#Fast Mop Plate Up

[micheal-mckeever]

Dreame: Revolutionizing Smart Home Cleaning with Fast Mop Plate Up Technology

In the ever-evolving world of smart home technology, Dreame is leading the charge with its innovative Fast Mop Plate Up feature. This cutting-edge solution promises to revolutionize the way we clean our homes, offering unparalleled efficiency and convenience.

The Fast Mop Plate Up technology is a game-changer for those seeking a hassle-free cleaning experience. With a simple press of a button, the mop plate effortlessly lifts, allowing for seamless transition between hard floors and carpeted areas. This ingenious design eliminates the need for manual adjustment, saving valuable time and effort.

Dreame's commitment to innovation extends beyond just the Fast Mop Plate Up feature. Their range of smart home cleaning products is designed with the user in mind, incorporating advanced technologies and intuitive controls. From robotic vacuums to cordless stick vacuums, Dreame offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to tackle any cleaning challenge.

As the smart home industry continues to evolve, Dreame remains at the forefront, consistently delivering products that exceed expectations. With a focus on quality, performance, and user-friendly design, Dreame is poised to become a household name in the world of smart home cleaning.

[romerona]

The Cook and The Teacher!

Let's pretend The Bear and Abbot Elementary are in the same city.

The meeting of Carmen (Carmy) Berzatto x Abbot Teacher Femreader! Sunshinereader!

Headcanons.

The day had been long, and Carmy was just trying to keep it together. He’d left The Bear earlier than usual—if you could call "earlier" 9 p.m.—and was heading upstairs to his apartment with a bag of takeout that was far less exciting than anything he cooked in the kitchen. His mind was still buzzing with half-finished ideas for new recipes and the stress of balancing the books. It wasn’t until he rounded the corner in the hallway that he saw you.

You were crouched on the floor outside the apartment next to his, wrestling with a particularly heavy box. A burst of bright, patterned fabric caught his eye—it was your socks. Your jeans were rolled up messily, revealing mismatched socks peeking out of your sneakers, and a stubborn strand of hair that kept falling to your face. You didn’t seem to notice him at first, too focused on trying to angle the box through the doorway.

“Uh, you need a hand?” Carmy asked, his voice quiet and even, as if he wasn’t entirely sure you’d hear him.

You startled slightly, looking up at him with wide eyes. A man—tall, with a mop of messy blond hair, tired blue eyes, and a hoodie that had definitely seen better days—stood a few steps away. He looked a little rough around the edges, like he’d just stepped out of a 12-hour shift. And, unbeknownst to you, he had.

For a moment, you seemed unsure whether to accept, but then you huffed, brushing your hair out of your face. “Honestly? Yes. Please. I think this box is plotting my downfall.”

Carmy set his takeout on the floor and stepped over. He crouched down beside you, studying the situation. “What’s in here? Bricks?”

You laughed, the sound warm and full, and it caught him off guard. “Close enough—books. I hoard them like a dragon.”

He smirked faintly, the corners of his mouth tugging upward. Without another word, he lifted the box with relative ease, surprising you with how quickly he maneuvered it through your doorway. “Where do you want it?”

“Anywhere that’s not the hallway,” you said with a grin, stepping aside to let him pass. “But if you want to put it by the window, I won’t stop you.”

Carmy carried the box to the corner you pointed to, but as he turned back, his eyes lingered on you longer than he intended. Standing amidst the chaos of your half-unpacked apartment, you looked effortlessly natural—strands of hair falling loose, a faint smile on your lips, and a light, easy confidence that made the mess around you seem insignificant. The light caught your cheekbone, highlighting your warm, colorful presence, a stark contrast to the muted tones he was used to. The room was already full of little glimpses of your personality—colorful throw pillows piled on a couch, a small vase of fresh flowers on the windowsill, and a stack of what looked like hand-painted signs propped against the wall.

“Thanks for that,” you said, breaking his train of thought. “I owe you one.”

Carmy couldn’t help but think how effortlessly pretty you were, though he kept the thought to himself, letting it settle quietly in the back of his mind.

He shrugged, brushing his hands off on his jeans. “It’s no big deal.”

“No big deal?” you repeated, raising an eyebrow. “You just saved me from throwing my back out. That’s definitely worth at least a plate of cookies or something.”

Carmy opened his mouth to respond, but you kept going, your energy bright and fast-paced. “Wait—are you my neighbor? Please tell me you’re not just some random guy who walked by and felt bad for me.”

“Uh, yeah,” Carmy said, scratching the back of his neck. “I live next door.”

Your face lit up. “Oh, good. I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you...?”

“Carmen,” he said. “Carmy.”

“Carmy,” you repeated, testing it out. “Alright, Carmy-next-door. Thanks for the rescue.”

He nodded awkwardly, his social skills feeling a little rusty. “Yeah. No problem.”

-----

Carmy was just about to head out for his usual coffee run before work when the knock came at his door. He hesitated for a moment, not used to anyone knocking on his door—especially not at this hour. He opened it cautiously, and there you were, standing on the other side, holding a plate covered in plastic wrap.

“Hey!” you said brightly, flashing him the kind of smile that felt a little too sunny for such an early hour. You hold the plate out toward him. "These are for you. My way of saying thanks for saving me from a very undignified fate yesterday.”

“You weren’t kidding,” he said, glancing down at the plate.

“Never joke about cookies,” you said solemnly, holding them out to him.

Carmy hesitated for a moment before taking the plate, his fingers brushing yours briefly.

“Uh thanks,” he said simply, his tone soft but sincere.

You tilted your head, your smile softening into something a little teasing. “That’s it? ‘Uh, thanks’? No ‘wow, these look amazing,’ or ‘you didn’t have to, Y/N, you’re too kind’?”

A chuckle escaped him before he could stop it, the corners of his mouth lifting into a small, genuine smile. “Alright, fine. Wow, these look amazing. And you didn’t have to.”

“Much better,” you said, nodding approvingly. “I knew you had it in you, Carmy-next-door.”

“Carmy-next-door?” he repeated, quirking an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” you said with a shrug, leaning casually against the doorframe. “You didn’t tell me your last name, so I had to come up with something. If you’d prefer something fancier, we could workshop it.”

He shook his head, amused. “Carmy-next-door’s fine.”

There was a brief pause, and Carmy shifted slightly, unsure of what to do next. Social interactions outside of a kitchen weren’t exactly his strong suit, but something about the way you stood there, so at ease, made him want to keep talking. “Peanut butter?”

“Yep. I hope you’re not allergic or I might feel terrible for accidentally murdering my new neighbor.”

“No allergies,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “They look... good.”

“They taste better,” you replied confidently, rocking back on your heels. “You’ll see.”

Carmy stared at the plate in his hands for a moment, then back at you. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of you yet—this whirlwind of color and brightness that seemed to completely contrast his muted world.

“You uh-bake a lot?” he asked, his voice quieter now, curious despite himself.

You laughed, and the sound made something in his chest loosen. “Not really. I’m more of a ‘wing it and hope for the best’ kind of baker. Which, coincidentally, is also my teaching style.”

That caught his attention. “Teaching?”

“Yep. Fourth grade at Abbott Elementary,” you said, a note of pride in your voice. “You ever try to teach ten-year-olds about fractions? It’s like trying to train cute little squirrels to sit still.”

Carmy huffed another laugh, shaking his head slightly. “Can’t say I have.”

“You’re lucky,” you teased, crossing your arms over your chest. “Anyway, I should let you get back to... whatever it is you were doing. But enjoy the cookies. They’re my signature recipe.”

“Signature?” Carmy asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yep,” you said with a playful smirk. “Passed down from the great culinary masterminds of my family. By which I mean, I Googled it five years ago and have been winging it ever since."

Carmy let out a quiet laugh, glancing back toward his apartment. For a moment, he considered inviting you in, but the idea of it felt… too sudden. Too much. Instead, he took a step back toward the door, holding up the plate as a gesture of gratitude. “I’ll let you know how they are.”

“Oh, it will,” you said confidently, already backing toward your apartment. “See you around, Carmy-next-door.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, watching as you disappeared back into your apartment, leaving him standing in the doorway with a plate of cookies in his hands and a strange sense of warmth in his chest.

-------

The plate of cookies sat on Carmy’s desk in the cluttered back office at The Bear, their presence almost mocking him. He’d brought them along in the rush of the morning, figuring he might as well snack on them during the chaos of his day. But, as usual, the day had taken over—prep work, managing the team, putting out fires both literal and figurative—and by the time he finally sat down, the cookies were still untouched.

Richie, after coming into his office asking about the butter delivery for tomorrow, noticed the cookies on the table.

“What the hell is this?” he asked, pointing to the plate with an incredulous look. “Since when do you bake cookies?”

Carmy looked up from his paperwork, deadpan.“They’re from my neighbor. She brought them over as a thank-you for helping her move a box.”

Richie snorted, picking one up without waiting for permission. “Your neighbor? What is this, a fucking Hallmark movie?”

“Can you just eat the cookie and shut up?” Carmy said, though his tone was more resigned than annoyed, as he leaned back into his chair.

Richie took a dramatic bite, his eyebrows raising in exaggerated surprise. “Damn. These are actually good. Who’s this neighbor of yours? She running a bakery or something?”

“No,” Carmy said, shaking his head. “She’s a teacher.”

Richie blinked, clearly not expecting that answer. “A teacher who bakes like this? That's a keeper. Because these cookies are better than anything Marcus has cranked out lately.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Carmy muttered, grabbing a cookie for himself.

They were soft, perfectly sweetened, with just the right amount of salt to balance the flavor. He wasn’t expecting much when you’d handed him the plate earlier, but now... now he understood why you’d been so confident.

He finished the cookie quickly, his mind already drifting to thoughts of you. He could picture the way you’d smiled when you handed him the plate, the playful glint in your eyes when you teased him. He wasn’t used to people being so... warm. So open. It felt unfamiliar, but not in a bad way.

Richie leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. “Seriously, though, what’s the deal? She single? Maybe I should swing by, introduce myself. Could use some homemade cookies in my life.”

Carmy shot him a warning look, though his tone remained light. "Just get out of here, Richie,"

Richie chuckled, grabbing another cookie as he walked out. “Hey, if she makes more of these, tell her I’ll marry her. Hell, I’ll even carry her boxes next time.”

Carmy shook his head, staring at the now half-empty plate of cookies. For a moment, he considered texting you to tell you how good they were, but he didn’t have your number. Instead, he made a mental note to return the favor—something different than cookies.

He wasn’t entirely sure why he cared so much, but as he reached for one last cookie, he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

-----

It had been two days since you’d dropped off the plate of cookies as a thank-you for Carmy helping you with your move. You didn’t expect much in return—maybe just a polite nod in the hallway or, at most, an offhanded “thanks.” That was the kind of vibe you got from Carmy: quiet, reserved, polite but not overly forthcoming or social.

So, when there was a knock at your door that evening, you weren’t expecting to find him standing there, holding a small brown takeout box.

“Carmy-next-door,” you said, your voice warm and teasing. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Hey,” he said, his voice low, as his eyes flicked between her face and the container in his hands. “Uh, thought I’d return the favor."

Your eyes flicked to the container, and you tilted your head curiously. “Return the favor?”

"For the cookies.”

You blinked, glancing down at the box in his hands. It wasn’t your typical store-bought takeout container—this one looked nicer, almost custom-made. You tilted your head slightly, curious. “What’s this?”

“Just something I made,” he said, shrugging one shoulder like it was no big deal. “Nothing fancy.”

You smiled, reaching out to take the box from him. “Wait, so you’re telling me you cook? Like, professionally?”

Carmy hesitated for a moment, clearly debating how much to say. “Yeah. I’m a chef.”

Your eyebrows shot up. “Like... a real chef? Not just someone who’s really good at making grilled cheese?”

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. A real chef. But I do make a mean grilled cheese.”

“Well, color me impressed,” you laugh, holding up the box like it was a prized treasure. “What’s in here? Or is it a secret?”

“Braised short ribs,” he said, shifting his weight slightly. “With some potato puree and roasted vegetables. It’s... leftovers from a test recipe.”

You blinked, momentarily stunned. “You're giving me that as a thank-you for cookies?”

He shrugged again, his gaze flicking away. “Figured it was better than just saying ‘thanks.’"

You laughed softly, closing the door slightly to keep the box warm as you leaned against the doorframe. “Well, now I feel like I need to bake you an entire cake or something. Cookies don’t seem like enough anymore.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “You didn’t have to bring me anything in the first place.”

“Yeah, but then I wouldn’t have discovered that my new neighbor is secretly a culinary genius,” you teased, watching as his cheeks seemed to tint just slightly pink.

“Not a genius,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just... a chef.”

“Well, Chef Carmy, you’ve officially raised the bar for neighborly exchanges,” you said, grinning.

A small, almost shy smile tugged at his lips. “Just enjoy it.”

She studied him for a beat longer, the way he seemed both completely comfortable and slightly out of place at the same time. “Well, thanks, Carmy. I’ll let you know what I think.”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding slightly. “You do that.”

Carmy turned to leave, but before he reached his apartment, you called after him, your voice light and teasing.

"Hey, Carmy-next-door!"

He paused, glancing back over his shoulder, a curious expression on his face.

"Is this some kind of competition now? Because if it is, my next thank-you might have to involve actual fireworks."

He gave a quiet chuckle, a rare sound that widened your smile. "It's not."

You laughed, the sound brightening the hallway. "Well, it is now," you declared, your eyes sparkling with mischief. "And I’m not going down without a fight."

"Looking forward to it," he murmured, shaking his head, his smile lingering as he turned and disappeared into his apartment

You stood in the doorway for a moment, still holding the box, a warm feeling spreading through you. There was something about him—quiet but deeply thoughtful—that made you feel like you’d just scratched the surface of who he really was.

You carried the box into your kitchen, setting it carefully on the counter. The smell alone was enough to make your mouth water, but you didn’t open it right away. Instead, you poured yourself a glass of wine and took a seat, savoring the anticipation. And as you finally took your first bite, you couldn’t help but think: maybe moving into this building was the best decision you’d made in a long time.

Hope you enjoy it!!!! <3

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Pancake eating contest! Fellow and Gidel vs. Ruggie! Who will win!

Sorry, I felt weirdly compelled to insert L*ona into this... Don't ask why--

The guy keeping time of the eating contest is a reference to Linguini from Ratatouille :DD I kept the ending to this one vague so you can imagine whoever you want to be the winner~

So tell me, do you wanna go?

[Pancake Eating Contest!!]

[Winner will be reimbursed the entry fee and will receive a coupon for all-you-can-eat breakfast at any of the participating Foothill Town restaurants for a full year!]

[Second place will earn a participation trophy.]

"C'mon, Giddie! Let's smoke the competition!" Fellow coaxed, pumping a fist. Already, he could smell the pancakes being cooked in the back of the joint, fluffy and warm and surely filling. He pictured clouds of whipped cream and a pat of butter like the rising sun to go with them.

"...!!" Gidel bounced up and down, attempting to showcase his readiness. They had been fasting all weekend in preparation for this momentous day.

"Leona-saaaaan!" Ruggie called out, waving to his dorm leader. "Watch me snag the win for us! I'll never have to--er, I mean, Magical Shift Club will never have to worry about shelling out for team meals for the rest of the year."

"... Can't believe I got dragged out all the way out here to be a wallet for some eating contest," Leona groused from the crowd of spectators. His gaze connected with Fellow's, and a fresh spike of irritation ran through him. "Damn it, you'd better win this, Ruggie--or it'll have been a waste of my time!"

Servers began rolling out from the kitchen, ferrying wobbling mounds of pancakes. The plates were set before them, glasses of water offered. (Ruggie refused, knowing that it would only take space away from pancakes. Gidel reached for a glass, only to have Fellow slap his hand away and tut.)

A spindly man with a mop of curly read hair and a stopwatch stepped into view. He checked the time, then nodded at the contestants.

"On your marks... get set... GO!!"

The feeding frenzy began.

Sharp nails and even sharper teeth pounced. The poor pancakes were eviscerated in seconds, loose bits caught by the table or floor, the rest snapped up in animalistic maws like little girls and grandmas down the hatch of a hungry wolf.

The pace with which they worked was fast, efficient. Ruggie and Fellow were raging beasts with their eyes on a distance prize.

(... Gidel, for his part, was far less quick. He clumsily sliced into a pancake, attempted to cram as much of it into his mouth as he could, then spent too long trying to chew it down to size.)

More pancakes came from the kitchen, as if produced by magic. They disappeared just as fast as they appeared, a wonderous vanishing act.

The spectators clapped and stomped their feet, kicking up a roar.

No blood would be spilt, but perhaps a glob of strawberry jam would.

[gyuswhore]

Hello :) It's my first time requesting but I've read most of your posts and I adore them a lot :)

Can I request something about woozi being such a sweet/soft boyfriend? Like, he just loves hugging you and is very clingy to you He also does everything he can especially if he got his free time? Because he's always seen as very closed off and reserved by other people but he acts so different around you. Thank you :))

Thank you so much for liking my work <3

Hope you like this one too!

masterlist

***

smothered:

"Jihoon, I need you to let go." You're trying to pry off the human stuck to your back preventing you from moving around the kitchen properly.

"Stay in one place," he responds, head still buried in your shoulder.

"I can't, I need to put this there-"

He perks up, grabbing the plate off your hands and placing it in the cabinet.

"Are you done?"

Looking around the now relatively clean kitchen, you remember something else that needs to be done, "No, I need to vacuum and mop."

The words are barely out of your mouth before he's turning around and leaving. Stunned for a moment, you wonder if he's stalked off upset, but as you hear the familiar roar of the vacuum going off in the bedroom you can only smile at his determination.

Deciding to match his motivation, you finish up the rest of your house chores so you can finally allow Jihoon to smother you. Or the other way around, you don't think he cares.

Once he's done turbo cleaning the floors, he finds you on the couch.

"What's next?" he asks.

You simply open up your arms in an invitation, "Loving me?"

He realizes he's obliged embarrassingly fast, subconsciously aware if any of the guys were seeing him. In the comfort of his home, and in your arms, he relaxes at last.

Jihoon, the same man who turns beetroot red when holding your hand in public, is currently smothering you in his scent, and you can't say you'd have it any other way.

[writing-whump]

Bad careraker

Needed a break from the drama, so have some Dylan with indigestion and Rip having no idea what to do about it.

When Dylan came home from his emergency hospital call from his sister, it was already late afternoon.

Rip spent the day polishing the kitchen, trying to manage the chaos Dylan left in his wake. Dylan was messy even on a good day, but when he got into something—like digging out his boxing gear or work-out equipment Rip couldn’t identify—their living room turned into a disaster zone.

Forced to live in less-than-clean environments in the last years, Rip cherished the chance to take care of this place—sweeping, dusting, mopping the floors—and he was practically in love with the dishwasher! It was the coolest thing, aside from actual clean plates without splitters that weren't plastic or from the garbage.

Plus, he felt like he was contributing something. Moving around the place was safe, and he could feel himself managing more and more on his feet every day. Which was good cause keeping up with Dylan's fast pace of ruining his work was a worthy challenge.

How Dylan functioned in that mess when he didn't have to was beyond Rip's reality.

When Dylan arrived, his shoes went, of course, flying in two different directions. He discarded his sweaty shirt on the floor as he went, then collapsed in the middle of the sofa in the living room. "Ugh, that was horrible."

Rip had to work hard to contain his annoyance to twitching eyebrows. "Hi to you, too."

Dylan buried his face into the tiny pillow on the sofa with a long-suffering sigh.

"How did it go?"

"Didn't find out much. Just Sel crying her eyes out and everyone being super secretive. God forbit someone finds out Isaiah was sick."

Rip raised his eyebrows, bracing his hands on the kitchen island that offered good view into the living room. Must have been something serious if it got the Executioner into a hospital. Especially one that had such extensive medical knowledge. Something even he couldn't handle?

"I have never seen her like that." Dylan turned his head to the side, facing the turned-off TV. "Or I did, but like an eternity ago. Not since when she came to my room to cry about some bullying classmate or some shit. She was 12."

Rip rubbed the back of his head, not sure if that was information Dylan should be sharing with a stranger. "Will they...ehh, be okay?"

"Should be coming home soon. Honestly, I don't get the drama, he's got a shadow and is healing up. What could be so bad? Touchy wolves and their invulnerability crap."

Rip wondered if he should remind him that Dylan was a wolf too. It was funny to watch how he sometimes counted himself among humans without thinking.

Dylan's cheeks suddenly puffed out and he burped loudly. "Ughhh. My stomach's killing me."

Rip cringed. "What did you eat?'

Dylan turned to the side, so he could rub at his middle with a grimace. "Took Sel to McDonalnds. I completely forgot about how greasy that food is. Didn't eat stuff like that for months."

Rip's gaze went to the collection of protein shakes and vitamins that covered the cupboards next to the sink. Dylan was surprisingly aware of his health, on a diet to grow his muscles and aid his gym efforts. It was hard to meet someone that obsessed with himself. "Why would you do that, then?"

"Cause I forgot, that's why! Had like two burgers, chicken nuggets and fries....and the one more, cause we were waiting on empty and it was getting weird." He opened his mouth with another loud burp, his stomach churning aggressively. "Damn, it's really brewing in there."

Once again, Rip was at a loss for words in the face of Dylan's unashamed openness.

"s gonna ruin my streak too," Dylan said mournfully as he lifted himself up into a sitting position, swallowing heavily.

"Why is that so strickt?"

Dylan gave him a glare. "You are not gonna get sixpack from McDonalds and chocolates, man. And I need to look good on videos if I want sport and vitamin companies to sponsor me." He looked terribly pleased with himself. "I'm gonna make thousands of euroes from being an infleuncer on TikTok with his physique, you just watch."

Rip would be glad to watch if he knew what TikTok was. Dylan forced his old Samsung on him but Rip got easily overwhelmed by the number of apps installed there. Didn't help Dylan's teaching skills encompassed zero patience. Just as short his attention span. This online genration.

Dylan groaned, kneading into his stomach with both hands. That worked up a string of loud belches.

Rip scrunched his nose. "Really, man?"

"What? It's helping."

"Is it?" Rip said dryly. Dylan was getting paler by the second, swallowing frantically. Rip stepped closer to the sofa, and sure enough, he could hear loud, upset gurgles through the whole living room. "Maybe you should lie down or something."

"You don't lie down with indigestion, stupid. Sitting up is supposed to help." His stomach gave another growl again, like a cornered wolf.

"...are you gonna hurl?"

Dylan winced, glaring indignant daggers at Rip. "No. Just feel sick is all."

"That's what that usually entails."

Dylan gulped again, breathing through his teeth. "Do we have something for it?"

"Huh? We?"

"Yeah," Dylan said sullenly. "Sel always has drops or tea or some digestion enzyms at hand."

Rip shrugged, never having any of that ever, not to mention at hand.

"What about coke or tea?"

"Man, I don't do the shopping." He hadn't been outside since the stabbing. Saving that up for later, after Isaiah promised to see over his shadow and figure out what he should do to interact with people normally. His only contact outside was Dylan. "I can get you water?"

"Water? Geez-buurp-thanks, no thanks." Dylan cradled his belly gently, a shiever rocking his spine as his jaw snapped up with another wet burp. "I really don't...feel good."

"What about you go to the bathroom so you don't make a mess?" Rip suggested in irritation.

"I'm not...not gonna throw up," Dylan protested but dragged himself clumsily to his feet, arm wrapped tightly around his stomach. Now that he was standing Rip could see how bloated it was, skin stretched around a giant ball instead of the usual toned muscles.

The black haired wolf followed after Dylan. He didn't really want to be around, he wasn't sure what to do, but it also didn't feel right to just leave him to it. Not when Dylan had been so crazy about helping him at every turn.

Dylan didn't get far, bracing against the kitchen sink as his throat bobbed, working out another burp. He shook his head and grimaced queasily. "Not sitting right. Really wants to fight its way out of there."

"Less talk and more moving," Rip said, cause this was looking too close for comfort. He tugged at Dylan's hand just when the brown-haired retched emptily over the sink.

"See? Hurry up. Sink is gonna be a hassle to clean."

"Y-you are so mean, anyone told you that?" Dylan whined, but let Rip pull him away and towards the bathroom.

Rip felt a stab of guilt and defensive anger. Why was Dylan making such a big deal about a little nausea? Was his own fault for eating crap he knew he shouldn't.

Dylan stumbled in front of the toilet and moaned pathetically towards the water, hands shaking as he grabbed the rim for support.

Rip made a move to leave, then bit his lip at the pitiful whine. Dylan was so dramatic. "What now? Anything else you want?"

"Jerk," Dylan said, spitting into the toilet. His belly gave a loud gurgly moan that ended in a deep rumbling belch towards the water. "Oh, that hurts."

"Where is your fighting spirit," Rip said bitingly, but turned back to stand over Dylan. What was his role supposed to be in this? Dylan obviously wanted something, making such a scene out of it, but Rip couldn't figure out what.

"T-hink the f-fries are winning this round," Dylan wheezed. His shoulders hitched as he retched, but only another burp came up.

"Let it happen already. Geez, you make a big deal out of this," Rip said, rolling his eyes. He was close enough to get the stench from Dylan's unmuffled burps.

Dylan lurched forward suddenly, a wet burp bringing up a small gush of puke. The next heave came right after, a much thicker wave of yellowy mush.

Rip grimaced and looked away, but Dylan's loud retches and throaty burps didn't leave much to imagination.

Dylan was holding onto the rim of the toilet with both hands, a long string of saliva hanging from his mouth. There were little tears of strain sliding down his cheeks and he was sniffling.

"That it?" Rip asked, reaching over to hand him a bunch of toilet paper. "Nothing to be so shaky over, come on."

Dylan lowered his head, lips quivering as he wiped his face. Rip flushed the toilet, still standing over him.

"C-could you get me some water?"

Rip scoffed. "Now he wants water. Honestly, you don't look like you can keep it down yet. Let's not waste it."

That had Dylan's head snapping up, cheeks all red. "You are such an asshole, it's not a waste-"

Rip sighed and drummed his fingers gently over Dylan's back. Dylan's eyes glazed over and he turned back over the bowl sharply as it worked up another burp.

The next one brought a new splatter of sick though.

Rip chuckled at how well that worked. "There you go. Just get it out."

[yjhariani]

hii, i've an idea. can you write something about the 141 team trying to fast for one day bc reader is also fasting and they're curious abt how it feels etc. thank you in advance :)

“I was thinking maybe we all try,” Soap said.

“Try what?” Ghost asked.

“Fasting,” Soap answered.

“Never once I thought such an idea would come out of you, Soap,” you chuckled.

“It’s not a bad idea either,” Ghost commented.

“I’m an amazing friend, how could you say that?” Soap protested. “Are we doing this or not?”

“Fuck yeah, I’m in,” Gaz nodded.

“When are we gonna do it?” Soap asked.

“Tomorrow sounds good,” Ghost said.

“Excuse me, tomorrow is cleaning day, my guys,” you pointed out.

“So, what? If you can do it, then, I can do it,” Ghost stated.

“Yeah, why not?” Soap supported. “You’re doing fine, we’ll do better than fine.”

“I already said I’m in,” Gaz shrugged.

“Fine,” you nodded. “I’ll wake you up for suhoor and you’ll eat and drink before dawn. After that you practise chastity, you can’t eat, drink, or smoke until dusk.”

There was a pause where everyone was looking at Ghost.

“I can survive without smoking,” Ghost said. “Been trying to quit anyway.”

“You said that like twelve times already in the span of one year,” you said.

“Still trying,” Ghost said.

Soon the time came. It was not that hard getting them out of the bed. However, getting them to wake up took a little bit more time and a lot of food.

The mess was not as full as how it would have been for breakfast, but still more people than it would have been any other month. Mostly, the people here were the ones who participated in Ramadan with their friends who were challenged to fast or simply curious to know what it felt like, maybe as a sign of respect to their friend.

It all went quite well, but after all it was only the beginning of the day.

Dawn came a few minutes after everyone was done eating and drinking. Everyone was oddly in a good mood. Maybe you were in a better mood than most of them because yesterday you did this all by yourself.

Then, fast forward to about hours later, it was about midday, and you were mopping the barrack floor with Ghost’ help. Gaz was asleep in the most uncomfortable position. Soap was nowhere to be seen, but Price did tell him to wash one of the cars.

“Hey, LT,” you called.

“Shut up,” Ghost said, more harshly than he intended.

“Okay,” you said as you turned around, hiding a smile—knowing that Ghost would be snapping at everyone soon if you kept pushing to talk to him.

Sometime later, you walked outside and found König holding up a hose downwards to Soap who was sitting underneath it, face up, eyes closed.

“Is he okay?” you mouthed at König.

König gave you a light shrug for an answer.

“Soap, are you okay?” you asked.

Soap opened his eyes and saw you.

“I’m,” Soap said, but he got water poured into his mouth and he moved his head off the water to talk to you, “I’m fucking thirsty.”

“Dude, you don’t have to force yourself. That’s literally part of the religion. I mean, that’s referring to sick people, pregnant and breastfeeding people, and elderly, but, really, you don’t have to force yourself,” you said.

“No,” Soap whined.

“Well, a lot of kids fast only up to midday,” you brought up.

“Why, because I’m a big baby?” Soap questioned.

You looked at König who slightly tilted his head in amusement.

“I’m just gonna leave you to it,” you decided.

About three hours before dusk, everyone was miserable. However, at least the cleaning was done. 

Everyone sort of had their own way of killing time. They had way less energy than usual, but still kept themselves busy.

Around the last hour of fasting, everyone was a little more spiritful again. They were excited about iftar and a lot of the conversation you were having was food related.

The four of you ordered a lot of food and plated everything in the common area of the barrack. There were warm drinks, cold drinks, savoury snacks, sweet snacks, portions of meals, but seemed to be lacking some water that no one realised would be necessary.

Hours came down to minutes before dusk. Everyone was sitting around the small coffee table where you put the food on. You put your phone on the table as well, waiting for it to announce the time to break your fast.

Your phone soon blared out as a sign that it was time to break your fast. Right away, the four men around you went to take their drinks and food and chugged everything in. However, they took a pause when they noticed that you only had one cup of warm beverage in your hands and you silently prayed before taking a sip. They slowed down then.

Regardless, after drinking a little bit of liquid and eating barely a few finger foods, everyone just sort of sat there and looked at each other.

“We’re never gonna be able to finish all these, are we?” Ghost questioned.

“Not even half,” you chuckled.

“This morning, I pissed seven times in the span of an hour because I drank three jugs of water,” Soap said, “and I’m still fuckin’ thirsty at noon.”

[fanmoose12]

ok, but imagine that Levi want to glasses’s Room since Hange gave him permission to borrow one of their books and Levi take out Hange’s diary instead.

Levi doesn't really know what he's doing here, why is he still here, in this room that reeks like an old, forgotten library that suffered some terrible food-related accident.

Hadn't he already finished what he came here for in the first place? The weirdo is in their bed, snoring peacefully (and rather loudly) in their pillow, so why is he still here? Why doesn't leave? Why do his legs feel as though they're glued to the floor, refusing to move towards the exit? 

It’s the state of the room that is at fault, Levi convinces himself. It’s just– so damn filthy in here - the clothes are thrown over every surface, empty plates and cups populate the wardrobe, desk and even some corners on the floor, and, worst of all, is the papers - open and long-forgotten letters, books, half-finished reports, sketchbooks and journals - there is enough of that shit to create several piles of considerable size, and dust that all of it has been gathering for, evidently, quite some time, flies around in a form of small specks, sucking all the air out of the room. 

Levi… Levi simply cannot take it. 

The room is hideous, an abomination he needs to do something about, and… why can’t he? 

The four-eyed freak is fast asleep, and, judging by the dark circles that have been steadily growing in size under their eyes, they won’t wake up for quite some time. It’s the perfect opportunity, perhaps, the only one he’ll ever have - after all, he better than anyone knows just how much Hange hates it when someone invades their workplace. Even Moblit, their ever loyal right-hand man, doesn’t have that privilege.

But Levi has it now, and wasting it would be simply stupid. 

With his next cause of action decided, Levi nods to himself and finally gets legs to move. In a few quick steps he crosses the room and leaves it, but– not for long. 

He comes back swiftly, dressed and armed according to the battle he’s about to face. 

He starts with the window - opens it and pulls the curtains aside, letting sunlight and some needed fresh air inside. Then, he picks up all the clothes, brings them outside to the laundry basket, collects the cups and plates and returns them to the kitchen. He mops the floor, cleans the mirror, wipes dust from the wardrobe and the bookshelves. 

And after that, semi-satisfied with his job so far, Levi takes on his toughest opponent yet - Hange’s work desk. 

Before taking a seat on a chair, he wipes it with a rug several times, gives the same treatment to the surface of the desk, and only then begins to shift through the mess that four-eyes calls their workplace. 

They’ll thank him for that later, or - maybe, curse him, Levi’s ready for whatever outcome as long as his goal is achieved. No doubt, it’ll be worth it. And even if Hange indeed gets angry with him - luckily, he’s that much better at running than they will ever be. 

He briefly scans through each piece of paper, organizing all of them in different - smaller and that much neater - piles. 

Hange really is a hoarder, Levi finds reports and letters that are so old that the ink on them is barely visible, but even that - he doesn’t dare to throw away. He may be faster than Hange, but if they truly get mad at him, he knows there will be no safe place for him to run to. 

He spends nearly an hour like this - picking up a paper, skimming through its contents before deciding on what pile it should go to, and it’s only when his eyes begin to water from the exertion that Levi stumbles upon something truly unique. 

It’s a stack of papers, tied loosely together by a piece of rope, and at first - he thinks it’s yet another set of notes. But as he starts to read it - Levi realizes it’s something entirely different. 

On the first page Hange writes about the Survey Corps - the approximate number of the soldiers, their mission, their biggest accomplishments, the chain of command and all that boring bullshit Levi never thought they cared about. He very nearly tosses it aside, but decides to glimpse at a second page, and what he sees there stuns him into a stupor. 

The top part of the page reads simply Shadis, and next to it - Hange drew a little heart. 

Too curious to set it aside now, Levi delves in. After quite an unconventional beginning, Hange writes Shadis’ title, the amount of years he served in the Survey Corps and what little he managed to achieve in that time, and then - the weirdness continues. Hange describes some of the interactions they had with him, how their first meeting went, how aloof the man was during it and how it only made Hange’s wish to impress him stronger. They go on and on about him, the page is full of compliments that, in Levi’s completely unbiased opinion, Shadis does not deserve. It’s only near the end that Hange’s gushing starts to fade, transforming into bitter resentment instead. 

It’s not a report, Levi realizes, not a note from an experiment, it’s something deeply personal, something he definitely should not pock his nose into, but as he skips through a few pages and stumbles upon the one with his name on it - his curiosity grows too insistent not to be sated. 

‘Erwin brought in new recruits,’ the beginning of the page reads, ‘From the Underground, if rumors are to be believed. They do seem very pale, and all three of them have this look in their eyes, like… like they cannot quite believe that what they see is real. I caught them on top of the roof the other night, they were looking at the sky like they were seeing it for the very first time. It was not a moment that should have been intruded on, no matter how much I wish I did. Besides, I feel that should I have actually intruded on it, that constantly brooding guy - Levi - would have thrown me down the roof and to the ground without hesitation. So, naturally, I did not approach them. Although, I still stuck around for a while, watching them. The look on their faces, their happy smiles! Ah, I haven’t seen so much joy in a really long while. Even Levi seemed content, and, I must admit, without his ever present scowl, he looked even more handsome than usual. 

I definitely should talk to him, and soon - he might teach me a trick or two, if I get on his good side. We might even become friends! There is just something in him that… intrigues me. Sometimes I look at him and realize I don’t want to look away. It’s not just his exceptional skills either, although they surely are fascinating, there is something about his eyes. They make him look like a man twice his age, they’re guarded, appear nearly cold, but underneath all that, I sense… exhaustion, like he’s carrying a burden he cannot shake away. 

Ever since the three of them appeared, everyone has been treating them with nothing but scorn, and I wish… I could have changed it, show them all a bit of kindness. It doesn’t seem like they know much of it. 

They’re good people, I think, despite the circumstances they had to fight against while growing up. Or, perhaps, in spite of them. We’d be good friends, I think, if I manage not to scare them off like I usually do. And then - who knows, maybe, one day, I’ll make Levi smile too!

His smile does look very handsome.’ 

Feeling his cheeks grow hot, Levi pushes the papers aside, hiding them underneath one of the bigger piles. He hides his face into his hands and mutters a curse under his breath. 

Damned four-eyes. Always making him embarrassed, even when they’re not actually here. 

What even is that thing? Why pathologically obsessed with their research Hange dedicates their precious time to write something like this? And about him of all people? 

Levi steals a glance at them - still asleep, sprawled out on the bed and hugging a pillow to their chest, they look… adorable. Did they always look like that? He can’t believe he never noticed. 

As if drawn by some force beyond his comprehension, Levi stands up and approaches Hange’s sleeping form. They’ve kicked the blanket down to their feet, and, carefully, he picks it up and tucks them in. 

He stands above them for another moment, watching their peaceful expression, and then, before he can stop himself, he reaches out and gently moves a strand of their hair out of their face. He caresses their cheek with the back of his hand, his touch so light Hange doesn’t even stir from it. His hand hovers above them for a little longer, close enough that he can feel the warmth emanating from their skin. The temptation to touch it, to feel that warmth and allow himself to be engulfed in it is strong, and grows stronger with every beat of his heart. 

Levi nearly does it, but then - the spell might get broken. Or worse, he reasons, his rude intrusion might wake Hange up, and if they see him like that, watching them like some sort of a creep - he’d rather jump off the top of the Wall than go through this. 

Gathering all that’s left of his resolve, he takes a step back and leaves Hange’s room before he does something even more stupid. 

He goes straight to his bedroom, and, foregoing the shower, falls into bed. 

His cleaning spree must have exhausted him far more than he thought, because he falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. 

And at night, Levi dreams of starry sky, warm hands and gentle smile.

[iseethatimicy]

Cooking with Tsumsted Wonderland

Note: I think my last post was in Jan 27... So hi take this! (Reader uses They/Them pronouns and are gender neutral.) Characters: Tsum Riddle Rosehearts, Tsum Trey Clover, Tsum Floyd Leech Genre: Fluff and a bit of crack

You've been seeing videos about baking a variety of cakes and your friend's birthday is coming up. So what better way than to make one for them? Just as soon as you borrowed a recipe book from Trey, a curious small thing squeals, interested in what you're doing. You got yourself into this mess so now, you'll have to finish it but with a special guest..

Oh Tsum Riddle, always so demanding. He squeals angrily at you to stir faster, to mix faster, to knead the dough harder. He isn't even helping other than being a pressure head like that birthday cake is meant to be for him. No Twist-tube Tutorials, No Recipe book that Trey handed to you, No help from other students!

That damn little tsum wants a Strawberry Cake and you're forced to obey him. You had no other choice than to get a red and white icing bag, a bowl of fresh red strawberries, a carton of eggs, etc. Hell, it's not even Riddle or his birthday!

You're stirring the bowl so fast it might spill all over on the kitchen island just as how that unhinged plush toy likes it, knead the dough as slow as Rook Hunt listening carefully to your breathing unless you want to bitten by him.

Eventually, you finish the cake. It was 3 layers tall and you tried as hard as you can to make it similar to the delicious ones Trey makes. You were tired from all cooking and decided to get a chocolate snack from the School's Mystery shop. Surely the tsum will be a good plush toy and certainly won't devour the entire thing, right?

When nobody is looking, the Tsum Riddle can't help himself from taking a small bite from the delicious looking cake. Although it's a little cheeky and sneaky, He's just tempted by the delicious smell of the delicious strawberry cake and the fact that it looks so cute and edible too.

Well Tsum Trey's got your back! He's giving out the icing bags Trey uses, the crimson stained knife that totally came from cutting a piece of strawberry cake, the strawberries and bee-shaped candies...

He was surprisingly calm and patient little tsum unlike the demanding crimson haired tsum tsum, He helps knead the dough, carry the plate of candies, help with the cake decorations.

The cake was finished and had a special key to it! First layer represented dorm your friend is assigned to; Diasomnia. It had a green base and had black icing shaped like thorns wrapped around the sides of the cake, It looked exactly like the dorm.

The second layer was a sweet bee theme and had a mellow yellow color on its base. The tsum trey who assisted you seemed to be proud of honey taste and its bee motifs, almost likes its his favorite.

The third layer was the dorm they wanted to be in; Octavinelle. It had a periwinkle base and detailed tentacles used in a ribbon design, draping from dull lavender colored bows with black stripes on them. The layer seemed to be themed around the sea.

He stared at you while laying on the cutting board lazily. Azul had let you use Octavinelle's Kitchen oh so kindly with a price. He's so helpful providing you with tools but so annoying for demanding so much attention, He's a very needy little tsum tsum.

You were thinking of doing a simple two-layered chocolate cake. You had to keep petting the Floyd tsum every 10 minutes so it definitely won't crush your wrist. He was squealing and cuddling onto you, begging for just a small slice of the chocolate cake.

Whilst you were adding lilac-colored decorating on the sides, the tsum tsum had latched on your hand and bit into it, causing the icing to spill all over the kitchen island. You glared at the tsum angrily and set it aside, going to find a bucket of water and a mop along with a new icing bag.

He squeals apologetically as you left the kitchen. Well, since now that you're gone, he can at least get a small, teeny bite of the cake. surely you'll be fine with it, right? When you get back, your jaw drops as you see half of the chocolate cake being gone while the tsum squeals happily, rolling around at how it tastes good. Let's just say the tsum is.. err..

© ISEETHATIMICY. I do not consent for my work to be plagiarized, repost, or translate without permission. If you would like to make a similar idea, please credit me.

[yril-writes]

— DADDY'S LITTLE PRINCESS

synopsis ; growing up is something a parent is afraid of apparently, since they don't get to spoil their little princess now that she asks to be treated like a big girl now.

scenario ; an alternative universe wherein, these characters are the reader's dad and that reader is their little princess daugther.

type ; headcanon

include/s ; ushijima & bokuto

pairings ; dad character & daughter reader

genre ; fluff, comedy, and a mountain full of corn

USHIJIMA WAKATOSHI

Ushijima isn't the doting type of father, since he isn't much of a fan of children. He thinks that they are noisy and can totally drain his energy, Ushijima isn't a fan of children especially if they are crying and being all loud and all.

But Ushijima is likes to spoil his daughter, seeing his daughter happy gives him the satisfaction. He would buy anything his daughter wanted.

But a day like this, Ushijima didn't expect that his daughter suddenly changed, turned matured even.

"Daddy! From now on you'll call me by my name and my name only! I'm already 9 years old soon to be 10 this week! I am a big girl now!" she says in a high pitched voice as she pumps her chest with her hand in a fist. What a breakfast to start a day hearing this, Ushijima grinned and gave a low chuckle setting aside the spoon and fork he was holding and crossing his arms looking at his daughter beside him removing the vegetables piece by piece from her dish. He immediately thought, that the sight he witnessed is too cute to handle, despite saying that she is a big girl now, like a kid she still does not like to eat her vegetables. "Well, princess. If you're such a big girl now. Why not eat those vegetables you missed?" using his chin to point at the plate, she immediately covers it using her hands. "But you know that I hate vegetables, and I told you to call me my name, Daddy!" pouting almost like she is turning into a red tomato, crossing her arms and looking away was her best and last resort to avoid eating the vegetables. "I guess my princess, is still my little princess." Ushijima shrugs and gives out a disappointed sigh, copying her daughter by looking to her side avoiding eye contact from his daughter. "Daddy, m'sorry are you mad?" trying to get Ushijima's attention by these words didn't work at all, he was determined to ignore her and she was impatient. It didn't take long when she started taking a bite on the vegetables on her plate, nibbling on the pieces she looked like she was about to cry from eating it. Mumbling apologies as she eats all of what's in her plate, until Ushijima decides to turn back to her to see her mopping and snot dripping down her nose. "Daddy, I ate all the veggies...are you still mad?" though tears still fell from her eyes, Ushijima stopped the act and cleaned her face up. "My, my, what do we have here. I guess my little princess is still a crybaby after all." Ushijima wipes her tears away, and gives a small peck on her forehead as he starts to comfort her. "There, there. My little princess don't you dare grow too fast now or I won't have to spoil you this much."

BOKUTO KOUTAROU

Bokuto is too energetic for his own good, compared to his daughter she is a lot calmer and less energetic as her.

He is the supportive dad any kid could ask for, but unfortunately his daughter as of now, claims that she is old enough not to be treated as a baby by her father.

It was time for another night to watch a horror movie, since it is their tradition to do so, like how they bond.

"Daddy! I will sit alone! Here in this chair! Since I am a big girl now, I can watch these horror movies without sitting next to you!" she claimed the chair as if it was her property then covered herself with her favorite blanket. Bokuto who is in the urge to cry because felt as if her daughter is growing up too fast. "But this is a scary one, princess. And I know you don't like scary things..." with a tone of like a kid begging, Bokuto even gave the puppy eyes to his beloved daughter, but she flat out rejected him. "No, I told you I can handle this! I can even watch it myself without you, Daddy!" proudly saying those words out loud was enough to know Bokuto's pride down. (Ah...tell me I misheard what she said...my little princess...) shedding a tear on his eye, Bokuto proceeded to put the channel on to the scary movie. As of the moment, he is sitting beside his daughter only because she chooses to sit a little bit apart with the other chair. Bokuto who is totally in sync with the movie, didn't even flinch when the jump scares came up, except when it came to his daughter muffled screams were heard from her. "Honey, you know that you can sit here with me right?" He pats on the empty space of the couch, trying to tempt his daughter to sit next to him. But she still insists on sitting alone in the chair, trembling with fear as if she is about to cry if there was another jump scare going to pop from the television and it did. Making her shriek then soon enough tears soon built up in her eyes. "Daddy...!" she is basically bawling her eyes out now, shoving herself in the blanket. Bokuto immediately carried her into his arms and sat right back in the couch, holding her in how you hold a baby infant made him feel nostalgic. "You know, I used to carry you like this when you were still little. I miss carrying my little princess like this." he snuggles his daughter tightly into his arms and gives her a kiss on the forehead. "But you can still carry me like this, Daddy..." she says in a shy tone of voice and then gives out a soft grin. "Of course, you are still, Daddy's little princess."

a/n ; yril here! I opened my ko-fi account! Basically I'll do commissions for my needs since I'll be studying away from home, I want to earn even just a little bit to help myself!

taglist ; @sammushy

masterlist

[half-oz-eddie]

"I witnessed a murder"

TW for graphic depictions of violence!!

Billy hardly had any visitors since moving to California. When he heard an urgent knocking on the door, all he could wonder was “where the hell’s the fire?”

He swung the door open in annoyance, his mouth falling agape the moment he saw his nearly forgotten little stepsister standing out in a rainstorm, drenched from her head to her canvas shoes.

They stared at each other for a moment, her eyes empty, his full of concern, before he finally invited her in. 

“Gonna tell me what the hell you’re doing here?” He asked.

She remained silent, trembling, shivering. Eventually, he sighed.

“Wait right here.” He stomped off, quickly returning with a towel and fresh clothes. “Bathroom’s over there.” He casually pointed down the hall and to the left. 

Max nodded and stepped out of her shoes, her soaking wet socks sloshing on the floor, leaving behind wet footprints, much to Billy’s dismay.

He liked to keep the place clean, and footprints had no place in a clean apartment. But, whatever. He quietly mopped them up and waited for Max to explain why she traveled all the way from Hawkins to Los Angeles in nothing but a stained, quarter-sleeve tee shirt and jeans. 

Max took a shower and cleaned up her mess. She hung her wet clothes over the shower bar and stepped out in Billy’s old Hawkins gym uniform. The shirt reached her upper thighs, and the shorts were too big. She had to tighten the waist with a hair tie she found on the bathroom floor.

When she exited the bathroom, she searched around for Billy, and found him in his kitchen, at the dining table, setting a place for her.

“Sit. Eat something.” His offer came off as a gentle demand Max felt she had no other choice but to accept.

She joined Billy at the table, slowly eating the spaghetti and meatballs he cooked—he cooked?! Billy doesn’t cook. Max thought to herself. 

“You gonna tell me what you’re doing here now?” Billy spoke up halfway through dinner.

“I…witnessed a murder.”

The fork holding Billy’s last meatball fell from his hand, clanking against his plate. “You what?!” He leaned forward.

“I was skating to The Byers for game night when I saw these two men—“ Max shook her head in disbelief. “They chased me. I skated as fast as I could to the bus depot, when I reached a pothole and my board snapped in half. So I had to run the rest of the way. I spent the last of my allowance on a bus ticket. I was gonna go anywhere, but the bus to LA was leaving in 15 minutes, and there were a few seats available, so…I came here.”

“Did they see you get on that bus?”

“I don’t think so." She shook her head. "I lost them in a crowd on my way to the terminal. I ditched my orange hoodie and let my hair down, hoping they wouldn’t recognize me.”

“And…nobody knows you’re here?”

She shook her head once again. “Not even Lucas.”

Billy heavily exhaled. “This is really fucked up, Max. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, but nobody’ll suspect me of coming here. We haven’t spoken in 4 years.”

“That’s really not the point—“

“I’m home!” A voice announced from the doorway. “It finally stopped raining—oh, hey Max!”

Max turned, her eyes wide. “Steve?” She turned back to Billy. “Are you guys like…friends now?”

“Friends who fuck.” Billy replied nonchalantly. 

“Gross!”

“You made dinner? Is there some for me?”

“Make your own fuckin’ plate.” Billy snapped. “I’m trying to talk to Maxine about something serious.”

“Alright, alright. No need to be so snippy.” Steve grabbed a plate from the cabinet. “So what brings you by?”

“She witnessed a murder and ran off to our house, of all places.”

“Whoa, whoa whoa—A murder?!” Steve exclaimed in disbelief. “In Hawkins? Who was it?”

“I-I don’t know. Some man—“

“Some man? What’d he look like?”

“I could hardly see his face before the bullet went through his brains and he dropped to the ground!”

“Lighten up on her, Steve. She’s freaked out.” Billy spoke protectively, much to Max’s surprise.

“I know, I know. I’m just worried.”

“We gotta tell someone you’re here.”

“Why? I’m 17 years old—“

“And you’re still a minor. Your mom’s probably worried sick. You’re a day and a half away from home.” 

“But—“

“How about this: In the morning, I’ll drive you out to a payphone, and you can call your mom from there.”

Max reluctantly agreed. “Okay.”

“Don’t get too comfortable.” He snatched her empty plate off the table. “Get up and let Steve sit there. We only have 2 dining table chairs.”

“It’s alright, Max.” Steve waved off as he leaned against the counter with his plate. “You can stay as long as you want. We have this really big walk in closet that we haven’t made use of yet—“

“Cause we’re broke and don’t have enough shit to put in it.”

Steve scoffed. “Anyway, we still have the old air mattress we used before we got our bed, so you can sleep there.”

“I dunno.” Max grimaced. “Did you guys…do…it…on there?”

“Are you crazy?!” Billy exclaimed, his mouth full from his second helping. “If we tried half the shit we do in the bedroom on that flimsy ass mattress, it would’ve popped the night we bought it.”

“Ugh! Could you please spare me the details?”

“Ignore him, Max. The mattress is clean, and it’s yours for as long as you need it. But at some point, you gotta go home. There’s only 2 weeks of summer vacation left until school starts.”

“And who knows when those men are gonna come looking for you—“

“Billy!”

“What?! I’m just thinkin’ ahead.” Billy sighed. “Look, I’m not gonna let anything happen to you. Neither will Steve. So just…” Billy turned his head away. “Go to bed.”

“But I’m not tired yet.”

“Well, go watch TV or something. I dunno.”

“Okay.” 

“Want a beer?” Billy offered.

Max wrinkled her nose. “No thanks.” She stood from the table and walked to the living room.

“Why would you offer her a beer?” Steve loudly whispered.

“What’s the problem? That’s how I deal with stress.”

“She’s not you. She needs someone right now. Go in there and talk to her.”

“And say what?”

“Anything. She’s your sister.”

“She’s not my—“

Billy was met by a stern glance from Steve, and he groaned in annoyance. “Jesus, fine, I’m goin’.”

“That’s my baby.” Steve kissed his forehead. 

Billy forced himself down the hall and to the living room, where he sat beside Max as she watched Married With Children. 

“Al Bundy’s an ass.” Billy remarked. 

“He is.” Max agreed. 

“Not a bigger ass than Neil, though.” He chuckled. “Has that son of a bitch been giving you a hard time back home?”

“He left 7 months after you did.”

“Really?” Billy raised his brows in surprise. “Where the hell did he go?”

“I dunno. I don’t care either. I’m just glad he’s gone.”

“Yeah.”

Silence fell between them for the rest of the episode. Billy glanced up at Steve, who vaguely gestured for him to continue trying to comfort Max. 

This was hard. He didn’t know how. Why couldn’t Steve do it? He was better at comforting people. Besides, Max seemed fine—

Or…maybe not. Billy could hear the soft sniffle as he caught Max wiping a tear from her eye. 

Great. Now what could he say?

“It’s uh...it's gonna be okay, Max.” That was a stupid thing to say. Billy berated himself. 

“I’m really scared. I shouldn’t have come here. I don’t wanna put you in danger. You seem like you’re building a nice life with Steve.”

“I’m…trying. Look, you didn’t have anywhere else to go. I’m not mad at you for coming here.”

“You’re not?”

“No. I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt you, Max. We’re still family. Sort of. I guess.” Billy shrugged. “I don’t care. Either way, if someone comes through that door and tries to hurt you, they’re dead. You understand?”

Max nodded. “Thank you.”

Once it had gotten late, Max fell asleep. Billy carried her to the air mattress and Steve covered her with a blanket. 

Steve then set one chair in front of the door where he sat with a baseball bat. 

Billy set the other chair in front of the makeshift bedroom where Max slept, armed with an axe.

“…We need more chairs.” Billy mumbled.

[ai-luni]

Virago

David “Hesh” Walker x Fem!Reader 

HELLO! It’s a blue moon and I return with a fic to cope with my random obsessions! Part 2

Word Count: 6.4k

Warnings: Blatant misogynistic comments and touches, canon typical violence, suggestive sexual content (which honestly might be illegal given the setting of the scene whoops), and of course bad writing. I’M NOT A WRITER! No Y/N

A/N: I’m in a massive COD Ghosts phase and there are barely any fics for my boy Hesh. So I had to fix that. This basically just follows the plot of the campaign. I got lazy and haven’t finished writing sin city but I want to write a part two so hang tight :)

Reader’s nickname is Virago

June 7th - No Man’s Land

It was a rescue mission when you met the Walker’s boys. You had heard about them a couple times, Elias wasn’t shy about sharing his once very domestic life with you. But now there was little time to think about it. In fact you thought about the dog more than you did the boys that day. But this mission wasn’t like your usual, Ajax wasn’t gonna last forever. 

“Alright, we don’t have a lot of time. You can stick with us but you do what I say - when I say it. Understood?” Merrick said to the boys. You joined Keegan’s side before heading out.

- 

“Got some stragglers on the road. Could be trouble.” The lot of you looking over a road through tall grass. 

“Keegan, Virago. Post up and keep us covered. You Walker boys are with me.” Merrick ordered and immediately you went off to find a position. Gun fire reigned loose and in a flurry of adrenaline and muscle memory, you found yourself at the gates of greenway park “Fireball Charlie” - what once was a baseball stadium - in under a couple minutes. 

“They’re moving him, we should go now.” The state you found Ajax in was enough to make your blood boil. You hadn’t served with him as long as the rest of the ghosts but you knew him well enough and you’d always fight for your team no matter what. 

“They’re moving Ajax, so our windows closing fast. We’ll hit him at home plate and work our way up from there.” Further orders given by Merrick once acquiring a vehicle. You sat in the back aside Merrick and Hesh. One hell of a ride, you often questioned if Keegan even had a civilian licence. 

“Weapons free!” Once more the hell fire began and you ran through another gate. The German Shepherd who stared at you with wide adoring eyes only moments before leapt through the missing windscreen onto a federation soldier. 

“Holy shit.” A comment of fear and intimidation and excitement all swirled together at the sheer ruthlessness of that dog. It was the first thing Hesh heard you say all mission.

“Yeah.” You turned to see Hesh by your side. You figured he was the dog’s handler. He seemed proud, he should be. 

“Ajax is through this atrium! Move! Move! Move! Hurry before more guys get in.” Merrick took cover behind a barrack, “Virago, get ahead as far as you can, weapon hold. We’ll keep you covered, keep us posted.” 

Jumping into action, you took yourself along the edge of the open aired arcade to a flight of stairs. The fastest steps your tactical gear would allow you to take without winding yourself. Gun held close to your chest with light steps avoiding fire. You could hear the team, slowly but surely following in your steps. 

Through a roofed arcade and another flight of stairs you made it to a closed set of double doors, chatter coming from the other side. 

“This should be where they were holding Ajax, one flight of stairs, shouldn’t be a difficult run.” You notified them while waiting beside the door hinges ready to take cover or fire. 

“Almost at target, let’s mop up!” Merrick’s yelling could almost reach you over the gunshots. You took out a couple soldiers out over the railing, covering the boys as they made their way up the stairs. 

Logan pulled out the remote sniper, the moment you heard a fire, Merrick sent the go signal. 

“Twelve o’clock! Twelve o’clock!”

“Runner on the left!”

“Clear right!”

“Clear left!”

“Room Secure!”

Once cleared, you passed the soldier left on the ground. Poor guy got Keegan yelling at him by the balls. You knew he’d take this harder than anyone else, he and Ajax were close. 

“Where is he? Where did you take him!”

Careful and ready for fire, you tread through the blown out room. Logan by your side as you halt before a steep slope. There was an obvious trail from that slope through the stand and down another tunnel entrance. You turn to your team noticing the other walker boy pulling his dog away from the soldier for Keegan to finish off. You beckon him over.

“Bring the dog, there’s a trail.” You turned to the youngest Walker boy, “I’m going down, use the remote sniper to cover me. Follow under merricks instruction.” 

He gave you a curt nod before you were off. 

“Riley’s got a scent!.” The team followed suit. Riley leading the lot of you to an almost closed  garage door. Multiple pairs of feet seen pacing inside.

“We don’t have time for this. Gas masks on.” 

Again through another tunnel, a conference room, another tunnel. This place was starting to piss you off, reminding you why you never really liked baseball in the first place. You’d later refer to it as the nightmare labyrinth. 

Eventually you found Ajax, Riley sniffing him out first, Keegan on his knees by his side second. 

“How is he?” Not an ounce of effort was made to hide the fear in your voice. 

“It’s bad.” Keegan was cradling the man as he coughed. 

“Son of a bitch.” In a quick but necessary moment of solidarity, you placed a comforting hand to Merrick’s shoulder. “Hang in there Ajax, Hang in.” 

“Rorke. It was Rorke. He’s targeting…” Ajax let out a cough from deep in his chest. Keegan held him tighter in shallow breaths. “Look… the wall.” 

“Come on, hang in there Ajax.” 

“He’s gone.” The room fell silent, you took to distraction. You look for the wall and your eyes grow in momentary panic at what you found.

“Merrick, he was right.” Your voice barely showed any sign of grief you were trying to swallow. No time to think. You stood by Hesh. He held out a flare for you to see, his free hand consolidating you with a gentle pat to the shoulder. 

“Get him ready to move.” Merrick ordered, Ajax’s body already hoisted over Keegan’s shoulder. Then by your side.

“It’s a kill list.” You told him. 

“Rorke’s targeting ghosts.” He resolved. Hesh’s eyes widened as he looked over the photos of you lot on the wall, his eyes drifting to one of a girl in tactical gear only realising once meeting your glassy gaze that it was you. You were smaller than the others sure but half your face was covered by a cloth, the other grease paint and your voice had been so gravelly and focused.

“Who the hell is Rorke?” He asked after clearing his throat, clearing his mind. Merrick had already collected Ajax’s mask and was heading out of the room for evac. You patted Hesh’s arm as a signal to move it. 

“No time to explain.”

-

Everything was one fight to another. You’d only truly catch a break in your third helicopter of the day.

“Alright, get us outta here!” Keegan yelled, clearly as over it was you were. 

“Hey, we’re not going anywhere” The eldest walker boy stood from his seat, he was frustrated, looking to pay it out on someone and Keegan was in his line of fire. You interjected with an assertive hand to his vest. 

“Hey, calm down.” Your cloth was pulled down to your neck now. Eyes wide as they met his. For a moment it actually worked, like you had covered the space in a blanket of silence to give him a moment to breathe. He glanced at the hand on his chest then met your eyes again. You were almost smiling. If he wasn’t panicking over losing his father, he probably would’ve smiled back. 

“Hey! We just saved your asses!” Merrick shoved the Walker boy to the wall, one arm holding his tactical vest fueled by his impatience and a hot head. 

“We didn’t need your help!” The boy fought back. By this time you had retreated to the front of the helicopter, hands held up in mock defeat towards your commanding officer with an amused smirk. He shook his head, hung in the slightest tint of embarrassment or nostalgia. Boys will always be boys.

Merrick will always be a testament of that. He was the same now as he was and will continue to be.

“The hell you didn’t!” Merrick had shoved the Walker boy down next to his brother on the bench. 

“Stow it! All of you!” Finally your commanding officer decided to step in.

“We have to go back! Our dads down there and we’re not leaving without him!” 

“That’s real admirable of you, but your father’s not there anymore.” He sat them down, really laying the act on thick. You remembered the bastard being dramatic but not this theatrical. He pulled the mask off. 

“Dad, this whole time? You were one of them, you’re a ghost.” 

“Try the Ghost! That’s your commanding officer.” Merrick was in a mood. He joined you where you stood next to Keegan. You welcomed him by holding a palm out as if asking him to calm down.

“Cool it. Stretch your legs.” You spoke softly, mockingly at him. Fake concern. He returned with a sarcastic smile. There was never a right time to push his buttons - especially not when he got in a mood… and he had many moods - but that never stopped you from having your fun every now and then. 

You waited for a moment, you could faintly hear your commander welcoming his sons to the Ghost squad. It warmed your heart, though you would never admit outloud. 

Elias had become like a father to you over your time being a ghost, the respect you worked hard to earn from the man radiated from him when addressing his children with unconditional love. 

You weren’t surprised seeing his sons often labelled as ‘natural born leaders’, they had the best of the best taking them through life from the very beginning. They held your respect for that alone. 

A genuine smile grew on your face as the eldest turned to caught your eye. He finally did return the smile. You found it sweet how his feet became restless in the moment of excitement. 

“We’re ready, We won’t let you down.”

June 15th - Federation Day

It had been approximately 9 days since you had met the Walker boys. They were everything you imagined Elias’ children to be. Determined, well mannered and well… handsome. This has been your first mission with them since. Your goal: To gain intel of Rorke's current location. 

It had been somewhat of a quiet mission up until this point, you knew all hell would break loose when you make your evac but for now, you almost had your hands on the federation soldier and “friend” of Rorkes, Victor Ramos.

“Dammit, he’s not here! Hesh?” Keegan calling into his comms when busting into Ramos' empty office.

“I got him.” Hesh dragged him in and pushed onto the office chair with a gun pointed to his head.

“He knew you would come.” Ramos’ words echoing off the gun metal.

“Where’s Rorke? Where is he!”

“I don’t know!” Ramon interjects, hands in the air “no one knows!”

“Vig.” Keegan gave you the ‘go ahead’ look. The one step in front of Hesh and Ramos was pushed onto the desktop by the lapels. Hesh now standing to the left of the man, his pointed gun in clear view. Light vibrations rushed through your body by the man’s trembling. He knew what he was getting into the moment he befriended Rorke. There was no remorse to be shared. 

“You have five seconds to deliver the coordinates on Rorke.” Keegan's voice rattled through the man’s skull, suddenly restless.

“Four.” Ramos yanked his arms out of your grip.

“He’s not here!” “Three.” You looked to Hesh.

“Two.” With a subtle nod your way, he readied his feet for fire. Ramos’s left arm dove across the table. 

“His location is in there! In an encrypted file!” Before you could follow the vector of his finger out the door, the screen fizzled awake behind you. Grabbing Ramos's loose arm, you turned the best you could to glance at the screen behind your tactical helmet.

“Well, well, well, if it ain’t the walking dead.” It was Rorke, you've heard his voice only once before in a recording but you’d never forget it. “Hm, I knew you’d follow the breadcrumbs.” 

“You tried to kill my father, you piece of shit!” Hesh haphazardly lept towards the screen. Sending the now half conscious Ramos into the desk chair, you met Hesh halfway.

“Hesh.” Your hands holding him back by the chest.

“The sons of Elias Walker. Boys sent to do a man’s work.” Hesh’s mouth went dry, his eyes fell from the screen to your gaze, then his shoulders dropped. He finally backed off, targeting his gun back onto Ramos.

“Enough games. Where are you, Rorke?” You turned to get a good look at the man on screen, your patience running thin. 

“Ha! Vi Ra Go. Talk about a man's work. Nice to put a voice to the face but where I am doesn’t matter.” He mocked. Your eyes narrowed out of frustration. “What matters is a decade ago they left me to die in this city. And from this night forward, Elias lives with the knowledge he sent his own sons to their death.”

“It was a set up.” Keegan said under his breath. The screen shut off and you locked eyes. 

“Let’s move!” You yelled, stepping with a heavy foot. One tap to the shoulder of the boy to your left and he followed behind you. Subconsciously pairing off as you knew Keegan would have Logan’s back. The building was collapsing, you could hear it before feeling it. 

“Command, mission is compromised! Attempting an aerial exfil from the 52nd floor!” Keegan was last to leave the room as he barked into his comms. You led the boys down the stairs, the concrete cracking in trails after your steps. Alarm raging. Scaffolding bare. 

-

You had your head resting on your hands, these trips after a mission were never a highlight for anyone in particular. People have different responses, Merricks paces restlessly, riding on leftover adrenaline like a drug high. Keegan sits still, to the side, not quite giving into exhaustion but with more of a level head then you reckoned someone should after jumping out of a collapsing building. 

You, however, are much smaller in frame and when you sit down, it tends to hit you quicker than everyone else. They’d called you a lightweight, especially when you share a drink with them. Keegan’s a hard one to make laugh but when Kick and Ajax continue to get you shots of water, the whole table shits their little cargo pants. So they let you bathe in the sound of the helicopter and regain a little strength. 

“You know him?” Your eyes barely opened as you turned to the boy who just sat next to you. You’re confused eyebrows egging him to elaborate “Rorke.” 

You shook your head and rested your head against the wall. One large exhale and you met his eyes again.

“They brought me on a long time after him. Knew the stories though,” Hesh watched with expecting eyes, ready for you to continue. “But he’s after me too and he took Ajax. That’s personal enough for me.” 

He gave an understanding nod and rested his head against the wall beside you. In the corner of your eye, you catch Keegan and Logan share a side eye glance. You can tell Keegan thinks you're getting soft but this job gives you little comfort. You’ll clench your balaclava as tight as you were now to stay cool in front of this boy whenever just to keep feeling the way he makes you feel. 

-

The next few days pass slower than usual. You could blame it on the same fact everyone else did. That Rorke was still out there. You almost had him and then was sent back a couple steps. 

However, you really knew it was because in the back of your mind, the idea of you, a boy and his dog, sat peacefully. 

Every mission, you kept your eye on him. Covered his back when you could and every mission he’d cover yours. Every mission you were sent to scope an area by his side. In between missions you would sit and chat. Chat about how you became a ghost, talk about his life before the military, talk about how he started to think of Riley after being away too long or how the other ghosts have become like father figures to you. The latter being a secret you thought you’d take to your grave.  

Sometimes Logan sat with the two of you, sometimes everyone else. In a group you would discuss sport and women and combat. Your plights and fights. Hesh watched as you grinned everytime Merrick rested a casual arm on your shoulder, you watched as Hesh beamed whenever Elias would place a proud pat to his back.

June 23th - Passage to Antarctica

Sure there were things to do, meetings to attend, plans to go over. But for the most part, on these kinds of days, you had more time to yourself then you would get in a while. Time you well needed when in constant close proximity with people like the ghosts. 

Once you were done on deck talking with the force, you made your way below deck to the sleeping quarters. You knew for a fact Merrick and Keegan would stay above deck for a smoke and Logan wouldn’t stray too far from Keegan no matter. But Hesh?

Something inside of you almost wished he would join you. You’d spend hours in the dark questioning if it was wistful or if you just felt guilty for having these thoughts cross your mind more often than not lately. 

When you had shared your plans of sneaking off to nap to the guys, every one of them shared a knowing look when Hesh was soon to follow you a few minutes after. It bothered Merrick more than he thought it would - feeling almost protective over you - but Keegan and Logan had already started the betting pool days before. 

“Just in time too.” Logan was quick to add. 

Hesh was quick to catch up to you. He stopped you in the hallway below deck, hand on your shoulder and a sentimental look in his eye. One that almost took your breath away at the sudden vulnerability. One you’d only seen him share with the likes of his family or with Riley. 

“Virago.”

“Hesh.” 

Let the games begin.

“Is there a reason you have me stopped in the hallway or?”

“Yes.” His chest rose with a deep breath. You had to rip your eyes away to look into his eyes. He continued his confession, “Virago, I think about you.” 

“You- what?” Spoken like you’d been punched to the gut. Your ears boiled. He had both hands on both shoulders now and at some point had steered you off to the side of the hallway with him. 

“Come on, you can’t tell me you don’t feel it too.” 

“This is highly inappropriate, I-” You awkwardly shimmied his hands off your shoulders as you tried to brush past him. He stopped you again, a hopeful, charming smile plastered shamelessly on his face. 

“It’s ridiculous, I know!” A boyish chuckle escaping through his words.

“Hesh.” The way you called him sent shivers down his spine. Had the situation been any different, had he not spotted the hope in your eyes everytime you looked at him, he would’ve given up by now. But he was already your weakness, as you were his. One more crack and he knew you’d be his. “I have to go.” 

That last crack was following you directly into the female berthing room. He greatly enjoyed your stunned state, it filled him with a sense of pride to influence your emotional responses so strongly. 

“Lieutenant! This is highly inapprop-” You’re scolding was cut off by a pair of lips and two hands gently holding your head in place. The final push. 

You melted in his warm, calloused hands. This is what you were afraid of, being so completely and utterly in the palm of his hand. You’d thank the stars for months that the room was currently unoccupied. 

His kiss was slow but hungry. Like he’d been dreaming of it but forced himself to savour you. Once you had relaxed into him, he moved his hands down to your waist, pulling and pushing. Chest to chest, back to bunk. Any gasp or sigh you let out, he returned with a quiet sound of pure bliss. Lips skimming each other but not locked. Open mouth pants, warm breath with a haze of mint below your nostrils. 

When you pressed your chest further into his, hands caressing his buzzed head to the nape of his neck. He shook his head, pulling away with a breath he struggled to take.

“You tell me no now because I may not be able to stop if we keep going like this.” 

“Hesh.” You said feigning a scolding tone. 

“You can call me lieutenant again.” He joked but sounded so out of breath. He could barely keep his eyes open when you ran your fingernails over his shoulder blades. 

“David.” You retaliate in a real scolding voice. A warning. He only groaned as his head fell onto your chest. 

“Yeah, that’ll do it.” He groaned. His grip on your hips got tighter, pulling you against him in a way that made you gasp. Showing his appreciation of the sound by latching his lips to your neck.

The boy fell just as deep as you had. You wanted him so bad but the adrenaline running through you wasn’t entirely from him either. You couldn’t pull your eyes away from the door even when you tried. 

You took a loud gulp and pulled him off you. His confused face soon daring as you guided him into your berth on the floor and pulled the curtain shut. It was tight, you laid on his chest, your back touching the roof if you arched your back. You didn’t care. If you had the chance to, you wouldn’t have ripped yourself from his chest and just stay this close forever. 

It was dark, his hands on your hips gave you butterflies. Your knees tingled as they laid either side of his thighs. He was breathing just as hard as you were. 

You started taking off your shirt and his eyes widened.

“Take your shirt off.” You didn’t ask but it also wasn’t an order. He was taken aback by your forwardness all of a sudden but didn't hesitate to wiggle his way out of the confining khaki material. “If these things start to smell, someone will know.” 

His hands were already exploring your bare waist, your lower back, upper back, the curve in your spine to the hanging stomach over him. Over your upper arms and shoulders to your chest. He memorised every curve, the feel of your soft skin. The way you’d cringe when he touched a certain point on your waist. The way you’d gasp when he cupped your breast and brought it out of your bra. 

“Hold me up.” He obliged with no hesitation. You desperately wanted Hesh out of his pants and needed the hands that were keeping you up to do so.

“May I?” you asked, hands resting over his belt. His eyes were desperate. 

“Please.” Who were you to complain? He brought you close to him, arms wrapped around your upper back pressing your chest against him. His lips rested next to your ear, determined to at least let you hear him if nobody else could. Arm reaching down between your bodies, you soon had in him his hands. 

“Holy shit.” He moaned in your ear. 

“Yeah.” You moaned back. 

-

“Did you get your nap, Vig?” Keegan's deadpan voice almost makes you think his question was genuine.

“What nap?” The words spilling out before a single thought could be put into them. You froze once you noticed your mistake, eyes wide in panic. There was no coming back from this but you could try. “Yes. Yes I did.”

He only raised an amused eyebrow and left your side with a “I didn’t think so.” 

June 28th - Sin City 

“Commander Walker, may I have a word with you.” Your fingers were fidgeting, eyes to your feet. He’d never seen you this way. You were a strong woman, Elias knew all too well. What other men called annoying - one well read man’s attempt to unknowingly call you a shrew - Elias taught you could be a sign of courage and strength. Virago. A word his wife used to love. 

This demeanour was different though. From you, almost uncanny. 

“Is everything okay Sergeant?” You took a gulp. He couldn’t stop the amused look on his face. He had a creeping suspicion of the topic you wanted to discuss, the whole team was starting to catch on. Hell, even kick could’ve guessed it. 

His suspicions were true. You knew you had to bring it up to him. The incident on the way to Antarctica consumed your every waking thought. It was almost dangerous, never have you had something come close to waning your focus on missions but this. This made you worried. It hasn’t even been a month of knowing this boy and you were worried. 

“Sir, this is very difficult for me to talk about. I’m afraid this is very inappropriate.” He let out a sigh, shaking his head. His expression was shielded by a thumb and pointer finger holding his nose bridge. Your stomach dropped.

“It’s okay Virago. Take your time.” He raised his head to look at you, giving out an involuntary chuckle. You stared at him, not sure what to do next. You were certain everything you said came out in a stutter. 

“For his sake and your sake and the ghosts sake, I will stand down if need be. It was never my intention to cause an issue like this, I know how inappropriate it is but i’m afraid of how it may develop and what will-”

“Virago.” Breathe. 

You follow the hand on your shoulder up to his eye. With more vulnerability than you were anticipating.

“Sir. Your son makes me feel like a giddy school girl.” 

After a long, uncomfortable beat, he lets out a genuine, hardy chuckle. It turns into a laugh. 

You brought your hands to cover your face in mild embarrassment. After all the chaos you endure in your job, admitting a little crush is what finally brought you to your knees. All you could do was share the laugh with Elias. It’s only when the moment settles that he gives his response. 

“As your commanding officer, you two work together better than a lot of teams I’ve seen out in the field. I am happy to overlook it as long as it doesn’t cause any problems. I see no reason for you to step down; however, if you think it’s the best decision for you, I won’t stop you. You’re an excellent sergeant, that's why you’re on this force.” You’re certain your face is red but his shoulders drop and the warm, a paternal smile returns to his face. 

“As a father, you’ve brought a sparkle to his eye I haven't seen in him since he was 18. I couldn’t feel any more pride if my son had chosen someone lesser than you.” Were you crying? A grown ass woman and you were crying at your commander’s words. You didn’t think his validation meant this much to you but you had always worked hard for this man’s respect. “He’s a stubborn one. You’ve got your work cut out but at least I know he’ll be in good hands.” 

“Thank you sir.” Was all you could get out without allowing your voice to crack. You took a quick glance at the boy standing by his younger brother. Elias walked to join them allowing you a moment to recollect yourself before the landing in vegas. With a quick but hot walk, you made it to the previously known luxor, now safe house. 

-

“JSOC’s going to want to move fast on this, so load up before you get any shut-eye. We got six hours until Keegan gets back.” 

You were already by Merricks side, guiding Logan to stock. Elias had been stopped by Hesh and dragged to the corner. 

“Dad, I need to talk to you for a sec.” Elias could feel the same smile growing on his face from only moments before. He was starting to think something must have happened on the last mission for the both of you to bring your feelings to his attention with this kind of urgency. 

“David, if this is about the girl, I already know.” Hesh stopped in his tracks. The boy was too stunned to speak! Perhaps he was meant to say a comprehensive sentence, instead he let out a series of “uh”s, “oh”s “wha?”s, “ how?”s. 

“She got to me first. A bit out of your league.” With a nudge to his gut from his father’s elbow, the tension slowly started to expel from his body. In fact he even gave out a laugh. Sheepish but true, you were out of his league. 

“You’re not mad?” Suddenly he felt like a child again, his worst nightmare would be disappointing his father. 

“Fuck no son. She is a warrior, that one.” Whatever Elias was fiddling with was dropped momentarily as he met his son’s eyes. Expression dropped to a deadpan. “If you started fucking the rest of my ghosts, well then we’d have a problem.” 

All Hesh could do was laugh out of shock and relief. He caught a glimpse of you beckoning Riley to follow you and he felt his pupils turned to hearts like an old cartoon. 

“I could marry her, dad.”  

“Hey, hey. Steady on Hesh.” Elias chuckled out, passing Hesh with a pat to his back to pull him out of the little trance you put him in. He couldn’t help but laugh - not in a judgemental way but in a nostalgic ‘young love’ kind of way. “You keep each other alive first and then you can start getting all cosy. You copy loverboy?” 

“Copy.” Hesh replied with a goofy little smile. 

“Hold up.” Merrick stopped. “Something feel off to you?” 

“Security’s working.” In a matter of seconds you were on the floor. Elias’ faint yelling at Riley in the distance played you off as you closed your eyes and took another deep inhale of gas. 

- 

They say hearing is the last to go when you die. You figured this might be it. You could hear Merrick’s voice yelling - how he usually used his voice - and figured you wouldn’t be mad if he were the one to send you off. 

What they never say though is that you’d feel hands grab you before you die. Now that sobered you. 

You were being picked up off the ground, grey federation gloved hands steadying its grip on you in places that were entirely necessary to lift you up onto a chair. After a minute of having your hands brought behind your back and met with a rope, your vision could finally focus in front of you. 

Merrick sat across from you, hands tied behind his back like your own. He watched the soldier behind you intently before locking eyes with you. You wondered what time it was, how long had you been out, how long had he been awake? You could have sworn he gave you a mocking look as if to say “lightweight” but it was short lived. You might have even laughed in any other situation.  

With a quick surveillance of the room, you noted there were only a couple of soldiers by the door. You could only just make out another figure in the hallway those soldiers were talking to. The soldier behind you was struggling with the rope as your hands started to fidget out of them. You gave Merrick a wink, devising a quick plan with a wordless exchange in under a few seconds. 

An eyebrow raise and a slight nudge of your head indicating the soldier behind you. ‘I'll take out the one behind me.’ 

A head tipped to his chair, then to the door behind him and two very exaggerated blinks. ‘You take the two at the door.’

He gave a curt nod and your expression stopped him before he counted the leap into action. You took a short moment to contemplate how to relay this information without your hands, it was never going to be a very dignified attempt.

A head nudge back to the door, a defeated eye roll then the most comical, clear attempt you could express talking by flapping your mouth. ‘The two at the door are talking to someone.’

He raised an eyebrow best he could. ‘How many?’ 

You returned a disparaging look and a subtle shoulder shrug. ‘I don’t know.’

He took a breath, shot a determined look then tipped his head to a count of three before you both jumped to your feet.

Whipping yourself around, you sent your tied hands slamming to the exposed neck of the shoulder behind you. He stumbled over the back of the chair, giving you a split second to seize the opportunity and kick his ass over his head. A clear thud paired with an echoed crack as the man’s back hit the concrete. His attempt to reach for his gun was unsuccessful when a boot trod on his wrist and a wooden chair smashed to bits off his vest. 

With what leverages your tied hands could give you, you tugged out the unresponsive soldier's pistol and finally turned your attention to Merrick.  

One soldier was on the ground, the other was giving him some little trouble. Two shots was enough to have the federation soldier on the ground. Whoever those soldiers were speaking to in the hallway were no longer there but would obviously return soon with back up. Merrick made quick work pulling the rope off your hands. You gave them a moment to roll them out before beginning on Merricks ties. They were untied enough for him to shimmy the rope off but you were yanked into the room by the waist before you could assist him further.

You’d retell the story with what you’d call more than a dozen federation soldiers surrounding the two of you. One holding your legs off the ground, vest to vest. Another soldier retying your wrists together while the rest had their guns pointed. Struggling was getting pointless. A quick glance to Merrick and it seemed he was in a worse position. Pushed to his knees and having life punched out of his gut. 

You followed suit, being pushed to your knees by a grip in your hair. The soldier in front of you lingered in this position, enjoying the view more than anything. If there weren’t so many soldiers posted, you could’ve sworn that man would have a world record for the quicked murder. 

“She’s a fiery one huh.” There was that voice again, you should have suspected it was him all along.

“Rorke.” Merrick's voice was gravelly, an evolved stage from the angered yelling to something further. 

“Vi Ra Go,” Every single time. Each syllable paired with an indolent step, his gaze never faulting from you. He didn’t want to acknowledge the man he once called friend beside you. 

“So we finally meet. The woman they sent to fill my void.” The word ‘woman’ was spat out with a misogynistic type of venom. A discreet disgust painting his features until his eyes started to wander down. His eyebrows raised shamelessly. 

“I tell you what, they don’t make soldiers like you in the federation.” His hand gripped your jaw. Resisting the urge to give him any satisfaction of a reaction, you stared past his head. He only relished in it more, with a thumb running up the skin of your neck. “Many of my men have your photo on their wall but to have the whole thing here is something else huh.”

The soldiers in the room started to holler and you could’ve sworn you felt bile being sent up your throat. You’d had comments like this before, about being a woman in the force but this man was something else and Merrick had had enough of it.

“Enough of this Rorke.” His roar rippled through the room and finally Rorke released his grip on your chin. Head dropping immediately - if not to stop it from cramping in your neck, then to hide the tear you fought hard to stop welling. Fuck him for making you feel weak. Fuck all of them.

“You know what they did to me sweetheart?” Still he refused to acknowledge the man next to you. You kept your head down.

“I know you killed Ajax, that’s all I need to know.”

“They left me to die. I’ve sat through things that’ll make your little limbs fall off darling.” He moved behind you, left hand situated on your neck, right hand on Merrick’s. Two soldiers accompanied your fronts. “Your whole team isn’t even here for you, darling. Where’s your quiet friend?” 

His grip on your neck guiding you to face him. His eyes anticipated more than he was going to get. 

Warm spit and a fuck you.

The last thing you saw was an unimpressed Rorke wiping his face with a palm before a fist connected to your stomach. 

“Bitch!” He spat. Jolted his head to the door and before you knew it, you were being dragged out the door by two soldiers. “I bet it doesn't take much to make her scream! As for you-”

“Virago!” Merrick roared before Rorke's frame covered your sight. The further you were dragged away, the less you could make out of blunt objects connecting themselves to his frame. 

The two soldiers carrying you shared a couple words, bringing you back to the foyer. And for what felt like hours, one held your head up by the hair while the other had his crack leaving bruises that’ll take at least a month to heal. 

Then finally relief.

Black.

[lala3244]

Heartbreaks Belphegor

~ Finally got around to make another one! I wrote this one on my phone… tell me what you think and which brother I should do next ~

—————————————————————————

You started dating them but others had decided they should date demons of powerful lineage not a mere human.

Warning: hurt/no comfort also not proofread!

—————————————————————————

Diavolo Lucifer Mammon Satan Asmodeus

—————————————————————————

One night, you decided to go to the planetarium in the House of Lamentation. It was quiet and you had a rough day. You hoped that no one would find you there. When you walked inside, you saw a form under a blanket on the floor. You sighed. You couldn’t be alone even for a minute but still you advanced further inside. The form moved and a mop of hair appeared that you recognised. It was Belphegor. You didn’t really know the youngest of the seven brothers as he was often sleeping all day either in his room or in the attic. You saw his eyes peeking through his fringe, half asleep still and with a sleepy voice he said « Hey! ». You smiled at him timidly and waved but you stopped in your tracks. You didn’t know if he would want you to be there. He sat up and rubbed his eyes then looked at you with a friendly smile. « What brings you here? ». You shrugged, you couldn’t really say « I need to be alone… » so you decided with « I needed somewhere quiet ». He nodded his head as if he understood. « I guess being from another world must be quite overwhelming. Come and sit next to me. We will look at the stars in silence. » you blushed. You didn’t know he could be so considerate and sat down under the blanket. He made it really comfortable. 

You were still wary of him. He was a demon after all and you never hung out with just him but he just laid still next to you. A few minutes passed and you decided to lie down, so you took one of the many pillows he had brought with him. The pillow engulfed your head so perfectly, in a few minutes you were already asleep. Belphegor wasn’t moving next to you but he was aware of your movements and when your breathing slowed, he released a breath he wasn’t aware that he was holding. He turned his head to look at you. He watched you sleeping and looked at your face for a while before closing his eyes to join you in your dreams.

You woke up in your bed, startled by the sound of your alarm. You sat up and looked around, wondering how you got into your bed. You stopped your alarm and decided to get up. You felt well rested and ready to take on the day! The first time since you can remember! You got ready for RAD still wondering what happened and went to have breakfast. You weren’t the first one there; Asmodeus and Lucifer were already at the table. The eldest was reading a newspaper and Asmo was looking at his phone. They didn’t even look up when you entered the room so you said a quiet hello as to not startled them. They returned your greeting still looking down. You giggled quietly and sat down. The food was already on the table so you decided to help yourself. You heard someone, it was Beelzebub. He sat down next to you with a smile on his face. He leaned down and whispered to you « did you have a good sleep? ». You blushed, you weren’t expecting him to talk to you so you just nodded, looking at your plate but he carried on. « I’m the one who brought you to your bed. I was looking for Belphie and I saw you fast asleep so I took the initiative. I hope you don’t mind ». You looked at the giant in the eyes « of course, I don’t mind. That was really sweet of you ». He gave you a big smile and started to help himself of some breakfast. Belphegor arrived and sat at the other side of you. « Hey. Did you sleep alright? » you looked at him, « Yes, the best sleep I ever had in months ». He smirked, looking proud of himself. « Good to know. I hope we can spend more time together again ». He smiled at you tenderly. You nodded and turned your gaze away to hide your cheeks reddening. The heat from your cheeks didn’t fade until you left the table and hid for a few minutes in your room to calm yourself down. You didn’t understand why you were so flustered by him but you assumed it was just a one-off thing and that next time it’ll be better. 

The day was long at RAD. Pop quiz in almost every class and every time you had some free time someone needed you for one thing or another. You couldn’t even go to the toilet without someone following you and talking to you. When the classes were finished, Asmodeus took you shopping for a new product that came out that day and you had to wait with him for an hour in a queue outside the shop. When you finally arrived home, you went straight to your room where the door had been left ajar and you peeked inside to see Mammon and Levi arguing. You sighed and shook your head « Nah, I’m not dealing with whatever that is! ». So you turned back and went to the planetarium instead. You kind of hoped Belphegor would be there again. He weirdly made you feel better. You tried to be quiet moving around the house as you didn’t want to meet anyone. You arrived at your destination safely without talking to anyone and you were relieved. You sat down and looked up. You enjoyed the silence and the stars, trying to empty your head of all thoughts. Dinner was almost ready and you needed to recover some energy before going to the dining room. You could already feel the chaos coming from everywhere and it gave you a headache already. You closed your eyes and imagined your life back in the human realm. Your house were you lived alone and how granted you took your life back then. You loved your life here but there was always someone every single second of every day. 

You felt a hand on your shoulder and you looked up. Your heart missed a beat when you realised it was the Avatar of Sloth. Unconsciously, a smile appeared on your face which was returned by the demon. He sat down next to you, silently as if knowing that was what you needed. After a few minutes of his silent presence, your headache faded away and you felt calmer. He startled you by talking « I knew I would find you here. I came to tell you that dinner was ready and Lucifer enquires that you join us. » You nodded and he helped you get up by offering his hand which you took happily. After you stood up and started to walk towards the dining room, he kept your hand in his but you didn’t mind. He let go of your hand before entering the room but put his hand on the small of your back to guide you to your seat. You felt Lucifer’s gaze all along and during the dinner as well. You tried to not feel overwhelmed with all the attention the other brothers needed from you. Belphegor was a strong presence next to you which comforted you and when dinner was over you stood up rapidly as it wasn’t your turn to clean or do the dishes but Lucifer stopped you. « Wait! I need to talk to you. » You sighed discreetly, nodded and waited for everyone to leave. When everyone had left, he gestured you to the chair next to him for you to sit down so you obeyed him. He looked at you, concern in his eyes. « What’s wrong? ». Tears started to fill up your eyes and you cracked. You told him everything and you finished by saying « I just need an hour where I am alone that’s all I want ». You could see relief on his face and he nodded in agreement. « I see. You can go now, I’ll make sure my brothers don’t bother you as much ». You wiped the couple of tears that managed to escape and smile at the demon in front of you « Thank you Lucifer ». You left and went to your room to get ready for the night. You laid down on your bed to study but fell asleep straightaway. You woke up, refreshed by a good night sleep and weird memories of Belphegor coming into your dreams to talk to you. 

The following days were better. The brothers were bothering you a lot less so you felt better and always had your alone time every day which was nice but you still went to the planetarium for the quiet. Belphegor would join you every day and you would have small talk between long hours of silence. Both of you would often fall asleep, next to each other but never touching. You had the best sleep next to him and you would always dream of him. It actually felt more like he came into your dream as if he was real but everything around wasn’t. AND It blew your mind! Could he come inside them?! So one morning when you woke up you decided to ask. « Belphegor? » He half-opened his eyes « Hmm? » You scooted closer to him and whispered, a bit scared to sound foolish « Can you come inside people’s dreams? » He opened his eyes fully and smirked « Yes, indeed I can » Your eyes widened, some of the dreams you could remember, even if they were blurry, were a bit naughty and were about him. You put your hands on your face to hide your shame. Belphegor laughed and took your wrist to take your hands away. You hid your head in the pillow, you couldn’t face him anymore but that action made him laugh even louder. He calmed down and stroked your hair. You turned your head again and scoffed, looking at him. He got his face closer « That was cute ». You frowned, wondering what he meant, « My reaction or my dream ?» He chuckled and made a sound as if he was really wondering what he was going to answer « I’d say both! » You groaned, embarrassed while he chuckled again. His face, still close to you, became serious and he leaned in closer. Your lips were almost touching and your heart started beating faster. He closed the gap and softly kissed you. Your breath hitched at the sensation but the moment was interrupted by Beel who were looking for you as it was time for breakfast. You got ready to go to RAD, a small smile on your face. When you were ready, Belphegor knocked on your door which you opened and asked you if you were ready. You nodded your head and he took your hand. You walked to class hand in hand with the demon, a bit embarrassed by the new situation but happy nevertheless. 

The following weeks were the same but your relationship with the youngest of the brothers got stronger as were the rumours in the Devildom. You have heard a lot of crazy stories, such as you used a magic potion to make him fall in love with you or that you tricked him, that one had many options in how you did it or that it was a dare: you could hear as you walked past other demons “how could a demon be with a human like them?!” Every time it would break your heart but you carried on as you started to fall in love with him. You would sleep with him every night, either snuggling in his bed , in the planetarium or in the attic and every time getting closer and more intimate when the circumstances would permit it. You didn’t think that you dating one of the most powerful demon of the Devildom would be such a problem but one day you and Belphegor got told to see Lord Diavolo in his office. When you arrived, Lord Diavolo had a grave face and you worried. The usual happy demon wasn’t there and you hoped nothing important happened. He started to talk “I know you are both dating and if it were up to me I would let you date but the House of Lords and more nobles had made complaints about it.” You looked at him, stunned “What do you mean, complaints?” He sighed “They don’t agree with a human being the mate of one of the seven brothers.” You could sense that Belphegor was starting to get pissed. “I understand that but how is that a problem?” Diavolo shook his head “I might be the future King but they still hold a lot of power and a lot of demons follow them. I need to protect everyone.” Tears started to fall from your eyes and you looked at Belphegor, he started to yell at the future King but you knew nothing that you would say would change anything. After Lord Diavolo managed to calm down Belphegor by throwing him out of the building physically, he came to talk to you . He sat next to you and held your hand. “I am so really sorry. If I could change their minds I would. I couldn’t say it, yet, in front of him but you need to know that they found someone for him to date” You let go of his hand and stood up. “I thank you Lord Diavolo for your honesty. I will see you later”. You left the office and went back to your room. You locked the door, took some earphones and went under the blanket. You had to escape the world for a while, so you texted Lucifer to say you didn’t feel well so they couldn’t disturb you. He asked if you were okay anyway but you just said that you needed to sleep. You spent hours on your phone but you ignored everyone’s messages and calls, especially Belphegor’s. 

You couldn’t fall asleep that night, so when it was time to get up, you texted Belphegor

You: I think it would be best if, for at least a week, we weren’t talking to each other, please?

He never answered but did ignored you for the whole week. You were sad and not your usual self which the other brothers could see. Sweet how they were, they tried to cheer you up how they could while Belphegor would hide any time he could. After that week, you knew he had to start meeting that new demon and you knew it would break your heart so that was why you had asked him to avoid each other so you could be prepared. Finally you saw them together. You were in awe the demon he was with was the most beautiful being you had ever seen in your life and you felt ridiculous. How could you ever compete with a demon anyway? After that you did everything you could to not be in the same room as the Avatar of Sloth. You stayed in your room most of the time or out with one of the brothers but never with him but he finally did it. He went to talk in your dreams. At first, it was comforting, it felt like memories coming back to life but then when you woke up you would cry, realising it wouldn’t be anymore. You started to get anxious to go to sleep and dream. It was wonderful to be back in his arms but so heartbreaking when you woke up and then you realised. It was him, it was real in a way. He came into your dreams to spend time with you without anyone knowing but the two of you and it was sweet of him but it wasn’t healthy for your mental. So after the last dream where you were lying down on a blanket in a meadow, smells of nature enveloping you, snuggled on his chest talking about your day, you woke up and started to sob uncontrollably. You cried for hours and you decided enough was enough and you went to look for him. You found him in the planetarium and you tried to rouse him slowly. He woke up and looked at you. He stared at you and saw your red and puffy face. He sat up and tried to put his arms around you to comfort you but you stopped him. “Please don’t! You have to stop coming into my dreams. You are making it so difficult to move on from you. If I can’t be with you in real life then I don’t want to be with you in dreams.” You left and went back to sleep. 

====================================

THE END

Well, I don’t know what time it is where you live but for me it is time to sleep. Gotta work in the morning! I hope you enjoyed reading this one as Belphegor is not one of the brothers I know the most… or like the most… (not that I hate him or dislike him, just got no connection with him even though I am too the youngest sibling but of 5 not 7…)

[sabba-tumbling]

Thank you so much @agirlandherquill for tagging me! This is my contribution to the seventh day of writemas:

Prompts: "You never should have smiled at me."/the dead of night/he tried to speak, he tried his hardest, but no sound would come/stillness

Life is made of choices, and that blows, because Draco Malfoy was famously bad at making choices, a trait that, regrettably, had brought him to that moment where yet another choice was demanded of him, the painful death by an UTI or a fast descent into madness by sleep deprivation.

UTI was winning so far, he had seen enough of Aunt Bella to know madness wasn't a good look in the Black family.

Not daring to turn his head, he glanced at the mop of inky black hair from the corner of his eye. Lucky bastard, everything was always handed on a silver plate to The Chosen One, he got to sleep peacefully through that stormy spring night, free to get up and piss whenever he liked, while Draco was pinned down by the weight of the five-year-old who had decided, in a spectacular lapse of judgement, to make his nightmares Draco’s problem despite the saviour of the wizarding world being right there.

Another thunder boomed and Draco tensed as little Edward shifted against his side, letting out a mumble. He felt more than saw The Boy Who Lived wake up, green eyes blown black in the dark of their room, immediately casting a silencio, wandless and wordless, before he could wake his godson up.

Having The Yapping One for a partner caused an auror to develop all sorts of abilities.

Draco didn't bother fighting back a smile as his infuriating boyfriend tried to say something, frowning in irritation in a way that crinkled that charming crooked nose. It wasn't his fault, he told Harry to learn how to cast a non-verbal finite incantatem.

"Don't wake him up," Draco mouthed silently. "I'm feeling unforgiving."

Harry sighed soundlessly.

"I slept."

"Clearly."

He at least had the decency to look guilty, mumbling something Draco couldn't quite read on his lips.

"Enunciate." He mouthed slowly, earning a glare from those thick-lashed eyes.

"He likes you better."

Draco smirked, trying to mask the warmth the words brought him. Ever since they had started dating, Harry had made it clear that Edward was an integral part of his life, it could hardly be any different when he lived with Andromeda in the old Black House to help take care of the young boy.

"A clever lad." Draco made sure to enunciate the words as patronisingly slow as possible, succeeding in causing Harry to pout adorably.

Edward chose that moment to adjust his position, kneeing him on the ribs, and Draco winced, struggling not to keep silent while his little brat of a boyfriend smiled, vindicated.

"I should move and leave you to deal with him," he threatened emptily. "I did not sign up for this."

Harry wasn't moved in the slightest, his lovely crooked teeth showing as those full dark lips parted in a grin.

"Shouldn't have smiled at me then, git." He whispered, having finally managed the finite incantatem, causing Edward to whine lightly in warning.

Draco would either kill the bastard or marry him, but that was a decision better left for another night.

[who-scrambled-my-ocs]

If Lucas could've adopted Baby Bim (by normal or by evil-parent-eating means), what would raising an infant look like for him and Bruno?

Part one

He’d been Hunting

He’d been stalking the duo

The Intent, the Magic, the Cruelty in their gazes

It had sung to him

-

They’d been hunting too

A group of friends, a group of laughter, careless joy and harmless fun

A sheer feeling of innocent invincibility

They had been Hunting

The Magic in their hands, on their lips and in their shadows

Encircling and ensnaring and exploiting

It had Reeked

-

He’d had them

His Magic seeping through his veins

The excitement, the Hunger

He’d had them dancing at his fingertips, so close-

He’d

Stalled

Something had hiccuped behind him

Past the path they’d ran from him

He almost had them

.

.

.

He hadn’t noticed them hold a carrier

.

.

.

It laid on the side of the alley he’d ambushed them in, in the middle of their hunt, haphazardly tossed, almost overturned really

.

.

.

Brown tear filled eyes stared frozen at his sea-green ones, cheeks streaked but silent, merely hiccuping as quiet as possible

.

.

.

They’d ran

Without it

—————————————-

“Caro you cannot be serious” Bruno is walking wide eyed after Lucas as he pushes the stroller- it was new, when had he even found time to buy one already- further inside their house while still stubbornly rocking it, refusing to look his husband in the eye-

Bruno grabs his hand, forcing him gently but firmly to stop, to please listen “This is not- you brought in a child!”

“Caro keep it down, they’re sleeping”

“The bambino, Lucas- Caro it’s Human!” He almost hisses in his exasperated whisper, pouring everything in those words, everything they knew as Lucas keeps silently rocking the stroller

“We’re old” he says finally, a huff almost to it “We’ve gone past our retirement ages ago Bruno. It-it won’t be as long, we don’t have to worry like when we were young, we wouldn’t even be separated by decades, even if we live longer” Lucas says quietly, uncertainty caught in his voice despite his steadfast stance, eyes flitting back to the stroller he was rocking gently and away from his husband

Bruno sighs heavily, but there’s a sort of resignation in it despite himself as he glances at the bundle in the stroller, something fond already in his smile as he sees the baby was actually awake

The baby gurgles and babbles silently to itself as it raises a little fist up, making baby grabby hands and lightly kicking a leg as it held a new baby ring in its other hand, silently entertaining itself all on its own, all curious expressions and deep concentration

It looks up and suddenly freezes as it catches Bruno’s eyes, looking like a deer caught in the headlights at the sudden attention it was being given, eyes so very wide they were practically sparkling in the light, and Bruno chuckles softly as he reaches out a hand towards the baby

“Ciao, Stellina~”

—————————————

“Uhm, shee doll? Shee, you can play with her”

Lucas pauses in the hallway with a smile, laundry basket resting on his hip with one hand as he listens in to his Stella’s attempts at words

He’d already grasped several vowels and consonants so rapidly fast Lucas had almost felt jealous, remembering his own struggles at learning the human tongue

He silences his laugh at the memories, listening in with an amused and fond smile-

“No, papá sh-aid, sh-aid no magic alone”

His smile drops to an alarmed frown immediately, snapping his fingers and letting the shadows carry away their laundry as he walked closer to the bedroom beside his own

“Papá sh-ays magic can-can give euhm, boo-boo”

“Stella? Who are you talking to amarino?” He asks softly, his eyes scanning the room sharply as he walks in with one hand still on the doorknob

He sees nothing. Nothing but a kid with a curly mop of hair, bright rosy cheeks and beautiful brown eyes staring up at him with a finger by his face

There’s two cups of pretend tea placed on the floor, accompanied by two plates with two real cookies on each, on a little purple blanket on the floor strewn with toys

One plate is in front of him, the other across from him halfway in the shadows of a corner

His cookie lies untouched

The second cookie had a bite out of it

A hand gestures at the corner before Lucas can react, a frown above a mouth trying out his words

“Nona!”

Lucas frowns “Nona? Mio caro?” He asks, stepping a lot closer and swooping his heart up in his arms, scanning the shadows intently but seeing nothing “Do you have a friend, mia stella?”

“Nona” He simply repeats in Lucas’s arms, fiddling with the doll still in his hands “She likes cookie”

“Does she now?” Lucas asks softly, trying to hide the tenseness in his shoulders as he looked around

It hadn’t been the first time

Imaginary friend? Or something more

He pushes it away for now, smiling instead “How about we ask babbo to make many cookies with you then huh? Some pignoli-“

“Yesh! Yesh yesh!” Arms raised up in cheer before Lucas could even finish, and he laughs, booping his little nose

“We’ll make the best pignoli in the world-“ He freezes

It had been a single second

A single blink, forgettably easy to miss

But

He stares back in the room, eyes scanning again

He’d felt a brush of something-

“Papá?” Wide eyes are looking up at him, concern starting to seep in despite Lucas’s attempts to hide it

Focus

“Sorry stella, I thought I heard something” he simply smiles, kissing the little bundle’s forehead “Let’s go make those cookies huh?”

And perhaps get some scrolls ready from the basement

—————————————

“Stella! We need to leave!”

“Coming Nonno!” A rush of feet over the staircase, a yelp, and a tut of someone standing at the end of the staircase watching a little boy being carried by shadows safely down

“Bim, no running down the stairs, we’ve told you it’s dangerous”

“But papá-“

“No no, none of that. We’ll talk about it later again, now let’s tie your shoes-“

“I already did it!”

“What? Lemme see” Lucas reaches down to check and sure enough, they were two neat bunny ears on each shoe, snuggly and securely fit

Lucas raises a brow

“Did Nona do them for you?” He asks with a wry smile, biting back a chuckle as his kid bristled before him

“Nuhuh! No I did it! All by myself! I’m not a little baby anymore!” The stomp with his huff is adorable and Lucas can’t help the small laugh that escapes him, snickering at the pout it gets him

“I’m sorry Stella, you simply surprised me. You’re learning so fast I can’t keep up” he says amused, ruffling their curls as he’s greeted with a smug yet beaming smile “How about we go show babbo how well you did?”

“Yes! Babbo! Babbo look at my shoes!”

“No running-! Oh dear” Lucas chuckles, smiling fond as all the blobs in the house resumed chase after the bundle of energy, ready to catch his every trip and every stumble, allowing no serious harm

He could hardly protect him from every bump

But oh did he try

—————————————

“Why did you name me Bim actually? You-you chose the name Lucas for yourself papá, and that’s Italian just-just like you, babbo!”

“That’s because we found your name on your person stellina” Bruno says gently, both him and Lucas sharing a quick, furtive surprised glance at each, having not expected the question

Well, not now atleast

“And?”

“And?”

Brown eyes roll so hard it’s a wonder they didn’t fall out from behind Bim’s glasses, making Bruno snort despite himself, and Lucas gently tut through an amused grin

“We cannot read your mind stellina”

“Uh yes you can”

“But I won’t” Lucas reiterates, smiling wry as Bim huffs a little, yet he eases on the teases as he sees the restless energy return fast

“What do you wanna know about your name stella?”

“Well, why did you choose it? Why didn’t you pick another one like-like euhm-“ he stalls a little, thinking his question through as his parents waited patiently

He sighs “Why didn’t you choose one like yours babbo? Or like yours papá?”

“Do you mean, an Italian one?”

“Yeah”

Lucas and Bruno smile at each other, before Bruno pats the seat next to him, half hugging Bim as he took a deep breath

“Well, we tried to at first. In fact, we didn’t even know your name yet. But you didn’t like any name we gave you”

“Huh?”

“Yes” Bruno chuckles with a nod “We tried a few names, just a little to see if we all felt a connection to it. But, when we found your name on your old blankie in a little corner and called you your name, your face lit up” Bruno gestures with another chuckle “You gave one of your first giggles” he grins, gently poking Bim’s side as he tries to dodge and suppress his giggles, pushing at Bruno’s hands

“That’s not real!”

“I assure you we’re being completely honest” Lucas chuckles, pushing aside the paper he’d been reading “You’d already decided what your name was, it didn’t matter what anyone else thought about it! You, already knew” he grins, giving a slight tap on Bim’s chest with a smile

Bim looks down at his hands as Bruno and Lucas share another look, and Lucas gently takes his hand in his

“Do you like your name, stella?” He asks softly, watching Bim shrug

“I guess” he says, that lingering uncertainty still hanging in the air, of why his name wasn’t same as theirs

Why he wasn’t part of their connection

Lucas gently pats his hand “Bim. You are our son. Nostro figlio. No name, blood, or any magic will ever change that. Even if you wish to find and bond with your birth parents, or your birth family, you will always be in our hearts, and always be home here” he says softly

“We will have your pignoli, and your cristallo, and your abito viola-“

“Babbo”

Bruno chuckles softly, half hugging him as Bim huffs a bit in embarrassment

Oh the time when he’d proudly shown all his favorite stuff off without a hint of awareness

Time had flown

“Our point is, you are family to us, no matter what stellina”

“And” Lucas adds on to Bruno’s words, smiling soft as Bim looks up “You may choose any name you like, whenever you like, just like I did. Just like you did” he says softly, gently holding Bim’s shoulder, letting the words sink in

No matter what

He was their bambino

He was their stella

[ranchracoon]

Ch. 10 kindness

You wiped the sweat from your forehead and released a heavy sigh when you stood up with a loud pop in your back. All morning you had spent scrubbing the kitchen floor after a very unfortunate explosion of batter; you wanted to bake something sweet to give Donna but learned you have the baking skills of a toddler. Thankfully Angie was in a giving mood and was willing to buy something from the village, on the condition you cleaned up your mess. As soon as you drained the water from your mop bucket, Angie walked into the kitchen and put a wicker basket on the counter. You turned around and smiled as she pulled out some covered pastries, cookies, even a small cake; all which made your mouth water.

"Wow Angie, you went all out." You complimented.

"Who said this was all for you?" She answered.

You paused for a moment then snickered, "never took you for having a sweet tooth."

"There's a lot you don't know about me and I intend to keep it that way. Now, take the cake and get out of my kitchen."

"Yes ma'am."

You tore off the cleaning apron to hang up on the wall to dry then picked up the cake and fast-walked out into the hallway. As you approached the workshop you heard soft humming, it was the same tune you had heard previously when you caught Donna playing the piano. Carefully you pushed open the door and watched for a moment: Donna sat at her workbench humming to herself, she was completely lost in whatever she was working on. You crept in and cleared your throat to alert her of your presence; she shot up quickly and grabbed some nearby cloth to cover whatever was in front of her. She turned around to meet your narrowed eyes before her eye fell on the cake in your hands, she gave you a soft smile while she leaned against the desk.

"What are you working on?" You asked innocently.

"It's a surprise." She answered shortly, "what do you have there?"

"It's a surprise." You mocked.

She scowled but didn't move, she watched you set the cake on her work table in the middle of the shop then tilt your head. She started to walk over but you grabbed the cake to hide behind your back, Donna scowled and crossed her arms with a soft huf.

"I'll tell you if you tell me what you were humming. It's the same one you were playing on the piano." You looked around, it just occurred to you that the piano wasn't anywhere to be seen, "speaking of...where is the piano?"

Donna tensed for a moment, "it's one of the first songs I learned to fully play." She caught your curious look, "the piano was a gift for Lady Dimitrescu."

You hummed then put the cake on the table, "I hope you like chocolate."

Donna looked at the cake curiously, she tilted her head then looked up at you like a child, "but..it's not my birthday."

"You can have cake on days other than your birthday." You laughed.

Donna gave you a cheeky grin then stood upright, "I appreciate the surprise, but that still doesn't explain why you brought me a cake."

You shrugged, "felt like it? I can take it away if you don't want it." You started to reach for it but Donna was quicker.

"I didn't say that.." she mumbled.

You chuckled and clapped your hands together, "we can eat it before we work!"

"Work?" Donna asked.

"Yes, you're going to help me in the greenhouse remember? But first we need to get you some gardening clothes. You can't do yard work in the outfits you wear, not that you don't look good or stunning even. I mean-" Donna put her finger on your mouth to stop your rambling.

"Where do we start?"

You giggled nervously then told Donna to find some clothes she no longer wore or wouldn't mind getting dirty. While she did that you went into the kitchen to get a knife, forks, and two plates for the cake. You beat her to the workshop and when she walked in you already had the cake served. Donna put some clothes on the table, there was a button up black shirt, some black slacks, and a black belt; you were expecting something different yet weren't surprised either. You examined them while Donna ate then asked if she had any shoes she could get dirty to which she tapped her chin before she nodded. She left to get changed and you dropped off the cake in the kitchen, washed your dirty dishes, then waited for her by the manor door.

She joined you shortly after, even in something so basic as that she still looked sleek and refined. In her hand were a pair of tattered shoes, probably the only tattered thing she owned in the whole manor. Angie came out from the sitting area with a magazine in her hand, she gazed up at the two of you curiously.

"Where are you off to now?" She asked.

"The greenhouse. Want to come?" You replied.

"No. If I never touch dirt again it'll be too soon."

"Very well Angie, we'll be back in time for Y/N to help you for dinner." Donna said softly.

"Thank you my lord." Angie coughed lightly.

The key to the greenhouse was heavy in your pocket, but it was a welcomed weight that padded against your thigh with each step. Donna walked beside you in silence, you looked up at the part of her face left uncovered. You couldn't stop looking at her, she was such a mystery and you couldn't place why on Earth she would hide away from everyone. Once the two of you were in the greenhouse, alone, without the prying ears of Angie, you decided to try and weed some answers out of her.

"I thought you didn't like being called lord?" You started.

Donna tightened her leather gloves and began to pick up shards of ceramic, "I don't."

"Then, why didn't you correct Angie when she called you it?"

She paused for a moment, "I have my reasons."

A soft growl left you as you took a garbage can to put debris in, she wasn't going to crack easily. Afterall, she had spent however many years without speaking to anyone let alone letting them see her yet here she was: working in the greenhouse with you. You attempted to pry deeper into her only to be given short, unsatisfactory answers.

"I was homeschooled."

"No."

"Sometimes."

"I like to read."

"Why don't you tell me about you?"

That caught you off guard but you weren't exactly getting anywhere with her, feeling snarky you gave her short one-worded answers too. She didn't respond but you could feel her eye on you, examining every move you made, and it was a familiar feeling you hadn't felt since you and Donna had been around each other. Too lost in thought you hadn't noticed Donna had gotten close to you when you turned to throw some debris away only to be met with her throwing debris at the same time. Dirt exploded everywhere: in your hair, on your clothes, and all over Donna. There was a long silence before both of you started to laugh, her laugh was angelic to say the least, it was high in pitch but soft on the edges. Judging from the look on her face, she hadn't laughed in a very long time and became flustered at the sudden uproar.

You pulled some cloth from your back pocket to wipe away the dirt from her face, as you were about to clean her mask, her hand grabbed your wrist to stop you. Her black eye locked with your E/C ones, frantically it searched for something as the two of you stood there. It softened briefly, then she brushed her thumb over your hand before she lowered it slowly.

"Is there anything that doesn't look good on you?" Your face turned hot when you realized you said it out loud.

Donna giggled softly, her pale cheeks were coated with a light pinkish tint before she cleared her throat and released your hand. Her gaze drifted toward the see-through door of the greenhouse to see it was getting dark out. She held up her arm with a slanted grin to walk you out, after you locked the door you leaned against her arm for warmth and comfort, and she allowed you too surprisingly. Donna led you back to the manor in her usual silence, only this time her shoulders were relaxed and not as stiff. She paused for a moment at the door then looked at you, her leathered thumb brushed some dirt away from your cheeks. Before you thought something was going to happen you could hear Angie's cough from the other side, you pushed it open to find Angie in her rocking chair in the main room.

As if she read both of your minds she waved her hand, "don't worry about me. Water went down the wrong tube, now....what happened to you?" She asked when she finally looked up.

"Um.." You started.

"You know what? I don't wanna know. Go clean up before you drag mud on my freshly mopped floor. That goes for you too. Just because you might be a lord doesn't mean you're above a walloping either. I have many years to catch up on." Angie threatened.

Donna looked at you then took your hand again and gave it a kiss, "shall we do this again?"

You nodded your head and felt the heat on your face again, you secretly hated how easily flustered she made you. Donna removed her boots, you did the same, then went your separate ways to get washed up for dinner. Thoughts ran wild, you couldn't stop thinking about the way Donna looked at you or how soft her lips were. Everything about her made your heart flutter, and suddenly your thoughts stumbled into more...invasive territory; how her lips would feel against yours, what her skin felt like, but Angie's cough broke you out before your thoughts went even deeper.

The next day you tried to catch a peak at whatever she was working on but she kept the workshop door shut. That was until she scared the living daylights out of you in her office: you had been dusting when you turned around to find her hovering nearby with her finger raised as if she were about to poke you. Angie wasn't feeling well, which meant you had to do the chores by yourself, that included running errands for Donna. She handed you a list, some lei, and whispered a quiet thank you before rushing out of her office.

The walk was cold, and wet, the fog seeped down to your bones causing a shiver to travel up your spine. This was the last thing you wanted to do, but how could you say no? Donna was your boss, and honestly, you don't know if you could say no to her. Anxiety crept up into your chest as you walked toward the village, you lost track of how long it had been since your incident. Donna didn't say anything more about it, Mother Miranda never came by, and Alcina nor her daughters called either. You hoped that everyone forgot about it. With a final shiver you arrived at the gate that separated the village from the manor, suddenly Donna's hermit habits made sense. Maybe she was rubbing off on you. Kind of ironic, at first you were terrified of the manor and now...you wanted nothing more to be in the safe, warm embrace of....it of course.

The gate into the village announced your arrival loudly, you cringed at the noise but no one else seemed to be bothered by it. You kept your head down with the hood of your jacket up until you found yourself at the Duke, he gave you a bright, welcoming smile. He had everything on your list, except one item that could only be obtained from one person: Lord Heisenberg. 

Continue Reading

[madameaug]

Hrs n Hrs || JJK x OC

Pairing: Jungkook x Jennette

WC: 1.1k >

Context: Jungkook showing up for Jennette in her times of need. Super-duper sweet Jungkook

A/N: I may add more in the morning, but I wanted to publish something (it's been a minute)

Jennette sighed, rubbing her forehead with the rubber gloves she used to wash dishes. Last night, Jennette and Jungkook hosted a birthday dinner party for her little sister Asia. She was officially an adult, stepping into her identity as a young woman. Jennette didn't realize how many dishes had stacked up after the five-person dinner party.

Jungkook didn't linger in bed long. He was naturally morning and enjoyed starting his day with a brief cardio session. Typically, that was with a half-mile jog to the park and back to the apartment. He laced up his tennis shoes, getting ready to head out but stopped in his tracks.

Jennette in her all of her morning glow, scrubbed the plate in her hand with the scrub daddy in her hand. Her braids slightly swayed above her butt crack, showing the force she was putting into her scrubbing. Placing his water bottle down, Jungkook stalked over to Jennette.

"Morning." He applied a quick peck to her cheek. His hands rested on her hips.

"Hey." Jennette pulled away, noticing Jungkook was in his running clothes. His hair was slightly up in a fluffy ponytail. "Going on a run?"

"Yeah, after this." Jungkook rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a drying rag, and wiped down the damp plates. Jennette smiled, grateful for the assistance.

"Alexa play 'How Many Drinks' by Miguel ft. Kendrick Lamar." Jungkook spoke out the robotic device. Jennette immediately perked up, dancing to the song. She and Jungkook harmonized with Miguel, clearing the entire sink of dirty dishes.

Soon enough, the cleaning expanded past the sink, kitchen, and living room. Brooms were brought out, warm water ran for the mops, and the swifter collected the dust mites. It was two hours before Jungkook and Jennette finished cleaning their entire place.

Jennette lifted Jungkook's arm, placing it over her shoulder. Sitting down on the couch. Heads connected, Jennette watched Jungkook's stomach inflate and deflate. Her hand rested on his abdomen, rubbing it softly. The pair dozed of in the warmth of each other.

<3 <3

Procrastination was a nasty habit Jennette developed in her undergraduate years. Waiting until the eleventh hour to turn in assignments created just enough stress to allow her fingers to type fast enough to turn in the assignment before the 11:59 deadline. Now that she was a professional in her career, such habits have lingered into her day-to-day life.

The Atlanta Child Protective Services (ACPS) was preparing for their annual audit in November. The audit was always near the Thanksgiving holiday, and it was a time in which Jennette was on her last leg. As much as she enjoyed the winter months, the fellowship and quality time with family. She just needed to get to the Wednesday and she would be done til December first.

Her head lay in the center of her crossed arms. The blank report glared right back at her. Five o'clock was approaching, and she wanted to log out of her computer. But the workload for tomorrow would just become too unbearable. She needed to do half of the tasks tonight.

Her head shot up when she heard Jungkook's keys twist, opening the door. Fuck! It was her night to make dinner, and she hadn't started anything. Dragging herself out of her office, she rattled off apologies, taking out random pots and frying pans.

"Jeanie, calm down." Jungkook sipped his Sonics slushie.

"I texted you earlier to let you know I was craving Sonics. I picked you up something, too." Jungkook pointed to the fast food bag sitting at her designated spot on the table.

"Thank you bug."

"What's got you all worked up?" Jennette explained the pickle she got herself into. Jungkook nodded attentively. He always found a way to resolve issues timely. He was an action-oriented person. If he needed to do something, he did it. Right then and there, he never allowed for thoughts in the back of his mind to convince him to put if off for 'later'.

"Well, you can't work on an empty stomach. Let's eat and then we can go back to the audit stuff."

Jungkook kept Jennette completely distracted from her looming task. As he recalled his training session tonight at the gym. He was preparing for a fight this weekend. He would be going against his dear friend Mingyu. The pair would be sparing to raise money for a charitable cause. The money would be going to fans battling a terminal illness. Jennette gushed hearing Jungkook talk about the charity in such a light. It made her heart warm, knowing that he genuinely cared about the wellbeing of the fans who watched him.

"Chop chop, Jeanie." Jungkook pointed at his naked wrist. "We got work to do." Jennette groaned.

"Let's have dessert, then I'll do work."

"I'll give you dessert after you finish your work." Jungkook wiggled his eyebrows. His tongue sticking out to lick his lips.

"I was thinking strawberries and whipped cream." Jungkook helped Jennette out of the chair, escorting her to her office. The computer screen was now black.

" I'm not feeling the strawberries, but I make you and the whipped cream work." A lightbulb went off in Jungkook's head.

"Sit here." He looked down at Jennette before exiting her office. Jennette cracked her knuckles before typing a few procedural sentences on her document. She pulled up a list of the cases of children she had over the past year. 231 kids. 231 reports she would need to review and place into the folder for the audit.

Jungkook came back into the room with a can of whipped cream. A devious smirk on his face.

"For every ten minutes, you work diligently, equates to one squirt of whipped cream and a kiss."

"What if I just want the whipped cream." Jennette teased just to flatten out the smirk on his lips. She rolled her eyes, hearing his reply.

"Too bad, they're a packaged deal."

"Fine." Jennette pulled up a timer before reviewing the first case she handled.

<3 <3 <3

A/N: Also, Hrs & Hrs by Muni Long has been on repeat so much for this like the song just makes me feel so good. Same for How Many Drinks.