#He is soft for babies after all and of course loves his troop so much; so he always finds time to spend with them and such

[siixkiing]

“Hello sweetheart, you must be hungry after that nap?”

Reaching out to pluck the newborn from the little nest, gentle as he cradled her close to his chest as she chirped. Little claws rubbing her eyes as she slowly began to rouse, bright greens staring at him before those same hands reached for him. A soft smile blossoming to life as he brought the little one close, letting her cuddle against his face — cooing and chirping back to the young cub.

Her parents would be back soon, having gone for their own meal while their baby rested in the nursery. Letting her little mouth latched around a finger and suckle softly which in turn made him smile more. Humming softly as he summoned up what he’d need for her meal as he cradled her in a protective manner as he worked.

[lanafofana]

Afforded A Chance

Day 2 of #HalsinTavWeek AND WE'RE BACK BABYYYYYYY Pairing: Halsin/Tav(F) Special Guest Appearance: Yenna! Summary: Tav realizes she wants something. Halsin is all too happy to provide. Rating: Explicit. Minors DNI Warnings/Tags: Smut, Porn with Feelings, BREEDING, PnV Sex, Quickie sex, Domestic Fluff, Post Epilogue No Beta We Die Like Yonas (RIP Yonas) And an AO3 link! For those of you who are so inclined. Note: Lots of talking and feelings and ooey gooey stuff in this one, fam.

Watching the cart disappear into the distance Tav reminds herself that this had always been the plan. 

Fifty children was an ambitious undertaking for anyone. While they loved each and every single one of their charges, Halsin and Tav had always known and agreed that for the majority of them, their home was but a stepping off point to get to the family they were destined for. 

Still, watching the infant she had cared for so deeply and for so long, being swept off into the proverbial sunset with her new mama and papa left an ache in her empty arms she couldn’t shake. She swallows roughly, wiping the tears from her face and takes a deep, steadying breath.

Walking back home Tav’s already tender heart feels a keen sting when she spies the newest couple to their little community. The wife is a sweet young thing, barely an adult herself but newly married and swollen with child already. She looks tired, waddling along with her hand on her belly, but healthy. Happy. Tav was happy. Is happy. Of course she is.

And yet.

Tav murmurs a greeting as the pair pass, stepping off the well trodden path to give them space to amble by. 

Fifty children they may have started out with but the numbers had dwindled significantly over the past year and now with sweet baby Marigold gone to a new home that put their occupancy at home down to a much more manageable ten. Manageable, some might say, but to Tav it felt like sand drifting through her fingers. 

The youngest was an ornery little tiefling boy, freshly five, and the oldest was just shy of sixteen with plans to seek an apprenticeship soon. Tav was not in any way dissatisfied with her life. She finally had a home and family to call all her own after so long without either. There was no way to describe the feeling she got from just being able to be present, nurturing them, and loving them. Her greatest joy and sense of purpose was deeply rooted in simply basking in watching her children grow with the love of her life at her side. It would be incredibly foolish to covet any more than what she had been provided with. 

And yet.

At home the house is quiet. The children spend every possible minute they’re allowed out in the forest during the day. Whiling away the hours of youth playing with Thaniel and Oliver till, exhausted and hungry, they reluctantly troop back to her. At any rate they’re not home yet and the house feels desolate. Yet another finger pressing on the bruise of Tav’s melancholy. 

When she finds her lover he’s in his study, sorting through his never ending pile of correspondence. Unlike her, he is conscientious about not letting a letter go unanswered too long and she is loath to steal away his time. 

And yet.

Halsin stands, grabbing a book off the shelf behind his desk before perusing the letter in his other hand once again. He seems to be puzzling out an answer to a specific question, his brow furrowed and his lips puckered in thought. The entire effect is so domestic it soothes some of the grief from before and lingering in the doorway Tav takes a breath, gathering her courage. 

“I want to have a baby.” 

The book in Halsin’s hand promptly drops to the floor. He stares at Tav in surprise, mind completely wiped clean of all coherent thought.  

“With you,” she amends when he remains silent. 

The expression of surprise slips into something gentle and soft. “Is this about Marigold?” He frowns, picking up the book to put it on his desk and shakes his head with a shine of regret in his eyes. “I should have gone with you. I’m sorry, my heart. That parting was destined to be perhaps the most difficult of them all. I know how deeply you loved her especially.” 

Tav crosses the room and takes one of his large hands in hers. “I am sad she is gone but I am also happy she is where she is meant to be. They will love her well. I,” she swallows. “I know the timing of this might seem odd. But it’s not just because of Marigold my mind has turned to…to this.” 

“To having a baby,” Halsin clarifies, his tone strange.  

“Yeah,” Tav avoids his eyes while she struggles to translate her errant feelings into words.

Her thumbs stroke the warmth of his hand in hers absently. It never ceases to amaze her that to simply feel his skin against hers, chaste or otherwise, had become an anchor for her. When the storm of her thoughts threatens to unmoor her she merely has to turn into his embrace, and she is put at ease. 

“Some might reconsider the toils and labors of bringing new life into the world when their home is already bursting with shoots and sprouts aplenty.” 

Tav smiles and brings his hand to her face, brushing her lips across his knuckles. “When have we ever shied away from toils and labors? Or balked at adding fresh life to a garden well tended? With these hands to hold me and lend me their unerring counsel and strength, I know we can do anything. I want this…with you… if you do.” She sobered as another thought occurred to her. “But we walk this path together. If you do not–” 

“Oh but I do,” he growls, hands finding purchase on her hips as he crowds into her space. “I very much do.”

The kiss is sudden and fierce; a tangle of tongues and teeth that steals her breath. Hands cupping her ass he lifts her, directing her legs around his hips. When they part for breath, Tav stares at him in wonderment.

“I honestly wasn’t sure,” she admits with a tiny huff of laughter. Tav scans his face, taking in his barely restrained hunger, the raw desire in his eyes. “You really want this, don’t you?” 

The hazel of his eyes is dark, his jaw tight. “Yes.” He presses his face to hers gently, breathing deeply to quell the rising tide of his lust. “Before the Absolute I wondered if I would ever get to experience the joys of having a family again. I hardly dared to imagine a future with children. And then came you,” he pauses, a breath shuddering through his chest, “and that dream was realized in more ways than I could’ve ever hoped.” 

With one hand Tav threads her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and with the other she caresses his cheek. Despite the grip he has on her, the evidence of his tightly reigned in passion, the moment feels fragile. When he opens his eyes the depth of emotion there tugs at her heart. 

“When I told you of my hopes and dreams of achieving some measure of balance you supported me.” He punctuates the statement with a chaste kiss to her cheek. “When I found my new purpose here, in this place, far away from everything and everyone you know you didn’t even hesitate to abandon a life of ease in a city that was ready to celebrate you in every way you deserve.” He presses a lingering kiss to her temple. “When you followed me into the wilderness with,” he huffs a laugh, “so many children I began to worry, wondering what I could have possibly done to be worthy of such a person. It was too much. You don’t know what you’ve given me. You cannot possibly know.” 

Halsin turns and sets her down on the edge of his desk, placing his hands flat on the surface on either side of her legs and leans in to steal another, longer kiss.  

“I told you once that I wanted more than to be your companion, your ally, your friend. I wanted to share in your heart and your body. And instead you rewrote my entire life with your name across my very soul. Asking for nothing more than the privilege of being at my side. You don’t seem to know the privilege has always been mine.” It’s Halsin’s turn to cup her face, tracing the branch of scarring that trails down her neck. “I am undone by you.”  

Tav’s eyes burn. 

“I had not let myself even entertain the idea of more. But I know your heart as well as you know mine so let me at last extinguish that ember of doubt in your eyes. Yes. I want this. How could I not? To know that you, who carry my entire heart in your hands, wish to carry my seed and with your body nurture our child.” 

The druid’s eyes flash and Tav feels like she’s stopped breathing. Every nerve ending feels raw and buzzing with anticipation. He’s so gentle and easy going it’s easy sometimes to forget how his gaze can pierce through her. The sound of her thudding heart is so loud she wonders if it’s the wind shaking their home in the trees or the tempest of his love threatening to unmake the world. Halsin’s thumb wipes a tear from her face she had not been aware she had shed. 

“We walk this path together as one. Our hearts beat in sync.” The next kiss is hot, barely restrained passion. When he pulls away their breathing is equally unsteady. “Now let our bodies move in sync also.” 

Halsin grips her hips hard and yanks her body towards himself, to the edge of the desk before claiming her mouth again. Breaking the kiss he zeros in on the spot between her ear and neck, pulling a needy moan so soft and sweet from her parted lips that something primal rumbles out from his chest in response. 

He slides a hand in her hair, fingers brushing her scalp before he fists his hand and tugs her head back eliciting a gasp. Greedily he leaves a trail of open mouthed kisses down the column of her throat, his excitement only fanned by the way she trembles under his touch. 

Tav feels hot from the apples of her cheeks to the tips of each finger and toe. She tugs the loose shirt he’s wearing from the band of his pants but only gets a moment to trace the blazing skin beneath before Halsin is tearing himself away to rip it off.

Her dress is next; he picks her up like she weighs nothing and divests her of the simple frock, the fabric fluttering to the floor while he tugs at the lacing of her stays. He peels the soft underclothes from her body like a child unwrapping their first gift. With great joy, expectation, and–by the telltale popping of a few stitches–a little reckless violence. 

Not bothering to smother the laugh that bubbles up at his slightly contrite expression, Tav slips her fingers through the belt at his waist and tugs him closer with a smile. “I’ll need new ones anyway,” she points out with a sly look in her eyes. “When I’m enormous with your fat babies.”

Halsin’s hand drifts to her belly, hovering over the place where her empty womb waits for his seed to catch and huffs out a disbelieving laugh. “I can hardly wait.” 

“Then less waiting, my love,” she casts a meaningful look to the window where the late afternoon sun hangs low in the sky, ”unless you want to give the children a first hand demonstration in reproduction.” 

Halsin grins with mischief but takes her point and pushes his trousers down, freeing his already leaking cock. Despite the aching hunger burning under his skin– the primitive need to fuck, to claim, to breed her till she’s screaming– his touch is soft when he takes her hands and tugs her into his embrace. 

He runs his hands from her shoulders down her arms, to her chest to knead the soft flesh of her breasts. Were he afforded more time he would worship every inch of her soft curves, each freckle, every scar. Alas, time is a luxury for those couples without a full brood vying for attention and the beast within gnaws at his control with teeth and claws. 

He spins her around and presses her torso to the desk, nostrils flaring at the scent of her open cunt, already wet with arousal. She widens her legs eagerly, pressing back into his touch and though he’s had her innumerable times in the same position, it’s only this time, for the first time in a very long time, he feels his tenuous control flicker in and out of his grasp. 

“This will not be gentle,” he thinks to warn her but the look she gives him over her shoulder is anything but meek. 

“Stop talking, papa bear, and fuck a baby into me.” 

Lining up to her wet slit he sinks home with a groan that’s more beast than man. Tav’s head drops back with an answering guttural exhalation. A hand on each generous hip he sets a punishing pace, the sharp snap of his hips, the wet hot suction of her pussy consuming him. His lover mewls a needy whine that snaps his threadbare control and he falls forward with one hand on the desk the other on her neck, pressing her face to the desk and he snarls. 

Pressing into his touch Tav’s trembling voice whimpers and keens, begging for his seed, his body, his child. His rough hands and nearly violent display of ardor has reduced her to a quivering mess of desire. Each thrust of his body into hers, has her gasping, arching, desperate for more, teetering on the precipice release. 

He licks at the sweat on her back and with teeth just slightly too sharp he bites the soft flesh of her shoulder. She cries out, dragging her nails across the surface of his desk, and so he does it again, lapping at the red mark in satisfaction. Removing the hand at her neck he reaches around to palm her breast, raising the top half of her body just enough to set his teeth at the nape of her neck. 

The prick of sharp canines does it for her and she jerks with the release of her orgasm, crying out with a curse and a howl. At the height of her rapture her scent changes and Halsin’s grip on her neck with his teeth tightens in tandem with his balls. As she comes down from her high, the walls of her body spasming around his erection, Halsin slams into her with one final thrust. Face pressed to the sweat slick heat of her body he groans his release at last, filling her up with thick hot cords of his cum.

With great affection Halsin nuzzles her skin mindlessly in the afterglow while Tav lays boneless beneath him, her expression incandescently satiated.

They stay like that for a moment, catching their breath. Conjoined by their sex and luxuriating the culmination of their bliss. 

Until a familiar voice pipes up with intense curiosity, “But what are they doing in there?” 

“Making babies,” answers a disgusted teenager, her footsteps stomping down the hallway past the office door.

Tav and Halsin share a look before bursting into laughter. 

“Daddy Halsin?” Says their youngest, sounding as if he’s talking with his face pressed against the door. “Can I come in and see the babies?” 

“Not just now, my love,” answers Tav with a nearly hysterical edge to her voice. 

“Just a moment,” says Halsin in the same breath and catching each other’s eye, still high off their quickie, they nearly collapse into giggles all over again.  

They scramble for their clothes, wary of the unlocked door but both snickering so much Halsin has his pants on inside out and Tav is wearing his shirt when another voice drifts in.  

“Come on, Ermir,” says Yenna with a no nonsense tone. “They’ll be out soon. Babies take ages to bake.” 

“Bake?” 

“Yeah. Like in Momma Tav’s tummy.” 

“Wow,” whispers Ermir. “How does it get in there?” 

“Ummmm,” says Yenna, stumped. “I think a bird brings it?” 

“Ohhhh.” 

Their footsteps fade deeper into the house. 

Tav, hands on her hips with cum dripping down her leg gives Halsin a shrewd look. “It’s your turn for The Talk, I already had my turn with the older ones.” 

Halsin grins and picks her up, throwing her over his shoulder and swatting her ass. “Anything you say, my heart. But first we should make sure the oven is well stuffed, don’t you?” 

[definitelynuwonhere]

2nd Gen Shawpack Pookies

I’ve had them in my notes for AGES and I’ve still yet to finish a design, but i do intend on creating little skits of them cuz of how much I’ve invested giving them all personalities and pinterest boards. (If this isn’t me exhibiting my deep love for the Redactedverse idk what is)

Some descriptions are longer than the others, I’ve obviously put more thought into certain characters

•Shaw Twins

- both children are sadly ungifted in the kitchen, despite the fact that David has made them his little helpers when since they were little. Multiple flames have been put out because of them.

-Both do share a love for nature like their father.

Gabriella Shaw (Gabby)🫶🏻

- Angel carbon copy with a dash of Gabriel’s silliness and courage, which always made David smile.

- Natural born Leader. Despite being the eldest child (4 fucking minutes) David has never burdened them with the responsibility or thought of inheriting the business. She stepped into the leadership role on her own, with more brighter approach, personality wise.

- Rollerskates, Angel started taking her to roller rinks since age 6 and she loves taking Lyss and KC with her

Callum Grey Shaw 🌱

-Yes he’s named after the sweet Caelum. David wanted to commemorate his childhood friend.

- Inherited David’s resting bitch face, if you point it out he’ll even growl like he does.

- Great Observer. Because his sister was the more outgoing one of them, he was always the listener, making him more emotionally aware, noticing things most people miss.

- Loves sitcoms. He’s probably watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine so many times he can name episodes in order. This also translates his love for the security company his dad runs. Always begging David to take him to work with him. (I think we know who inherits the company)

•Talbot Troop

-Asher is the only one I picture having multiple kids with a range of age gaps.

-No doubt the most outgoing ones of the pack.

August Talbot (Auggie) 🍕

- Foodie

- Life of the party, stealin’ hearts with his million watt smile

- DDR is his sport

Kelcee Talbot (KC/CeeCee) 🧠

- Designated driver of the group

- Straight A student. When she was young she’d share all the interesting facts she’d pick up on to her parents and it always astounded Asher, how she can command a room, especially being the SOMEWHAT, mellow one among the three.

Oliver James Talbot (OJ/Ollie) 🪲

- Very inquisitive

- Youngest of the pack (the only 7yr old in a group of 17 year olds)

- Has a special bond with Alyssa

•Greer Icon

Alyssa Marie Greer 💥

-Now while i think of Milo and SW as the D.I.N.K (dual income, no kids) couple, and i will somewhat always think that, but— this name crossed my head and I just cannot let it go. IT HONORS MARIE OK—

-Unsurprisingly is always the best dressed. Milo is very proud.

-Has a very ‘takes no bull personality’ making them the most intimidating out of group.

- Plays archery competitively

- Straightforward

-Weirdly great with babies, explains her close bond with Oliver

•Collins

Sean Riley Collins 🥐

- aka Peace Officer Collins

- The code name speaks for itself, he is very much like his old man when it comes to ensuring his friends don’t do anything stupid, and in the very common occasions they do, he of course serves them with a patented Collins lecture.

- He may be half vamp, but that doesn’t mean he has to have a mundane food pallet, this man can COOK and bake, a soft, crispy shelled sourdough being one of his specialties

•Solaire

Hugo Solaire 🎭

- theater kid

- sarcastic, confident, somewhat frivolous, despite his royal status, which gets him in trouble for

- May or may not have a thing for the alpha’s daughter.

- Like Vincent, he’s mostly only close to the Collins’ but has occasionally hanged out with the shaw pack.

[jamtoasties3316]

A young Omega farmer needing to care for royal troops passing through (not only with food) — this with Max as the omega farmer. The troops stop at his farm and at first they’re just ransacking his cellar for food but then they notice how young and soft and curvy he is and how good he smells and telling him that he needs to give them something else too.

Max being very sheltered so he doesn’t understand until they’re undressing him and then it’s too late. He gets fucked by the whole troop until he’s passed out and dripping cum, his pussy sore and swollen and they used his ass too when it got too loose after five or six knots.

The twist is that of course he’s so fertile he gets pregnant, probably with multiples, and the next time the troops come through there are two toddlers clinging to him. They let him put them down to sleep in a different room and this time he’s much more compliant and quiet for them but his body is just as nice as they remembered—even more now that he’s leaking milk from his full tits.

After a few years everyone in the village knows that Max is the soldier’s slut, there’s always a line outside his door practically and he has seven or eight kids who all look different. Max is used to it now though and almost doesn’t mind because he likes the babies they leave him with (of course the fact that he’s always pregnant doesn’t stop the solider from using him more than ever though!)

Sweet omega max running a tiny farm all alone after running away from home. He is unmated and only occassionally has beta teens from the nearby village help carry produce but besides that does it all himself Nd doesn't talk much to people.

A group of soldiers comes across his little farm and they are hungry and tired and make themselves at home. Max is a little confused but kindly.offers them food and water and a place to rest. Someone makes a remark about Max's pretty curves and now they are starving foe something else.

They tell Max he needs to help more and Max cluelessly nods, blushes as they take his dress off but doesn't protest until they touch his tits. He tries to squirm away but there is too many of them and they all take turns with his cunt snd then ass. Th3y leave him some coins the next morning and leave the spend, gaping omega to continue their travels.

The Next time they lass by, Max has two toddlers clinging to his skirts, healthy little pups and naturally it turns the soldiers on that Max is apparently a good breeder! Max doesn't protest a lot this time, only asks for time to put the kids to bed as the soldiers est and then readily undresses and bends over, bit tits heavy with milk and body even curvier with motherhood.

Max doesn't have much time to tend his farm now as he is pregnant most of the time and has quite a few kids! And a lot of soldiers visit, using his sweet welcoming body and Max is quite happy to let them, loves his pups and loves being pregnant!

Maybe yhe troops travel with the prince or king at some point and they too try out the plump mommy the soldiers love so much, fucking his plush cunt and playing eith his dripping tits!

[sambhavami]

The Lost Flute - Part 14 (Three)

Back from the tavern, Krishna had stormed into his study, locking the door behind him. Slumping down into his chair, he had pored over the pending paperwork. Flicking his quill as furiously as he swung his sword on the battlefield, Krishna worked through every single request that had dared ever clutter his desk. They must have taken Rama home, right? Krishna couldn't allow himself the luxury of anxiety. One by one, papers flew under his pen, shuffling noisily from one stack to another, smudged in his frustration.

In some time, when the stack of pending requests had grown thin, anklets rang behind him. In his haste to cut himself off from the outside world, Krishna had forgotten to lock the door that led to the inner chambers. Krishna took a long breath, steadying himself, as he felt a pair soft, cool palms wrapping around his eyes. He'd know those rosy fingers pressing down on his cheeks anywhere.

---

Subhadra had been born the very moment when a furious bolt of lightning had struck the rising moon, at the juncture of day and night, all those years ago. Exactly a day after Krishna's eighteenth birthday. Krishna had spent that birthday as well as the following day on the battlefield.

The fulmination from the thunderous spectacle had given the brothers a moment's advantage, culminating in their first real victory in battle. She had come early, precisely, as though a herald had come to warn their enemies. Krishna and Balarama had watched with glee as the enemy troops had retreated, tripping over each other in the process. They had stood soaking in the amber rays of dusk that had unexpectedly rained down upon them by gently parting the gloomy clouds, revelling in the petrichor.

Soon after she had been born, the royal astrologers had assigned the glory of that Yadava victory to the baby princess. This had annoyed Rama to no end, who upon trying to confront the fortune-tellers, having been handed the baby to hold, had immediately melted. Krishna at that time, had sunk to the floor laughing, taunting Rama, before proclaiming that he'd even cut the heart out of his chest, if the princess so commanded.

That had been a good day.

Since that very day, little Subhadra had become the apple of the brothers' eyes. Obviously, they had had other siblings in due course of time, but even a naïve explorer bumbling into Mathura would realize by casting a mere glance, who was the most adored out of them all.

Even soldiers crowded near her residence before battle. A belief had taken root that even a fleeting glimpse of her radiant face would grant warriors protection in battle.

Over the years, this faith in her had grown in leaps and bounds. So much, that the brothers, despite their uneasiness with her near-deification, were forced to take her around the city on open cars once a year. Thankfully, she thoroughly enjoyed the attention.

The passing years had graced the princess with Rama's beauty and Krishna's enigma. With age, her temperament had grown to resemble the very ocean her city overlooked. Just like the impatient waves that crashed incessantly on the rocky beaches, she too was restless. Yet, like the same ocean at its depths, the princess was immovable in her stances.

With time, the brothers' love for Subhadra had also grown. Even a newly appointed guard would immediately be cautioned so as to never stop her at any gate, lest prince Rama's wrath be directed their way. It had become common knowledge that causing the princess even a mild inconvenience would be unforgivable even for the usually merciful prince Krishna.

Krishna and Subhadra both possessed the uncanny ability to peer into the soul of a person to scoop out even their most coveted secrets from the deepest corner of their hearts. Trouble arose whenever they attempted to cast the spell on each other. Rumours ruled the palace that in escalating bids to outsmart each other, the prince and princess often spent hours debating even the most mundane questions in life, often reaching conclusions wildly unrelated to their initial points of disagreements.

---

"Bhadra," Krishna forced a smile, as he wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling her close, "I do not understand whether you are growing up or down. You are old enough to be married, you know?" he laughed, making Subhadra push him playfully.

"So, what do you want?" Krishna asked, shaking his head.

"Can't a sister come to simply check on her brother when he's so hard at work?" Subhadra pulled a face, settling down beside her brother.

"And... did you come to just check?" Krishna peered into his sister's eyes, smirking.

"I promised my friends that I'll take them out on a picnic to the Raivataka forests," she admitted hesitantly.

"That's okay. I doubt organizing it is the challenge that you face!" Krishna retorted, as he resumed reading the latest report on his desk.

Subhadra shifted closer to him conspiratorially, "Rama wouldn't like it if we went. He doesn't approve of us venturing any further past than the temple. Would you talk to him? He never says no to you!"

Krishna's jaw tightened, "If Rama doesn't like it, maybe you should respect his wish, Bhadra. There's nothing I can do there."

"Please, brother!" She wrapped her arms around him, "I already promised my friends. I will be humiliated if I cannot make it happen now."

Krishna sighed, "Then you should take it as a lesson in not making promises you can't keep."

"Why are you being so difficult today?!" Subhadra pouted, "You know I wouldn't ask if I didn't absolutely need it!"

"Sure, I'm the difficult one!" Krishna huffed sarcastically.

Subhadra placed a hand on his shoulder, worried, "Did something happen?" She asked dejectedly.

Krishna shook his head resignedly. He loathed it when his conflicts spilled over to the princess, "What happened is not your burden to carry. Let me see what I can do about your picnic."

Krishna sighed as Subhadra wrapped him in a tight hug, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"So," Subhadra asked, having settled her issue, "What's that?" She picked up the stack of letters left on the desk by Satyaki.

"They're letters from uncle Akroora. He tells me about our Auntie Kunti and her sons."

"Is that why the letters begin with 'Dear Satyaki'?" She raised an eyebrow.

"It's complex, and in any case, none of your business." Krishna gave her a look as he snatched the stack back from his sister's hands.

It was however too late, as Subhadra had already skimmed through a part of the first page, "Where's this Varnavata? Uncle says that we must visit it when we go there!"

Krishna shook his fingers in her face, "We are not going anywhere!"

"Fine then, I will go by myself. Maybe I'll even steal your chariot!" Subhadra taunted.

"You wouldn't dare!" Krishna retorted, "Besides, uncle Akroora rambles too much. I would not put much thought into it," He stroked his chin absentmindedly, continuing, speaking almost to himself, "This Varnavata does keep cropping up an awful lot! But why?"

"See, I helped!" Subhadra piped up, now leaning over Krishna's shoulder to read more, "Who is Arjuna?"

Krishna immediately pressed the stack of letters to his chest, smiling up at his sister, "Why would you need to know?"

Subhadra shrugged, embarrassed at having been found out by the very person she was hoping to trick. She blurted out a few rushed excuses as she hoped that Krishna would take her questions as situational curiosity rather than the determined espionage mission she had embarked upon, having hovered discreetly on the edge of his desk for weeks.

Krishna shook his head as he flipped to the next page.

"You are good at hiding it, I'll give you that! Just not good enough to fool me." He chuckled.

Subhadra huffed, "Like brother like sister, I guess."

Krishna laughed as he set the papers down on the desk, and pulled his sister close, "Now, whatever does that mean?" He asked.

"Like that secret you've been keeping? From nearly everybody here. I wouldn't have known if not for that trip to Vrindavan."

Krishna's voice shook, as he tried to laugh it off, "I have no secrets sister. Now, get lost!"

"I met her, you know?" She continued, "Back in Vrindavan."

Krishna's demeanour changed at the mere mention.

"And you didn't think it was important to tell me?" Krishna whispered, "You had no right to keep this from me."

"I wanted to tell you, but you were busy. You seemed hurt enough today. What better time to rip off the band-aid?" Subhadra continued without skipping a beat, "You know, I understand. I saw what you saw in her. She's remarkable! It's only right that you're pining away in secret, after all this while too! I just wish you could've told me."

Krishna searched uneasily for a light-hearted quip, but his mind had already wandered away.

Far away, to that fateful dawn, when Akroora had broken the truth of his birth. Of course he had known way before that. Nanda had made sure of it.

He had been prepared to face the world. Just not Yashoda. He had stood speechless, much like the little boy he had been fifteen years prior, cowering as Yashoda had raged.

As he had stumbled out of the room, leaving Yashoda in a heap on the floor, he had found Akroora and his father. Whispering in a secluded corner.

"You have had seventeen years to tell her!" Akroora had hissed, "I am under orders to drag the boys to Mathura in chains if need be. You and your wife too! I am doing you a favour just by standing right here, negotiating with a woman of your kind!"

Krishna had watched in horror as his usually proud father had stood listening, with his head bowed.

Akroora had continued, "See, I know the boys are strong, but they are not strong enough. Not against an entire army! Kamsa will raze this village to the ground if you do not comply, and there is absolutely nothing I can do about that right now! I don't know what you've got to do with this mess, but fix it."

Krishna had blindly bumbled out of their house, running. He had only stopped running once he had reached their secluded corner in the forest. Dropping to his knees, he had sobbed into her arms.

She had known. Both of them had already known it in the depths of their hearts from the very moment Nanda had burst into their grove, at twilight before dawn on that full moon night, startling the lovers. It had been as though the sun had suddenly risen from the west, for Nanda to have crossed all limits of decorum, and there could have been just one reason for that.

He had pulled Krishna up by his arms and dragged him out. Radha had run behind them with frantic questions up until the large flowery gate of the grove.

"I can't do this," Krishna had whispered into her ear in the morning when he had come stumbling in.

"Come on now," Radha had smiled, with tears glistening in her eyes, "Wasn't this a long time coming?"

"We will run away. No one has to know," he had pleaded.

"You and I both know that's not happening!"

"Why not? We'll run to the other end of the world where no one will know who we are, and then we'll be free! Maybe Magadh? Or Panchal? I will herd cattle like I do here, and you will get a job in one of those bow-and-arrow factories! We'll be fine. We'll be happy." Krishna had said, his eyes shining.

Radha had laughed in spite of herself.

She had pulled Krishna close to her, "Thank you for the dream, Krishna. I will dream it often. Now, go! Your parents have suffered enough."

"No, I mean it. Okay- parents. Fine! I'll go kill Kamsa, and I'll come running back. You be ready, okay? We'll run in the dead of night! Everyone will be busy celebrating, no one will even notice we're gone!"

Radha had sighed, "We've both lived long enough to know that's nonsense. Don't give me a false hope. Don't give yourself a false hope. A royal life is like being stuck in the eye of a cyclone. No one gets out. Not even you."

Krishna had frantically shaken his head.

"You're heartless, you know that?" He had exclaimed, shaking a desperate finger in her face.

"One of us has to be." She had smiled sadly.

She had stood up, pulling Krishna up to his feet, turning him the other way.

"I can't live without you, you know that!" Krishna had pleaded again, pressing his eyes shut as a phantom pain had taken hold.

Radha had wrapped her arms around him, planting a gentle kiss on his back.

"Well, you're the man that laughs in the face of the impossible. Make it happen." She had jostled him, as Krishna had stood glaring at the ground, his fists curled in emotion.

"I can't do this." He had repeated.

Radha had stroked his back, while gently nudging him forward. She had whispered, "Sure you can. Just start walking. Don't look back. Never. And don't come back here. Can you do that for me, my love? My beautiful Kanha? Do it for me, won't you?"

"What about you?" Krishna had whispered, standing still in his spot, staring blankly at the beautiful canopy of vines that led out of their secret haven.

"I'll wait." Radha had laid her head on his back.

"But I won't come back."

"I'll still wait. Now, go! Be happy." She had pushed him one last time.

And so, Krishna had walked. Through the flowery gate, tears tumbling down, even as he had heard her hit the ground behind him, her sobs only barely audible.

He had walked into the arms of Balarama. Rama had seized his hand immediately, wrapping him in a warm embrace.

Krishna remembered hardly anything else after that, except for Balarama's gentle voice in his ear as he had walked, barely aware of his surroundings, "Just one foot in front of the other. Yeah? Come on, I've got you!"

---

He hadn't ever been able to bring himself to share his side of his life with Subhadra, even though he already knew she would understand. If anyone could understand it at all, it would be her.

Subhadra whispered as she wrapped her arms around him once more, "First loves really don't die, I guess. I know you're strong, but you don't have to be this strong. Not with me!" She gently ran her fingers through his hair.

"How did we change so much, Bhadra?" Krishna exhaled, forcing his mind to move on, "You know, Rama and me? I wasn't the strong one, believe me, I really wasn't!"

"Well, one of you has to be!" Subhadra smiled kindly.

"Funny you should say that," Krishna laughed at the irony. Subhadra really did seem to be able to read minds at times!

Krishna continued with a sigh, "You know, Dau really got me through a lot. I was breaking apart, the first few months! I really don't know what I would've done if it weren't for him shielding me all that time! And now? Now it hurts seeing him like that!"

"You know," Subhadra enclosed his palms in hers, "Maybe it's time you returned the favour. Hold his hand and freaking wrestle him out of this one! You know, no one else can! You two are after all the two idiots cut from the same cloth!" She chuckled.

Subhadra spoke with a wide grin against just as Krishna opened his mouth to protest, "Don't knock me, I'm the same idiot too!"

"That you are," Krishna conceded, shaking his head with a teary smile, "And here I thought you came just to spy on me!"

"A girl can have two missions!" Subhadra winked as she bounded away, leaving Krishna laughing fondly to himself, as he let the cold tears that he had held back with all his might, finally fall across his cheeks.

[sopebubbles]

Chapter 14

<- master list

Muster (n) - a formal gathering of troops, especially for inspection, display, or exercise.

Chapter summary: the newest member of ARMY arrives just in time for Muster

Warnings: hospitals and (probably bad) descriptions of labor and childbirth, so much damn softness

WC: 5.3k

While the boys were busy making preparations perfect for Muster, you were busy making sure everything was ready for Mochi. Ari and Jihye came over one day with their brood to help you baby proof Jimin's apartment. Jimin had bought a whole wardrobe of little girl clothes, so sure that he was right, and you humored him by washing them all and folding them away in the dresser. You also repacked your hospital bag after realizing that the clothes you had packed a few weeks ago didn't fit anymore.

It was the bag your eyes kept flickering to on the first day of Muster as you and Jimin enjoyed a nice breakfast. He'd leave for the stadium soon enough for them to do a sound check and prepare, but he was taking it easy, his eyes full of joy and excitement about the day.

You were trying to take it easy, but it was hard when you were feeling random pains in your belly. You still had a week to go, so you didn't want to raise the alarm. They could just be the practice contractions you'd been told about. They were seemingly random; they were so far apart and didn't last very long. Still, you called the maternity hospital while Jimin showered and they told you to come in if they got within a few minutes of each other, so you tried to secretly keep track of each one. Luckily, Jimin was too distracted with the day's events to take much notice.

"You'll come soon, right?" Jimin asks hopefully when he kisses you at the door.

"Of course," you smile brightly up at him, but he can tell that it's forced.

"Is everything okay?" He brushes some of your hair back to look down into your eyes. "You seem...preoccupied."

You shrug. "Maybe a bit."

"About what, love?" He questions with his new favorite pet name.

"Lots of things, I guess," you mumble, looking away from him.

"Why don't you tell me about one, so I can make you feel better before I leave," he offers, pulling your eyes back up with a finger under your chin.

You're reluctant, but you sigh when you look into his soft and understanding eyes. "I guess, today is a day about ARMY, and I'm part of ARMY, since the start, but I'm afraid they hate me, and they hate you for being with me. And-"

"Hey," Jimin's voice cuts you off. His eyes are wide with worry as he holds you in his gaze. You're a little shocked you went with that. It had been bothering you, for some time now to be honest, but you were really just trying to deflect from your more immediate worries, because you didn't want to spoil or distract from this special day.

"I don't want you to worry about that, okay?" Jimin presses a kiss to your forehead. "I can't tell you there aren't people who are upset and that everyone is going to love you. I won't lie to you like that. But I can tell you that it's not something for you to be worried about. I'm not. I made the choice, Y/N. Before we were even really together. I knew exactly what I was doing, so you don't need to feel guilty for it. People who hate you without knowing you don't matter, alright?"

Jimin holds your face firmly in his hands until you smile at him and nod as much as you can. "You're right."

"Good." He's satisfied with himself for helping and it shows in his eyes before he pecks kisses all over your face. "Enjoy your nap and rest up. It's going to be a long night," he warns you happily. "I'll see you in a few hours."

"Yeah," you breathe back as he picks up his bag and turns the doorknob.

"I love you," he says with one final smile and a look back.

"I love you," you manage before the door closes.

You don't manage to sleep in the hours that you remain at home. The contractions get a little closer together but still not enough to get you to the hospital, so you just try to prepare yourself for the idea that within the next day you could have your baby with you. You shower and wear the outfit you had picked out days ago for the concert. And when you're finally ready you text the regular driver, Junghoon, and let him know you're ready to be picked up.

"Going somewhere?" Junghoon asks with a bit of a smile when he sees your bag.

"It's just a precaution," you mutter.

"For?"

You like Junghoon. He knows you're a regular person like him and he's casual with you without overstepping. You suspect he knows your public relationship with Jimin is a lie, but he also knows how much you care for one another now. He tells you jokes sometimes and shows you pictures of his kid.

So you ask him, "Can you keep a secret?"

Junghoon smiles. "I've been driving for BTS for five years. I keep lots of secrets."

You roll your eyes at his cheekiness as you hand him the bag. "It's not that big of a deal, I just need you to keep it for a few hours. I may need you to drive me to the hospital later, so keep your phone on, please."

"You feeling okay?" He asks with a bit of genuine concern in his eyes.

"I'm okay. I might be screaming later, though. Don't take it personally, okay?" You tell him as he helps you into the black SUV. Realization dawns on him and he nods before going to the driver's seat.

Outside the stadium where they are performing you see the lines of ecstatic fans ready to see the guys and you can't help reminiscing on the days when you were just a fan like any of them, before you fell in love with Jimin, before you hooked up with Jeongguk, before you even worked for HYBE. You would be standing in those lines, spending the money you saved for months on merch and waiting for your chance to glimpse the boys you loved to support. Now you are driving right past them to see the boys yourself, and hoping the fans don't see you.

"There you are," Jimin beams when you walk into the room where they're getting their hair and makeup done. You've arrived after sound check and there's an electric energy in the air.

"Y/N!" Jihye calls from couches on the other side of the room. "Come sit with us."

She and Ari are relaxing with the children while Taehyung and Hoseok play peekaboo with Moon, bright smiles plastered on both of their faces.

"Are you okay, Y/N?" Ari asks as you waddle over. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," you smile as you sit beside her, and she continues to eye you suspiciously.

You do your best during the intervening hours to act completely natural as your body prepares itself to give birth. You at least hope it will escape Jimin's notice, because you know he'll blow off the concert to get you to the hospital, even if you know it isn't time yet.

"Can I have a good luck kiss?" Jimin asks as they're about to head out on stage for the first time.

"You don't need luck. You're the greatest performer in the world and you've practiced to be perfect. You're gonna be great," you tell him, only for him to pout. "But you can have a kiss anyway." You peck him lightly on the lips, unable to avoid getting lipgloss on your mouth. He pouts harder and tries to pull you in for another, but you push him gently away. "Make up," you remind him, and he groans adorably.

"You're being so annoying," he teases. You want more than anything to be able to hold him close and let him know just how much you love and support him, but you're using so much control to hide your condition as pain aches through your abdomen that you know it up so concentrating you'll lose it.

"You can get as many kisses as you want after the concert," you promise him in consolation.

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Jimin!" Hoseok calls to him from the stage lift.

"Enjoy the show," Jimin says with a wink before he goes to join the other members.

You wave goodbye to him and stand watch as he focuses himself. You don't let go of your breath until you see the small platform begin to ascend. Then you finally allow your body to relax as much as you can.

"Are you insane?" Ari says loudly in your ear as the loud music begins.

"What?" You practically shout back.

"Let's get you back to the couch," she tells you with a shake of her head and begins to lead you back to the dressing room where you can watch the show on the monitor. "How far apart are your contractions?"

"You knew?" You ask and she merely nods. "Do you think they noticed?" You wonder anxiously as you get further from the noise.

"Of course not," Jihye laughs. "Do you think Jimin would have gone out there if he knew you were in labor?" But one look at your face tells her you know he wouldn't, and that is exactly why you're hiding it.

"How far?" Ari asks again.

"About six minutes," you admit.

"Girl, you aren't making it through this concert," Jihye laughs.

"I know," you sigh. "But Jimin and Jeongguk have to, so you have to help me hide it, even if I have to leave in the middle, please?"

"Of course," Ari assures you, smiling as she gathers her little girl into her arms. "Are you scared?"

"Of course," you confess. "But I'm excited."

"Everyone is going to be so excited," Jihye agrees.

Jimin manages to see you just long enough during the first break to kiss your cheek while the stylists get him out of his clothes and into the next outfit. He's either too busy or too high on adrenaline to notice that you're sweating slightly and not talking.

"I think it's time for you to go," Ari tells you gently as she sees you struggling minutes before the end of the second act.

You sigh, unable to do anything but agree as you pull out your phone and call Junghoon.

"I need you to get the car ready," you tell him quietly.

"I'm already waiting at the door where I dropped you off," he replies. "Do you need help getting here?"

"No, I'll be okay." You hang up and nod to Ari, knowing she'll help you get there.

"Are you okay, Y/N?" Jin asks when he sees you walking down the hall with Ari as they come off for another wardrobe change.

"Yeah!" You lie with a shaky breath as you pause to speak to him. "Just a cramp, so Ari is helping me take a little walk."

Ari gives her husband a pointed look that tells him all he needs to know without saying a word.

"Hey, love," Jimin beams, smiling as he comes around his hyung's shoulder.

"Hey, Jiminie. You're doing great!" You force a smile.

"Tha-"

"Cmon, Jimin, we have to hurry," Jin interrupts, pulling the younger man in the other direction before he can even respond. Jimin follows with a giddy smile and you're on your way again.

"For the rest of the night I'm in the bathroom until they finish the encore, okay?"

"Yeah I got it," Ari assures you as she leads you down the hall.

"Hello ami," Jimin smiles at the crowd, waving enthusiastically as he begins his final speech. "I've missed you." He can already feel tears beginning to prick his eyes as he looks at all the happy, cheering fans. "Someone said to me not very long ago that it's hard for ARMYs when you miss us, that you wonder how we're doing and if we're happy. I wonder about you, too. I hope you're happy and healthy." Jimin pauses to swallow the lump in his throat. "I know that recently, maybe I've shocked you or disappointed you. But all people need love in their lives, and I'm grateful for the love in my life. I want to share that with all of you. I hope you have love in your life. I love you, ami." Jimin makes a heart with his arms above his head.

For the first time in his life, Jimin isn't entirely sad to leave the stage after they've said their final goodbyes to ARMY for the night. Part of it is knowing that he'll get to see them again tomorrow, but most of it is that he can't wait to see you and to share his joy with you.

"Where's Y/N?" He asks immediately, skidding to a stop in the dressing room where he's the first to arrive. For the last couple of changes he's been told you're in the bathroom, and yet you're still not here to greet him.

"Thank God you're finally done!" Ari cries, getting up from the couch. "Y/N left for the hospital a couple hours ago! Go!" She tells him urgently.

It takes about two seconds for Jimin to register what she's saying. His mind replays all the little moments he didn't fully pay attention to during the day because he was too focused and excited about seeing ARMY. Jimin rushes to his phone before anyone else has time to move.

"Is she okay?" Jeongguk asks stupidly, not having put two and two together yet.

Jimin grabs Jeongguk by the front of his shirt. "Y/N's in labor, you idiot. Let's go." And without another word, he takes off at a run. He's surprised to find Junghoon waiting with the car ready for him, the back passenger door open and the driver already in his seat with the engine running.

"How did you know?" Jimin asks as Jeongguk climbs in and shuts the door.

"I took Y/N to the hospital two hours ago. As soon as I heard the concert ended I figured you'd want to get going," Junghoon explains and begins to pull away without waiting to be told. He drives as quickly as is safely possible, hoping he can get them there in time, while Jimin tries to reach Y/N on her cell, but she doesn't answer.

"She's okay, right? She's gonna be okay?" Jimin asks his best friend frantically.

"She'll be okay, Jimin. They both will," Jeongguk does his best to assure him.

"But it's early. She's a week early." Jimin can feel his breath accelerating with worry.

"It's alright, Jimin. After 37 weeks the baby should be fine," Guk tells him calmly.

"How do you know that?"

Jeongguk shrugs. "I read about it. I'm not useless. But Jimin, you need to calm down. When we get there, she'll need you. You can't be freaking out."

Jimin takes a deep breath, and he does calm down, but he still can't believe that you didn't tell him you were in labor, and he still can't get you on the phone. He practically jumps out of the car before Junghoon even puts it in park.

When he enters your private room you're standing, but leaning over the bed in obvious pain.

"Y/N-"

"Oh, thank God you're here!" You groan the moment you see him. "You didn't leave early did you?"

Jimin shakes his head in disbelief as he approaches you. "Is that why you didn't tell me you've been in labor all day?" He brushes back your hair so he can see your face more clearly before resting his hand on your lower back.

"I wanted your head to be where it needed to be. I knew there'd be time."

"You're lucky we made it in time," Jimin mutters. "Or we'd never forgive you."

"You can't stay mad at me," you chuckle just as another contraction wracks through your body and you buckle onto your elbows.

"You should get into bed, Y/N," Jimin tells you because he doesn't know what else to say. But you can't respond while the pain continues and you just let him support you while you wait for it to pass. Once it does you do as he suggests and he helps you climb into the bed once again.

"It won't be too long now, Jimin. They're close together. I need to see Jeongguk," you tell him breathlessly.

Jimin pauses momentarily. Of course, Jeongguk should be there, and he knows that, but there's a jealous little beat in his heart. It passes and Jimin nods. "I'll go find him."

Jimin rushes back out the doors to find Jeongguk waiting in the hallway texting the others. "She's asking for you," Jimin chokes out. The younger man gives him a surprised look but follows him back to your room.

"Is everything okay?" Guk asks when he walks in to find you panting and sweating in your hospital bed.

You nod emphatically. "I think the baby is coming soon. Are you going to be there?"

Jeongguk's brows furrow as he looks at you and then back at a silent Jimin, who can hardly lift his eyes from the ground.

"Y/N…" Jeongguk shakes his head. "It's so nice of you to consider me, but right now, what's best for baby is what's best for you. And Jimin is what's best for you. Jimin is the one you need with you, not me."

You sigh heavily but it comes out as a groan. "Okay, thank God! I was really trying to be nice, but I need Jimin!" You're practically yelling as a team in scrubs come through the door.

"It's almost time, Eomma," the midwife proclaims. "Let's get you down to the delivery room."

One of the nurses turns to Jeongguk and Jimin, the latter wearing a stunned expression. "Which one of you is coming with?" She asks, looking between them.

Jimin doesn't answer right away, so Jeongguk gives him a little shove with his shoulder. Jimin looks back at him, his mouth ajar.

"Go on. You'll see me after," Jeongguk smiles.

Jimin doesn't hesitate anymore after that and steps forward to follow the nurse's instructions as they prepare to move you. Jeongguk exits the room quietly and goes back out to meet the guys just as they arrive in the waiting room.

"Did we miss it?" Taehyung asks anxiously.

"No, they're just getting ready now. It might still be a little bit. We just have to wait now," Jeongguk tells them as he sits and sinks into a chair.

"How are you doing?" Namjoon asks when he takes a seat next to the maknae.

"I'm not the one who has to give birth," he chuckles nervously.

"True," Namjoon nods. "But you're about to be a father. How does that feel?"

Jeongguk sighs. "Honestly, hyung, I'm scared, but I'm glad I have Jimin to help."

"Really?" The leader asks in shock.

"Yeah, Jimin's going to be a good dad. He's much more nurturing than I could ever be. He always seems to know what the right thing to do is. I think the baby will be lucky to have him. And Y/N, of course."

Namjoon rests an arm around the younger's shoulders. "They'll be lucky to have you, too, Guk. You'll learn to be a good dad."

"You think so?" Jeongguk looks up with his large doe eyes.

"Of course. You love your baby, I know. And everything else you have to learn on the job. And we'll all help. It's gonna be fine."

Jeongguk takes a deep breath and sighs. "Really wish we could have had this talk like four months ago, hyung."

Namjoon huffs and shakes his head at himself. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. Let's just add it to the pile of ways I've failed you."

"You haven't failed me, hyung. Like you said, it's gonna be fine."

You let your head fall back on the bed as you take a rest from pushing.

"You're doing great, Y/N, take a breath," the midwife instructs you calmly.

"You're almost there, love. I can see her head," Jimin smiles as he holds your hand. You squeeze it hard even though you should be saving as much energy as you can. "You swore you wouldn't look!"

"I can't help it, Y/N!" He winces at the pain.

"Well, you better. Please. I want you to still be attracted to me after this!" You groan as all the muscles in your body feel spent from the last god knows how long of pushing, but you still have a ways to go.

"Don't worry, baby. This isn't going to change a thing for me. You're blowing me away. You're doing so amazing, right now." Jimin presses a sweet kiss to your forehead.

"Ugh, just keep your eyes up here, buddy," you grunt as another contraction begins. Jimin only laughs because you have no idea how endearing you are to him right now. He doesn't know why either. He just knows that he's right where he needs to be, and he isn't going anywhere.

"Okay, Y/N, here we go," the midwife encourages you. "Big push, eomma."

You squeeze Jimin's hand tight again as your eyes shut and you bear down with all your might. You lack the energy even to cry out as you give everything you have to bring your baby into the world. "There you go, push, push, push. I've got baby's head," you hear the woman's excited voice tell you.

"Oh my god. Is it over?" You wonder desperately as you rest.

"Almost, Y/N. I need you to help with one more little push to get the shoulders, okay? Here we go." You do as she says and a moment later you can hear the first cry from your newborn.

"I told you so," Jimin whispers in your ear.

"Huh?" You wonder as your muscles collapse in exhaustion.

"You have a precious baby girl," the midwife informs you.

"I do?" You ask, feeling delirious and more tired than you've ever been in your life. "Where is she? I want her," you mumble.

A nurse comes to your other side to open the top part of your gown so the baby can be laid onto your bare chest. You take your hand away from Jimin's to cradle her against your skin and her crying settles a bit.

"Mochi," you coo softly, with tears clouding your eyes and making it difficult to see her. "You're finally here, baby girl. I've been dying to meet you." You press your lips as gently as possible to the soft skin of her head as she fusses. "Everyone is going to be so excited to see you. Right appa?"

You look up at Jimin to see him hiding his face behind his hand as gentle tears fall down his cheeks.

"Do you want to hold her?" You offer, even though you aren't sure you'll be able to let her go.

Jimin shakes his head, but lowers himself so he's closer to your level. "I can't. Not yet. She's yours for now. She's perfect." When you look in his eyes you know exactly why he's refused, and even though you think it's unnecessary you don't argue because you're enjoying having her in your arms too much.

It's merely minutes, yet it feels both timeless and an instant before a nurse is at your side again.

"We'll take her to get washed and do a few checkups and we'll have her back in a few minutes, okay, dear?" The nurse explains gently as she comes to take your baby. It's hard to even imagine them taking her from you, but you let the nurse lift her away, hoping to have her back all the sooner. You notice for the first time that the number of people in the room has lowered considerably while you were enthralled with the little girl.

"I miss her," you whisper to Jimin.

He laughs lightly at you, wiping a few tears from his face as you do the same. "She'll be right back. Don't worry."

"I know," you reply in a watery voice before you manage to calm yourself with a deep breath. "You should go tell the boys."

"You'll be okay?" Jimin brushes your hair, back with his fingers, not ready to leave you either.

"I'll be fine," you promise him. He still seems hesitant when he leans in to press his lips to yours. He can feel how tired you are in the lazy way but heartfelt way you kiss him back.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispers before he leaves the room with a smile.

As Jimin enters the waiting room all the boys jump to their feet.

"Is everything okay?" Jeongguk asks first.

Jimin nods happily. "They're perfect. The nurse said just to give them ten minutes or so to get cleaned up and you can see them."

"Well?!" Taehyung jumps in. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Jimin grins smugly at the taller man. "You owe me fifty thousand won."

"Aw man. What's her name?" Tae continues.

Jimin looks pointedly at Jeongguk. Y/N had decided that he could be the one to name the baby when it came, but he hadn't given her any ideas or suggestions yet. "Mm, I'll wait until we meet her to tell you."

Jimin sits down with the others while they chat excitedly, biding their time to be able to see the two of you. Yoongi asks Jimin questions about things he'd read about childbirth while Namjoon has to wrestle Taehyung's phone away from him to prevent him from posting a post concert selca.

"If you post a hospital picture everyone will know where we are since it was leaked in that article and then every ARMY in Seoul will be here," Namjoon reminds him.

"Fine, fine. Gimme back my phone," Tae whines as Namjoon puts the device in his own pocket.

"Family of Y/N?" A nurse calls from the door, clearly surprised when all 7 members of BTS stand to answer. "Um, she said you can come back now," the girl continues, clearly flustered, the red in her face only deepening when Hoseok winks at her as he passes by.

Namjoon reminds him to be quiet as they enter your room. It's late and you're exhausted and the lights have been dimmed, but you're still excited to see them and to have them meet your little girl.

"Well done, Y/N," Jin tells you when you tear your eyes away from the newborn in your arms and show your beaming smile.

"Aigo, she's so small," Hoseok coos from behind Jeongguk.

"Can we hold her?" Taehyung can't seem to stop himself from asking, receiving a swift smack to the back from Yoongi.

"JK needs to hold her first," Jimin says matter of factly. "And then I call dibs."

"You haven't held her yet?" Jeongguk asks, surprised. Jimin shakes his head. "Y/N, can I?" His eyes are pleading, as if he's afraid you'll say no. You smile and nod at him, inviting him to step forward. He reaches to pick her up as gently as if she was made of something even more fragile than glass. He must have studied because he looks like he knows exactly what to do and how to hold her, cradling her so protectively in his arms. For a moment he can't say anything at all.

"The name," Hoseok whispers. "What's her name?"

Jeongguk smiles a sweet smile down at the precious girl in his arms. "Everyone say 'Hi, Bora'."

A chorus of 'Aw's and 'hi, Bora's fills the room

"That's cute, Guk," you nod happily at him.

He shrugs subtly, trying not to jostle the newly christened infant. "I wasn't sure at first. But she shares our birthday, so it seems fitting."

"A real ARMY brat," Yoongi murmurs.

"Yah! I wanted to make that joke!" Jin hisses at the man next to him. Even you manage to chuckle as you lean your head back. Your eyes feel so heavy.

"Okay boys. I know everyone wants to hold the baby, but Y/N's had a long, hard day, and so have all of us. We should let them rest. We can hold the baby tomorrow," Namjoon says in an attempt to get them all out of your hair.

"Aw, hyung," Tae whines playfully.

"Come on. Get," Namjoon shoos them. "You need to rest for night two."

"Can you get them to go and rest too?" You ask Namjoon as the others begin to retreat. You can already tell that Jeongguk doesn't want to leave, and Jimin is still chomping at the bit for his chance to hold Bora.

Namjoon looks between the two men and scoffs. "Not a chance. You two can stay, but make sure you get some rest, alright? We still have a concert to do tomorrow."

Both men nod before their leader walks away.

Jeongguk smiles as he dips his head to kiss Bora on the forehead, smelling her head in the process. "Oh my god," he sighs. "I've always heard people say babies smell good, but it's so true." He smells her again, smiling giddily as he looks at Jimin. "Have you smelled her?"

"No." Jimin can't quite keep the pout out of his voice. "I haven't even held her yet!" His hands shake with anticipation and Jeongguk just laughs.

"Guk, please. He's been really good. He wouldn't hold her until you got your chance. Let him have a minute?" You plead on your boyfriend's behalf.

Jeongguk smiles again. "Well, you are her father."

"Guk-"

"No, Jimin, you are. I know you are, and I'm glad. You love her as much as I do, I know that. Besides…" Jeongguk pauses to look into Jimin's eyes and poke out his index finger. "You are me."

An ecstatic smile breaks across Jimin's face. "I am you," he sings back, connecting his finger to the other man's. Jeongguk passes the tiny girl over into Jimin's arms, watching carefully to see that she's safe.

"Hey, Mochi," Jimin coos at her while they both look on at her adoringly. A moment later both men's heads snap to you when they hear your sudden sob. "What's wrong?"

You shake your head and cover your face with your hands. "Nothing! That was just so cute!" You sob while they laugh.

Whether it's the sound or she's just hungry, all attention turns back to Bora as cries erupt from her tiny mouth. Sooner than you'd think possible a nurse appears beside Jimin.

"Do you want to try feeding now?" She asks and you nod, so Jimin hands the infant over to you.

"I think I'll go," Jeongguk says as the nurse helps you get situated, opening your gown.

"Guk, you don't have to leave," you assure him. Not like it's anything he hasn't seen before.

"No. I'm beat. And she's good here with the two of you. But I'll be back tomorrow morning, before rehearsal," he promises as he backs out of the room.

"Gukkie, wait!" Jimin grabs the man's arm and pulls him into a hug. "I love you," he says quietly in the other's ear.

"I love you, too, Jimin," Jeongguk smiles as he squeezes him back tightly. "And thank you."

Taglist: @halesandy @burningupp-replies @lilacdreams-00 @minclangyyy @yoongiofmine @yonkimint @wholockian1 @cbgdoll @babycoffeefire @theatren3rd @bri-mal @armytwist @hwayne2294 @kazufuyusluv @n4mina @juju-227592 @mickmoon @yoongicenterofmyuniverse @likeshatteredrainbowglass @softforpj @chimchimsauce @arikimtanapon @outro-kook @ellesalazar @somewhereinthestarss @cscam @svgahigh @defcv28 @shydestinyyouth @bbl32 @eternally-writing-main @craftymoonchaos @chimchimmarie @sweetcheeksdna @lovelytaes-blog @mwitsmejk @cursedcursives @ncizen @elliegrace1999tvd @miffy1997 @borahae-reads @mattsunsupremacy @brit97 @heyjiminnie @natalie-rdr @lovergirl1316 @agustpark @lalisala @blueeyedlove-blog1

[absolutepokemontrash]

Little Brothers

Just a few little snapshots of Lucifer raising bitey baby Satan… there’s also a fight scene because yeah-

Genre: Fluff/Angst

Warnings: Mentions of murder, also a few of the brothers have to fight off an angry Satan during his first transformation when he’s still a kid, he doesn’t get hurt but he is batted around a bit in self defence.

Masterlist

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Moonlight spilled into Lucifer’s new office, the fireplace bathed the room in a soft orange light as Lucifer read over document after document. A sigh escaped his lips as he stapled two pieces of paper together and shunted them off to the side, the repetition and lack of sleep was going to melt his brain at this rate.

His new life as a demon had gotten off to a rocky start to say the least. That little romp in the human world with the other fallen angels caused almost irreparable damage to the place. Not that the other demons cared very much, they found the whole thing positively hilarious. And why wouldn’t they? They got to watch the great Lucifer Morningstar act like them.

Anger bubbled in Lucifer’s gut, he gripped his pen tighter as he scowled down at the papers.

His new home life wasn’t much better. Lucifer thought bitterly. Levi had just been promoted to Vice Admiral and he was having difficulty getting his troops under control. Tsk, difficulty was putting it lightly. Now Lucifer and Mammon had to practically drag Levi to work every day.

Mammon was running himself ragged trying to keep everyone together, Lucifer had to thank him for that, but he couldn’t help but notice things beginning to go… missing. A pile of Grimm here and there, some minor valuables and decorations. Lucifer sighed through gritted teeth as the numbers and letters on the documents seemed to lift off the page and dance around his head. He didn’t want to believe that his little brother had already succumbed to his new sin, he really didn’t��� but Lucifer couldn’t find any other reason for the suspicious amount of new spending money Mammon had acquired and subsequently lost.

Asmo had seemingly taken to being a demon like a fish to water, but his endless partying and stumbling into the house in the middle of the night completely drunk wasn’t helping anyone. But Lucifer knew full well that the new Avatar of Lust wasn’t coping as well as he wanted everyone to believe.

“They love me, Lucifer! They love me soooooo much!” Asmo had said one night as he stumbled in through the front door, his words being slurred from the night of drinking. “And I *hic* I love me too!”

“I know, Asmo, I know.” Lucifer had sighed, half dragging him off to his room.

“I loooove it down here!” Asmo looped an arm around Lucifer’s shoulders like they were taking a casual drunken stroll together. “Heeheee… father’s gonna be soooooo mad… so… so… mad…”

As quickly as Asmo had started to giggle, he had begun to cry, short choppy breaths began to wrack his smaller frame.

“H-he doesn’t lo-love me anymore… does he?”

Completely flabbergasted, Lucifer couldn’t find the words to respond as Asmo hugged his arm and snivelled.He looked up at Lucifer, tears running down either side of his face.

“Do… Do you still love me..?”

Of course Lucifer did, and he made sure to say it. Not that Asmo would remember that conversation in the morning.

Shaking his head and stomping the memory down, Lucifer returned to work, his pen gliding across the page.

Beel and Belphie were taking things the hardest.

Lucifer’s pen slipped from his gloved hand and rolled off the desk. He silently watched as it skittered across the study floor.

Beel hadn’t stopped eating. He’d cleared the kitchen more than five times that week alone. It’s all he seemed to do, lumber around the house like a ghost and just eat.

Belphie on the other hand, hadn’t stopped sleeping. He’d wake up for an hour at most each day only to eat. Lucifer glared at the pen lying on the ground. No, that wasn’t right. Belphie had been wide awake when they all trashed the human world.

The sounds of laughter and screams entwined together like some twisted melody as their rampage continued. Hour after bloody hour, the sounds never ceased. Except when Lucifer had finally got ahold of Belphie. Lucifer heard whispers.

“Your fault.” Belphie whispered to the bloodied streets in front of him, flames poured out of windows as the screams finally began to quiet. “All your fault.”

Lucifer blinked. There was no fire, no screams, just the sporadic cracking of the fireplace.

Life hadn’t treated his family well. That was for sure…

A sharp cry broke through the silence, on the left side of his desk, a small bassinet was placed, and a tiny hand reached out, peaking above its walls.

How could Lucifer forget? There was a new member of the family after all. Lucifer sighed and got up from his seat, picking the baby up out of the bassinet and collapsing back into his desk chair.

“AAAA!” The baby cried, hitting its chubby little fists against Lucifer’s chest.

“Tsk, what do you want, Wrath?” Lucifer muttered, watching the baby squirm angrily in his arms. “I fed you less than two hours ago.”

“AAWAA!” Wrath began to try and bite at Lucifer’s fingers, it was a great relief to the Avatar of Pride that the baby didn’t have any teeth yet, but if Wrath bit down hard enough, Lucifer could feel the edges of a few spiked teeth beginning to come in.

“You’re angry that you’re teething, aren’t you?” Lucifer asked, before immediately chastising himself for thinking the baby could properly respond. “I’d get you more toys to bite instead, if you stopped beheading them.”

Wrath didn’t reply, he just continued to munch on Lucifer’s gloves. Lucifer’s expression softened and he sat the baby on his lap as Wrath babbled to himself. At least the baby had remained consistent since he grew out of Lucifer’s torn up wings…

“Are you going to go back to sleep?”

Wrath looked up at Lucifer, icy blue eyes brimming with childlike wonder, and Lucifer couldn’t help but softly smile.

Until of course, Wrath wrapped his chubby little fists around Lucifer’s tie and yanked.

Gritting his teeth and unfastening the child’s hands, Lucifer shook his head. “You’re going to be a piece of work… aren’t you?”

——————

The baby now had a name and title. Satan, the Avatar of Wrath, and destroyer of Asmo’s sweaters.

After growing teeth, Satan had taken a liking to biting furniture and his brothers’ clothes. Mammon had tragically lost a pair of his favourite boots, and Lucifer was in the middle of attempting to unclamp Satan’s jaw from one of Asmo’s favourite cashmere sweaters.

“YOU LITTLE INGRATE!” Asmo screeched, trying to pull the sweater away from Satan without damaging it. “LUCIFER MAKE HIM STOP!”

“Can’t you see that I’m trying?!”

Satan growled and made a squeaking sound that could have been an attempt at a roar, but with a final tug from Lucifer, his jaw unlocked and sent the two tumbling backwards.

“My sweater…” Asmo snivelled, Lucifer sat up and looked at his little brother cradling the stupid pink sweater like it was his baby. “It has teeth marks in it… IT'S RUINED!”

“Asmodeus stop-”

Anything Lucifer was about to say stopped dead in its tracks as Satan began to slowly hoist himself up onto his feet. He wobbled slightly, sticking out his arms for balance, then slowly turned to Lucifer.

“Oosi!” Satan said as he took a shaky step forward. One foot after the other, Satan slowly made his way towards Lucifer’s outstretched arms. “Oosi!”

Lucifer chuckled softly as he lifted Satan off the floor, standing up and watching him begin to bite at his tie. By the end of the year, all of his good ties would be riddled with bite marks.

“Awwww!” Asmo cooed, his sweater a forgotten heap on his bed. “First steps! Satan’s first steps!”

Satan let out a shriek of delight, then went back to trying to bite holes into Lucifer’s tie.

The next few months would be spent chasing after Satan, as the little monster went from walking, to full on sprinting.

——————

“Lucifer!”

The demon in question looked up from his book in the library to see Satan bounding over to him, his jacket hanging off his shoulders in an all too familiar way. He’d grown up into quite the adorable child, Lucifer had to say. Round rosy cheeks, sparkly blue eyes, a thirst for knowledge (and blood), all cobbled together to create the bouncing ball of wrath that pestered Lucifer for story time.

“What are you reading?” Satan made it to the couch and climbed up to sit next to his older brother. “I wanna read.”

“I think this book might be a little too grown up for you, Satan.” Lucifer said, closing the massive book on Devildom History and placing it on the coffee table. “Is there anything you’d like to read instead?”

“Mmm…” Satan tapped his cheek, his face all scrunched up in intense thought, before he brightened and pointed at one of the shelves. “Bugs! I wanna read about bugs!”

“Alright then,” Lucifer got up from his spot on the couch and combed the shelves, looking for anything they might have on the insects of the Devildom. It seemed that Satan had found a new obsession.

A while ago Satan had become enamoured with learning all about boats, and after having Lucifer read him everything in the library about the topic, had practically begged Levi to take him out on one of the Navy’s ships. After multiple refusals (and bites from Satan), Levi finally agreed and took Satan on a spin around the ocean. When Satan fell overboard not once, but twice, the young Avatar of Wrath decided that boats weren’t for him.

“So,” Lucifer said as he began to pull a few books off the shelves. “What brought upon this new interest?”

“They make funny sounds!”

“Funny sounds?”

“Yeah! The bugs in the garden make funny sounds when I squish ’em!”

Lucifer blinked a few times, then sighed, an exasperated smile on his face. Those poor bugs. At least they wouldn’t be eating Lucifer’s Blood-Roses anymore.

As Lucifer and Satan settled into their reading, Satan listened in rapt attention as Lucifer pointed and explained what each bug was, and how much of a threat it posed to Lucifer’s poor, innocent flowers.

“I’ll protect your flowers.” Satan looked up at Lucifer and held out his pinky finger. “Promise!”

“That’s very nice of you, Satan.” Lucifer looped his pinky around Satan’s and went back to reading, before being interrupted again.

“Wassat?”

“What’s the proper way to say it, Satan?”

“What’s that?” Satan frowned and repeated, pointing at a picture of a massive beetle-like creature with dozens of eye-like designs over its wings and even it’s antenna. Even Lucifer had to admit, the beetle looked creepy.

“Ah,” Lucifer said, a barely concealed smile on his lips. “That’s a Diableetle. There are similar species in the human world, but not nearly as large. They’re known to camouflage themselves in almost all natural environments, and eat decaying plants.”

“Oh.” Satan tilted his head. “Does it eat anything… else?”

“Well, one other thing,” Lucifer looked away from the book and shifted his gaze to Satan. “Misbehaving little brothers. They’re notorious for eating those.”

Satan wrinkled his forehead and nodded, he shifted closer to Lucifer and rested his head on his arm. “I hope it doesn’t eat Mammon…”

Lucifer nearly barked out a laugh but managed to muscle through it. “Well, we can only hope we don’t come across one out in the wild.”

————————

A crash sounded from somewhere in the house, Lucifer sat upright in bed and threw the covers off him before marching out of his room. Avoiding sleep had become much easier in the passing years.

“I HATE YOU!”

Another crash, Lucifer winced and picked up his pace as he rushed down the stairs. Damn it, it sounded like Satan was throwing some kind of tantrum again…

As Lucifer finally reached the living room and looked inside, his eyes widened with shock.

Mammon was crouched a few metres behind Satan, his shaking hands raised in the air as he tried to talk down the young Avatar of Wrath.

“Satan, buddy, just calm down and we can talk this-”

“SHUT UP!” Satan almost roared, two tiny horns protruded from either side of his head, furniture splintered as his spiny green tail lashed around him. Lucifer felt his pure wrath pouring off of him in waves. Asmo, who was standing a few feet behind Mammon, was developing a tic in his eye, and a harsh redness began to creep up his neck as his face morphed into a scowl.

Dammit, Satan’s wrath was going to affect everyone in the house at this rate! Satan raked his tongue across his sharpened teeth and pointed an accusatory finger at the object of his ire, Belphegor. “I HATE HIM!”

Belphie, was fully in his true form, his tail thrashing around behind him, his catlike eyes narrowed at his brother. He scoffed and shook his head. “Good, because I hate you too. Who’d like a rage filled little replacement like you?”

With that, Satan lunged. His claws extending mid-leap until he slammed right into Beel, who had dove forward to protect Belphie.

Hissing and screeching like an animal, Satan clawed at Beel’s arms as the Avatar of Gluttony shifted into his own demon form and clenched his teeth. He closed a hand around one of Satan’s arms and tried to yank him off.

Beel must’ve clenched too hard as Satan let out a cry of pain.

“Satan… calm-”

Before anyone could react, Asmo snapped and flew across the room, snatching Satan away and kicking Beel hard in the stomach, which sent Beel stumbling backwards.

“Don’t you touch him…” Asmo snarled, Satan still kicking and screaming at him to be let go.

“All of you! Stop-” Lucifer was cut off by Belphie slamming into Asmo like a freight train, causing Asmo and Satan to go flying into one of the couches.

Satan took this opportunity to try and lunge for Belphie and Beel again, only for Levi’s tail to wrap around his torso and hold him back.

“You’re defending him, Asmo?! Defending him from your brother?!” Belphie growled, pointing an accusatory finger at Asmo, who bared his much sharper teeth. Blood trickled down onto the carpet from a slash in Asmo’s arm.

“Satan’s our brother too!” Lucifer heard the telltale click of Asmo’s claws unsheathing and Lucifer instinctively dove to hold him back. Asmo’s claws were venomous.

“Asmo! No!” Lucifer snarled as he held back his thrashing brother.

Asmo went still, then looked up at Lucifer with a sparkling smile, his eyes beginning to glow pink. “Lucifer, put me down.”

Shaking his head Lucifer growled back, his eyes flicked from Asmo to Belphie as the command filled his head.

Put him down put him down put him down put him down put him down put him down-

It echoed through his head over and over, but Lucifer held firm, he was a stronger demon than that.

“MAMMON DON’T JUST STAND THERE GRAB HIM!” Levi cried, Lucifer’s head snapped to the sound, taking his attention off Asmo, who stomped his heel down hard on Lucifer’s foot and broke free of his hold.

Satan was dragging his claws down Levi’s tail and Lucifer had to wince on his little brother’s behalf. The sight of the bloodied blue scales and exposed muscle was enough to make Lucifer ill, he could only imagine what Levi was feeling.

“Satan, you… you hafta calm down.” Mammon said through gritted teeth, the wrath was affecting him too…

“MAKE HIM STOP!”

After one final bite to his tail, Levi threw Satan directly into Mammon, who Satan quickly shoved away and sprinted to Asmo’s defence.

Mammon on the other hand, had vaulted upwards and had run over to Belphie in an attempt to get him away from Asmo. Balling up the back of his shirt and pulling him backwards had the nasty effect of giving Belphie the opportunity to give Mammon a hard slash to his face, which sent him staggering backwards.

Belphie was quickly pulled up off the ground by Beel, but the fight halted the moment Lucifer’s hand shot out and grabbed Satan’s tail. His gloves were nearly torn to ribbons within seconds, but using Satan’s distracted state, Lucifer was able to pull him up into an almost bear hug like hold.

Everyone stood still, catching their breath and waiting, even the green glow in Satan’s eyes were beginning to dull as his tiny chest heaved with every breath.

“So…” Lucifer shifted his weight and rested Satan on his hip. “What exactly happened?”

Mammon wrapped a bandage around Levi’s tail as everyone shifted uncomfortably on the splintered couches. Belphie was hunched forward and scowling off to the side, Beel awkwardly patted his twin’s shoulder.

“Now that we’re all calm.” Lucifer looked from brother to brother, all of them pointedly avoided his gaze. “One of you tell me what happened.”

Satan pointed at Belphie, a tired frown on his face. “Belphie’s mean.”

The demon in question rolled his eyes. “Damn right… we’re demons.”

“Belphie…” Lucifer raised an eyebrow.

He folded his arms across his chest and scowled, not at Satan, but at Lucifer. “That little shit thinks he can replace Lilith.”

Those words hit Lucifer like a hammer to the gut. He sat there, mouth slightly agape as the pain in his chest bloomed around his heart.

Mammon fumbled in bandaging Levi’s tail, eliciting a hiss of pain from the Avatar of Envy, Mammon turned to look at Belphie, his eyebrows knitting in concern. “B-Belph, c’mon, no one’s gonna replace Lilith.”

“Tsk,” Belphie leaned back in his seat. “I see how you treat him, you’ve all been fawning over him since he first ‘appeared’. It’s pathetic. Lilith was barely cold before you all replaced her…”

A few long seconds of silence, Beel piped up, his voice quiet and mournful. “We never replaced Lilith…”

Belphie gnawed on his lower lip and looked away from his twin, his eyes brimming with tears. “I know you didn’t…”

“Don’t kid yourself, Belphie.” Asmo muttered. “By your standards, Beel replaced Lilith too…”

“Hey! Nobody’s replacin’ Lilith!” Mammon snapped, standing up and pointing at each brother. “Satan ain’t Lilith, and Lilith wasn’t Satan. End of discussion. Satan’s just a little anklebiter, so of course he needs more attention.”

“Thank you, Mammon,” Lucifer gestures for him to sit down with a nod. “Now, Satan’s our brother, like it or not. We all miss Lilith, but we can’t change what happened.”

Belphie stiffened, then harshly nodded, his eyes flicking over to Satan, who let out a yawn and cuddled into Asmo’s side, Lucifer felt a smile grow on his lips. Maybe this family wasn’t so doomed after all.

————————

A rebellious phase, that’s what it had to be.

It had been at least a hundred years of back talk, whining, and pranks from his formerly decently behaved baby brother. Well, Satan was declared the fourth eldest despite the fact that every single one of his “younger brothers” had changed his diapers, but whatever. The Avatar of Wrath had mellowed out in some ways since toddlerhood, but had also somehow become even more of a menace.

To think, it all started with a cup of tea.

It was an average day, Lucifer and the rest of his brothers had been invited to tea with Diavolo, and right before they had left for the castle, Lucifer was nagging Satan about what he was wearing. Satan wasn’t exactly known for his stellar fashion sense, but the least he could do was wear something that didn’t make Lucifer’s eyes bleed. Satan’s face contorted into a nasty scowl for the briefest of moments, then shifted into a polite smile.

He did what he was told, and the next thing Lucifer knew, his teacup had exploded in his hands.

Satan let out a peal of laughter and actually had to leave the room to calm down. Let’s just say that Mammon had a friend to swing next to on the ceiling that night.

And it happened again, prank after prank, over and over again. Satan’s behaviour didn’t cease.

Lucifer flopped into his seat in his office with a huff, only for a sharp pain to shoot up from his butt. A thumb tack. Creative.

Damn it… Lucifer threw the thumbtack across the room and rolled his eyes. He took a look at the clock on the wall, 11:59 pm.

Lucifer limply raised his glass of Demonus as the seconds ticked down. Maybe the new year would fix Satan’s new attitude problem. Lucifer was positive this little phase wouldn’t last long. Positive.

May 1733 be the year where Satan goes back to normal!

————————

Author’s note

Satan did not in fact go back to normal in 1733. He has not been back to “normal” for the past 289 years. Rest assured… he might get better… maybe? I don’t know we should wait for canon to figure that out.

I don’t care what any headcanon states, but I believe that Lucifer was Satan’s main caretaker and Asmo and Mammon were his devoted little helpers.

[thebadgerclan]

Protective

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x reader

Requested by Anonymous

Summary: With your pregnancy, Aleksander’s become very protective...

“Aleksander, I’ll be fine,” you reiterated for what felt like the millionth time today.  “Y/N, darling, I just want you to be safe.  If anything happened to you or our little one, I’d-”  “Sasha, I know.  I know that you’re worried, but it’s a short trip to Poliznaya.  We’ll be there for a few hours tops, and then we head home.  Love, I promise, nothing will happen to me.”  Your husband rested his hands on your belly, brows furrowed as he wrestled with his emotions.

You were 7 months pregnant, and Aleksander had become even more protective than he usually was.  Everywhere he went, he saw a threat to you and your unborn baby, and all he wanted was to keep you safe.  You’d scaled back your workload in the past few months, but you were going a little stir crazy in the Little Palace, and a trip to Poliznaya to inspect the troops was exactly what you needed.

But Aleksander was hesitant.  When you were home, he knew you were safe, but as soon as you left Os Alta’s double walls, you were in danger.  Part of him saw that he was overreacting slightly, but he refused to endanger his wife and child.  “I don’t know,” he said, and you huffed, taking his hands in yours.  “You’ll have your oprichniki with you, yes?”  “Of course,” your husband responded.  “And Ivan and Fedyor?”  “Always.”

“Then I don’t see a reason I can’t go!”  You were frustrated, cooped up and tired of being confined, and your husband recognized that.  He thought for a moment, weighing his options.  At a Second Army camp, there was unlikely to be anyone who might wish you legitimate harm, and the coach would be surrounded by guards, both Grisha and otkazat’sya…  “Alright,” Aleksander said.  “You can come.  But you won’t be leaving my sight for even a second.”

“Thank you!” you cried, flinging yourself into his arms.  “Thank you, Sasha, I love you so much!”  Your joy was infectious, and he held you close, kissing your forehead and your lips when you pulled away.  “And I love you, milaya.  Now you should rest, I don’t want you exhausting yourself tomorrow.”  You smiled at your husband’s concern and let him dress you in a nightgown and tuck you into bed.  You dozed off content with the knowledge that tomorrow, you would actually do something productive.

***

You fastened the black kefta with red Corporalki embroidery, specially tailored to accommodate your belly.  Your hair was tied back into a slick bun, and you wore soft, comfortable boots.  Aleksander couldn’t help but stare as you exited the bedroom, finding you more and more beautiful every single day.  He took your arm as you walked to the drive, and when you arrived at the coach, he helped you into it, steadying you with a hand on your back.  

The ride wasn’t too long, but the bumpy roads upset your stomach, which increased your husband’s worry.  “I’ll be fine, Sasha,” you reassured, though you were gripping his hand rather tight.  “When we’re there, I’ll be just fine.”  Sure enough, when the coach rolled to a stop in Poliznaya and you were on solid ground, your nausea vanished.  Aleksander took your arm and led you into the officer’s tet, where the lieutenant sat behind her desk.

“General Kirigan,” she greeted, rising to her feet.  “A pleasure as always.  And moya soverennyi, I can’t say I was expecting to see you today.”  You smiled, shaking her extended hand.  “Well, it took quite a bit of convincing on my part, someone’s a bit protective of me at the moment.”  Aleksander tightened his arm around you, and the lieutenant smiled.  “I completely understand,” she said.  “My husband was the same when I was pregnant.”

You smiled, and Aleksander let a little grin cross his face.  “Well, shallwe, General?”  Your husband nodded, looping his arm through yours once more.  “We shall.  After you, Lieutenant.”  You and Aleksander examined training regimens and troop quarters, greeting the Grisha who crossed your path.  The whole time, Aleksander kept you on his arm, but when the lieutenant offered a demonstration of the work her Inferni and Alkemi were doing, he stiffened.

“I don’t want you near anything that could hurt you or the baby,” he said, waving Fedyor over.  “I thought I wasn’t leaving your sight,” you argued, and your husband sighed.  You know what I meant, darling.  Just a few minutes, I promise.”  “You called, moi soverennyi?”  “Fedyor, yes.  Would you take Y/N away for a moment.  I don’t want her near this demonstration.”  “Of course, sir,” the Heartrender replied, and he offered his arm, which you took, though reluctantly.

Fedyor led you around the perimeter of the camp, allowing the Inferni and Alkemi plenty of time for their demonstration.  “Is something bothering you, moya soverennyi?”  You sighed.  “A bit.  I know that Aleksander wants to keep me and the baby safe, but I feel like he’s a bit obsessive.  I understand that he’s feeling protective right now, but… I don’t know.”  “I understand,” Fedyor said.  “Ivan acts the same way sometimes.  If there’s something that could hurt me, he’s on edge.  With our duties, it’s hard to keep either of us out of immediate danger, but when he can, he keeps me away from the worst of it.  And if I was capable of carrying a child, well I can only imagine how protective he’d be.”

You laughed at the thought of stern, serious Ivan fawning over his husband, and nodded.  “He’d be a nightmare,” you agreed, and Fedyor laughed.  “That he would.  The general means well, and I know he wants nothing but the best for you and your child.”  “He does,” you nodded.  “But I’d have liked to see the demonstration.”  “From what I heard, they’re just overglorified fireworks to distract the Fjerdans.  Nothing great.”  You laughed at Fedyor’s bluntness, and he smiled as well.

“They should be done by now,” he said, taking you back to your husband.  Aleksander was watching you intently as you approached, and when you were near enough, Fedyor dropped your arm and let you walk the remaining distance unaccompanied.  Your husband pulled you into his arms, kissing the crown of your head, his lips lingering.  “I was worried,” he admitted.  “I know Fedyor is more than capable of protecting you, but-”

“Sasha, I’m fine,” you said, resting your palms on his chest.  “A little sad I missed the demo, but fine.  Nothing happened, we’re fine.”  Aleksander’s eyes went to your belly, and he cradled it gently, and you smiled.  “We’re alright, love.  But I think this little one might need a nap soon.”  Your husband laughed, linking his arm through yours and leading you back to the coach.  “I think we can arrange that once we get home, my love.”

[moonstrider9904]

Flora

Chapter 7 of The Hunt

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Wolffe x Fem!OC, some Comet x Fem!OC

Series summary: The 104th battalion’s new medic Rose comes into the scene dazzling everyone, ready for anything life as a battalion medic will ofer to her after having spent much too long secluded in a medical station orbiting Rishi. While she forms close friendships with the troopers, she and commander Wolffe never seem to get along. As arguments between them heat up, Wolffe is challenged to make Rose fall in love with him, a game that by no means will end well for either of them.

Chapter summary: Rose and Wolffe attempt to be as discreet as possible about their relationship (and fail in the process). The wolf pack are sent on a simple pick up mission on Balmorra that leaves the squad a vague warning.

Warnings/tags: Explicit 18+. SMUT. rough and soft smut, PiV unprotected (but please wear protection irl!), oral (female receiving), hair tugging, hot making out, floor sex, light breast and nipple play, canon-typical violence, mentions of injury and blood. Please let me know if I forgot to tag something!

Word count: 7.7k

Note: I know the hype for Kenobi is at its fullest right now!! So I'm just going to quietly cross-post the last chapter I've got of The Hunt so that it's now up to date on all my platforms before hopefully finally updating this baby sometime along the week. Thank you to everyone who has read or reread this, everyone who has commented, given feedback, you all mean the world to me! I'm finally getting excited again over the course of this story, I hope you'll all like it!

People were beginning to notice.

Granted, despite the couple’s efforts, it was never really hard to miss. The commander, walking fully armored down a hall he didn’t use to cross before, never flanked by any of even his most trusted men. The medic walking down the same hall about fifteen minutes later. Her figure sneaking off one of the common rooms, squirming near the walls unconsciously as though she were being watched. But the most obvious factor was the lack of fighting. There was banter, but it was no longer the shameless feud of insults and growls that would linger between the two of them.

And yet, nobody ever said a word. It was common agreement within the wolf pack not to blow the cover of their relationship to the higher ups; it was common amongst all clones, as a matter of fact.

Since leaving Naboo, most of Rose’s encounters with Wolffe had been in the supply closet just outside of the barracks. The first few rotations, it had worked, taking up the time of their long voyage to the other quarter of the galaxy. But shortly after, more troops had begun to arrive, and the halls were more occupied and less safe for a quick fling. She’d grown close to that closet, but now, the medic was on her way to a storage compartment opposite to the barracks. Encountering very few faces on the way, she had the excuse of seeking medical supplies if anyone asked what she was doing. Eventually, Rose took a detour down the main hall and reached the thick gray door, perfect for isolating some of the sound, and she swiftly got in and closed the door, still facing it before looking inside the storage.

“Did anyone see you?” The commander’s voice had the filter of his helmet’s vocoder, which made Rose smirk instantly.

“No one at all, commander,” she said as she turned around to see him fully armored except for his belt, which he held beside him and let drop in a manner so seductive to her she felt her panties get soaked.

“Atta girl, bunny,” Wolffe purred as he removed his helmet, eyeing her with lust. “Get over here.”

Remaining faithful to the pet name he had for her, Rose hopped onto Wolffe’s arms and wrapped her legs around his torso with a little giggle. Wolffe chuckled seductively, pleased by her enthusiasm, as he sat down on one of the boxes in the storage room with her still in his arms and locked in a passionate kiss they both smiled and giggled through. Rose pulled bits of plastoid off, piece by piece, until his torso was just down to the shirt of his blacks. Wolffe removed Rose’s white uniform shirt, taking his kisses down her neck and to her cleavage, reveling in the warmth and softness of her chest. With a firm grip on her thighs, he lifted her up while she removed his codpiece with expertise.

After sliding his shirt off and freeing his erection from the confines of his blacks, Wolffe hungrily kissed Rose’s lips and went down her jawline and neck, tugging and fisting on her hair as he marked her as his yet again. Rose bit her lip to suppress the long moan that threatened to escape her as Wolffe suckled on her neck, whimpering softly as a result. Wolffe chuckled in response, his laughter morphing to a low, deep groan as Rose wrapped her fingers around his girth and pumped slowly, squeezing his member just enough to make the hairs on his body stand. Their kiss deepened too, their tongues brushing against one another, and at times, Wolffe would nibble on Rose’s lower lip just to hear what kind of noises she’d make—and how well she’d suppress them.

Despite his girl squeezing and rubbing on his cock, Wolffe could keep his composure fairly well, but he did want more. Slowly and with rhythm, he rocked his hips into her hand for more friction and felt as the liquid fire spread through his body. He ran his hands all over Rose’s figure, teasing at the edges of her bra before finally unclipping it and sliding it off her body. Wolffe was always mad for the way her hair fell down her skin, so delicate and sweet. After throwing her bra aside, Wolffe continued to explore every curve and dimple of her skin until his head rested on her shoulder when he could barely keep himself fully upright, body tingling and cock dripping precum as he reached the edge of his release. He needed to have more, both of them did, and he nearly became lost in the precipice of pleasure as his eyes went to the floor when he got an idea.

The storage room was considerably larger than the usual supply closet, and Wolffe secured Rose in his grip to take her down to the floor. Her breath hitched when her bare back touched the cool floor; Wolffe stuffed a box behind the door to keep anyone from coming in and went to lay on top of her, kissing her lips and soothing her body with his hands as he whispered tender praises to comfort her from the cold. Rose watched as his body loomed above her, his lips smirking and breath fanning over her as he pulled her pants and panties off of her. As her back got accustomed to the floor’s temperature, Rose smiled and cooed at Wolffe in excitement, arms wrapping around him and bringing him down for a loving kiss.

“I like this spot,” Rose purred.

“Me too,” Wolffe replied, his voice low and inviting as he bent down to kiss her again. While he did, his hands gently squeezed her breasts and softly pinched her nipples just the way he knew that she loved. Slowly, he let his hands travel down, teasing her with gradually letting his fingertips just barely hover close to her inner thighs. He reveled in every little noise Rose made, every time her breath hitched or panted at his touch. Wolffe loved feeling that she was entirely his.

Rose felt his cock throbbing up against the skin of her inner thigh, and her kissing became almost furious as she pulled Wolffe ever closer to her own body. Even after several times of having been intimate with him, Rose felt shocks go down her skin when his chest touched hers, more so whenever she could run her fingers and trace the elaborate wolf tattoo that covered his back, or over the lumps of the scars that were still prominent on his skin. She became distracted, however, when she felt Wolffe’s fingertips tracing her pussy lips before gliding fully over the wetness of her folds. A sweet, high-pitched moan escaped her as her eyes were flooded with plea, causing Wolffe to smirk into the kiss and back up to look at her.

She was splattered on the floor beneath him, her wavy black locks fanned out and framing her head. In the dim light of the storage room, it seemed as though ever one of her lines had softened. Somehow, she always looked so sweet when she was caged in Wolffe’s arms, so innocent and tender at her core, and every time he looked upon her like that, Wolffe just wanted to keep her there, shielded and immaculate, undeniably for him.

“Dammit, bunny…” Wolffe growled. “You’re beautiful…”

Rose blushed and her eyes traveled downwards as she bashfully averted her gaze. “You’re so romantic, commander.”

With another soft growl, Wolffe smirked as his fingers massaged Rose’s sensitive bundle of nerves, going from soft strokes to quick, accurate circles around her clit. Her head fell back on the floor and she grinned wide in lust, her breath deepening and chest heaving at his touch.

“You’re so wet, sweetheart,” Wolffe whispered before planting a tender kiss on her lips. “And you’re all mine.”

“I’m yours,” Rose echoed, kissing him back.

“What do you want me to do, bunny?”

Rose chuckled, trying her best to keep her voice as quiet as possible. She perked up slightly and let her lips hover over Wolffe’s ear, her breath sending chills down the commander’s skin.

“Surprise me,” she whispered.

Wolffe groaned softly in response, and he let his fingers work with more instinct over her folds. He rubbed from her entrance to her pearl, igniting flames wherever he traced. His precum began to leak onto her skin, girth already begging to be inside her. But he wanted Rose to squirm underneath him, he wanted to see her eyes rolling back as she desperately tried to keep in her moans, lest they’d both be found out and reprimanded for doing something so dirty in a storage room. The thought unconsciously made Wolffe growl, aroused only by the risk and by Rose trying to avoid it, and his finger traveled back down her pussy only to slide inside her and curl perfectly to stroke and massage her walls.

He could reach her most sensitive spots with ease. Stroking, pumping, or just barely grinding against it, he could feel the way Rose’s hips quivered as the heat pooled inside her body. In tiny, agitated whispers, Rose spoke his name and begged him not to stop fingering her; she’d begun grinding against him too, and desperate for pleasure, she took her hand to keep rubbing on her clit as Wolffe worked her inner walls.

Seeing her touching herself riled Wolffe up more than he ever imagined he could be in a storage room. His forehead rested on hers, gazing deeply into Rose’s eyes to see the way pleasure flooded her. Her breath hitched faster, her spare hand fisted his curls, and her whimpers, rid of any more control, announced to him how close she was to her climax. Wolffe smiled at her as he took in her beauty, the utter sweetness of the woman under him, mesmerized by how she’d gone from insufferable to irreplaceable.

Just before Rose came undone, Wolffe removed his finger from inside her earning a whine from the medic.

He chuckled. “Needy one, aren’t you, bunny?”

Rose whimpered in response, barely able to form coherent sentences at the pleasure, and before she rubbed her clit to orgasm, Wolffe stopped her from that too. She’d have whined again had it not been for the sight of Wolffe positioning his cock between her legs, rubbing the tip slowly from her clit and down to her entrance. Wolffe chuckled again at how sweet she looked when she was thirsty for him, and choosing not to torment her further, he slid himself into her walls and stretched them out granting her that sensation of fullness she longed for.

Again, Rose bit her lip in an effort to quiet herself down, only making her body quake at the pleasure of finally having Wolffe inside her. He began at a sensual pace, savoring every sensation, every movement, the warmth filling him and threatening to make him burst. His fingers clawed into her scalp, and thanks to the floor, he had more leverage to speed up and turn his luscious grinding gradually into a rougher fucking, until it finally became merciless pounding.

Rose’s body bounced with every time Wolffe jammed into her. Relentless, he growled out strings of curses in his mother tongue, relishing in the way her body felt, so warm and swollen and wet, and just so good. He always loved to hear her moan, but something about Rose suppressing her sounds only tipped him into bliss. It made him go faster, harder, with no more regard of the risks that lurked outside the storage room. He moaned her name out, growled out her nickname with a pure ecstasy of a man in love, and in his trance, he swiveled his hips with more speed than he knew he was capable of.

She remained looking into his eyes until her own rolled back just as she felt her walls tightening and clenching around his cock. Rose couldn’t help but to moan out Wolffe’s name, so sweetly and clearly that it sounded almost like a howl, and it only prompted the commander to move faster.

“Oh, bunny…” Wolffe grunted, taking the hand he fingered her with to her lips for her to suck on his middle finger before he growled again, inhumanly increasing his pace even more. Rose’s skin flustered and her eyes pooled with pressure begging to be let out, but in sucking Wolffe’s finger and tasting her arousal, she was able to remain quiet just for a moment before she couldn’t hold it in any longer, and a loud whine of Wolffe’s name escaped her, only to repeat it over and over.

Rose was the one to release first, wetness squirting with glee onto Wolffe’s skin and armor as she moaned freely with a mix of bliss and surprise, and right after that, Wolffe’s cum shot in delicious ropes into her walls and filled her to the brink, so much the hot white liquid leaked from inside her. Their bodies fell limp, only pushed upon by gravity itself as they rested on the floor. His head on the crook of her neck, Wolffe, gently traced featherlight patterns on Rose’s skin, smiling softly at the mess underneath them when he pulled out of her.

Rose panted, lips curving into a grin as she began to giggle and look into Wolffe’s eyes. “That was really dirty, commander. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Wolffe smirked back, his voice lowering into a seductive purr. “Woof.”

Rose laughed sweetly, charming every fiber of Wolffe’s body, and he hugged her to him and pressed a kiss onto her lips. Starting passionate, the kiss faded into something loving and genuine, soft as the petal of a rose. Wolffe held her in his arms, wishing for a moment he had a bed under them instead of the floor of the storage room, but even that sufficed if it only meant being by Rose’s side.

“You were pretty loud,” Wolffe whispered.

“Yeah…” Rose’s bashfulness was clear. “You think anyone heard?”

“It’s likely,” Wolffe chuckled. “But I don’t care.”

His lips traveled over to her cheek, her temple, her earlobes, pressing soft kisses on her as her gaze scanned the features of his face. His skin gleamed with sweat, emphasizing the expression lines around his eyes, those most prominent belonging to any sort of frown. Her dark brown eyes settled on the scar over his right eye and the grey-white mechanical eye that replaced his real one, and a pang of sadness hit her. It wasn’t long before Wolffe realized what she was looking at, and his hand wrapped softly around hers in a comforting gesture.

“How did it happen?” She asked him softly, distant and letting him know it was alright if he didn’t wish to answer.

However, as Wolffe looked her in the eyes, he realized just how much he trusted her.

“A Sith assassin named Ventress,” he said, his voice a low growl. “If it weren’t for my helmet, I’d have been a goner.”

Rose’s eyes softened with sympathy. “Were you scared?”

Wolffe looked up at the roof, evaluating his emotions even though the mere act of it was still foreign to him. “Not really. I was angry, mostly. Not in a vengeful way, but… I was just mad. Think I have been ever since.”

Rose tenderly traced her finger over the scar, not wanting to look as though she pitied him, but still extending her support to him. Wolffe watched her softly, feeling the touch of her fingertip over the scar that physically set him apart from his brothers, and when her fingertip was over his cheek, he softly took her hand and pressed kisses to her fingers and palm. Her big brown eyes looked into his, and wordlessly, their foreheads rested on one another for them to remain in silence with each other while time passed.

It was quiet, peaceful, warm; it was all either one of them wanted and needed.

Then, the silence was broken by Wolffe’s comm beeping. Rolling his eyes, Wolffe reached for the comm device under the heap of bits of plastoid on the ground and, placing a finger over his lips to tell Rose to keep silent, he answered it.

“Come in,” Wolffe said.

“Commander!” It was Sinker on the other end of the comm. “Listen, I know you’re off with Rose in some supply closet doing the dirty, but we need you both at the bridge. The briefing’s going to start soon.”

“I’ll be there,” Wolffe replied with his commander voice. “And if you gossip, you’re on cleanup duty for the rest of the cycle, got it?”

“Got it, sir,” Sinker replied with his sergeant voice in return. “Oh and… tell Rose to fix her lipstick. We can all tell when it’s been,” he cleared his throat, “smeared off.”

“Two cycles,” Wolffe threatened Sinker when he picked up on the mocking note of the sergeant’s voice while Rose blushed at the remark.

“Okay, okay,” Sinker chuckled. “Don’t be late.”

After that, he hung up. Wolffe got up and helped Rose back onto her feet, both of them dressing quietly and quick enough to be proud of.

“Shall I go out first?” Rose asked him.

Wolffe looked at her with a smooth smile, not quite able to explain the admiration he felt for her. “Sure. Head to the bridge for the briefing, I’ll meet you there.”

Rose walked up to him again and gave him a final peck on the lips before getting out of the storage room and making her way to the bridge. As she walked, she took out her tiny mirror and redid her lipstick, double checking it was perfect. While any Venator-class ship always seemed enormous to her, Rose found herself getting to the bridge fairly quickly, pleased to see the familiar grey armor of her division when she arrived. She averted her gaze from the front as she put her mirror away safely in her pack, and in that mere second, she stumbled onto someone. Apologizing with her signature charisma, Rose’s features dropped when she noticed the person she’d bumped into was Comet.

He had the same reaction. Rose and Comet had barely crossed gazes since they broke up, and as far as Rose knew, things were going well between him and… Gazelle, was it? Rose didn’t let herself care that much; it was her final defense mechanism.

“Hey,” Comet sighed, eyes bleeding insecurity.

“Hey,” Rose half-smiled, ready to walk past him. Just as she began stepping forward, Comet’s hand gently stopped her. It took all her might not to roll her eyes or sigh in utter dread, but there she was.

“I…” Comet began. “I heard you’re with Wolffe.”

“Did Sinker tell you?”

“No,” Comet replied. “No, Boost, actually.”

Rose nodded; it seemed Sinker wouldn’t be mopping for another cycle and a half.

“So?” Rose asked, her tone far gentler than the intention of the word itself.

“No, I just… I know we haven’t talked since that. I just don’t want there to be any hard feelings.”

Rose sighed, averting her gaze to a random point to the side. She remembered perfectly well what Comet had told her that night. That he still cared for her, that he still loved her.

“I’m really not at that point, Comet,” she said. “But I appreciate your intention.”

“Rose…”

“Look, if you don’t understand, just call Giselle and ask her how she’d feel if you told her you were leaving her for someone else,” Rose replied in a not-so-heavenly way. “She wouldn’t be happy, whether she’d drunkenly slept with someone or not. I at least regretted what I did.”

“You think I don’t regret breaking up with you? Rose, I felt terrible, but I had to do it. It was never gonna work.”

“Clearly,” Rose smiled poisonously. “Let’s just call it even.”

Of all things, Comet looked hurt. “I’m happy you’re with him. I really am. You’re better with him.”

Rose thought of all the things she could say for him, but only settled on thinking how much she hoped that was true if it meant he wouldn’t surprise her with any similar crap. But she couldn’t bring herself to say anything to Comet—she hadn’t stopped being angry at him, and seeing him still prickled the thorn into her skin that he’d left when he broke up with her. Instead, Rose just walked past Comet, not looking at him anymore. She wouldn’t burden herself with it.

As Rose approached the holoprojector in the center of the room, she noticed General Plo Koon stood behind it. It felt like ages since she’d last seen him, what with it not being uncommon for the wolf pack to take on missions without him as well as the long break they’d had on Naboo, but his presence was just as comforting to Rose as it had been when she joined the 104th. The troopers began lining around the holoprojector when the briefing was about to start, and just then, the door of the bridge opened to reveal the commander walking in with his regal, imposing aura around him.

“Are we all here now, then?” General Plo addressed Wolffe.

The commander removed his helmet and hugged it by his side; though his expression held his usual rough nature, Rose could notice the way his features briefly softened when he looked at the general now that she new him better, knowing Plo was clearly a father to him.

“Yes, sir,” Wolffe replied, authority reigning in his voice.

“Excellent,” said General Plo. “I am pleased to see that your time on Naboo has been beneficial to you all. This next mission will not be very difficult, in fact, the entirety of the division is not required.”

The general powered up the holoprojector which clearly displayed the image of the planet Balmorra as well as some of its stats, including how far away they currently were from said world and how long it would take to arrive.

“Balmorra is a Republic ally known for its diverse factories,” the general explained. “Commander Wolffe, you will have to take a small squad into the main durasteel foundry to receive the latest shipment of weaponry and bring it back to the ship; all details on location and shipment size will be on comm chatter for all of you to monitor. Once you have brought it to the Venator, the staff will take care of the rest.”

“How many troopers?” Wolffe questioned.

“About five, at most, including your medic,” Plo Koon then turned to Rose. “Respiratory infections due to fumes are not uncommon in such an environment, make sure you take the necessary supplies to treat any complications.”

“Yes, sir,” Rose nodded.

“One more thing,” General Plo now addressed the battalion in general. “Due to the nature of the place and the operations, the population is heavily intergalactic and the presence of multiple tongues may trouble you, which is why I have been instructed to send you alongside a protocol droid.”

Rose noticed as Sinker and Boost sucked air in through their teeth and, like twins, looked over at Wolffe in unison. She also heard various chuckles coming from some of the troopers around the briefing room, and her attention was brought to Wolffe as she could almost feel how hard it was for him to not roll his eyes in front of his general.

“Do we know which droid?” Wolffe brought himself to ask, his question making Boost blow a raspberry as the trooper tried and almost failed to hold in laughter.

“Yes, commander, it is the droid you are thinking of,” Plo Koon answered, a very subtle tinge of mischief decorating his voice. In the background, Sinker and Boost facepalmed, clearly dreading said droid, but it was more important to them how much they could laugh at Wolffe at the moment.

Meanwhile, Wolffe finally let himself roll his eyes, accepting his fate for the mission.

“The sooner we get it done, the better,” he stated.

Rose directed a confused look over at Sinker, who chuckled one last time before providing her the context.

“About a few months ago, we were assigned a mission with a very… peculiar protocol droid,” Sinker said.

“He drove all of us insane,” Boost continued.

“But specifically Wolffe,” Sinker finished. “If we hadn’t needed the droid for translation, I think he would have blown its head right off before it stepped off the ship.”

“Yeah, I’d never seen him roll his eyes that many times in one same day,” Corvis spoke up from the other side of the room. “And that’s saying something considering it’s Wolffe.”

“There was little I could do,” said Master Plo. “General Skywalker heavily recommended the droid. He has faith in it, of course, given he was the one who built C-3PO.”

The room fell silent; Wolffe’s gaze darted over to Master Plo with a blend of dismay and disbelief.

“General Skywalker built the droid?” Wolffe questioned.

Rose could almost hear the glass shattering inside Wolffe’s head. Master Plo nodded, a light chuckle escaping him.

“There go our chances of ever working with the 501st,” Sinker whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Yeah, Wolffe is never going to forgive General Skywalker for building C-3PO,” Boost whispered back with the same volume, clearly following along with Sinker’s game.

“Anyway,” Wolffe said. “Sinker, Boost, you’re on the squad. Corvis, you too. With Rose and I, it makes five. We ship out as soon as we jump out of hyperspace.”

“Yes, sir!” replied the troopers assigned to the op, all of them in unison.

“You are dismissed, then,” Plo Koon said.

No further instructions were given. Wolffe rounded up the squadron he’d take to Balmorra as the rest of the battalion left the bridge and awaited their own assignments. As Rose walked up to the group, her eyes instinctively found Wolffe’s, who were already looking at her as though he’d been watching her since the stars had been created. Her lips curved slightly, barely noticeable, as their gazes met, and for a moment, Rose began to wonder how much time they all had before reaching Balmorra.

Just like old times, Sinker nudged her arm and leaned beside her with a devious smirk.

“No, I don’t believe there’s time to sneak in a quickie,” he whispered at her with that smug look. “We’re already too close to Balmorra.”

Rose playfully punched him, though hard enough to make Sinker wheeze through his laughter. Still, the two were grinning as they laughed as silently as they could so as to not stir up the military environment, but Rose felt like it had been forever since she’d been on such terms with her squad. She was having an amazing time with Wolffe, but it felt nice to return to the old ways if only for just a bit.

“We should head to the hangar and be ready for our gunship to fly us to Balmorra upon arrival,” Wolffe stated.

“The sooner we get to the hangar, the more time we’ll spend with that droid,” Boost said through clenched teeth as memories of 3PO invaded his mind.

“I hate it more than you do, but they’re Plo’s orders,” Wolffe said as he began leading the squadron towards the hangar. “And now that we know Skywalker built him, it’s not as easy to shoot its head off.”

“Accidents happen,” Rose said from behind, a smirk tilting her lips.

Boost and Corvis whistled at Rose’s wit, always that charming quality that embellished all the others, and Wolffe looked over his shoulder with a smile only he could notice. It was just the type of remark he would have loathed coming from Rose, at least back in the days before he accepted she was everything to him.

“We’d have to plan really good for that type of accident,” Sinker commented as they walked down the last hall leading them to the hangar. “I mean, I’m confident in the wolf pack’s skills, but even we need to be careful with such a stunt…”

Sinker trailed off, and he alongside the rest of the squad ceased walking as soon as the door to the hangar opened and revealed to them the gunship they would travel to Balmorra on, and in front of them was the dreaded protocol droid who appeared way too golden, result of a recent polishing that it was showing off to any troopers who happened to be unlucky enough to wander by; those who were helmetless already looked pained.

“We won’t hear the end of it for the entire trip,” Corvis muttered.

“Not to mention a fancy polishing like that isn’t going to last in Balmorra’s industrial landscapes,” Rose added.

“Let’s just… let’s get this over with,” Wolffe grumbled as he put his helmet on.

The squadron of five walked up to the gunship, and it didn’t take the droid long to notice their presence. Lacking facial expressions, C-3PO giddily raised a hand and almost seemed to bounce upon landing sights on them.

“Commander Wolffe!” said the droid. “How very nice it is to see you again!”

Wordless, Wolffe merely stood before the droid.

“I do hope you are smiling beneath your helmet!” 3PO said.

“Right…” Wolffe hesitated, clearly doing anything but smiling.

“We will be at Balmorra soon, commander,” 3PO pledged. “I am most pleased to inform that you have my full cooperation. After all, I am fluent in over—”

“Yeah, yeah, you speak a lot of languages,” Wolffe cut the droid off.

“I am flattered you remember!” 3PO said with evident excitement. “Shall we review the briefing of the mission?”

Tension lingered in the air, and Rose was certain Wolffe was about to lose it. She swiftly stepped forward, positioning herself beside Wolffe, and she held her hands out in a friendly and welcoming manner to catch the droid’s attention.

“Actually, we have just been briefed, and we know you probably know this mission better than we do, so there’s no need for that!” She said happily. “How about you go take your place on the gunship? We have to ship out soon, and we don’t want to risk leaving you behind because we’re in a rush. You’re the most important asset in the mission.”

“Ah, at last, some appreciation!” C-3PO nodded and spoke kindly. “I am most grateful. Sometimes clones do not have the kindest of ways—did you know none of them have batted an eyelash to my polishing—”

“It’s wonderful, now go!” Rose swept him in the direction of the gunship. “We’re due to leave soon!”

“Will do, ma’am!” said C-3PO as he headed towards the gunship just as Rose had instructed, leaving the squadron with some long-awaited silence. Meanwhile, Rose turned around to look at the clones, a smug look on her face, while the three helmetless troopers looked at her with dropped jaws.

“We really needed a woman on the team,” Boost said, turning to Wolffe. “Didn’t we, commander?”

Wolffe shoved Boost just a bit more aggressively than other times, and the squadron remained peaceful while they waited for the venator to arrive at Balmorra.

*

“Doesn’t—”

“He ever—”

“Shut the hell up?”

Corvis, Sinker, and Boost respectively grumbled between gritted teeth as the never ending chatter from C-3PO plagued the ship. Rose smiled, her features scrunching as she forced her own laughter inside; she felt a gaze on her, Wolffe’s gaze, looming over her behind his visor, a gesture that tinted her cheeks pink. Sadly, any illusion created between her and Wolffe would be shattered for the moment due to the dragging of chatter that filled the gunship, mostly a one-man show from the droid.

“And then it appeared that the leader of the tribe had died—though how, I am not certain. R2 says it was my fault, but that cross-wired droid always blames me even though usually I am the one getting us out of trouble—”

Every trooper exchanged looks. All the clones donned their helmets now, but Rose didn’t need to see their faces to know just how miserable they all looked. 3PO’s monologue was loud enough to drown out the sounds of other conversation, especially aided by the vocoder of each helmet whenever the clones wanted to whisper amongst themselves.

“It would be a real pity if that stupid polishing got ruined, wouldn’t it?” Boost commented.

“A real pity indeed,” Sinker followed.

“Oh, gods, what are you two thinking?” Rose asked them.

“You were right, there’s a lot of ash and timber in industrial landscapes,” Boost said, his gaze hatefully on the droid.

“As long as it stays at that,” Rose warned.

Sinker and Boost nodded in unison, partly brushing off Rose’s concern as their only care was getting back at the innocent droid somehow. She rolled her eyes playfully, knowing better than to underestimate them, and just then, the engines’ whirring slowed down and they all felt the force of the ship on them as it landed for its doors to hiss open; the smell of molten metal and exhaust of oil filled the air, indicating they had finally arrived at the central industrial complex of Balmorra.

“We’ll need to walk about half a klick and make our way inside the factory,” Wolffe instructed. “Come on, let’s make it quick.”

As they all started walking, C-3PO’s concern became evident almost immediately.

“Is there not something we could do about all this ash in the air?” The droid asked.

“Oh, yeah, lemme ask the president of Balmorra if she can shut down all the factories,” Boost commented with sarcasm flooding his voice. He then turned to Corvis, grumbling under his breath. “Entitled much.”

“Droids, am I right?” Corvis grumbled in agreement.

“Droids,” Sinker echoed.

Meanwhile, as they treaded towards their destination, dust and ash began to settle on the plating of 3PO’s chassis, and the troopers chuckled at how it was already ruined—and how easy it would be to ruin it further. Sinker skipped forward a bit and positioned himself just behind 3PO and, with a gloved finger and featherlight touch, traced the silhouette of a large penis along the droid’s back, making Corvis and Boost laugh as quietly as they could.

Rose’s jaw dropped and she covered her mouth with her hand, only to glare at the boys in makeshift disappointment.

“You guys are such guys!” She whisper-yelled. “You really hate that droid?”

“Yes,” the three said in unison.

“Could you at least have drawn something else?” Rose whispered.

“Oh,” Sinker mocked her. “Don’t pretend you don’t like the D.”

“Baby, I love it, but I don’t want to see it drawn on a droid.” Rose raised her eyebrow at Sinker, challenging him further.

“What’s going on?” Wolffe’s voice spoke up from the front of the formation. “We’re almost there, I need you all on military-grade demeanor.”

“We just need to do a little something—3PO, look at me,” Rose made the droid turn around and pretended to wipe dust off his helm, its back now facing Wolffe and bringing the commander’s hand up to the top of his helmet at the sight of the drawing, probably wondering what he did to deserve the current course of events. Meanwhile, Corvis, Sinker, and Boost struggled to hold in laughter until they simply couldn’t anymore, and though Wolffe favored the idea of the dick drawn on 3PO and would have probably added a target and a shoot here sign somewhere else, he proceeded to erase the obscene drawing, simply claiming to be removing the ash from 3PO’s back.

“Thank you so much, commander,” even for a droid, 3PO seemed to display genuine gratitude.

“Keep it moving, shiny, we don’t wanna be late,” Sinker nudged the droid to make him walk again.

“I’d offer to carry you, but I can’t promise I won’t throw you at the nearest foundry,” Boost teased.

“Or nearest junkyard,” Sinker chuckled. “Spare parts and circuits always come in handy around here.”

“Children, can you please behave?” Rose glared at them, only making them laugh, but seeing how close they were to their destination, the three quieted down and regained their composure as Wolffe led the way in.

Inside, preparations for the Republic’s arrival had been thoroughly carried out. A few guards stood on the upper catwalks of the factory’s entry complex, and the manager in charge of supplying awaited along with two aides. Behind them was a cart already loaded with crates, big enough to fit at least twenty of them which each held about three dozen blasters.

The manager began speaking in its native tongue, foreign to all the troopers who had gone on the mission, and at least it didn’t render 3PO’s presence there in vain. The droid got to translating and the trade seemed to be going swiftly; as she stood there, Rose picked up on the burn in her throat result of the presence of gas and, she assumed, poor ventilation. If that was the condition in the trading dock, Rose didn’t want to imagine what it was like inside the factory. A gas like that was not only harmful to the people’s health, it also drastically raised risks of explosions.

Rose tapped on 3PO’s shoulder. “Hey, mind telling the manager to keep an eye on the gas levels in the factory’s atmosphere? It’s going to make all its employees ill sooner or later.”

After a light nod, 3PO proceeded to telling the manager as Rose had requested. In return, the manager seemed to scoff and have a defensive tone as he spoke, leaving for 3PO to translate with a tinge of hesitation in his voice.

“He says he appreciates your attempt at a contribution, but that he’s the one who knows about these things,” the droid spoke with remorse.

Rose rolled her eyes, knowing all too well what that type of man was like. Fine, she figured. If he didn’t care about his factory, it would be his loss somewhere down the road, but in the meantime, Rose shamelessly settled for taking a filtered mask from her pack for herself as well as an extra filter for the boys’ helmets.

As she searched her pack, she noticed subtle movement from just behind the wall outside, a figure lurking in the corner quickly seeking to hide. She could not have dreamt it up, and such a behavior was too odd for a factory setting like that one. She kept her gaze trailed in that direction, and soon enough, the figure popped up again only to hide once more upon seeing she was looking. Rose nudged Sinker for his attention, but in those mere seconds, the person who lurked behind the walls threw a single lighter into the factory.

The mere act of it seemed harmless, almost stupid, just a spiteful action from someone who didn’t know better. And then Rose inhaled, her filtered mask still not over her face, and she felt the gas fill her throat again.

And it made sense.

“Watch out!” She yelled, catching everybody’s attention to her direction.

Wolffe lunged forward and put himself between Rose and the lighter before it ignited. His first instinct was to punch the device away, getting it as far as possible from the gas-infested air. Wolffe’s fist made contact with it and changed its direction, but even that wasn’t enough, and the spark from the lighter caused an explosion that sent everyone flying back, primarily Wolffe, whose body crashed mercilessly onto the crates.

Rose knew she was yelling out his name, but the ringing in her ears prevented her from hearing it. She crawled on the floor, vision blurring, muscles straining as she looked up at Wolffe sitting on the ground. The entire front part of his armor was stained black with ash, damage which would have fallen straight onto Rose had Wolffe not shielded her from the blast. Knowing that, Rose forced herself to her feet, but stumbled over to Wolffe as best as she could if only to check he was okay.

“Rose!” The calling of her name was blurry to her ears, and it took her a long time realize someone had grabbed hold of her while a different pair of arms secured Wolffe onto the cart with crates and readied it to move out.

“Wait…” Rose mumbled. “I have to check on him…”

“She’s bleeding,” the muffled voice seemed clearer now. “She hit her head!”

“Get her on the cart with Wolffe and the droid, and get to the ship!”

“The target’s leaving!”

“It’s a goddamn spy!”

“Take them alive!”

She heard the sound of what she thought were stun blasts and a few more battle cries. Curses were yelled in Mando’a, orders were shouted, and in her hazy consciousness, Rose felt movement and the whirring of an engine beneath her, barely making out the figure of a trooper running beside the cart.

“Wolffe…” she mumbled again and tried shifting around the cart, unable to find him. She began panting when she couldn’t feel or see him, the hyperventilation making the edges of her vision darken and her head woozy and numb.

“Rose!” it was Sinker who yelled at her. “Rose, calm down, we’re almost there! He’s going to be fine!”

His name, however, kept leaving her lips as she frantically looked for him. Sinker knew she couldn’t keep that up for long. He pushed the cart for long enough for it to keep going without his strength and climbed onto it, rummaging around Rose’s pack to find a sedative and inject it into her arm to get her to sleep.

As her vision darkened fully, she barely recognized anything of what Sinker was telling her, but she sort of discerned an apology and the promise she’d be alright before finally falling asleep.

In her dreams, the flash of the explosion flooded her mind. Yells, battle cries, stun bolts, the feeling of going numb, the subtle prickle of a needle on the back of her head, Wolffe’s name whispered from her tongue, the smell of disinfectant. It felt like eternities when she finally darted her eyes open, the white distinctive light of a medical bay looming above her, staining her pride when she realized she was on a bed rather than helping someone else.

Her head ached and the presence of stitches on the back of her head alarmed her for a moment. She had a few scratches on her arms and legs, all of them topped by bacta patches that would help her heal faster. Whatever had happened, Rose at least found comfort in knowing she was safe now.

“Rose?”

All clones had the same voice, but she’d recognize his anywhere. Turning to her left, she saw Wolffe lying on the bed beside her, his body more covered in patches than hers was, skin moist after a full bath in bacta.

Frantically, Rose checked her vitals. As soon as she decided she was stable, Rose left her bed and went to sit at the edge of Wolffe’s, taking some of the equipment in one of her hands while the other one gently stroked his cheek.

“Wolffe, thank the gods you’re okay…” she whispered, scanning him for any other injuries.

Wolffe chuckled. “Rose, they already did all that.”

“Yeah, but I’m your medic,” she said. “I have to check on you.”

“Rose,” he spoke her name with a tender softness alien in his voice. “I’m fine. They put me in bacta for a whole night. I just need to rest. You have to get back to your bed.”

“You took a fucking blast to the face,” Rose said, her tone almost scolding Wolffe even though gratitude lined it in silver.

In his daze, Wolffe smiled at her. “I did it for you.”

“How many meds have they given you?” She asked him.

Wolffe chuckled again. “A lot.”

She calmed down and smiled at him, her eyes watering at the sight of seeing him hurt. Wolffe’s eyes were soft as he gazed upon her, and he took a bandaged hand up to lovingly cup her cheek. Rose leaned into his touch, the bandage feeling oddly soft against her skin.

“You saved my life,” she said.

Wolffe smiled slightly again, but said nothing. Their gazes were intense, holding within them an entire world of words, the feeling behind them unmistakable—and neither of them felt brave enough to speak it aloud. At that moment, both of them crippled and injured, it only mattered to them they were within the other’s touch. At last, Rose leaned down and kissed Wolffe’s lips softly. He tasted of the painkillers he’d been given, but it was still Wolffe’s taste. They kissed tenderly, each too afraid to do something that would hurt the other, and in the silent medical bay, only the sound of their heartbeat in unison glided in the air.

The doors opened with a hiss, followed by the sound of at least three different troopers clearing their throat.

“Good to see you’re both healthy enough to make out,” Sinker smiled, genuinely glad the two were okay.

With her cheeks tinged scarlet, Rose went back to her bed and sat as Sinker and Comet flanked her side, and the rest of the squadron surrounded the scene.

“What the hell happened?” Wolffe’s seriousness returned.

Boost sighed heavily as the mood of the med bay gradually came down. “We caught the culprit taking pictures of us. It was a spy.”

“Did they get away?” Rose asked.

“Yes, we… we tried to stop them but the explosions, the Balmorra guild ordering us to leave… it was a lot,” Corvis sighed.

Rose reached out a hand to comfort him, the gesture looked upon by Comet at her side.

“You saved my life and Wolffe’s,” Rose said. “Everything else will be sorted out in time. Do we know anything else about this person?”

“No,” Sinker said grimly. “We don’t know who they were, who they work for, or what they wanted.”

“So we wait,” Wolffe said lowly, confident the effects of such an odd attack would show up eventually.

“And so we wait,” Sinker sighed in agreement as everybody’s gazes got lost inside the med bay.

Too much mystery surrounded the simple mission that by no means should have gone wrong, and by the gods, not a single one of them liked it.

Taglist: @zoeykallus @sageislostinspring @misogirl828 @dangerousstrawberrypie @salaminus @ladykatakuri @whore4rex

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[youarejesting]

Hope in the sheets.10

[Masterlist]

Beta: N/A Pairing: Hoseok x Reader Genre: Friendship, Comedy, Soft boy, Fluff, SMUT, Friends2Lovers, Words: 5k

Summary: You held many titles: his neighbor, colleague, wing-man… well, more likely a wing-woman, yet most importantly, you were his best friend. You had been friends since you were born. Between the two of you, you were younger; barely, but he never let you forget it. He always seemed to ruffle your hair and tease you, which could get rather annoying but he made up for it by treating you to things.

What if a drunken one night stand between you and your best friend Hoseok leads to more complicated situations? Your reckless twenties are cut short as you find yourself suddenly responsible for something a little more.

Warning: Implied sex, pregnancy, implied reader has baby.

[First] [Previous] [Masterlist] [Next]

Hoseok and the others were eventually led into the birthing suite; the entire place had been cleaned and only the bare minimum of staff stayed behind. They were sorting out equipment and monitoring your current state. When his eyes landed on yours he felt emotions bloom in his chest. There you were laying in the bed, a small bundle of soft blankets nestled delicately in your arms. You had showered and dressed in a nightdress that had been packed in your hospital bag. 

Hoseok’s lip curled. He was trying to hold his expression, giving you a forced smile before he broke out into tears. Holding your free arm out to him, he stumbled into your embrace kissing your forehead and telling you how much he loved you. 

His words were broken by the force of each sob. “Are you going to hold her, or do we have to hold you?” Yoongi playfully teased. Hoseok wiped his eyes taking a few shakey deep breaths trying to calm his emotions. 

When you moved the blanket to show your daughter laying gently against your chest, he was a mess once more. “Hobi, you want to hold her?”

“I can hold her?” He hadn’t even thought that far ahead. He could hold this baby, his daughter, he could hold her in his arms and she was real. 

“Of course you can hold her.” You laughed, reaching up to wipe his tears away. Hoseok remembered everything he was taught from the birthing classes, practically reciting them out loud. You placed his daughter in his arms and his bottom lip fell. 

Tears were his automatic response. There was nothing else, this miracle, this symbol of his love for you, his best and longest friend. This was his child, his flesh and blood and he couldn’t thank you enough for giving him such a gift. 

“You have to stop crying Hobi, we need a nice picture for your family.” You smiled and he tilted his head back sniffing. 

“I love you so much, and I love her, I just can’t stop crying.” The words broke again Hoseok turned to show off his daughter to his friends. They were some of the people he was closest to and when he looked at them they were all crying. Jungkook’s wet cheeks and red nose, Jimin’s sweet puffy eyes bubbling with tears, even Yoongi let out a stray sniff. 

By far it was a sight to see big burly Namjoon openly weeping like Hoseok and cooing over how precious she was. 

“Look how little she is,” Namjoon whimpered

“Her hands are so tiny too,” Hoseok said back. The two were just making it worse for each other, a back and forth of doting comments of your newborn each statement causing a fresh cycle of tears. 

The nurse who had been checking your vitals waiting to take you back to the ward rolled her eyes. “I have seen some sappy fathers but you brought a whole troop.”

“Gentleman it’s time to let mum and her baby get some sleep, the father can come back tomorrow morning any other guests can come two at a time during visiting hours.” She ushered the other six males from the room, Hoseok kissed you his cheeks were wet. 

“I don’t want to go.”

“Get some sleep Hobi, get the house ready. If all goes well I will be out of the hospital soon.” The nurse took your daughter from Hoseok’s arms. 

“Wait, can I give her a kiss?” You whispered. The nurse nodded bringing your daughter over allowing you to kiss her goodnight before she was wheeled down to the nursery. 

“Are you ready to go back to the ward? You should get some sleep. Your body will be exhausted. We will bring the child in when she is hungry.”

“Okay Hobi, I have to go rest now you head home and make the house all ready for when we come home okay.” You waved goodbye to him and watched as Jimin took his hand leading him from the room. He seemed reluctant to take his eyes off of you, his hand coming to lay flat under his heart. 

You touched your collar bone watching him mouth the words 'baseline'. It was like everything you ever wanted but such a weird and obscure way you got there. You wanted to be with Hoseok and cherish him and be loved in return, but you never thought you would get there by completely derailing your relationship and almost ruining your life. 

It was like you had to destroy what you had to build something better. It seems counterproductive and a step in the wrong direction but somehow you were able to shape the rubble of your friendship into a relationship stronger than before. 

You love Hoseok with all your heart and he only has eyes for you. It seems you were both delusional to believe that you weren’t in love. Everyone could see it except the two of you and now it was painfully obvious. 

Being a mother was kind of a shock. Scared when you woke up to cramps, only to remember you had already given birth, you were also woken throughout the night to feed your daughter. A part of you worried about taking care of someone, the responsibility setting in as being a mother was a full-time job.

“You are doing wonderful.” The nurse gave you some pain killers for your cramps, your uterus was slowly shrinking back to its regular size and you were uncomfortable. “Would you like me to get you anything?”

“I would love something to drink.” Voice hoarse from sleep, she nodded before setting off for you. You sat up watching the sunrise, your daughter sleeping soundly on the bed in front of you. She was so precious. Even with closed eyes she still wiggled and stretched her hands out to the warm glowing orb.

“Seonhee, do you like that name?” You whispered, taking out a small outfit: a white onesie with sunflowers and bright yellow footed pants with soft yellow ruffles on the butt. “Jung Seonhee.”

“Ah, is that her name?” The nurse smiled, placing some apple juice and water on the small bedside table. She sanitized her hands and began helping you with the baby's clothes and diaper, bagging the old clothes and disposing of the soiled diaper. She smiled down at the little girl in her bright outfit. “I think it suits her, Seonhee”

The doctor came by on her round, her hair pulled into a tight bun and her scrubs pastel blue with stalks. “You are looking better, how are you feeling?” There was no messing around, she was straight to business, checking for any concerns or pain. Your stomach was being palpated while she brought up things to look out for. “Ultimately if anything happens that you are unsure about, even if it is something silly like, should I have coffee while breastfeeding, call this number here, they are a great service and they will help you.”

“Thank you so much.” Taking the card you were handed and a little care package from the hospital, the nurse placed the card into the baby book which had accompanied you throughout pregnancy and after. “Am I okay to go home today?”

“You are all clear. Let us know what time you want to leave and we can have all the paperwork ready.” Pausing in the doorway, a young nurse almost bumping into her, she spun around, her coat swishing with her. “After giving birth a lot of women become a little moody, fatigued, or cry. This is totally normal as your hormones will be dropping back to a normal level. It is perfectly normal to feel these things during this time.”

“Ah, that’s good to know.” You replied while searching through the care package, glancing at some of the booklets and information sheets. There was a number for a community service where mothers take their babies to be weighed and receive checkups. The nurses had few information sessions on feeding techniques and developmental leaps. 

Looking forward to being a part of a group of new mothers, you knew you would have a lot of questions eventually. It would be nice to know if other mothers have similar concerns or effective tips for any future problems.

Hoseok arrived with a big smile, kissing you sweetly before heading over to scoop up his daughter. “Wait Hobi,” you stopped him, “I need to talk to you before you get all teary-eyed again.”

“Okay,” serious expression on his face he gave you all his attention.

“We need to agree on her name and sign the birth certificate.” The smile returned to his face, the twinkle in his eyes never dwindling since the moment he stepped into the room. “I like the name 선희 (Seonhee) written as 善 meaning Good or nice and 希 as in Hope”

Hoseok watched you write an example on a scrap piece of paper, and began nodding enthusiastically. Hands shaking the two of you eyed one another passing secret smiles, the taste of giggles on the tip of your tongue. Once the document was completed Hoseok’s hand swooped up into your hair, cradling your nape as he kissed you.

Neither lazy nor heated, the kiss was full and romantic, his lips telling a story against yours. The world stopped and only Hoseok existed. Until a shrill cry broke through the silence and the two of you apart. The cry brought with it the sound of machines and nurses walking down the hall.

“You want to go home,” Hoseok raced around the hospital bed towards your daughter, wiggling in the tiny hospital portable bassinet. His style was honestly amusing. Strips of fabric hanging from a graffitied shirt with a cargo jacket and sneakers. Strange to see him holding a baby but you loved it so much. 

Just because you were parents didn’t mean you had to get rid of everything you love. Sure you had to grow up and it was extreme. The transition you made while pregnant felt like your life was ending. That you would live to serve a tiny being. But seeing Hoseok still smiling the same, still wearing the same street hip hop style reassured you that you still had a life outside of being a mother and that would never change.

Of course, the two of you probably wouldn’t club anymore. It would be unfair if either of you went out without the other and unfair on your daughter if you were not there for her. Not to mention the cost of babysitting and the trust you would need in order to leave Seonhee with someone who wasn’t you or Hoseok.

Hoseok helped you with your bags packing the car, he had borrowed Jin’s for a smoother drive. Always thoughtful even on the littlest details. Sitting by the baby's car seat while Hoseok drove you home apologizing for every speed bump and every turn.

“Hoseok, I would like to go home before it is dark. You don’t have to drive that slow.” You laughed, he was being so serious like a knight or warrior preparing for battle to protect those he loves. In the reflection of the rearview mirror, you saw his lips twitch in amusement, the sun shining on his shaggy hair. “I love you.”

“Babe,” He whined, “you can’t say that when I am driving, I want to kiss you and then we really won’t get home before dark.”

His eyes flickered up to meet yours in the mirror before concentrating diligently once more on the road. He was singing softly to the radio as he crossed town, you must have fallen asleep as you were woken by his sweet laugh and some kisses on your cheek.

“We are home Lil darling.”

Breathing deeply trying to clear your head from your nap, as the fog in your mind disappeared your hands were secured in Hoseok’s as he helped you out of the car. Standing patiently for your body to catch up, the tender sensations in your stomach leaving you stiff.

“Seonhee, time to see your new home.” Hoseok scooped up the infant holding her to his chest as if it was the most natural thing like he had several years of experience. As opposed to this child being his firstborn. He took the soft yellow muslin wrap and covered her protecting her eyes from the afternoon sun.

Opening the door, you weren’t surprised, (mostly because you had spotted their cars on the curb) to see the boys sitting on your couch equally as excited to see you as they had been the day before in the birthing suite. Hoseok was placing your bag on the table when Seonhee started crying.

“Hey, sweetheart what’s wrong?” Hoseok patted her bottom to a steady rhythm hoping it would lull her back to sleep. Her crying continued and you felt your shirt grow damp, taking a seat you held out your hands for your daughter and nursed her while the boys kept their eyes firm on one another to respect your privacy.

“Are you drinking or are you sleeping?” You giggled at your daughter who was milk drunk. Burping her gently she wiggled releasing a few loud burps and spitting up a little onto the back of your hand and the small burp cloth you had been holding to her clothes.

“Let me take her while you clean up.” Yoongi smiled, scooping up your daughter, holding her so her head was supported, her arms and legs draped over either side of his arm. His other hand rubbed and patted her back gently as he swayed.

“You look like a squashed pie.” He smiled cheekily talking to the baby in his arms. “Cute bow shape lip from your mum, and your nose is very cute like Hoseok’s.”

“How dare you call her a squashed pie.” Namjoon tried to defend but when Yoongi turned he showed the infant, her cheek squished up against his arm, her drool slowly seeping between parted lips. “Okay, maybe a little but she is also adorable.”

“All babies look like aliens when they are born,” you grinned.

“But do you love her, more than anything else in the world?” Jungkook giggled trying to make small talk while also projecting his newfound love for such a tiny being.

“We just met, I need some time to get to know her some more.” You joke playfully curled up on the couch Seokjin handing you some dinner and a cup of tea while the boys took turns meeting your daughter.

“It says in the paperwork she can have a bath tomorrow, and that her first poo might be really yucky.” Hoseok read the take-home leaflets from the hospital and constantly checked on his two girls making sure they were both safe and sound.

“Put her in outfits you don’t care if they get destroyed,” Yoongi was singing something to the child. It was low and rough. He was talking about dreams, freestyling about how your daughter didn’t need to go to university and that she didn’t have to know everything right at this moment.  

Placing the little girl into Jimin’s waiting arms. His eyes sparkled and his lip dropped as he turned soft for the little girl.

“Hello, I am Uncle Jimin and I am going to spoil you so much.” His sweet voice gasped. He practically wiggled on the spot when she brought her fists up to her closed eyes and yawned. Taehyung was quietly snapping photos, careful not to use the flash as he didn’t want to hurt the baby's sensitive eyes, even while they were closed. He assured you, that he would get photos of everyone holding Seonhee. He had already captured Yoongi and was taking a few extra of Jimin with the small bundle.

It was honestly nice to see them all so supportive and there for your daughter. Images in your mind blooming of her first Christmas and birthday and all that would follow. Namjoon would buy her a green bike with flowers and tassels on the handles and Yoongi, helping assemble it before she woke up, attaching the training wheels for her safety.

Learning how to wrap people around her finger from her Uncle Jimin and then using it against them. She would be a dancer like her father and would light up the room. You could see her performing on a stage with the eight of you waiting with flowers to throw on stage. Maybe she wouldn’t win the first prize at her first show but they would still take her out for pizza and celebrate. Her skills would improve and the day she wins the trophy she would be lifted onto Seokjin’s shoulders. 

Not noticing you had started crying until Namjoon pulled you into a hug.  “Hey what’s got you so upset.”

“No, I am not upset, I was told that as my hormones go back to normal, I might cry and be more tired and moody and upset and I just,” Sniffing Jungkook handed over some tissues and hugging your back. The newer of the group Taehyung and Jungkook had just fit perfectly into the group, it was like they were always meant to be.

“Hey love,” Hoseok said, coming over to kneel at your feet holding your knees softly. "Tell me what made you so upset."

“I was thinking about her first Christmas and her first birthday and how you would all be here and she would be loved and…” Taking a sniff and pushing the tears from your eyes you looked up at them seriously. “You can never leave now, we are going to be one big family. I hope you know you are now each my daughter's uncles and therefore responsible to attend events. If you didn’t want to be a part of the family, I am sorry you are now my family.”

More tears shook your form. “You're the only family I have, I wasn’t exactly disowned more than I left when my mother told me not to have my sweet daughter. My precious baby deserves a big happy family and so I am sorry you are stuck with me. 

“And don’t even think you are getting out of it.” You pointed at Taehyung and Jungkook, “You are my family now. Seonhee needs lots of uncles to protect her.”

“We aren’t leaving,” Seokjin grinned, taking a turn holding the wiggling bundle, smiling for a picture, and looking at her. “She will be a heartbreaker.”

~

The first couple of weeks were a learning curve filled with broken sleep, reheated meals courtesy of Seokjin, and constant fatigue looming over your head. Jimin appeared one-afternoon Taehyung, Namjoon and Yoongi apprehended your daughter. Settling her into a baby carrier strapped to Namjoon’s chest. The thick bodyguard looked a little silly with a tiny child nestled against his pecs.

Seonhee was wearing a new outfit from her uncle Jimin. It was a sweet-footed onesie with bear ears warm enough for a day out in the park. Kicked out of the house by Jimin who stressed how much you needed a break. Hoseok was at work while you were still on leave which meant you took the larger portion of the home and baby duties.

Mostly because you were at home all day, but also not wanting to interfere with his sleep schedule seeing as he was going to an actual job that needed proper attention. There wasn’t even a moment of hesitation from Jimin as he dragged you into the bathroom and started the bath filling it with a generous amount of bubble bath. It was the sleepy-time product you had chosen for your baby, emitting a soft lavender scent.

“You relax and I will wash your hair.” He smiled and he massaged your scalp to help relieve any tension, after washing out all your hair products he took your skincare products letting you lay in the bubbles as he pampered you. “You are such a good mum, you are doing amazing.”

“I hope so,” you yawned.

You stepped out of the tub, quickly wrapping yourself into the fluffy robe you hadn’t used in a while. Then sat down on your bed whilst Jimin dried and styled your hair. The others had returned, poking their heads into the room and smiling at your new refreshed look. You quickly fed your daughter while Jimin braided your hair securely.

“You rest okay, we will watch her until Hoseok comes home. Don’t worry we will come to you if we are unsure about anything and for food times.” Yoongi said playing some soft tranquil music on the small speaker by your bed. 

It seemed pointless. Laying there believing it impossible to fall asleep. As you walked past the clock reading half-past one, your stomach rumbled in a gentle protest. Before you could even think of the food you wanted to get dressed, pulling on a white crop top and a baggy overall dress. Something easy to breastfeed in. It was definitely time as your breasts were heavier with milk.

Walking out you poured yourself a glass of juice and scooped up your fussing daughter, stomach growling again. Yoongi stood up marching into the kitchen, rapidly chopping ingredients. Soon the house was filled with a savory aroma and the glorious sound of oil sizzling. 

~

Hoseok was having his first afternoon with Seonhee. You were going for a checkup. Jungkook was free and agreed to accompany you to your appointment, he almost paled when he saw the equipment on the table for your checkup. It made for a good laugh and endless teasing during your small coffee date afterward.

Jungkook’s phone buzzed and he grinned texting back quickly. “Ooh, what or who is making you smile so big?”

“Uh, I just got a funny text from Namjoon. Apparently, Hoseok asked for company so Namjoon and Yoongi stopped by the house after their errands.” He laughed, nose scrunching showing off his front teeth. “And well, your daughter may have accidentally had a poo explosion. So far from the pictures I have seen, Yoongi and Hoseok are covered in it. And while trying to help Namjoon dropped a whole bottle of baby powder and they are vacuuming the carpet.”

“Jimin and Taehyung agreed to pick up some more and I have been asked to keep you busy,” Your smile growing the more you heard, of course, they would make a mess on your first day out. Expecting something chaotic to happen but never something as funny as this. 

“I am just glad it is something like this and not that someone is sick or hurt,” You smiled while eating a strawberry cheesecake and sipping coffee. Not making any move of leaving early and relieving them of their duty. It was a right of passage and showed just how much you trusted them. Hearing that something happened and not jumping to take over.

“They said not to tell you, but how could I not?” Jungkook turned his phone showing you some photos worthy of scrapbooking, the kind you would take out for Seonhee’s twenty-first and a story she would get sick of hearing at every family gathering. “Look at them.”

“Well while they are busy, how about we go grocery shopping? I think perhaps we can make something delicious for dinner,” Standing and collecting your jacket from your chair, and leading the way. Jungkook followed listening to your concerns about your weight and figure, he assured you how good you were looking and even offered to personally train you at 21, the gym.

~

Seonhee was growing steadily. Each milestone leading into the next, she would roll over and had started to crawl. Finding herself putting things she shouldn’t in her mouth. Going back to work was hard for the first few days, leaving Seonhee at the daycare was easy but she became more clingy when she came home. It was her way of coping with the separation that came with daycare and full-time work but eventually, Seonhee got into a routine.

Understanding that her parents were always coming back made everything in the house run a lot smoother. She had a small handful of sounds, mostly eomma, appa. 

Work was a lot more tolerable and dare you to say fun. Jimin had quit his sugar baby gig and joined the company working alongside you. Sure he had broken a few hearts by canceling his service but he was happier. He never explicitly said it but you believed he was trying to be more independent and above everything else make himself more approachable to Taehyung.

Taehyung however left for a while, he had been away working with a few celebrities and luxury brands, photographing concepts, photos, and more. He had been pushing and working harder and harder as the days passed until he traveled away for his latest project. 

It was a little sad that they weren’t together but you could see the longing in Jimin’s eyes whenever he replayed Taehyung’s Instagram story. Dragging him from his desk to have lunch together and distract him from the thoughts spinning around in his head.

~

December marked eleven months since Seonhee was born. Cruising against the couch and cabinets opening things she shouldn’t. You had invested in baby locks and a small playpen. Neither really did much as she knew how to push the whole contraption across carpet and tiles to get into things. 

Mostly she would follow you to the kitchen hoping to get teething biscuits or any other treats her father would sneak her. He was never able to say no and you often found them sneaking snacks together where he would give you his big eyes and pouty lips claiming that she deserved a snack.

Christmas had your house filled to the brim with presents and boys, Seokjin was cooking in the kitchen with Yoongi’s help while Jimin and Jungkook were playing with Seonhee. Hoseok was helping Namjoon into a Santa costume in the backyard. No one had heard from Taehyung. You assumed he was busy with work and that he would be unable to make it.

There was a knock and Jungkook raced to answer it and laughed, “Finally, I thought you were skipping out on the family Christmas.”

“I wouldn’t skip out on the family Christmas, you are my favorite family,” Taehyung said handing over a suitcase to Jungkook and carrying in some bags of wrapped gifts, placing them under the tree. “Look at you, you have gotten so big!”

Namjoon Santa came in and delivered gifts and ran off getting changed only to come back and watch the gift unwrapping. Jungkook went to collect the two eldest from the kitchen, pushing Seokjin before dragging Yoongi out the two stopping in the archway.

“Hey, you are under the mistletoe!” Jimin giggled, proud that his trap had worked, he was hoping that some people would get stuck under it. “You are going to have to kiss.”

“We don’t have to, we are watching Seonhee open her gifts,” Jungkook said only to be grabbed by Yoongi who kissed the younger male and pulled away.

“Satisfied.” Yoongi turned back to the young girl opening her presents, Namjoon got her some picture books and a few educational toys. Seokjin had wrapped a small toy kitchen that was her size. Yoongi brought her to everyone’s surprise a little clam pool and some plastic toys to play with.

Jimin brought her a whole lot of princess dresses, tiaras, and fairy wings. Jungkook got her a cozy coupe red and yellow plastic car that she could push around with her legs. Taehyung handed her the small gift bag and inside was a night light that made the roof look like a galaxy and played soft music.

After Seonhee’s gifts from the boys, Hoseok brought out a box. He was struggling with it but when he opened it out popped a little dog who began licking her cheeks and wagging his tail intensely amongst the large group. “His name is Mickey.” Hoseok grinned watching Taehyung taking pictures and smiling fondly as she giggled.

Other gifts were exchanged, the most notable was Seokjin giving everyone matching sweaters with his face on it, and Taehyung’s gift to Jimin. It was a small bag and inside was the signature Tiffany blue colored box.

“You didn’t have to,” Jimin said softly and Taehyung smiled.

“I told myself I would support you, and I know you didn’t want to be treated like a sugar baby, I just told myself that I wouldn’t allow myself to date until I got you those earrings you really wanted. I wanted to give you something you could be proud of.” Taehyung explained, “And it was so hard to resist you when you kept inviting me over.”

Opening the box Jimin saw the earrings he had once mentioned ages back, the exact earrings Taehyung had handmade for him. “Now you can get rid of the ones I made you, they look horrible compared to these.

“I still love the ones you made and I will keep them forever.”

“I won’t treat you like a sugar baby anymore, I wanted to ask if maybe you wanted to go on a date.”

“Well, these earrings will get you about five dates.” Jimin giggled cheekily

“Five I thought for sure it would be five and a half?”

“Five and a free butt grab?”

“Deal!”

~

The nine of you were walking through the kid's attractions at the theme park seeing some familiar faces, you were having lunch when some music started playing. It was the theme park's dance parade and Hoseok was dragged into the dance by Taeyong.

You were giggling when WinWin dragged you up dancing with you and turned to see Hoseok on one knee, a ring box opened in his hands. You felt your chest about to explode as you tackled him to the ground sobbing in his chest. “Hoseok really, you mean it?”

“Of course, I mean it, I have loved you for years.”

“I love you so much, hell freaking yes put that ring on me, quick quick.” You kissed his face nonstop giggling between your tears. He was finally able to get the ring onto the designated finger standing and pulling you onto your feet. He kissed you passionately, you pulled back burying your face in his chest squealing.

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[candycityy]

Ooh rivetra and 20 or 76 (or both if you want to ;)) for the Drabble prompts pleeeease 🧡🖤

Note: I did both because what can I say, I love a challenge, hehehe. I hope you like it!

References this earlier drabble.

(You can also read this on AO3!)

So here's the thing, right. For all his flaws—and he does have flaws, no matter what the fawning masses think—Levi isn't stupid.

Sure, he's not probably not cut out for the rarefied, upper-crust intelligentsia that Erwin Smith moves in. And sure, certain idiots of the variety of Hanji Zoë might swear on their dying breaths that he's all brawn and no brain, et cetera, but the truth is, he's got enough street smarts and common sense that most people conveniently overlook his awful social skills.

And that means that contrary to popular belief, Levi doesn't totally suck at social events. The Sina elite tend to misread his frosty bluntness and lack of etiquette as a refreshing, man-on-the-street brand of humour. Which, well, whatever works, he supposes.

Unfortunately, as a matter of consequence, that means that even with a hyperactive three-year old at home, Erwin had point-blank refused to let him off for this year's Midwinter Ball. He'd given him leave for the past few since Ava was still far too young to be left alone at home, but judging by the commander's expression, he's just about exhausted his excuses.

"You know the state of our finances, Levi," he'd said, cerulean eyes earnest and entreating. "We need every coin we can get. And, well, you're always quite popular at these balls, being humanity's strongest and all—not accounting for taste, of course—"

"Oi!"

The commander'd smirked, but his expression had faded back to solemnity quickly enough. "We need you there, Levi. I won't make it an order, but consider it...a personal request. Please?"

Levi'd grumbled under his breath. "Whatever. I'll go, I'll go, just stop looking at me like that," he'd barked.

Erwin had smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Levi."

Cut to the present. It's just past six o'clock, the winter sky only now beginning to darken into a somewhat forbidding shade of violet-grey. He's already dressed in his standard black suit, pacing back and forth the small living room, his eyes darting to the clock every few seconds.

Petra, who's in the midst of removing the curlers from her hair, shoots him an irritated look. "Would you calm down," she hisses, "you're driving me crazy. And Ava's going to pick up on it too, you know."

They both glance at their daughter, who's serenely colouring in a picture in crayon at the other end of the room. The three-year-old is Petra in miniature, from her wide eyes right down to her peaches-and-cream complexion. With just one exception: her hair is just a touch darker than her mother's: more cinnamon than honey.

Levi runs a hand through his hair. "Why aren't they here yet?" he says, for the third time that night.

"Because we told them to come at half past," Petra replies, with somewhat less patience than she'd ordinarily have. "Now get over here and help me do up my necklace, would you."

The metal is cold to the touch, but Petra just smiles softly as he clasps the necklace behind her neck with deft fingers. "Remember our first Midwinter Ball?" she reminisces. "That was pretty fun, wasn't it?"

"Fun for you, maybe," Levi says drily. "I was busy dragging Auruo off the dance floor after he puked and blacked out, remember?"

She giggles. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that part. But still, that was when we danced together for the first time." They fall into a comfortable, nostalgic silence, and finally, he sighs.

"I still don't like leaving her alone," he mutters.

"It's hardly the first time," Petra says gently.

"I know, but it's the first time we'll be so far from her. And for so long, too—a whole night." His eyes turn contemplative. "Maybe I could just ride back, after the ball—if the weather isn't bad—"

"Don't even think about it," she says sharply. "The roads aren't safe this time of year, especially not so late at night, there's too much ice. We'll be back in the morning, Levi. Don't worry so much."

He snorts. "Easier said than done. Why aren't they here yet?" he asks again. This time, Petra ignores him, instead turning back to the mirror and carefully applying lipstick with a practiced hand.

After the final step—dusting her cheeks with rose-tinted powder—she rises to her feet, doing a slow turn in her gown, a sleek, champagne-coloured affair with a fitted bodice and fluted sleeves, cut out of satin and embellished with tiny buttons down the front. Her delicately curled hair falls in soft waves to her collarbone, just brushing the front of her dress.

"What do you think?" she goes. Oblivious to his sullen silence, she juts out a hip and flutters her lashes at him coquettishly, an action which earns her an eye-roll.

"You're going to make everyone stare," he grumbles. She giggles.

"I have to keep your fangirls away, now don't I?" she teases, with a toss of her head. He's about to issue a retort when a knock comes at the door.

"Right on time, as usual," Petra declares. Levi just scowls.

He'd had been reluctant to get them back after the first disastrous incident, but Petra had insisted that they'd done a good job—"after all, Ava was perfectly fine, wasn't she?" As a result, Eren and Jean have become their go-to babysitters ever since. Levi's loath to admit it, but their daughter has warmed up to them. She's already toddling over to the door with a ready beam on her face, as the boys troop in through the door, faces flushed with the cold.

"Eren nii-chan! Jean nii-chan!" she chirps, plump arms outstretched. "Pick me up, pleaaaase?"

Eren breaks into a grin and obliges. His terror of Levi has subsided somewhat, although he still occasionally trips over his feet whenever he walks past, but he openly adores the toddler. Jean's a bit more reserved, but as Ava begins to babble cheerfully, his expression noticeably softens—even though he claims he's not a fan of babies, Levi suspects that he's secretly just as enamoured with Ava as his comrade is.

Of course, that only makes sense, considering that as far as Levi is concerned, Ava Ackerman is the cutest fucking baby on the planet.

Outside the door, there's the distant sound of approaching hooves pounding against cobblestone. Sensing a farewell, Petra sighs and leans over to give Ava one last hug, as Levi presses a gentle kiss to his daughter's cheek.

"We'll better be off," she says reluctantly. "Boys, thank you so much for taking care of Ava tonight. If anything goes wrong, you know what to do."

All four adults exchange grim, silent glances; they know what's coming next. Levi picks up his coat and shrugs it on. Petra wraps a scarf around her neck.

And with a sigh, they push the door open, and wait.

Three, two—

"Nooooo!"

Ava lets out a ear-splitting shriek, one that seems far too loud to come from such a small baby. Her eyes well up with anxious tears as she comes to the awful realisation that her parents are leaving without her, and she struggles desperately towards them, her face screwed-up and flushed with fury, as Eren doggedly tries to keep her from wriggling out of his arms. Beside him, Jean attempts in vain to ply her with sweets and toys, but she won't be soothed or distracted.

"No, no, no!" Ava wails. Her tiny fists pummel Eren's shoulder, who, to his credit, doesn't flinch, just hefts her up resignedly. "No go, no go! Stay!"

Petra sends him a warning look. And even as every atom of his body rebels against the thought of it...

Levi steps over the threshold, and into the wintry night air.

==

"Levi," Petra says patiently, "you're fidgeting."

She places a hand on his thigh, which, apparently, he'd been subconsciously jiggling all this while. Calming Ava down had taken about ten whole minutes, but Eren and Jean had finally managed to distract her with a game of hide-and-seek—her new favourite—and they'd quietly snuck onto the carriage before she could realise their trick.

They're barely more than a mile from home, but already being away from Ava feels like a piercing, physical pain in the front of his skull, a palpable anxiety that refuses to fade. Even Petra's presence, usually so comforting, doesn't soothe him in the slightest.

"Sorry," he mutters. "It's just—it's fucking terrifying, being a parent." His wife touches his cheek in silent commiseration, and they both sit in silence.

It's as perfect a night as it could ever be, in all honesty. The moon is full and bright, its silvery light beaming helpfully onto their path. The road is almost deserted this evening—Levi supposes most people would rather be safely tucked in the warmth of their homes, celebrating the holiday season with their own families instead of with dozens of expensively-attired strangers.

Fuck it all. Sensing his blood pressure rising, he takes a deep breath. The air is cool and dry and calming. Turning to stare out at the window, he listens to the rhythmic clickity-clack of the horses' hooves, their huffed pants of exertion, the metallic whine of the wheels—

Levi frowns. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Petra starts to ask, and then stills—this time, she'd heard it too. That high-pitched, bell-like sound, that sounds disturbingly like...

She swallows. "D-did you just make that noise?"

He stares at her drily. "I don't think my vocal chords could physically manage that."

"You don't think..." Her jaw drops, and she almost leaps towards the driver's seat in her urgency, startling the poor old man. "Excuse me! Stop the carriage, please!"

The horses have barely come to a halt when Levi disembarks from the carriage in one swift, fluid movement. He strides towards the back of the carriage, where, he knows, there's a small compartment built in, just large enough for their overnight bags and gear.

As well as—perhaps—a three-year-old toddler, if she were crouching quite close to the floor. Like, for instance, in a game of hide-and-seek.

His expression is grim as he tugs open the lid of the compartment. Behind him, Petra looks frozen, her face a mixture of trepidation and incredulity and just the tiniest hint of amusement.

The lid comes loose. "Daddy!" their irrepressible daughter exclaims, springing out of her crouching position. She giggles again, that familiar high-pitched, bell-like sound almost unnaturally loud in the silence of the night. "Mama! Ava came along!"

For a second, both parents are struck speechless as they stare at their cheerful stowaway in wordless horror.

Finally, Petra opens her mouth to speak.

"You don't say," she deadpans.

==

By the time they reach Sina, the ball has already started.

Of course, considering how they had to turn back around (much to the chagrin of the carriage-driver), tuck Ava very firmly into bed (it goes easier this time, considering how exhausted she is from the very dramatic game of hide-and-seek), reassure a terrified Eren and Jean that they're not mad (although Levi still isn't sure, to be honest), and allow them to resume sentry duty before leaving, he figures they actually made pretty good time.

Other than the very pointed, self-righteous look the doorman shoots them as they stumble into the hall, they manage to blend into the crowd with relative ease. They quickly touch base with the rest of the squad and collect two well-deserved flutes of wine before searching for Erwin, if only to reassure him that they did, in fact, come.

The commander is, of course, easy enough to spot, what with his stature and all. And although he initially looks mildly disapproving, his expression quickly turns wry once he hears the tale.

"That's quite a story," he says, nodding politely at a passing noblewoman, who blushes alluringly and bats her eyes. "Although, I suppose I should be glad you turned up at all, considering."

Petra giggles. "Touché. Although, maybe next year, we can bring her along. Wouldn't that be adorable?"

"Over my dead body," Levi says flatly. "But maybe next year, you'll let me stay home, Erwin."

The blonde man sighs and casts his eyes skyward. Around them, the party thrums cheerfully, soldiers mingling with nobles, careful words and casual touches exchanged over good dance and better drink. But although the atmosphere is thick with holiday cheer and inebriation, the commander seems wearily immune. "Maybe next year, I'll finally resign."

Levi snorts and lifts his wine-glass. "I'll toast to that."

Drabble challenge!

[blushing-starker]

Anon asked for alpha Peter and omega Tony for a baby announcement. Thank you to the wonderful @vaguekiwi for motivating me and sharing her thoughts on the story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, anon.

"Tony, Tony? Are you up? It's 7:30am already, you have a meeting with Miss Potts in forty minutes. Tony?"

Soft hands curl into already silver hair, scratching at the strands in an attempt to wake him up gently. Butterfly kisses on a cold nape, a ridiculously hot nose nuzzling everywhere. Peter knows scenting the billionaire is basically the only way one can ensure a calm morning.

Not today. And not for the next few months either.

He loves his husband, appreciates the nearly romantic demeanor, he does. But "unless you have a cup of coffee for me, there is no way in hell i am gonna leave this bed. your child has kept me up with nausea the entire night. I wanna hurl my guts out more than that time Rhodes found Dad's liquor cabinet. please, tell me you have coffee."

"..." Tony is severely displeased by the fact he can read Peter like a book even with half his mind shut off because fine, he's right and dammit all.

"I want that weird drink you make. The one with milk, cinnamon and chunks of brownie. And French toast with waffles. No jam, not too much butter, as much sugar as possible. Now, go before I scream at you for having the only dick that could get a hormone fucked forty something omega pregnant. "

The kid scrambles from bed, practically face plants with all the covers tangling long legs and yup, this is the person that the universe designated as his soulmate. Because Tony Stark can never have a partner with a reasonable, normal amount of enthusiasm, stamina and a sense of balance.

That sounds like he's ungrateful, he's not. But it turns out being three months pregnant gives him plenty of perspective to peer at life in a whole new way that does not include caffeine, alcohol or sex.

Would he kill and die for this amazing human being that makes Tony's heart race no matter the day, that inspires him to be a better version of himself? Yes, no questions asked. No hesitation and no regret.

Would he clobber Peter for doing the impossible and technically causing Tony incredible discomfort on a daily basis thanks to what his doctors can only assume is a superhuman baby he already loves and adores more than life itself? Also yes.

Things aren't mutually exclusive in this household.

Pep, bless her, has yet to find out about their future mini Parker so there's been no respite on the whole 'running a multi billion dollar industry ' thing. And yeah, while it's not exactly easy, he can focus on other things and not fall into a panicky state of mind — because him? A father? Of a super baby? Tony Stark, infamous playboy with a hedonistic streak, a dad?

Just thinking along those lines makes shame and self doubt slither over a metallic plate. Working, dealing with innovative scientists, crafting the new world of tomorrow, guaranteeing the safety of their planet, shapeshifting into a role model, a mentor (for the interns and school kids he visits, not Peter, of course, thank God they left that dynamic ages ago), loyal friend, reluctant errand boy (fuck the assholes in charge of the Accords), great husband, good man, it all distracts a fearful child from thinking, what if I turn into Howard?

"I couldn't find brownies, so cookies it is! Aunt May had a few boxes sent in when I told her work was keeping you on your feet all the time. Said it'd be a good idea to snack along the day in case you—" Peter freezes, tenses with a not-so-narrow back held ramrod straight. Oh, his husband brought him breakfast in bed.

How could he ever think to clobber such a nice, wonderful—

"Your scent is odd."

"Yeah, well fuck you too then."

Five seconds of silence.

"I'm bringing you one cup of coffee and the hormone pills."

" Yup, that's a great idea. "

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

Tony’s mumbo jumbo with self loathing is firmly put on the back burner after inhaling a delicious breakfast and chugging that one glorious cup of coffee. Until they go to the bathroom and he sees himself in the mirror.

"We gotta tell them."

"You said you wanted to wait a while before saying anything."

Peter strips, ducks into the warm shower, lets out a pleased little sigh and Tony wants to rip his fingernails off. Is it bad, having sex while pregnant? No! The doctors, every single one of them, said it's a perfectly normal thing to do. It'd be bad if they didn't have sex because Tony, thanks to his crazy hormone production, needs the extra attention for his body to understand this is a happy process that shouldn't include sad pheromones or stressed out moments. Will Peter put him out of his misery and allow a quickie in the mornings? No.

"Take more than five minutes in that shower and I'm joining you."

Listen, he grew up in the 80's and 90's, Tony wasn't immune to peer pressure. Did he cave and eventually do so many squat competitions with Rhodey his butt turned into a duck's butt? There's no evidence, he's made sure, but yes. And Starks have always turned out to be beautiful, doesn't matter your gender or age. Finding a companion for the night has never been a problem for anyone in his family tree.

That, and his work as Iron Man has kept him — well, not ripped like Cap, certainly not as lean and (God help him) athletic as Peter, but fit. Sturdy. Firm. Solid. (Peter once muttered the words 'daddy-like' in regards to his body and he nearly choked on water.)

The passage of time has made him a bit slower, dusted once black hair with, as his husband says, stardust and the corners of his eyes now show how much time Tony spends laughing or frowning. All in all, he looks fucking spectacular for his age and experience as a villain-punching-bag. Thing is, he has a belly. A bump. A curve where it was once, well. Less curvy. Is it a problem for Peter? Nope, as acknowledged every time his alpha tackles him if he so much as looks oddly in the mirror. Is it a problem for him? He'll get back to you on that.

The point is, there's a belly when just a few months ago there wasn't such a pronounced belly. It's great, of course. Proof their child is growing steadily and Tony's body is adjusting to it accordingly. A small part of him, the omega part he actually lets live, is fascinated and proud. He's doing that, Tony's the one growing a human being, creating life out of nothing in his own body. That child, although not the only physical embodiment of their relationship, is a result of his love for Peter. Of how much his husband loves him. They love each other so much they're gonna start another family together. That chokes him up a bit, reminds him how grateful he is for Peter and for the other Avengers. If they hadn't been so accepting of his status, would he have ever considered going through with this?

Anyway, he's not gonna start sobbing this early in the morning when there's no alcohol involved. It's fantastic seeing his child develop, good, warm and fuzzy feelings, yada yada yada, it's also not very easy to hide. And Tony...Tony wanted to hide it from his family because.

Because Peter hasn't been the only partner in all his life that has wondered about a future with a white picket fence. Because when he was Peter's age, in his goddamn prime, a doctor, ten doctors, all the doctors told him the same thing, smashed his dream into a million pieces. Tony was nearly infertile. There was a one in a million chances of him getting pregnant. If he did, they couldn't be sure his body would be able to maintain two hearts. And then the cave happened.

So yeah. It happened to his cousins, his aunt, a few uncles, his grandmother. Tony would do a baby announcement, but only the second that baby was outside of him and safely in his arms. Now there are still several months left and nothing certain. But time is a bitch and beginning to show the world, maybe those extra pounds aren't from eating the Parker's amazing breakfasts.

"Tony, you know I don't wanna risk-" Losing control of my strength. They've been together long enough that Tony can see quite clearly between the lines.

"Hurting us, yeah, I know, I understand. I'm getting too wide, we're gonna have to tell them or Natasha will take one look at me and whoops, impromptu announcement from someone else. It's a miracle she was out on those missions when we found out." Thank God for renegade troops.

He's still looking at himself in the mirror when Peter comes out, barely dries up and slides behind him. His husband is slightly taller now, can easily hook a curved jaw on Tony's shoulder to peer at the image they make. Contrasts, he supposes, have always enthralled Tony. The study of light and shadow. Variations of the same basic components. Where his body is aging, showing signs of wear and tear, Peter's is evolving into something beautiful, majestic. Silver hair, chestnut brown. Scarred canvas, silky smooth and sunkissed skin. Soft, fragile curves, chiseled lines that deserve to be revered more than Michelangelo’s David. But their eyes, their eyes are equally tired.

“We can tell them if you want, have dinner together and just, just say it. Like that -”

“No. It's our kid, we're not gonna act like it's ripping off a band aid. This is special, unique. Dinner is good. Fantastic, actually. Wait for dessert, and announce it. “ Peter comes ever closer, wraps arms that could carry the world around him and how did he get so lucky?

They've lied to each other in the past. Mostly in the beginning, when they were too worried about hurting their new relationship to show their desires and wants. Tony didn't explain the Training Wheels Protocol. Peter tried to fight high level crime on his own. Things got hard to understand, like being in the right place at the wrong time. Puzzle pieces that didn't quite fit together, an extra inch of space prohibiting them from seeing all the possibilities that the truth could bring. They were walking the same path, just in parallel lines that never crossed.

But then he'd been rejected, thrown away and able to realize how fucking stupid it was to let Peter go when being near the kid, it felt like finally breathing after residing in the deep end of a pool for a thousand years. So Tony ran after him one day, crashed into his AP English class, half assed an excuse for the baffled teacher, yanked Peter out of the room and proceeded to have the best make out session of his life with his back against the kid's locker. And now they don't lie, ever.

Which is why it's so hard to accept Peter's, “You're beautiful, Tony. The handsomest man I've ever seen in my life. I loved you before, I love you now, I'll love you forever, Anthony Stark. You carrying our kid doesn't change that, how could it, Tony? It's going to be ok. The three of us will be ok and I won't stop thanking whoever decided I'd get to marry my wet dream.”

Scorching kisses trace his pulse point slowly, sharp nails start dragging against a too thin shirt, but it's the fact that Peter hasn't looked away from him, is confidently holding his gaze through the glass, that makes Tony shudder and stop breathing.

The bathroom is flooded with pheromones, cinnamon and honey assaulting an unprepared billionaire, and he'll die if they stay like this, can't function properly, brain switching gears, trying valiantly to remember baseball stats, past wounds, May's cooking because Peter's gonna wreck his sanity if those hands keep winding down, if those lips don't stop unraveling him like a Christmas present.

“If I'd known you'd get this handsy and romantic, I would have complained about how I look earlier." It's a gasp, half murmur, half plea as Peter grins at him shamelessly. “I know it's rude and wrong and sexist, but I like comforting my omega, acting like a stereotypical alpha. Makes me feel like I'm doing my job of making you happy. “

He quirks an eyebrow, is glad Peter can be comfortable enough to take the reins every once in a while. “You're telling me that assuring me I'm still drop dead gorgeous, “ his husband snorts, nips at Tony's shoulder for that quip, “ makes you horny because you feel like an alpha comforting, and I quote, ‘your omega’? “

Peter reverts back to the shy teenager who could barely ask a girl out to the homecoming dance, ducks his head into Tony’s neck with a blush quickly spreading over damp skin. “Well, I've got news for you, sweetheart. Your wet dream also thoroughly enjoys it so you better break tradition and have sex with me to remind me I'm the hottest man you've ever seen. "

He's actually serious about this, his self esteem hasn't exactly been, you know, the best and Tony's mood always improves significantly after playing around in bed with Peter. Besides, it's a sign of trust. Peter won't hurt him or their child, will be able to hold back his strength. He always does.

Listen, it's not exactly moral, but he has more than enough problems to go ahead and analyze his attraction and dependency on Peter while pregnant.

“So, I can distract you from your bad thoughts by acting sort of possessive and taking you to bed? " Oh, he adores when his husband is afraid of showing a new side of himself and asks for permission ever so sweetly.

“Babe, if you don't, I'll kick you out of the apartment. Give me possessive Peter Parker any day you want, like I'm gonna complain about a gorgeous, brilliant twenty something year old all over me. Now what's it gonna be, alpha dear, bathroom or bedroom? I wouldn't mind the tile but, oh God, I forgot you could pick me up." Tony clings to broad shoulders, can't help but laugh because aren't they a pair?

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

After having what he's sure was the best sex of his life, Tony stumbles out of the bedroom with torn clothes, a dazed look in his eyes and several bruises blossoming around his neck. Peter's halfway out the doorway when Tony whistles, makes sure all their family is paying attention, blurts out, “Peter and I are having a kid. I'm pregnant, woohoo, it's great, it's amazing, save your congratulations for later. We'll do a proper thing soon, if anyone interrupts and they're not dying, I'll kill you myself. See you in a few hours, " and yanks him back in while Friday activates Sock on the Doorknob Protocol.

Rhodey and Nat clink glasses while waiting on the others to pay up on their bets regarding Tony and Peter's odd behavior.

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

Later, much later, like, two days later, they have a proper dinner with their family in the tower. There are balloons and streamers, cake and ice cream, warm hugs and gentle cheek kisses, subtle tears and full on weeping (Happy had to borrow a box of Kleenex), pictures and videos and a pile of gifts taller than Tony.

The most important thing, though, is that the A.I recorded the reaction after Clint asked about baby names. He's grateful they went to the doctor before tonight. The visit revealed a treasure Tony thought he'd never have. Now it's time to reveal it to their pack.

His husband snuggles up to him, is so ecstatic the whole dining room smells like cinnamon and honey, like joyous love he'll never get enough of. Tony grins at him, curls their hands together and repeats the same thing over and over again in his head.

It'll be ok. They'll be ok. If the universe keeps giving Tony the greatest gifts he could ever want, maybe it's time he stopped looking at the horse's mouth. That's how it goes, right? Right.

He turns to look at Peter, loves him so much it aches, feels tiny feet pressing against his stomach. Guesses he's not the only one smitten with this incredible human being.

“We were thinking Marie,” Peter smiles at him, eyes lit up and lovely.

Tony is never going to forget this moment, this warmth in his chest.

“And Benjamin Parker-Stark.”

Their family loses their shit and both Friday and Karen have ample proof.

(@puppypeter look, omega tones! @tonystarkisaslut thank you so much for allowing me to use the prompt board! I am still accepting prompts! Although I can't guarantee getting them ready within a few days, I'll try to finish them on the one week mark depending on how long the fic is!)

[solohux]

happy 2021! i really hope we all have a better year this year but for now, here’s a list of my favourite kylo/hux fics that were published in 2020, ones that got me through days of lonliness and sadness to make me smile ✧

thank you fic writers of the kylux fandom! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

- keep in the dark (to stay out of the light) by howlingshame Modern AU. Smuggler Kylo Ren runs afoul of Armitage Hux, head of the First Order crime ring. Instead of killing him outright, Hux decides to keep him for his own instead. Kylo is none too thrilled with the situation, but Hux has plenty of patience. He wants Kylo to be his in every sense of the word, and they've got all the time in the world. [E, 247k words, warnings for violence, stockholm syndrome, sub kylo & dom hux]

- Please Remember I Love You by @bumblebae8 After murdering Snoke, Kylo Ren flees alongside Rey, returning to the Reistance and to his mother after ten years. They at once begin strategizing on how to take down the corrupt and evil First Order. [M, 65k words, no warnings, redeemed ben, skywalker family drama]

- Children of War by @starryartemis​ After a complicated diplomatic mission went awry, General Hux and Kylo Ren accidentally find themselves tasked with their most difficult mission: becoming parents. Despite their complex relationship, they both agree that raising an offspring will help bring glory to the First Order. Their original vision of a united family quickly falls apart as Hux and Ren cannot see eye to eye in what they want the future to hold. [E, 162k words, warnings for violence, kylux science babies, slow burn]

- I Should Live in Salt for Leaving You Behind by Asrael_Valtiri Of course, he’d betrayed Ren, to save the Order. To save himself and his people.To try to save Ren, in a way.Strange, Hux thought, closing his eyes against the glare of the overhead lighting. He pretended that the wetness escaping the corner of his eye was from the brightness. He failed.Stupid, he amended. Stupid, Armitage. [E, 65k words, no warnings, a TROS fix-it, kylo clones]

- Against All Odds by Kittens              Kylo really doesn't care for people, but he'll always help an animal in need. When he sees a dog covered in mud on a cold, rainy day, he can't help but try to help. What he didn't expect was for the dog to be a fox and the fox to be a man. [E, 49k words, warnings for violence, modern au, fox hux]

- Hadopelagic by DustOnBothSides [WIP] After a life of staying pharmaceutically heat-free, Hux has to allow his body to go through at least one natural cycle, lest there be consequences. He takes a shore leave and travels to a former omegan retreat, abandoned and all but forgotten after the fall of Old Republic. Ren, not knowing of Hux's predicament, decides to follow, suspecting treason. He finds something else instead. [E, 33k words, omega hux & alpha kylo]

- Sup From My Mouth by @atlinmerrick​ [Kylux Adjacent] Dolly Oblonskaya never precisely introduces her old friend to her children’s new tutor, no. She does put one lonely man in a room with the other again and again and again...and to her delight Konstantin Levin and Francisco Garupe take care of the rest. Or, this is the story of how an idealistic young Russian aristocrat helps heal a mourning young Jesuit priest, one very cold Moscow winter. [E, 58k words, no warnings, Fransisco Garupe/Konstantin Levin]

- Lighting the Fuse by hey_honey "What is going on?" Phasma asked when Hux returned from his meeting with Leia looking pale. He stared at her. "The Queen's son agreed to marry a First Order official on one condition," he said. "And?" Phasma encouraged. "That official has to be me," he said. [E, 30k words, no warnings, omega ben & alpha armitage, mpreg, ben is ruler of naboo]

- Across the Stars, I am Home by @venetumdrabbler [WIP] Before leaving to go undercover in the First Order, Armitage Hux had made promises. Keep an eye and report when able to the republic, and later the resistance. Keep tabs on the dark force user Snoke. And most important of all: Bring Ben Solo home. So far Hux had managed, or was managing, 2 out 3. Then there is an awakening. [M, 42k words, no warnings, jedi armitage au, slow burn]

- Pro Nobis Solum by CarelessHux (AraSigyrn)     Kylo Ren wakes after Starkiller.  Alone. [M, 8k words, no warnings, post tfa au, established relationship]

- sisyphus rolls his boulder to the top by yogurtgun     While trying to convince Rey to turn to the Dark on the Steadfast, Kylo feels Hux's presence in the Force disappear. [T, 6.7k words, warnings for violence, tros fix-it, temporary character death]

- i can make your dreams come by claquesous It feels like the small hours of the morning, the blurry in-between Hux calls early and Kylo calls late. “Can’t even make it through the night without a pillow to hump, can you?” Hux sneers. [E, 3k words, no warnings, somnophilia, sub kylo & dom hux]

- Knot Finished by Ki_Ken_Tai_Ichi  Kylo learns a bit more about Arkanis physiology through practical demonstrations. [E, 2k words, no warnings, hux is alien, top hux & bottom kylo]

- 90 Day Fiancé by @bostarsky​ & @sunnywritesstuff​ “Maybe that means you’ll be more inclined to choose me,” Hux hints, glancing over at a drone buzzing by with a sneaky look on his face. Perfect, he’ll create as much support for himself with the public as possible. "What I choose doesn’t matter,” he croons, making it sound as romantic as he possibly can to hide the true meaning of the words. [E, 38.5k words, no warnings, alpha hux & omega kylo, kylo amidala, creepy snoke]

- What if We Tried Again? by @penpenhooray​ Perhaps, but did Pryde bother to check if he was actually dead?Armitage Hux may be many things, but a fool was not one of them. So rather than stay with the First Order and watch it burn, Hux decides that faking his death would be preferable, leaving him free to tie up his one loose end. His ex-husband, Kylo Ren. But what happens when Ren...isn't quite Ren anymore, but just as "dead" as Hux? What happens if they face their feelings surrounding their failed marriage? What if they dared to try again? [T, 2.7k words, no warnings, tros fix-it, mpreg & miscarriage]

- Where Do You Go When You're Lonely? by @vadianna​ Fresh off a grueling undercover mission on an unpleasant Outer Rim planet, Kylo Ren wants to eat, drink, and sleep. Unfortunately, Hux is sitting at the only bar in the area. Thinking that Hux is there to brief him, Kylo soon realizes that Hux is off-duty, and has also never seen him without his helmet on.  Things escalate, and the two wind up finishing Kylo's mission together as they both get to know each other. [E, 29.3k words, no warnings, false identity, bottom kylo & top hux]

- Team Hux or Team Ren? by AdamJensens General Hux overhears a conversation between stormtroopers that opens his eyes to a competition between the troops of the First Order. He discovers his subordinates are not only loyal and devoted but also obsessed – Hux has fans. So does Kylo Ren, and there's a kind of war going on between the two groups calling themselves Team Hux and Team Ren. What Hux doesn't know yet is that there's a third group solely focused on shipping the two co–commanders. There's fanfiction, fanart and all kinds of crazy theories. Shipping, as Hux will soon discover, is a serious business. [E, 11.5k words, no warnings, crack treated seriously, mutual pining]

- Under Covers of Darkness by Camellia Cook (thekurosakiconundrum) Alpha twins Ben and Kylo have a somewhat unusual arrangement with their mate Hux: they're together, all three of them, and it's not strictly a Hux-in-the-middle situation. [E, 3.3k words, no warnings, threesome, sibling incest alpha ben & alpha kylo & omega hux]

- Share the Load by @emperorsvornskr​ Hux runs into Kylo while dealing with his unique Arkanan biology- and Kylo is dealing with some self confidence issues. It's a match tailor made for the both of them. [E, 6.1k words, no warnings, alien armitage hux, trans kylo, eggs]

- Safety in his arms by @redcole​ Kylo knows it's time to bond with Hux, he just wants to make sure that his intentions are clear. After all, it isn't often that an omega courts an alpha. [M, 3.2k words, no warnings, omega kylo & alpha hux, mpreg]

- Horny Hearts by @rattlesnake777​ [Kylux Adjacent] Techie has a new flatmate called Matt and all he can really think about is doing it with him... [E, 18.3k words, no warnings, Clan Techie/Matt The Radar Tech, modern au, misunderstandings]

- Collars and Kisses by koi_boi Kylo loves his little fox and has missed him dearly after a long mission away. Hux, not so much, or so Kylo thinks. Then he actually thinks for once and comes to A Realization™. They fuck, they cuddle, then they get soft and tender. Disgusting. [E, 3.4k, no warnings, fox hux, fluff & smut, dom kylo & sub hux]

- the chancellor's gift by @thethespacecoyote​ Supreme Leader Kylo Ren goes on a mission to retrieve something invaluable for his lightsaber-obsessed chancellor. However, his plans for presenting the treasure to Hux are unfortunately derailed when a group of insurgents kidnap the chancellor and hold him hostage, threatening both Hux's life, and the life of their unborn pup. It seems, even years into their reign, that there are still enemies foolish enough to try to take from Kylo what's his. [M, 5.3k words, warnings for violence, alpha kylo & omega hux, mpreg, protective kylo]

- Entrapped by @kyluxtrashpit​ While searching for a mysterious Force artifact for Snoke, a squadron of Stormtroopers goes missing. Kylo insists on going out alone then, certain he can find and face down whatever might have killed them and succeed in getting the artifact. The creature responsible, however, has other plans for him. [E, 3.4k words, rape/noncon, tentacle sex, protective hux]

- Your Chain Around My Neck by @bastila-s​ After the council meeting about the Sith fleet, Kylo asks Hux to stay behind and "prove" he isn't a spy. [E, 3.6k words, no warnings but dubcon tag, power dynamics, smut, dom kylo & sub hux]

- Regret by @abraxas-drake​ Kylo tries to get Hux to relax under the guise of a work discussion. When things go terribly wrong, Hux must rely on the new Supreme Leader to save his life. [E, 3.8k words, warnings for violence and threats of noncon, alpha kylo & omega hux, protective kylo, forced into heat]

- Invasion by sigo Hux was seated at the long durasteel table in the Steadfast’s largest conference room, Enric Pryde on his left and Mitaka presenting his findings to the group standing on his right, when he felt it: Ren’s hands on his chest, running hot down his skin below his uniform. [E, 2.9k words, no warnings, pwp, bottom hux & top kylo, force sex, semi-public sex]

- In His Grasp by @cosleia​ Kylo Ren doesn't understand why General Hux is shirking his duty over a simple injury. When he tries to find out, though, he learns more than he bargained for...about the general, and about himself. [M, 4.1k words, post-tlj, pining, hand-feeding]

- Heat Sink by @sparrows-trashcan​ Kylo Ren is an omega but so is General Hux. While Hux doesn't mind everyone knowing that his preference is limited to male omegas Kylo Ren is shamed to feel the same. Everything changes after the Starkiller incident: Kylo Ren is in heat and there is only one person on the Finalizer who could possibly help him... [E, 4.2k words, no warnings, omega hux & omega kylo, smut]

- Distraction by @kyluxtrashpit​ Kylo needs a distraction from his hopeless pining over his co-commander, who he's sure he can never have. So he turns to the Knights of Ren to keep his mind - and body - busy. When Hux walks in on the events, however, Kylo learns that perhaps his feelings aren't a lost cause after all. [E, 3.6k words, no warnings, kylo/knights of ren, group sex]

- Between the Stars by Kittens The Finalizer's medical team does not want to deal with Kylo Ren. When he ends up injured during a mission, it's up to Hux to take care of him. It's not exactly what Hux is good at, but for Kylo it means everything. [T, 3.9k words, no warnings, hurt/comfort, bathing]

- Switch Up, Love Eternal by @onewhositswiththeturtles​ When Ren damages consoles aboard the Finalizer during a tantrum, Hux summons him for some much-deserved discipline. Perhaps there would be some hope for Ren learning the error of his ways if he wasn't such a whore for punishment. [E, 3.4k words, no warnings, dom/sub switching, smut]

- Across the Stars (To Find You) by Lady_Faulkner While on a mission for Snoke, Kylo Ren gets kidnapped by pirates and it's up to General Hux to track him down and rescue him before he's sold on the black market. Along the way, Hux discovers that his feelings of hatred for Kylo Ren have been masking another emotion altogether. [E, 10.9k, no warnings, kidnapping, hurt kylo]

- Doom's Desire by @nerdherderette​ Hux never expected to find a jewel worthy of the Empire's crown in an Outer Rim desert wasteland. [E, 10.3k words, no warnings, canon au, gladiator fighter kylo, emperor hux]

- Empire Day Miracle by coldashes         Kylo just wants to relax, to be surrounded by people is to be surrounded by the Force. Except this is the First Order's Empire Day officer party and things never go as well as one would hope. [E, 4.4k words, no warnings, pwp, identity mistakes, pre-tfa]

- Reptile Husbandry by koi_boi Hux is an accomplished researcher who's having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad time in the field. He stumbles into a cave filled with secrets and one very large, very curious snake. Hux gets fucked in more ways than one. [E, 13.4k words, no warnings, modern/fantasy au, naga kylo & researcher hux, smut]

- Utapaun Christening by @mcducklet-blog​ Kylo Ren is determined to ensure that his children are the strongest creatures in the galaxy. Armitage Hux is willing to go along with it.Neither of them is ready for what that entails. [T, 6.6k words, no warnings, mpreg, knights of ren, peril]

- so it goes by @msbyjckals​ [WIP] Hux wakes to feel a pair of warm, calloused hands covering his. He doesn’t remember much, just the mission brief, the landing, and the cold. [M, 2.9k words, no warnings, starkiller rescue]

- Rumor Mill by @theweddingofthefoxes​ Everybody has their own suspicions about what Kylo Ren and General Hux get up to in private, but the truth is far more tender than anyone would guess. [G, 1.2k words, no warnings, fluff, cuddling]

- The One with the Eggs by sigo                 Hux turned on his heel, but hardly made it two steps before running straight into Kylo Ren. He knew his face betrayed his dismay. He didn’t have time for this. “I apologize, Ren, but I must be on my way.” Hux stepped to the side and Ren stepped in front of him again. Hux shivered as he felt another dropping sensation inside himself. This time the ‘drop’ completed its path — the inside of his pants was wet, cold gel trickling at a glacial pace down his thighs. Of course, that was nothing compared to what lay ahead. “Ren,” He said sharply. His voice was higher, raising in pitch the way it always did when he was panicked. “I am ill. Let me through.” Ren spoke through his ridiculous helmet, voice distorted. “We have a meeting.” [E, 4.8k, no warnings, alien hux, eggs, bottom kylo & top hux]

- Shadow Of Your Heart by @pangolinpirate​ & @redcole​ & @starkillersbae​ [WIP] After the fall of the empire Luke Skywalker fought a rising evil in the outer rim, a villain named Snoke who tormented his young nephew. With Snoke defeated, Leia sent her son to be trained as part of the new order of jedi, in the hopes that it would keep him safe. [E, 22.7k words, no warnings, omega kylo & alpha kylo, mpreg]

- Clear From Far Away by @pizzzazlut​ “But most of all, curse Kylo bloody Ren for having a chest that sparked pure, unadulterated arousal that has Hux humping his pillow like a fucking virgin.” Or the one where Hux is just trying to get off but his Supreme Leader just won't leave him alone. [E, 1.8k words, no warnings but dubcon, pillow humping]

- Tripped Over A Mouse Droid by @milarca​ & @ranebowstitches​ Hux gets injured while working, and Kylo finds him in the medbay. Who knew mouse droids could be so dangerous? [G, 3k words, no warnings, hurt/comfort, alpha kylo & omega hux]

- with you by @msbyjckals​ “You know I love you, right?” Ren said. “Of course I know that, I’ve always had you; you’ve always been mine.” [T, 1k words, no warnings, sleepy cuddles, soft domestic fluff]

- Unexpected Avenues by @sinceyouaskedmeforataleof​ [WIP, Mitaka/Hux] No one wanted to take this particularly grisly task, but Dopheld is glad it fell to him when he realises that all is not as it seems. Can he make a new life on the run with his ex, now that everything he thought he knew has been turned upside down? [E, 84k words, omega hux & alpha kylo & alpha mitaka, mpreg, post-tros]

- Who Needs The Galaxy When There's You? by Mesmeret         Kylo is a simple, lonely smuggler with no one since his accident a decade ago. Or so he thought before his twelve year old daughter retrieves him to help out his long forgotten husband with a bothersome heat. [E, 7.7k words, no warnings, alpha kylo & omega hux, amnesia, smuggler kylo & mandalorian hux]

- By the Will of the Gods by @darktenshi17​ Armitage is chosen to be a sacrifice to his gods in return for his village's protection. It's not the gods who find him out in the woods. [E, 1.9k words, no warnings but dubcon, fantasy/medieval au,

- The Fall of Yesterday by @sinceyouaskedmeforataleof​  [WIP] Seven years after Exegol, a nameless sailor works a thankless job onboard an Arkanis pearl harvester and fails to forget all the things he has lost. When the ship arrives at a new port all he wants to do is find a place to sleep through his shore leave. He might find more than that. [E, 10k words, no warnings, tros fix-it, alpha kylo & omega hux]

- Special Delivery by DaisyChainz Hux orders a toy that's supposed to be 'discreetly packaged', but when his hot mailman brings it directly to his front door, he finds out it is definitely not. [E, 3.3k words, no warnings, modern au, smut]

- Most Wanted by @pizzzazlut​ When the most prolific serial killer the city of Arkanis has ever seen is finally arrested and awaiting trial, it takes two of the cities most respected lawyers to represent the culprit and the victims. The only problem is that Kylo Ren and Armitage Hux haven't interacted since law school and will now have to work against each other to win the career-building case of a lifetime. Or The one where Kylo and Hux are rival lawyers with too much history but an equal amount of hate for Snoke. [E, 12.6k words, warnings for violence, modern au, murders and blood]

- Devotion by @kyluxtrashpit​ The Emperor loves to hear about his devoted hound's successful missions, ideally in as much detail as possible. Kylo does not disappoint. [E, 1.9k, no warnings, smut, emperor hux & hound kylo]

- three's a crowd by @thethespacecoyote​ Ren Prime catches Ben sneaking a First Order cadet onboard, and decides an unorthodox kind of punishment is in order. [E, 1.4k words, no warnings, ren prime, smut, voyeurism]

- If we have each other (the world is ours to conquer) by                    thereisnocowboyemoji “You think, what, that I have feelings for her?” “Please, Ren, do not dare try to insult my intelligence.” [G, 1.3k, no warnings, married kylux, mpreg, jealousy]

- In the Vents by @kyluxtrashpit​ Hux returns from his shift to find the bottom half of Kylo sticking out of the heating vent. Kylo is stuck and Hux isn't one to let opportunities pass him by. [E, 2k words, no warnings, pwp]

- the monster in your bed by @thethespacecoyote​ In the dead of night, something terrifying and lascivious comes to a sleeping General Hux. [E, 2k words, no warnings, consensual noncon roleplay, sub hux & dom kylo]

- Old Hornington Rides Again by oorsprong “Don’t be vulgar.” Of course he remembered. The embarrassing nickname had somehow become part of the whole taboo. Sex in the conference room in the early hours; Hux naked but for his boots and his hat and taunting Kylo with dirty talk. Kylo worshiped his cock in those days, treated it with reverence. “I could do it again.” [E, 1.3k words, no warnings, smut, old married kylux]

- His Purpose by partialresonance When Hux hears Snoke's voice in his mind, he thinks it's a caffeine hallucination. Until the voice plants an insidious purpose that Hux has no choice but to fulfill. Thankfully, Kylo is there to save him. Little does he know that the sinister presence was targeting him all along. [M, 5.6k words, no warnings, suicide attempt, mind manipulation, love confessions]  

- Mariner’s Hollo by Eirean Whilst on a diplomatic mission, Kylo is invited to take part in the planet’s ancient ritual, and demands that the Grand Marshall accompany him. Said Grand Marshall is deeply unimpressed by the whole thing. [E, 9.7k words, no warnings, enemies to lovers, smut]

- Let It Happen by @pizzzazlut​ Armitage Hux re-analyzed all his life choices up to this point and could not come up with anything as careless as this. Or the one where Ren joins Kylo and Hux in bed because he doesn't like being left out. [E, 2k words, ren prime, threesome]

- Come On And Slam by @thediktatortot​ Hux and Kylo invite Ren Prime into their chambers and get more than they bargain for. [E, 1.9k words, no warnings, ren prime, threesome]

- A Passing Madness by moreless “It’s a gift,” says Ren simply, folding his large hands behind his back. His gaze moves between the lightsaber and Hux. “It used to belong to the Jedi traitor Mace Windu. It reminded me of you.” Two steps forward, one step back. Another step back. That's how their relationship works. Even now. [T, 1.9k words, no warnings, duel of the fates au, power dynamics]

- Our Impeccable Leadership by roseofgalaxies The Supreme Leader and his treacherous General have begun to collaborate with unexpected success. There's only one problem: Ren's stopped wearing a shirt. [E, 4.8k words, no warnings, lego holiday special, body worship]

- Giving In by Kyram (BrokenApril) Hux has a mission. Millions of lives are on the line, yet Ren's presence teases him. He's desperate to give in even if his job will become all the harder. [T, 2.2k words, no warnings, touch starvation, force sensitive hux]

- to lay your armor down by surrenderer Once in a while, the Supreme Leader likes to wear his Chancellor’s greatcoat around the Capitol building. [M, 661 words, no warnings, role reversal, force sensitive hux & force null kylo]

- Benefits of Force Sensitivity by Kittens After the surprising change in his relationship with Ren, Hux has a lot to think about. But they also have a mission to complete and that may have unintended consequences. [M, 4.3k words, no warnings, force sensitive hux, cuddling]

[1-800-hellraiser]

Jealous

Requested by: no one

Word Count:

Aged up?: Nope

Song: Jealous - Eyedress

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"You could have anyone you want. Why would you want to be with me? I'm nothing special." 

      Pikeman sits silently on his cot, his shitty day finally coming to an end. It was very hot out today, so hot that a couple Woodscouts had a heatstroke and had to be sent to their tents for the day. On top of that, he keeps thinking about you. Usually that would be a good thing, but Pikeman is very insecure. He acts like hot shit to hide that. He doesn't know how he leanded someone like you. You're stunning, kind, funny, everything he feels that he dosen't deserve. 

       He sighs, running his hand through his auburn red hair, he really doesn't deserve you. He's a stupid, ugly, pizza - faced freak. You deserve to be with someone like David, one of the counselors you work with. He'd be a way better boyfriend than Pikeman, wouldn't he? His eyes begin to water, he wishes he could turn off his brain completely. Pikeman decides to go to sleep, maybe that will destract him from his destructive thoughts. 

      After a night of restless sleep, Pikeman awakes at eight in the morning. He was about to panic before realizing Snake and Petrol are taking over for him today because you and him are going to meet up in the woods next to Camp Cambell. Getting up, he walks over to his dresser and picks out some casual clothes. He picks out a pair of denim jeans and a grey hoodie. After that, he makes his way to the showers to get ready.

      Once he's done showering, Pikeman styles his hair as usual, having two little tufts of auburn hair stick up from his head. After that, he seeks out Patrol and Snake, to make sure they both know what they're doing. After walking around the camp for a bit, he finds them near the mess hall, discussing today's plans. "Snake, Petrol." Pikeman adresses the men, they both salute him. "Yes sir." Snake says. 

      "You both discussed todays plans, correct?" Pikeman inquires, shifting his gaze frkm Snake, to Petrol. "Yes sir." Snake repeats as Patrol nods. "Good. Now, don't let me down men. You know what will happen if you let me down, right?" Pikeman reminds. Petrol and Snake nod, Snake shivers a bit, recalling the punishment in question. "Alright men, and remember," Pikeman says walking away "Don't fuck this up." He says, sending a glare back to Snake and Petrol.

      Pikeman makes his way onto the shore of Camp Cambell. He makes sure to stay a safe distance away from the camp, so he doesn't get caught. He walks through the dense forest and up to the edge of a cliff that you both like to go to hang out. Pikeman smiles sadly, this is the place he asked you out at. He remembers like it was only yesterday. 

      It was the day of the Lake Lilac social. You both danced for hours on end. You never took your eyes off of eachother. After a couple hours of dancing, you took Pikemans hand and lead him out of the Camp Cambell mess hall, through the forest, and up to the edge of a cliff. The cliff had a gorgeous view over Lake Lilac, and a beautiful view of that night's full moon.

      You both sat down and talked about nothing in particular. Pikeman has been hyping himself up all day for this very moment. "Y/n? Can I ask you something?" You turn to face him, your stunning e/c eyes looking into his golden ones. "Yeah, what's up Eddie?" Pikeman's heart skips a beat at the nickname. "Um, I was wondering if you'd like to be my significant other?" He finishes, glancing at your face for a reaction.

     Your face lights up. "Oh Eddie, I'd love too!" You exclaim. Pikeman can feel a smile form on his face. You grab his face and bring it closer to yours, bringing you into a passionate kiss. After the kiss, Pikeman had to go back to the Woodscouts camp, but he made sure to give you love before he left. 

      Pikeman sighs, sitting at the edge of the cliff. The Lake Lilac social was three weeks ago. How has his attitude changed so drastically within the span of a couple weeks? "They should just break it off with me, I'm not good enough for them," Pikeman thinks to himself. God, he wishes he could get rid of these wretched thoughts that plauge his mind. Pikeman is pulled out of his thoughts by a familiar voice. 

      "Hey babe." You say, sitting down next to him on the cliff. "Sorry I was late, David and I had to round up the kiddos. Never teach fire safty camp and political history camp unless you want it to turn into riot control camp." You explain with a giggle. Pikeman giggles back and replies with a soft "yeah." You can immediately tell something was wrong, Pikeman is never really shy around you. He never has been, I guess he got a bit shy confessing to you the day of the Lake Lilac social. But other than that, he's never been remotely shy/not talkative around you.

       "Hey, is something bothering you?" You ask in a concerned tone. Pikeman turns to you with a soft smile. "Everythings okay." He says, his eyes say otherwise. They say eyes are windows to the soul and you can tell his soul hurts. Something is up with him, is he scared to tell you? "You can tell me anything, you know that right?" You say with an endearing tone. Pikemans heart begins to hurt, he knows he can tell you anything, but he's not ready to tell you he's not good enough. 

        "So...how have you been?" You ask, trying to break the awkward silence. "I've been okay, what about you?" Pikeman responds, you can tell he doesn't want to talk about himself. "I've been pretty good actually, camp's kind of a pain in the ass, but whats new?" You answer, he chuckles. "What's going on at your camp?" "Y'know, the usual training and occasional raid on other camps, what about yours?" Pikeman responds, you let out a tired sigh. "Oh my god literally everything. It's very unpredictable, but it's pretty fun to be honest. Keeps me on my toes too." You respond, rubbing your temples.

     "I'm so glad I have David and Gwen to help me, especially David. He just, has a way with some of the campers y'know? He can manage kids well. Sure he can sometimes be a spineless pushover, but that's where Gwen and I come in. We're the perfect trio to run a camp. And that's what makes my job so much fun." You explain chuckling to yourself. Pikeman gives a half hearted chuckle and looks away. Maybe you pushed him to far? But how? You don't think you did anything wrong.

     "Are you okay? Be truthful with me please." You sigh out. Pikeman sighs and looks down, not answering your question. "Baby, I wanna know what's wrong so I can fix it and apologize. You know I love you, and would never want to hurt you, right?" You say, puting a comforting hand on his back. That's what broke him. "No you dont." He hisses. "What? Of course I do." You say back, trying to reason with him. "Stop lying, I know you want to be with David." Pikeman says with watery eyes. 

     You shake your head in disbelief. "What? Where did this come from?" You ask. "It's the way you talk about him. You always put him on a pedestal and talk about how good of a counselor he is. I feel so insignificant when you talk about him like that, like you would just be better off with him..." Pikeman trails off, a tear rolls down his pale face. You didn't know that this was a problem. You hadn't known Pikeman was so insecure, he hides it so well. 

      Wrapping your arms around his lanky frame, you pull your boyfriend into a tight hug. "Sweetheart, I don't have a thing for David. I see him as a brother figure, I look up to him. I want to learn from him and become better. I love you more than you could ever imagine, and I don't plan on leaving you for anyone. Ever." You say softly, rubbing comforting circles into his back and running your hand through his hair. Poor boy is in tears now, sobbing into your shoulder. Ridding himself of all of his negative emotions about you and David.

      "You're so attractive, kind, and funny. You could have anyone you want, why would you want to be with me? I'm a nobody compared to you..." Pikeman says through tears. He holds you close, practically squeezing you. He's afraid that you will leave if he lets go, he doesn't want to ever let go. "Eddie don't say that, you're so fucking handsome, and funny, and just...inspiring. The way you're able to overcome and adapt so quickly amazes me. That makes you somebody. You're somebody to your troop, you're somebody to me."

      You gently caress Pikeman's face in your hands and wipe his tears away with your thumbs. He looks at you with awe. You love him. You actually love him. This isn't a daydream, it's real. You managed to pull him out of his haze of disbelief and insecurity. He feels more like himself again, not like an insecure boy. He's still insecure, but not as much. You both sit there for a while, just hilding each other and being in eachother's presence.

[fallout-drabbles-n-stuff]

❤❤Alright. I feel like this is going to get kinda emotional depending on how much you like maxson or not-

Can I get a Drabble where f!ss Tells maxson she's infertile therefore unable to carry his heir? Of course headcannoning that in this situation the cryolation did something to make her that way. :)

- 💋

Just as life seemed to finally grant a promise of what you longed for the most, it was just out of reach.

The talk of having a child has been something discussed since early on in your relationship with Elder Maxson, seeing as the securing of his bloodline was such a profound burden. However actually trying for one was something that was understandably put off until after a proper marriage, for reputation sake, and after your conjoined forces were no longer needed in the 'wealth, for safety...obviously.

Yet, here you were. Months after marriage, months of countless "attempts" and no more pregnant than before. At this point, the results from Cade were not much of a surprise but that still did little to quell the sting whenever he delivered the news- with that stupid pitiful look in his eyes- reinforcing what you knew was true.

A child was no longer in the cards for you, unfortunately.

Your only wish was that Arthur hadn't been so excited when you returned from Cade's appointment. It was such a shame, seeing his pretty eyes light up and that rare boyish grin of his, knowing what you were to say was something he wouldn't want to hear. Then again, he should've known better than to be so naive..not after finding himself in this position over and over again. Well..at least he wouldn't have to get his hopes up after this time.

It just hurt even worse seeing his face drop as you took his hands into your own.

"Arthur..." You started, unable to meet his eyes- afraid to watch all the light drain from them. "Cade said- um..Cade..fuck.." Words didn't come as easy as you wanted, elongating the possibility of simply "band-aiding" the situation.

With a soft nod, he understood well enough that you weren't with child. Taking a steadying breath, Arthur simply moved to the side and brought your weightless body to sit at his side. Before you even could explain further, he knew something was wrong this time, he could feel it in his gut.

"What did he say?" He spoke calmly, soft and gentle.

Despite your intention to stay strong for him, for yourself, tears began to well in your eyes- spilling down your cheeks before you could muster a response. To this, Arthur grimaced, wrapping one arm around you and pulling you as close as possible. Though he didn't seem like it, he was an affectionate man and at a time like this..well, it was vastly appreciated. Nonetheless, his embrace was of only a minor comfort.

"I..I don't understand it." Was the first pathetic gasp that left you, your mind struggling to grasp just how such a thing was possible. For god's sake, you were "pre-war", this was supposed to be easier for you than the average wastelander. You were supposed to be perfect..and yet you were... "I can't have a baby.." To which you followed by hiding your face in his shoulder, now afraid to see the disappointment you just knew he would express. How couldn't he?

For a moment he let you calm down, resting his head atop your own as his own thoughts raced. A large hand rubbing imaginary shaped into your back as you sobbed into his coat, clinging to him yet afraid to look him in the eyes. It was perhaps a slight ridiculous, but the idea of no longer being loved by the man you adored so much was a true fear. However the idea of being without a complete family was something you feared even more.

"Then I suppose it's a good thing we have Shaun.." He finally responded after your sons died down to occasional sniffles. True, Maxson was hoping for a baby- hell, even dreaming of it- but he knew when something was actually out of his reach. It stung, sure, but it was by no means the end of the world...that already happened.

"Wait..wh-what? Shaun?"

Your husband then pushed you back the slightest bit, a saddened but still genuine smile on his face. He wiped away your tears, sighing as he finally saw how distraught you looked with your face reddened and eyes swollen...truthfully, seeing you this way hurt even more than the news you just dealt.

"When I married you, your name did change to Maxson..did it not?" He asked. "As we've already discussed, Shaun also took my name as his own. He is our son, by blood or not. I love him, and I love you.." Arthur professed, resting his palm against your burning cheek.

"I know it isn't what we had originally hoped for, but I couldn't be any happier than I am now. You've given me many things, an exemplary soldier for our troops to look up to, someone to love..a wife, Shaun....expecting or even wanting anything else would be ludicrous. Shaun Maxson, our son, is our heir..as he would've been regardless of wether or not we would've had more children."

And just like that...you fell even more in love with your Elder.

[lynnsfics]

Distractions

Pairing: Zuko x Reader (Prompt List #8 “Why are you looking at me like that...?” and #95 “Can you stop biting your lip... it’s distracting.”)

Gender-neutral reader

Word Count: Approx. 1.2k

Requests Open! See Prompt List for more details!

~~~

“And then we’ll attack them from the side, like this,” Sokka drew a line across the dirt map, showing the battle strategy. Stifling a yawn, you nodded. Looking over at Zuko, you could tell he was bored too. It wasn’t Sokka’s fault, of course, he just wanted to make sure you were all prepared for the upcoming fight. However, that didn’t mean he needed to go over the plan twenty times, either. 

You were all gathered in a circle on the cobblestone floor of the air temple, looking at the map Sokka had drawn up. Zuko sat almost directly across from you, eyes trained on the ground. It was a relief to know you weren’t the only one having trouble focusing.

Eventually, this boredom led to you zoning out, and your mind began to wander. With Sozin’s Comet returning, the final battle was only a few days away. As much as you were scared by what was soon to happen, you were also thankful. The war made things hard enough, let alone the strain it put on everyone’s relationships.

The rest of your group was finally accepting Zuko, and you were glad. It had been hard for you to trust him at first, too, but after spending some time with him, you knew he had changed. You would have been lying if you said you didn’t find him attractive, but when he was trying to capture the Avatar that wasn’t exactly a relationship you could pursue. 

Once he joined the group, it wasn’t long before you found yourself going on a “life-changing field trip” with him. You were just a baby when you were separated from your parents by a Fire Nation raid. Zuko helped you to find them and you had your first reunion in years. They were so proud of the person you had become.

On your way back to the temple, the two of you had to evade a company of firebenders, which forced you to camp overnight in a hidden cave. The whole night you shared stories and he talked about what it was like growing up in the Fire Nation. You were the first person in the group to know how he really got his scar.

As you sat by the small campfire, something about the way the flames danced in his golden eyes pulled you to him. You kissed him, and your world was set ablaze. Ever since that night, you’d had a secret relationship with him. 

Although you were sure the others wouldn’t be judgemental, you weren’t yet ready to tell them. It seemed like something inconsequential in the grand scheme of all the current plans. Besides, even though they wouldn’t be judgemental, they might not be completely supportive either.

You knew you were zoned out, and tried to pay attention again. However this only caused you to realize how zoned out you were, which distracted you more. Sighing, you resigned to your fate for this meeting. 

A moment later you heard your name being called. “Hey, why are you looking at me like that…?” Zuko trailed off, giving you a pointed look. The rest of your group was chuckling and you blushed. While you were so busy not paying attention, you didn’t even notice who it was you were staring at.

“Oh, sorry I must have zoned out,” you replied, glancing down.

“Well, since you seemed so preoccupied with Zuko, maybe he can tell you the strategies I just explained to everyone who was listening,” Sokka said indignantly. Turning away, he walked off.

Once everyone else had left Zuko turned to face you. “If you want to keep this a secret, maybe don’t stare at me like that in the middle of war meetings.” 

“Sorry, but Sokka was repeating himself with the plans and I got distracted,”  you answered, a blush once again spreading across your face. “Besides, it’s not like you weren’t bored either,” you said with a smirk.

“Fine, maybe I was, but at least I could pretend I was paying attention. I did tune in at the end, though, and there’s some new information you need to know.”

Shifting positions, he was now sitting next to you, so closely that you could feel the warmth radiating off of him. He pointed to the dirt map, where some lines were drawn to represent troops. “The non-benders are attacking from behind this line. With the comet, it’ll be more dangerous for them to fight the firebenders.” You nodded, biting your bottom lip in concentration. 

“Once we break through those lines, we can-” he stopped talking suddenly. “Can you please stop biting your lip,” he asked, glancing away, “it’s distracting.”

You smirked, but did as he asked. It was important to focus on the task at hand, you couldn’t risk losing this battle. “Whatever you say, Sifu Hotman.” 

He rolled his eyes at the nickname Aang gave him, but continued anyway. “The rest of us will be storming in through here, making it a harder fight for the firebending soldiers. We’ll create the perfect distraction while Aang breaks into the palace.” While he was describing the plan you unconsciously began biting your lip again. “Didn’t I just ask you to not do that?” “Oh, sorry, I was just thinking,” you glanced up from the map, only to realize how close he was. You turned your head slightly, your lips connecting with his. After a few moments, you broke apart, smiling at him slightly. “Was that the distraction you were talking about earlier?” 

“It might have been,” he responded, before planting a soft kiss to your lips again. “We really shouldn’t be doing this here, if one of the others walks in on us,” he left the rest unspoken.

To be honest, you felt bad about hiding your relationship. Sokka and Suki were open about theirs, and even though it wasn’t official, everyone knew Katara and Aang had some sparks between them. 

You rested your head on his shoulder, “Maybe it’s time we told the others, keeping it a secret isn’t helping anyone.” 

He placed an arm around your shoulders as he turned his head to look at you. “Are you sure? I know you didn’t want to let them know until all this was over. But if you’re comfortable with it, then I agree. It’s time they knew.”

“Knew what, exactly?” You turned around to see Katara with her arms crossed over her chest, a small smirk on her face. 

“Well, I might as well tell you now,” you sighed. “Zuko and I, well we’re,” you looked down, not sure how to explain. 

“We’re together.” Zuko finished. 

Katara looked puzzled, “And?”

“What do you mean, ‘And?’,” you questioned. “That’s it.” 

“You’re both awful at keeping secrets,” Toph said with a laugh, walking over to where Katara was standing. “Everyone knows you’re a thing.” 

“So you’re not upset about it? We weren’t exactly honest about it,” Zuko asked, looking down.

“As long as it doesn’t distract you from the upcoming battle,” Katara answered with a shrug. 

“And as long as I don’t have to see you guys kissing again,” Suki called from her tent.

“Wait,” you paled, “what do you mean again? Suki? What do you mean again?” 

~~~

Requested by: Anon

Did I write this instead of sleeping? That’s a secret I’ll never tell. Let me know if you’d like to be added to my taglist! As always, likes and reblogs are appreciated! Love you all <3