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galactic-pirates · 1 year

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Picard Episode Six

You have got to be kidding me.

(Derogatory)

That is all.

Ok no that’s not all but for fucks sake and yes I swore and yes I don’t do that often but UGH!!

Picture this.

Why?!? *bangs head against the wall* (repeat, repeat, repeat). Bang, bang, bang.

I have a great deal of affection for fanfic so I am not going to give this show the compliment of saying it’s a shitty fanfic. It is just shitty.

Ok I will stop ranting and make a point I promise.

First off the end because that is what pushed me over the edge. DEANNA TROI IS WORTH MORE THAN BEING SOME KIND OF SUBORDINATE BARGAINING CHIP TO CONTROL RIKER. SHE IS BRILLIANT AND BRAVE AND AMAZING AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

Ahem.

Seriously. Not once. Not ONCE! In this whole goddamn show has Deanna been allowed her own contribution. She is wife. She is mother. Well dammit she is more. She isn’t just an extension of Riker to soothe his ego or give him pain. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it so much. I want it to die in the fire of a thousand suns.

You know what would have been cool? Riker is heading out to do his Lone Ranger hero thing. Picard is late. Suddenly they are swept up in a transport beam. It’s a ship. It’s Troi. “I knew you’d get in trouble without me” and so she came to save him. No trouble with changelings on her ship. Being an empath she can sense when people aren’t who they say they are - boom. Yes it is still far more Riker centric than I would prefer but it gives Troi a hero moment, it positions her to have an essential and proactive role in the story. Instead she’s just a damsel in distress and she is better than that.

Geordi looking out for his family was nice. As was the fact that he didn’t defer to Picard. Felt like he had grown and made a life for himself in the intervening decades which after my post earlier today was much needed.

Why the hell now Klingons are in StarFleet do they not have their cloaking tech? Like I am confused. How could a ship from Kirk’s era which is what well over a hundred years? Have superior tech. I mean that whole “ship museum” was nothing but fan service with the Defiant, Kirk’s Enterprise etc. it was very clunky and so I didn’t get the feels from it they probably hoped for.

Which brings me to Seven. *sighs forever* I got to be honest it was a gifset of the “Voyager was my family and now…” that tipped me over the edge into that ramble earlier. 20 years and that’s what they go with. They basically couldn’t have put it any clearer than if it was in neon lights that they have no idea. I’m sure some of it is that they don’t want to commit themselves to anything that they might want to change later. Like Prodigy has picked up some of Voyager’s future/present with Chakotay and Admiral Janeway. Maybe they aren’t allowed to say anything. But seriously that was the best they could do?

I mean sure you can rationalise it away that Seven was talking to a veritable stranger and she’s not someone to pour her heart out anyway. She could be very honest and over share about some things on Voyager but not about anything that made her vulnerable and feelings are definitely that. But all that makes me think is if they wanted Seven to have a moment referencing Voyager then why pair her with Jack? Why not run the scene differently?

Raffi. It would seem the throwaway ‘breakup’ line isn’t a lie. You know what I think the problem is? Out of universe for a second. It’s a known fact I think? That season 2 and 3 were developed concurrently as they were filmed back to back. Now if I had been the head writer/person in charge I would have written a series arc. All the huge plot points (like Seven and Raffi affirming their relationship in the season 2 finale) would have been written down. That way season 3 could have still built on it. Instead I think they wrote them completely bloody separately, and did it linearly so nothing that happened later in season 2 will count because season 3 knew nothing about it. That’s why Saffi is so marginalised and a dropped line here and there only, as details can be added, but the general plot can’t shift.

I am pissed about this to be honest. Trek is a huge franchise. I know I shouldn’t be surprised with Star Wars “maybe we should have had a plan” sequel trilogy but for fucks sake. I take better care with my fanfic than that. How come professionals don’t?

Anyway in universe I suspect that Seven and Raffi are suffering from the in universe Grissom and Sarra problem. I didn’t care to ship them but I watched CSI and so I know the score. The characters got together, the actors left the show - happy days. One actor (Sarra) wanted to return but Grissom’s actor didn’t. They wrote the characters being long distance but then after a while, rather than just saying Grissom was there and referring to him like “bbq last weekend” etc. and him just not being on screen (which would have been fine), they split them up. Sorry I was talking in universe reason wasn’t I? Well it was fairly dumb because the characters only split up due to out of universe writers-fuckery (the same as Saffi) and it basically boiled down to them not talking to each other. Grissom thought he should give Sarra her freedom, Sarra didn’t argue as she thought Grissom wanted his freedom. The two idiots still loved one another and never said a damn word. This is very on brand for Saffi to be honest. Although I would have hoped that they had evolved from season 2 but I guess life can be two steps forward, one step back.

I will die on this hill that Seven and Raffi love each other deeply. Raffi was clearly looking at Seven in their two brief interactions, hoping to see something, and Seven was even more locked down and minimalist than normal. It was like Voyager levels of communication. Clear sign of retreat.

You know what I have more to say about Seven for a second. What the fuck writers??? Seven is brilliant, badass, probably the most competent character in the room almost all the time and yet she has been reduced to standing/sitting in the corner most episodes saying things like “get us out of here” or looking at other characters. Hunting the changeling was like the only thing she has done this season and she had to go to Shaw for help because somehow the “species number” all known Borg encyclopaedia didn’t have a clue.

Ok actually I see the pattern. Women just need saving don’t they? Excuse me while I puke. Even Raffi who feels like she’s had the most agency/the most to do of any female character this season had to be rescued by Worf and has pretty much been the background “what do we do now?” character since, as Worf took the lead.

I am seriously trying to find the nuggets of gold. So many characters I love but look at what they are doing to them! I wanted to see more Seven and Raffi but seriously I am asking the “at what cost?” question because this is not really worth it.

It would seem that Jack Crushers weird violent dreams are about Picard’s brain issue that killed him at the end of season 1. So so weird. To have made such a thing of it and then that. I am hoping that they think it’s that but it’s actually important but I’m not holding my breath.

Daystrom appears to have Kirk’s body. Why? They brought back Data AGAIN. Why? Like I thought a big point of season 1 was Picard saying goodbye. Honestly the writers are just repeating themselves. Let him go already.

Picard’s body at Daystrom makes some sense given he was Borg and then stripped of that but presumably something remained. I am guessing that’s why the changelings wanted him, although to what end I don’t know. Having not seen the Dominion War yet as I’m not that far into DS9 I don’t know about this bio-weapon that Starfleet apparently used. Maybe the changelings are looking for something related to that? I really don’t care to be honest.

Usually with these nostalgia trips I get sucked in. I have to work hard to stay objective and analyse properly. In the end I usually say there was more style than substance but I am swept along for the ride, so the style was good at least. With this it’s like there is neither style nor substance. I am just watching with this disbelief that it’s this bad. I wish I had the spoons to pound out some fix-it fic. I haven’t seen a show that needed it so badly since the defying logic of Once Upon a Time.

More than anything I am disappointed. I love Trek. I love the world. I love the characters. I am primed to love this and the fact that I am more watching at this point to see how bad it gets is… impressive really. I mean is it me, or is the writing really that bad? I doubt myself a little bit. I don’t like judging stuff. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, I shouldn’t claim I can do better. But it is bad right? It feels bad.

Oh let next week be better. Please.

#sam rambles (a lot)#picard spoilers #star trek: picard #not a positive post I am afraid more than a little ranty

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sleepless-in-transitory-thoughts · 1 year

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Lately, Luce has been really anxious about a lot of things. It is making it really hard for us to exist in the same home. But I think they are pushing through it. Doing well considering how anxious they have been. They went to therapy today. I think they were a lot more positive after speaking to someone who can help centre them and are like a neutral person (it’s really useful to have someone else’s point of view especially when they have nothing to do with your personal life).

I’m coping with it kind of okay. I mean it has kind of been hard at times. I really need to be away from too much negative and nervous energy. It makes me irritable and as though there are things piling on. It makes me feel like I can’t breathe. Like there are way too many people who have expectations on me to show up for them when I am also human. I think people expect me to be really put together ‘cos I am a lot older and I have been to therapy and done a lot of things, had several relationships. But the fact is, I am not someone to be put on a pedestal the way some people do. I have my own sets of challenges and I cannot deal with too many people having too many expectations of me. I need others to be very independent but if they need me I will be around. They just need to let me know that they need me. I feel like some people expect me to guess and just know when they need me around. I think that’s really unfair. I cannot know how to help someone when they don’t tell me when they need me, how they need me and what I can do to help them now and in future. I feel a little out of depth right now and I wish that I can do more for others, but I need to focus on myself. I am drowning otherwise and that is not a good feeling.

If I could give the world to someone like Jamil, I would. I just can’t have him projecting his traumas around his father, onto me. I will never be his biological father, I am his friend. Yes, I am his ballroom father, but that doesn’t mean he can expect the world of me. I think I need to ask Miri for some advice. I don’t really know how to manage having a kid, let alone like sixteen kids. It’s really hard already. I really need people to be proactive in telling me how I can support them because I can’t know everything. I will give support if I know how and if I have capacity to do so. I just hope that people understand that. I also believe that when we become adults, we need to find ways to fulfil our own needs. We can’t expect that to be the purpose of having connections and relationship whether romantic or not, with others.

Anyway, other than that…work has been a little annoying and anxious to be participating in. I always have this fear that I will lose my job. But i have to remember that there will always be a way. I think I will be okay. I just have to keep showing up and trying. I think that proves a lot more than not turning up and not talking to my direct manager. The so called delivery lead hasn’t really been pulling her weight and I think that really says a lot. I think I am showing that I am doing a lot more than she does and that it has truly been stressful for me to do my job because I am doing everyone’s jobs. I don’t really know where this will all go, but I am prepared for a promotion if that is what’s coming up ahead for me. I will gladly take it as I think I am ready to take the next step in my career. I would really benefit for a change like that right now cos I think part of why I aml kind of restless and have that feeling of searching for something, is because I need something new and big like this to happen in my life. Not so much need, but I think it’s just time now. I am playing this game of life knowingly and I think I have sat at the same level for long enough that I need to go to the next level now. A promotion is a great level up.

I am going to go to sleep now. I’ve had trouble sleeping lately and it is making me tired in the mornings. I ahve to go into the office again and I am really hating having to do it. I hate all the stupid conversations I have to have in person. People are so weird and boring and irritating. Leave me and my cool keyboards alone. You don’t need to ask me about them and why I am interested in modifying them as a special interest. I have certain needs and standards for being able to work and enjoy doing it. Keyboards that feel and sound and look nice is just one of them.

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rathwald · 4 years

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“There will be nothing left of you when I'm done.”

Got pretty far on this speedpaint and I am pretty pleased with it. More attention to Loyician. As lax as he was when I first made him, he’s been getting more... well, he doesn’t want to deal with the same person twice, let’s just say.

#Loyician Rathwald #stupiderist art #wyrmrest accord #wra rp #scarlet crusade #He’s doing so well lately and I’m hoping to push him on a more proactive path in RP #my guild has been so good to me #as much as I wanted to polish this it was a test in 'details only where they matter' speed painting

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primofate · 3 years

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im feeling kinda akward since its my first time requesting,i really really really like your writings and im wondering if you could do some angst for albedo, anything you feel like tbh, but if may i be a little selfish i was thinking on something like he hurt you, so you break up with him or maybe he break up with you and regret later, im in love with the genius and your writings so why not lol, hope you are doing well, xoxoxooxox

Thanks for the request anon. <3 Sorry it took so long, but I’m feeling angst today so here goes. Let me know what you think <3

QUEUED POST

Scenario: Breaking up

Characters: gn! reader x Albedo

Warnings: angst, break ups, regrets, did I say angst?

Categories: angst in Part 1, comfort in Part 2 (It was getting too long so split it into two parts)

Read: (Part 2) (Part 3 - Final)

Albedo

Alone.

These days you found yourself alone in your shared home. It had been nearly a year since the two of you decided to live together. Maybe that was a bad idea.

You were smitten. He was such an intelligent man, and truth be told you loved how his mind worked. He was silent and mostly kept to himself at first, but with you, there were subtle touches, fleeting kisses. Oh and his eyes, the way his eyes brightened or the way his lips turned up at the sight of you. The way he held you close at nights, up until the morning.

Gone were those days.

He was hardly home. The intelligent man you had fallen in love with, was also a workaholic. Perhaps you should’ve seen it coming. There were so many signs.

Maybe he changed. Maybe you changed. But the little things weren’t enough anymore. He came home just to sleep and wake up, and he was off again.

“Bedo, have you got some time off on the weekend? We haven’t been up to Starsnatch Cliff in a while,” you had prodded him a few days ago, wondering if the problem would be solved if you made the first move.

“Sorry, Y/N, we’re just about to discover more about the properties of electro crystals... It’ll be useful if we want to sustain higher energy concentrations on...” and just like that he had gone off a tangent explaining the whole thing. You smiled a little, it was still endearing how excited he got discussing those things.

But you couldn’t help but be lonely at how he seemed to love his research more than you.

‘Maybe I just need to be more proactive. That’s it! I’ll go and visit him at the lab today!’ Surprising him was one of the things that you had always wanted to do. But not a lot of things got past Albedo. He was observant like that. You made a quick run to the bakery, getting him some croissants and welcomed yourself into the Favonius Headquarters.

You looked up at the sign on his laboratory door. That sign was always there though, Klee had told you about it, and Sucrose had also talked about it once or twice before, telling you that it wouldn’t be a good idea to go in if the sign was up. But when was it ever down? So, you shrugged, and pushed the door open with a wide smile.

“What are you doing here?!” There’s a wild look in Albedo’s eyes the moment you step in. He didn’t appreciate being disturbed. You tilted your head a little at his reaction, you weren’t expecting that.

“Oh, since you’ve been so busy these days I just thought I’d drop by and give you something to--”

“Y/N, did you not see the sign on the door? No disturbances, even from you,”

“I’ll just be quick, I’m just dropping this off,” you lift the paper bag from the bakery and lay it down on the nearest table. Albedo closes his eyes with a sigh.

“...We’re working on something dangerous right now, I don’t have time to eat. Please take it back,”

Surprisingly, you obey quite quickly, and take the paper bag back into your hands. Annoyance start to pulse in your veins. “Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

Sucrose had been standing there the whole time, and you can see the slight wince on her face at your cold statement... But Albedo had returned it ten fold, snapping an answer back. “Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

You didn’t expect how much it would sting. Your shoulders slump downwards at the realization that this... had gone too far. You couldn’t take it anymore. Sucrose opens her mouth, but doesn’t know what to say looking back and forth between you and Albedo.

The Kreideprinz had continued with his task as if nothing had happened at all, but he knew what he said. He didn’t want any interferences nor accidents happening in the lab and that was the only thing he cared about at the moment.

Your foot moves to step back, but your eyes are glued to Albedo. You can only see his back. His hair tied up neatly, the shoulders that you loved to wrap your arms around and his hands that were always gentle. You took a good look, drinking the whole scene in like you hadn’t had a drop of water in days.

This was the last time you would lay eyes on him and it broke you into so many pieces. You turned away without another word, Sucrose staring at the door, before she decided that she needed to follow you. “I-I’ll be back, Master Albedo,” she rarely ever abandoned an experiment, but she knew that you needed a friend right now.

Ironic, because it should have been Albedo running after you, but instead the green-haired girl caught up to you just as you reached the fountain in the middle of Mondstadt. “Y/N!” she jogs, and stops when you do as you hear your name.

Tears prickled your cheeks, but they were more of frustration than sadness. You stand there for a moment, drying your tears and turning around towards Sucrose, gaze on the pavement. “Y/N...” Sucrose approaches carefully, hand resting on your shoulder.

“...I don’t know anything other than Albedo, Sucrose,” you start, a curtain of memories flashing through your mind. “...Without him, there isn’t much reason for me to stay in Mondstadt,” Sucrose shakes her head rather hastily. “H-He’s just... a little occupied right now, Y/N, I’m sure he doesn’t mean what he said,” You close your eyes, the scene repeating in your head.

“Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

“Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

A hard lump forms on your throat at how hard you try not to sob. How hard you try to keep yourself together and Sucrose sees it from the way your lips tremble. “Sucrose, please watch over him,” and that is also the last that Sucrose sees of you.

That night, Albedo arrives home exhausted, just as he always does. But now that he was home, he could at least expect a warm meal and a warm hug. A soft smile tugs on his lips at the thought.

When he turned the lights on, he was met with a strange stillness instead. His hand stays on the switch as his eyes scan the living room. It was...quiet. There were no plates on the table, and there were no sounds from the kitchen.

Deep in the pits of his stomach there’s an anxiety that starts bubbling up. He brushes it off, opting instead to check the kitchen. “Y/N?”

Empty.

His footsteps hasten as he opens the bedroom door, expecting you to be curled up there, asleep.

Empty.

Albedo takes in a shaky breath. You were probably just out in town, doing some late night shopping. Yeah, that’s it, perhaps you just didn’t have enough ingredients for dinner today and--his eyes land on the bedside table.

The photo frame is gone. The photo of the two of you standing side by side together with comfortable smiles on your faces, his hand on your waist, and the house on the background.

He throws open the closet doors. Your clothes are gone. Your shoes are gone. Even your scent seemed to have disappeared. The anxiety that was once a small bubble in his stomach had started to claw it’s way out, wrenching his heart in places that he didn’t know could hurt. The tears pooling in his eyes were so foreign that he didn’t even know what was happening until he hears himself gasp back a sob.

You’re gone.

Suddenly it was so hard to breathe, but he pulls himself up and out the door. There’s no way. Where would you go? Perhaps you were just around Mondstadt, trying to get a breath of fresh air to calm your nerves. He searches everywhere. The church, the tavern, the Good Hunter and even atop the rooftop of the Favonius Headquarters. There was a decent view of the city there, and his eyes roam the streets, just to get a glimpse of you.

“...Please...” There’s another lump in his throat, his eyes dart around looking for any small sign of you.

“Albedo? Tired?” you ask as he returns home one day. He merely lets out a small “Mm,” and pulls a chair out from the dining table to sit on. You walk into the kitchen to fetch him a cup of tea, and he snatches your hand to press a soft kiss on the back of it. “Thank you, love,”

“...Please!” his grip on the stone walls of the rooftop tighten. His vision blurs.

“Al! Don’t do that!” you try to swat his hand away from the pot, a short laugh coming off of your lips at how mischievous he could be sometimes, trying to dip his finger into the sauce. He has a grin on his face as he successfully tastes the sauce off his finger, making a sound of approval as he draws you in for a light kiss on your forehead, “It’s good, as always,”

His legs buckle, and he finds himself on his knees, hands fisted upon the cold stone wall. “At least tell me where you've gone! I can’t--” he doesn’t know when the last time he cried was, but whenever it was, he doesn’t remember it to be this bad. The pain was unlike any injury he had, it grasped so tightly at his heart.

“Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

“Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

He furiously shakes his head because he knows that it was his fault. “I didn’t mean it, please give them back,” as if there was someone else who took you away. As if there was a God listening to him right now.

He realizes that the worst of it was not that you had left, but that you had left no traces of you behind. No photo. Not a piece of clothing. Not a trace of your existence.

Nothing for him to hold on to.

That night, he dragged himself back home. Face flushed and hot from the tears he had shed and the ones he was attempting to hold back.

That night, he painfully got into bed.

Alone.

Taglist: @larkspyrr @rim0na @sweeti-pie @l3mon-mxshroom @hai-q-haikyuu @tkshoki @kyquu @KimbapSana @fanfictionenthusiast

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#albedo #albedo x reader #genshin impact #genshin #genshin reader angst #genshin x reader angst #albedo x reader angst #genshin fics #genshin short fics #genshin headcanons #albedo angst

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jenoismydad · 4 years

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For Your Eyes Only

its been a while since i’ve written nomin smut. this one took quite a while to write and its kinda crack but i still hope you all enjoy it. smut begins at the ♥️ incase you don’t want to read the plot.

Pairing: Jeno x Reader x Jaemin

Genre: Smut; Threesome, Fem Receiving, Male Receiving, Unprotected Sex

Words: 3.8k+

Synopsis: You take a naughty picture for Jaemin without realising that you accidentally sent it to Jeno instead. One wrong text leads to a night of immeasurable pleasure ;)

Warnings: None

»»————-　➴　————-««

It was 3 a.m. and you were unbelievably horny. After unsuccessfully attempting to satisfy yourself, you gave up and decided to call your neighbour cum fuck buddy, Jaemin, hoping that he was still awake and that he’d be kind enough to come over and help you out with your ‘problem’. Luckily for you, he picked up, and when you presented your case, he asked you to give him 20 minutes, during which time he’d finish playing a video game, shower and then arrive to tend to your needs. Still, since the offer was better than nothing, you agreed and decided to wait. However 20 minutes later, your doorbell failed to ring. So, you called him once again to check up and make sure that the offer was still standing. This time, Jaemin claimed that he’d only need 10 more minutes, but if you were to give him an incentive of sorts, then he’d consider hurrying up. He also ridiculously concluded by adding that doing so would be a win-win situation for you both as he’d get to see your boobs due to which you’d get to be railed by him sooner.

Since it all made perfect sense, there was no reason for you to say no to this newly introduced

proposition. All you had to do was click a picture and send it to him. That would be the end of that, and you’d both get what you wanted. However, you knew very well how Jaemin’s friends liked to snoop around in his phone. It so happened that you’d once sent Jaemin a rather proactive text, leading from which was an hour long conversation about all the dirty things you both wanted to do to each other. Later on, much to your horror, Jaemin informed you that it wasn’t actually him who you were sexting but instead, one of his buddies who’d borrowed his phone to ‘play some games’. It was amusing for Jaemin but the incident had scarred you beyond belief. The embarrassment you felt afterwards was immeasurable and so, you’d been careful with the way you made your booty calls ever since.

To put it straight, you were reluctant to send Jaemin a few nudes in the fear that someone who wasn’t him might come across them. But after giving it quite a lot of thought, you realised that you were just too horny and impatient to keep dragging this out. If you wanted to get relieved so that you could soundly fall asleep, you needed to get Jaemin down here as soon as possible.

So, without so much as a thought, you opened your camera, took the raunchiest set of pictures that you possibly could, and sent them to him with a reminder that they were for his eyes only. After that you were left to stare at your phone screen, waiting to see if he’d gotten his ‘incentive’ or not. It took him a few seconds, but soon enough, he saw them. You didn’t know if he was at a loss of words or if he was just trying to send you a cheesy pick up line that he couldn’t quite seem to remember. He kept ‘typing’ but you never got a response and it was beginning to make you feel antsy. Just before you were about to call him again, you heard a knock at your door.

Feeling a sense of relief, you straightened yourself up a bit before opening the door. “Took you long enough-”, you muttered distastefully, pausing when you surprisingly met eyes with someone who was clearly not Jaemin.

“Jeno? What are you doing here?” you asked, extremely confused as to why your next door neighbour was at your house at such a late hour. He seemed conflicted, dazed almost, knuckles having turned white because of how tightly he was holding his phone. Something was wrong. You noticed this and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Is everything okay? Do you wanna come inside?”

He shook his head, nodding soon after, seemingly in a dilemma of sorts. You stepped aside, allowing him to enter your home. “Jeno what’s going on?” you asked once again, starting to feel concerned for your friend. He was usually always so calm and composed so his current demeanour seriously caught you off guard. For some reason he was fighting for words.

“Umm, I don’t know how to say this but, did you mean to send those pictures to me?” he spoke quickly, avoiding your gaze immediately after. Now you were at a loss of words. You weren’t stupid and you were pretty sure you knew what he was talking about. It didn’t take you too long to put two and two together. To further support your doubts, his deranged state plus apparent timidness suggested that he’d seen something horrific, something that he hadn’t intended to see and something that you were now realising must have been sent to the wrong person. As soon as it occurred to you, you checked your messages, feeling absolutely dreadful when your suspicions were confirmed. You’d sent your nudes to him instead of Jaemin. How, you did not know. What were you supposed to do now? Apologise? Even if you did, and even if he forgave you, you couldn’t live with the fact that he’d seen you naked, or semi naked or whatever. Jeno wasn’t someone who you could ignore that easily. He lived right next to you, you always ran into him in the elevator and down the halls and he was your go to 5 minute grocery store from whom you’d borrow eggs or laundry detergent, whatever it was that you’d run out of. He was very crucial and unavoidable so now, what were you going to do about this?

“Fuck, I-, I’m so sorry you had to see those. I mean, I wasn’t trying to send them to you.”, you began. “I don’t even send nudes. Like this was the one time, the one time that I did and look what happened.” Chuckling nervously you continued, “I guess you could say that I was super desperate, I mean-”

“Yeah, that’s not an understatement.”, Jeno mumbled, tilting his head with a subtle smirk. You stumbled over your words as you registered what he said. Pausing, you pursed your lips and uncertainly faced him. “What do you mean by that?” Jeno looked up at you and scratched his neck. “I could hear everything.”, he admitted, somewhat embarrassedly. “These walls are incredibly thin. You’d be surprised at how much detail they fail to spare.”

Your eyes widened, face turning a deep shade of red. He’d heard you masturbating. How humiliating. If the door wasn’t closed, you would’ve bolted. The uncanny amount of awkwardness that had settled over you both felt like it could crush you at this point. Why did he feel the need to tell you that? If you were in his place then you would’ve just kept it to yourself, no matter how awkward it would make you feel around him. It was enough that he’d seen your nudes, but this, this was practically the cherry on top.

But then, Jeno proceeded to say something so unfathomable, so completely unlikely of him, that it made you question whether the man standing before you was actually the same cheerful person that you’d been living beside for the past few years or if it was just another overly confident horny teenager on omegle.

“I could help out if you’d like.”

You wanted to scream, to run and hide somewhere where he could never trace you because how the fuck were you supposed to respond to that. So straightforward, so suggestive and so utterly shameless. It felt like he’d put you on the spot. If you said no then it would make things manifold awkward and you didn’t know if you could afford to bear that. If things ever became like that then the only choice you’d have left is to move out, which you once again, were beyond the means of affording. But that in no way meant that you were obligated to agree to his suggestion. So now the question arises...why on earth did you?

Though you’d claim that you’d never thought of Jeno like that, it was common knowledge that you had, at least once in your life, indeed wondered what he was all about. Whenever he wasn’t smiling he looked like a walking full course meal. Jeno was attractive, you would never deny that. And that thing he’d said about the walls being thin. Well let’s just say that you’d lived through a few endless nights of wondering what the heck that man was doing to drunken women in his dingy ass bed that had them screaming like that. It was enticing, it was exciting, and the more you thought about it, the more curious you were to find out. Other than that you felt like it would make things less awkward. He’d seen you partially naked. But if he saw you completely naked and you saw him completely naked then you felt like that would balance things out. Were you stupid? Yes you were. Were you insanely horny? Surprisingly, despite everything that had just happened, yes, you still were.

♥️

“Turn the lights off.”, you instructed with a smirk, pointing to the switch behind Jeno. He did as you said, chuckling when you pulled him towards your couch excitedly. Pushing him down, you quickly got on top of his lap and crashed your lips onto his. Jeno wrapped his arms around your waist, sighing into the kiss. Wanting to waste no time, your tongue brushed over his bottom lip. Jeno parted his lips, letting your tongue run over his. He hastily pushed your shirt up, messily pulling it off over your head. He then flipped you over, laying you down on the couch as he hovered over your body. “Can I just go for it?” he asked, grinning when you nodded. With your permission, Jeno shoved his hand into your pants and past your panties until his fingers ghosted over your clit. You gasped, anticipating his next move. Jeno chuckled and began rubbing soft circles into your clit. You let out a shaky breath, moaning when he dipped his head down to place wet kisses on the skin of your neck. For a second there, you got so lost in the feeling of his calloused fingers on your clit that you failed to notice the budding tension in your abdomen. It wasn’t until you came undone all over his fingers, that it occurred to you. Jeno didn’t stop however. He continued rubbing your clit, sending you into a frenzy over sensitivity. You mewled, hugging his body tightly. Your thighs snapped shut, nails digging into his shoulders as the sensation started becoming too much for you to take. “Take your pants off.”, Jeno spoke quickly, sitting up to do the same. You tugged everything off, laying back down on the couch, giving Jeno quite the sight of your glistening core. Once his cock was free of its restraints, he gave it a few hard pumps before lining his tip up against your slit. Your hips twitched at the ticklish feeling. You spread your legs wider, waiting for him to push into you. Leaning over your body, Jeno’s cock soon filled you up. The overstimulation had your pussy burning. But you didn’t mind anymore. Something about the way his girth pushed against your tight walls made you believe that you were in for something amazing. Holding himself up on his palms, Jeno began thrusting into your. Considering how wet you were, he didn’t have to build up his pace. You closed your eyes, basking in the feeling of his cock fucking you. It felt so good. It was exactly what you’d been craving for. Jeno maintained his fulfillung thrusts, not too slow but not too fast. You swore if he kept fucking you like that it would be enough to bring you to a second orgasm. But you were impatient and the desire to feel those euphoric waves crash down on you again was more demanding than you’d like for it to be. And so your hand sneakily came down to your clit, proceeding to add to the pleasure that you were already feeling. Sweat trickled down Jeno’s forehead as he chased his own high. Both of you were so consumed in your own pleasure that no one heard the lock jiggling. Your loud moans masked the sounds of someone entering your home. It wasn’t until the imposter actually said something, that you realised someone was watching you.

“How could you guys get started without me?”, an all too familiar voice whined.

Jeno froze in place. You on the other hand, were so close to cumming, that even though you’d seen Jaemin standing there, your fingers never ceased their movements. And as soon as your eyes locked with Jaemin’s, your orgasm hit. You’d never been in such a intimately awkward situation before. On one hand your body was springing with thrilling pleasure while on the other hand, you were flabergastedly staring at your fuck buddy. Talk about timing.

“Jaemin what are you doing here!”, you asked, not quite understanding how he’d gotten into your home. He furrowed his brows, seemingly offended. “Umm, hadn’t you asked me to help you out with your problem?” Still buried balls deep in you, Jeno looked between you and Jaemin, more confused than he’d ever been in his entire life. How could you have forgotten about Jaemin? Of course he was going to come over. But still, who let him in? “How did you manage to get inside?”, you asked, as you moved to sit up. Jaemin raised his hands in defence. “The door wasn’t locked. That’s not my fault. It’s yours.” He pointed at you accusingly. You rolled your eyes. “Still, you’re supposed to knock. You can’t just barge in-” “

Oh please.”, he interrupted, holding a hand up to stop you. “It’s not like you’re doing something I’ve never seen before.”

“When have you ever walked in on me having sex?”

Jaemin gave your question some thought. “Hmm? Now that I think of it, never actually.” He smiled bashfully, eyes darting over to Jeno. Jaemin clapped his hands. “This guy however, I’ve walked in on him countless times. Surprised that he actually stopped though. Usually he just ignores me and continues.”, Jaemin revealed. Jeno rolled his eyes and looked over to you. “Bitch always cock blocks me. But whatever, if he’s here now I think I can leave.”

Before he could pull out of you however, you grabbed his hand, halting him. “You didn’t even finish yet. Please don’t tell me you’re going to jerk off.” Jaemin nodded at your words. “Come on Jenny. Don’t disappoint yourself. Cum, and then you can leave. You’ve gotta finish what you’ve started.”, he added. Jeno looked at Jaemin. “What are you going to do then? Stand there and watch?”

Jaemin looked at you. “Well I could join if you’d like.” Jeno turned to you as well. “I’m fine with it. Are you?”

You looked between both boys. “Have you guys done this before?” You’d asked because it seemed like they had.

Jaemin nodded, walking over to you both. “This one time, Jeno got super duper day drunk and he called some girl over and then I came downstairs because I needed some eggs and they were doing it on the couch, just like you two were right now, and the girl pointed to me and was like ‘can he join us’ and so I joined them and then we had sex and it was really good and yeah.”

That was only one time though and Jeno was drunk. Something about the way Jeno had agreed to this made you believe that this was something that had probably happened more than once. As if he’d heard all the questions in your mind, Jeno continued Jaemin’s narration. “Jaemin was having a party at his place once. I hooked up with someone in his room and he walked in on us. Dude just joined in like it was nothing and honestly, it was super fun.”

“And were you drunk then?”

Jeno shook his head. “Surprisingly, I was not.”

That sure said a lot. Maybe this wouldn’t be that bad. You knew Jaemin was a good fuck and Jeno was proving to be right up to the mark. You’d never done something like this before but after everything that you’d been through tonight, what was the point in feeling embarrassed. You were ready to let go and lose yourself.

Jaemin undressed himself, and made you lay back down again. “Don’t gag on me y/n. I know you can take it.” You gulped, equally nervous and excited. Jeno pulled out of you, pumping his cock a few times before turning you onto your stomach. He pulled your hips up and pressed his tip into your slit. “Can we have a countdown Jenni?”, Jaemin asked, holding his own cock to your mouth. “No. And stop calling me Jenni, it’s weird.” Jaemin pouted but nonetheless, tapped your lips. “Open up y/n.”, he cooed. Jeno pushed into you from behind and resumed fucking you, the same way he had been before.

You spit on Jaemin’s cock, waiting for him to slick his length up before opening wide for him. Once he pushed his cock into your mouth, you wrapped your lips around his girth, swirling your tongue over his tip, just the way you knew he liked it. Jaemin smiled, holding your hair out of your face. With Jeno’s forceful thrusts, you didn’t need to bob your head over Jaemin’s cock. “Jenni, have you ever gotten your dick sucked by y/n? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. Y/n ensures 100% customer satisfaction.”, Jaemin spoked happily. You snickered, sending a rumble of vibrations through his cock. Jaemin shivered and tapped your nose. “That tickled.”

Jeno scoffed at Jaemin’s childish tone. “Is he always like this?”, Jeno asked you. You gave him a thumbs up and pulled Jaemin’s cock out of your mouth. “He’s only serious when he’s about to cum.” Jaemin gasped and grabbed your jaw. “Who said you could stop missy?”

Jaemin shoved his cock back into your mouth and held your head down. Your nose was mere inches from his abdomen. You grabbed onto his hand, a sign that you’d gotten the message. You wouldn’t stop until he finished now. Jeno snickered and upped his pace. He fucked you nice and hard. Jaemin’s cock muffled your moans. Every time Jeno thrusted into you from behind, Jaemin pushed his hips into your mouth from the front.

“So Jenni.”, Jaemin started, clearly not close to his high. “How’d you end up here?”

Jeno grunted as he fucked you. “She sent me something that was meant for you. I came here to ask her about it. We ended up fucking.”, he explained, never losing his pace once. Jaemin nodded and raised a brow. “Wonder what she sent you. I never get nudes.”

“It was just a picture of her half naked. Her tits looked real nice though.”, Jeno shared. “Oh. If I’d have gotten them instead, I would’ve been down here sooner.”, Jaemin admitted. You weren’t too sure about that. You knew Jaemin would’ve made you reveal more than you originally had. “Can you send me the pictures later y/n? I’d really love to see them.”

You gently bit Jaemin’s cock, making him wince. He also effectively shut up and continued to remain quite thereafter. The sound of skin hitting skin soon filled the room. Jeno fucked you faster. He was close. You clenched your walls around his shaft, hoping that it would help him reach his high quicker. “Fuck. Do that again.”, he muttered, fingers digging into your ass. Pushing your hips backward, you clenched your walls around his cock again. Jeno groaned in satisfaction, ramming his hips into you one last time before filling you up with hot ropes of his cum. You hummed against Jaemin’s cock as Jeno emptied himself into you and eventually pulled out. Seeing that your pussy was now unoccupied, Jaemin pulled out of your mouth and quickly sat down on the couch. You threw your leg over his lap and lowered yourself onto his cock without wasting a second. Somewhere in the back you could hear Jeno fishing for his clothes. Jaemin sucked in a breath, undoing your bra with a simple flick of his wrist. He tugged the material off your body and went straight for your nipple, running his tongue over the sensitive bud.

“Good night guys.”, Jeno said, standing by your door. Jaemin pulled away from your breast and looked over his shoulder. “Good night Jenni! I hope we don’t keep you up.” Jeno made his exit, leaving you and Jaemin to be. Jaemin bucked his hips upwards, fucking into you from below. Loud moans poured out of your mouth as he rammed into you.

“Isn’t this what you wanted y/n. Didn’t you want to feel my cock inside of you like this?”, Jaemin questioned, losing the playful demeanour. You nodded frantically. “Yes, Jaemin. Oh god, yes!”You couldn’t even speak coherently because of how quick he was fucking you. You could feel Jeno’s sticky cum trailing down your thighs. It all felt so lewd but you would never complain about it. “Are you going to cum all over my cock y/n?”, Jaemin asked, noticing the way your moans became shriller. You didn’t answer him. You couldn’t answer him. You were too focused on the knot forming in your stomach to think about anything else. “Fuck I’m gonna cum.”, you moaned, fingeres tugging on his hair in desperation. Jaemin said nothing further and sped up his thrusts, hammering into you from below.

Your orgasm hit you so hard that your thighs began quivering at the strong sensation. You shut your eyes, a screen of white flashing before them as Jaemin slowed down a bit. He helped you ride out your high, grabbing your hips in order to keep you moving over him. Your walls were tight around his cock, and after a few more thrusts, he twitched inside you, soon emptying his seed into, just as Jeno had. After he pulled out of you, you fell onto the couch, suddenly feeling very fatigued. It was almost the morning now. God knows how long you’d been trying to fuck off your horniness. Thankfully, you were now fully and completely satisfied. “Aren’t you gonna clean yourself up?”, Jaemin asked, walking into your bathroom with his clothes in hand. You didn’t have the energy to move anymore. Jaemin came back, fully dressed, with a blanket and warm towel which he gave to you. You lazily ran it over your thighs, pulling the blanket over yourself soon after. Jaemin concluded that it was time for him to go home now. He bid you a farewell and was about to leave your house before he remembered that he had something to ask.

“Can you still send me whatever I was meant to see? I’d really love that.”

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kiribaku-queen · 3 years

Text

The Blood King and his Queen [6]

Pairing: Bakugou x reader

Romance, Angst, Drama

Word count: 2.2K

Summary: From being a mere servant girl to marrying the scariest prince in existence, your world changed right before your eyes. Exchanging places with the princess, you knew, wasn’t going to be easy. But could you have found love on the way? Or was it never meant to be?

A/N: I really need to stop writing so late at night... I finish writing sometimes at 2 or 3 in the morning but I have to wake up at 5:30!! God, why do I do that to myself?! But its all worth it because I love reading your comments and seeing your likes and shares <3

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You waved your arms in the air, signaling to his men where you were. How worried and concerned they looked couldn’t be explained with words. It was like they didn’t even look at him as their prince. They viewed him more as a close family member than their future king.

Everyone crowded around Bakugou wanting to be the one to help him up. But ultimately, it was Kirishima and Sero who supported him, one on each side as they helped sling his arms over their shoulders. Bakugou growled in pain every time he moved or took a step. Your eyebrows furrowed in concern and you couldn’t take your eyes off him. You deeply wanted to help him, but what more could you do? Sure, you helped stop the bleeding a little bit but surely there was something else you could do. You wanted to be the one he leaned on. You didn’t want to feel useless. And it was frustrating because you knew you could be of more help. You didn’t want to look like a princess who didn’t know how to do anything.

Mina happened to glance over at you while you mentally criticized yourself. Your hands were balled up in fists in front of you, your pouty lips were quivering, and you couldn’t take your eyes off the wounded prince. Mina’s eyes softened. She came up to you, took your hands in hers, and gave you a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry about that drama queen. He’s going to be fine. He can handle a small cut like that. He’s not called the infamous Blood Prince for nothing,” Mina assured you, making you feel a little bit better but no doubt, still worried.

You all stopped to rest about that ambush. No one else was hurt and nothing had been taken, just a few broken carriages but that’s all. One soldier was setting up a fire to heat up some drinks, two of them were looking at a map and depicting which route was safest to cross, and another was tending to Bakugou’s wounds. Thankfully, there was a whole cart of medicine. They applied medicine skillfully to his cut. This must happen a lot that they know exactly what to do without a doctor. You could only watch as you sit next to him, your eyes never leaving his cut. As his soldier was about to cover his wound back up, you held your hand out to stop him.

“May I?” you offered. The soldier was taken aback at the request, not expecting you to offer your assistance but gladly let you after seeing your determined face.

“As you wish, princess,” he backed off to leave the rest to you. You took hold of the bandages and began to wrap them around his torso.

“You let me know if it starts to hurt again,” you demanded as you finished wrapping him up.

“I’ll be fine,” he grumbled. You didn’t like his answer so you tightened your knot a little too tight for his liking and he winced in pain.

“I’m serious,” you pouted. Bakugou could laugh at your reaction but decided against it.

“Is her highness upset with me?” he questioned and you couldn’t hold back your thoughts.

“How could you get hurt like that?” you exploded. “You had me so worried. What if you had gotten killed? What would I have done then? You shouldn’t let yourself get distracted, especially not because of me.” You were scolding him but Bakugou’s lips turned into a deep frown. He grabbed you by the wrists, making you face him.

“Surely her highness isn’t saying that she is not of importance?” his deep voice whispered, raising one eyebrow in curiosity. Having his face so close to yours made you flustered.

“Well…” you tried to say but couldn’t finish.

“To me, you are the most important person here. I would battle a hundred swordmen and lose all my limbs if it means that you are safe,” he said, seriously. Your lips parted in surprise by his sudden confession. When Bakugou snapped back to his senses, he was the one to become flustered this time.

“B-Because you are the future queen… o-of course,” he tried brushing off, looking away like it was nothing. Any feeling of happiness that you had slowly turned into disappointment. Of course, he was only protecting you because he thinks you are the princess, his future bride. If it was you, you were sure he wouldn’t be saying these things. But you tried to not let it get to you.

“Bakugou, princess!” you heard Sero’s voice behind you. You both turned to see Sero running towards you with two cups in his hands, careful not to spill its contents. “Freshly made. Drink it before it gets too cold.” He squatted, carefully giving you both a cup.

“Thank you,” you gave Sero a smile.

“Ah, also,” Sero stopped to pull out a map from his back pocket. “Kirishima was looking at the map again and if we go through this route, we can probably avoid any more bandits.” He said while showing Bakugou the new route.

“Can we still make it there in two days time?” Bakugou asked.

“Yes sir,” Sero said confidently.

“Good man. We’ll leave in 10,” Bakugou gave Sero a nod of approval. When he left, Bakugou attempted to get up from his position. He held onto the tree for support and grunted in pain as he started to stand.

“What are you doing?” you questioned, puzzled on what he was doing. Instinctively, you grabbed hold onto his arm to help support him.

“Leaving. I have to make sure everything is intact,” he said and still tried to stand tall. You pushed him back down and shoved the cup back in his hands.

“At least finish this. I’ll go do it for you,” you say. Before Bakugou had the chance to refuse your offer, you were already on your feet, running to the group of soldiers. Bakugou watched while you were frantically making sure that you had all the supplies and checking everything like he would. Although, being a rookie, you were bad at your job. The soldiers laughed, making you feel embarrassed yet welcomed by them. They told you everything you needed to check so that next time, you could do it yourself. With a smirk, Bakugou watched in amusement.

You traveled on the new route Kirishima had set for you all. But because it wasn’t the normal road they took, it was a bumpy ride with the ground being uneven. You thought you would be fine continuing on, but you became a little jumpy due to the recent events that just happened. Every snap of a twig or rustle of the bushes, you turned your head to make sure that no other bandits were sneaking up on you.

“Scared, princess?” Bakugou whispered in your ear. You huffed and crossed your arms.

“No,” you denied.

“Like I said, I’ll protect you no matter the cost,” he reminded you. He was loud enough for his other soldiers to hear. Mina gushed over his comment while the others had their mouths wide open. Bakugou? The Blood Prince? Saying these romantic remarks to a woman? Now this was a new sight to see. Kirishima, on the other hand, was smiling softly at the new couple. He couldn’t wait to see your relationship bloom into something beautiful.

Being that the road you were on was so uneven, you had to hold on tight so that you didn’t fall off the horse. At one point, the horse became scared, lifting on his hind legs. You gasped out loud and closed your eyes to brace yourself for a fall. But Bakugou had swooped his arm around your waist and stabilized both of you to stay on the horse.

“See, gotcha,” the prince teased. You covered your face so he couldn’t see how flushed your face was. Bakugou chuckled because he knew. He could tell you were flustered and that’s the exact reaction he wanted to get out of you.

As promised, in two days time, you made it to your next destination. What you saw wasn’t a lively town, filled with vibrant colors and a chorus of people. There were no food stands that sold a variety of foods and desserts. No whiff of saliva-inducing smells. No entertainment on the street for you to enjoy.

You saw a poor village; with run-down houses and starving people all over the streets. The atmosphere turned sad, like a gray cloud was constantly over this place. The life out of this town was completely sucked out. The image was so heartbreaking that you could break down in tears this very instant.

“Bakugou,” your voice cracked.

“I know,” he said, just as sad and disappointed you were, probably even more. “This is the other side of the kingdom that no one gets to see. Most of this kingdom is living in poverty. Everyone knows of the more lavish side, but in reality, what you are currently seeing is most of my kingdom. There are two completely different worlds here but no one, not my brothers not the kind, is doing anything about it. I don’t even know how to fix it.” He explained. You reached a certain, open area and Bakugou got off, so did every soldier. They began unloading all their supplies. You could see a line starting to form not far from you guys.

“And this is the only way I can think of to help,” he said, offering his hand to you. You took it, hoping off the horse.

“How often do you do this?” you ask, still in shock with what you were seeing.

“Every month or so? I try as often as I can,” he replied as he also started unpacking the crates from the cart. Food, medicine, spare clothes, they had it all. The realization hit you. So that’s why they packed so many things in the beginning. It was for his people. His men were almost done setting up, getting ready to pass out rations to his people. But you were standing to the side awkwardly.

No. There was no doubt in your mind that you wanted to help him. You moved to stand next to Bakugou, proactively helping to pass out food rations.

“You don’t have to do this, you know. Aren’t you embarrassed as a princess?” Bakugou asked without sparing you a glance.

“Never. I want to help,” you said as confidently as you could, giving him eyes of determination. Bakugou finally looked at you, his heart skipping a beat again. He coughed, beating on his chest a few times.

You smiled at everyone who came in line, welcoming them without a single judgment. You looked down the line and all his soldiers were doing the same thing. They do this so often that the people recognize them and are laughing and having a good time. For living in such poor conditions, their spirits weren’t down.

After every single person had gotten their rations, you thought the work was over. Oh, how you were wrong. Once that was over with, his men started carrying out more things from the crates. This time, it was wood. They were going to help repair some homes. You were going to find Bakugou but immediately turned around when he took his cape and you saw him completely shirtless.

“You can sit this one out princess. This’ll get a little messy,” he advised. But you shook your head, still facing away from him.

“No, I want to help!” you were still determined. He chuckled at you.

“If you want to help, you’re gonna have to face the other way,” he pointed out. You took a deep breath and had the courage to face him. But only, your stare was straight down at the floor instead of him. How could you? With him being shirtless and all. Was that even necessary?

Bakugou took an axe and started chopping some wood. Your job was to bring the chopped wood to his soldiers who were the ones building the houses.

You eventually got tired bringing the wood back and forth, so you took a seat next to Bakugou who was nonstop chopping wood. The sweat was glistening his body in a godly matter. You couldn’t take your eyes away from his chest, that was heaving up and down. And then add some sweat? Phew, it made you feel hot.

“How long as this been going on?” you started a conversation.

“Ha?” he turned to you, not expecting you say anything so he was a tad out of it. “Ah, all my life.” He said. He decided that he’ll take a break too. He put down the axe and sat down next to you.

“If my father didn’t lie, these people probably wouldn’t be living like this,” he commented.

“Your father lied?” you asked curiously. Bakugou couldn’t believe that he was actually saying this, but he felt comfortable enough with you that he did.

“When he became King, he promised that he would protect every life in his kingdom. But look at all these people. They are suffering and dying because they are not getting the help that they need. And my father is neglecting them! He is a liar who couldn’t commit to a promise!” Bakugou started getting heated up. “That’s why I hate liars. I’ll ruin anyone who lies to me.”

And when he said that, your heart physically dropped.

A/N: Can I just say, you're gonna LOVE the next chapter. I literally just know it because I LOVE IT!

Also, does anyone else just read these chapters and think of it as an anime? No? Just me? Honestly, if I'm the only one that does this I'm gonna feel like such an idiot.

If you want to be added to the taglist, please comment or DM me and I'll gladly add you!!!

Tagged: @superblyspeedydragon @melasnchz-things @animexholic @bkgwrites @sam-i-am-1025 @apexqueenie @katsukibabe @germfart3 @tspice283 @angie-1306 @bakugous-trauma @bakugousmrs @random-fandom-girl-24 @monetfatalia @triviajeongin @readingslumpfanfic @softredrobin

#bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugou #katsuki bakugou #bnha bakugou #bakugou imagine #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bnha imagine #bakugou angst #bakugou romance #bakugou fluff #bnha art #bakugou drama

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skekheck · 4 years

Text

Theory: UrVa’s Arrows Were Originally Meant To Incapacitate, Not Kill, skekMal

Maybe this is common consensus, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. On the surface, it seemed like urVa had wanted to put an end to skekMal at the Circle of the Suns and the Hunter escaped before he could finish the job. But then there was this line in episode 10 that always felt odd to me:

urVa: I had a dream that I was one that became two that became one again. I looked through my dark half’s eyes and knew Aughra was right. [...] ...The Hunt must end.

It’s just “but urVa, weren’t you doing just that a day or so prior?”. But then after rewatching their standoff again it hit me: maybe urVa’s intentions were not to kill skekMal but to incapacitate him.

Let’s look at the scene again

SkekMal was shot a total of three times: the first one through his upper arm, the second around the bottom right of his torso, and the last through his upper leg (possibly thigh?).

(Sorry couldn’t find a better pic of his leg shot)

Weird places to aim for if urVa had wanted to kill him, right? Wouldn’t he have gone for targets that would more likely result in death, like the throat or through the eye sockets? It’s not like he would miss: urVa’s a master marksman. Instead, all three shots prevented (or at least was an attempt to stop) skekMal without taking his life.

The first shot prevented skekMal from harming Rian. The second was retaliation for ignoring the Archer’s warning. UrVa flat out told him to not approach the Gelfling but you see the Hunter take a step forward anyway, prompting him to release the second arrow. The final one was an attempt to stop skekMal from escaping with Brea. Seeing as how urVa immediately collapsed after firing that arrow, it would have worked. However, he underestimated how committed skekMal was to the Hunt, considering he pushed through the pain to get what he needed done.

Those arm and leg wounds aren’t inherently life-threatening. The arrow in his torso, though, is more concerning. It’s possible it could have had or at least be at risk of damaging his organs. Now, the Skeksis have weird-as-fuck anatomy (that goes without saying) so we have no real way of knowing if it was endangering him or not. But considering the nature of his other two wounds, I don’t think it was a kill shot. A more serious wound, but not deadly if tended to. And that’s probably what urVa intended: he aimed for that spot in the hopes skekMal would stop to take care of his wounds.

But Weren’t Both skekMal and urVa In Critical Condition?

Oh yeah, they still were and skekMal’s partially to blame for it. It’s not a great idea to move around too much with arrows lodged in you. The arrow heads and shaft could move around and cause more internal damage. SkekMal moving made what would have been minor to moderate wounds way more serious. Not to mention, he never stopped to pull them out and heal himself: he kept those things in.

And let’s not forget how far of a distance between the Circle of the Suns and the Castle is. There are multiple versions of maps of Thra that have some siginifcant differences, but the main point is those two locations are pretty far from each other. Even if he used Bennu to fly all the way over to the Castle, skekMal would still have to deal with Brea thrashing around on his back. And it looks like he took a detour to grab a cage for her, which he then dragged through the Castle’s corridors. Baiting Rian and his friends just so he can fulfill his Hunt was apparently more important to him than his well-being (which is ironic if you believe skekMal’s philosophy surrounding the Hunt is his own way of self-preservation).

EDIT: Wanted to add that skekMal was in a difficult position in terms of what he wanted. He would know that if he’d pull those arrows out he would have to treat them right away otherwise he’d bleed to death. At the same time, he would also had to keep Brea from escaping. I think he weighed his options and found that he’d had more success just pushing through it and keeping them in then treat them later. SkekMal might had also thought the other Skeksis would be able to treat him if it was serious enough?

And SkekTek Made It Worse

SkekTek is no doctor. He can cut up and research on animals all he wants, but that doesn’t count as medical knowledge. It’s painfully obvious he has no idea what he’s doing: his diagnosis and treatment of skekMal’s condition is enough proof of that. And speaking of which, skekTek’s diagnosis is full of nonsense:

Skektek: Subject suffers severe exsanguination. Extreme distress to the humus. [...] Imbalance of intrinsic fluids. Manifold ruptures in corporeal morphology. [Checks for a heart beat] Ah. Ah... . Expiration... is... [dramatic pause] inevitable.

Literally he’s saying skekMal has multiple holes in his body and he’s bleeding out. You know, pointing out the obvious. Also, I tried finding out if “humus” related to anything biologically, but all I could find was it’s a term for... soil made of organic matter. I’m not sure what he was trying to refer to, I think he was just misusing it to make himself sound smart.

EDIT: I have been told by a few people that skekTek might be referring the humerus, which is a bone found in the upperarm that’s forms joints at the elbow and shoulder. This would make more sense and would mean skekTek made a proper diagnosis. However, at least to me, it still sounds like he’s saying humus. Another skeksis repeats him and they also say humus, not humerus. Turning on the captions also has it as humus. This could either be a typo or skekTek did mean humerus, but said humus instead.

And how he actually treats skekMal is atrocious.

He pulls the arrows out without making any attempts to stop the bleeding, clean the wounds, or apply stitches. He’s letting him bleed out and he should at least know they need blood to live. Do you know what happens when someone loses too much blood? Among other side effects, organ failure and falling into a coma. SkekTek did eventually made an effort to heal skekMal by giving him essence, but it was too little too late. SkekMal’s condition was so far gone at that point he really needed Aughra’s essence to survive.

UrVa’s Intentions

And now we’re going right back to urVa. While thinking over on urVa’s actions, I started wondering if he anticipated skekMal wouldn’t stay put and that the Hunter would do his own self in by moving around with the arrows lodged in him. I mean, urVa is a mystic, an indirect kill would make sense. But giving it more thought, I don’t think that’s the case. A lot of his actions during the series suggests otherwise.

UrVa was very contemplative, even saddened, about having to end the Hunt for skekMal. He is not like his other half: he respected and appreciated all life on Thra. He also sees the cycle of life as well as the wilderness as something untamable. This is implied while he was talking with Aughra in episode 4:

urVa: We do not get to decide when our part in the song is finished.

While urVa is one of the more proactive Mystics, he still is... a Mystic. He doesn’t believe he should manipulate or control what goes on around him and let things be. The Bestiary book points to the fact that while urVa did keep tabs on skekMal, he never interfered with his hunts. So it was a big deal when Aughra quested him with the task of stopping skekMal.

Also I’d like to point out urVa and Aughra’s final conversation because it’s also important for this discussion:

urVa; And where does my path lead? Aughra: Into the sands to face the Hunter. urVa: [sighing and looks away from Aughra for a moment] I cannot defeat my dark half. Aughra: You will find a way. But not without sacrifice. urVa: And if I fail? Aughra: The heroes of Thra will be lost. urVa: Mm... [pauses and takes a deep breath] I will end the hunt. Aughra: Good. Get a move on. You Mystics are not known for your swift speed. We have much to do. [...] urVa: [pauses and looks at Aughra] Will we meet again, Aughra? Aughra: [stops walking, saddened] Hm... [faces him] Some things... even Aughra cannot see, old friend. [urVa pauses and then groans, walks away from Aughra as they both parted ways for the final time]

He shows a lot of hesitance in completing this task. I’m sure he knew what Aughra was implying: that he may have to take skekMal’s life away but he still went and asked if they would meet each other again anyway. I think he was hoping for a positive answer, that it wouldn’t have to come to that, and seemed disheartened by her answer. But he still tried. He tried to stop skekMal in a way that, while not exactly peaceful, was not meant to be life-threatening. UrVa even pleads for him to stop... twice! The first time as skekMal was making his get-away and the second time while urVa helplessly watched him go after Rian again through the Hunter’s eyes.

These two only had one scene together so we don’t really know the extent of their relationship. But if there’s one thing that’s clear was the conflict between them. I mean, during their whole duel, the characters were purposely placed on opposite sides of the room while making sure to show that skekGra and urGoh, a pair who were able to find harmony, were always side by side. It’s also in the way they address each other: while urVa does refer to him as his dark half, he also called him by his name. SkekMal, meanwhile, only ever referred to urVa as his title and nothing more.

But I don’t think urVa had any ill-will towards his Skeksis. He seemed understanding of him and valued his life as much as he valued all living beings on Thra. I think if they both didn’t end up in a near-death situation, he’d try incapacitating skekMal again. However he understood and accepted his situation towards the end: with skekMal on an essence high, incapacitation method was no longer possible. If he allowed it to go on, all of Thra would be at risk. It was a desperate situation, but he knew Aughra was right. She gave up her life for the preservation of the world and urVa knew he had to do the same: for her and for Thra. The Hunt had to end and in order to protect the world he cherished he had to make the ultimate sacrifice.

#the dark crystal #skekmal #urva #I might go back into this and edit/add things but HERE YOU GO

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minty-chocco · 4 years

Note

Hello! May I request a cupcake with a grumpy Leona Kingscholar, trying to woo an GN Reader with like lion courting methods? Like brushing out his mane and giving meat and such, but it isn't working? Until Ruggie tips him off to try human courting? I don't really care what format but a scenario would be preferred. Thank you!

𝑳𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒂 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓 🧁

Pairing: Leona Kingscholar x GN! Reader

Warning(s): None.

Word Count: 1.8k words

Extra Note: aaaaa I’ve written this prompt the other way around at first (the reader is the one courting Leona) and realized my mistake halfway through lol. Anyways, writing this was quite a challenge for me since I still haven’t fully grasped Leona’s personality yet. To be honest, the reader was supposed to be dense but then I thought what would be the fun in that? So I made the reader quick witted so they could push Leona into doing more effort in courting! I apologize if this isn’t what you had in mind and if Leona’s character is a bit off. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy reading! Here’s your cupcake~! (sorry it took so long)

The reader would be following canon mc here but they’re in 3rd year instead because Leona is 20 years old.

These past few days you have noticed the dorm leader of Savanaclaw, Leona Kingscholar, is acting a little bit odd.

At first, you thought that he was just in the mood of being nice but then quickly erased that thought—Leona wouldn’t be nice with just anyone. You were suspicious if he was planning something being the scheming person that he is.

He would send Ruggie to give you food and jewelries. Whenever you would meet him at the Botanical garden he would be somewhat clinging to you while taking a nap. If others were to find you in that position they would assume you two were lovers.

It wasn’t like that before. Leona despised any presence in his sleeping place not wanting anyone to disturb him. He would prefer to be alone and be basked in silence.

Now he seems to tolerate you or even so.. he seems to now like your presence.

He would scoff whenever he smells another person’s scent on you and would become quite possessive, hugging you close until that nasty scent of others is now overpowered with his.

He wasn’t like that before.

You had some suspicions that maybe he likes you—but then you quickly erased that thought out of your mind.

He wouldn’t.. right?

By this time, you were starting to get confused by his sudden behavioral change. You decided to ask him directly about it.

Walking through the school’s halls, your footsteps echoing throughout the empty corridor as you quickened your pace to get through the Botanical Garden.

You wanted answers. Now.

The botanical garden was peaceful as always. The sun shone down through its glass roof giving it a calm scenery. The vibrant colored flowers that surrounds the inside of the building was beautiful and fragrant. You inhaled the fresh scent of air. You can’t really blame Leona for liking this spot.

You saw Leona at his usual sleeping area. He was softly snoring seemingly deep in his slumber.

You observed his features while he’s busy dozing his problems away. He looked peaceful. His soft brown hair looked messy because he kept moving while sleeping. The shade of the tree he’s sleeping under kept him away from the light of the sun. You observed that his ear was slightly twitching.

‘He must be having a dream..’ You thought.

You poked his cheeks gently to wake him up. When he didn’t give any response, you tugged at his sensitive ears instead.

Of course, this caused him to wake up looking annoyed. The lion shifted and fluttered his eyes open revealing beautiful deep emeralds that shone like crystals.

His eyes were like hues of the forest, surrounded with dark moss. It was the kind of earthy green that reveals the grass after the winter snow melted. The mystifying glow of his reflected on your (e/c) colored eyes.

“Oi, who would—” His deep voice was commanding with a hint of annoyance. Upon realizing that it was you, his irritated expression turned neutral. “It’s you, herbivore.”

Leona wouldn’t hesitate show his dismay to anyone who would dare wake him up and mercilessly kick them out but why isn’t he doing so to you?

“You’re acting weird, Leona-san.” You confronted him quite concerned for the man in front of you. Maybe he ate something he shouldn’t have. Maybe Ruggie got sick of this man and have been putting funny potions in his meal. You never know.

“Haah?” He rubbed his eyes still sleepy because of his nap that was cut short. “Be straightforward.”

You sighed shaking your head a little. “You’re acting too nice.”

He frowned hearing this but you continued on not giving him a chance to talk. “First of all, why are you giving me meat through Ruggie? What do you expect me to do with it?”

He was about to say something in defense but you raised a finger to add more. “Second of all, you’ve been touchy touchy with me lately to the point that I’m becoming your personal pillow.”

“Lastly.” You gave him a pointed glare. “You’re becoming protective of me. You couldn’t care less about me before.”

Leona sighed seemingly frustrated. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

“No. Explain it to me.” You stubbornly replied, tired on whatever game he was doing.

Does he like you?

“What a pain.” He turned his back to you begrudgingly and proceeded to lay down to take a nap ignoring your request. He pulled you aside with him and held you tightly while shutting his eyes close.

“You--!” You gasped in surprise.

When you noticed that he was already asleep, there was nothing you can do. You looked at him at disbelief. How can he fall asleep in just a matter of seconds? You decided not to ponder on your thoughts anymore. It’s Leona after all.

“What should I do with you..” You said in a whisper.

“Leona-san.” Ruggie looked at his senior and pursed his lips. “You should be courting (Y/N)-san as any normal human would do.”

The hyena didn’t really care if his senior was doing the wrong method of courting as long as he was being paid but after a long time, he couldn’t bear to see Leona failing at his pathetic attempts.

“You think I don’t know that?” He raised a brow at his junior in front of him. Leona was clever enough to know that but he didn’t want to take his time to do research so he resorted to a method he’s familiar with. “This would do.”

Ruggie looked at the dorm leader in incredulity. “I’m sure (Y/N)-san would appreciate it more.”

After noticing the lack of response, Ruggie realized that Leona has already fallen deep in his slumber.

Ruggie just shook his head while picking up Leona’s clothes to take them to laundry. Atleast he tried.

After debating some time with yourself you decided to tell Leona directly to keep his act up. You’re slowly believing your first suspicions that he might like you when his actions continued.

“Leona-san.”

You visited him in Savanaclaw after a few days. “Do you like me?”

Leona’s ears perked up upon hearing this. He looked at you with an amused expression. “Oh? You finally noticed?”

Shaking your head, you looked at him straight in the eyes. “Then were you trying to woo me or something all this time?”

He shifted to his bed to get into a more comfortable position before answering. “Yeah, what do you think I was doing?”

“Well..” You studied his expression before speaking up. “You got to do a lot more than that.”

Leona has been ‘courting’ you by giving you meat through Ruggie and often times he would just hold you in place while sleeping. He didn’t really extort real effort upon doing so.

It’s not like you’re materialistic or anything but you wanted him to be more proactive in his goals. You wanted him to be the one doing all the work instead of Ruggie but since it’s Leona we’re talking about—it seems like it would be an impossible goal.

If he wanted you then he’s got to work harder than that. You ain’t no easy fish to catch.

You made sure to send the message across not paying to his reaction before walking off.

The lion looked at your retreating figure before gathering his thoughts and finally making a decision.

Leona has stopped doing his method of courting after that conversation you had the other day.

You can’t help but feel disappointment fill you up. You expected the lion to atleast put some effort and challenged him but you guess it was too much for him.

Although, it may not seem like it.. you did like the lion back. Even when he can be seen as standoffish, prideful, and lazy you can see some of his good points.

Closing the magical book and bouncing off your seat in the library, you returned the book to its respected shelf.

Exiting the library, you tried to take your mind off things by looking through the students passing by you while walking.

After coming back to the Ramshakle dorm, what you didn’t expect to see was a certain lion that has been invading your mind lately. Leona’s turned to look at you after smelling your familiar scent, his tail slightly raising.

“Leona.” You looked at him in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Oi, (Y/N)” The man in front of you looked at you with an unreadable expression.

You flinched when he called your name. This was the first time Leona ever called you by your name instead of herbivore.

“I like you.” He awkwardly looked away scratching the back of his head not really used to these kinds of things. He wanted to take a more straight approach instead of poking around.

Truthfully, Leona considered giving up. He thought it was such a pain that he would have to get his ass off from his comfort zone but that changed when reflecting back your moments shared together.

This lion started to get used to your presence that It just feels wrong whenever you’re not with him. At first, he was satisfied with being friends thinking that being in a relationship would be a lot of work. That opinion of his changed when he saw you being buddy buddy with the other students.

Yes, it made him jealous. Leona was quite possessive and he didn’t like the fact that there were students that dare try to make a move on you. He would often get annoyed smelling other scents on you.

Although, he’s embarrassed to voice these thoughts out loud. He had hoped that his feelings reached you across. He then outstretched his hand to reveal a little box. He looked like he was waiting for you to take it and so you did.

When you opened the box, it revealed a bracelet. It was just like his but more personalized and fit into your style.

You raised a brow at him waiting him to explain eyeing him suspiciously.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He raised his hand defensively and you can see him become flustered for a split second before regaining his composure. “I made that.”

“Really? Are you sure?” You took at stepped and looked at him intensely as if you can tell if he’s lying or not.

He groaned seemingly frustrated. “I did, okay? I even put your favorite colors to suit your taste.”

“Hm.” You observed the bracelet closely and it was embedded to fit your aesthetic on just the way you like. “You’re right.”

Leona clicked his tongue upon this. “What a troublesome herbivore you are.. making me do these things.”

You can’t help but feel giddy inside. He really did this for you, huh? To others it may not seem much but Leona taking his time to make something for you makes you happy. You’re very much aware about the lack of effort he put into things and the fact that he made effort into making you this was already priceless to you.

You chuckled and smiled fondly at him. “Aww aren’t you a cute kitty~”

“Heh.” He gave you his signature smirk which made your heart skip a beat. “Have you fallen for me now?”

“Who knows~?” You gave the lion a kiss on the cheek which wiped the smug grin on his face and is replaced with surprise, a light dust of pink painting his cheek.

Ah, how dare you steal his heart just like that.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈! 🧁

#twsited wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #leona kingscholar #twst #twst leona #twisted wonderland x reader #leona kingscholar x reader #twst leona x reader #freshly baked cupcakes

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etoileholland · 4 years

Text

Holland Park

@musicalkeys asked; Hi Cordelia! Can I request a fic with Reader going on a date with Tom (maybe Tom's her first OFFICIAL boyfriend) and Tom gives her, her first kiss at the end of the date?

Pairing: Tom x female reader

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: none

A/N: I’m so sorry this request is a month late but I still hope you enjoy it! Requests are open but it may take me a little bit longer to write them, also please let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist!

“What’ve you got in the basket, Tom?” You inquired when you answered the door to see your boyfriend Tom standing on the other side of it, arm propped against the doorway. He had planned a ‘big trip’ around London, which just consisted of driving to a park in Kensington for you both to relax and spend the day together. Tom also had known that you were stressed with exams coming up, and what better way to alleviate some anxiety than to go on a picnic with your boyfriend.

This wouldn’t be any ordinary picnic, you see. No, this would be more momentous than any other date, because this was the date that Tom would finally give you your first kiss. He hadn’t had the luxury of doing so yet, being privy of the fact that you confided in him that you had never had your first kiss. When he had heard that, he couldn’t have believed it, but you confirmed, saying that you never had the opportunity to do so, since you’ve also never been in a relationship.

With this in mind, Tom wanted to make sure that this would be a first kiss to fondly remember.

“It’s a surprise.” He whispered, scrunching his nose. You laughed a little at the sight, before smiling when Tom held out his hand for you to grab.

“Hold on a second, I gotta grab my keys and all.” You held up a finger to let him know you’d be right back, before going to grab your little backpack. Tom, still standing in the doorway, gently pushed open the door so he could see you scrambling to make sure you had everything you needed. That was one of the things Tom loved about you, the fact that you were always so proactive.

A second later you were back at the door, closing and locking it behind you.

“So what’s in the basket?” You asked cheekily, trying to discreetly open the basket so you could catch a glimpse of what’s inside.

“I told you,” he laughed, playfully pushing your hand away from the basket, “it’s a surprise.”

“But I wanna see.” You whined, pouting and grabbing onto his bicep.

“Well too bad.” He tried to say that with a straight face but to no avail.

“Fine.” You let go of his arm, playfully crossing your arms in front of your chest as you two made your way to his car.

“Trust me, I promise it’ll be worth it.” He said as he held open the passenger door for you to get inside his car. Carefully closing it, he made his way to the trunk of the car, securely placing the basket in there and slamming the trunk shut. He walked to the drivers side, getting into the car and putting the key into the ignition.

Surprisingly, it was a lovely day in London. The sun was out, the sky was a beautiful hue of blue, with a few fluffy white clouds speckled in the atmosphere. There was a slight breeze that lightly chilled the air, but that wasn’t uncommon for an typical London day.

Tom had put a lot of thought into what park he would take you to, even going so far as driving out to a few different parks to see which would be best. Hyde Park was lovely, but it was also a tourist trap, and it was always crowded at Greenwich Park. He had been spotted and followed at the Regent’s Park, so he knew that wouldn’t make you feel comfortable. Almost giving up hope, he had settled on one that he chose solely on its name alone: Holland Park in Kensington.

Serendipitously, this would be the perfect park for you to go to, and not just because he was biased that it beared the same name as him. This park had it all; a serene Japanese Kyoto garden, a cute lake and even a little waterfall. That was the spot where you two would have a picnic, and eventually your first kiss.

To ensure that the meal was perfect, he did enlist the help of his brother Sam to help create a meal, as well as prepare it. Tom knew he was obsessing over this a bit too much, but he knew how much having a perfect first kiss meant for you, so he was hoping that all this would be worth it.

The drive was a quiet forty-five minute drive, spent mostly with singing along to the playlist he had made for this special occasion, and a lot of giggling and laughter.

Every once in a while, he would look over at you when he thought you weren’t paying attention, admiring your features and how you looked better in his sunglasses than he did. That was yet another one of the reasons why he was in love with you; even though you were methodical, you had always forgotten to pack the most essential things.

He hadn’t told you where you were going either, for he wanted it to be a surprise. As he drove past the sign that welcomed visitors into the park, you laughed at the name.

“Okay now before you say anything I promise this park is super cute and I did not pick it based on the name alone.” He tried to state with a straight face.

“Sure you didn’t.” You smirked.

“Whatever, I think you’ll be impressed.” He pulled the car into an available parking spot, turning off the car and sticking the keys in his pocket. He stayed silent as he looked over at you lovingly, eyes focused on your cherry red lips.

“What? Is there something on my face?” You nervously asked, pulling down the visor to inspect yourself in the mirror.

“What! No, not at all! It’s just,” he paused, contemplating if he should say what’s on his mind. “You’re just really beautiful, that’s all.”

“Oh, um thank you.” You blushed, looking down at your bag on your lap.

Oh god stop making this awkward, now you’re the nervous one, he thought to himself. Looking back at you, he asked, “You ready?”

You gazed back at him with wide eyes, excitement written all over your face. “Absolutely, I’m starving.”

“Alright, let’s go.” He opened his car door, and walked towards the boot of the car. After popping it open, he grabbed the basket and the picnic blanket before proceeding to shut the boot. He walked back over to you, gently grazing his hand with yours before intertwining his fingers with yours.

You both walked in comfortable silence from the car park to the entrance of the park. Upon walking under the entrance gate, the smell of magnolias wafted lightly through the air, being carried by the wind. In the distance you could hear children running around and playing, as well as some dogs.

Hands intertwined, he led you to the spot that he had deemed perfect for your picnic, which had a view of the lake and waterfall. He set the blanket down first, then the basket, and then sat down on the ground.

Eagerly, you grabbed the handle of the basket, wondering what was inside, but Tom playfully slapped your hand.

“Gosh you’re impatient, do you know that?” He asked, to which you just shrugged your shoulders.

“I know but I’m hungry and I’m dying to know what you packed.”

He grinned, carefully opening the basket and pulling out its contents. He first pulled out a bottle of white wine, some homemade pasta salad and a platter of mini bruschetta with cheese. To show that he had packed dessert as well, he quickly showed you a plate of chocolate covered strawberries before placing them back inside the basket.

You stared at him in awe, marveling at how amazing he was. He looked at you with adoration, slightly raising his eyebrows before asking, “well, was the surprise worth it?”

“Oh, absolutely!” You leaned forward, throwing your arms around his neck. He was taken aback by your sudden affection, but quickly wrapped his arm that was not propping him up around your waist.

You leaned back, adjusting your seating position as Tom began to help you dish up some food. He was blushing as he served the food, taking a second to present it nicely before handing it to you.

“Thank you.” You said, and the two of you ate your food in solace.

—

Now is my chance, Tom thought to himself. You two were laying on the blanket, your chest on his. His hand rested on the small of your back, your leg wrapped over his. It was almost so peaceful than you nearly dozed off, listening to the bubbling water and to the sounds of birds. He could feel your heartbeat slowing down, your breathing becoming softer and slower, and he began to tense up. He didn’t want to take a nap now, he wanted to kiss you, and he was becoming tense that it wasn’t going to plan.

I know, I’ll just lightly nudge her and then when she wakes up I’ll kiss her, he thought.

Before he could even wake you up, you had done so yourself, carefully rolling off of him and onto your back. You bent your knees, feet flat on the ground as you carefully got up.

“Tommy, I wanna go explore.” You declared, standing up and holding your hand out for him to grab.

You have got to be kidding me, he thought, I was just about to kiss you.

“Okay, let’s go explore.” He held onto your hand as the two of you walked around the park. He was still having a good time, but he had really wanted to make a move. A few quiet minutes had passed, filled with loving side glances and quick banter, until you spotted something in the distance.

“Oh my gosh, look!” You exclaimed. Tom looked over to what you were pointing at, which was a flock of peacocks about a few metres away.

“I’m gonna go pet one.” You said, swiftly letting go of his hand and walking towards them.

“Don’t you dare.” He shouted, and watched as you walked up a hill and towards the peacocks. He observed you from a safe distance, close enough to help you but far enough away from the excitement. Carefully you got about two metres way from the small flock, but when you went to grab your phone they started walking towards you.

Instinctively you took a step back, but they were starting to charge at you. You nearly tripped walking backwards to get away as they got closer, fear setting in. Flight or fight instinct kicked in, causing you to dart down the hill.

“Tom!” Was all he heard as he saw you flying down the hill, running towards him as four peacocks chased after you.

He didn’t even have time to laugh as you grabbed his hand and ran to the other side of the lake. Luckily they didn’t follow you any longer and left you alone, but it was still hilarious.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Tom smirked as you rolled your eyes.

“Yeah well whatever.” You bent forward, placing your hands on your knees, in an effort to catch your breath. “You know,” you exhaled, “I figured that would happen.”

“You good though?” Tom asked, watching as you waved your hand up at him.

“Yep, all good.” You stood back up, gaining your composure. “Let’s take a walk.” You added, Tom nodding his head in agreement.

The next hour was spent exploring, marveling at the various things the park had. You both walked through the maze of flowers that were in a row, strolling as you stopped and smelled some of the tulips and daisies. Tom was always in awe of you, watching as you giggled about a ladybug on your finger, and how pretty the flowers were.

It was around dusk as you two strolled, hand in hand. It was colder now than it was when you arrived, so you leaned into Tom a bit more. You both walked back to your original picnic spot, to gather up your belongings. As he began to move the basket to fold the blanket, you stopped him.

“Wait,” you placed your hand on his arm, prompting him to stop.

“Yes?” He asked.

“Can we watch the sunset, please?”

“Of course, I’d love that.” He sat down, watching you sit down next to him as well.

Wanting some warmth, you leaned your head on his shoulder. He put his arm around your waist, gently pulling you a bit closer to him. Your thighs and shoulders were touching, and you leaned into his touch further. He rested his head carefully on yours as you watched the sunset together.

The sky was golden with shades of pink and orange blending together in the sky. There was one cloud in the sky that was vaguely shaped like a heart, which Tom took as a sign that he was meant to kiss you now.

Finally, here’s my chance, he thought. He lifted his head from yours, turning his head to look at you. The golden light bounced off your features delicately and made you look glowing. He looked at your lips, noting how the light reflected off it and made them look softer.

You felt Tom staring at you, and you looked up to see what it was. Before you could ask him what was up, he looked down at your lips and then back at your eyes.

“Love, um...” he trailed off, scanning your features.

“Yes?” You gulped.

“Can I, um, please kiss you?” He asked nervously.

You smiled. “Of course.”

“Hold on, I want this to be perfect.” He moved from your side to in front of you, so that it would be more comfortable than turning your head to the side. You saw him fidget as he tried to sit in the most comfortable position, as he struggled to think of the best way to go about this.

This went on for a few seconds longer, him shuffling around. You grew impatient, so you grabbed the neckline of his shirt and gently tugged him closer to you. You grabbed his face, cupping his face in your hands and placed your lips on his. He was taken aback by your display of affection, but after a second kissed you back. Your lips were interlocked, your bottom lip in the middle of his, gently laced together. His lips tasted faintly like mint chapstick and chocolate from the chocolate covered strawberries you both had consumed earlier, and were soft and smooth.

Pulling away slowly, you could feel his warm breath, a stark juxtaposition from the chilled air surrounding you. You felt him smile against your lips, him gently leaning into place a soft kiss against your smiling lips.

“Wow,” was all you could say as you two pulled apart, cheeks blushed.

“Well,” he paused, “was it a good first kiss?”

“Good’s an understatement, that was amazing.” You smiled, giggling as he leaned into kiss you again.

— —

mes anges (taglist): @scarletxwidow @sunflowerhollands @fangirlwithasweettooth @taciturnspidey @lmaotshollandd @musicalkeys @harrysleftchelseaboot @quaksonhehe

#tom holland x you #tom holland x reader #tom holland x female reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland blurb #tom holland imagine #tom holland imagines #tom holland and you #tom holland and y/n #tom holland and reader #tom holland fluff #tom holland one shot #tom holland one shots #tom holland fanfics #tom holland fanfic #tom holland writing #tom holland #mine #text

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dknc3 · 4 years

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I was going to wish you an happy birthday yesterday and then missed it, so happy belated birthday, Darla!!! I hope you had a good yesterday, even with these circumstances, and I really hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy, and that 2021 treats you all well :D Wish you much happiness and love ❤❤

Thank you for the birthday wishes. My birthday was actually both a day of incredible gratitude and a day of feeling physically awful.

Almost my entire family has now had Covid. It started with my middle son who we assume was exposed at work as he works in a restaurant. In fairly rapid succession, my youngest son, my husband, and then I came down with it as well.

Best thing about Son #2’s exposure is that it apparently came after my oldest son and his fiancée went back to Virginia after Christmas and they did not get it. Worst thing is that my 82 year old mother asked him to do a couple things at her house the day before he got his fever. And she got Covid, too.

I cannot say enough how important it is to protect yourself from this virus—it is scary as hell and is still raging out of control in the U.S. and many places around the world. As a health care worker, I had received my first vaccine, but I got it one day before my son got his fever—too late for it to protect me.

Both boys felt terrible for about 2 days, and then their biggest problem was their inability to taste and smell. By the time their 10 day isolation period was up, they were actually well.

I had my mother get tested as soon as we knew Son#2 had it and contact her physicians as soon as she tested positive. To my dismay, in spite of her age and heart disease, they didn’t want to see her, and simply advised her to go to the ER if her oxygen level dropped or she got short of breath. THERE ARE TREATMENTS WHICH CAN REDUCE HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS IN HIGH RISK PATIENTS BUT ONLY IF GIVEN IN THE FIRST 10 DAYS AND ONLY IF THEY ARE NOT ALREADY HOSPITALIZED OR ON OXYGEN!! I am in health care and so I knew this. I spent 2 days (the same 2 days I began to suspect I had it, too) getting her an appointment for an infusion of monoclonal antibodies. I’d moved into her house to monitor her the day she tested positive and she’d had cough, mild sore throat, and intermittent fevers, but no breathing problems. Within 48 hours of her infusion, she never got another fever and slowly began to improve. She never got severely ill. By my birthday, I was finally comfortable that she not only wasn’t going to need the hospital, but didn’t need me staying there any more. I was with her for 9 days, but at least the last 4 of those, she was taking care of me as much as I was taking care of her because I was sicker than her by that point.

Meanwhile, my husband was recovering at home much more slowly than the boys, but more quickly than me. He’s in fair shape now—back to flying airplanes, but still not able to do more than 10-15 minutes on the elliptical machine without his heart rate getting too fast to keep going. I expect he’ll be at least close to his normal by sometime in February.

I’m the only one who had to go to the ER. Never had problems breathing or low oxygen, but my resting heart rate got up to 130 and wouldn’t go down. Got tested for heart attack, myocarditis, and pulmonary embolism, and told, “Well, everything seems okay except for your heart rate and Covid just does that sometimes. If it doesn’t get better over the next several weeks, see a cardiologist.” So it’s been 9 days since my ER visit, and my resting heart rate is mostly in the 90s now. Even 80s or low 70s if I’m lying down for awhile. Still 110-120 any time I’m up moving around which means I stay tired—especially since I went back to work (reduced schedule) Monday. And I still cough quite a bit. But I AM getting better. It’s frustratingly slow, and I honestly don’t know when I’ll feel “normal” again, but I’m happy to feel human and even happier to have all the people I love and myself alive after battling this monster.

I also find myself imagining being in the place of one of the over 400,000 people who’ve died of Covid in this country or whose family members have died. Because that easily could have been me.

Please, take precautions to avoid this thing. Get your vaccination when it’s available. And if anyone who is in a high risk group DOES get this, know there are proactive treatments available and push for them. I don’t know how my mother’s illness would have gone if I hadn’t known how to get her the monoclonal antibodies, and that infuriates me on behalf of everyone who doesn’t have a pushy medically knowledgeable daughter. Your access to good medical care shouldn’t depend on that!!

Anyway, my dear friend, I do appreciate your birthday wishes, and I’m sorry to have hijacked your message into a bit of a Covid awareness post, but on this American presidential Inauguration Day, as I look forward with hope, I feel compelled to speak to this pandemic and encourage people to do everything in their power to stay healthy and safe so all of us can make it into a more hopeful future.

Much love, sweet girl!

#thestagthatlovedthewolf #is truly a wonderful human being #covid19

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your3fundamentaltruths · 4 years

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The "I will never marry Penelope" scene will huuuuuuurt. I cant even imagine her face, it will be so sad. Do you think the fallout will be the same? Do you think it will be Anthony escorting her home afterwards (maybe because of proprierty)? Also, what do you think would happen if Violet had heard it?

Many thanks, Nonny! I waited on this one becauseI have A LOT of thoughts. (And they may change over time, so don’t hold me to any of this!)

First, I have every confidence Nicola and Luke will knock this scene and any fallout out of the park and absolutely destroy our hearts. Tears will be cried; handkerchiefs, wine, and chocolate will be required; Colin Bridgerton’s name will be cursed, etc., etc., etc.

That out of the way, let’s start with not being sure that they’re going to keep it exactly the same, i.e., Penelope overhearing ABC at the tail end of Anthony and Benedict teasing Colin as she’s leaving Number Five. Too many variables this far out. If it does play out that way, I think either Penelope would return home alone (given that she seems to move around much more freely on the show than in the books) or Anthony would escort her, mostly so the gist of the next Whistledown column can be the same.

(Though I’m noodling with an idea for a fic where Sophie is also nearby and, being a lady’s maid and therefore an appropriate escort for a young lady, walks her home instead because she can see Pen is near tears. She knows how much these Bridgerton boys can hurt you!)

I think it’s going to be 1000% worse in the best angsty way on the show because Colin and Penelope are actually friends. Rightly or wrongly, I always thought of them as being more friendly acquaintances pre-Romancing Mister Bridgerton than actual friends, but on the show, they are friends. The difference between the books and the show seems particularly pronounced on Colin’s side of the equation. So, no matter how exactly it plays out on the show, I think it is going to hurt that much worse for both of them.

It’s one thing to be in love with a friend and not have him love you back in that way; it’s another thing entirely to be singled out for an “it’s never gonna happen” pronouncement. That’s bad enough, but unlike book!Pen, show!Pen has the added layer of having thrown herself and her whole family under the bus to save Colin from himself. Not to say that he owes it to her to love her because of that (even if he knew about it), but just that that probably makes it that much more painful for her; yes, Penelope was very good to him, but Marina was wrong about the fact that someday he’d see it. Instead, Marina’s words about her love being an unrequited fantasy are just going to come back to haunt Pen, playing on loop right along with I am certainly not going to marry Penelope Featherington!

Similarly, Colin is going to feel that much worse because it’s clear how much he enjoys and values his friendship with Penelope on the show. There’s an unusual degree of familiarity for an unmarried young man and young woman between them, down to his calling her by her nickname more often than not. You don’t see Violet having to poke him in the back to remind him to dance with her like in the books. He cuts mean girl Cressida for being nasty to her. He proactively seeks out her company. He makes a point of apologizing to her for not listening to her; he does listen when she reminds him of the dreams of travel he pushed aside thanks to his infatuation with Marina.

(It would be cool if they did keep the bit where Penelope says she’s not going to marry Benedict and of course it doesn’t hurt his feelings for her to say that, so no feelings were hurt, because the words will be that much emptier and more painful given that Colin and Penelope are actual friends.)

So, I think the fallout will be worse, whether that’s purely internally or depicted externally in their future interactions. I could see this going a lot of different ways. For book!Penelope, it would be in character to handle this discreetly and try to act just the same, but for the show (especially a Shondaland show, because drama), it wouldn’t surprise me if her reaction were more externalized. At a minimum, I could definitely see her giving Bridgerton House/Number Five/the Bridgerton family generally a wide berth after it happens and then subsequently whenever Colin is back in town, so that they only see one another in public settings like balls or promenading.

Given the yellow dresses and bright red hair, Pen is hard to miss, so I imagine if Colin still wants to find her, he will. The question is whether Colin goes full avoidance, tries to sweep it under the rug the next time he sees her, or goes out of his way to make a fulsome apology at the first opportunity after the incident. A nice parallel would be to have him seek her out at the next ball and for him to be the one who doesn’t get to say what’s on his mind this time. Another, more aggressive possibility is him trying to call on her to apologize and being told she’s “not at home” – only to see her silhouette in the upstairs window or some such.

I could see Penelope addressing him formally even when they are in a one-on-one conversation the next time that they meet to signal the shift in their relationship. And Colin’s facial expressions/body language the first time she calls him “Mr. Bridgerton” when there’s no one else around to hear and then when he tries to push back and slip back into their old friendship and Penelope is just not having it will be *chef’s kiss*. His sad little face! Also, there will be so much looking at each other only when the other’s looking away in their futures.

On Violet: I am not nearly as tactful and graceful as Violet is (book Violet especially), so I’m not sure I could do her potential reaction to hearing That Scene justice, but I think it would vary a bit based on whether or not Penelope knows she heard. (That is to say, is Violet visibly there too or is she overhearing it somewhere out of sight? Does she find out after?) If Penelope knows she heard too, I could see Violet saying something similar to what Anthony says in the books – she wants Colin to settle down, she thinks the world of Penelope, and so she’s been talking his ear off about her specifically, but he’s really just uninterested in marriage after, well, you know – but also just apologetic about the rudeness of it and having so much more to say about it than propriety allows because she truly empathizes. Her face would be saying all the things that can’t come out of her mouth. If Penelope doesn’t know she heard, I can see her staying out of sight so as not to compound the embarrassment then letting her son(s) have it later in private.

With Colin . . . oh, the reaction would be different. Violet may briefly acknowledge that she was pushing rather hard, but then tell him that that was no excuse to make such a spectacle of himself and embarrass Penelope. She’d be furious and mortified. (It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Violet summons him – assuming he’s in bachelor lodgings and no longer living at home – to yell at him and he’s clearly hungover, that drink he needed after That Scene having turned into several.) Colin clearly feels awful. But that really doesn’t matter to Violet. His feeling terrible won’t make Penelope feel any better. She just doesn’t understand: his behavior toward Penelope gave the impression that there was or could come to be some more-than-friendly feeling there; marrying Penelope would’ve fit the relationship advice she gave Daphne to a T, that is, to marry the person that feels like your dearest friend. Violet worries he’s made a huge mistake that will have repercussions for his future happiness that he’s not yet self-aware enough to understand. I truly hope you will never have greater cause for regret than having hurt a lady’s feelings, but I fear someday you shall, when it will be far too late to repair the damage.

I could see Colin feeling even worse after a scolding like that – not because he recognizes that there’s a strong foundation to build on and that he might’ve played himself, but because, on top of already feeling badly because he hurt Penelope’s feelings, he’s also now afraid he might’ve misled her in the course of their friendship.

(Except, of course, he didn’t, because the only person he’s misled is HIMSELF.)

. . . That was a lot and I could probably still say so much more!

#bridgerton #polin #bridgerton speculation #colin bridgerton #penelope featherington #colin x penelope #violet bridgerton #asks: anon

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redmaneroster · 4 years

Text

Our Home Away From Home, Away From Home

[1] [2] [x] [4-5] [6] [7] [8-9] [10]

PART 3 – Inhibitions

The Kirin Festival is older than Vale itself. No one knows why they wear fish-scale costumes or set fire to carefully carved wooden statues as they drift into the sea. Why they sing songs of a dead tongue, or why they make the drunk climb a soaked pyramid for honor and – with a touch of modernity – some prizes.

Its mysterious allure is what draws most people. It's the reason why Jaune decides to climb the pyramid himself. He fails miserably. Yang has to carry him off.

Jaune didn't get the memo that participants have to have spare clothes because of course they do, so he's sat drenched in the changing room by the beach, Yang outside with his drying clothes by a heater lamp set up for just this kind of occasion.

They're alone again and it's quiet outside of the distant hum of the festival.

"I called Dad this morning," she says suddenly, leaned beside the tent. "I could hear her in the background." And she goes on, laying out her fears, but during a long pause to process her thoughts a little more, she briefly worries if he's listening.

"Yang. I'm here. I'm listening," he says, clear in that way like a droplet in a cave. Echoing in her mind. Present in all the ways that do not judge.

Then she talks. Talks about her mother coming home. Dancing around her while she reconnects with her dad. Or maybe she's just sleeping with him, and her family isn't going to be whole again. At least, these are her more negative thoughts. She's only willing to forgive her mother from running away if her dad gives her a chance.

She might have earned it then. Might, she emphasizes for Jaune. Raven might well and truly never fit back into her life. Summer – bless her soul – reshaped the gap she left behind. So Yang doesn't know if Tai forgiving Raven might even be enough, but she's willing to hope.

-0-

Everyone gets into a few rides and eats their weight in sugar until they all end up at Junior's club again. Most of them are dancing, except for Ruby and Ren.

When Jaune and Yang dance a little too close to each other, they take a step away. When Sun and Pyrrha dance a little too close beside them, Yang decides to save them both the embarrassment by taking a break.

She doesn't see Jaune taking a swig of his flask. And he doesn't notice that the blush of his cheeks wasn't from the alcohol.

Yang comes back to the table just as Ren – under the influence of alcohol – confesses that Joan has been trying to court him.

Ren and Nora's relationship isn't official. It's tumultuous since she came back to Kuroyuri alone over the Summer to mourn her long lost brother. Ren couldn't bear to go with her. When she came back, they've been… uncertain. Awkward, even.

Joan adds to his confusion because she doesn't criticize his choices or cowardice, she just listens. (It's so eerily familiar that Yang shuts her eyes tight just to give herself time to swallow it). So Joan, in a stroke of luck, is there for him precisely when he needs someone who isn't Nora.

Yang doesn't believe he'll choose her over Nora. It's just a rough patch. As long as neither of them do anything stupid in the meantime, she tells them, then it'll turn up alright once they get their rhythm again.

Ren says nothing.

Ruby's concern in that lack of confidence is burning.

Ren, placating her, says that he's certain things will work out between them again but knows he can't trust his own emotions just yet. Nora mentioned the nuckleavee limping around in the woods (JNPR went there towards the end of freshmen year to kill it but only managed to cripple it as it retreated). He was so blindingly furious at the idea that the beast was still alive that his nails started crackling against his aura.

Calm as he was, Ren wasn't completely put together just yet. "Maybe we're too young to be in love anyway," he says.

"I don't think it's love's fault that it happens too early or too late," Yang says, eyes away. "I think it's our fault for acting when we shouldn't or not acting at all. Or Going too far or…" – she glances at the dance floor – "…not far enough."

Ren is smug when she looks back at them. Nothing is left of Ruby but a cascade of rose petals. Then she zips back to her with the same smug look and a neck of her strawberry sunshine. Little umbrella and all.

Yang admits that she was looking at Jaune, but not for the reasons they think.

Jaune wishes he did more with Pyrrha. Even if he's not hurting over it anymore, he's afraid of making any more mistakes like that.

"He was actually," Ren says. He explains that Jaune spent the Summer alone and he spent some time calling him at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. He confessed about his feelings going haywire and how he wishes he could be happy for the new couple but dangerous parts of his mind told him that he shouldn't have been so passive. Strangely, he was being cryptic and even mentioned a marriage, but that he mumbled that last bit and Ren just shrugged it off.

"That wasn't about Pyrrha, though," Yang says.

"…What?"

"Oh. Oh, shit. I shouldn't have said that." Despite hinting at Jaune's big secret, Yang is a little happy that there was something he was only willing to tell her and not anyone else.

Then the rest of them come back to the booth and Yang pulls Jaune aside before Ren and Ruby can say anything.

She asks him about Joan going after Ren.

He tells her that he knows, but that all his efforts to curb her have failed. She's adamant about pursuing him.

Yang decides to try it herself.

-0-

Everyone's on their way back to the festival when Yang realizes that it's going to be too loud to call. She tells them she'll catch up and sits by a bench in the park. The musty smell of the pond battles against the fresh scent of her still lingering strawberry sunrise.

Joan picks up rather quickly, the sound of her team's movie vanishing in the background. She mouths out apologies to them first before she shuts a window behind her (her dorm is on the ground floor and she slips out through the window as frequently as the door) then sound of crickets chirps through the speaker.

Yang cuts to the chase and mentions Ren.

Joan asks her if she was talking to Jaune. Joan sighs, but she's not dejected, just… amused.

"Jaune likes to forget that we're the same age. That I had a boyfriend before, too. He likes to protect me cause I'm his sister. But I'm as wise as he is… and just as naïve."

Joan lists off Jaune's advice to her.

It's just a phase.

It wouldn't work out.

You're aren't thinking this through.

He's already practically married.

Joan rejects them all.

"I can't help what I feel. I can't dance around love like I'm waiting for an opportunity to strike. We aren't struck by falling stars when the perfect partner comes along. We just find the best we can and make it work out. Maybe Ren isn't for me. Maybe what I have is fleeting and foolish and naïve and stupid. I don't care. I am done waiting for the world to give me the good news. This time around, I'm taking initiative."

They end the call soon after. Yang can't argue with her earnest pursuit if she isn't muscling into it and pushing Nora out of the picture. There was also that chip in her tone that sounded like she knew she was fighting a losing battle.

When Yang exits the park, she finds Jaune waiting by the gate. He stayed back for her.

Fireworks flash over the sky, color splashing over a dark canvas.

Yang only looks at Jaune. Maybe it's Joan being proactive that might have pushed her to stand a little closer. Her fingers twitch. She doesn't know what she wants, but thinks that maybe a little indulgence isn't so bad.

Then he looks at her. But not at her eyes. They're locked at her lips. Without thinking, he pulls out his flask. He takes a swig and tries to go ahead but she grabs him by the wrist.

Perhaps remembering what she did last time she grabbed his arm as he walked away, he covers his mouth with his arm.

She laughs at him. "I'm tired. The party's over. Let's just drop them a line and go home."

"Home…" he whispers before nodding.

-0-

They're sat at the couch because they're waiting on their scrolls. Ruby went missing but they were tasked with staying behind just in case Ruby stumbles into their apartment. Yang isn't too worried. Ruby probably saw Penny and was dragged off during the fireworks.

In the silence, Yang tells Jaune that they spent a lot of time today listening to her problems. Maybe they should talk about his again.

The offer is tempting but he isn't quite ready. He wants to take his mind off it but lately his usual substitutes have been less effective. (Spending time with Yang has been dangerously enticing, and he's starting to wonder if he watered down his whiskey a little too much tonight).

"How about a different substitute?"

She pushes off the couch and tells him to wait right there. He does get up to change his shirt but it's taking so long for Yang to come out that he's starting to worry.

He approaches her door.

She bursts out of it. "Sorry," she says. "It's the only white dress I have." She's wearing the same dress she had at the dance. "It's no wedding gown, but with this on, maybe you'll stop thinking about her."

The idea that he'll think about her instead eludes her for a second before they're both thinking about it and her smiles gets awkward. Worse when he won't say a thing and his eyes have been wide this entire time.

She powers through and plays a song on her scroll. "You said they played something by Ivy Garden at the reception. I'm guessing this is it?"

He nods along as guitar strings rattle off into the room, filling the gaps till the wallpaper turns marble, a band plays on the stage, lavender drapes fall over the frosted glass where moonlight shimmers faintly in the gaps. And she is there, skin a rich chocolate brown, eyes like polished hickory.

Then she takes a step in his direction and her hair is a rich blonde, and her skin is pale and… "Yang? You… You don't have to do this…"

"Hush. You won't talk, so let's not talk. Let's try something else here and see if this works for you."

It works. It works too well.

So they join hands and dance. It's slow and circular, around the center of the living room. She can't bring herself to look him in the eyes. Her head rests against his chest and that somehow makes it worse for him. Especially when she loops her hands around his neck.

He wants so much to ask for more, but can't. His hands are shaking when they're squeezing her hips gently. She notices and pulls her head against his Adam's apple. Her warmth pools over him like a scarf, curling him inwards till his eyes go hazy and his lips hover dangerously over her scalp.

The music stops. The world comes back together, to the present, to their apartment.

Yang hesitates to ask if it worked. When she pulls her head out of his chest, she's surprised to find him breathless. He slowly comes back to his senses.

He takes a step back and immediately reaches for his flask. He downs it but the buzz is missing still, even when he empties it down his throat.

His cheeks don't flare. His thoughts don't cloud. All he has is clarity and it gnaws at the desires within reach. At her.

He almost kisses her, lips quivering, fists balled as his flask clatters to the floor. He clearly isn't sure where to put himself, even if a deep part of him already knows.

Yang decides that she isn't the kind of girl that lets something like this slip by.

She is so warm that her lips feel like she's branding him when they kiss; clamping on the delicate flesh of his lower lip with a desperation he should have seen coming. She'd been holding back, and when he bit back, he knew he was too.

White noise filtered into her ears as she became painfully aware of her own heartbeat. It was erratic, beating off-rhythm and she knows she's afraid. He said he was against this before, and the fear that she might be making a mistake again makes her shudder.

But then she moans when he pulls her in and dips a few degrees till she's curling against him. And she realizes that he isn't pulling away. It beckons him like a siren song, plunging him through the haze of his mind – not knowing that he's already found her – to be captivated, taken completely as if drowning in her.

When he leaves her lips, he presses his forehead to hers. His breath tickles her nose. She edges into him again.

Her kiss, then, is featherlight. Brief and affectionate. She wills herself to pull away; lets him breathe and take it in.

"I don't think this is love," he says.

"I don't think either of us are wise enough to tell the difference," she replies.

The idea that she might be right, that maybe this is okay, snaps something inside of him. She's willing to let him indulge just as long she's doing the same. Maybe he won't hurt her by not falling in love. Maybe this is okay. Maybe… Maybe…

He lets go, leaning back against the couch. He's thinking to himself. Wrestling with rationale.

She wants to comfort him, to tell him it's alright. That won't have to change if they don't need to. So she places a hand on his chest to get his attention, but he's so shocked by the sudden contact that he falls back and grabs onto her dress strap as they collapse onto the couch.

He's lying on the couch now with her bodily over his stomach.

She laughs and so does he, both falling away again into natural diffusion.

He thinks himself safe. The burning tension has withered, but just like before, Yang is unwilling to let things end so anticlimactically.

She gets up and sits on his waist. For a moment he's confused until she falls on him like timberwood. His body – the massive traitor that it is – welcomes her embrace with familiarity.

She laughs between breaths.

There's less heat and more comfort. Less passion and more affection. Indulgence in a way that is almost innocent. For a moment he needs to breathe but she clamps over his mouth. His annoyance spurs her on like it's a game. She's still laughing.

Then he opens his mouth. She slips in a tongue by accident.

They shudder.

They're boiling again, eyes shut to whatever is rumbling between them. His hands travel up her legs. A heat crawls over her skin. Then his fingers tease at the edge of her skirt.

She yelps, pulling away.

Yang realizes, rather succinctly, that she wasn't completely ready.

"Yang?"

"I… Okay, I'm not… I don't know about that yet."

His fingers are still on her legs. They're not even very far up but the places he touches tickle in a way that is electrifying.

He slips out from under her as she sits back against the arm rest of the couch. Her body curled up. Guarded.

An ache settles in his chest. "Yang, I'm so – "

She unfurls. "Don't!" She reaches over and grabs his hands. "Don't… Don't apologize. We wanted this, didn't we? I'm just not mentally prepared to do anything but make out right now."

"You make it sound like there's going to be a second time."

"You forget," she says with a grin, "this is the second time."

"Oh."

"Look, Jaune. I think we've got a good thing going on right now. We're not taking anything from each other, we have fun, and we both know that we needed this."

"You're a little more optimistic about this than I am."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I just hope it means things won't end poorly."

She squeezes his hand. "I don't know what it is that we've got going on right now, so I can't tell you that things won't end well or… not." She scooches closer. "But I'll try my best. Trust me?"

She's so earnest that he banishes doubts long enough to answer. He kisses her instead with the same featherlight comfort she'd given him earlier.

She hums appreciatively. "I think I like it when you say 'yes' this way."

"That a rule now?"

"Maybe. Prepare lip balm. You'll have room now that you won't need that flask anymore."

"I'm not attaching myself to you 24/7. I'm keeping the whiskey."

"I mean, you could attach yourself to me 24/7."

"You can't be serious…"

She slaps his arm, laughing. "I'm not! I'm joking! Lighten up a little."

"Sorry. This is… new to me. It feels like I've skipped a few steps and broken a ton of rules somehow."

"No, I get you, but try not to dissolve into a wet blanket." He pouts. She beams and powers on. "We're two consenting almost-adults here. There's nothing wrong with what we're doing."

"Some people would disagree."

"And some people are wrong and can stuff it." Now that she's calm, she finds that she can still smell the saltwater in his socks. He's probably uncomfortable right now. She stands up. "Now we should both take a bath. This makeup is starting to feel like I'm wearing a mask pressed around my eyes."

"Shouldn't we talk this out a bit more? Lay down some ground rules?"

"In the morning. I'd like to enjoy the prospect of what I can do without having to think about what I can't."

He sighs but warmth bubbles into his chest. "Fine. In the morning."

"Good." She walks up to her door. She stops before she opens it. "Oh, and… don't lock your door."

-0-

It's past midnight when Jaune hears his door open. He tries to squeeze his eyes shut to try to ignore what's coming, but once Yang slips into his sheets and hums happily against his chest, he finds himself painfully aware of the body pressed to his.

"What are you doing?" he asks.

"Being too close but not close enough."

He chooses not to question it.

She slips up further, breath on his neck. She bites. His aura flares up on instinct and she barely gets to his skin, tasting air instead.

"Uh…" he drones awkwardly.

She buries her face into his chest. "Shut up. I was trying to be hot."

"I think we've had enough excitement for one night."

"Lower your aura."

"Yang, c'mon…"

"Jaune…"

He sighs. "Fine…"

-0-

"So this morning, she sneaks up to me while I'm coming into the hallway and she bites me," Jaune says, pointing at his neck. "Then she hands me this bandage before she runs off."

"That sounds dangerously risqué," Joan comments.

Ruby is burying herself in her hood meanwhile, trying to contain her embarrassment.

"That's cause I bit her lip last night for revenge from last time."

Ruby crawls out of her hood and slaps her cheeks. They're still red but she doesn't care at this point. "Okay, so you aren't together?"

"Nora described it as together but not together-together."

"You and I both know that makes zero sense."

"Exactly. That's what makes it perfect. It makes about as much sense as our relationship."

Joan groans. "I can tell Yang came up with that one. It's one of those rules you two talked about, isn't it?"

He nods. "Hundred-percent."

Yang enters the cafeteria and spots them immediately. "Hey, you," she says with a purr. When she sits down, he kisses her cheek.

Ruby retreats back into her hood, gets up, and walks away. Joan rolls her eyes and follows after her.

"You were right," Jaune says, "this is fun."

"Glad you think so. Cause I'm about to sprinkle a bit of madness your way."

Dread hitches itself like prickled grass on his skin. "Okay… Hit me."

"My uncle's coming to Beacon."

"Uh… That's not so bad. Qrow and I are friends."

"No, you don't understand. He saw us at the park and followed us to the apartment to make sure we got home safe."

"Oh… oh, fuck. How much… how much did he hear?"

"Enough to want to meet with your privately. He told me not to tell you. He'll message you later tonight."

"He's going to kill me, isn't he?"

She winces. "Worse."

"What?"

"Qrow wasn't mad on the phone. He was… embarrassed."

Simultaneously he felt relief and yet more dread. "Oh… oh no…"

#rwby dragonslayer #jaune arc #yang xiao long #jaune x yang #yang x jaune

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daxieoclock · 3 years

Text

Birds and Flowers: Hunters Highlights

Just closed out another fucking MINDBLOWING session with some scenes I’ve been scheming in the background for literal months. These in-between times are going absolutely unreal and I NEED to share it with you all djfgbjdfg.

I’m including a bit from last session as well, since it’s also really good and helps set the scene.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) A sizable white boat bobbing in the slight surf. Purple text on the side proclaims it "The Partridge."

The Partridge has an outside deck on the bow with some seats, and an inside room where the wheel is, lined with comfy couches. Before you cast off, Sakio addresses you all. "Hunters. You've done some truly amazing work. This isn't much of a celebration, but I hope you take some time to relax, and enjoy yourselves." She beams at you all. "I'm deeply proud of you for the steps you've taken within both Fractals and your own lives. I hope you can all find some pride in those accomplishments as well."

And the boat rumbles to life, and pushes out into the open ocean.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake slides into the cabin and takes a seat on one of the couches, returning to their book.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena is gonna sit down on the same couch as Blake, and let out a weary sigh. "What'chu reading?"

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “Ah,” they look up, not having noticed her at first.

“Oh, you know me,” they say with a chuckle. “Just another mystery novel…” They shake their head. “Though this particular series feels like it’s going downhill…” they sound a little sad at that, turning the book over in their hands.

Lena Tarr (Dave) She chuckles. "Honestly, I couldn't tell. I don't get those at all." She nods to the book. "Everything's so. Complicated. But in kinda dumb ways."

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) And they flash their a smile. “Yes, I suppose I can understand that. Although the world can be kind of like that too, can’t it?” And they give a little chuckle.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena grins. "Oh, you know it. Like. The thing with those three fucks? Dumb as all shit." She shrugs. "You can't escape it though. You can't just say that it's dumb and make them leave. You gotta." She twirls the cane in her hands. "Do something."

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) They give her an uncertain look and then turn back to their book, idly flipping the pages in their hands. “Unfortunate as it is, I have to agree. Inaction is rarely the solution to anything. In fact, passivity is probably one of the traits that bothers me the most…” They grin a little as they say that.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Hm." She keeps twirling her cane. "I don't know if one of those bastards came to you too, or someone else reached out to you, but I guess you should know. The dude I punched came to the campus. Made sure I knew the next time I get in his way it'll be bad." She grins at the floor. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) They look back up, a little surprised. “Ah.” And they rest the book in their lap, expression becoming more serious, crossing their arms over their chest. “I see… in that case, we should be even more careful. And we ought to be proactive…” they adjust their glasses. “We don’t want to instigate conflict, but we also can’t let them step on us… you’re right that it’s a tricky situation.” They whip out their phone, typing something. “I’d prefer not to get you alone with him if we can help it. Chances are, if you’re in a group, he’ll back down. And if he doesn’t…” they shrug, their expression serious. “We can take him.”

Lena Tarr (Dave) She throws the cane from one hand to the other. "We shouldn't have to though. Heh." She bends over slightly and puts her weight on the cane. "Not like that changes anything." She thinks for a second. "I'm. Sorry. For making it worse." She snorts. "Probably won't be the last time."

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) They chuckle a little. “Did you come here with the intention to bum me out…?” They smile, eyes on their feet, looking a little distant. “I’m not the type to happily let other people get stepped on if it makes my own life easier,” and they pause, catching the irony in that with a little smile. “Regardless of what you may have heard about me.” They shrug. “Whatever you may do, you’re a part of this team. And that means we will back up whatever actions you take. If you’ve picked this fight, then we’ll finish it. Simple as that.” And they give you a cheery little smile, one crafted for the cameras, though somehow it feels a little more genuine here, just a bit.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena looks at them for a moment, before leaning back on the couch, just a bit more relaxed. "You're really something, Leto. Really something." And she's smiling too.

**********

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) I don't know boats very well, but Sammy is probably laying down on the deck of the boat somewhere-- not on a chair, like...on the floor-- if you want to go say hewwo--

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse follows Sammy onto the outer deck, happy to be in the sun and to feel the breeze. They enjoy the sensation for a moment, then approach Sammy. “Mind if I join you?”

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy is already flat on the ground, staring straight into the sun. They look at Ilse, "Please do!" they can't hide the excitement in their voice.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) “Thank you” Ilse smiles widely and sits down, then fishes out of their bag and holds a pair of sunglasses over Sammy’s head. “Not to disturb your view, but I have them spare. Would you like them?”

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy is startled by the sudden darkness the sunglasses have caused, but they quickly grab a hold of them. "F-For me? You're giving these to me?" Sammy sits up and scans the boat and sky, holding the shades up in front of them instead of putting them on. "I can really have these? You're giving me magic glasses?" Sammy looks at Ilse to confirm if they're serious or not.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse is a bit taken aback by that strong reaction, and they rub the back of their neck before answering. “Not magic, I’m sorry, but yes. You can have them. Only if you want them, of course.”

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy pauses for a long time, looking at you through the not-so-magic shades. There's a brief moment when you can see a tear start to roll down Sammy's face, but they quickly turn the other way. "I don't mind if they're not magic...you gave them to me, so I'm going to keep them forever..." Sammy wipes their eyes with their sleeves before turning back to Ilse. "I love them! Thank you!" Sammy gasps like they just had the BEST idea in the world. They grab their bag, that was always next to them and I totally didn't forget that they had this-- and start digging through it. After a bit, they pull out a small, clay, goat figurine. "Here! This will be my magic gift to you, for giving me magic glass!" They placed the goat figurine on your head instead of in your hands. "This is the lucky goat! They're super lucky and if you take them to the park on Wednesdays, the ice cream man will appear!" Sammy looks serious, so you can't tell if they're joking around or not.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse stares at Sammy, first wondering if they did something wrong, then actively worried. They lift their hand, unsure what to do, before Sammy starts to speak and they leave the hand simply hanging, eyes following every of Sammy’s movements. Then, a goat on their head. Very carefully and still they reach for it, slowly lower it toward the gaze. “It’s beautiful. Thank you. I will be at the park next Wednesday. Will take it with me.” They look just as serious as Sammy.

**********

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) sakio's up on the outer deck, watching the waves

she's got a wide-brimmed yellow hat on

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) Camellia has been mostly quiet, bundled up and clearly not a fan of the cold. They sluggishly get up and trot over to sit by Sakio. "You seem awfully sunny despite being out in this freezing wet crap," they say good naturedly, if a bit grumpy.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) She just shrugs, one hand on her hat, sending a smile at you. "I'm with good company," she says, raising her voice a little to be heard over the waves, but maintaining a soft tone. "Besides that, the semester's over. No more grading until March." She laughs. "Plenty more time to prioritize you all, before Spring semester begins. I don't have to feel guilty about giving you special treatment."

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) "I guess we HAVE kinda gotten the 'teacher's pet' status, for lack of better words. Maybe even exceeded," they smirked.

"I certainly suppose a break from your main job is welcome."

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "Hm," Sakio says, and you can barely hear her. She takes a moment to just watch the waves. "Teaching is my passion. I wouldn't have taken the job if it hadn't been. Being a dean though...I can't say it's brought me a surplus of joy. It's a dirty job, I suppose, but someone has to do it. Might as well be me." She brushes a strand of hair behind one ear. "How are you, by the way?"

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) They bark a soft laugh. "True, true." A sudden gust of chilly wind rushed across the boat, making Camellia momentarily hunker further into their coat. "Ah, well enough. With some recent financial assets I've lived a bit more comfortably these past weeks. And I've been making more crafts as of late. It's eased my mind quite a deal."

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "That's good," she says, nodding slightly. "Very good." A deep breath in, and out. "I'm a little curious, if you don't mind me asking. I've been thinking back to when we first met, and I can't seem to wrap my head around..." Sakio purses her lips. "On second thought, I don't believe I need to know. Perhaps it would simply be best for me to trust you, all of you, and leave well enough alone."

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) Camellia's eyes narrow momentarily, unsure and curious where Sakio's train of thought was heading. They huff a short chuckle as their gaze softens and diverts to the water below. "Well... I'll trust your trust."

**********

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) You all take a nice long boat ride, slowing a few times to admire distant sea lions on the shore or when Valerie thinks she spots a whale (she says it three separate times and at no point do you ever see a whale). After a few long hours, when the sun is starting to get a little lower in the sky, the Partridge is going to pull back into the Long View dock.

Lena Tarr (Dave) lena absolutely fell asleep

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) lena and camellia nap buddies? djhfbgjh

Lena Tarr (Dave) god knows we are sleeping!!!

in a warm little pile

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy is also napping, but you can't tell because they're wearing their new cool shades in the same "I am looking directly at the sun" position--

*****

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Camellia. It's dark. The lights that normally light the campus are all off. And you're running after someone. They're faster than you, which shouldn't be right, because you and them should always be at the same pace, you've always been in lock step but now they're ten paces ahead of you. It's like a game, except that you can't afford to lose, and they won't slow down. Frey won't wait for you.

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) They're panting, air entering their lungs like cold briars constricting in their chest as fire sears in their legs. Old shoes frantically hit the pavement and the noise echoes among the darkened campus as they run and run, but can't seem to catch up. "Frey, stop -- just stop! Please slow down, I can't reach you!"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) And they turn midstep, and laugh. "Come on flower child," they say, and their voice is familiar, and yet not quite the way it should be. Like two tones woven together. "You know you're too high up by now. You're too close." And they hop over a small ledge.

When you follow, when you hop over that ledge too, your feet catch and you stumble and the campus is gone. And so is Frey. And you can see the world, from up here. Up on the edge of some shiny purple surface, staring down at the curvature of a violet Earth, neuron stars shifting across its infinite expanse.

"Too close," Frey's voice echoes. "Too close. Too close."

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) Camellia's breath comes in short panicked bursts as their head jerks back and forth, surveying their surroundings. Their face is disgusting, gummy with sweat, tears, and flecks of drool that glisten in the low purple glow. "I--," they gasp out. "What...?"

"I don't understand,"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) You're standing on the edge of an enormous flower, on one of the petals, its stem stretching down and down and down until it bleeds into the world, bursts through its skin and spreads roots. Or, maybe it's the other way around.

Too close.

And a petal snaps off. Not the one you're on, but it drifts down, falling and falling.

Too far.

A petal snaps off.

Too close.

A petal snaps off.

Too far.

A petal snaps off.

Too close.

And you snap off. And plummet towards the world at a thousand miles an hour, like a shooting star.

And then you wake up. It's morning. You're covered in sweat, back in your apartment.

Camellia Pavel (Rhela) Camellia chokes out a gasp as they awaken, panting as they stared glass-eyed at the ceiling. "A nightmare...? they wonder. They breathe shakily and turn on their side, curling in on themself. "Or something more? I don't... I don't know anymore..." Sheets are pulled up over their head as they hide away from the lingering threads of the dream, as if still a child hiding away from the monsters they imagined dancing in the shadows of their closet.

**********

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) If possible, Ilse would like to go to the park in the hope of getting some ice cream. I was also thinking of doing a Twitch scene, but I don’t know if they would invite him along

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Ilse just texts twitch like “hey check this shit out I’ve got a magic goat”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) He's got his hood up, and he looks a little bit like a zombie, kinda dazed, but he seems happy enough to join.

"So, uh," he mumbles, "park. There's an ice cream place downtown, you know. I mean, it kinda sucks, but it's there." The ice cream shop in question has like...exclusively artistically ice creams, nonsense hippie flavors that all taste 90% the same.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse nods, eyes scanning the surrounding. “It...definitely is, yeah. But we might be lucky and have an ice man arriving here today? Or any ice person?” They twist the little goat in their hands. “I’m sorry if it was all for nothing in the end. If you’ll allow me then, I’ll invite you for a cup at the other place” Suddenly their eyes light up. “Care for a bet?”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch raises an eyebrow. "Um, I'm not really...a betting person?" He shrugs. "I guess...uh, sure. Bet on whether ice cream shows up?"

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) “Bet on whether ice cream shows up!” They grin. “Wrong guess pays for the sweets?”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "Hm." Twitch takes a look around the empty park, and then down at the goat. "Okay. Uh. Yeah, sure. You're on." No sooner has he said that than you hear a distant jingle that causes Twitch to freeze in place, and you both see an elderly man behind a pushcart stroll into the park. "That...usually doesn't fuck me over that quickly." He gives a skewed little smile. "I'm buying?"

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse shakes their head in awe when they see the pushcart. “Honestly, I was pretty sure I would be the one paying. So...only if you want to.” They return the smile, a bit shy, then straighten up. “I bet this one’s going to be better than what they have downtown.”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "Probably." His smile is a little more honest now. "I think, uh, I'm getting hungry! So let's go!" And he rushes ahead to the cart.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse smiles, pets the goat slightly before putting it in the pocket of their pants and rushing after Twitch.

**********

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) What place could be used for proficiency/agility skill points? I’m sorry I’m forgetting all the details

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) proficiency isssss Camellia's favored back alley, i believe

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ah, yeah! Thank you! Can I go there and also look for a trinket to possibly gift Puck?

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) hmm

okay i will say "yes and", absolutely djfbgjh but i will let u know that buttering up Puck is only gonna get you so far, because im gating Fool requirements behind plot beats djfbgjh

you don't find much of anything, but then you hear a calm voice over your shoulder. "Yo, you're uhhh, the fuckin, sporty lady and little goat buddy's friend, right?" And Theo crouches down next to you. "Whatcha looking for? Didja drop something?" He immediately begins searching as well.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Gghgggh!!!

Lena Tarr (Dave) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) The real treasure was Theo all along

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) “Oh” Ilse’s first instinct is to move a step back or to the side and give Theo space, but then they realize what he’s doing. “Thank you, yeah, I think I am...didn’t drop anything, was just looking. Of I could find something nice or interesting. Something one could give to a friend who likes trinkets and stuff?” They scratch their neck and look up for a moment. “Nothing to worry about, but thank you”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "Ohhh," Theo says. And he plops back, reclining on the ground. "Totally getcha. Like, last year I tried to get Bee a seashell, but Long View is like...not a good place for shells. Or water. Or surfing." He lets out a long, melancholy sigh. Then he perks up. "Oh! Like, instead of the shell, I made her some brownies, so maybe..." Theo reaches into his bag and then smacks a plastic-wrapped cookie into your hand. "Here you go, dude. Snack for your pal."

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse’s eyes wides, and once they realize the cookie is already in their hand, there’s no giving back, the look into Theo’s face, still a bit flabbergasted. “That’s not necessary, but...thank you. Cookies are always a great idea” They smile at him. “Thank you”

**********

Lena Tarr (Dave) ok ok ok. i am thinking.

that i wanna bother someone. so im wondering what masumis doing fdgdfgdf

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) heck yeah djfgbjh

Masumi is still on campus during break. Plus since she's your RA, you have her number.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena is gonna camp out in the common area until she sees her fgdfgdf

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) She walks out of her room with a towel around her head, stares at you, walks back into her room and five minutes later comes back out with dry hair and a glare that could cut through concrete. "What?" she says.

Lena Tarr (Dave) She stretches casually, like she wasn't waiting for Masumi, specifically, to show up. "Nothing much. What's up?"

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Important question: did Masumi change into her full fuckin suit during that time or is she wearing somethin more casual Bc if she took the time to get the whole suit on that’s so powerful

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) oh djfgbjhdgf she's wearing like...a black skirt and a white button up i think. still formal, but compared to her normal outfit it's very relaxed.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Masumi just sort of squints at you, tilting her head slightly. "I'm on break," she says, bluntly. "What do you think?"

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena sighs. "Fair enough." She leans back, brows furrowing. "I'll be fast. You know Sakio pretty well, right?"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "As well as the President of the Student Council can and should know one of her teachers who is also the dean of Humanities," Masumi replies immediately. "I've worked with her enough to know her type. That's all you need to know."

Lena Tarr (Dave) She tilts her head to the side. "And what's that type like?"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Masumi sighs, adjusts her hair. "Saint Sakio," she says, her tone quiet and bitter. "The self appointed virtuous paragon, decrier of all hypocrisies but her own, leaping at her own sword just for the chance it might help someone else." She rolls her eyes. "She's an idiot, and she's stubborn, and she thinks she's right."

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena nods, thinks for a bit. "Do you think that." She clicks her tongue. "Has her stubbornness ever done. More harm than good? In your opinion?"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "Unquestionably," she says. "She's a teacher, through and through. More a propensity for talking than listening." A clear sore spot, and Masumi seems to catch herself, her tone evening out. "But that's not to say that she's technically incorrect, all the time. She's talented and experienced and intelligent, and she knows that. Which makes the task of challenging her on those blind spots all the more daunting."

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Fuck if you aren't right." She drags a hand across her face. "Thanks." She leans her head back, staring at the ceiling. "I really. Hate teachers. And directors."

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "Hm." Masumi brushes a strand of hair behind one ear in almost the same way as you've seen Sakio do, often enough. "I suppose we have that in common." And with that, she heads off.

**********

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) There's a box in your closet. And I think there's been a few days where the thought of opening it has crossed your mind, you've maybe wanted to, but so far every time you have decided to leave it closed.

Today is one of the days when you think about that box.

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy opens up their closet on the left side. They've hesitated for long enough. "Okay...Okay..." They slowly drag the box out from the closet, the weight on top stays put. They take a deep breath in. and a deep breath out. "I can't keep hiding from you... I need to know..." They pick up the weight with ease, as if picking up a small rock, and place it back down on the floor. "You can do this..." They close their eyes and...take off the lid.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) It smells like dust. You can't see anything with your eyes closed. Churro is probably butting his head against your arm and making little mrow noises.

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy opens their eyes. Still scared of what awaits them inside. They've thought about this moment forever, what kind of awful message awaits them inside? Maybe it's a note that says "loser" or something...Sammy takes a look inside.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) The three items on the very top of the small pile are a flower made out of popsicle sticks that you gave to her, a bubble blower that you used to play together with, and a piece of crumpled paper. Upon closer inspection, it's a very messy drawing of your Fractals outfit, with smudged text pointing to different sections of the costume. "Goat tail? Do goats have tails?" and "Very very green" and "Make sure there's room for their horns!" At the very top of the page, it says: "Poncho for Sammy." Underneath those is a photo album.

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy carefully and slowly takes out every item one by one. They can't help but feel saddened by the flower on top. The first gift they ever gave her. Why would she leave that? Then the bubble blower and then the paper of their poncho. "I was wondering where you put these...I tried to find them the day I went looking for you but..." They pick up the photo album. They're silent for a long time before opening it up. Pictures of Sammy...Pictures of Churro...Pictures of... "Tango..." Sammy flips through all the pages.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) There's so many photos there that you recognize. Of you, of her, of the both of you. The farther you go, there's less of you, less of her. More nature, and abstraction, and strangers. And more empty spaces, photos absent from where they should be. Until finally, on the very last page, there's just a single photo - one you don't recognize. A silhouette of a young woman with long hair, blowing a dandelion across a dark sky. There's text underneath: "Daisy" and a little heart drawing.

And underneath the photo album, at the bottom of the box, is a flyer from a big music concert that happened in your sophomore year of high school, with a smudged phone number you can't read and a lipstick mark in the bottom corner.

And beneath that is a very carefully, politely folded piece of paper. "For Sammy" it says.

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy is already fighting back tears from the drastic change the album had taken without them. They're less confused and more sad that they barely opened it up now. "Who...?" Sammy looks at the picture of the girl before picking up the little piece of paper. "Ah man...you shouldn't have..." They are very much crying at this point. They unfold the paper, joking, "What wonderful masterpiece have you granted me as a last goodbye?"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) sammy,

if you are reading this, then i am somewhere very far away now. i dont know how far, and i dont know where i'll end up. im sorry. i don't want to leave, but i know i might have to. you know i'm bad at keeping secrets, and i've been keeping one for a long time. even from you. i'm so sorry, but if i'm gone, then i can't ever come back.

i know it will hurt you, and it breaks my heart. you are my best and most wonderful friend, and i will miss you forever and always. i will miss you more than the sun misses the moon. more than the flower misses the bird. you made me want to love myself, because you loved me.

i know i must have hurt you by leaving. i don't ask you to forgive me, not for that. not for breaking my promise. but if you want me again, even as i can't return, i give you permission: come and find me.

your friend, always,

tangerine

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Every word feels like a punch to the heart. I'm sorry? I'll miss you? Sammy wipes their tears with their sleeve. "What...What? What is this...?" And then the last line, "Come find you..." It takes a minute for that to process, but when it does, Sammy bolts up straight. "COME FIND YOU!?" It feels like they've been given the key to the universe. That means they're definitely alive and definitely want to see them again...right? This isn't the loser message they were expecting at all, it's so much worse! "W-Where???" Then Sammy turns back to the photo album. "Daisy...girl Daisy....Daisy..." Sammy repeats this, making sure to engrave it into their mind. "I will! I'll do it! I'll find you!" Sammy picks up Churro, "We'll do it!!" And with that, they spend the rest of their night trying to piece everything together...although they're still a little lost.

**********

Sammy 🐐 Excuse me! Everyone! This is kind of an emergency and I'm sorry if this seems really random, but has anyone seen a girl named Daisy? And would anyone like to help me find a girl named Daisy... Or just a Daisy, it might be a flower, I'm not sure!!!!

Blake ✨ Are you alright? What kind of emergency are we talking about? I could certainly ask my contacts to look into this girl if you have a full name or any other details, but you’re saying it may also just… refer to the flower?

Sammy 🐐 Uhm! This is like...life or death to me!

Well maybe not that extreme, but... it's really really super important to me! She has long hair and uhm...she might be into music? I have a paper with some stuff on it I can show you the next time I see you. D:

And her name might be Daisy? that's all I can think of, I'm sorry...

Blake ✨ I… see. So to summarize, you’re searching for this girl, with only an idea of her first name, or what may be a nickname, and a vague understanding of who she is. Is there some connection to someone else? Do you have a photo?

I’d be more than happy to help you solve this little mystery of course, but first and foremost we’ll need intel.

Sammy 🐐 She...does have a connection but that.... doesn't exist right now. Uhm...I do have a photo! So does that mean you'll help me? :)

I'll bring everything to you first thing! thank you so much, Blakey! 🌟

#hunters highlights #the hunters #blake leto #ilse belanger #lena tarr #camellia pavel #sammy cabra #erin sakio #masumi saito #theo

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whitecatindisguise · 4 years

Note

Not sure if you wanted it, but here's a prompt: Varian's worst fear is Andrew.

Okay, this one sat in my inbox for several days *cough* nowayIforgotaboutitwhatareyoutalkingabout *cough* so I can try and write it. The idea is intriguing. Let's see how it will play out.

Be Very Afraid episode but different.

------

The Worst Fear

Varian shot up in his bed, hair a total mess, eyes widened and irises so tiny one could barely notice them. His gaze ran across the room, looking for the danger but everything was calm.

The teen breathed out a relieved sigh, running a hand through his hair. A dream, it was only a dream.

Ruddiger perked up his head and chirruped happily noticing his boy awake. He scrambled towards him and pushed his head under Varian's hand, earning a soft smile from the alchemist as he petted the raccoon.

With a yawn, the teen stood up from his bed and approached his closet, taking out the clothes for today. He quickly changed, not forgetting about his belt, apron and goggles, and went downstairs to the kitchen.

It was empty, dad already working in the field, as per usual, but he was thoughtful enough to leave fresh bread, butter and ham for his son. With a happy hum, Varian produced his favourite breakfast, ham sandwich and a cup of coffee.

He had just finished eating, when screaming from the outside caught his attention. He bursted through the door and noticed villagers running around in fear, several screaming incoherently about someone chasing them. It was peculiar sight, as the alchemist couldn't see anyone but the terrified villagers.

Ruddiger scrambled off his shoulders and ran up to a cluster of rocks. Varian looked at them in surprise, noticing they weren't the usual black, but rather blood-red.

"What have you got there, bud?" The alchemist asked, approaching the cluster. He stared in wonder at the rocks, wondering where did they came from.

"Hello, buddy." An all-too-familiar voice spoke up from behind and Varian froze. "Long time no see."

The alchemist turned abruptly and backed away in terror, seeing the familiar man taking slow steps towards him.

"W-what are you doing here?" He stumbled on words, backing away, his back hitting the rock cluster.

"What? Can't I visit an old friend?" The man smiled but the smile was anything but sincere. There was something threatening about it and Varian involuntarily gulped.

"N-no! That's- How did you-?" Varian was scrambling for words, his whole frame shaking. It was impossible. How come the man was there?

"Escape?" Andrew supplied and smirked menacingly. "It was quite easy, actually. The prison guards didn't get any smarter since the last time."

The man took few more steps and closed the distance between them, towering over the terrified boy.

"Speaking of last times..." His gaze turned stern, eyes sharp. "I believe we have some unfinished business, buddy."

The man reached out his hand towards the teen and he instinctively closed his eyes shut.

"Varian? Son?" Another voice called out, a steady hand touching his shoulder gently. Varian opened his eyes in surprise, staring at the man in front of him.

"D-Dad?" He asked, his voice still trembling. He looked around but Andrew was gone. His blue eyes met his father's brown, concern visible in his gaze. "W-Where is-?"

"Where is who, son?" Quirin questioned, worry audible in his voice.

"N-Nevermind. I- You wanted something?" Varian quickly changed the subject, not wanting to sound crazy.

Because it was crazy. How could Andrew be here one moment and disappear the other? Even more so, how could he even be anywhere but the Royal Dungeons, where he and the other Saporians were kept under lock and key.

"Are you sure you're okay, son?" Quirin questioned again and the alchemist faked a smile, hoping his father wouldn't see through his lie.

"Absolutely. Nothing to worry about." He replied, trying to sound convincing. His gaze moved to the cluster behind his back and he sighed. "Well, apart from these new rocks."

"We should notify the Princess about it." Quirin nodded, seemingly dropping the subject of Varian's well-being.

"I'll do it." The teen offered. "You stay in the village and make sure no one touches those rocks. We still don't know what they do."

"Please, be careful." The man asked, his eyes pleading. "I just got you back."

"Don't worry, dad. I will." Varian smiled and picked up Ruddiger, going back to the house to pick up his backpack, before making his way to the capital.

~~~~~~

It seemed that Old Corona wasn't the only place where the new rocks appeared. As Varian and Ruddiger entered the capital, again they heard people screaming and running in frantical panic from invisible enemies.

"What is going on, Ruddy?" Varian questioned and the raccoon shrugged in response.

Varian's eyes followed another citizen running past in terror and gulped.

"We'd better find Rapunzel." The teen decided, fixing his backpack and starting towards the castle.

It didn't take long for something go wrong, however. In this case, it was Ruddiger suddenly running off and Varian trying to catch up to his animal friend. Unfortunately, the raccoon was faster and soon Varian was wandering the streets of Corona, calling out his name.

After some searching, an unfortunate encounter with Filtzbar and chasing a cat, Varian finally managed to find his friend. But he was too late.

"Ruddiger...?" Varian carefully picked up what looked like a red-stone statue of his friend, the raccoon's face frozen in fear. "W-What's wrong, bud?"

"Looks like he left you too, buddy." The familiar voice called from behind and Varian spun on his heel to be met with Andrew's face. "Like everyone else, am I right?"

"N-no! I can fix this!" The teen argued, backing away, his hands wrapped proactively around Ruddiger-statue.

"Can you really?" Andrew smirked and took out his sword, running his finger along the metal. "Because from what I remember, your inventions never work the way you want them to."

"T-That's-" Varian wanted to argue but words died in his throat.

"You almost blew up your village, encased your own father, failed to find a way to free him." Andrew went on, taking slow steps towards the teen. "Why, you couldn't even create memory-erasing compound, your Quirinean exploding instead."

One more step and Varian was backed against the wall, Andrew pointing his sword at his chest.

"And then you went and betrayed us." He finished, gaze turning steel once more. "And you know well enough what fate awaits traitors to Saporia."

Acting on instinct, Varian somehow pushed the man away and ran for his life, Ruddiger still in his grasp. He ran through the alleys, Andrew's voice haunting behind him.

"Traitors to Saporia pay with their lives! Remember that, brat!"

Suddenly, Varian shot out into the main street and roughly collided with something. He almost fell, if it wasn't for a hand grabbing his wrist to keep him steady.

"Woah, Goggles, you okay?" Another familiar voice called out and the teen looked up to see Eugene staring back at him.

"H-Hi Eugene." He replied with a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, I'm- I'm fine. Better than Ruddiger, anyway." He set down the Ruddiger-statue on a nearby barrel.

"What happened to the raccoon?" The man questioned, poking it with his finger.

"I'm not sure. But I think it is connected to those red rocks." The alchemist rubbed the back of his neck. "He seems to be frozen in fear."

"Yikes, that's not good." Eugene shivered.

"We have to do something about these rocks, and fast." A female voice added and Varian saw Rapunzel approaching them. "Before everyone shares the same fate."

Varian nodded solemnly.

~~~~~~

After quick discussion and planning, it was decided that Eugene and Lance will stay at the castle, making sure there are no more, or at least, less fear-freezing cases, while Rapunzel and Varian will travel the secret tunnels under the city and take care of the red rocks from the underground.

To say that Varian was anxious would be an understatement. His eyes were darting all around the tunnel, scanning the surrounding for the familiar silhouette, even though there were no red rocks around.

Varian wasn't stupid. He was aware Andrew wasn't real, and he was just a manifestation of his worst fears. It didn't mean, however, that the teen wasn't terrified of seeing the man again, his taunts and threats scaring the alchemist to the bones.

He shook off Rapunzel's worry, deciding to not tell the princess what he was seeing. They had more important things to take care of right now.

Lost in his thoughts, Varian didn't notice the hidden trap. There was a sudden click as his boot stepped on the button, and suddenly he was falling. He screamed in terror and a golden rope tied around his waist, pulling him up. He felt his backpack open and he scrambled to save his supplies, only managing to catch the last vial of the awful yellow compound.

"Better make it count then." Rapunzel said nervously and led him down the tunnel again, finally emerging into an enormous cavern. "I give you, the Demanitus Chamber!" The woman said with a grin and Varian stared with mouth agape at the sight before him.

"Woah!" Was the only thing he managed to produce, as his eyes set on the gigantic machine covered in red rocks.

"You should have seen this before. Quite a sight." Rapunzel spoke and he stared at her in surprise.

"You... you've actually been here before?" He asked and she nodded. "Wow! I wish I could meet Demanitus himself..." He wondered out loud, for a moment forgetting why they were here.

"I did. He was a monkey. " Rapunzel said as if it was something normal and Varian's brain shortcut. He followed her down in a daze, trying to wrap his mind about her words.

They descended the stairs and the alchemist shook his head. Focus, Varian, focus.

Rapunzel wrapped his hair around his waist and he cautiously moved towards the rocks, reaching a hand with a beaker.

"It won't work, buddy~" Andrew whispered into his ear and Varian gritted his teeth in an attempt to ignore the man. He dipped the compound onto the rock and quickly backed away, Rapunzel shielding them both with her hair.

To their surprise, the compound evaporated, dealing no damage to the rocks.

"What-? But how-?" Varian stuttered and Andrew laughed behind him.

"Another failure. How predictable, buddy." The man smirked and wrapped his arm around the alchemist. "You never learn, don't you?"

"I don't understand. Why didn't it work?" Rapunzel stared at the rocks, her mind spinning.

Varian slapped a hand over his face. He was an idiot.

"Gah! Of course!" He cried out in annoyance. "The compound was created for the black rocks chemical structure. Red rocks must have a different structure and that's why it doesn't work!"

"So, this will work only on black rocks?" Rapunzel asked and the teen nodded.

"Yeah, but I don't see any." He sighed in defeat.

"I do!" Blue eyes followed the Princess' finger and he felt his heart drop.

High above them, almost at the top of the red rocks, was a single black rock, the tip barely visible.

"Rapunzel, you can't be serious." Varian laughed nervously. "No one is crazy enough to climb-"

"Race you to the top!" The woman shouted cheerfully, launching herself up. The teen stared at her in dubious amazement.

"You've got to be kidding me."

~~~~~~

Varian struggled to push himself up, each step harder than the previous one. The higher it got, the harder it was to find a way to safely move forward. He breathed heavily and looked up at Rapunzel, the woman effortlessly making her way up.

"You are weak, Varian." Andrew spoke up, leaning towards the teen from his spot above. "You are never going to get there in time."

"Shut up." The alchemist growled as he reached another rock, only for his hand to slip and he hang in the air for a second, until he found his footing.

Andrew laughed and stared down at him.

"You're making it too easy for me, buddy." He kneeled and smirked. "All it takes is a little push..." The man's hand hovered over Varian's. "For you to finally pay for your betrayal."

"You're not... real..." The teen argued and pulled himself up.

"I might not be." Andrew nodded. "But the fall will be real, I assure you." He reached for his sword and raised it over his head, grinning insanely. "Goodbye, Varian."

The sword went down towards Varian's head and the teen instinctively let go of the rocks, trying to protect it. His eyes widened in realisation and he cried in shock, as he felt himself plummeting down from the rock structure.

"Rapunzel!" He shouted and the woman jumped right after him, managing to reach him with her hair at the last moment.

They hang in the air, Rapunzel sitting on her hair, the teen clinging to one of the strands for his dear life. His eyes were wide in terror and breathing short.

"I-I can't do this, Rapunzel." He whispered, tears pricking at his eyes.

"Varian, whatever these rocks are showing you, it's not real." The woman put her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "You can do this."

"No, you don't understand!" He cried, clenching his eyes shut. "I can't- I almost died, Rapunzel!"

"Varian, you're scared, I understand. So am I." The Princess sighed and looked at him. "The rocks are showing us what we're most afraid of. And I... I see Corona covered in black rocks. And Cass... what I'm most scared of, is losing Cass as a friend." Rapunzel admitted. "But I'm not giving up on her."

Varian stared at her in amazement. How could she be so brave, seeing all this? He could barely keep himself from trembling even listening to Andrew's taunts.

He cast his gaze up, at the black rock. He had to do this. It was their only way.

"Okay." He said, taking a deep breath. "Okay, just- give me a boost."

"One boost coming right up." Rapunzel grinned and he felt himself shoot up.

He landed on a smoother surface, close to his goal. He pushed up, ignoring Andrew's threats, keeping the black rock in his sight. With one final grunt, he tipped the beaker towards the spire and with a delighted chuckle he observed amber spreading from the rock.

He jumped down back to the ground, Rapunzel wrapping him in a tight hug.

"You did it! You tackled your fears!" She cried happily and he laughed in return.

"Yeah... I guess I did." He replied with a smile of his own.

"Wait until I tell everyone about it!" Rapunzel went on cheerfully as they went back through the tunnels. "You are a hero."

#varian #rapunzel #be very afraid #andrew #kinda au #kitty mom writes

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morningfears · 5 years

Text

Rose Tattoo [Chapter Four]

Rating: PG-13 (Mentions of anxiety, swearing)

Summary: Calum’s sister is in town so while she and Tāne have an aunt/nephew day out, Calum decides to help Stevie (and her dog) accomplish one of the items on her bucket list. And if that accomplishment lets him hold her hand, well, who is he to complain?

Word Count: 6.6k

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Five Series Masterlist

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

Stevie stared down at her cellphone, the seemingly harmless text from Calum unopened but completely visible as a notification at the top of her screen. She’d been staring at it for nearly five minutes, debating leaving it that way and pretending that she didn’t see it as she went on about her day as if nothing had happened, but she’d convinced herself somewhere along the way that that wasn’t an option. The last thing Stevie wanted to do was ignore Calum but, try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to open the text.

Stevie was hesitant to admit it but she genuinely enjoyed Calum’s company. She felt at ease around him, something she hadn’t felt in a long while, and ghosting him would hurt her just as much as she imagined it would hurt him. However, she didn’t want to play along and give him the wrong impression.

Calum’s text was vague, vague enough that she didn’t know exactly what he wanted, but she could imagine what he was hoping for. Although he clarified - after seeing the panicked look on her face, she was sure - that whatever happened between them would remain unlabeled, she saw it on his face. She could see it in the way that he looked at her, in the way that he smiled at her, that he wanted something more than friendship. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about it but if she would allow herself to admit it, she would know that she wanted that, too.

In another life, Calum would’ve been the perfect partner for her. He was - at least thus far - everything she had hoped for. However, the timing couldn’t have been worse for her.

Although she couldn’t admit that Calum’s crush on her was not one-sided, she could admit that she wasn’t in the right mental state to attempt to form a committed relationship with anyone. She was barely holding herself together, every day was a struggle just to leave her apartment; she knew that it wouldn’t be fair to place that burden on someone else. And though she had no issue with the fact that Calum was a single father - in fact, she admired him deeply for the love and devotion he clearly held for his son - she knew that she was nowhere near emotionally ready to enter a child’s life.

Stevie tended to distance herself from others in times of crisis. She worried about the effect her mental state would have on them and kept interaction to a bare minimum as to avoid hurting them when she inevitably fell into a depressive spiral and became a shell of herself. She’d hurt plenty of people in that way over her lifetime, had been hurt that way herself a time or two, and she was afraid that Calum would be next. She didn’t want to break such a pure heart, someone who so clearly deserved the world. Calum deserved someone good, someone who could be wholly present, and she knew that that wasn’t her.

Stevie wasn’t prepared to spend time with Calum, to open up to him and have him hand her his heart. She wasn’t prepared to think about anyone other than herself and she knew that was selfish but she’d rather be proactively selfish, prevent anyone from getting too close, than hurt them by pulling away when it was too late.

However, she was selfish in another way. Calum made Stevie feel at ease. When she was with him, her anxiety didn’t feel so suffocating. She didn’t feel like the world was crumbling at her feet. She could see a light, somewhere in the distance, instead of the all encompassing darkness that she’d grown so used to and she desperately wanted to hold onto that feeling. Although she felt that she couldn’t give him what he wanted, she still wanted him in her life.

So, instead of ghosting him the way she knew she should, instead of telling him that she was busy and stopping him in his tracks, she ushered him closer. “I should be writing but I’ll probably end up laying on my couch with Max,” she sent. She stared at the message thread for a moment, contemplating turning off her phone and tossing it into the garbage can beside her desk, before she realized how that sounded. She wasn’t sure that Calum knew she had a dog so she quickly typed a follow-up message. “My dog! Max is my dog.”

She realized, after pressing send, that it might’ve been better in the long run to let Calum think that Max was her boyfriend. However, that selfish desire continued to prick at the forefront of her brain. She didn’t want to push him away and letting him think that the tiny little ball of fluff that terrorized her apartment was her boyfriend was a surefire way to do that.

Calum responded almost immediately. Before Stevie had a chance to even leave the text thread, Calum’s response came through. “Do you and Max want to go on an adventure?”

“That depends,” Stevie typed, her bottom lip lodged between her teeth as she stared down at the device in her hands. “What’s the adventure?”

“I can’t tell you that. You’ll just have to trust that it’s going to be worth your time,” Calum responded with a smile emoji attached to the end for good measure.

With anyone else, that text would have been met with an instant refusal from Stevie. She didn’t like stepping into any situation blind. She preferred knowing what she was going to encounter, knowing exactly how her day would pan out, and was almost afraid of the unknown. However, she found that she trusted Calum, even if she barely knew him. She couldn’t imagine that he would lead her into a situation that she didn’t want to be in or couldn’t handle, not intentionally, so she agreed.

“Fine. I’ll trust you this time. But if it ends badly, just know that Max is a powerful enemy to have. He can hold a grudge for ages and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of his pouting,” she sent back.

“Consider me thoroughly warned. 10 in the morning? We can meet at that coffee shop and go from there. Wear something comfortable.”

Stevie stared at his text for a moment, curious as to what he had up his sleeve, before she shook her head with a slight incredulous laugh. “That already doesn’t bode well but I’ll see you then,” she sent before exiting the text thread and turning her cellphone face down on her desk.

Stevie leaned back in her chair and rested her head on the headrest. She stared up at the ceiling, wondering what she had just gotten herself into, and could feel a bit of anxiety creeping into the pit of her stomach. It was the good kind of nerves, the ones she got before she started school or whenever she met her friends somewhere new growing up, and it was almost a foreign feeling. She wasn’t sure what was happening to her, why she suddenly felt so giddy, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as a knock sounded at her office door.

“Writer’s block again?” Noah asked as he entered the office and took a seat at the chair across from Stevie’s desk. He placed his coffee cup on the solid wood before sliding a second cup across to her.

“You’re the reason Calum was at the party, aren’t you?” she asked, completely ignoring his question as she sat up straight in her chair and reached out for the cup of tea in front of her. “You invited him.”

Noah, unsure what Stevie was getting at, nodded slowly. “Yeah. I told you, I want to do a feature on him and Ashton. I figured this would be a good way of getting him comfortable around me. But then he disappeared so…” Noah trailed off, this time glancing at Stevie with a sly smile.

Stevie rolled her eyes at the look Noah gave her. She believed him when he said that his intentions had been pure. She knew that he wanted to feature Ashton and Calum, along with a few other New York based artists, in the magazine and that this was his way of connecting Calum to their world. She knew how Noah thought. If Calum felt that he was a part of their world, if he felt connected to more than just Noah, he would be more willing to open up and agree to the feature. And Stevie imagined that was true. Calum seemed to be the type to do anything for his friends.

She kind of hoped he would agree. Her selfish desire to keep him in her life aside, Calum was talented. She truly believed that he deserved something good and she knew that the shop would experience a boom in inquiries, at least, with the exposure from the article. Stevie didn’t want him to turn into one of those Instagram famous tattoo artists that only cared about the likes - not that she imagined he would - but she did want him to get the recognition he deserved.

“I’ll ask him how he feels about the interview,” she relented, glancing over at Noah who had taken the liberty to place his feet in the chair beside him. “Maybe he’ll be into it.”

Noah, who had been staring at his laptop, glanced at Stevie over the lid of his coffee cup. “You seeing him again?” he asked, a smile quirking his lips as he watched Stevie fidget in her seat. “Where’d you guys run off to the other night, anyway?”

“We just went to get coffee,” Stevie huffed, tossing a paperclip in Noah’s direction before leaning back in her chair once more and lolling her head to the side. “We’re hanging out tomorrow. But just as friends!” she added quickly, shooting Noah a look when he raised his eyebrows and grinned at her.

Noah made a noise of acknowledgment but otherwise said nothing as he began tapping at his keyboard. Stevie rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest as she sank lower in her chair. “What are you doing in my office, other than being annoying?”

“Mark is yelling at the interns and I didn’t want to listen to that or to them talk shit about him when he finished, so, I’m hiding in here to get some work done.” Noah went quiet for a moment, staring at his laptop, before he looked over at Stevie and added, “Maybe you should get some done, too. That way you don’t have anything to worry about while you’re on your date with Calum.”

“It’s not a date! We’re just friends,” Stevie huffed.

“Sure you are,” Noah hummed, barely hiding his laughter as he did so. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, kid.”

Stevie rolled her eyes at Noah’s comment and pointedly turned her attention back to her own laptop. She stared at her screen, barely seeing the words on the word document she’d been working on, and felt herself begin to get lost in her own thoughts again. Although she meant it, that she and Calum were just friends, a small part of her - one that she refused to acknowledge - desperately wished that she didn’t.

**********

“Okay, so, tell me everything.”

Calum rolled his eyes as he searched his closet for his green ‘Empathy’ hoodie. He hadn’t seen it in weeks, although he was sure he’d washed it and stashed it somewhere in the depths of his wardrobe, but he wanted to wear it for his date - no, not date, adventure - with Stevie. It was the only solid green item he owned and though he felt cheesy, wearing green just because she loved it, he found himself hoping that she would like it as he made a quiet noise of triumph upon finding it in a pile of unfolded clothes tucked in the corner.

“There’s nothing to tell, Mali,” he mumbled as he emerged from his closet, tugging the green fabric over his head. “I’m just hanging out with a friend today. That’s it,” he said with a shrug as he avoided making eye contact with his sister.

Mali was perched on the foot of his bed, sitting amongst the pillows and blankets Tāne had piled onto the surface for their traditional Friday movie night the night before. Calum could feel her gaze on him, burning a hole into the back of his hoodie, as he searched for the grey beanie he’d taken to wearing. She’d been questioning him since she arrived and though he’d filled her in on the situation with El in advance of her visit - if Calum had to guess, that was likely the reason she’d decided to stop in New York and spend a week with him and Tāne, just so she could be there for the first custody hearing - he hadn’t mentioned Stevie to her. He guessed she’d talked to Ashton, or maybe Luke, and he made a mental note to tell them both to fuck off as he turned to face her once more.

“I don’t buy that,” she laughed as she stood from the bed and crossed the room to adjust the beanie for him. “But if that’s what you need to tell yourself, feel free. Tell me about her, though. Ashton said she’s nice.”

Calum rolled his eyes as Mali confirmed that it was Ashton who had told her about Stevie. “She is,” Calum confirmed as he stood and allowed Mali to adjust his clothing as she saw fit. “I don’t really know how to describe her,” he confessed after a moment of silence, when Mali began to grow impatient with his lack of an answer. “I know a little bit about her but I don’t know her that well yet. She’s nice and she’s beautiful. She’s talented. I’ve read a few of her articles and she’s a brilliant writer. She’s trying to finish a bucket list her best friend left and she just seems like such a good person but there’s something beneath it all. I want to get to know her and figure out what it is.”

Mali, who hadn’t heard Calum gush about anyone in years, was surprised to hear how much he had to say about this girl. She stared at him, her eyebrows raised, and Calum could feel his face heat as he looked away from her. He hadn’t meant to say all of that, he hadn’t meant to say anything at all, really, but he’d been keeping his thoughts to himself. He didn’t want to encourage Ashton to play matchmaker and he didn’t want to bother Michael who was dealing with a newborn and a packed appointment book. He hadn’t had a chance to sit down with Luke so he felt as if he hadn’t had the chance to get what he was feeling off his chest.

He liked Stevie, more than he cared to admit, and voicing that out loud was mildly terrifying.

“Well, even if you don’t know her that well, you seem to really like what you do know,” Mali commented as she stepped back and shot Calum a genuine smile. “I know that this is hard for you, getting back out there after El, but I’m proud of you, Cal. You’re trying and that’s all you can do.” Mali paused for a beat, watching Calum as he sprayed on a bit of cologne, before she hesitantly asked, “I don’t mean to bring you down before your date, but what are you going to do about El?”

“It’s not a date,” Calum clarified, breathing a heavy sigh as he crossed the room to take a seat on the foot of the bed. Mali followed suit, reaching out to nudge his shoulder as she took a seat beside him. “I don’t know, Mal. I’m trying to be the best dad I can be but I don’t feel like that’s enough. I keep thinking that if I don’t give them a reason to take Tāne away from me, they can’t. But I know how it usually goes. The dad rarely wins. I don’t know if there’s anything I can do now.”

“Don’t say that,” Mali chided, her voice gentle though her words were stern. “You’re a good dad, Cal. Any judge could see that you deserve to keep your son. Anyone who rules in her favor is obviously not fit to be on the bench,” she huffed and Calum laughed at the look on her face as she did. At the sight of Calum’s smile, Mali offered a small smile of her own in return. “Has your lawyer got any ideas?”

“She’s talking about using the paperwork we had drawn up last year as evidence El’s not doing this for the right reasons. She agreed to all the terms verbally, just never signed the papers giving up her rights. That’s the strongest thing we’ve got right now,” Calum answered with a shrug and Mali felt her heart break for her brother.

She hadn’t seen him look so defeated since El left, leaving him alone with a small child and no clue how to care for him on his own. Calum looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes evident. She knew that he wasn’t sleeping well and it looked like he wasn’t eating well, either. She knew that the stress of the impending custody battle was taking its toll on him and she hadn’t been surprised to find him curled up in bed with Tāne when she arrived. She knew that he was searching for happiness in the little things, in movie nights with his son and visits to coffee shops with Ashton, so she was more than happy to see Calum preparing for a date - even though he refused to acknowledge that’s what it was.

Calum breathed a heavy sigh but before he could continue speaking, quick footsteps alerted him to his son’s presence. He had barely glanced up when Tāne came running into the room, his pajamas wrinkled and his hair a wild mess of sleep mussed curls atop his head. “Aunt Mali!”

Calum watched with a fond smile as Tāne launched himself into Mali’s arms. “Hey, bub,” Mali cheered with a grin as she wrapped her arms around Tāne and hugged him. “You ready to spend the day together? Just us, no dad to bother us?”

“Yeah,” Tāne cheered, his cheeks pink with excitement as he settled on Mali’s lap. “Can we bake cookies?”

“You’re supposed to wait until I’m gone to ask about the stuff you’re not supposed to do, bub,” Calum reminded him with a laugh as he reached out to tickle his stomach. “Don’t give him too much chocolate, please,” he requested, glancing at Mali, even though he knew he’d return to find them both with stomachaches from ingesting far too many sweets.

“I make no promises,” Mali retorted with a grin, her arms wrapped around Tāne’s torso as she gave him a gentle squeeze. “We’re making our own rules today. The house will still be standing when you return, that’s the only guarantee I give you.”

Calum stared at her, an unamused look on his face, before he breathed a quiet laugh and shook his head in mock exasperation. “What are we going to do with her, huh, bub?” he asked Tāne as he stood from the bed and leaned down to press a kiss to the top of his son’s head. “You guys please try to be good today. I’ll be back in a little while. I love you both.”

“I love you, too, daddy,” Tāne called, a wide grin on his lips as he waved goodbye to Calum.

“Love you, too, Cal,” Mali repeated, her grin matching Tāne’s as she bounced her favorite nephew on her knee.

Calum was glad that Mali was here, that she was the one spending the day with Tāne and that she would be present for the hearing. He was glad that he had a sister like her, that they were close enough to call on one another in times of need, and he felt a little of his anxiety ease as he left his home.

Calum was excited for the day. He knew that this wasn’t a date, that it was just an outing with a potential new friend and her dog, but he felt butterflies in the pit of his stomach that he hadn’t felt in a long while. He hadn’t been on many - any, really - dates since El left. He’d been focused on balancing his son and his career. A partner didn’t exactly fit into his schedule but he always told himself that he’d try to be open to it should the opportunity present itself.

Though he still had his reservations, he knew that his first priority was on ensuring Tāne stay with him and not end up with El, the opportunity had fallen into his lap with Stevie. She was, at least on the surface, everything he wanted. A small part of him was thankful that she didn’t seem interested in anything romantic. This gave him a way to keep her at arm’s length while still getting to know her and easing her into his life. He hoped that by the time the custody battle was over, by the time Tāne was (hopefully) safe in his care, he would know Stevie well enough to know that she would fit perfectly into their lives.

He hoped that by getting to know her now, he could love her later.

As Calum approached the cafe, half expecting to see Stevie waiting out front or just inside the door, he imagined that loving her wouldn’t be very hard at all. She had a way about her, something that made those around her feel at ease, and Calum loved that. He loved how at ease she made him, how simple everything seemed when he was with her, and imagined that loving the big things would come just as naturally.

The vibrations of his cellphone tore Calum out of his thoughts and back to reality. “Running a few minutes late. Max is in a mood,” read a text from Stevie, explaining why she hadn’t beaten him to the coffee shop. He stood near the entrance for a moment, debating, before he decided to step inside and order drinks for the both of them, along with a peanut butter treat for Max.

Less than five minutes later, just as he emerged from the shop with a drink carrier in one hand and a bag with the treat in the other, Stevie rounded the corner. He almost laughed when he saw how similarly they were dressed. She was wearing ripped black mom jeans and a green hoodie, though hers was cropped and neon, with a grey beanie topping it all off. However, he did laugh when he noticed the small white dog tugging her down the street.

“Dude, slow the fuck down,” she huffed, sounding out of breath as she tried to keep pace with the small creature, “first you don’t want to go and now you can’t get there fast enough? Come on.”

“Is Max the one in a mood or was that you?” Calum asked, a slight grin on his lips as he placed the drinks and bag on a table before bending down and offering Max his hand to sniff.

“Max started it,” Stevie explained with a huff, trying to catch her breath as she watched Max lick Calum’s hand. “He didn’t want to get out of bed and refused to walk when we got outside. I had to carry him four blocks. But the second he smelled food, he was trying to jump out of my arms and sprint to it.”

“He knows what he wants,” Calum reasoned with a laugh as he scratched Max’s head before standing and smiling at Stevie. He met her gaze for a brief moment, his eyes shining with amusement and hers narrowed in mock exasperation before he laughed and said, “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Stevie returned with a small smile. She looked like she hadn’t been awake long, Calum could see the marks from her pillow on her cheek and the way her hair was still mussed (maybe that was why she’d chosen the beanie) and he felt his heart warm at the sight. “Can you tell me what today’s adventure is?”

Calum laughed at Stevie’s question and shook his head as he reached out for the tray and bag. “You’ll see when we get there,” he told her as he handed her her latte. “This is for you,” he explained before he handed her the bag, “and this is for Max. I don’t know if you want him to have it now or later so I’ll just give it to you.”

“He’s weird about eating on places that aren’t my kitchen rug so I’ll give it to him when we get home,” she explained as she placed the bag into her backpack before glancing at him. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to get me this or Max a treat.”

“I pulled you guys away from spending the day on your couch,” Calum reasoned with a shrug as he pulled his own drink free from the tray. “It’s the least I can do. You want to start heading to our destination?”

Although Stevie gave a wary hum, she willingly followed Calum down the sidewalk. The pair of them walked, side by side, as Max happily lead the way. Although he was just as in the dark as Stevie, he was happy to guide them through the busy streets of New York and soak up whatever attention was thrown his way.

“How long have you been in New York?” Calum asked after a few beats of comfortable silence, marked by the pair of them sipping their lattes and taking in the cool morning air.

“About two months. It feels like forever, though,” Stevie answered with a laugh as they waited at a crosswalk. “You’ve been here a while, though, yeah?”

“Mm, a little over six years,” he confirmed as they skirted around a crowd and inched closer to their destination. “Do you miss home?”

“Sometimes,” Stevie answered with a shrug as she kept her gaze on Max. “I miss the food, mostly. I haven’t found a good Cajun place in New York yet. And the way I didn’t really have an accent there but I have one here. Also, people look at you funny if you use manners here. I said yes ma’am to this woman in a shop, she had to be at least fifty, and she got so offended that I was calling her old. Like, no, I’m not calling you old, I’m just being polite.”

Stevie huffed at the end of her rant and Calum laughed as he watched her roll her eyes at the encounter she recalled. This was a moment he enjoyed, seeing her with her guard somewhat down and so animated as she described her feelings about living in New York. These were the moments he felt that he was seeing the real Stevie, not the front she put on or the smile she wore. The emotion was real and she wore it well.

“What about you?” she asked, pulling him back to the moment. He looked over and saw that she was glancing at him from the corner of her eye, her gaze curious as she attempted to pay attention to both him and Max.

“Yeah,” Calum nodded, a wistful smile on his lips as he held onto his now lukewarm latte. “I miss it a lot. I love New York, don’t get me wrong, but I’d love to go home someday. Everything was easier there, more relaxed.” He paused for a moment before he added, “I miss my family, too. My sister’s a musician, she’s in town for a show now. She and Tāne are having their own day and pretty much kicked me out of the house,” Calum explained with a laugh as he glanced over at Stevie once more. “I get to see her more often than my parents but I still miss being at home with them all.”

“Family means a lot to you, huh?” she asked, her expression unreadable as she returned her full attention to Max and attempted to keep him from bothering another small dog sitting outside a cafe.

Calum nodded. Family meant more to him than almost anything else - and he counted his friends, the guys, as his family just as much as his son or his sister - and he would do anything for them. They were one of the biggest pieces of his heart and he didn’t know where he’d be without each of them.

“What about you?” Calum asked after a momentary lull in conversation. “Any siblings?”

Stevie hesitated for a moment before she shook her head. “Nope.” Her tone was clipped and Calum could see that there was more to her answer than a simple no but he didn’t want to pry. He knew that there was a lot about Stevie he didn’t know, there was a lot she was keeping hidden from him, but he hoped that in time, she would trust him enough to reveal her secrets.

Instead of continuing that line of questioning, Calum asked, “How long have you had Max? You guys seem like you know one another pretty well.”

“Two years,” Stevie answered with a small smile as she glanced at the ball of fluff bouncing along ahead of them. “He’s my best boy and I love him a lot. He drives me insane sometimes, he likes to sleep on top of my head like a fucking cat, but I would trade him for anything. The little monster,” she huffed as she watched him stop to sniff a lamppost. “Do you have any pets?”

“No,” Calum answered with a sigh. “I want one and so does Tāne, we both love dogs, but between his schedule and mine, I don’t really have time to take care of one and it wouldn’t be fair to get a dog we couldn’t care for.”

Stevie nodded in understanding as she glanced over at Calum. “I get it. If you guys ever just want to borrow a little dog with a big personality for a day, Max loves kids,” she offered with a laugh.

“I think Tāne would love that. I’ll just have to make sure there aren’t any markers around or you’ll end up with a dog that matches your hair.”

“I think Max could go for a new do, honestly,” Stevie shrugged, grinning at the mental image of her dog returning to her with green fur. “He’d let him. Max is literally the most chill dog on the planet. Sometimes he’s a little diva, wanting everything his way, but he’s a good boy.”

As Stevie and Calum talked about Max, about how she adopted him from a shelter in south Mississippi just before he was due to be put down and how she never imagined she could love a pet as much as she loved him, neither of them noticed their destination fast approaching. Calum guided her through the streets she wasn’t yet familiar with, ushering Max along almost subconsciously, and he was glad that the weather was mild enough for them to wander the streets without freezing or sweating.

It was comfortable, walking along with Stevie as if this was a normal part of their day, and he wondered what they must look like to passersby. They wore nearly identical sweatshirts, each in shades of green, with matching beanies and black jeans. They looked like one of those couples that attempted to coordinate outfits, even if they were neither a couple nor attempting to coordinate, and Calum liked thinking that others would get that impression of them.

It made him feel better for wanting it to be reality.

However, Calum imagined that Stevie’s comfort would end soon as they approached their destination for the day; The Empire State Building. He knew that this was one item on her - Angela’s - bucket list that she was terrified to accomplish and he hoped that having a hand to hold would make things easier for her. He’d wondered if he was overstepping by dragging her through the city, to the one destination he knew she was terrified to go, but he reminded himself that she’d been terrified of getting a tattoo and she’d accomplished that for her friend.

If he could make the process of mourning, what he imagined her completing the bucket list was, any easier, he was going to.

“Okay, so, now that we’re almost there, I think I can tell you what we’re doing,” Calum said, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. “I wanted to help you cross off another item on your list.”

“I don’t think you’d let me bring Max to roller derby and we’re not that close to Central Park. So, I’m guessing it’s the Empire State Building,” Stevie breathed, her voice shaking just a bit as Calum imagined she was dreading being so high up.

“Yeah. I figured you wouldn’t want to do this one alone,” he pointed out with a shrug as he shoved his hands into his pockets, now free of the latte. “We don’t have to, if you don’t want to. I just thought it’d make it easier for you.”

Stevie was quiet for a moment, staring at the entrance to the building across the street. Calum could tell that she was nervous, just as she had been the day he met her, but he could see her steeling herself to complete the task. She was there, right across the street, and she needed to cross off another item.

“Thank you,” she nodded, finally turning her head to look at him. “You’re right, I didn’t want to do this alone. I appreciate this.”

Calum didn’t know how to respond to her gratitude so instead of speaking, he gave her a smile he hoped would convey his emotions and gestured for her to follow him across the street. They were both silent as they made their way inside, Stevie holding Max in her arms and Calum standing closer than he imagined he should as they boarded the elevator to the observation deck. He could see the way she tapped her foot and patted Max’s side anxiously, her movements giving away her panic as she watched the elevator climb higher and higher.

Without really thinking too m much about it, Calum reached out and grabbed her free hand.

Stevie paused, blinking in surprise, and Calum almost pulled his hand away but before he could, she laced her fingers through his and squeezed. He glanced down at their intertwined hands, her pale, unmarked hand a stark contrast in his ink-covered one but it was nice. It felt normal, like this was where they belonged, and he returned the gesture with a squeeze of his own as the elevator doors chimed and began to open.

Calum let Stevie lead the way to the edge of the deck. He didn’t want to push her faster than she wanted to go, he just wanted to support her. They lingered near the center for a moment, her breathing deeply and clutching Calum’s hand, before they slowly approached the side to look out at the city.

The view was just as beautiful as Calum remembered and, if the gasp Stevie emitted was anything to go on, he believed she felt the same way. Everything looked so small from so high up, one of the biggest cities in the world was reduced to a child’s miniature, and Calum always felt grounded when looking out at this view. Stevie continued to clutch his hand, her nails digging into his skin, but she kept her eyes on the view.

Calum didn’t want to ruin the moment so he remained silent as they stood there, staring out at the city. He could see her bite her bottom lip out of the corner of his eye and when he turned his head to face her, he could see the unshed tears lining her lashes. It was another moment of peace for her, a moment that she needed, and he was glad that he could give it to her as he gently squeezed her hand once more.

They spent nearly thirty minutes there, just looking out at the city and watching life pass them by, before they took the same journey down the elevator and back out onto the street. Although Stevie returned Max to the ground, letting her furry best friend return to sniffing every object in the city, her hand remained in Calum’s as they began their walk back to the cafe.

“Thank you for this,” Stevie said, after they walked several blocks in silence. She looked over at him, a sincere smile on her lips as she met his gaze. “I knew I had to do that sooner or later but having someone with me made it easier.”

“Any time,” Calum answered. And he truly meant it. Although he never meant for Stevie to become such a big part of his life, although he was telling the truth when he told Mali that he didn’t really know her that well, he found himself eager to usher her into his life. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to make her a part of the family he cared so much for. He wanted her to be happy and he wanted to be the one to make her happy.

He wanted her.

And as they approached the cafe, their time together nearly over, Calum told her as much. “Would you want to hang out again sometime?” he asked, his tone hopeful as he gently squeezed her hand. “It doesn’t have to be crossing off another bucket list item or a date or anything. I meant it when I said I wanted to get to know you.”

“I think I’d prefer hanging out without facing another fear,” she answered with a laugh as they stopped by the cafe and stepped out of the way on the sidewalk. “I’ll be honest,” she began, her voice quiet as she stared down at her feet, “I haven’t made many friends since I’ve been in New York and today was nice. I don’t…” She trailed off, seemingly searching for right words, and Calum waited patiently as she cobbled together the right sentence. “I don’t know if a relationship is right for me, not right now, but I really would like to hang out with you again.”

Although Calum was somewhat disappointed, he respected where she stood and he was grateful that she was being so honest with him about her feelings. He wanted whatever she would give him, though, and if he had to wait until she was ready, he would.

“That’s okay,” he nodded, meaning it wholeheartedly. “Whatever you want this to be, that’s fine with me. As long as I get to see you again.”

Stevie smiled, a barely there quirk of her lips, and squeezed Calum’s hand once more before she untangled their fingers and nodded. “You’re a good person, Calum Hood. You know that?” When he shrugged, not at all convinced he was as good as she imagined he was, she breathed a quiet laugh and shook her head. “I’ll see you later, Calum. Thank you.”

Calum watched as Stevie and Max melted into the crowd of New Yorkers, bustling down the busy sidewalks. He watched until the neon green of her hoodie was no longer visible and, when he knew that she was gone, turned to head home himself.

__________________________________________________________

Author’s Note: I’m aware that dogs can’t go into the Empire State Building unless they’re service dogs. But this is fiction so let me live on this one detail. I slept past eight this morning which was nice. Also I’m done with my thesis until I get edits from my advisor and then I have 24 hours to edit it and get it to my committee and then I’ll be done forever so that’s terrifying. Also, I love feedback so please let me know how you feel about Stevie and Cal??????

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