employee who looked like he could help you out. Harry takes over, explaining the situation, and why you need to order one hundred tiny pumpkins. While you’re waiting for the employee to ask the owner if that would even be possible, Harry turns to face you.

“Y/N? Can we talk about what happened on Monday?” you’re about to tell him that you’d rather not, but he continues. “I felt something during that kiss, Y/N. I’m not sure if you felt it too, but I don’t want things to be awkward between us. We have to get through an entire school year working side-by-side, and if you’re not interested, then I respect that one hundred percent, but I just want––”

“So the owner said that is possible!” The employee that was helping you out comes back with a form and clipboard in their hand. “Can you just fill out some information and let us know what time you need it tomorrow? The owner said he could get it delivered and give you guys a discount since you’re ordering so much.”

“That’s great!” you exclaim, taking the form from him. You were glad to have been saved from your conversation with Harry. You quickly go through and fill out everything you can, telling them they can bill your school’s PTA. 

The walk back to your car is silent. You’re replaying what Harry was saying to you over in your head, thinking about what he was going to say before he was interrupted. He opens your car door like he’s been doing, but he doesn’t make eye contact with you or say a word as he slides into the passenger seat.

“Y’can just drop me off,” Harry says quietly. He leans your seat back and closes his eyes. You wait to see if he’ll connect his phone, but he doesn’t, so you turn on the radio at a volume so low it almost can’t be heard. It takes everything in you not to speed back to his place. You just wanted him out of your car. You had such strong feelings for him that it physically hurt, and restraining yourself from telling him how you really felt was growing harder and harder.

“We’re here.” your voice is a little hoarse from not saying anything. Harry slowly opens his eyes and unbuckles his seatbelt, opening the door.

“Right. Thanks for the ride. What time do we need to be at school to set up our booth by?”

“Four. I can pick you up if you want?”

“Yeah. See you tomorrow, Y/N.” He closes the door and walks up to his gate without looking back at you once.

“Hi Miss Y/L/N! Hi Mr. Styles!”

Groups of your students had been coming up to you excitedly all evening. It made you happy to see that the Kindergarten classes were no longer divided. They were starting to hang out with one another. Their parents tell you how their children thought it was just the coolest thing to be on school grounds on a Saturday, and how even though it was only a week into the school year, they were having the best time. It was comments like this that made you fall in love with your job all over again.

Things between you and Harry were going well. It wasn’t awkward, but you think it was because you were both too busy helping children paint their pumpkins. You were glad that Harry didn’t take the bit of downtime the two of you had when no one was at your booth trying to talk about the kiss and instead talked about other random things instead. You find out he loves baking (specifically, bread), he has an obsession with old music, and has about fifty tattoos. He talks to his mom on the phone every day, and he is extremely close to his sister. You tell him about your parents’, your undergraduate experience, your hobbies, and you finally tell him what music you like to listen to.

The festival quickly comes to an end, and you find yourself sad once you and Harry are done cleaning up your booth, knowing that you were just going to drop him off at his apartment and go back to yours to spend another Saturday night alone. You get to his complex almost too quickly, and you almost want to keep going and pretend you accidentally missed it just to be with him a bit longer. Instead, you park.

“D’ya wanna come inside?” He blurts out. Even in the darkness of your car, you can tell his face is flushed. “I mean if you haven’t got plans. I know it’s a Saturday night, so I understand if––”

“Nope, I don’t have plans. I’d love to.” Your hands are shaky as you unbuckle your seatbelt. He quickly gets out of your car and runs around to your side, opening the door for you before you can do it yourself. You almost don’t even notice since it was becoming such a habit.

“I picked up this new bottle of wine a couple days ago that’ve been wanting to pop open. Think we deserve a glass or two after such a long week, hmm?” You wordlessly nod, wholly mesmerized with just how good Harry looked after such a long day of work. His curls fell perfectly across his forehead, his eyes were sparkling and full of excitement. 

“A glass of wine sounds great,” you reply with a chuckle. “I’m ready to drink a whole bottle by the end of the week if I’m being honest.” Harry laughs, quickly punching in his gate code. You could see his hands shaking a little bit, but you decide not to comment on it. He takes the stairs up to his apartment two at a time like he did last time you were there, but this time there’s an urgency and clumsiness to his actions that you haven’t seen before. He jams the key in his lock, quickly shoving the door open.

His apartment is a little messier than it was when you were in it at the beginning of the week, but it’s nothing disgusting. He runs his fingers through his curls, moving aside papers that were scattered along the length of the couch. “Sorry, I was doin’ some planning. Make yourself comfortable.” He disappears to the kitchen, and moments later, you hear the pop of a wine cork and the smooth sound of him pouring the alcohol into glasses.

He emerges from his kitchen, handing you a generously poured glass of wine. “Thanks, Harry,” you tell him before taking a big sip. It was sweet, and while you usually preferred a more dry wine, it was still delicious. 

“Cheers to the end of a successful first week,” he holds up his glass, and you smile, clinking yours with his. “Thanks for helpin’ me get through it, Y/N. Couldn’t have done it without you.” You give him a timid smile.

“Stop, Harry. You’re a great teacher. I can see your kids love you already,” you take another sip of wine. “I kinda do too. I mean–– that came out wrong. I don’t love you, but I do think I like you.” You didn’t know what came over you at that moment, but something told you now was the time to lay it all out on the table with Harry. He sets his glass of wine down, the biggest smile on his face.

“Really? I thought you weren’t interested. Was kinda startin’ to feel like you hate me,” he sounds a little sad. You shake your head.

“Quite the opposite, actually. I’m really into you,” you didn’t even realize how you’d inched your way towards Harry. “I’ve been trying not to think about how we kissed because we shouldn’t, you know? We’re coworkers. I’ve been trying not to think about it all week, though, and I just can’t get you out of my mind.” He stares intensely into your eyes, chewing on the inside of his cheek like he usually does when he’s thinking.

“Can I kiss you, Y/N?” he finally asks. You’re in the same position as you were last time, being mere inches away from the other’s lips. Only this time, you smell the wine on his breath, not coffee. You nod quickly, and Harry cups your face in his hands, hungrily pressing his lips against yours.

“You can do more than kiss me, actually,” you tell him breathlessly. “You can do whatever you want with me.”

Harry raises an eyebrow, a shocked look on his face. “When you say anything…” he trails off.

“I want you to fuck me, Harry,” you tell him bluntly. “Please. Been wanting that all week.” He licks his lips, looking at you in a way he hasn’t yet before. 

“I can definitely do that,” he replies, resting his hand on your thigh. His large hand is dangerously close to your pussy, and you can already feel yourself growing wet. “Let’s get all these clothes off you then, huh?” 

You stand up and quickly start removing your clothes. First, your blouse comes off, and that’s quickly followed by your bra. Harry’s leaning back on the couch, arms resting behind his head. “Enjoying the show?” you ask, quickly pulling down your jeans and underwear. You’re completely naked in front of him in thirty seconds flat, and you reckon that’s the fastest you’ve ever undressed for anything. 

“Very much so,” he mumbles, palming himself over his khakis. “C’ mere, Y/N.” he pats his lap, and you move to sit in it, now straddling him. He softly presses his lips against yours, the hunger that was there just a moment ago completely dissipated. This was a much more hesitant kiss, more gentle and tender. “You’re really beautiful, Y/N.”

You giggle. “I know. You’ve told me that before.”

“I want you to know how much I mean it.”

“I know you do.”

Harry nods. “Can I have a taste of ya now?” you notice that his accent sounds a bit thicker than usual, voice a tad gruffer. You nod, swallowing thickly. Climbing off Harry, you lay back on the couch, situating yourself, so it’s a little more comfortable. He looks into your eyes, placing his hands on your knees. “Is this okay, Y/N?” You nod again, and he removes his hands.

“What’s wrong?” your voice has a hint of desperation in it, but after a week of extreme sexual tension, you wanted nothing more than to cum by the hands of this man.

“Wanna hear you tell me it’s okay. I don’t wanna do anything you don’t want,” he’s looking down at his hands.

“Harry, I wouldn’t have given you a striptease and laid back on this couch for you if I didn’t want it. I wholeheartedly give you permission to do whatever you want with me––”

That’s enough for him. He roughly pries your legs open, immediately licking a long stripe up your heat. You cry out, not expecting him to get right into it. You look down at him and groan when you see he’s making eye contact with you, a smug look on his face. “How’s tha’, love?” You nod, tangling your hands in his curls.

“Yeah Harry, please,” you moan. Harry sucks harshly at your clit, pulling off loudly, the sound echoing throughout his minimally furnished apartment.

“Please what, pet?” He’s looking you dead in the eyes, a devilish grin on his face while his index finger rubs small circles on your clit. Your chest is heaving up and down quickly as you try to calm your breathing down.

“Please make me cum on your tongue, Harry,” you try pushing his head back down to your cunt, but he doesn’t budge.

“Think I rather like hearin’ you beg like this fo’ me. Enjoyin’ watching you squirm like tha’, love.” Just as your about to beg for him some more to feed his inflated ego, he attaches his lips to your clit once more, this time adding his ring finger into your tight pussy. “You’re tight. Sure you’ll be able to take my cock?” His voice is muffled, and you just barely make out what he says.

You clench around his finger, and he laughs, the vibrations sending a new sensation across your clit. “Y’like thinkin’ about my cock, hmm?”

“Yeah, want you in me,” you beg, lifting your hips up. He grips onto your hips tightly, keeping you in place.

“Can feel yeh gettin’ ready for me, darlin’. Think you can take another one?” You nod, and Harry gently places kitten licks on your swollen clit while he slowly pushes his middle finger into you. You feel full in a way you haven’t felt in such a long time, and he only had two fingers in you. Once he pumps his fingers in and out of you a few times, he goes back to harshly sucking on his clit, moaning every so often so you can feel the vibrations against your cunt.

“Fuck,” you’re moaning loudly, and you pray Harry’s neighbors don’t hear you, knowing how thin apartment walls were.

“So fuckin’ wet for me, doll,” he mutters, adding another finger inside you. The burn feels amazing, and you place your hand on his wrist, urging him to go faster. “Gonna cum in my mouth, hmm? Gonna let me feel ya around m’ fingers?”

“Yes, please, Harry,” you feel yourself nearly there, your orgasm threatening to overtake you at any moment. 

“Give it to me then, Y/N. Cum for me,” he demands. As soon as he says those three words, you’re done for, your body going tense as waves of pleasure roll throughout your body. He doesn’t remove his digits from the your cunt until you’re coming down from your high, placing a kiss to your clit. He laughs as you shudder at the overstimulation. Harry places his three fingers that were just inside of you and his mouth and sucks on them, not once breaking eye contact with you. 

“That was really good,” you tell him, crawling on your knees towards him to place a kiss on the underside of his jaw—Harry’s beaming, a triumphant look on his face.

“Not yet. Gotta make y’ cum one more time. I’m a gentleman, after all.” You know he’s messing with you but also serious, so you lean back on the couch, opening your legs once again.

“Are you gonna take off your clothes too? Why am I the only one that’s naked?” Harry laughs, and you hear the clanking of his belt as he undoes it. 

“You’re impatient, aren’t ya?” you nod, and he pulls down his tenting khakis and tight boxers. His cock springs up, slightly touching his stomach, and he hisses at the feeling. “Hold on a sec.” He gets up quickly, and you hear him hurry to what you assume in the bathroom, rummaging around. He comes back a minute later with a box of condoms, making you laugh.

“Is that a new box of condoms? Have you been holding onto those all week, Mr. Styles?” Harry rolls his eyes and opens the box, ripping open a condom expertly with his teeth.

“Weren’t you just the one beggin’ for me, pet? I’d watch it if I were you,” he jokes, rolling the condom onto his hard length. He leans down to place wet, opened mouth kisses to your breasts. “So beautiful.”

“Are you gonna take off your shirt?” you ask quietly. “I kinda wanna see all your tattoos.” Harry raises an eyebrow at you but unbuttons his shirt nevertheless, throwing it into the mess of clothes scattered around the living room. You reach your hand up, shakily tracing the swallows on his chest, moving down to the butterfly across his stomach and finally to the ferns on his abdomen. Harry’s staring down at you, watching as you delicately touch his skin. “You have so many.” you finally say. He nods.

“Yeah. Some of them I just got for the hell of it. Felt like after I got that first tattoo, it was hard to stop.” He caresses the skin on your thighs, and you shudder again. “Gonna let me get inside that pretty lil’ cunt now?”

“Please.”

Harry aligns himself with your entrance and slowly pushes into you, sharply inhaling as you clench around his length. “Relax, Y/N.’ve got ya,” he tells you reassuringly. “Can’t get inside ya if you’re all tense like tha’.” You can tell Harry’s trying his hardest not to absolutely wreck you, the vein in his forehead very prominent from clenching his jaw so tightly. You grip tightly onto his bicep, biting your lip as you adjust to his size. You were so wet and indescribably turned on that you felt every vein his thick cock had to offer, and you knew you wouldn’t last long once he started moving. By the looks of it, Harry wouldn’t either.

“You can move,” you tell him, squeezing your eyes shut. Harry slowly pulls out of you and then ever so gently sinks back inside you, bottoming out. He lets out a breathy moan, moving one of his hands up to tweak your nipples. “Harder, Harry, fuck.” 

He immediately pulls out of you and slams back inside, the sounds of his balls slapping against your ass echoing in the room. You scream in pleasure, no longer caring if his neighbors hear what you two were doing. 

“Like tha’?” He asks cheekily, working up a steady rhythm. You nod, gripping your boobs to keep them from bouncing. Harry shakes his head, forcefully removing your hands. “Nope, none of that. Wanna see ’em.” He takes both of your hands in one of his, pinning them up over your head. His other hand reaches in between your bodies to rub at your clit, and before you have time to warn him, you’re cumming again, squirting all over his cock. 

Harry throws his head back in pleasure, his thrusts getting sloppy and frantic, and you know he’s seconds away from his own orgasm. You spur him on, telling him how badly you wanted him to come inside of you (even though he was wearing a condom). He stills moments later, shaking above you as he holds himself up with an arm, not wanting to collapse on top of you.

“Fuckin’ hell, Y/N. Why did we wait a whole week to do this again?”

[ykwrites]

hello i love your works <3 could you do some time type of scenario where tsukishima’s s/o is very family/home oriented. like they take care of their siblings or work after school to support their family. and how tsukishma supports them or how he reacts to finding out. ooo maybe like angst moment where they have to quit their club or something they like/love to support their family. i’m sorry if that’s confusing, i hope you understand me. <3

Hi! Thank you so much :) You explained yourself perfectly so dw.

I´ll do my best and I hope you like it !!

Pairing: Tsukishima Kei x reader

Warnings: None.

Rating: SFW

Requests: OPEN.

Tsukishima watched his girlfriend from the other side of the court, she was sitting on the bleachers and seeme to doze off from time to time.

He got a bit worried, this wasn´t the enthusiastic Y/n that cheered for him during practice. She looked tired, eyebags showing and hair up in a messy bun.

She only reacted when the ball hit Tsukishima´s face so hard he fell back. Y/n quickly ran up to him, checking if he was okay.

''Kei! You shouldn´t be so distracted, you can get hurt''she nagged, rubbing the side of his head carefully.

''I´m okay''

''I don´t know, man''Daichi spoke''You should rest for today''

Tsukishima didn´t even argue, knowing that his captain was impossible to convince when he decided on something.

You both got out of the gym together, walking towards your house in silence. He always took you home, and today you couldn´t help but look at him, wondering if his head hurt.

Before you could speak, you let out a tired yawn and Tsukishima turned to look at you.

''I´m sorry''you apologized.

''What is going on with you?''

The question sounded more agressive than it needed to, It wasn´t his intention.

You pulled youself back, not knowing if he should know why you were so tired.

''I didn´t mean to sound so rude''

''Don´t worry''

''That´s impossible, you´ve been falling asleep at school and now you look too tired to even walk''

''I don´t sleep very well lately''it was a lie, you didn´t sleep much but it was enough.

What made you so tired was something Tsukishima didn´t know, your relationship was fairly new when your dad lost his job, so you started working long hours to help at home. A few weeks passed and your dad started working again, only he wasn´t paid much at all.

You knew it must´ve felt weird for your boyfriend to see you change, at first you went to all his matches and practices, and hung out with him all the time. However, now you focused on your family more than anything, bills needed to be paid, your mom couldn´t work and you tried hard to maintain school, work and having a boyfriend at the same time.

Tsukishima was smart, he probably noticed you skipping school some days and suddenly being too busy, at first you said you were studying, but then he offered to help and you refused.

''This has been going on for a long time''as you thought, he noticed.

You didn´t know what to say, your body was tired, you felt sad because he was being neglected in a way.

''I...please stop walking''he held your arm so you did.

Sometimes you thought about telling him what was going on, but he didn´t want him to worry or worse, leave you because he may think he is not important to you.

''Talk to me''he put a hand on your shoulder, stroking with his thumb in a comforting way.

''Don´t worry''again, you shrugged it off.

''Okay, I know I´m terrible expressing how I feel, but it breaks my heart to see you like this, I didn´t ask before because I din´t want to push you to tell me anything you don´t want''

''Sorry''tears pooled in your eyes, trying not to look at his face.

''Y/n, don´t cry''he suddenly hugged you tight''I am here for you''

His words hit you like a ton of bricks and now you were really crying, letting yourself be vulnerable with him.

''My dad got fired from his old job, the new one is shit and I´ve been working full time to help my family pay bills, I am tired all the time, I thought about leaving school more than once''you explained in between sobs.

''I´m sorry''Tsukishima caressed your back''You should´ve told me, I can try and help, I´ll help''

''No, please don´t, this is my problem''

''Don´t say that'' he let go of you and made you look up at him with his hands on your cheeks, his eyes were watery''It´s our problem from now on, you are dealing with so much pressure and I won´t let you stop going to school, you´ve always dreamed of getting in a good uni''

''There´s no way I´ll let you give me money''

''I won´t if you don´t want to, but I can help with your schoolwork and get meals ready for you, you can even bring your laundry and I´ll do it, whatever small thing you can think of''

''I don´t know...''

''Whatever takes some wheight off your chest, I´ll do it''

''That´s not a 50-50 relationship, Kei''

''A good relationship for me is showing love for one another, you showed me love by still supporting my hobby and I will show you mine however I can''

For the first time in a while, you smile, feeling so lucky to have him.

''Do you work today?''he asked, smiling too.

''No, it´s my day off''

''Let´s go to my house, I will cook you something and then we can sleep and be lazy the whole day''

''Oh god, I love you''

''I love you too''

Tsukishima left a short kiss on your lips and linked your hands together before walking to his house.

[annaofthenorthernlights]

All you need is love... actually

Fanfiction Frozen modern AU, Disney crossover (my first go)

Pairing: Kristoff/Anna (main), Sven/Honeymaren, Mathias/Halima, Ryder/Merida

Rated M (for some nudity)

I owe nothing but my headcanon - which is loosely based on the Christmas movie "Love actually"...

Hope you have fun!

Find the fic on AO3

Chapter 15 / 28

Twisted

Note: Don't mind my weird mind...

------

„I know this is a bit tricky, but I´d really appreciate if we could try that out.”

The young people stared at David while he explained the next task, after all it was just their job...

“I am supposed to do what?” Kristoff glared confused and Anna put a reassuring hand to his wrist.

“Seriously, you must say so if this is out of question to you!”

He looked at her with a clearly heated face… “but, what about you?”

But Anna shrugged her shoulders and twisted her face into a shrewd grin.

“Alright folks let´s get ready.”

David did not wait to listen to any further questions. The request was clear, it was their job, and nobody cared the slightest if they felt stupid about it…

“It´s not about me, Anna, I can hold you like that, but it´s you I am concerned about. You´ll be upside down, and that´s not healthy.”

Anna giggled and bit her lips.

“If that´s your only worry, I can reassure you that I am fully capable of doing that. I´ve been in gymnastic class long enough to hang like a bat from the ceiling. That´s my least worry…” Then she leaned closer and whispered with questioning eyes.

“Don´t you mind I get so close to you…. I mean…. You know. Up until now we were at least several inches off.”

Kristoff noticed everybody waiting for them, so he motioned Anna to get ready for his grab and while he lifted her up onto his hips, he shrugged and grimaced, “you don´t bite, do you?”

“No, silly!” she giggled now, let go of his arms and then Kristoff flipped her upside down.

Okay, this was awkward… but she felt so safe with those big strong arms holding her firmly and she admittingly admired clinging to those bold thigh muscles and engulfing her fingers around those quadriceps… oh, oh… she could feel his breath on her buttocks… that was nerve racking because it was just so... new territory… Okay, she better kept her eyes closed and her head still, she was too close to his… oh my word… what if she hit him… what if he also felt her breath on him…..?

“You´ve got a birth mark!” Kristoff called out softly with a warm and soft chuckle.

“I have what?” Anna exclaimed shocked, turned her head, and tried to make out her surroundings when her hair fell all over her face.

“Hush, I tell you later.”

“Come, on, this is not a circus number. Kristoff! You just remain that way. Oh, and Anna, could you bob your head only a little. No, it won´t do, your hair is in the way. Samantha! Give the girl a hand and wrap her hair together, we need to see some face skin. Kristoff, you okay there?”

“Yeah, don´t mind me. Hey Anna, you´re okay down there?”

Samantha had started wrapping Anna´s hair into a pony and was about to pin it into a hasty bun when Anna burst into a fit of laughter. How ludicrous was that moment and she couldn´t help wondering what Elsa would say if she´d see her like that? She could not stop; her body shook with her attempt to suppress her outburst and Kristoff got troubled keeping a hold of her when she almost slipped through his hands. To prevent her from falling on her head, he reached to get a firmer hold, pulled her up at her waist which caused her body to jolt more upward and startled by the sudden clasp, Anna contracted her legs into a firmer position around his neck and nearly strangled the poor man.

“Anna, let go, I can´t breathe!”

“Oopsie, sorry! You must loosen your grip as well, otherwise you have me suffocate, too!” She giggled hysterically, and Kristoff groaned upon the quest of holding the laugh stricken girl.

“Alright, what´s that fuss? I see, it´s too complicated, but we´re almost done. Patrick, you got the angular right? Numbers saved? What? Another go? Okay, short break! But we need you guys again like this.”

Kristoff didn´t know how to lower Anna, so he simply flipped her around back up again and Anna squeaked caught off guard by the sudden twisting jolt. Kristoff put her down on her feet and then noticed her red face. Was it red because of the blood rush, or because this had been more than weird….?

“Are you alright? You´re all flushed.” He asked genuinely concerned.

“Oh, yes. But you look rather heated, too. Sorry, about the squeeze though, I was so startled.”

He shrugged apologetically in return.

Samantha came around with their robes and asked if they´d like anything for the break. She was such a sweetheart and taking care so lovingly. They both liked her very much.

“What was that about a birth mark?” Anna whispered intrigued, narrowing her eyebrows, and crooking her head.

Kristoff cleared his throat, his eyes flickering and blinking obviously abashed with that tricky memory. He pressed his lips together and shrugged contritely once more.

“Well… yes… there is… uhm… a little… you know…. birth mark…”

“Where???”

“Uhm… there….” And he nodded towards her lower body parts.

“Come on, be a bit specific. You had me upside down and full view on my rear.” Anna slammed her hands into her hips.

“Uhm…” he scratched the back of his neck, “yeah, there. Like, you know, sticking out from between your… “

“Buttocks?!” Anna exclaimed a bit too loud, and this made some turn their heads to them.

“Uhm… yes.” Kristoff grimaced ruefully, and Anna blushed, her eyes widened, and she quickly turned to grab the mug of coffee that Sam was just bringing around for them.

“That´s so embarrassing. I didn´t know that…”

“Oh, don´t worry…. It looks rather cute though, you know.” Kristoff chuckled nervously and nipped at his coffee, too.

“So, you inspected pretty nicely despite that little time?” Anna now grinned and pursed her lips. “Any other discovery?”

Now it was on Kristoff to turn fiery red.

“NO!”

Anna woke with a start and abruptly jerked upright in her bed…

******

Goodness… what was that? Oh… only a dream… oh, shit, but what a twisted one…

She crawled out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom to relieve herself. She yawned and rubbed her face with two palms. This had felt so real, troublingly real, and now she felt confused. If only they will never be asked to do such a scene…

And then… a tricky question was buzzing around in her head, and when she got up, Anna switched on the bright light and squirmed her eyes shut for a moment. But she needed to know, and therefore rummaged through the counter drawers in search for the little cosmetic mirror.

She swung one foot onto the counter and held the handy mirror between her thighs but could not find any evidence of a birth mark. She twisted and turned the mirror to get a view from different angles, but could not detect anything of the sort.

Anna could not really tell why it would bother her, but for some reason she felt slightly disappointed. She shook her head, switched off the light and with a sigh went back to bed.

It was no big deal, really… it was simply silly… and most of all, never ever must she tell Kristoff about that obscene dream….

_____________________

The next day, Anna woke late and hurried out of the house, leaving behind a baffled Elsa, when she grabbed her pretzel to gulp it down on her way to work.

She made it just in time and ran upstairs the winding stairs in the mansion and turning the corner when Kristoff came out of the chambers to look for her.

Completely out of breath, Anna stood on the landing, bracing the banister to catch some air and waved a dismissive hand when her companion bent down with a grin to inquire after her wellbeing. It was not the first time that Anna was tight in time, but she looked so cute when trying to appear all fit but then could hardly speak.

His grin disappeared rapidly when Anna straightened, put a hand to his arm and glared at him with big eyes.

“You would not believe what I dreamed last night!”

They were about to get ready, had been instructed on the first shooting session and Anna laid ready on the bed while Kristoff adjusted his kneeling position before her until David was content, and Patrick gave the clear that this was the right angle to start.

******

“Okay then, let´s start everybody!” David called out and the bustling began.

Anna swung up her legs and Kristoff placed her ankles on his shoulder, crooking his head and bending slightly closer to her, finally able to be going back to chatting casually during their pretended moves.

He was too curious, and after all, she had started it by intrusting him this bizarre scenario…

“So, do you?” he whispered with an amused smirk.

Anna tilted her head, “what?”

“Have a birth mark?”

[xu-ren]

A Kinder End

Genre: Fluff and angst

Pairings: Diarmuid (Fate/Zero) x reader

Wordcount: 2000+

My requests and askbox are open, so pretty please don't be shy.

Masterpost

*~*~*

“Lancer, prepare yourself! I can’t hold this spell for long.” Lancer readied himself at [Name]’s words. “God of the North wind, Boreas, God of the East wind, Eurus, God of the South wind, Notus, God of the East wind, Zephyus, Your faithful servant besieged you to lend get your strength so that she may vanquish her mighty foe!”

The wind tore her hair away from her usual bun, letting it whip freely around her. Had it been any other time, Lancer would have appreciated the sight of her unbound black tress. As it was, the wind she summoned started to clear a path to Caster. Lancer tensed up as her wind went closer and closer to Caster. ‘Come on…Just a bit more…’ Just as Lancer caught a glimpse of Caster, her spell failed and she collapsed.

“My lady…!” Luckily, he managed to catch her just before she hit the ground and lowered her down gently. Saber and Rider, who had stopped their assault on Caster when [Name] started her spell, prepared to resume their assault on Caster. Rider offered to buy them time to think of another plan to defeat Caster as [Name]’s plan had failed. Lancer didn’t hesitate to break Gáe Buidhe so that Saber could defeat Caster. His number one priority was to get [Name] to safety now that she was unconscious and vulnerable. However, he had to ensure that Caster was defeated first so he stood at the water’s edge cradling [Name] carefully as he watched Saber defeat Caster.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lancer laid [Name] down as gently as possible at an abandoned building. It was unfortunately the best place that he could find for now.

“Lan…cer?”

“My lady!” *Her eyes narrowed for a brief moment before they relaxed again. It was a testament to her weariness that she didn’t even bother to correct him.

“Where are we?” “An abandoned building, my lady. I apologise, it was the best…” Lancer trailed off as [Name] raised a hand to silence him. They both kept silent as [Name]’s eyes darted around, absorbing every minute detail of their surroundings.

“Diarmuid, where’s Gáe Buidhe?”

“I…broke it so that Saber could defeat Caster. I apolo…” This time, [Name] pushed herself up and placed a finger upon Lender’s lips to silence him. They stayed as they were for what seemed to be an eternity until [Name] collapsed upon Lancer’s chest. What meagre strength she had accumulated from her brief rest had been spent.

“You are apologising a lot today, aren’t you, Diarmuid?” asked [Name], her tone mildly scolding.

“I apolo-“

“You are doing it again, Diarmuid. You have no reason to apologise to me, after all, you merely did what you thought was best at that moment. Besides, we are a team, not master and servant.”

By the end of her short speech, her voice was scarcely a whisper. If not for their proximity, he would have never heard it.

“My lady…”

Suddenly, Lancer tensed up and he tightened his hold on [Name].

“Diarmuid?”

“Someone’s here.”

“Go, Diarmuid.”

“My lady…”

“Go on, I await your return.”

“Yes, my lady.”

He hated to leave [Name] alone, especially when she was so vulnerable but he couldn’t disobey her either.He wasn’t very surprised when it was Saber who met him in the courtyard of the abandoned building. At the very least, they would finally be able to finish their battle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

She watched from her spot as the two servants fought it out. Such honourable warriors, there were no one more deserving of the title ‘Heroic Spirits. She was glad to have met them despite her reluctance to enter this war in the first place.

Suddenly, a shadow was casted upon her and she looked up to see Kiritsugu pointing a gun at her. 

“Mr. Kiritsugu, how…expected,” she whispered quietly as her lips formed a small, wry smile. 

He put his finger to his lips in the universal gesture of silence. She cocked her head to the side. In response, Kiritsugu hands her a scroll.

‘A Self-Geas Scroll. A magical item used by Magi to form an unbreakable contract. Binding spell… Affected Party: Emiya Kiritsugu. The Emiya family crest orders the following. The pledge is to be observed by the affected party upon fulfilment of the conditions described herein. Pledge: Kiritsugu, son of Norikata and the fifth descendant of the House of Emiya, will be forever forbidden from harming or intending to harm, [Name] [Middle Name] [Last Name]. Condition…’

 After reading the scroll, she looked at Kiritsugu searchingly. She gathered the magick stored at the amulet around her neck before speaking into his mind. To his credit, he didn’t even flinch. In fact, the only outwardly respond he showed was the slight widening of his eyes.

‘I won’t do it.’

Kiritsugu responded by pulling the safety of his gun.

‘After all, it doesn’t matter, does it? You are going to kill me either way. A master without a servant can form a pact with another servant and you can ill afford that.’

For a moment, she thought that she saw a shadow of surprise pass through Kiritsugu’s face.

‘Kill me, Emiya Kiritsugu. Let me be but another life you sacrificed in your quest to save the world. However, will you listen to this girl’s final wish?’

He lowered his gun slightly and she took it as her cue to continue.

‘Ensure that my death isn’t instant.’

This time, she definitely saw the surprise on his face. She smirked. It was a highly unusual wish as most people hoped for the opposite.

‘I wish to say farewell to Lancer.’

He nodded and shot her in the aorta, ensuring that it gazed the aorta so that she would bleed out in 5 minutes.

‘Thank you.’

The gunshot rang across the abandoned building.

Lancer’s head whipped towards the direction where the gunshot came from so fast that he gave himself whip splash. He immediately abandoned his stalemate with Saber when he saw that the gunshot came from where he had left [Name].

“My lady!” 

He raced towards her, hoping against hope that she wasn’t shot. His heart had never been filled with such rage as when he saw her bleeding from where he left her with Emiya Kiritsugu standing over her holding a gun. He readied his lance to slay the miscreant who dared to harm his lady.

“Diarmuid!”

Her voice was authoritative and they had been together long enough to know that she wanted him to stand down. He tore his gaze from where he was glaring at Kiritsugu to look at her. He barely registered the shocked gasps of Saber behind him.

Her right hand on her chest was stained with blood while she used her left hand to gesture for him to come to her side. He approached her while keeping Kiritsugu in his line of sight. As he got closer, Kiritsugu backed away to give them some privacy.

He dropped down on his knees next to her as she smiled at him. Her face was paler than he had ever seen and that only makes the blood on her lips stand out even more starkly. He held her gently and lowered her carefully to not aggravate her wound so that her head rested on his knees in hopes of making her more comfortable.

***His clothes changed to the daily wear that [Name] had bought for him and he made to tear it apart to make some makeshift bandages.

“Lea…ve it.”

“My lady…”

“Leave. It.” 

“My lady, I can see the blood on your clothes.”

She opened her mouth to answer him but more blood merely dribbled out of the corner of her mouth. Instead, she spoke into his mind.

*‘Is that so? I will find even darker clothes next time then.’

She tilted her head to the scroll resting innocently at her side so he picked it up and read it. His eyes widened with understanding as he read it.

“My lady! You should have let me die.”

 ‘Do I seem like such a heartless person to you, Diarmuid? I would never even think of sacrificing another’s life for mine.’

“I don’t mean to insult you, my lady, but I have already died once.”

‘It doesn’t matter. Kiritsugu had no intentions of allowing me to live either way.’

“But…”

“My servant. By her Command Seal, [Name] [Middle Name] [Last Name] orders you, Lancer, to not take revenge upon…” she coughed, causing blood to bubble out of her mouth. “Emiya Kiritsugu or anyone else that you hold responsible for her death.”

“My lady!”

“By my Command Seal, I order you to return to the spirit world upon my death. And by my Command Seal, I order you to not form a pact with another master for the duration of the 4th Holy Grail War.”

More blood spilt from mouth and her face was bone white.

“My lady! How can you possibly expect me to do such things?”

‘You will do it, either because I commanded you or as a deathbed promise to me. And no more of that my lady nonsense, I have used up all three Command Seals and therefore am no longer your master. Call me [Name] at least once before I go, please?’

“My…[Name].”

A wide, genuine smile spread across her face and suddenly, she looked as if she was full of life despite the blood seeping out of her. Using the last of her strength, she spoke into the minds of Diarmuid and Kiritsugu respectively.

‘Don’t despair. Let’s meet again in another life, Diarmuid.’

‘The ends don’t justify the means, Emiya Kiritsugu.’

Lancer’s heart clenched as she raised her right hand to stroke his face, her eyes memorizing every feature of his face hungrily before her hand fell and her eyes closed for all eternity.

“[Name]…! [Name]…! Please…come back…!”

He rocked back and forth while holding her tightly to him, his lithe body wracked with sobs. He brushed her hair from her face and the memory of brilliant smile she had gifted him with when he called her by name only made him sob harder. If he knew how happy it would have made her, he would have called her by name more often, propriety be damned. If only he had disobeyed her and stayed with her, she would still be alive.

How could life be this cruel? She was a powerful magus with a bright future ahead of her and suddenly, it was gone. She was no more than another life lost during the Holy Grail War. 

How desperately he wanted to take revenge for her death and yet her words bound her. He couldn’t bear to disappoint her, even in death.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

*

“My lady, why are all your clothes black?” Diarmuid was curious, never had he seen a woman who wore nothing but black.

“Black is my favourite colour. Besides, doesn’t it look good on me?” she asked as she gave a little twirl.

Black did look good on her. It emphasised the paleness of her skin and made her eyes look bigger. Her lips, painted black as well stood out starkly against her pale skin. It also made her look slender and intimidating despite her diminutive height.

“Finally, you can’t really see blood on me if I’m wearing black, right?”

“My lady!”

“Kidding… Don’t be so uptight, Diarmuid,” said [Name] while giggling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

**

“Diarmuid.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Stop calling me ‘my lady’. I have already said it many times but we are a team and therefore equals. Call me [Name].”

“I’m afraid that I can’t do so, my lady. It would be highly improper to call you by your name.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*

***

“Diarmuid, do you have nothing else to wear?”

“I’m afraid that this is my only outfit, my lady.”

“Well, you certainly can’t go out like that. Let’s go shopping.”

“My lady, there’s …there’s no need to trouble yourself!”

“It’s no trouble at all. Besides, I have been wanting to explore the shops here anyways. How about this? You be my bag carrier for the day and I buy you an outfit as a thank you present?”

“Al…Alright, my lady.”

(Time skip)

“So, so? What do you think?”

“You have good taste, my lady.”

“Of course.”

Lancer couldn’t help but admire his outfit that consist of a dark green shirt, black pants and black shoes paired with a black vest in the mirror. 

“As a bonus, we match too,” said [Name] as she gave a twirl in her black dress with dark green embellishments.

[housamo-side-blog-2]

Sick Day

{Harumo’s room}

The Sun rises to the world of Tokyo,dark areas illuminated, the greens and living beings, everyone in the world of the unknown,And speaking of unknown, in one of the dorms rooms of Shinjuku Academy lies a young chubby boy with hundreds of simps [literally] lay dormant in his room resting from all the fighting and all nighters they do because everyday is a new huge event for him, The curtains sway lightly as the wind  passes through,the room begins to bring color as the rising run brings joy to some individuals, There the chubby hero name Harumo covered in blankets still asleep even though he was about to be late for his classes starting right........now..

Lil Salomon: Wakey-wakey master its time to get up, You’re going to be late for school again.....Master?

Your forevor close buddy familiar attempts to wake you up,however you appear  unresponsive to his pleas. But something about your silence begins to worry him.

Lil Salomon: Master!,Master!,Wake up!

Attempting to wake you up again in a panic state,circling around your blankets shaking any area to atleast make you twitch,however it doesn’t work.. This only made your butler more worried,because of the fact he can’t be seen by other people and only you can see him, he cannot go to your classmates for aid as well as his father Mr Mononobe whom can see Salomon if he has the ring,that is now in your right ring finger.

[KNOCKING OF A DOOR]

Lil Salomon:  Who could that be?!

Shiro: Harumo?,are you up!, You’re gonna be late again for class.

Lil Salomon: What Luck!... Master!, you’re friends are here to see you,Master please wake up.

He tries to wake you up again,

Lil Salomon: Ma-Master?, {Touches forehead}...ow! Oh my goodness!, Master you’re burning up! 

Harumo.....*soft groan*....

{Thud}

Ryota: Did you guys hear that?

Shiro: Yes, i did,Harumo what was that noise?

Kengo:Step aside you two.

Ryota: Kengo?, what are you doing?

Kengo: Im gonna punch that cute ass of his if he doesn’t wake up.

Shiro:Absolutely not Kengo!, You’re going to break school property!.

Lil Salomon: How am i going to tell them,,,Uhmm......Oooohhhhhh thats it!HOLD ON MASTER!

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Ryota: Wahhh!,,what the?,, 

A  piece of paper mysteriously appeared on Ryota’s shoe..

 Ryota: HELP?!

Shiro: What the?...HARUMO!,,{KNOCKING}

Shiro: Kengo break the door!

Kengo: RARRRGGHHH!

With no hesitation Kengo easily breaks the door down with his mighty kick as strong as horse’s gallop.A loud bang with a surprise for the trio waiting for them as they found themselves shocked to enter your room with you on the floor,

Ryota: Harumo!, 

Kengo:Partner what happen?!

Shiro touches your forehead.

Shiro:{Gasp} Harumo,you’re burning up! 

Ryota: Shiro, we have to bring them to the clinic 

Shiro: Kengo grab Harumo and bring them to Shennong’s clinic,Hurry!

Kengo: Right! Hold on partner! will get you to Shennong! so hang in there!

Kengo lifts you up with both hands carrying you as Kengo looks at you with a serious yet scared face followed by Shiro,whom is both running with him as he checks on your body along with Ryota, who is seen almost on the verge of tears as he looks upon his friend while hearing the soft groans as a slight displacement is enough to hurt them...

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                                                                                                                                                          HARUMO SICK DAY

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{Kabukicho} 

In a old abandoned building in Kabukicho, a lone transient is seen sleeping on the couch, with his usual expression, though in some moments it changes to a happy one, where he could be seen smiling. i wonder what they’re dreaming about?

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{Shino”s Dream} 

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In a calm peaceful forest in Shino”s homeworld, Lays a medium sized hut with a  large window next to the entrance with a small workshop underneath it. There the chimney is seen being lit as puffs of smoke exits from it,indicating that someone is cooking...Waiking slowly to the door the gray fured therian sees.. 

Shino: Beloved,,, i have returned... 

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Harumo: Hello Shino, Welcome back! 

Shino: Yes, my dear. that smells nice,

Harumo: Well, thats because im cooking your favorite today, 

Shino:  i see, be careful with cutting with a knife dear. 

Harumo: Don’t worry, dear, im always careful. 

Shino: i should aid you in cutting the meat.

Harumo: All right, you big fluffy worry wart, 

Shino: Tha-,,i already told you, to please stop calling me that!. 

Harumo: But its cute, and you really are fluffy and big. 

Shino:{Blushes}

Harumo: Im going to pick some vegtables from the back. 

Shino: Ok dear..

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*COUGHING* 

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Shino: Harumo?.... 

His ears twitch as he went to see his dear coughing and it appears They’re trying to cover it. 

Shino: Harumo...are you ill?..

Harumo:*coughing small amounts of blood*...

Shino:.you’re not well!, you medical assistance! 

Harumo:*coughing....

Shino steps in to catch you from falling as your knees begin to gave out,,as soon as he lifts you up in his arms like a knight carrying they’re princess,

But as soon,as Shino turns back...

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Shino: {Gasp}..... NO!!!....

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{PIERCING SOUND}

An unexpected arrow,was fired as Shino’s back....

Shino: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Hunter:i’’ve found him!....

Other Hunter:There he is!,, Fire! 

Shino: Harumo!...Hold on!

Harumo:Ahhh!,,

Shino: I won’t let them harm you my beloved! 

Hunter: Fire at him! 

{Piercing sound} 

Shino: Thaaaa! 

Even with arrows sticking out of his back, Shino takes a stance in fury and readys his sword,with his paw clutched,Shino could never forgive the ones that try to harm his dearly beloved.

Other Hunter: He’s gettin ready to attack,,defend yourself! 

Shino: I WILL TEARS OFF YOUR HEADS! ..

Harumo:*Coughing*

Hunter:His coming! 

Running furiously,sword in hand and paw ready to grab the head,  Shino,,full on runs towards the two hunters in rabid speeds even though he was hit with two arrows on his back,but it seems to have no effect on him as he was about near the hunter who shot the first arrow...

Shino: YOUR HEAD!

Hunter: aHHHH!

Harumo: SHINOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Shino: Huh,,,Harumo....

Just moments away from pulling his neck, Shino heard the cries of his beloved and stopped him from taking his life,,,however hunters,,,give no mercy to their prey.....

Shino: You dispicable!

Harumo:...*coughing

With his sharp animal senses, and even more high alert, Shino spots the hunter about to stab him,. 

Harumo: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! 

Shino:I DON’T THINK SO!

Other hunter: No! {Fires an arrow}

 Shino dodges the incoming arrow,with the unconcious hunter out of commisioned,the now calm Shino hurrys back and sweeps up and hunt continues on..

Harumo:*coughing*....

Shino: Just hold on a little longer, and we’ll be there. 

Harumo: T-thank you Shino,,,,for sparing his life..

Shino:.....

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Shino: Look, we’re nearly out,,just hold on a--

{Pierce}  

Harumo: Ahhh!!! 

Shino: Harumoooo!!!!

While near the exit of the forest,a lone hunter is seen in a firing postion,as though they have been waiting for a while and shotted an arrow hitting Harumo in they’re right side....

Shino: Harumo....Harumo!!...YOU!!!!!

As the blood of his beloved’s body spreads, 

Harumo: Ahhhhhh!!!,,,,,*Coughs blood. 

Shino tries to take down the lone hunter,,but alas,,,the hunter had shot an arrow in Shino’s chest piercing his heart...as they fall,,and slowly close they’re eyes,,,The image of his beloved covered in blood on the ground as Shino can only see the life of his beloved eye’s slowly fade away....

{WAKES UP} 

Shino: Thaaa!!!----*gasping* *sweating*....

Shino: *Gasping* I..its...its just a dream...*gasping*  

Shino:My lord.....

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{Clinic} 

Rushed to the medical clinic of Shinjuku Academy The Summoners watch in worried as they see in bed while Shennong examines your body and coming up with a diagnostic. 

Shiro: How is Harumo? Shennong..

Shennong:Its all right now,,,Harumo just got a really high fever. 

Shiro: {Gasp}

Ryota: Harumo....

Shennong: I’d say 2 days of bed rest,and Harumo will be better.,   

Shiro: Understood Shennong.  

Harumo: *soft groan* ahh...

Kengo:  partner...just relax now..

Shennong: I called Mr Mononobe, to inform him about Harumo, he should arriving soon ..oh......speak of the devil. 

{Door opens}

Mr Mononobe: Oh, so this is were you three were.  

Mr Mononobe: How’s Harumo? 

Shennong: Harumo is in bed, They just got a high fever, but he’l be fine.They just need a lot of rest.

Mr Mononobe: I see, Thank you for your work Shennong,and to you to also Shiro,Kengo and Ryota, 

Shiro: We’re just glad Harumo is going to be okay. 

Mr Mononobe: I’ll inform the other teachers about Harumo and tell them why you three are late.. 

Shiro: Understood,Thank you Mr Mononobe..

Mr Mononobe: No problem, Now you three better go to class all right. 

Kengo: Im staying to take care of Harumo!

Mr Mononobe: Now,now Takabushi, i understand that you’re worried, but Shennong can keep an eye on Harumo,, 

Shiro: Kengo we can’t do that!, 

Ryota: Im worried also for Harumo,and i want to take care of them... 

Shiro: Kengo,Ryota lets go now!

Kengo:rgghhhh!,, fine,,.....I’’ll be back for you partner!.

Ryota: Harumo..i promise im going to take care of you! 

Shennong: See you all as well, I’ll  watch over Harumo.

Shiro: Thank you Shennong. 

Shiro: ....I’ll be back to take care of you!

Kengo: Hey you’re stealing my lines!

Mr Mononobe:all right now, run along kids. 

{Door close} 

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 {Nakano Shopping Mall} 

In the mall.... 

Customer: Can i have 10 rainbow buns please! 

Customer: I’ll take 14 rainbow buns to go and can i have a soda! 

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Here in the Nakano Shopping Mall is where a very popular bun is being sold,not only for its deliciousness,but for the wide varieties of colors that represent that each a different kind of flavor, and as you can tell, from its name,the buns come into all different colors hence earning its name Rainbow Buns. sold by the shop being managed by the father of a young pink-haired chubby boy.

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Ebisu: Coming up 10 buns of Special Rainbow buns!

Employee: Hey Ebsu, where’s num#4′s order?! 

Ebisu: Oh, Coming!,

Normally its not as busy in the shop, but strangely,people have been coming in to taste and witness the popular Rainbow Buns thats been getting famous in Nakano..And hopefully Ebisu doesn’t get tired....

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2 hours later.... 

All orders that have been piling up, has now begin to disappear one by one as the customers each take of what they have ordered, feeling thirsty and tired,Ebisu goes to the terrace of the mall where it faces the calm sea...

Ebisu: Phew.......{sips tea}

Resting calmy  on a bench, he stares blankly at the tranquil sea, as it reflects the rays of the sun,and the many fishing boats moving rapidly to their fishing spots. 

Ebisu: Its so beautiful....*sigh*

Sitting on the bench,reminded him of the person who sat next to him, in comfort, 

Ebisu:......

{Memory}

Harumo: Can i sit here? 

Ebisu: .....

{End of Memory} 

He stares at his tea while remembering that said person.

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Ebisu: I wonder how Harumo is doing?...Hmm..

{Remembers Harumo sweet moments}

{Heartbeat} 

Ebisu: w..Did, my heart,,,just beat skipped a beat?.. and why is it when im remembering Harumo? 

Ebisu:.....w-w-.why do i want to see Harumo again?!, do i like them?Well offcourse i like them!, but whats this feeling that,,,that my heart is about to explode!.....Ahhhh!,..

 He scratch his head in confusion.

.Ebisu: Thaaaa,,,,C’mon Ebisu,,Do you really like Harumo as a friend or as a lover!

Employee: Hey Ebisu!,Breaks over! lets get back to work! 

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Ebisu:Thaaaa!!!,,,,, Oh,,,sorry sir!,,, 

 Employee: Get a move on, those rainbow buns aren’t gonna cook themselves!

.Ebisu: We actually bake them sir.

.Employee: Oh.,,,also, what were you shouting back there?,  

.Ebisu: What?, you heard?,, its,,,nothing,, nothing sir,, 

Employee: ......Then i why were you shouting lover then?!

Ebisu: You heard that?!,, ohhhhhh,,,,

Ebisu covers his face out of embarassment as you can tell from the tomato colored face he’s doing,, the employee, looks at him sharply into his eyes as if he wanted to tell something to him,, 

Employee: Is it about that Harumo guy you mentioned, the one that you’re inlove with?!

Ebisu: What?!,no!,,i just,,,its just that,,,

Employee: Shhhhhh,,,don’t say anymore, 

Ebisu: But...

Employee: A THAT THAT THAT THAT,,no more..

Ebisu: *Sigh*  its just that, i just,,can’t seem to stop thinking about them, it confuses me, and i don’t know if i really love them, 

Employee: You can tell them about it later after work,C’mon the customers are probably waiting.

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 {Shinjuku Cafeteria}

Lunch time,at Shinjuku Academy, Ryota is at the front of line,  

Ryota: Hey Choji!, whats special for today?.

Choji: Hello Ryota,Our main menu for today is our special Chicken Karaage and it comes with a sauce of different flavors,you could also pick which flavor of the Karaage,we have spicy,sour,sweet,savory,  flavors so take your pick. and we also have chicken soup and chicken curry...

Ryota: Karaage?!,,,,Can i have 5 sweet karaage!, 

Kengo: Hey its chicken on a menu!, I’ll take 10 of....uhh....the savory ones!

Choji and Ryota: T-t-TEN?! 

Ryota: Are you sure you can eat all of it?! 

Kengo: Hah!, i need a lot of protein for my body you know,also im going to bring these to Harumo,, i bet they’re hungry.

Choji: Come to think of it,I don’t see Harumo with you, you guys are always with them.

Ryota: Harumo is sick,,He’s got a high fever so they can’t come..

Choji: Oh no!, hope they’re feeling okay...

Choji: Its a good thing we have chicken soup on the menu,, that will help in they’re recovery,I’ll save a batch for him and you can feed it to them...

Ryota: Thanks Choji,

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Shiro: You better eat all of it Kengo! 

Kengo: Whaddya think im doing, im not going to waste chicken, and also Choji will go berserk on me. .

Moritaka: We warriors need a lot of protein to sustain our bodies,so im sure Kengo will eat everything on his plate..

Toji: Still, it will be better if you added some vegtables to your diet Takabushi. 

Kengo: Why is everyone questioning my food choices!

Ryota: Hey,how about we visit Harumo,to see if they are awake. 

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Chernobog: Is something a matter with my heroic one?

Ryota: Ahhh!, Oh,,its just you Chernobog,, don’t scare me like that!. 

Chernoog: I did not mean to frighten, you Ryota, i just heard you mention about the heroic one,, but i don’t see them.. 

Shiro: Harumo came down with a high fever

Moritaka: Might i ask Chernobog, Where is Zao?, you’re always accompanied by him.. 

Chernobog:  Zao, sneaked out of class and went mountain hiking.

Kengo: Hahaha!,Nice job Zao!

Shiro: [Pinches Kengo’s ear} 

Kengo: Ow,ow, what the heck nerd!

Ryota: How you join us in visiting them, im sure they’ll be so surprised.

Chernoog: I do wish check  Harumo’s  wellbeing...

 .Toji: I’ll also wish to pay them a visit, just to ensure they’re being taken care of, 

.Moritaka: Me too,, Having a fever is very common for me, so i want to look out for them.. 

.Ryota: Shiro,,can we??Please???

..

Shiro: *Sigh* fine, I’ll go ask Mr Mononobe if we’re allowed..

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After a moment,Shiro comes back with news. 

Kengo: So, how it go? Can we see them.?

Shiro: Yep,,Mr Mononobe gave us the approval.

Kengo: Well what are we standing around for, Lets go! 

Moritaka: Lets go!

Chernobog: Wait for me Heroic one.

Ryota: Wait! im going to fetch Harumo some lunch,im sure they haven’t eaten!

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{Clinic} 

After some time, you have awoken from your pained state of slumber and scan your entire surroundings,

Harumo:W-where am i?,,,,is this Shennong”s clinic...?

Lil Salomon: Master!, {hugs them} 

Harumo: Whoah hey, Lil Salomon, what happened just now? 

Lil Salomon: You had a high fever Master,and then quickly rushed here by your friends.

Harumo: Really?!,,

Lil Salomon: Oh!,i was so worried about you, you have no idea how paniced i was when you rolled down on the floor!

Harumo: W-well, sorry to worry you ..ow!. 

Lil Salomon: Master? 

Harumo: My throat..feels like its being pierced.

{Door Opens} 

Kengo:  partner!,

Shiro: How many times do i have to tell you,to not run in the halls!

Kengo: Can it Class rep!, I have to be the first one my partner has to see!

Shiro:  Oh Thank goodness you’re awake Harumo,,.. 

Harumo: How long was i out?..

.Shiro: You were out about 2 hours now.

.

Moritaka: Harumo, my friend!, 

Harumo: Well theres a fluffy cute face..

Moritaka: I--Well,,thank you for the compliement!

As soon as Toji enters,he immediately examines your forehead, to check your temperature..

Toji: huh...you’re burning up.

Chernobog: My Heroic one,

Harumo: Never seen you wore the uniform before...

Chernobog: Yes, it came to me just now,,its a miracle they found a size for me.

Shiro: Moritaka, is the towel cold? 

Chernobog: What is the purpose of this towel on you? 

Chernobog points at your towel that Moritaka checks if its cold. 

Moritaka: This is a towel that they use to cool down Harumo, we drenched it in cold water and put it on their forehead..Oh no! 

Shiro: What is it Moritaka? 

Moritaka: The water is warm now. 

Chernobog: Let me..

Chernobog summons a small cloud over the bowl of water and rained ice from it. 

Moritaka: That was amazing Chernobog, how did you do that.?

Ryota: You’re a wizard Chernobog.!

Chernobog: it is the power granted to me of being the dark lord of Bald Mountain. 

Moritaka dips the towel into the now cold water that is giving off a cold air, 

Moritaka: Its so cold!, that my hands are going to freeze, There we go! 

Harumo: Shhhhh,,,ahhhh,,,,

Chernobog: Is it too cold Harumo? 

Harumo: No,,,Its just right...

Ryota: Okay, I know you haven’t eaten in a while, so,, i packed you some delicious snacks and also Choji ask me to feed you some chicken soup.. 

Ryota places a handful of snacks comprise of chips, fruit juices and also Karaage that Choji saved for you.

Shiro:Good thinking Choji,it will surely help Harumo

Harumo: ....ow....uhm,,can you feed it to me?

Ryota: W-what?,,o-okay say ahhhhh....

Ryota takes a spoon of chicken soup ..

Harumo:Ahhhhhh,,,  Mmmmmm,,,This is delicious.. 

Chernobog: Is this a tradition when one is ill? 

Harumo: Do you want to feed me too Chernobog? 

Chernobog: I-....Well...if it aids in your recovery. then  i shall..

Ryota hands Chernobog the spoon, and gently takes a spoon of chicken soup,being cautious as to not break or drop it,by his massive fingers.

Chernobog: Say ahhhhh...

{Mmmmmm,,,,,*Gulp*} 

Chernobog: Is it to your liking? 

Harumo: It was delicious Thank you Chernobog!

A smile finally appears to your face as,, you have seen all the people that will take care of you...

Chernobog: My pleasure.. .

Harumo: ahh.....my...throat .

You hold your throat as you try to speak,,in every second you try to speak your throat feels like a burning furnace inside you.. 

Ryota: Here Harumo,,,some orange juice,,

Ryota hands you a can of  orange juice with a straw in it...and slowly sip.

You can still feel a slight sharp pierceing feeling,when you sip the orange juice,, as your tonsils are inflammed.. 

Harumo: Mmmm,,mmm,,, 

You start to feel drowsy and fatigued as you slowly lean on your backside.

Your friends can only watch you wreath in pain and sweat like you’re running a marathon, as they have seen you triump in many hard battles, and always went ahead with a fierce smile on your face, but now,,that smile is nay in the present ,for as they see infront of them is a highschool student in pain,,, 

As Ryota wipes away your sweat, he worrys more,as he looks more closely to your face, 

.

Ryota: Harumo..whats wrong?!

Moritaka: Ryota move!

.

.

Harumo:Blaaaagghhhh!!

Chernobog:Harumo! 

Shiro: Moritaka,,could you go flush Harumo’s vomit away.

Moritaka: Oof!, that is most unpleasant.

 Toji: You were:somewhat aware of that happening..

Moritaka: To tell you the truth, I’ve experienced having fevers from past years during those times and i have learned the symptoms.

Harumo: *groans*  

Shiro: Oh Harumo...

 Kengo: Partner...

{Door Opens} 

..

.

Shennong: Whoah!,,,well this is,,uhm,,  

.Shiro: Shennong, Harumo just vommited just now, what does that mean? 

Shennong: Lets see....

Taking into account that Shennong was the military medic of the Warmongers,and you could expect that whenever training goes into the walls of Penitentia Academy, you would expect the training regime to be brutalizing.

 To the point where some trainess would even vomit out of exhaustion or go cranky, or even losing their lives to its merciful dictatorship, whereas  Shennong have seen the dark side of being a medic and as he calmly examines  

The body of the that person, he as already a prognosis. 

Shennong: Well, They’re temperature hasn’t changed, Lets just give them some rest, I’’ll have one of you take Harumo in a wheel chair, so you can get them back to their dorm,after school,because i won’t be present by that time.   

. Shiro: Understood Shennong. 

Kengo: Yeah, but whose gonna take them? 

Shiro: Well off course it should be me, 

Kengo: Huh!, who made you chief here? im going to do it. 

Ryota: Shouldn’t it be me, since im the closest to his dorm.

Moritaka: Comrades, cease yourselves, im much more qualified to do it!

Toji: I’ll have to intefere with that bold proclamation of yours Inuzuka. I swore to protect Harumo, so I’ll be escorting them, 

Ryota: No ME! 

Shiro and Kengo: ME! 

Bickering over to whom shall be entrusted to carry out the responsibility of escorting them back to their dorm, one individual angrily intervenes. 

.

Chernobog: RRRR...ENOUGH!

 Everyone:.....

Harumo: {Shivering} 

Chernobog: Your bickering has cause Harumo discomfort, I’ll be the one escorting them back to their dorm room, Do i make myself clear! 

Summoners: ........Okay....

Shennong: I’’ll also have to mention that someone has to stay with them, incase they feel any pain or to replace their towel with cold water. 

The room falls into an awkward silence,An uneasy stare off, and then.

.

.

.

Shiro and Kengo: I’ll be staying with them! No me! 

Ryota: NO ME! 

Moritaka and Toji: ME! 

Chernobog: RRRRRRRR.....

 Harumo: *groan*,,,guys,,,,*coughing*

As you attempt to breath out a word, you continue to cough aggresively.

Harumo: .....Guys....please.. don’t fight!.....

You released those words just before falling sleep, 

.

.Shennong: Thats it!, im going to the one assigning,,,, Chernobog, you’d be the one to escort them back to their dorm and gonna spend the night with them..Do i make myself clear!      

Summoners:..Yes.. 

Shennong: Good, use that whellchair there to transport them after school,got it? 

Chernobog: Yes, i understand.

Shennong: Check if his towel is cold before  going to bed,and you will the one feeding them, i highly recommend feeding them soup, 

Shennong:That way its digestable,and if they can’t taste it,do not worry,  its normal when you have fever and after meals, have them swallow this pills,..Understand Chernobog? 

Chernobog: i understand it all. 

 Shennong: Thats good to hear, now run along kids, lunch time is over by this hour correct? 

 Shiro: Oh crap!, We have to hurry you lot! See you later Harumo.. 

After every visitor have said they’re goodbyes to them, The afternoon classes can finally resume.. 

Chernobog:.....

.

.

.

.

[Dorm} 

Meanwhile, As the afternoon classes had begun, a lone figure slowly waiks in a  familiar room, only to discover a scene that sends chills down their spine. 

.

.

Horkeu Kamui: Huh?,,,What the?!

Horkeu Kamui: What on earth happened here?

The worried shocked faced transient, looks inside to find it to be a total mess,as scattered pieces of wood are scattered throughout the floor,the airconditioner still open,and a stack of books,journals and other reading material spread around their study desk. 

its as if someone had broken inside, maybe someone very strong broke in and did someting to that person,  

.

Horkeu Kamui: MY HERO!?.

.

The screams of his worry echoes throught out the halls of the dormitory, as if a vengeful ghost is screamed in fury.. But, he does not know that his beloved hero is safely in the clinic, resting,.. 

 .But to him, he interpreted it as much more sinister, for he’d had witness the deaths of his students over and over at the hands of a certain dark lord..  

.Who will tell him that his beloved hero is just resting, and not in danger, as per everyday they are always in constant danger.  

..

.

.

While,back in Nakano. 

After work....

A pink-haired chubby boy , is seen mopping away the grime and dirty water off the floor as the massive crowd did a lot of running for Ebisu. 

But he still is conflicted about a certain issue that boggles his mind.

.

Ebisu:....

.

.After the treasure hunt, A part of Ebisu was confronted and it did him wonders after, for as they have said they’re goodbyes after departing from each other...

Ebisu had a strange feeling, to him atleast,but for everyone to witness, its perfectly obvious that Ebisu has a thing or somehow special connection with a certain someone. 

 But for Ebisu, he is somehow confuse about what to feel about them, for he has been debating whether they like Harumo as a friend, or Love Harumo as a lover. 

For as he continues to mop away, He’s expression changes to a slightly annoyed Ebisu, as he is infact nervous to tell them, As he continues on, 

  Ebisu: ahhhhhhh!!....

Ebisu: C’mon Ebisu!,

He holds  two pudgy cheeks,

Ebisu: *Inhale* ....*exhale*.....Okay...

Ebisu: Do you like Harumo?, Ebisu?,

Ebisu: I do like them,,Do i love them? 

Ebisu: Well.....

  .

.

Employee: Listen to your feelings for once Ebisu...

Ebisu: Whaa!....Oh..sir..I didn’t know you were there..

Employee: The part about questioning yourself is only i heard..but.you should ask  those questions to the person. not yourself,.. 

Emplyee: How could will you get the answer that you want,when you already have a sure way to answer it..

The 6ft tall employee stands infront of Ebisu as if he was a fatherly figure just now. for as they and Ebisu are both Papa and Son, 

Ebisu: Sir...

Employee: Works over, so call me Papa,..Now, you’ve been acting differently ever since you returned from your voyage, Its as if you have close your scars now. 

Ebisu: Thats because during that long journey i  have learned to not feel about what people expect of me, and i have finally got my answer..But...mmm

Papa: But?...

Ebisu: But i don’t know, i...can’t make out what this feelings thats stirring up in my head...

Ebisu: I’ve already know how to not feel about people’s expectations, but why do i expect them to feel the same way that i do feel for them..

As continues to release his frustations, the tall dad figure kneels down to meet his eye level, and looks directly into to his eyes as if he wants to convey something to him.

 Papa: Ebisu,let me ask you one question...

Ebisu:....

Papa: Does Harumo expect something from you?

He puts his hands on both of Ebisu’s shoulders.. 

Ebisu:No..

 Papa: Do you expect them to feel the same way you are feeling? 

 Ebisu:No...

Papa:Then you have nothing to worry about.

Ebisu: Huh?.

Papa: Did i ever told you,that i used to have massive love interest to one person when i was your age?

Ebisu: You did?!..and what happened? 

Papa: Well, i was so confused about what my feelings for them mean to me, i couldn’t even sleep,thinking about ,,, what will they say to me?... 

Papa: I can’t stop thinking...but in the end, i mustered up all of my courage to tell them about what i feel about them,,..

 Ebisu: And?...what did they say?..

Papa, takes a moment to answer as Ebisu waits for his response.

.

.

Papa: They said: “i love you too, but. I don’t want it to be romantic” 

Ebisu: Did you get rejected?!...

Papa: It didn’t feel as a rejection, its more like i finally got my answer..

and ever since that day.. i was satisfied with their answer..

Papa: For as i didn’t expect them to either to be my lover nor i want them to be mine. but,, the thought of them answering ,,, was enough for me...and to this day..that friend of mine,are still friends..             

.Papa: Our relationship to each other hasn’t changed back to my childhood days. and im glad it didn’t...Hahaha. 

.Papa: So, now that you heard my story, what are you going to do?...Uh..Ebisu? 

.

Ebisu: Im....IM GOING TO CONFESS TO THEM!...

Papa: Whoah easy there, you gonna burn down the kitchen if you keep this up! 

Ebisu: Thank you Papa, i know what i must do!, Thank you very much!..

Papa: Your welcome.,,oh and as an added bonus, give them this here rainbow buns that i saved, for you know..when...

 Ebjisu: Wait..don’t tell you knew this was gonna happen, did you?.

 Papa: Well,. it was 50/50,but im glad you know what you need to do now..

Ebisu: Yes,,Thank you a bunch papa. i have hurry now, before the train leaves.! 

Papa: Hehehe, Go, you better reel in a good one!.

Ebisu: Yes!..    

Tightly grasping a medium box in his hand,The confident pink haired boy sprints in a hurry to catch up to the train station and soon follows his destination...Shinjuku...

Ebisu: Harumo,,if you’re gonna reject me!,its fine by me,,but i want to know your answer, and to figure that out ,i have to tell you the truth..of what i feel about you!.     

.

.

.

.

{Shinjuku Dormitory} 

After school..in the mid afternoon.

 Chernobog prepares your wheel chair as you try to get out of bed, but sadly, the strength that pull everyday is no longer present ,as every step feels as if you’re dragging 10 pounds of weight, and every step you take,

  leaves you out of breath as you lean onto Chernobog for support, 

.Harumo:{breathing softly} 

 Chernobog:Harumo, we’ll be going back to your room now, so you can rest easy now, 

 Harumo:....W-we?...

Chernobog: Yes...

Chernobog:Per instruction, is to accompany you and that is to sleep beside you.

Harumo: ...Oh..cool...Nurse Chernobog..

Chernobog: Lets us make haste now.. Onward! 

.

.And as the drama begins, the two of you slowly make your towards the dormitory so that you may sleep.

.

.

On your way towards the exit of the school, you encounter a familiar student leaning on the side of the door frame, its as if that said person is waiting for someone in particular. 

.

 .

.

 Harumo: Kengo?..

Kengo: Hey partner, I’ve been ..waiting for you..

Harumo: For me?..

Kengo: Yeah...i just...i just want to guard you,make sure you both are safe, An enemy could take advantage of your fever, so i want to make sure.

Chernobog: I am mostly grateful for your intent of protecting Harumo, 

Harumo: Okay,...Lets go...

The second strongest member of the Summoners and The Dark Lord of Bald Mountain, had became your escort, its as if two alphas are protecting their King. as they keep an eye out for anyone that will attack out of the blue..

.

..

.

After reaching the entrance of the dormitory,  

.

.

Horkeu Kamui: Dark lord Chernobog!, 

Chernobog: ....

Kengo: Hey, what are you doing here Horkeu Kamui?! 

Horkeu Kamui: Harumo!, what did you do to my hero?! 

Chernobog: Calm yourself Horkeu, you misunderstand the situation.

Harumo: HorkeuKamui, calm down for a sec...

Kengo:Hey, Quit you two!, nows not the time ! 

Kengo steps in-between the two people who have a sharp gaze at each other as they look deep into each others eyes

 As if they are about to pounce at each other.. Their gaze are almost sharp daggers that pierce into each other’s soul. as Kengo becomes the peacekeeper.  

.

.

Harumo:ENOUGH YOU TWO! {Coughing} 

As you try to scream at the top of your lungs,your voice becomes hoarse as your tonsils are inflammed,

 After that, you continue to cough aggresively as you hold your neck feeling the sharp pain of your tonsils, your sweating more and more as the two feuding have snapped to their senses. And return to your eyes as you are weaken. 

.

Kengo: Partner, don’t taik, Thats you two idiots, Harumo is screaming because of you’se two keep on bickering, 

Chernobog: Harumo im sorry, i...

Horkeu Kamui: My hero, i did not intent to cause you great harm, Im sorry..

.

.

Ebisu: Harumo...?

Trio: Huh?..

A mention of your name, the three escorts quickly turn their sights at a lone chuby figure behind you.   

.

Harumo: That voice...

Ebisu slowly waiks towards to you shyly. 

Horkeu Kamui: Who are you? 

Chernobog: What business do you have with Harumo? 

Harumo: Ebisu!

.

.

Ebisu: I’ve finally found you!

.

.

.

.

.

AND THATS IT FOR PART 1 OF SICK DAY,THOGUH I WANTED TO MAKE THIS A  IN ONE POST BUT, I FELT THAT I SHOULD TURN IT INTO PARTS AND NOT MAKE IT INTO A WHOLE, HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE THE STORY AND COMMENT ON WHAT YOU ALL THINK OF IT OR SEND AN ASK, EITHER WAY, AND THATS IT FOR PART 1 OF HARUMO GETTING SICK AND IT WAS HARD TO GAUGE EVERYONE’S REACTIONS TO HARUMO GETTING SICK AND HOW THEY WILL DO OR EVEN TAKE CARE OF HARUMO, OKAY, THATS ALL FOR TODAY,      THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. 

[daveleddenwriter]

The Cave Bears

This is a story that I submitted to a magazine. It was rejected...

The Cave Bears

By David Ledden

  I looked with squinted eyes at the sun that was gradually disappearing behind the hills. I knew it would be dark soon. Maybe two hours, if even that. Time was against us. Including myself, there were five, soon to be six members of my tribe. I, Finn the plunderer was chosen to lead after I single handedly slain the giant woolly mammoth, last winter. That mammoth fed us for the rest of the season, along with providing us with the warm furs we wear today. Sia, my wife, was an amazing cook. Even now, thinking about those mammoth chops she cooked made my mouth water. Its tusks, bones and the rest of its fur made for decent shelter. However, now that winter was creeping up on us, we had to abandon the tents and search for warmer shelter. Ideally a cave, both large and deep. I was confident that I knew where one was.

 Sia was pregnant, and had been since last spring. Sia was tall with frizzy reddish brown hair. Her skin is clear and tanned from the previous summer. Fae, (The medicine woman of our tribe and wife of Konnel, my right hand man.) believed that Sia would grant me a child soon. Fae was shorter than Sia. Her hair was brown and tied up in a bun. She was thin but curvy and had freckles all over her face. Sia has been in a lot of pain recently and has difficulty travelling. We regularly had to stop so she could sit and rest. To the noticeable annoyance of Konnel. Konnel was a bit shorter than me, his muscles were smaller and his beard was less bushy than mine. The last member of my tribe was Krix. He was the tallest of us. However, he was the thinnest without any muscle showing on either his stick legs or scrawny arms. He also had bowl shaped blonde hair. Krix was quiet. He followed behind the group, followed instruction well and never argued with me. I always thought that Konnel could learn a thing from him.

 We pushed on forward. My legs were on fire! My feet felt numb and worn. 

“I need to take a rest!” Insisted Sia, slumping down on to a fallen tree trunk. 

“We’ll stay for a little while, but not too long. The sun has nearly set.” I said, hiding my relief.

“Which is why we need to keep moving!” Said Konnel. I was about to say something, but Fae beat me to it. 

“She is carrying her child, she can sit for as long as she needs.” She said, staring daggers at Konnel.

“She won’t live to birth that baby if we’re travelling in the dark! Protested Konnel.

 I finally spoke up.

 “Calm down, Konnel. We’re closer to shelter than you think. I remember this area. Three or four summers ago Sia and I spent the night in this huge cave. It was so deep you could easily fit ten families inside. Do you remember it, Honey?”

“We,ve been to a lot of caves, Finn.” She replied, with visible discomfort in her voice. She awkwardly tried to lie-down on the trunk. Swinging her left leg over the other side. The tree was too narrow. “Help!” She cried. I reached out and steadied her. I then pulled her to me and allowed her to use me as a pillow. She gratefully did, snuggling her face into my chest. “Your beard is so soft. She said,

“I used the deer fat and lavender beard balm you made me..” I said with a cocky grin. She took a mighty sniff of my beard, then nodded with a smile. Her smile quickly vanished and was replaced by a mock frown. “I’m so hungry!” She moaned.

 Hearing this, Fae threw open her pouch, as quick as a cat, and began frantically searching for something.

“I know I have something in here. I anticipated this.” She said, after more searching she pulled out something wrapped in leaves.

“Found it!” She unwrapped the leaves revealing six cooked salmon and some blueberries. 

“My hero.” Said Sia. Grabbing one of the salmon and wolfing it down.

 We each ate a salmon and Sia had seconds. She also finished off the blueberries by herself, but none of us minded. “She’s eating for two.” As Fae loves to remind us as often as she can.

“We should go now.” Said Konnel. We all nodded in agreement and packed our stuff. Then for the first time that day Krix said something. “We attracted company!” He said, the terror being unmissable in his vioce. I looked at what he was pointing at and at once I felt my heart collapse into my stomach. About 12ft away from us stood a cave bear. Standing on all fours, its head was still levelled with mine. It was twice as wide as me. Its powerful muscles were covered in a thick coat of brown fur, making it appear even larger to us. I saw its spear-like fingernails dig into the soil as it stood there, staring at us.

 “What are we going to do, Finn?” Whispered Sia.

“We’re going to back away slowly. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t turn your back to it. Don’t try and run.” I whispered back, trying not to sound as frightened as I really was. “Back away slowly.” I ordered. We all began to creep away backwards. The bear wasn’t making any movements towards us. Still, I held my spear as tight as I could in both hands. Metally preparing myself to use it. I suddenly heard Sia scream. I looked back to see her lying on the ground, her foot caught under a tree root. I could see in her eyes that she knew she was dead. My head snapped back towards the bear. It let out a deafening roar! Showing off two rows of teeth that were sharper than any flint could ever be. Then in the blink of an eye, it was lying on its stomach on the ground, unmoving, with a spear jutting out of its eye socket!

 Konnel walked towards the beast, a smile plastered on his face. “See that, Finn? That was skill!”

I stood in shock, before being able to force out. “It was a.. lucky shot.”

“Lucky shot?! What you did to that mammoth was a lucky shot. This was pure skill.” He said, shaking his head in disapproval. He grasped the handle of his spear and heaved! “I'm so  eating this tonight.” He said to himself, referring to the eye-ball at the tip of his spear.

He turned to address us. “Let’s harvest what we can and get going.” He said.

“Sia, are you okay?” Fae asked.

Sia nodded. I pulled her to her feet and inspected her ankle.

“Can you walk?” I asked.

“Yes, it doesn’t hurt. I don’t need to be carried,``she said.

“She’s fine.” Said Konnel, before gesturing to his kill.

  We harvested as much meat and fur as we could carry, then headed towards the cave. I wanted to kill Konnol for making me look bad, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ecstatic that we’ll be eating well tonight. After walking less than I had first expected, I saw the cave in the near distance. It was even wider than I remembered. It stood above a bright green grass field, with dandelions and daisies.  I looked at it with relief. Safety, that is what I succeeded in giving my child. I felt a tear form in the corner of my eye. We ran to it. Kix was the first to reach the cave. He ran inside of it and disappeared into the darkness. I almost joined him, but to my horror I heard a formillier roar, followed by Krix’s petrified screams. I was unable to move as I watched another cave bear exit the cave, holding Krix’s lifeless body by the throat in its jaws. It then released its grip allowing the corpse to fall to the cave floor, with a wet thud. The bear looked at me. I still couldn’t move.  As if on cue, Sia let out an agonised scream. 

“I think it’s time!” Sia screamed.

This snapped me back to reality. I readied my spear. The bear and I made eye contact. Along with rage I could detect fear in its eyes. Hatred burned through me. It let out another roar and began to charge at me. In a flash Konnel’s spear flew in front of the bear. Missing it entirely, and embedding itself in the chest of Krix’s already lifeless body. The bear looked at Konnel. I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity and stabbed the distracted bear in its right eye! The bear whimpered in pain and backed away into the cave slightly. Konnel pulled his spear out of Krix’s chest and stabbed the bear in its chest. The bear stood up on its hind legs. It was now twice as tall as me or Konnel. It wrapped its giant front paws around a now screaming Konnel and brought him to the ground. Konnel lay on his back under the bear, screaming and pushing his spear into its chest in a desperate attempt to create distance between the two of them!

  I had an idea. While the bear was focusing on trying to eat Konnel, I managed to sneak to the bear’s side. I aimed my spear behind the bear’s ear, and with all the strength I could conjure up, I jabbed. The sound of rock cracking bone drowned out Konnel’s screams. The bear died instantly. The first thing I did afterward was help Konnel push the bear off him and then help him to his feet. “Now, that’s  what you call skill.” I said, with a smile.  He returned a weak, “Thanks.” While refusing to make eye contact with me. Suddenly I remembered, “Sia!”

 I ran to the field of grass where she and Fae were. I missed it. The sounds of the bear and Konnel’s girlish screams drowned out the sound of Sia giving birth. Fae had delivered the baby. She was kneeling with it in her arms. “It’s a boy,” She said.  She then asked me, “Do you want to cut the cord?”

“Of course…” I replied, in a strange type of disbelief.

Fae handed me the long, curved tooth of a large cat-like creature we encountered some time ago. The tooth cut through the fleshy cord, like flint on mammoth fat. Fae passed my son to his mother and I leaned in to get a closer look at him. A round head, his ears pointed out. He had two big, beautiful brown eyes and I would be able to fit his entire body in my hands cupped together. 

“He’s beautiful.” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks.

“I know.” Said Sia, who was crying as well.

“Can we name him Finnson?” I asked.

“No.” Said Sia, still with tears of joy in her eyes.

  That night we celebrated. We found grapes to make wine. We drank by the fire at the entrance of the cave and Sia whipped up some bear burgers. We planned on having Krix’s funeral the next morning, but tonight was a night to be happy.

“To the kid.” Toasted Konnel. Everyone joined in and took a swig of our wine. 

We then froze as we heard growling at the back of the cave. It was faint but recogniseable.

“Another one?” Sia asked in fear and disbelief.

I gestured for her to be quiet and then to Konnel to get his spear ready. Konnel and I walked deep into the cave, in utter silence. He carried the torch and I had my spear ready. The noise was much clearer now. It was a bear growl alright. Sitting in front of us sat a bear cub. It could fit in my cupped hands. It had a round head and pointed ears and it looked up at me with fear in its big brown eyes.

The End

[hello-everyfandom]

“Stay next to me then, so I can protect you.”

Warnings: Mentions of violence, war

Pairing: George Weasley x Reader

Words: 2.9k

Summary: Small snippets of your pregnancy with George Weasley

Part One: “I never said I was good at picking names, for all I care we could call them Bob.”

It was easy to fall in love with George Weasley. You had fallen in love with him as quickly as it was to pluck a flower from a meadow or quicker than a simple blink of the eye. You two were quite happy together, there was no doubt in your mind that George was your fellow, the man you wanted to spend the rest of eternity with.

A pop sounded rather loud and your head felt dizzy as you stabilized yourself after apparating out of the wedding. George placed a hand on your lower back and looked at you grimly, hearing the Death Eaters continue to rampage the wedding. The rest of the Weasley’s, besides a certain Ron, began popping in as well. 

George, rubbing soothing circles on your back, leaned and whispered, “Don’t worry, Love. ‘verything will be alright.” You looked back and nodded silently, clutching his arm.

“What will we do?”

“I expect they will come in and-” before Mr. Weasley could respond, multiple Death Eaters stormed the Burrow, pointing wands and yelling orders. Guests who remained and the Weasley’s were questioned rigorously. You had watched nervously, hands intertwined, until a Death Eater who you couldn’t place a name to, pulled you and George into the interrogation room. 

“What is your name?” He asked your boyfriend who answered confidently.

“George Weasley.”

“Blood status?”

“Pureblood.” George squeezed your hand without breaking eye contact with the man who looked at you with extreme loathing.

“Where is Harry Potter?”

“I don’t know.” George lied.

“Don’t lie. Tell us the whereabouts of Harry Potter, and perhaps we will leave your family unharmed.” 

“He said he didn’t know.” You hissed harshly, glaring at him.

He turned, “Name?”

“Y/N Y/L/N.”

“Blood status?”

“Half-blood.”

“Proof of magical blood?”

“My father was a wizard.”

“Was?”

“He’s dead. He died a few years ago.”

The Death Eater seemed to grin wickedly, “As I hear, you have no true proof of wizarding lineage. And no lasting connecting,” he licked his teeth, “to any magical being. Who did you steal your magic from?” his voice lowered in disgust, he nearly spat. 

“This is preposterous! She didn’t steal anyone’s magic, she was raised as a wizard!” George yelled, the veins of his neck popping out. His face began to turn red as his hand moved to his back pocket where his wand was.

“If there is factual evidence that can be proven, I will have to take her to the ministry to be fully detained.”

“Like hell, you will,”

“George,” you whispered, attempting to calm your boyfriend. “My father raised me alone, as a wizard. He worked in the ministry, you may look him up and I’m sure you will see my birth records.”

“Artifice and forgery are easy to construct, assuming that your birthright and blood status is correct, you still do not have any lasting relationships in the wizarding world. I’ll ask one more time, who did you steal your magic from.”

“I did not steal anything, I was born with it.” your voice slightly wavering.

“Then, I’m afraid,” his smile grew sickening and wider, “That we will have to interrogate you further at the ministry.” His hand reached and snatched your arm, beginning to bruise it with his fingers. George jumped up,

“She’s my fiancee!”

The Death Eater twisted to face him, “Lies!”

“No lies.” George looked at you pleadingly, “We just got engaged tonight, at the wedding. We’re to be married in months.”

The Death Eater sneered at you and dropped your arm, “And you would want to marry this filth?”

George gathered you in his arms, and snarled back, “It’s a wizarding connection, is it not?” and pulled you out of the interrogation room.

“George, they’ll wring you for that,” you whispered, eyeing the surrounding Death Eaters.

“They won’t if it’s true.”

“But, it’s not true. Darling, please, I’m afraid for you.”

“It may as well be,” George gathered your hands and kissed the knuckled, “We love each other, don’t we?”

“I love you with all my heart,”

“Then, why don’t we get married? Why aren’t we married right now?”

“Because...” you tried to think of a good excuse, but nothing came to mind. It was true. You loved George and he loved you and with the war thundering upon your heads.

“Exactly, so marry me, please,” George whispered again.

“Yes, of course, I’ll marry you, George.”

--

The day you told George you were pregnant you were terrified. Perhaps terrified is not the right word, but the only thing you could think of was the fear running through your veins. It wasn’t as if George’s excitement for a child had been a secret, you learned at the wedding he was quite ecstatic to begin a life with you. However, the fear came from the war. You feared for your unborn child being born into a world of prejudice, violence, and anger. But, as you sat down with George in your small shared apartment, you couldn’t shake the nerves that seemed to plague your mind.

“What is it, Y/N? You’re worrying me.” George asked.

“I need to tell you something,”

“Go on, then, love. I’ve never seen you so serious.” George chuckled humorlessly.

“I went to St. Mungos today.”

“What?” George jumped, holding your hands and scanning you for wounds or injuries, “Why? What happened? I knew I shouldn’t have gone into work today I-”

“George, please, calm down.”

“What’s happened? Has someone come into the apartment?”

“George-”

“Were you hurt? How did you get to St. Mungos? Did you-”

“George,” you cupped his face lovingly, “I’m pregnant.”

Silence. George’s mouth fell as his eyes widened.

“Please say something, Georgie. Now you’re scaring me,” you laughed, rubbing his cheeks with the pads of your thumbs.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Yes, Georgie.”

“As in, baby? In you? From sex?”

“That’s generally how they are made, darling.” you laughed. George’s face broke into a smile, his freckles seemed to glow as he jumped up from his seat and pulled you to your feet. 

“You’re pregnant!” He beamed, spinning you around. The nerves you had previously felt before had dissipated as George peppered your face with kisses. 

“We’re pregnant, George, we’re having a baby.” you felt tears well in your eyes as George pressed a long, loving kiss on your lips. 

“I am,” George laughed, “I am overwhelmed.”

“You’re overwhelmed? I have a baby growing in me!”

George spun you around once more, “You have a baby growing in you!” He turned and yelled into the apartment, “Fred! Fred get in here, you silly oaf! Get in here!”

You heard a loud thud as footsteps ran towards you. Fred, with shampoo in his hair and a towel wrapped around his waist, held his wand up in case of danger. You immediately shut your eyes,

“Fred, dear god, you could’ve put some clothes on!”

“I was in the bloody shower, what in merlin’s pants is going on? I’ve nearly cracked ‘m head open!”

“Fred, for god’s sake, shut the hell up!”

Fred looked around the small apartment living room frantically before looking at George. His eyes lowered to his twin’s hands on your stomach and his wide smile. He looked back and forth from George’s hands to your stomach before slowly looking up with a grin placed on his face.

“George, you did not.” He said.

“George, I did,” George replied, smiling widely.

“George,” Fred warned, “is she-is she pregnant?”

“She so is,” you answered.

“Oh my god! You’re! She’s. And You! Oh, I-”

“Fred,” you put your hands our warily, watching Fred begin to sway. Fred’s eyes rolled as his arms flapped and he fainted.

When Fred’s eyelids began to flutter, he managed to regain focus from the ground staring up at his brother and his wife’s worried faces. His hands flew to his chest and then down to his towel which he was glad was still there.

“Alright, I agree, we probably should’ve waited,” George turned to you,

“I’m surprised he didn’t just die on sight, ‘ve only just found out today.”

“Mate?” George pulled his twin’s shoulders so he was sitting up, “you doing alright? You had quite a fall.”

“You fainted, remember? Your towel fell off, but I-uh- closed my eyes.”

Fred looked back and forth before jumping up and slamming George in a death grip hug.

“More than alright! Bloody hell, we’re having a baby!” 

“Yeah, we are!” George hugged him back, 

“Ye-wait, we?” you asked.

“Yes, we! Get ‘ver here, Y/N! You little oven heater for our bun!” Fred reached his arms out, you laughed and backed away.

“How about, I’ll give you a hug when you’re all settled and dressed,”

Fred pointed, “She’s a smart one, she is?”

“The smartest.” George could feel the happiness swell in his chest, the pride he felt for his family, and the love he exuded for you.

By the time you were perfectly plump and showing, George seemed to fret over you even more. From making cups of tea to helping you get up, you never seemed to lift a finger. However, the smothering seemed to drive you slightly insane as all you wanted to do was lay on the couch and read a novel without George constantly on your shoulder.

“Love, I’m alright, you’re acting as if I am on bed rest.”

“Bed rest!” he exclaimed, “That’s a brilliant idea, come on then, go on to bed,”

You groaned, “George, that was a joke! Please, I’m perfectly content where I am. Now hurry on to work before Fred becomes cross with you.” you leaned and kissed him on the cheek before handing him his briefcase and nudging him out the door.

“Send me an owl if, bloody hell woman, stop trying to shut the door and- ouch! Y/N!” he yelled after you accidentally nicked his foot under the door.

“Love you, too darling! Have a good day at work!” you said before closing the door. 

For a while, the silence was quite nice until the silence became longer. You glanced at the clock worriedly at the kitchen table as late afternoon turned to evening. Fred and George were usually home by now, and of course, they could be restocking, but it was unlike George to be so late especially now when his wife was pregnant. You stirred your tea before sipping it lightly, not really paying attention to the flavors and more of your nerves. Your hand on your plump belly as you caressed it softly. 

“Daddy will be home soon, yeah?” you whispered.

As evening turned into night, you debated on sending him an owl message or even floo-ing down to Diagon Alley. Just as your hands reached for the parchment, the door burst open. Fred and George barged in with wands in hand, waving quickly to summon clothing and suitcases. 

“George!” you screamed as you ran towards him, “What’s happened? What’s going on?”

“We need to leave,” George said seriously, “Y/N, love, grab your wand and the things you need.”

“But-”

“Now!” George’s voice raised. You were not frightened by his yelling but rather the grim expression on his face. You hurried and gathered your wand and slipped on some shoes. Fred quickly packed any photographs and business papers for the shop as George moved clothing into suitcases. Your hands, quick and nimble, helped George’s shaky ones. You zipped the suitcase and snapped it shut before standing, a hand on your stomach.

“What’s happening, George?”

“The burrows been attacked, we need to go. Bill and Fleur are expecting us.” George looked around for Fred before his eyes softened at your worried face. George’s hands grabbed the back of your neck as he placed a soft kiss on your forehead. “Need to get you and the little one out of here. Fred?”

“Right here.” Fred popped next to George, suitcase in hand. “Alright, Y/N?”

“As alright as I can be.” 

You looked back at the seemingly empty apartment and grabbed hold on George’s hand as the twins whisked you away.

--

With the due date just weeks away, you struggled to do daily tasks. Frustration was key on your face as you listened to the Order of the Pheonix explain the battle strategies. Much to George’s despise, the baby would be due a month before the battle meaning, if you were completely healed and ready, could fight alongside the Order of the Pheonix.

“Y/N, stop it.”

“George, if you are going to fight, I am too,” you argued. It was exhausting arguing with George, even when you were younger. He seems to only hear out one ear and out the... well. 

“You’d have just given birth!”

“It would be a month after and-”

“This is not up for discussion, Y/N. I can’t lose you.” George sat on your shared bed, putting his head in his hands, “I can’t lose you.”

You sat next to him, wrapping your small arms around his broad shoulders, “You would never lose me. But, I have to do what is right, and if you are going to fight then I will too.”

“Then I won’t fight.”

“Of course you will, Georgie.” 

“No! We can stay here and we can stay with the baby-”

You shushed him softly and kissed his shoulders. “You know this is what’s right.”

His shoulders shook with a small cry, “Stay next to me then, so I can protect you.” George faced you, wrapping his arms around your pregnant figure, 

“I’ll never leave your side,” you leaned and kissed your husband.

As Fleur braided your soft hair and hummed a french tune, you leaned on her deep in thought. The smell of the salty sea and the sand made you think even harder.

“Fleur?” you asked,

“Yes?” she answered back. You turned from your position to face her beautiful face.

“I need to ask you something,”

“Vhat iz it, Y/N?”

“If...” you inhaled a shaky breath. “If anything happens to George or me during the battle...”

“Plez do not zalk like that, you and George will be fine.” Fleur pleaded, grabbing hold of your hand.

“I’m not oblivious to the war, I understand that there will be... casualties.” you swallowed, “but George and I plan to be there for the battle and...”

“You and Georgie will be okay.”

“Please, Fleur?” she stayed silent, tears in her blue eyes, “If George and I die, please, I. I don’t want my baby to...” you chocked up.

“Iz okay, Y/N. I understand.” She rubbed your arms comfortingly. “Bill and I will do anything for ze baby.” 

“Thank you.” your voice cracked as Fleur leaned and placed her forehead against yours. “Thank you.”

--

“Molly?” you called from the small sitting room.

“Yes, dearie?” she approached, wiping her hands on a towel.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” Molly sat on the edge of the couch where you laid. Your hands laid on your stomach, now huge and ready to burst. Molly reached and brushed the hair off your forehead and gave you a motherly smile, “How is my grand-child doing?”

“Other than a little finicky and particularly opposed to any sweets or anything I feed them, I think are doing quite well.”

“The little one’s picky, isn’t she? Wait until she meets her Grandmother, she’ll be stuffed with to the brim.”

 You laughed, “How are you so sure she’s a she?”

“Oh well, call it a mother’s intuition,” Molly waved her hand.

“I, well. My question was... well. You had seven children,”

“I knew this question was coming,” Molly placed her hand on your stomach and another on your arm, “It’s not as bad as you think.”

“Are you sure? I feel as though I’m ready to pop,”

“Truly, Dear, I will be there, George will as well.”

“I’m scared, I think, thas all,” you mumbled, looking at your pregnant belly.

“I understand, when I was pregnant with Charlie, I practically broke Arthur’s hand!”

“You should’ve seen her pregnant with Ginny,” George’s voice chimed in. You turned to see your smiling husband approach and kiss the top of your head. “Nearly tore our heads off,”

“Oh,” Molly blushed and smacked her son’s arm, “If only my sons weren’t acting like fools, then perhaps I would’ve been more lenient.” 

“We still haven’t decided on a name,” George said, “This one,” he pointed at you, “Likes the name Posy.”

“Posy is a wonderful name,” you defended, 

“I still think Herbert is a nice name,”

“I’m not doing this again, Georgie, we’re not naming our child Herbert!”

“Why not!” George argued. Molly watched in amusement as the two of you bickered, “We could call him Herb for short.”

“What if it’s a girl?”

“Herba.”

You groaned making George laugh. It was only until you groaned louder when he stopped. You gasped sharply and sat up, “Oh my-”

“The baby’s coming!” Molly yelled excitedly, helping you off up the couch. “Come on then George, don’t just stand around! Help your wife into the bedroom!”

George froze, his face blank. It appeared that fire lit in his face as he quickly grabbed ahold of your arms, steadying you as you breathed rapidly. “Don’t freak out,” 

“I’m not freaking out!”

“I’m not talking about you! I’m talking about me!”

“If I make it out alive after this, George, I’m going to punch you.”

George let out a loud laugh before helping you into the bedroom, “You sound like Mum.”

[some27-url]

Fallout OCtober 2021!

(I'm going to do Sundays instead of Mondays. Mondays are bad for me. 😭)

Oct  4 - What makes your OC S.P.E.C.I.A.L.  or  Disuse

"Howdy, honey bun!"

Sturges started at the sound of the girl's voice ahead of him. Her form was blurry as it approached and he hadn't realized til then just how long he'd been staring at that damn circuit board. He gave his head a sharp shake and blinked a few times. "Well hey there, sweetpea! Bout time you came back 'round to see me!"

Nora was out of her usual armor and wearing an oversized set of coveralls, cinched tightly at the waist. They looked nice and intact and he wondered where she'd found such a commodity. 

"Couldn't've been more than a few days!" she claimed, dropping herself down on the picnic table next to his work. He shifted himself back on the bench to allow her her space, but even from there he could smell the clean smell of soap rolling off her. 

"It's been at least a week since we saw you last, honey."

"Really? I've been gone that long?"

"Yeah. That long."

"Didja miss me?" 

She'd twisted to look down at him and for a moment all he could see was just how unzipped she'd left her zipper. Maybe it wasn't such a treasure afterall, if the zipper didn't work. Way she had it, she'd end up with an awful dirty chest after a hard day's work. Nah. Definitely not practical. It did make for a nice view, though that wasn't his to enjoy.

He looked back at his circuit board, returning to the task of pouring over every little detail to try and find the defect. 

"Well, 'course I did. Lot to do 'round here, and 'bout none of the settlers've got a lick of sense about this sorta thing." He gestured to the circuit board. 

"Ahh." Nora supplied flatly. "Well, if it's any consolation, they're the same everywhere I've been. Innit odd that everyone wants clean water and electricity, and yet no one knows how to do any sorta serious wiring?"

Sturges laughed. "I dunno if 'odd' is the word I woulda used, sugar."

"What word would you 've used, Sturges?"

"Dumb."

Nora barked a laugh. "Dumb. Yeah... I mean, it's only their survival at stake. Proper hydration? Pft. Who needs it?" 

Nora quieted for only a moment as he worked. Then she said "What, uhm. What're you doing tonight, Sturges?"

"Oh, dinner at the bunkhouse and then I was gonna sit 'n look at some of those manuals you brought." Same as any other night. 

"Oh. Well... would you maybe want some company? I could join you..."

Hmm… Did he want to spend a cozy evening alone with a beautiful, curvy, handy woman just to have her wander off and leave him again the next day?

"I wouldn't be good company," he said.

"Sure you would."

"I really am just gonna read over those manuals."

"Sounds interesting."

Something awful lonely settled over him. He wondered briefly and not for the first time what it be like to have Miss Nora as a permanent fixture around Sanctuary. They'd have no shortage of reasons to be around each other, fixing things and building things… they'd share meals and talk shop and, in the evenings, he would call on her and treat her as a lady should be treated. 

He met her gaze and, for a second, he got to enjoy the flirty look there... then the soft smile and crinkled eyes fell away into something more serious. She broke eye contact and said "Uhm… so what's wrong with this thing?"

Sturges breathed a sigh of relief at the change in subject. He lifted the circuit board. "You tell me. Been starin' at it for the better part of a half hour and I can't figure it out."

She'd had the thing in her hand for all of 10 seconds before she pointed to a spot and said "Here."

Sturges did a double take. Right under her nail and in a spot he'd looked at one hundred zillion times already, he saw it. A teeny tiny break in the circuit. "Well, I'll be."

He picked up his tweezers to get after removing the dud connection. 

"I'm setting up a noodle factory in Sunshine tomorrow. Lots of machinery to put together… no chance you'd wanna come with and give me a hand, huh?"

She sounded about as hopeful about that as she should've. He offered her something of a cheeky grin, though he didn't feel all that chipper, when he said "We'd be back by dinner, right?"

Nora's nose crinkled up at his question and she shook her head, just as he'd known she would. 

He gave her a softer smile then and she pulled her gaze off him quickly, sniffing and pushing herself up off the table. Her voice was real small when she said "Well I'll see you around, then, Sturges. Take care."

He turned and snuck a look at her over his shoulder as she walked away. She had a little less of a sway in her step than she used to… or was it just that she'd lost a little around her hips? He sighed. If she would just agree to stick around Sanctuary, he'd feed her better than she fed herself, that's for sure. She wasn't the type to settle in, though, and he wasn't fit for the road.

SomeURL on Ao3 🥰

[qjhughes]

I’m Still Me

Part 2 to Who Are You?

Pairing: Frat!Fuckboy!Peter Parker x Reader

Word Count: 1.9k+

Summary: Peter’s trying really, really hard to win you back. It won’t be that easy this time, though

Warning(s): Some cursing, a sad little Peter Parker, I think that’s all this time though

A/N: Annnnddddd here’s Part 2!! I hope that you like it!! There will definitely be more parts to this!! 

Add yourself to my taglist here 

Masterlist

Peter couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t eat. He had been skipping classes, not being able to focus on anything except for the events that unfolded three weeks prior.

“I don’t know this you, and honestly, I don’t want to.” 

That was the last that he had heard from you. He had been calling and texting, trying to get your attention around campus, and even trying to get your friends to talk to you, all to no avail.

Everyone was mad at him. And he knew that he deserved it. You were right. He had changed. He had become the kind of person that he hated in the movies. The jerk that stops caring about anything except when the next party was going to be and who the next girl he was going to be taking to bed.

He had thought that the life he was living was perfect. Until he lost you.

Or so he says.

You had been his best friend since he was a Junior in high school. Maybe he just didn’t know how to function without you.

He met you when you were 15, he thought that you were so young when he met you. Little did he know, you were only slightly more than a year younger. And you were a hell of a lot smarter than he was, so it didn’t really matter how old you were. You were the one that had always held him together.

Maybe that’s why you hadn’t talked when you came to college the year after him. You hadn’t been there to hold him together, and he fell apart.

Poor boy has been doing everything in his power to get you to notice him since that day.

He’s gone so far as to leave you notes where he knows you’ll find them. Which is sweet and all, but you know that the second he convinces you to let him abc into your life, he’ll become a dick again. 

But you already made that mistake once. You won’t be making it again.

You remind yourself of this every single time that you read the texts or the notes.

The one that really got to you the most was one that you knew he couldn’t fake.

He remembers everything about the day that he met you, and he described it to you in that stupid note.

You opened the note in your English class, Peter having somehow slipped it into your bag right next to the book that you had to read for this class.

You swore that someone was working with him, helping him get you back, you just couldn’t figure out who.

That was the only way that these notes could continue to get to you.

I’ll have to figure out if anyone had any idea who it could be later, you thought to yourself as you began to read the note.

Do you remember the first day that we met? Because I do. I’ll never forget that day.

i had just walked into lunch, ready to just sit back and relax, think about anything but school for 30 minutes. But then I saw you. You were exactly where I normally sat. At first, I thought that you had just accidentally sat at the wrong table. But then one of my friends looked over at me.

“Hey, Parker, this is y/n. She’s gonna sit here now.” They looked at me like they dared me to say a single word about it.

Little did they know that there was no way in the world that I would say anything about it. You were the prettiest girl that I had ever seen. And the way you were smiling shyly at me made my knees weak. 

I sat down next to you, introducing myself.

You had the cutest little blush on your cheeks, all flustered from meeting a table full of new people. 

Because you had been invited to sit there, there was less room than usual, so this girl that we were friends with tried to sit on my lap. I wasn’t into that, mostly because I couldn’t stop thinking about that smile that you kept on your face. So, when she tried to sit on my lap, I moved closer to you. I made room for her.

Really, it was a nice excuse to get closer to you.

That day, I got my first ever hug from you, and I was so happy that you felt comfortable enough with me to hug me. I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

I looked forward to each and every day that I got to see you.

I’m sorry that I changed. But please, please, let me make it up to you.

I can change back. I’ll be different. I’ll be the man that you deserve.

That was the first note from him that you didn’t rip up and throw away. That was the first of them that really hit you hard. 

Every single one after that just put little cracks in the foundation of the walls that you built to keep Peter out.

For a few weeks, you hated yourself for it. Thought that you were stupid, clueless, and naive for letting him have any affect of you whatsoever. But you couldn’t help it. He knew exactly what to do to get to you.

His onslaught of notes and attempts to get you back in his life continued for a month after you walked away.

And then one day, you didn’t get a text. You didn’t get a call or a note or a friend saying he had asked about you.

You weren’t surprised. Everyone eventually gave up. He just seemed so adamant on getting you back in his life that it seemed it would last forever. Basically you were disappointed, but not surprised.

You went on with your day just like you had before you had ever met him. You focused on the things that were the most important, schoolwork and your mental health. 

You were having a ‘me day’. Movies, face masks, teeth whitening, the whole nine yards.

You had told all of your friends this so that nobody would interrupt.

Which means that you were completely pissed off when the doorbell rang. You sighed the most overdramatic sigh that anyone had ever sighed, and you walked to the door, hair in a messy bun and a bright pink face mask stuck on your face.

“I told you I’m having a - Peter? What are you doing here?” You suddenly became very conscious of what you looked like. Why didn’t you just ignore the door?

“I, uh, I wanted to give you these.” He pulls out a box of chocolate and some flowers.

“You didn’t have to, Peter.” You suddenly feel very guilty for the way you had been ignoring him for the past month. He had been trying his hardest to prove to you that he could be better, that he could go back to being the Peter that you knew and loved. And you didn’t even let him actually speak to you. You didn’t let him get out what he had to say.

“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. I want to show you how much you mean to me. I really do. I miss you so much. Just please, let me say what I;ve been rehearsing in the mirror for the past week, and then you can kick me out if you want to.” The look in his eyes makes it downright impossible to say no to him, so you open the door a little wider and step to the side so that he can walk past you.

He stands in your living room, as if he’s scared of sitting down. Like he thinks that would push you too far.

“You can sit down Peter. The couch won’t bite.” You motion for him to take a seat as you all but flop down onto the couch.

He lets out a dry chuckle as he sits down next to you.

“Do you want to give me that speech now?” You ask after a few minutes go by in silence.

“Right, right. Um, look. I know, I messed up. I became the guy that I hated and said that I would never turn into. I promised you that I would never turn into a guy that you would hate. And I know that I broke that promise. But please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top, let me have one more chance. I will prove to you that I am not the person that I have turned into since college started. This isn’t who I want to be. I want to be your best friend. I want to be the guy that makes you proud to have me in your life. I want to be the kind of guy that your parents can go back to liking. I want to be everything you want me to be and more. I’ll stop going to the parties. I’ll stop with the girls. I’ll only go to the mixers that are mandatory because of the frat. I won’t be the one who plans these crazy ridiculous things. I’ll stop with all of it. The drinking, the smoking weed, the everything. Just please, give me a chance. Let me show you that I’m still me.” His eyes are pleading with you, begging you to give him just one more chance, just one more to prove himself. To show you just how much better that he can be.

“Peter, you can’t just change for me. You have to change for yourself. I can’t be the reason that you change, because unless you want to change, doing this is going to make you hate me. Giving up the parties and the girls is going to make you hate me. Because it will be my fault that you don’t have those things anymore.”

“I want to change. I really do. I don’t need those things anymore, all I need is you. Without you, none of things mean anything to me anyway. And I know you may not believe me now, but I swear, I’m going to show you, if you give me this chance.”

“I don’t give people second chances, Peter. And I sure as hell don’t give people third chances.” You can see his face visibly fall at this. “So, you better not waste it, Peter, because it will not be happening again.”

“He throws his arms around you, obviously too excited to contain himself anymore.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!” You giggle at how excited he is.

“Don’t make me regret this, Parker.” You can’t help but let your arms snake their way around his waist, enjoying the hug.

“I won’t. I promise you.”

“Alright, so how are you proving it to me?”

“We start tomorrow. Be ready by 7, I’ll be back to pick you up.” He says as he gets up and walks toward the door.

“Alright, what should I wear?”

“Something that makes all the other guys wish you were with them.” He says, making you blush.

“Alright, I’ll try.”

“Actually no, wear a dress. Whatever you want. All the guys would be wishing you were theirs even if you were in a potato sack. So just, wear a dress. One that makes you feel comfortable. You’ll look great in anything.”

You’re blushing even harder as he walks out and you shut the door behind him.

What did you just get yourself into?

Permanent Taglist: @spideygirl2003, @jackiehollanderr

People who were interested in the Part 2 (If any of you want to be added to any taglist, use the link up above:)) : @pure-ghost, @i-cant-hangout-im-drumming, @cosmiccomicloverqueen

[brokenkingdom-forgottenempire]

Safe With Me (McReigns)

One night Roman got jumped by a group of strangers.

Long ass fic ... 

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It was past midnight. Roman just got off his night shift as a barista. The café closed quite late that night, and they still had to do some extra cleaning inside the shop. The café would be closed for three days for the holidays so they did not mind spending extra time cleaning the floor and other utensils.. 

Roman sent a text to his boyfriend earlier to inform him. Drew tended to get worried whenever Roman arrived home late with no message. The café was owned by his friend, Seth, and Roman was more than happy to work there. Those two were best friends since high schools. Unlike Roman, Seth was married to Jon. Now, the three of them were more like family than friends. The café was busier earlier, people coming in and out to get their drinks, desserts and pastries. Seth handling the cashier, Roman and Becky were busy with the drinks, Sasha and Bianca baking and preparing the cakes and breads, Baron would served them. 

They all made a great team, and Seth would always tell his friends by the end of the day that this café would be nothing without them. Business had been great so they would have extra tips every night. Tonight was no different. The moment the gate was pulled down and locked, six of them were ready to go home, Roman observed as Sasha’s wife, Bayley, waited outside the shop, Becky’s girlfriend, Charlotte, was leaning against her car that she parked across the street, chatting with Bianca’s husband, Montez. Baron lived a block away from the café so he would walk home alone. The taller man was always so quiet around new people but he would rant to Roman and Becky about his boyfriend, Tyler once in a while. 

Roman smiled and bid Baron good night as the quiet man walked away and waved back at him. Jon was helping Seth loading some of the things he needed to bring back home at the backseat of their car. “Are you sure you don’t want to send you home, Ro? I mean, we’re heading to the same direction, we can just drop you off in front of the block?” Seth asked. He quietly hoped Roman would agree, but the Samoan just shook his head. 

“I’ll be fine, Seth. Go home and rest, I’ll text you or Jon once I reach home,” Roman chuckled as Seth pouted but the younger man gave in. Seth knew it was useless to argue with his best friend, especially after midnight and Roman probably wanted to take a walk alone to clear his mind after a long day at the café. 

Seth and Jon hugged the bigger man before leaving, “Don’t talk to strangers, Roman. Call us if you need anything. I have my baseball bat with me in the trunk so they better don’t mess with my favourite man,” Jon hugged him tighter and Roman just gladly hugged back just as tight as he whispered ‘thank you’ to the other man. The couple then drove off, and Roman walked home alone. He had his phone in hand. The wind was colder tonight it sent shiver down Roman’s spine. The Samoan tugged his jacket closer to his body to shield himself from the winter night breeze. 

After walking about 10 minutes, Roman was a block away from his and Drew’s shared house. He checked his phone to see if Drew sent him anything. It was almost 12:30am. Before, Roman could make a turn to his place, a voice stopped him.

“Hey, sexy. Need us to accompany you tonight?” A male voice. Roman turned to look over his shoulder and saw a group of five men standing not far away from him. Judging from the bottles they were holding, Roman guessed none of them were actually sober. The Samoan did not say anything in reply and continued to walk away. He had his hair up in a bun as usual but sure they had mistaken him as a woman...with a built physique. Roman was taller and way muscular than them. ‘Drunk ass can’t tell gender apart,’ Roman thought to himself. 

Roman tried to ignore the group but suddenly a hand grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked him back. He yelped in surprise, and before he could defend himself felt a fist made a contact with his jaw. He could taste the metallic taste of blood on his tongue now. ‘Oh God,’. 

The Samoan struggled and clawed at the man’s arm who still had his hand in his locks. Roman was never a pro fighter but he could still fight back. He drew his fist back before punching the man above him right at the middle, causing him to double over and loosen the grip on Roman’s hair. Of course, it was far from over. Before Roman could run away two of the men from the group grabbed him. Punches and kicks landed on his body. Roman fell on the ground, him arms shielding his head from getting a kick on the face. His knees tucked close to his chest to reduce the impact of the hit. 

“Strip him,” another male’s voice ordered. Roman froze in his position. What.

Roman did not manage to protect himself before two men held him down, a pair of hands unbuckled in belt, and another pair forcefully tugged his jeans down. 

“No! Let me go!” Roman trashed around, trying to break free but the two drunk men had a strong grip on his wrists, a knee pressed him down hard by the chest, and hands wrapped around his neck, restricting his air. Roman coughed out blood but he still struggled. He was getting raped. Oh God, he was going to die. Drew would be so devastated. Oh God, Drew.. “D-don’t touch me!” Roman’s wheezed out when he felt cold, sticky hands grabbed his naked thighs. The hands on his neck tightened and he felt dizzy. Drew. He needed to go back home to Drew. Black spots began to appear, his eyesight blurred out by tears. He was choking. No air. Roman’s eyes rolled back into his head. 

Then he heard a ‘thud’. Something fell? Then another one. Then another. The hands on his neck were gone and air rushed back into his lungs. Roman breathed in greedily but he ended up coughing from the pain on his chest. His body was too weak to sit up. What happened? Roman tiredly opened his eyes only to see Drew standing next to him, swinging a hockey stick at another attacker’s head. Roman whimpered as he watched the stranger fell down on the ground not moving. 

“Roman! Jesus, baby, you’re bleeding! Don’t move, I’ll call an ambulance,” Drew’s voice was filled with fear. Roman looked up at his boyfriend, the Scottish man fished out his phone from his pocket, ready to dial. The Samoan reached up and grabbed Drew’s arm, tugging at it for attention. “What is it, babe? Can you see me? Can you breathe? Say something, love. Oh God, I should’ve waited for you outside-” Drew was rambling. He never rambled. Drew only did that when he was in a panic state. Roman persistently tugged the other man’s arm and Drew had to bend down closer. 

Drew did not get to ask before Roman pulled him down for a kiss. Drew held to hold himself back, he did not want to hurt his boyfriend further when he tasted blood on his own tongue. Drew was the first to pull back. Roman, with blood trickling down the corner of his mouth, smiled tiredly at him. “You came.” was all Roman could say after a while.

“Of course I came, you idiot!” Drew huffed out. His boyfriend was out of it. They probably hit him in the head, and now Roman was completely out of it. “Enough talking, you’re bleeding! We need to go to the hospital now. I’ll carry you,” Drew was ready to lift his 260 pounds boyfriend but Roman shook his head. 

“No. Don’t want hospital. I want you. I’m cold. My jeans-” 

“I pulled your jeans up earlier when you almost passed out. You’re cold because you’re lying on wet sidewalks. We’re going to the hospital,” Drew scooped him up easily but the sudden movement caused Roman to whimper in pain, his leg hurt. Did they break his leg too? His chest hurt. Despite all the pain he was feeling on his body, Roman would rather stay inside their bedroom, warm and safe, than to spend the night on hospital bed. 

“Baby, please, I don’t wanna go,” Roman slurred out his words. He was too tired. He hated the hospital. He just wanted to cuddle up with Drew, warm in their bed. He almost got raped He almost died out here. He just wanted Drew. 

The Scottish man sighed heavily before leaning in to kiss Roman on his forehead. “Ro, we need to get your head check. They hit you, your head is bleeding, they strangled you too, “Drew’s eyes unconsciously darted down to Roman’s neck. Red trace of the attacker’s fingers and some bruises were starting to get more visible on the Samoan’s bronze skin. The sight made Drew want to just crack the asshole’s skull with his hockey stick. “I just need to know that you’re okay, Please, let’s just go-” A loud police siren cut Drew’s pleading off. Roman shut his eyes tight when he heard it. It was too loud for him. The Samoan just curled further in Drew’s hold as if it would help to reduce his headache. When did Drew call them? 

“Are you two alright?” Sheamus’s voice. Their neighbour. Drew’s officemate too. “I called the cops when I saw Drew started swinging. The medic should be here soon too. Are you okay, Roman?” The Irish man asked. Roman nodded weakly and gave his best (bloody) smile. 

“I’m alright-”

“No, you’re NOT alright. Shut up,” Drew cut Roman off before he turned to look at their neighbour. “God, thank you so much, Shea. I didn’t know what would ‘ve happened if I didn’t come out to look for him. They almost-”

“But they didn’t. Roman is safe now, the cops are here. You saved him,” Sheamus gently patted the Scottish man’s shoulder, comforting his worried friend. Drew’s eyes were teary as he held Roman tighter in his hold. Using all the strength he had left in him, Roman wrapped his arms around his Scottish boyfriend, burying his head in Drew’s chest. He could hear Drew’s heart thumping against his ribcage, unsteady and fast. Roman just nosed Drew’s clothed chest, inhaling his boyfriend’s fresh-out-shower body gel helped to calm him down. He was safe. He was with Drew. Drew was here holding him. 

The ambulance arrived minutes after the cops did. Sheamus and a couple of officers had to restrain Drew from attacking the assholes who hurt Roman. The Scottish yelled something about they were lucky he did not crack their skulls open for touching his boyfriend. All five of the attackers were handcuffed and jammed at the back of the police van. 

Drew had reluctantly left Roman to the healthcare workers. They were patching the Samoan up, checking for any broken bones or internal damages. Fortunately, they found none. Roman had sprained his knee when he fell earlier. There was an open wound near his hairline. Black and blue patches began to appear around Roman’s neck but it was nothing serious. The wound did not need stitching. No concussion. The medic did advise him to go to the hospital for further checkups but Roman turned it down. No broken bones, no internal bleeding, he was fine. 

The Samoan was thankful when they told him the blood that he spat out earlier was from the cut inside his mouth when one of the assholes punched him in the face. There was still a throb of pain around his chest area whenever he inhaled too deep, he would end up coughing, but of the health worker ensured him his ribcage was alright. Roman lifted his head up when he saw an officer approaching him. He calmly answered the questions regarding the incident and if they did anything else to him. Roman just shook his head and turned to look at where his boyfriend was standing with Sheamus, also being interrogated by another police officer. 

Roman told everything from when he left the café, walked down the streets and met the group. How they attacked him, what he felt when he was losing consciousness. Roman did not realize when Drew got to him but he surprisingly did not flinch away when the Scottish man reached out and intertwined his fingers with Roman’s, holding him tight when Roman paused his story. The police officer was patience enough to let Roman had small breaks in between too. 

Once the Samoan had done telling his side of the story, the officer told the couple that they would handle everything else from now. The medic just told Roman to rest more and to report if there were any rising concerns especially his head and chest. The couple thanked the workers and before they could go, a familiar voice broke the peaceful silence of the night time.

“Where are those sonofabitch?! I’m going to f*cking murder them!” Jon yelled put, baseball bat in hand, ready to swing it at anyone at all. Some of the officers from earlier rushed to surround him. “Don’t touch me! Where’s Roman?!” Jon charged front to stand face-to-face against one of the officers who told his men to hold fire. 

“Jon! Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Please excuse my husband, he’s just worried-” Seth tried to pull Jon away from the cops. Some of them had guns in their hands, waiting for orders. Seth apologized over and over again before turning to calm his husband down. “Babe, please. Don’t do this. I don’t want anything to happen to you too,” Seth’s hand moved to stroke Jon’s face. The man with the baseball bat huffed and tucked his weapon away, arms crossing over his chest. 

“Seth! Jon!” The two men turned their heads when they heard Roman’s voice. Seth did not seem to bother when the officers tried to stop him as he ran to hug his best friend. 

“Jesus, Ro! What happened?! Drew called Jon earlier and told us you were attacked? Oh God, look at you! I should’ve forced you inside the car-”

“Seth, I’m fine. Breathe. Calm down. I didn’t mean to scare both of you. I’m okay now. Drew beat them up with the hockey stick.” Roman did not push Seth away and just tightened his hug when he felt Seth crying on his shoulder. The Samoan shushed the younger man, his head throbbed in pain but he ensured Seth that he was alright. 

“Next time, we’re not taking a ‘no’ from you, Ro. We’re driving you home or we’ll drag you home.” Jon’s voice made Roman turn his head. He did not realize Jon was standing so close to him at the side. Roman reached out and pulled Jon into a group hug. His strong arms wrapped around the couple as he tried to calm his still racing heart caused by the incident. 

“I’m sorry.” Was all Roman could say. 

Seth slapped his chest lightly at Roman’s apology. “Don’t apologize, you big goof! I’m just so glad you’re okay!” Seth’s eyes were still glassy, tears still leaked at the corners. Roman nodded in reply before pecking both of their foreheads. It had become his habit now. Even Drew knew about it. Speaking of Drew, the Scot just silently approached the trio, Sheamus was still with him, telling Drew how to make their area safer for all of them. 

Once the police officers and medics left, Drew and Roman invited them into their home for some drinks, and Roman just could not stop apologizing to his two best friends and their neighbour, Sheamus for causing all the trouble. Sheamus shook his head and patted Roman’s back, telling the Samoan that anyone would do the same if they saw their neighbour being attacked like that. Seth was still clinging onto Roman’s arm, and Jon had to convince Seth that they would visit Drew and Roman again tomorrow, and Roman needed to rest. That did it for Seth as the younger man slowly loosened his grip on Roman’s arm. 

Seth went to hug Roman and Drew once last time before they left. Jon did the same and thanked Drew for telling them because they both knew Roman would keep it to himself for the rest of his life with the excuse that he did not want to worry the couple. Sheamus bid everyone good night (or morning) and went back inside. 

Roman watched as Jon’s car drove away before he let Drew guide him back into their home. Drew’s arm wrapped protectively around his boyfriend’s waist. Once they were safely inside their bedroom, Drew wasted no time as he dragged Roman to lay down on top of him on their king sized bed. Roman did not protest and just wrapped his arms around Drew, holding onto him like an anchor. God, he almost got raped and died in the attack. 

“I love you,” Drew whispered.

“I love you too, baby. Thank you. I love you so much,” Roman moved up a little to kiss Drew full on the lips, deep and long. All the fear from earlier vanished, knowing that he was safe in here, with his favourite man. 

“I’m walking you home next time. Or Seth and Jon can drive you home. If I ever find out that you walk home alone again, I’m tying you to this bed. Screw your job at the café. Do you hear me?” Drew’s warm breath washed over Roman’s face. The older man just nodded silently. 

“Make love to me?” Roman asked suggestively before he moved to straddle Drew. The Scot just stared at his boyfriend as the Samoan spat on his hand to stretch his own hole. “Make me forget about them?” Drew did not need to be told twice. He stroked his dick as he watched Roman stretched himself open. Two fingers in, Roman began writhing in pleasure, causing him to moan shamelessly. The Samoan moved his hips up and down, riding his own fingers as he fixed his eyes at Drew’s blue ones, lust was evident in both of them. Roman did not want to remember the cold hands gliding up his bare thighs as his jeans were yanked down. He wanted to forget the smell of smoke and liquor as they held him down on the hard concrete ground. He wanted to forget fingers that wrapped around his neck, suffocating him to almost unconsciousness. 

Drew grabbed a small bottle of lube he kept on the nightstand next to their bed, and squirted some directly on his dick, making sure he would not hurt Roman. Drew gripped at the base of his dick as Roman moved to hover his hole right above the head, aligning them before the older man slowly eased down the fat length. 

“That’s it, baby. Take it all,” Drew’s deep voice was almost too much for Roman. The Samoan continued to slide down his boyfriend dick, whimpering as he felt the meat went deeper within him. Drew knew Roman did not like to take it slow, he would usually tell Drew to just shove it in, but he would let Roman lead tonight. He was not sure if Roman was in the right headspace for some rough sex either. 

“Ahh fuck, babe!” Roman cried out as he had finally seated on Drew’s dick, balls deep. The Samoan began grinding his hips, hole muscles massaging Drew’s hot meat. Drew’s head fell back as he groaned in pleasure. He really wanted to slam his dick hard inside of Roman but the band aid on the older man’s temple was set like a reminder for Drew to go gentle unless it was Roman who wanted it. 

“You feel alright, Ro?” The Scot asked, gently pulling Roman down to give him a kiss. Roman smiled and nodded his head as returned the kiss. “Promise you’ll tell if you feel lightheaded.” Drew planted a kiss on Roman’s forehead.

“I promise. Please fuck me hard, Daddy. I need it. Please.” The older man slowly lifted his hips and brought it down again on the thick length, grunting loudly as he felt the head went deeper and deeper every time he moved. 

“Get on your back, baby. We need to put less pressure on your knee.” Drew ordered, and Roman moved without arguing. He needed this. He needed Drew. The younger man grabbed both of Roman’s legs and spread them apart as he settled in between. Drew did not waste anymore time as he slid in almost smoothly, causing Roman to arch his back. Drew leaned in, capturing Roman’s lips with his, swallowing muffled moans as he began bucking his hips. 

Drew pulled his cock almost all the way out before he slammed it back into the Roman’s twitching hole. Their bedroom was filled with the sound of skin slapping skin. Roman’s long, ink black hair splayed on the white pillows. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the bedsheet tightly, almost ripping the fabric off. 

“Fuck, Drew! You’re so- ah - deep! So fucking deep. So good.” the man below panted, eyes rolling back when Drew hit his spot. 

“Fuck yes, baby. I want you to feel me. And only me.” Drew’s mouth trailed down on Roman’s back thigh, kissing the exposed skin and biting it. “I want your body to remember how my dick feels like. No one else can touch you. Only me. I’ll break them in half if they dare to even think about touching you. You’re mine, baby boy.” He moved to plant more kisses on Roman chest and down to his navel. The older man gasped when Drew teasingly bit the skin around his belly button. 

“Yes, Daddy, yes! Harder please!,” Roman’s voice cracked, feeling his prostate being assaulted over and over again by Drew’s hot rod. “Please, I’m about to come. Harder, baby.” His hands reached up to hold onto Drew’s biceps when Drew sped up and ram into his boyfriend harder. Roman’s breath hitched at the pleasure. His mouth fell open in a silent scream. 

“Come for me, Roman,” Drew’s voice was enough to bring Roman to the edge. He came without touching his dick. Ropes of cum spurted out every time Drew slammed in, and it landed on Roman’s stomach and chest. That was one intense orgasm for Roman, his body was sensitive all over. However, Drew had not come yet. He gently hooked Roman’s legs on his shoulders, big hands spreading the fat cheeks more before he began thrusting in again. “Ooh fuuucckkkk. Slow, babe, please. You’re getting too deep.” Roman’s whispered plead was it for Drew. The Scots continued to fuck harder and deeper, milking more pleads and cries of mercy from his older boyfriend.

After several thrusts, Drew came inside Roman, painting the walls inside white. Roman whimpered as he tried to milk Drew’s spent cock more with his oversensitive ass muscles. 

Before pulling out, Drew leaned in to kiss Roman once again, stopping few times to tell Roman ‘you’re safe here, baby’, and ‘I love you’. Roman just hid his face at the crook of Drew’s neck, he breathed in the Scottish man’s scent and he knew no one was going to hurt him. Drew was there with him. Drew would protect him. 

Drew dragged Roman to their bathroom, helping the older man to take a quick shower. Once they were done, Drew pulled Roman back down into their bed, tucking the older man’s head under his chin. Roman’s arms came to wrap around Drew’s waist while Drew’s big arms pulled Roman closer to his chest. They fell asleep like that... in each other’s arms. 

[raven-frost-21]

Can you marry me? Chapter 5

Sabine growled as she looked through social media for any mention of Marinette. Her husband sat next to her comforting the poor girl as she sobbed. She sighed as she thought back to her daughter. She was a circus brat but she was a good kid, or so they had thought. She shook her head and a look of determination settled over her features.

“It looks like she is most likely somewhere in Europe.”

Tom nodded, “I’ll call some of my buddies and ask them to keep an eye out.”

They nodded. They would find her, and make things right.

Neither of them noticed the wicked grin Lila hid behind her hands and fake tears.

```

Marinette yawned as she sat up. And shrieked as a limb of ice wrapped around her waist. Dick chuckled as he tried to pull her back under the covers. He sighed dreamily as he nuzzled his nose into the skin of her waist just above the band of her sweatpants. She smiled down at him as she gently brushed hair away from his face. She shifted to leave again and giggled when the arms around her tightened in protest.

“No! Don’t go~”

She rolled her eyes and started to play with his hair. “I have to though. I have to get the rent. I just have to do 14 stories and 70 apartments. I’ll be back before you know it!”

His grip tightened and he yanked her back so she was curled up against his chest, she tried to wriggle out but he shifted so she was partially in between his chest and the mattress. She rolled her eyes and went limp. Dick smiled and nuzzled into her neck.

She smirked and raised a finger to her lips, after licking her finger she gently poked it into his ear and turned her fingers, causing him to tense and jump away from the odd sensation.

“I’M UP!!”

She laughed as she scrambled off the bed and moved out of his range. “It’s rent day, okay, I’ll do floors 8-14, Apartments 36-70 and you take the rest.”

He sat up and whined. “Why do you get to take all the fun tenants?”

She giggled, “Because I was up first!”

She moved and quickly opened the door to the closet, pulling out a pair of thigh high black boots and a white sweater dress with a cowl neckline that reached her lower thigh.  She glanced back to see that Dick was in the bathroom so she quickly dressed. She turned and found the door open so she slid in and pulled her hair back into a fashionably messy bun, and did simple makeup before grabbing her reading glasses. She turned around and slammed into something warm and tan.

She heard Dick laugh and she blushed glancing up at him with a shy smile. He smiled back and she squeaked, burying her head into his bare chest. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. (He is wearing jeans don’t worry! He forgot his shirt in the bathroom)

“See something you like Sparrow?”

She bit her lip and blushed harder as she started to push away from the man.

“H-hi sorry I’m!”

He chuckled looking down at her and she struggled to pull her gaze away from his lips.

“Sorry I mean I’m!”

Dick laughed and leaned closer to her. If she moved just a bit further, she would kiss him. He chuckled lowly and whispered,

“Do you mean I’m sorry?”

She blushed and put her hands on his chest pushing him away. “That. Going I’m gonna.”

She turned and bolted from the room and snatched the list of tenants as she left.

‘Crap! I have a crush on DICK! This was supposed to be simple!’

Dick chuckled and felt a light blush spread on his cheeks as she ran from the room. He knew he shouldn’t have done that but she was so easy to fluster. He bit his lip as he thought about what had just happened. If he had leaned in farther would she have kissed him back? Would she have pulled away and slapped him? He smiled as he thought of the way she had blushed and bit her lip, looking up at him, not noticing or caring how her boots hug her legs and make them seem long and slender. Or how she nuzzled into his chest not noticing the way she clung to him when she did that. Her shy smile and the mess of words that fell from her perfect lips. He groaned and slid down the back of the door when he realized, “I’m falling in love with my wife.” ` Marinette took in a breath before knocking on the first door. It swung open to reveal two tired adults who just got back from a bar if the smell told her anything. “Hello! It’s Ms. Grayson, I’m the landlady and I’m here to get your rent for the apartment. We unfortunately do not have a way to pay it online or directly to the bank yet, so as we said last month until we do we will continue to go door to door. Do you have the rent or do I need to come back tomorrow?” The older of the two smiled. “Yeah! We have it one moment.” They turned and disappeared into the apartment and she turned to the other adult leaning against the door. “If you do not mind me asking, we are compiling a list of everyone’s preferred pronouns and names. Would you mind telling me yours?” They smiled. “Yeah, I would like to be called Taylor and my pronouns are Ve/Ver.” The older one returned and handed her a white envelope that she quickly counted and nodded. “I already asked Taylor here but we are compiling a list of everyone in the buildings preferred name and pronouns, do you mind sharing yours?” They nodded and replied, “I am Halle, my pronouns are She/They.” She smiled at the two before moving on to the next apartment. It was going smoothly until she got to number 45. When the door opened the red haired woman was practically naked and was confused when she was asked to cover herself. She did so anyway and her red haired husband joined her. “Hello! I’m Ms. Grayson your-” “Any relation to Richard Grayson?” She blinked in shock. “I’m his wife, why?” The two started to laugh before the green eyed one straightened. “He is nothing but a cheater, watch out kid. And we were told this was free by the owner.” They slammed the door shut and she blinked. Looking down at her list she frowned. It looked like the man she had hired to collect the rent when she bought the place 2 years ago had believed the two and they had never paid a cent. That was $6,000! She sighed before pulling out the pink paper she hated. Raising her hand she knocked again. “What lady!?” “Hello. I’m Marinette Grayson, the owner of this building and your Landlady. It has come to my attention that you have not paid your rent in 2 years. This is your official notice that states, you either cough up the $6,000 owed or start a payment plan to pay over time, or you can find another apartment, you have a week to decide and two after that to find a new apartment before you will be forcefully evicted.” She smiled sweetly at them and turned and moved on to the next apartment. Leaving the two staring in shock at the space she had just occupied. ``` Dick smiled as they opened the door. “Hey! I’m Mr. Grayson! I just married the Landlady. I’m here for the rent! We can’t pay any other way right now, but as soon as we can we’ll let ya know! Do you have the rent or do I need to stop by tomorrow?” They nodded and handed him an envelope. “My wife and I are creating a list of everyone in the buildings preferred name and pronouns so we do not offend. Do you mind telling me yours?” “I’m Sarah, She/Her. My son’s name is J. He/They. And then we also have Ash Ve/Ver.” He smiled as he wrote down the names. “So how old is your son, you don’t look much older than 22.”

[starcrossedyanderes]

Day 2 - Holiday Cookies

You couldn’t believe Xavier has never made or decorated Christmas cookies. I mean, how can a person just live for around 17 to 18 years and not do such a thing?

Of course that would have to change if you had anything to say about it.

So you donned your apron and dragged Xavier down to one of the kitchens before throwing an apron at his face as well.

While he was begrudgingly putting his apron on you made quick work washing your hands and then pulling your hair up into a nice bun. With a big smile you turned around to face a confused and slightly grumpy Xavier.

“Vhat are ve doing? And vhy am I vearing an apron?”

Your smile grew as your hands searched through the pantry with your head turned slightly in his direction.

“Well since a certain someone has never made Christmas cookies I thought we should change that.”

You turned your head to fully face the pantry but still continued the conversation.

“Be a dear and wash your hands. Oh and could you preheat the oven to 350?”

Xavier decided not to say anything and did as you asked. Oh, the things that he does for you.

Upon finishing he leaned against the counters and stared at you as you continued to gather a wide variety of ingredients.

“Vhat cookies are ve making anyvay?”

You turned head a bit at him to make eye contact.

“Well, in the states the most common holiday cookies tend to be sugar and gingerbread cookies. I personally hate making gingerbread so I figured we could stick with the classic sugar cookie.”

You had finished your apparent search and placed some of the ingredients on the counter top.

You had a proud smile on your face from the simple action you completed although it turned sour as you realized what you had forgotten.

“Oh, shoot! Kinda need a baking sheet. Xavier, could you mix the butter and sugar in the stand mixer? I don’t know this kitchen so this could take a while.”

You didn’t even give him an option before scuttling off.

Xavier let out an exasperated sigh before doing as told and proceeded to seat up on the countertop.

He couldn’t help but to stare at your scuttling figure since he couldn’t help but think how adorable you were in that cute little apron of yours! The bow was nice and big in the back and the bottom of the apron jutted out a bit and just really added to the cuteness factory. (Also he wasn’t one to do this but when bended over he couldn’t help but look at your backside.)

Alas you had found your item and the cookie making went on like normal.

Xavier was having a shockingly good time as the two of you shared stories from your childhoods and things about your different cultures. Also he found making cookies to be kinda fun.

Although he could deal without the flour getting everywhere.

[guymaito]

please hit me with those headcanons!!! i too fixate on past avatars and would love to hear your thoughts!

me 🤝 you

fixating on past avatars

under the cut <3

Kuruk was definitely a wild child when she was a toddler, so her terrible twos lasted until she was at least 6 or 7

Roku was really shy when he was a child and it somewhat carried over into his adult life so he still has trouble trying to walk up and talk to people at times

Speaking of Roku, he’s a good dancer!! he definitely surprised Ta Min at their wedding and pulled her onto the dance floor

Yangchan was definitely a bisexual demigirl, she definitely didn’t figure that out until really late in life though, probably at like, 90 or so

They all use neopronouns <3

Wan uses: He/Pup/Xe

Szeto: They/Ne

Salai: He/Ve

Yangchan: She/He/Bun

Kuruk: Pup/Paw/E/She

Kyoshi: She/Ae

Roku: He/Kit

Aang: Bun/Kit/He/Fae

Korra: She/It/Ve/Xe/Pup

^^^^ prolly will be using these throughout 

Salai!! My boy, even though we barely know anything about him other than his name and that he was either the air avatar before Yangchan or the earth avatar before Kyoshi, I feel like ve would be a good herbalist, the best in the Earth Kingdom actually, ve ended up spending a lot of his time in the medical field and in hospitals almost as much as time he spends traveling around the world being the avatar

I said this multiple times a before and I will continue saying it, Kuruk is a little spoon, e feels safe and loved and protected when she’s the one being held

she prolly also likes being on the bottom

Modern AU Kyoshi and Kuruk once started a riot in a mall once

Nobody knows how or why but they did and the only thing that they learned from it was that they shouldn’t be left alone together, especially in public places

Yangchan had a goth phase all throughout her teenage years

She wore mainly black and dark orange but he also wore yellow and black

Wan was in a relationship with Jaya, the human guy from his lion turtle

After Katara, Tonraq was Korra’s favorite waterbending instructor, so they often bonded through waterbending

The first thing Korra her dad was a flower made out of ice pup made out of ice

Aang knows how to make dresses!! And fae is really good at it 

Aang made the dress Katara wore on their wedding night

Roku was prolly the cutest dad when he had his daughter, he was often seen with her whenever he didn’t have important avatar things to do, when she was old enough to walk and run he would sometimes place her on kit’s feet and danced with her

Ta Min also caught them napping together a few dozen times

And by proxy he was a cute grandpa as well

At one point, Szeto had two boyfriends

One of them was from the NWT while the other was from the Earh Kingdom 

They ended up breaking up in their late teens, a few years after Szeto started their airbending training

Korra had a crush on Tenzin during it’s airbending training

Korra also had a crush on Katara for the longest time

Roku dated Sid (his earthbending teacher) sometime after Roku mastered the avatar state

They ended up breaking up around the time Roku went to visit Sozin and found out he was gonna start colonizing the other nations

Wan is the shortest avatar after Roku

Kyoshi: 7′1

Aang: 6′9

Yangchan: 6′6

Kuruk: 6′1

Salai: 5′11

Szeto: 5′9

Korra: 5′8

Roku: 5′7

Wan: 5′5

Wan didn’t know that neopronouns existed until xe was banished to the spirit wilds

After pup learned about them, he officially started the trend of the avatar using neopronouns

Aang and Yangchan are the ‘shortest’ airbenders

Salai has a fear of heights but didn’t know about it until he went to the Northern Air Temple for airbending training

Kyoshi had a sister but when they became orphans she ended dying young

At some point Kuruk learned how to knit and crochet

Kuruk made a crochet sweater for her mom when she first started crocheting

Kuruk also made Ummi a knitted sweater that paw made pupself

Korra is in a queerplatonic relationship with Mako

Salai and Szeto are some of the few avatars that got a job outside of being the avatar

Modern AU Aang plays Animal Crossing New Horizons and Minecraft

Modern AU Yangchan plays Pokemon and most Mario games

Szeto knows how to make flowers out of fire

After seeing Tonraq make ice flowers for ver Senna, Korra almost immediately asked Tonraq to teach her so she could them for pup’s friends

Modern AU Korra likes racing games

Roku often gives Ta Min flowers once a week

Kyoshi can’t cook

Ae once burnt down nearly the entire house trying to cook for Rangi cause it was her birthday and ae didn’t want her to cook for herself

They ended up ordering takeout 

Kuruk knows how braid hair

Mainly cause e has long hair of her own but also cause she’s the oldest of 7 kids, 5 of which are girls

On the other end of spectrum, Roku is the youngest child

Kit had 6 older sisters and 2 older brothers

Compared to Kit’a siblings, Roku was definitely the shyest and the most quiet one, even in adulthood

Aang was an absolute sweetheart when fae was a toddler, just like how he was a sweetheart in bun’s adulthood

Toddler Aang often made Gyatso pictures, usually of him but sometimes of them playing together 

The reason why Korra disliked Asami at first was cause she had a crush on her and didn’t know how to deal with it so she made herself dislike her

Roku was also a sweetheart when kit was a baby!!

Roku often gave her flowers, made her drawings, made her flower crowns (with the help of his father), etc

Yangchan and Kyoshi were pretty chill babies, not much to say here

Wan’s parents died when xe was really young so pup doesn’t know much about them

 Salai strongly dislikes tea, the other avatars are baffled by this

Except Korra, she doesn’t like tea either

Kinda goes with my Apartment Complex AU but, Modern AU Roku met Kuruk at the library he works at

Kuruk was there cause paw was trying to find books about mythology cause e were slowly becoming more interested in pup’s old interests again

Ended up working there as Roku’s assistant

these is all i have for now, i hope you enjoyed this wall of text

[talpup]

Lost Song:10

Summary: The war between the Dragons and Griffons ended 233 years ago, and both races right along with it.

Or so it was believed. There are three individuals that will soon change that.

Kai is the last of the Dragons and he seeks to take what he sees as his rightful place and rule over all of Oblvi. Meanwhile, Shouta, the last Sphinx, wants nothing more than to do his job; keep the peace and and teach the young Fourth’s to hopefully avoid the mistakes of their ancestors. And Teris, a Foundling who is just trying to understand and survive in this strange new world that is supposedly her own.

All three have their own wants and desires, but Kai’s plans, Teris’ existence, and Shouta's past mean that none of them may get what they want.

This fic is rated explicit and has warnings of sex, violence, and other possible triggers.  For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

Notes: Flashbacks/memories are in italics. I decided to give Pops a name.  Ryuu.  For those of you who haven't read BNHA Vigilantes.  His Purple Highness is a character from there.

10.1

Shouta entered the library of his Ilca dorm carrying a stack of essay’s to grade.  His student's complained every time he assigned them homework.  As if they alone suffered.  If anything, they had it easy.  They only had to write a single paper.  Where as he had to grade them all. He set down the pile and frowned at the top page. ...And try to decipher Kaminari’s handwriting, he thought with a tired sigh.

Shouta shuffled the Venti-High Elf’s essay with its chaotic scrawl to the bottom of the pile and sat down. At least he had the next few nights off from patrol.  Though it was doubtful he would get any rest from the time off. Not with members of the Council arriving and the truth of Teris being a griffon needing to be guarded.  If anything, he’d probably get even less sleep than usual.

The thought of Teris had Shouta reaching into his pants pocket in search of the item he had been carrying around for two days.  His hesitance was illogical and had to end. With Elders of the Council arriving later this evening, he could no longer stall.  He had to give Teris the gift today.

A soft humming growl reverberated in Shouta’s chest.  Not gift, he corrected himself. Why did he keep on thinking of the thing as a gift?

He growled again at the other, far more crucial failing on his part. With the Council Elders arriving this evening, Shouta should've given the thing to Teris this morning.  But the infuriating woman had had been spoiling for a fight.  And with the little sleep he had invaded by dreams of her.  Shouta, in his irritation, had given in and snapped back. Because of that he had held off giving Teris the bracelet. He couldn’t say why, but he didn’t want to give her the gift in anger.  It’s not a gift, Shouta told himself inner voice stern in it’s scolding. It’s a necessary thing for her protection.

Shouta entered Nedzu’s office.  “You wanted to see me.”

“Yes. Please come in and have a seat. We have a concerning issue.  Tea?” The Director of Traverseen Hall offered.

Shouta sat before the Hybrid’s desk and shook his head.  When Nedzu didn’t even make himself a cup, Shouta realized just how serious the matter was.

“I’ve been informed that some Elders of the Council will be coming to Traverseen Hall.  They wish to see the Foundling’s.”  Nedzu said.

The heckles on the back of Shouta’s neck rose in protective aggression and worry. “Teris…  There a those on the Council that will know her for a griffon at first scent.”

Nedzu nodded.  “I’m aware.  It’s not an easy thing to tell a Fourth's species by scent alone, especially when both parties are in human form.  But there are those on the Council who were high ranking in the Griffon Court and dealt with griffons often and closely enough to know Teris is one at first whiff.  While a few others would be able to do the same, having specialized in hunting and stalking out griffon locations for the dragons. If one such Elder is part of the group that’s coming.  I fear there is little we could do to stop them from taking Teris before the panel.  And we both know what that would mean.”

Shouta's chin ducked, teeth baring in a snarl that was hidden by his capture weapon.  Teris was his. He would end anyone who dared tried to take her from him.

Nedzu went on. “It’s why I called you here.  I’m aware the Dryad King found a small library of books near where he discovered you.  And that he kept those books secret from the Council, gifting them to you as your inheritance as the last Sphinx. I was hoping somewhere in that small portion of what remained of the vast stores of Sphinx knowledge is something that could assist us in this.”

Shouta had barely been able to focus on teaching his class that day.  When the school day finally ended he had filed out quicker than his student's.  He had missed dinner and evening lesson with Hizashi and Teris. Having called in a favor with Nemuri to cover his patrol, Shouta had spent a sleepless night locked in his chambers scouring the books in his personal armory for something to help. An hour before sunrise, he had found a solution.  If he combined a specifically forged charm and overlayed a certain spell on it…  The following night had been another sleepless one.

An echoing clang of metal hitting metal sounded from deep within the bowels of Traverseen Hall.  Even in the middle of winter the furnace room was as hot and sweltering as hell.  The place was windowless and dark.  The sole light of the furnace fire throwing long flickering shadows.

Tired and slick with sweat, Shouta set down the hammer and examined the layered mix of salted iron and shining silver.  He pushed back his plastered hair and wiped the sweat from his brow with a leather gloved hand. One more turn in the fire and a few more hits of the hammer, and the charm would be complete.

The cuff bracelet he was making could've been made from of any metal.  It definitely would've been easier and far quicker if he opted not to blend two separate metals.  But given the dangers Teris would face on the patrols she and Hizashi would go on with him, Shouta found it illogical to waste the opportunity to add other layers of protection.

Sweat rolling down his bare chest, Shouta smiled, pleased with how the gift was turning out. He frown at the cuff. Why did he keep thinking of it as a gift?  It wasn’t a gift.  It was a necessity.  He wasn’t doing this to court Teris. He was doing it because the Council was coming and Teris needed protection from being sniffed out as a griffon.  Him making this thing had nothing to do with his care for her.  He had no care for her. The only reason he was doing this was because it was his responsibility as Ilca leader to see both Teris and Hizashi protected.

Shouta didn’t dare ask himself if he would’ve put the same amount of time and effort into making the item look perfect and pleasing if it were for Hizashi's protection instead of Teris’.  Shouta did his best not to examine his thoughts where Teris was concerned. Why would he?  Teris was an annoyance he’d rather not think about at all.

Black pants hanging low on his hips, Shouta stepped back to the fire.  It was cathartic to thrust the confounded item he kept thinking of as a gift into the blaze.

Humans might’ve needed protection against the furnaces heat and sparks.  But even in human form Shouta didn’t have to worry about such things.  The only thing he had to worry about was getting this right the first time.  While he had enough material in the stores of his personal armory to make the gift.  He only had enough for one attempt.

Shouta turned the long tongs, evenly heating the salted iron and sliver.  More strands of inky black hair fell from the messy bun.  The escaped dark waves clung to his face and neck. Sweat sizzled on his body and evaporated.  It rolled down his chest and pooled in his navel then continued on and caught in the dark trail of hair that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants.

Thoroughly heated, Shouta pulled the red hot metal from the flame and returned it to the anvil.  The firelight highlighted the rolling muscles of Shouta's back as he took up the hammer and lifted it.  He brought it down with a clank and mass of sparks.

With the charm forged he now had to place the overlaying spell on it.  But something made him pause.  The charmed bracelet would muddle the scent of the wearer’s species.  While the spell would stop the charm from interfering with the wearer’s personal scent.  It meant that Teris would still smell like herself; but she wouldn’t smell like a griffon.  But what if one of the coming Council members were so familiar with griffons that muddling the smell of Teris’ species wasn’t enough?

If he added a few strands from his mane.  No.  The underlying scent of a Fourth’s species became stronger and much more prominent in their true form.  Such a powerful scent of hereditary marker would garner attention in itself.  But if he were to add some hair from his human form, the charmed bracelet would carry and muddle his species scent along with Teris’.

Shouta hummed, pleased at the thought of Teris having a part of him so close. He frowned.  What kind of silly youngling thought was that?  Why would he even want Teris to keep a part of him close when he couldn’t stand and didn’t want to be near her?  Growling, Shouta blamed his exhaustion. He rubbed his tired eyes and read over the instructions for making the charm to be sure the addition of his hair would work.  Satisfied that it would, he pulled the tie holding his hair back.  The dark, sweat drenched locks fell with a plop.

He smirked at the thought of how Teris would react if she knew she would be wearing his unwashed hair around her wrist.  But it was more than a petty vengeance.  His beastly scent would be more potent this way.

Shouta reached up and sectioned out a bit of hair from the nape of his neck.  Mind wandering back to the thought of Teris keeping a part of him close, Shouta carefully braided the strands unaware of the smile that crept onto his face.

Shouta stared down at the bracelet in his hand.  Like all creators he easily picked out every minute flaw in his creation. Even though he had been careful in braiding, and selected the best portion of the strand to use. His critical eye found the braid sloppy. It’s weave marginally tighter at one end of the cuff and looser at the other.

At least he had done a bit better with the actual metal work.  The layers sandwiched silver and salted iron so thin a Fourth would have to be in their true form and squinting to see them.  The cuff looked like one solid piece.  The salted iron giving it a charcoal color.  While the silver gave it a sheen.  His braided hair looked like a decorative black metal detail. And with the charm finished, its spell set in place, it may as well have been.  Even in their true form, only a small handful of Fourth's would be able to see it as the hair it truly was.

Shouta ran a calloused thumb over the bracelet.  He wondered if Teris would like it.  The clock in the great room chimed the hour.  Teris would soon be returning from her lessons with Kai.  A slight nervous excitement bubbled up inside him.  He scolded himself.  This wasn't a courting gift.  It was something he had to do protect Teris from the Council.

What if she did more than not like it?  What if Teris rejected it?  Maybe he should have Hizashi give it to her.  Teris would surely be more accepting of the bracelet if given from Hizashi instead of him.  A low growl rumbled in Shouta’s chest at the thought of Hizashi giving Teris the gift he had worked so hard on.

Shouta stared at the bracelet and sighed. Truth is getting harder and harder to ignore, he thought.  He shook his head and told himself to shut up.

It’s an illogical waste of time and energy to continue attempting to deny the truth, his inner voice continued.  You’ll have to face the fact of it sooner or later.  Why this stubborn insistence on delaying the inevitable?

I don’t know what you’re talking about, Shouta told himself.

Stop trying to convince yourself otherwise.  Just admit that you want her, his voice of reason sounded. This blatant denial of facts is childish and doesn’t suit you.

I don’t want her.  I can barely stand her, Shouta argued with himself.

Then why worry if she’ll like the cuff and accept it?

You’re right, he told himself. It’s a necessity not a gift.  As her Ilca leader, I’ll simply order Teris to wear the thing.

That’ll certainly warm her to you and win her favor, his inner voice taunted.

What do I care if Teris warms to me, he thought.

You did proposition her with seeking release, he told himself.

That was simply so I wouldn’t have to go to Nemuri.  It’s not like I asked Teris to mate or be companions, he reasoned.

You wanted to though, his voice of reason pressed.

No. I didn’t, Shouta thought getting annoyed with himself.

You were disappointed when Teris turned down your offer of release.

Release, he thought. There’s no feelings involved with that.

There can be, his rational side argued.

Yeah, well, there wouldn’t have been if Teris accepted, he told himself.

You should ask her again, he thought. With her around you’ll be needing release more often.  You need it now. No doubt she’s needs it too.  Maybe after you give her this gift…

The main door to the dorm opened drawing Shouta’s attention and ending his inner argument. He rose to his feet and exited the library.  The sight of Teris made him pause.  She was beautiful.  Lips slightly swollen and redder than usual.  The ends of her hair damp and wetting her shirt.  Wait… The smell of sex carried across the great room and assaulted his nose.

Shouta growled, heckles rising.  The light excitement he had felt upon seeing Teris darkened and disappeared. His heart clenched. Chest aching as if physically wounded.  Incisors lengthening Shouta pressed teeth painfully together, trying to get himself under control.  The image of biting down and ripping Kai’s throat out danced in his mind along with other far less desirable scenes of Teris and Kai together.

A faint burning red mixed and tinted his charcoal colored eyes. He was kill the Dragon for taking what was his.

She’s not yours, his inner voice of reason taunted. You don’t even want her.  Remember?

Right, Shouta gruffly thought.  He had no interest in Teris.  No desire to take and claim her and make her his.  She was free to seek release with whomever she pleased.  The only reason it mattered to him was because Teris was a griffon and Kai a dragon.  That was why he was upset.  No.  Not even upset.  Just concerned.  As Teris’ Ilca leader, it was his duty to protect her.  And Teris had just unknowingly put herself in further danger by seeking release with Kai.

Teris’ nerves were still on edge from the encounter with the red winged man.  Relief instantly filled her at the sight of Shouta.  His presence alone made her feel safe and secure.  Shouta would know what to do and how to deal the winged man.

Teris rushed across the room to him.  “Shouta--”

Shouta stepped back with a hard blowing exhale.  The smell of sex and Kai on her was too much to handle. He couldn’t bare it.  He shoved the bracelet at her, letting go without a care if Teris had a grasp on it or not.  “For you.”

Teris fumbled with the item thrust at her.  She didn’t even look at it.  “Okay. But first--”

Shouta made his way to the still open door.  He needed to get away from the stench of Kai and sex on her.

“Shouta! Where are you going?  I need--”

“I don’t care what you need.  Either deal with it yourself.  Or wait till I get back.”

Teris stared after him, hurt and angry by his dismissal.  She wanted to ask when he’d be back.  Wanted to yell and demand he stay and listen.

Shouta slammed the door behind him.

Teris jumped, startled by the resounded sound.  Left alone with her worry and growing anger.

10.2

Even after a long hot shower Kai was still upset he hadn’t been able to bring Teris back to his rooms and properly tend to her. Though she had assured him she was fine with a quick cleansing dip in the hot springs, he had wanted. Needed. To do more. It was his own propensity for cleanliness, mixed with the instinct to care for his chosen mate that had left him angry and distressed about his inability to properly tend to her.

Next time, Kai thought as he buttoned up his shirt. Next time he would show Teris what a good, caring attentive mate he would make her.

His cock stirred at the memory of Teris beneath him.  The feel of her tight silken heat was something he would never forget and couldn’t wait to feel again. His eyes closed remembering the way she had moaned and cried out his name.  He frowned recalling how she hadn’t been blushing or nervous at the start. Even in the heat of the moment with beastly instincts running high from the chase Teris hadn’t behaved like a virgin.

A growl bubbled in his chest. It was cut short by a knock at his chambers door.

“Enter.” Kai called, tightening his tie in place.

The door opened revealing Hari.  “Master Ryuu has been seen on his way.  He will be here shortly.”

“All work has been stopped?”  Kai questioned, wanting to make sure.

Hari nodded.  “All work ended late last night, just as you ordered.  The Ilca has informed your followers to cease and conceal all doings until they have been told it is safe to begin again.”

“Good.” Much as Kai hated having to pause his efforts to reclaim the lost Dragon throne. Continuing them while members of the Council were here would be reckless and foolish. Especially when one of the visiting Council members was the man that had found his egg and raised him.

Kai exited his room and walked down the long hall. Hari turned and followed a respectful half-step behind the Dragon.

“I hope it’s alright.  I took it upon myself to order the Ilca to busy themselves elsewhere this evening.” Hari said.

“Excellent. There’s no reason for them to meet Ryuu anyway.”  Kai’s eyes slid to Hari.  “Though if they do happen to find themselves in his presence they are to show him every level of respect.”

Hari nodded.  “Of course, Sir.  Master Ryuu is the reason you are here to give us purpose and hope.  He deserves the utmost respect for that.  I will make sure the Ilca knows it.”

“He’s a kind man who might suggest you stay with us.  But we both know you have work to do.  So after I introduce you, take your leave.  Understood.”

“Yes, Sir.”

A knock on the door sounded just as they reached the great room.  Hari quickened his steps to answer.

“Master Ryuu.  It’s an honor.”  Hari bowed.  “Please.  Come in.”

Ryuu looked about the Ilca dorm.  The space seemed to expand and contract, perspective changing in direct response to his focus. He had known Traverseen Hall had been built by some of the most powerful Dwarf clans a thousand or so years before the rise and rule of Dragons and Griffons.  But that didn’t make it any less impressive to finally see the ancient and powerful magic the place was imbued with.

“Do you ever walk around in your true form in here?” Ryuu questioned, a desire to try himself welling up.  As a  Tengu, his true forms size wasn’t hugely different from his human form. Still, to see and experience how the space altered to accommodate the change…

“That would be unseemly.  You raised me better than that.”  Kai said.

Ryuu’s eyes fixed and focused on the Dragon. A warm smile sprung to life.  “Kai. My boy.”  He looked the young Dragon over.  “Not such a boy anymore.  Look at you.”

Kai cleared his throat, glad for Hari’s preemptive removal of the rest of his Ilca.

Ryuu smirked and glanced out of the corner of his eye at Hari.  “I’ve embarrassed him.  He was never good with being fawned over.  Now praise.  That’s a different matter entirely.  Kai’s never had any issues with being told how smart and special he is.”

Hari ducked his head and looked away, uncomfortable.  He could feel Kai’s molten eyes on him.  Judging and waiting for reaction.

After a brief moment, Kai spoke.  “This is Hari.  My second.”

Well aware Kai was subtly telling him ‘enough’, Ryuu inclined his head.  “And I’m sure Kai’s told you all about me.”

Hari bowed again.  “Master Ryuu.  It is an honor.”

“You already said that my boy.  Are you looking to make this old Tengu blush?”

Kai felt the beginning of a growl at Ryuu’s informal address.  It didn’t matter whether Ryuu had called Hari ‘my boy’ because the Tengu already felt a warm favor toward him.  Or simply because Hari was introduced as his second.  Kai didn’t like it.  Ryuu was his mentor.  Hari his second.  His things didn’t converse or bond without his say.

Even though the Ilca dorm was empty save for them, Kai extended a hand toward one of the private sitting rooms.  “Shall we sit.”

Ryuu nodded and stepped in the direction Kai had gestured.  He stopped when Hari bowed and turned away.  “You’re not joining us?”

“He has work to do.”  Kai answered for him.

“Ah. Of that I am far too familiar with.  Even here work follows me.” Ryuu said, entering the sitting room.

Kai paused, respectfully waiting for the Tengu to sit first.  “If I may ask.  What brings you here?”

Ryuu’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.  “They didn’t tell you?”

Kai stared across the coffee table.  A tight tenuous smile graced his lips. “I am rarely told anything.”

Ryuu chest lifted and fell in a sad silent sigh.  He wasn’t some deluded old man that thought if people were more kind and welcoming Kai wouldn’t being looking to reclaim his throne. But he liked to believe that Kai would’ve softened and responded if he was treated with less guarded animosity simply for being a dragon.  And yes, Ryuu was aware of Kai’s plans to claim the lost dragon throne.  Even if Ryuu’s clan of spies hadn’t reported hearing such whispers.  He knew Kai too well having raised him.

“We are here to meet the Foundlings.”  Ryuu said, speaking of himself and the other Council members he arrived at Traverseen Hall with.

Kai blinked, pretending this was news.  Just because that Rat Director hadn’t informed him of anything didn’t mean his wasn’t fully aware of things.  He simply had wanted Ryuu to be the first to bring Teris up.

“I was charged with the females Foundling’s instruction.”  Kai said.

A proud smile tugged at Ryuu’s lips.  “So I’ve been told.  What can you tell me of her?”

Kai took in a breath, resting forearms on knees.

Ryuu’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly noting a subtle change in Kai’s expression.

“She’s smart.  Clever and capable.  Eager to learn and able to retain what she’s read or been told.”  Kai could go on forever talking about Teris’ desirable attributes.  But he didn’t want to appear like a lovesick fool.

“High praise coming from you.”  Ryuu commented.  And it was true.  Kai was a hard man to please.

Wanting his mentor to properly meet and get to know his chosen mate, Kai offered. “I’m sure you’ll be seeing her during tomorrow’s gathering.  But if you wish, I could have her join us for dinner tomorrow evening.”

Thinking of the reason he and the others were here, Ryuu nodded.  “I would like that.”

Kai inclined his head.  Glad to have his plans so easily set.  Now all he had to do was invite Teris who would surely and readily agree.

Oblvi Facts 1

(aka info dump cause I’m a lazy writer who’s not making the effort to fit this seamlessly into the fic)

A bit about Dryads:

Dryads of Oblvi were one of the first earth Spirits in existence.  Like Venti, they are elementals.  Though not the Elemental of earth.

They are ruled by either a king or queen.  Their current ruler, His Purple Highness, is also an Elder on the Council. His reign as King began 380yrs into the 867yrs Dragon-Griffon war.  And he has ruled as the Dryad King for a total of 711yrs.

Dryad’s do not mate/bond.  It is against their nature and something they are incapable of doing.  Occasionally Dryad’s will take on or become companions with one or more Fourth’s.  But as a whole they simply seek and provide other Fourth's with release.  Unmated Fourth's or those lacking a companion will often seek a Dryad out for release.  Though not compelled by their nature or some order to accept a Fourth seeking release.  A Dryad will rarely, if ever, turn the seeking Fourth away.  Release/sex is not needed for a Dryad to live.  But it does provide many benefits to the Dryad, their home tree, and consequently surrounding flora.

A Dryad’s home tree is the tree they were born from.  It more than houses their soul.  It is their soul.  The only way a Dryad can be away from their home tree for more than a day is by taking and carrying a cutting of their home tree.  Even then, if the cutting were removed for whatever reason the Dryad would weaken, wither, and die sooner than the usual day they could survive away from their home tree. This is why the chosen Piece of Their Person for all Dryad’s is a cutting from their home tree.

Since a Dryad’s home tree is their soul, the physical and emotional state of a Dryad will effect their home tree.  This is most noticeable when having sex.  As a Dryad’s arousal heightens flower buds will appear on the cutting and home tree.  During the act, those buds will grow. Upon orgasm/release the buds will blossom and bloom.  The magic imbued within the pollen of a Dryad’s release will carry on the air and spawn a reaction in the surrounding plant life causing those plants to blossom and flower in kind.  While it’s not necessary for a Dryad’s sexual partner to orgasm for this to happen.  Their partner's release does strengthen the magic in their pollen thus creating and supporting further life in the area surrounding them and their home tree.

10.3

Along with her own personal quarters, Nemuri had a different set of chambers where she took Fourth's seeking release.  While she wouldn’t have minded allowing some of her regulars into her personal space.  Having separate rooms was all together easier for a number of reason.  Not the least of which was the feelings of one of her three companion's.

Poor Sekijiro. Tonight was suppose to be his night.  But when Shouta who rarely sought release and always scheduled appointment several days in advance had shown up without one, Nemuri couldn’t send her friend away.

Thankfully she had been the one to answer the door and had been able to tell Sekijiro of their evenings delay without Shouta hearing.  Cause let’s face it, Shouta had already been apologizing and trying to leave despite his clear need for release.

The Sphinx's level of control amazed her.  As a Beast still early in his prime one would've expected Shouta to come seeking release at least once a week if that little.  Yet it had been months since Shouta had last sought her out.  And she knew for a fact Shouta didn’t have agreement with anyone else to seek release from.

Speaking of agreements.  Along with scheduling before hand, despite Nemuri telling him it wasn’t necessary, Shouta had a list of set rules.  Lists of preferences or strict no’s were rather common. But Shouta's list was extensive.  Nemuri supposed it was part of Shouta's nature as a Sphinx to want to be prepared for every possible outcome.  Never mind his need for control as an apex alpha.

Despite one of his rules being no cuddling after, Shouta always provided other forms of aftercare.  It was an unnecessary thing.  And most who sought release didn’t do it.  If she needed tending after Nemuri had her companion's for that.  But whether it was because they were friend's.  Or Shouta was simply such a caring lover it bled through even in this professional setting of release. Shouta always asked if she needed anything.  If he had tied her up, his calloused hands would smooth over her body seeking out tense muscles or knots to message away.

Shouta hadn’t tied her up this time.  There had been no scene to lengthen his release.  There hadn’t even been much foreplay.  Not that Nemuri was complaining.  Shouta always satisfied. And tonight was no different.  Already having one orgasm, Nemuri was well on her way to a second.

Panting and sweating Nemuri's nails raked up Shouta's strong arms encouraging him along.  She delighted in the way his biceps quivered and rolled under her touch.  Shouta growled.  His powerful hands gripped her hips, holding her still.

The head of his cock hit that spot inside her. Nemuri threw her head back and moaned.  Her sensitive pussy clamping down around his thick pulsing length.

Shouta's hands tightened, fingers digging into Nemuri's flesh, adding a delicious pain to her pleasure. Nemuri moaned again.  Shouta’s betraying mind once again wondered what Teris would sound like.  His teeth scraped over and bit into his bottom lip wanting to bite at Teris’ tender flesh. He wanted to feel Teris dig her nails into him. Wanted to hear Teris moan and scream his name.  He would mark her and claim her as his.  Would feast on her lips and…

The cutting of Nemuri's home tree laid at the base of her throat jostling with Shouta's every hard, deep thrust. Three new dark purple buds sprung out near the already blossomed flowers.

“Fuck.” Shouta cursed, thrusts growing ragged and rougher.

Nemuri's back arched, pressing her breast into Shouta's large groping palm.  He tweaked and twisted her nipple.  She moaned again.  The coil within her tightened further making her vision go white.

Shouta's eyes squeezed further shut.  Teeth gritted, he shook his head.  It wasn’t working.  Why wasn’t it working?  Balls heavy and tight.  Cock throbbing and ready to burst.  He was so damn close to cumming.  But it wouldn’t happen. Why wouldn’t it happen?  Why couldn’t he cum?

Growling, Shouta stopped.

“Wha--” Dazed by her impending orgasm, Nemuri lifted her head.

“Sorry.” Shouta mumbled.

Despite the set rules Shouta had about no kissing or touching of the face or lips, Nemuri reached out to cup his handsome face.  It was an instinct born of desire to help her friend and happened without thought.

Shouta jerked his head back.  He grabbed her wrist and pulled it away. “What are you doing?”

“Taking care of you.”

Shouta let her go and pulled his cock out of her wet heat. He rose to his knees, chest rumbling with a noise of disapproval. Deep voice stern, Shouta shook his head. “No.  You know I’m not looking for connection or affection.  Merely release.  Nothing more.”

Arousal fading, the purple buds on Nemuri's piece withered and fell away leaving only the blossomed flowers from her first orgasm. “I’m well aware.  I just thought that with everything going on you might need something more to help you along.”

“Going against the boundaries I set isn’t going to make me less tired or distracted by the Council’s presence.”  Shouta said, face expressionless.

Nemuri blinked rapidly eyes rolling in her head. Is that the excuse he was going with?  They both knew full well him being tired and distracted had nothing to do with it. Still, he was right about her crossing a line.  It didn’t matter how pure or earnest her reasoning was.  It had been unprofessional and wrong.

“I’m sorry.  I overstepped. It won’t happen again.”  Nemuri said.

Shouta gave a curt nod of forgiveness, the matter over and forgotten the moment she said it wouldn’t happen again.

Nemuri propped herself up on elbows.  Her piece fell safely between her breasts.  The cutting of her home tree hanging by a smooth, shining cord of black leather.  “But if you ever want to properly kiss or allow the touching of faces.  I would be okay with it.”  She shrugged. “Who knows?  It might make what you were imagining feel more real.”

Shouta's eyes sharpened.  The rest of his face an expressionless mask. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not offended.  Plenty of Fourth's seeking release close their eyes and pretend to be with someone they favor.”

“My eyes were closed because I’m tired.”  Shouta said.

“So you were falling asleep while fucking me?  Now that would offend me.”

Shouta sat on his haunches and sighed. He knew Nemuri had been close and felt guilty for leaving her in want.  “I could finger or go down on you.”

Nemuri smiled gently.  Shouta was such a sweet, caring person. Not that many knew it.  Seeing only the cold hard exterior of indifference Shouta displayed to protect himself. “You already gave me one release.  This was for you, Shouta.  What’s going on? Why couldn’t you finish?”

Irrational as it was Shouta refused to accept the known facts on why a Fourth was unable to finish.  He rose up and moved from between Nemuri's legs to sit on the edge of the bed. “This arrangement works because it’s of benefit to both of us.”

“This arrangement works because you tell yourself it’s of benefit to both of us.”

Shouta looked back at her.

Nemuri sat up and shrugged a shoulder. “It’s true and you know it. Even if I didn’t have three companions.  There are countless others who regularly provide me with release when they seek it for themselves.”  She looked over Shouta's strong, naked frame and smiled.  “Not that release with you isn’t some of the best I have.”

Shouta huffed.  He shook his head and looked away.  Wavy dark hair fell across his face hiding the light blush Nemuri's praise evoked.

Nemuri got out of bed and slipped on a robe.  “So what’s the matter?”

Shouta took the tissues she offered him and wiped his softening cock clean of her arousal.  “Just tired.”

Well aware of the same facts Shouta was blatantly ignoring, Nemuri challenged. “You’ve been tired before and always finished.”

Shouta tossed the tissues in the bedside trashcan and reached for his clothes.

“Does it have anything to do with a certain member of your Ilca?”  Nemuri pressed.

Shouta’s head snapped back to her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Nemuri smirked at the Sphinx's furrowed brows and bared teeth.

Fingers fumbling with his pants zipper, Shouta muttered.  “This has absolutely nothing to do with Teris.”

“Who said anything about Teris?  I was talking about Hizashi.”

Shouta's eyes narrowed.  He didn’t need to see Nemuri's dancing blue eyes to know the Dryad was toying with him.  He could hear the smirking tease in her tone. “This has nothing to do with anyone.”

“Fine. But I’m here if you need to talk.”  Nemuri sighed.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”  Shouta brusquely pulled on his long sleeve shirt.

“As you say.”

Shouta suddenly softened. “Sorry. I didn’t check. You need anything.  Water?  Warm towel?  I could draw you a bath.”

Nemuri smiled in thanks. “No, Sweetie.  I’m good.  Just gonna take a quick shower and meet Sekijiro.”

“Alright then.” Shouta turned and made for the door.

Nemuri opened her mouth to ask one more time if he was alright, but stopped.  There was only one reason why a Fourth in their prime wouldn’t be able to finish.  Shouta knew that just as well as she.  If he wasn’t ready to admit to it there was little she could do to help. At least at the moment.

Shouta walked through the long hallway of Nemuri's Ilca dorm.  Lost in thought it took him a moment to register Sekijiro’s presence.

Waiting for Nemuri to finish with her unexpected caller, Sekijiro had left the doors to his rooms open. It was bad enough he had to suffer sharing Nemuri with her two other companion's.  Never mind the Fourth's that continually called on her for release.  But tonight was suppose to be his night alone with her.

Having heard Shouta exit the hated chambers Nemuri used for those seeking release, Sekijiro moved to stand in the doorway of his quarters.  The smell Nemuri and sex on the Sphinx invaded his nostrils.  His red eyes glowed.  A deep, dangerous growl echoed through the long hallway.

Sekijiro would’ve thought that as a beast Shouta would understand. Or at least have sympathy for his situation. It wasn’t as if the Sphinx didn’t know about his predicament. Badly kept secret that it was.  There wasn’t a single Fourth in Traverseen Hall, aside from the student's, who wasn’t aware Sekijiro was emotional mated to Nemuri.  That as hers and hers alone Sekijiro couldn’t have sought release elsewhere.  Even if he wanted to it would've been useless.  He wouldn’t have been able to finish.

Shouta inclined his head in stiff greeting as he passed. “Kan.”

“Aizawa.” Sekijiro growled out between clenched teeth.

Bad as Shouta had felt for Sekijiro.  He had seen it as the mans own fault for falling in love with Nemuri when Dryad’s were incapable of mating.  It had struck him as irrational that Sekijiro had let his feelings grow to the point that the Vampuric Gargoyle was essentially one-sidedly mated.  That was until tonight. Until Shouta discovered first hand that no matter the effort you didn’t always have a say in who you fell in love with.

10.4

Teris had grown more and more furious as time progressed.  How dare Shouta leave like that when she needed him.  Of course Hizashi, ever the peacemaker between her and the ill-tempered Sphinx, had tried to soothe her anger saying Shouta was probably on edge about the Council’s arrival.  So what?  For some reason everyone at Traverseen Hall was on edge about the Council’s arrival. Far as Teris saw it that didn’t excuse Shouta’s behavior.  Kai never would’ve ignored her and walked out like that.  Kai would've listened and…

Teris shivered.  She had never seen Kai act violently.  But something told her the Dragon was more than capable of doing so. She pushed aside the foreboding feeling and inner knowledge that she never would've gone to Kai about the winged mans kiss, and continued pacing the great room.

She hadn’t told Hizashi about the encounter with the strange winged Fourth either.  Hizashi had only stopped by the dorm to change and get ready for his date with Oboro.  Teris hadn’t want to ruin his time by worrying him.  Or worse have Hizashi call off the date to stay with her until Shouta returned.

It wasn’t really that big a deal.  Angry as Teris was about the unwanted kiss.  It had been the look in mans eyes that truly disturbed her.  The sharp dissecting gaze that seemed to pierce deeper than skin and bone. Like she was some sort of puzzle to examined and solved.

Teris unconsciously rubbed the bracelet Shouta had given her. The act brought a calming comfort.  Her muscles relaxed then tightened when she caught herself.  Teris growled and pulled her hand away from her right wrist.  A petulant urge to take the thing off welled up inside her. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Why had Shouta given it to her?  More like threw at her, Teris thought with a huff.  ”For you.” Shouta's gruff words as he thrust the bracelet toward her replayed in her mind.

Teris looked down at the bracelet for the hundredth time.  Not overly large or ornate, it held a reserved, subtle beauty. Her fingers traced over the braiding wondering what metal had been used for the decorative detail.  The thing was flawless. Certainly the finest piece of jewelry she had ever owned.

With another growl, Teris made for the door.  Waiting around here was driving her crazy.  The night was nice.  Maybe a stroll would take her mind off everything.  Besides, the last thing she wanted was for Shouta to return and discover she had been waiting for him.

Teris opened the door and walked straight into the Sphinx.  She crashed into Shouta's solid chest and stumbled back a step.  Strong arms wrapped around and steadied her.  The smell of sex and someone she vaguely recognized as Shouta's fellow Ilca leader friend Nemuri burned her nostrils.

Face an inch from hers, Shouta stared into Teris’ wide eyes.  Her mouth was slightly open, warm breath ghosting over him.  She had showered and changed.  The smell of Kai and sex was gone, leaving her scent alone to delight in.   Shouta’s humming purr went unnoticed by Teris who pushed and pulled away.

“Get off!” Teris tripped over her feet and stumbled again.

Shouta reached to steady her.  Teris slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”  Teris hissed through bared teeth.

A low displeased sound came from Shouta's throat.  The known facts were wrong.  There was no way he loved this irritating, ungracious woman.

Teris’ gut twisted, heart aching. Was that where Shouta had been?  Having sex with Nemuri.  Had it been a scheduled meet up for release?  Or just something that happened?  Both prospects were equally upsetting.

Why, she asked herself.  You had sex with Kai only few hours ago.  What’s it matter who Shouta seeks release from?

It matters because I was unsettled by that winged man and needed him, Teris thought.  Shouta's my Ilca leader.  He’s suppose to be there and help in times of trial.  If he left in a rush when I needed him just to—  Her mind stopped, forcing the abhorrent image of Shouta and Nemuri from her head.

She took shallow breaths through her mouth trying to lessen the sicking stench of sex and Nemuri from invading her senses.  Needing fresh air more than ever Teris took off down the hall.

“Teris. Get back here.”  Shouta stared after her a moment.  When she didn’t stop and return he stormed after her.  His longer stride saw him quickly catch up.  “Where are you going?”

“Away.” Teris puffed, trying and failing to pull ahead of him.

“It’s late.  Get back in the dorm.”

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

“Teris…” Shouta’s hand brushed her arm.

Teris spun right hand swinging out.

Shouta grabbed her wrist before the slap could connect.  Teeth bared he pulled Teris to him by the forearm he held. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You! You’re what’s wrong.“ Teris accused, free hand pushing against Shouta’s firm chest.

Shouta stood immovable.  His eyebrows knitted together. “Me?”

“You with your face and hair and way you move.  That voice that makes me—“ Teris didn't know if she caught and stopped herself.  Or stopped because someone was approaching.

“No!” The man approaching complained. “Don’t stop on my account.  I just love watching confessions of love.  There’s nothing better.  Well, there is.  But I wouldn’t watch that unless you two invited.”

Shouta stiffened.  His eyes darted down to Teris’ wrists.  Relief washed over him.  She was wearing the bracelet.  A warm exhilaration blossomed in his chest.  She was wearing the bracelet.

Shouta’s thumb brushed over the metal made warm by its contact with Teris’ wrist. The spell broken when Teris pulled her arm free of his hold and turned on the newcomer.

Shouta did the same.  The both of them telling that a there had been no confession of love because neither felt anything of the sort.

The Dryad King smirked at the way the two spoke over each other in their rush to assert their mutual dislike.  This era’s youth sure were curious.  Why did they insist on making everything so difficult? Granted in his day there had been a war raging.  The youth of his time having serious matters to contend with. Still, was this ages young ones that in want of tension and spectacle?  Surely they could find meaningful trial elsewhere. Love was suppose to be easy.

Shouta stopped.  He frowned at Teris who continued on for a time.

“Your Highness.”  Shouta inclined his head to the tall, slender man. “Are you lost?”

The Dryad King placed a manicured hand to his exposed chest. The buttons of his dress shirt undone all the way down to his tailored vest. “I came to see you, Shouta.”

“We’ll be seeing each other at tomorrow’s afternoon gathering.” Shouta said.

The Dryad stepped ever closer.  His footfalls eerily silent on the wooden floor.  Teris noted the mans apple green shoes perfectly matched his three piece suit down the shining gold embroidery that depicted lush swirling leaves.

His Purple Highness shook his head and sighed in disappointed disapproval. “You’re always so gruff and distant, Shouta.  No wonder you and your lady friend are unwilling to accept the truth of your love.” Shouta and Teris opened their mouths but His Purple Highness went on.  “It’s been years since we last saw each other.  Can you blame me for not wanting to wait to see how the young Sphinx I found and finished raising is getting on?”

Teris turned to Shouta.  “This is His Purple Highness?”

Shouta heaved a tired sigh and nodded.

“You’ve hear of me?”  A large beaming smile cracked the Dryad King’s face.

Teris looked back at the man and blinked. He was…  Different from what she expected.  Though she couldn’t really say what she had expected.  Certainly not some ostentatiously dressed man wearing a dark purple wizards robe over an impeccably tailored skinny cut suit.

The Dryad wagged a finger at Shouta and tisked in teasing censure.  “Have you been sharing story’s of me, Shouta?”

“No.” Shouta deadpanned.

His Purple Highness looked at Teris.  “Whatever he’s told you.  I swear it’s a hundred times more salacious.”

The man stopped in front of Teris.  He held his hand out, knuckles up.  Teris quirked a brow.  Did the Dryad expect her to kiss his ringed fingers?  He was the Dryad King.  Maybe it was expected protocol.  Kai had never mentioned what to do when faced with a species royal leader. The only time he talked about them was to dismiss and belittle their authority.

She glanced at Shouta for direction. Shouta gave a small, subtle shake of his head.

Relieved, Teris gripped the Dryad’s fingers and shook his hand.  “Nice to meet you.  I’m--”

“It’s you.”  His Purple Highness breathed.

With the smell of sex and Nemuri perfuming the air, His Purple Highness hadn’t registered the woman’s scent. But when Teris had moved, her scent had wafted through the air and tickled the Dryad King’s nose. Her scent was warm, fresh, lovely. And the underlying scent of her species…  Muddled as it was, His Purple Highness wouldn’t have been able to tell what she was if he hadn’t smelled this particular Griffon before.

It was early spring.  Snow still clung to small shaded patches of earth. The Dryad King walked through the forest alone.  Nature was a living thing.  If left alone for too long it would grow sinister and violent.  This forest had been void of life for quite some time. Why? What was warding the lesser creatures away?

His Purple Highness followed his senses.  Pulled to the thing that was keeping everything else at bay.  Green shoots of new plant life sprung up and spread in his wake.  Deep in a cold stone cave he found him.  A young Sphinx frozen in time by a Gargoyles stoning spell.  The boy was hold something.  Clutching it in his hands.  His small frame curled around it as if to protect it.

A feather.

Not just any feather.

Stoning spell removed the young Sphinx was slow to wake.  It gave the Dryad King time to realize the youngling held a griffon feather.  As he plucked the speckled grey and white feather from the Sphinx's tightly balled hands the Griffon’s scent wafted through the air, tickling his nose.

His Purple Highness had hid the feather for Shouta’s safety.  Even then it had taken calling in several favors and making countless promises for his fellow Elders on the Council to agree to let the Sphinx live.  Even now Shouta was watched.  The ax hanging over Shouta's head ready to drop at the first mistake he made.

Eventually Shouta forgot about the feather he had been found clutching to his heart. Yet even without it, the Sphinx had managed to find his Griffon.  And with her, the dangers His Purple Highness had tried to protect Shouta from.

Love was suppose to be easy.  But that didn’t mean it always was.  Sometimes love came with great hazard and difficulty.

This fic will have a LOT more world building than my others.  Please feel free to comment or send me an ask if you have any questions.

Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special thank you to those who have left comments and/or reblogged. They really mean a lot.

Special thank you to @inorganicone2230 who knows of my love for the mythic and encouraged me to start this fic without stressing about the other two I’ve got going.  Your friendship means the world to me.