#Hope it's okay that I put he faintly heard her ....needed a sound for papa bear to go investigate

[ignoremyworld]

ACCIDENTAL DATE

Part 1/?

CHAPTER ONE: THE CRASH

Not proofread

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Code blue! Code blue! I need four nurses in here now!” Nancy shouted, rushing to the patients room

It hadn’t even been thirty minutes since Steve’s shift started and he had a feeling they wouldn’t be able to save mrs.Andersons. She was a frail fragile old woman and Steve believed it was time for her to pass.

“Starting compressions” Steve said, putting his hands on mrs.andersons chest and beginning to start CPR. “Josh, see if you can find a DNR for mrs Andersons here.” He ordered, watching Josh run off to get her file.

“We’re losing her” another nurse shouted. Looking between the monitor and his watch in case she didn’t make it.

A long beeping noise made Steve sigh. “Time of death?” He asked the nearby nurse, hoping that mrs Andersons is in a better place.

“Time of death is 12:42 pm.” The nurse said. Jotting down everything he could in his little notebook.

When Josh came back mrs Andersons was gone. There wasn’t a DNR but they just couldn’t save her. Nancy called for another doctor to take her away for the mortician to take a look at her. Steve put his face in his hands, sat down and sighed, feeling like he didn’t do enough for her. He always felt like this after a patient death. Especially with people he was close to.

“Hey steve, it’s not your fault. You did everything you could. She was 84 years old, it was time honey” Robin said kneeling down in front of him to look him in the eyes.

“I know. I just can’t stop that feeling y’know? I wish I had done more for her before she passed.”

He says, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I know Steve. It’ll be okay. Do you want a hug?” Robin opened her arms for Steve to fall into, gently squeezing him and rubbing his back.

The sound of doctors and machines and people faintly talking was tuned out. He thought back to when his grandma passed. Sitting there beside her hospital bed and crying because he knew she was gone even before she left. She died holding his hand and rubbing it the way she used to when she was able to stand up and be at home.

She was like a mother to him. With his parents not being around as much she was left to take care of him. He remembers the last time they talked before she went to the hospital.

“Now listen Stevie. One day, youre gonna get two letters on your wrist. Just below the thumb. Those are your soulmates initials. And you’re gonna fall in love. And when that day comes, if the person you love is your soulmate those letters will fade away. Your papa and I were soulmates. As were your parents.”

He was laying his head down on her lap at the time. Just staring at the wall and listening to her calming voice. He remembered the day he got his initials. “E.M.” It said.

With his mind coming back from being trapped in that memory he found himself in the break room. Robin probably walked him there. He checked the time and it was now 1:36. Nancy came in to talk to him. She could tell he was having a rough time.

“Hey. If you need to you can go home. We’re overstaffed today anyway.” She said putting her hand on his shoulder.

Steve looked up at her with tears forming in his eyes. Refusing to let them slip out he blinked a few times. “Could I? I dunno why I’m taking this so hard” that was a lie. He very much knows why. He just doesn’t have the strength to say it.

“Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow” she said and walked out of the room.

Steve grabbed his coat, keys, phone and bag and walked out the door. He unlocked his car and started to drive. As he stopped at the first intersection he saw a group of men walking across the crosswalk. All wearing either leather jackets or jean jackets. They thanked him for stopping and he waved back.

He heard screaming behind him. Turned to look in his rearview mirror. A large black truck was speeding down the road, sirens following it. The truck got up to the intersection and hit someone.

Steve rushed out of his car and ran to the man’s aid. “Sir are you okay. I’m a nurse I can help a bit until we get you to the hospital” the man below him nodded and people stared. A few people were blocking more cars from coming into the intersection.

“What’s your name? I need to know your name.” Steve asked. Hoping the hospital had the man’s records.

His voice was soft coming out. Probably due to the wind being knocked out of him. “E-Eddie Mun-Munson” and then he passed out.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Hiii! I’m back after a looonnng time! I hope y’all are well! this is the first part to a series I’m doing! Can’t go wrong with a steddie soulmate au!

I hope y’all liked this first chapter! And as always constructive criticism and advice on writing is always appreciated!

[animatronicabundance-archived]

fazeruined​:

Once again it’s night time in the Mega PizzaPlex, the lockdown having just initiated. Nearly no humans to worry about.

Once again, “Gretel” furtively gets the whole place to herself. Kind of.

The robots can be a problem for her stealth if she gets spotted, and there’s a singular other human– but she’s fine with that, even. That human will get her just desserts when it’s time.

But that time, doesn’t seem to be tonight, unfortunately.

There’s something else more pressing for Gretel to worry about tonight:

She opens her duffle bag, and in terms of edibles, she finds only ¼ left of a burger, and she’s starving. Stable, full meals, are a luxury. That ¼ of a burger is long cold and maybe stale by now, but it still makes her mouth water. Yet, she painfully restrains herself from eating it just yet– it’s the only food left she has, she has to make it last.

Which means, tonight is the night of stealing more food. With her stomach quite audibly eloquent, Gretel snuck around the PizzaPlex, her aim being to make it over to the Atrium, where the most of the food places are located, like a hub.

Freddy wasn’t sure what it was that itched his circuits and made him want to go for a walk tonight when usually he stayed near his room. Maybe it was the 4 small walls feeling suffocating compared to the rest of the PizzaPlex, maybe it was him looking for too long at the bowling ball in his room ….but whatever it was it made him want to go for a walk. Monty was in his golf course and Roxy was hanging out with Chica in her room so all he had to really worry about was Officer Vanessa.

Thankfully he was aware of where most of the cameras were so after an awkward effort to avoid being seen by Chica and Roxy, he was off on a not too well seen path into the atrium. He was just going to sit down on one of the benches and take some time with his thoughts.  Freddy couldn’t make himself go anywhere near Bonnie Bowl, but perhaps sitting where he could see it on the ground floor was good enough.

His ear slightly twitches at the faint sound he just heard nearby. Much too soft to be Monty and the others were in their rooms, Officer Vanessa maybe? She often had a heavy walk though and the sound he thought he detected was lighter. If he didn’t know any better, as their closed right now, he could have sworn he heard a child somewhere nearby in the atrium.

[chantillyxlacey]

Mystery March #1: Heal

My entry for prompt/day one of Mystery March. A few little tidbits from the Peppers’ first months with Lewis.

If you’ve been following me for awhile or my old Arthur blog, you’ll probably recognize the second vignette-- I’ve written that event before, but from Arthur’s POV instead of Mrs. Pepper’s!

Please enjoy :>

Belle was screaming in the living room. Not screams of terror or of pain-- the screams of someone who had recently decided that there was a kind of simple, primal joy to be found in just screaming sometimes, that ought to be tapped into as often as possible. Lucinda Pepper was used to it, if still looking forward to the day Belle grew tired of this particular diversion, but she was concerned that their new little guest would find it alarming.

 Sure enough, she found Lewis looking like a deer in the headlights where he sat on the couch, fighting a losing battle to keep perfectly still and avoid flinching as Belle hollered an aria almost directly into his ear and attempted to use him as a jungle gym. Lucinda swept in to rescue him-- or at least she moved as quickly as she could with the ponderous weight of her next little troublemaker slowing her down.

She plucked Belle from his shoulders and settled her in the crook of her arm with practiced ease. “You’ve got to be gentle with Lewis, my love,” she chided, as gently as she advised. “We want him to get better, and he can’t do that if you play so rough.” Belle patted both hands against Lucinda’s collarbone and said something in the private language of toddlers. “I think we can consider that an apology. You mustn't let her bully you like that,” Lucinda smiled down at Lewis. He blinked dolefully back up at her.

Lucinda sighed and carefully lowered herself to sit beside him, shifting Belle over the mountain of her belly to rest in her other arm. She pressed the back of her newly freed hand softly against the side of Lewis’ face, careful to avoid the plum colored bruise over his cheekbone. “You’re alright, hon? She didn’t hurt you?”

“Estoy bien,” Lewis murmured, almost too quiet to hear over the incomprehensible anecdote Belle was attempting to relay. Lucinda shifted to stroke his hair.

“¿Seguro?” she pressed, and sighed again, fondly, when he nodded with grave earnestness. “Please tell me if you’re hurting, okay Lewis?” she continued, still in Spanish. “Tell me if you need anything for pain or if there’s anything else I can do to help.” Lewis nodded again, as seriously as before, and thought for a moment.

 “Can you put on a video, please? Sailor Moon?” His voice was soft and halting.

 “I think I can do that for you,” Lucinda smiled, ruffling his hair. “In fact, I was just making lunch-- why don’t I finish that real quick and bring our food and Belle’s high chair in here, and we can all sit and watch together. How does that sound, my sweet?”

Lewis nodded again, silent and stoic as ever but, as Lucinda was pleased to note, far less somber.

Xxx

“Have you seen Lewis anywhere, mi amor?” Lucinda popped her head into the living room, where her husband was deliberately losing a wrestling match with a very loudly delighted Belle in the middle of the rug. 

“Not since--” Eun started, then yelped. “Ow! Belle, please, Appa is trying to talk-- Not since I got her up from her nap. He was in his room last I looked, but he might be out back. I told him it was such a nice day that he should go out and play if he wanted to.”

 “I checked the yard already,” Lucinda said, and felt a crease of worry fold into being between her brows.

“Have you tried out front? He might be hoping to spot that cat from yesterday again.”

“I’ll look,” she said. “And I’ll take him to the back. Even as careful as he always is I’d still rather he play away from the street.”

Sure enough, in front of the restaurant is where she found Lewis, but he wasn’t playing or searching for kittens-- he was sweeping. Or at least trying to. His hands were already healing up nicely, but they were still wrapped up fairly extensively in bandages, and holding the broom was clearly a struggle for him. He looked up at the sound of the bell over the door as she came through, his expression as guilty as if he’d been caught sneaking sweets rather than chores. Lucinda shook her head and folded her arms over her belly, torn between being touched, exasperated, and concerned.

“Lewis, your hands are never going to heal this way,” she said.

“Papa said-- he meant to sweep out front all morning, but he was so busy with Belle. I wanted to help.” He said it so earnestly that Lucinda couldn’t help her heart just about melting. Carefully, laboriously, she lowered herself to kneel beside him and match his height, patting his head in the way she’d come to realize he enjoyed.

“You are such a sweet boy, Lewis,” she said. “But right now all we need you to do is get well, alright mijo?” He nodded, his expression serious, but when she ruffled his hair he finally smiled-- tiny and timid, but less and less rare and always so charming.

The bell tingled again, and the next few moments Lucinda processed in snapshots: Belle’s tiny, beaming face as she slipped out of the door, Eun’s look of panic as he tripped over the threshold to land in a sprawl on the sidewalk, Lewis’ expression of quiet determination as he took off after Belle as fast as he could on his still injured leg while she and Eun struggled to help each other back to their feet. It wasn’t near fast enough, however, and she handily outsped him.

She didn’t make it far, however. She ran right into the arms of two children that Lucinda recognized vaguely from around town, who reached out and caught her in sync as though they’d practiced it.  They handed her back to Lewis, and when Lucinda had caught up to him the little girl in blue was already making gregarious introductions. To her surprise and delight, she spotted a small, shy smile on Lewis’ face.

Xxx

Lucinda was just tucking her hospital gown closed after giving Cayenne her very first meal when she caught the soft knock on the door. As soon as she gave the okay Eun slipped quietly inside, ushering a faintly teary eyed Lewis ahead of him.

Lewis had apparently been inconsolable for the babysitter who was still back at home watching over Belle while she slept. He’d been remarkably calm after her water broke and she’d told him to fetch Eun and tell him his baby sister was on the way, but the moment he’d heard them talk about taking her to the hospital he’d begun crying, terrified out of his mind with worry over Lucinda’s wellbeing and the baby’s. According to the sitter, he’d wept on and off from the moment they’d left until the moment Eun had returned to tell him that Lucinda and Cayenne were both perfectly fine and eager to see him.

Eun led Lewis to Lucinda’s bedside, and she was happy to note that the only unsteadiness in his steps seemed to come from nerves-- his limp was entirely gone. He twisted his small, newly unbandaged hands around and around each other as Eun pressed a kiss to her forehead, eyes locked on the wrinkled pink face and tiny fists poking out of the bundle of blankets in Lucinda’s arms.

“Can I hold her?” Lewis murmured, and looked shocked that he’d done it.

“Of course you can, mijo,” Lucinda smiled at him. “Come here and sit next to me.” Lewis shuffled his feet.

“Are you sure…?” he murmured. “I don’t want-- I don’t want to drop her…”

“I know, my love-- but your hands are all better now. You won’t drop her.” She shifted her grip to free one hand and pat a spot on the bed beside her. “But I’ll help you hold her up, if you’re worried.” Lewis took another moment to think, then nodded. Lucinda scooted herself over to give him more room while Eun helped him climb up and arranged his arms to receive Cayenne as Lucinda eased her into his hold.

Lewis and the baby goggled at one another-- him looking awestruck, her almost seeming to size him up with a remarkable amount of shrewdness for an infant.

“Hi,” Lewis whispered. Cayenne blinked at him. “I’m your big brother. I’m-- I’m going to be the best brother in the world, for you,” he said, still quietly but with absolute, devoted conviction. He glanced over at Lucinda. “Can I have this arm?” he asked, wiggling the elbow that held up Cayenne’s lower half. She slid her arm under her daughter’s legs to allow Lewis to free his hand.

Slowly, almost cautiously, he offered his pointer finger for Cayenne to expect. Equally slowly, but with more of an air of gravitas than of caution, Cayenne wrapped her minuscule hand around it, gripping tight. Lewis did something they’d never seen from him before:

He beamed.

Lewis was much more cheerful now in general, a far cry from the perpetually frightened and solemn boy they’d found on their doorstep all those months ago, especially now that he had his new friends Arthur and Vivi. But even though his smiles were more ready they were still always quite shy and reserved. Not now, however-- now his grin stretched nearly from ear to ear unrestrained, his eyes almost dizzyingly alight.

“The best in the world,” he murmured again. Lucinda didn’t doubt it for a moment.

[spaced-out-imagines]

The Mentor’s Child (a multi-chapter Shinsou x reader fic)

Next Chapter

warnings: none!

taglist: @lostgirlheart​ @universal-imagines​ @lucio-the-beautiful-goat​ (if you wanted to be added to the taglist just message me!)

A/n: At long last here it is! Sorry for making you guys wait a little longer than what I promised but I wanted to make sure the intro was good. I hope you guys enjoy and continue to support this fic!

You groaned as your alarm went off, flinging your arm out blindly to find your phone. You finally managed to grab it and you brought it to your face, sliding the notification to turn off the alarm. You then threw it beside you and buried your head in your pillow, trying to sleep for just a few more minutes, but before you could one of your dads burst into your room.

“Y/n! Time to get up sweetheart!” Yamada yelled excitedly. You groaned and put your pillow on top of your head, however your father pulled it off a second later.

“Just a few more minutes papaaaa pleeeeease,” you said sleepily. Your blankets were so warm and you didn’t want to leave your little cocoon.

“No can do kiddo, you have to go to school today. Also if I let you fall back asleep you won’t wake up until noon,” he said cheerily. Yamada reached under the covers and pulled you up into a sitting position, ignoring your groans of protest.

“Fiiiiiine. I’m up, I’m up,” you said as you waved your arms a bit to make your papa let go of you.

He did just that and left your room to allow you to get ready for the day. You rubbed your eyes as you got up from your bed, a slight shiver travelling down your spine as your feet touched the cold floor. You walked over to your closet to grab your uniform before tugging off your pajamas and slipping on the outfit. You then went into the bathroom next to your room to brush your teeth and to tame your messy bed hair.

After struggling with your very stubborn hair for a while, you wandered into the kitchen where you were greeted by the sight of one of your dads sitting at the kitchen table and the other bustling around as he finished making breakfast. Aizawa looked up at you as he sipped his coffee, he looked tired but then again he always did.

“Morning,” he said in his usual deadpan tone. Yamada also chirped in with a “good morning!” as he set down the last of the plates onto the kitchen table. 

“Good morning,” you greeted back as you sat down in your usual spot at the table. Yamada sat down right after and all of you all began to eat peacefully, the only sounds to be heard was the clattering of utensils and the occasional chatter from your papa.

As you were finishing up Aizawa suddenly hummed, causing you and Yamada to look up at him. He swallowed the food in his mouth before he looked up at you and said, “I forgot to mention this yesterday, but I need you to meet me at the training grounds after school today.”

“Uh okay sure,” you replied, confused but not too surprised. You would often train with your dad, and while it was uncommon for him to ask you to meet him right after school, you figured he just wanted to get in an extra training session.

He nodded at you in thanks as he got up from his seat to put his dishes away. You and Yamada finished soon after, getting up at the same time and meeting at the sink to quickly wash the dishes together. Yamada hummed as you both worked and you were reminded about how grateful you always felt that your papa could easily fill in an awkward silence.

“Are you gonna be home late today?” You asked when he passed you a plate to dry.

“Afraid so kiddo. Gotta go to the radio station tonight,” he replied as he gave you a sad smile.

You playfully flicked some water into his face causing him to squawk. You chuckled and went back to drying the dishes. “It’s fine papa. I know how busy you can get.”

He gave you a grateful look and said, “I’ll make sure to play some of your favourite songs tonight.” Your eyes lit up at that causing him to laugh.

You finished drying the last of the dishes before you and Yamada went to meet up with Aizawa in the front hall of your house. You all grabbed the things you needed for the day and headed out to the car.

You slipped into the back seat as your dads got into the front, Yamada sat in the driver’s seat while Aizawa settled into the passenger side. Your papa turned on the radio, singing along as he drove. You hummed along faintly, your voice almost drowned out by Yamada’s but not quite. Your papa and you both shared the same love for music, however you were less boisterous than he was. That doesn’t mean you wouldn’t sing along though.

The rest of the ride passed by in a similar manner, you singing along with Yamada as you stared out the window. At one point during the drive Aizawa had fallen asleep, even with the noise. Your dad could sleep through anything if he wanted to, you were sure of it. 

Soon enough you arrived at UA, and Yamada quickly parked the car. You grabbed your bag and jumped out, while Yamada attempted to wake up his sleeping husband. You flatten out your uniform which had gotten rumpled in the car before looking back at your dads. They had just gotten out of the car when you said, “I’m going ahead, I’ll see you guys later.”

“Okay! Hope you have a good day honey!” Yamada called as he grabbed his own bag.

“Make sure you come to the training ground later,” Aizawa reminded you. You simply gave him a thumbs-up as you walked towards the building to go to your classroom and meet up with your friends.

After a few minutes you reached the 1-C classroom and you opened the door before stepping inside. You plopped down into your seat and settled down. Just after you finished taking out your notebooks and materials a body tackled you, almost knocking you and your chair over.

“Heeeeey Y/N!” the person said as she squished your cheek against hers while giggling.

You smiled and patted one of her arms which were wrapped around you. “Hey Kazue,” you replied. Your friend’s smile simply grew even larger as she laughed again.

“Geez Kazue, you need to relax you could have killed them,” another voice said. You looked up as your other friend walked over. Akihiko gently pried Kazue’s arms off you as he stood beside your desk. Kazue scoffed and took her hands back from Akihiko’s grasp. She perched on top of your desk and shared a look with you, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“Nah it’s fine Aki. Kazue is just showing how much she loves me.”

“You got that damn right,” she said as you two high-fived without looking away from Akihiko. The three of you burst out laughing a couple of seconds later, quieting down after a minute or two.

You sat in silence for a second before Kazue’s head whipped around to look at you. “Oh! Y/N do you want to come with me and Aki to the arcade after school today? Rai challenged me to a game marathon and you know I could never let him beat me,” she said. You smiled at her, she was always so energetic.

“Sorry Kazue. I have to meet up with my dad after school so I’m gonna have to pass for today,” you replied.

She pouted at you, “awwwwwww okay.”

Akihiko looked at you curiously. “Why does your dad wanna meet up with you right after school?”

“That’s exactly what I was wondering,” you said as you leaned back in your chair, “he simply told me to meet him at training grounds.”

“That’s strange,” Akihiko said with a raised eyebrow. Kazue nodded in agreement and mentally you were nodding along. It was strange but your dad has made stranger requests so it’s easier to just not ask at this point.

You were about to say so when your teacher walked in, signaling the beginning of class. Akihiko and Kazue went to take their seats and you shifted so you were actually sitting properly. You sighed. Time for another long day of classes.

(...)

You walked down the halls of the school, making your way to the training grounds. You hummed one of the songs your father played on his radio station. It was a new song and it had quickly become one of your favourites, although you loved all of your father’s songs regardless. You quickly reached your destination and you stopped your humming. You quietly opened the door to the grounds, stepping through.

“Dad? I’m here like you asked,” you said. As you looked up you suddenly saw a bo staff hurtling towards your face. You yelped and brought up your arms instinctively to block it. The staff hit your arm and clattered to the ground. You rubbed your arms for a second to soothe the ache before bending down and picking up the bo staff. You looked back up with a raised brow, shooting your father an unimpressed look.

“Really?” you drawled.

Your father at least looked slightly sheepish, although it was hard to tell the difference from his normal tired look. “Sorry Y/N. I didn’t notice you walked in or else I wouldn’t have knocked Shinsou’s staff in that direction.”

You hummed before finally looking at the other figure in the room. You instantly recognized him, he was in your class after all. Bright violet hair and eyes with heavy dark circles under them. He was dressed in a tank top and sweatpants, a very different look than the uniform he was usually required to wear. You almost snorted because standing next to your father they looked strikingly similar. 

Shinsou shot you a confused look, probably wondering why you were there. Internally, you were just as confused. You knew your dad was training a student, you just had no idea who it was. Also if he was training with Shinsou today than why did you have to be there? 

The both of you looked at your father. “Why is Shinsou/Yamada here Sensei/Dad?” You said simultaneously, the only difference being a couple of words. Shinsou turned back to look at you, his face showing he was even more confused than before. “Dad?” he said, looking at you incredulously. 

Aizawa sighed, already tired of this situation. “Shinsou, this is my child, Y/N,” he said as he gestured to you. He then looked at you again and said, “Y/N. You’re here because I decided it would be helpful if you could help me train Shinsou.”

Your eyes widened and you couldn’t help but stare at your dad for a minute.

“Excuse me what now?”

[heynikkiyousofine]

Chapter 2 is up and going! I cannot wait to hear what y’all think. Thank you again @keichanz and @neutronstarchild for helping me get my stories up and going. without further ado, The Fairy Princess and The Prince Hanyou continues…

What Inuyasha saw made him speechless. There in the meadow, sitting among the first blooming flowers of the season, sat a small fox youkai chattering away, in the lap of a woman with waist length hair. His hands itched to run his fingers throughout it. She wore a soft, pale, yellow dress, hanging off her creamy, pale shoulders. Her dress covered her bent legs, only showing her bare feet, a pair of brown slippers sitting in her basket. He couldn’t see her face, but he could hear her giggling at the young fox’s story, his paws waving about in the air, her laugh like a tinker of bells. A warmth spread throughout his chest as he realized he would probably be caught creepily staring at this woman. 

What that her son? Where did she live? The closest village was still a bit away. Could she defend herself if she were to be attacked? He noticed a small knife handle sticking from her left boot that told him she probably had never used it for anything other than the flowers in her basket. Wishing to know what she looked like, smelt like, be near her, he took a deep breath trying to decipher between the different scents coming from the woman.

He could smell the woodsy pine-like scent of the fox, his parents probably residing nearby as he could faintly detect similar scents towards the north. He could also smell the flowers that had began to bloom around them, similar to the ones in his mother’s garden back home. He also smelt the sunshine, or rather the warmth of the sunshine that covered the field, but couldn’t exactly smell her. It was like she blended in to nature around her. Puzzled, Inuyasha gripped his crossbow tightly, deciding he needed to find out about this oh so familiar scent.

As he took a step in the brightness, the fox quickly stopped talking and froze in his storytelling, staring at the Prince with his emerald eyes. The young woman’s back stiffened and the soft waif of fear drifting across his nose. “I’m not going to hurt either of you.” He softly rumbled, realizing he probably startled them both. As the young woman turned around carefully, blue eyes clashing with gold, Miroku and Sango came crashing through the underbrush behind him. Inuyasha turned around to stop them in time from coming closer.

“Where did you go?” “Did you catch one?” they both asked, breathing labored. Sango’s hair slightly a mess, lips glistening and swollen a bit. Miroku’s white tunic buttoned incorrectly. They both sported a slight blush, not knowing Inuyasha knew they had frequently been making out behind the stables at the castle. Rolling his yees, her turned just in time to see the young woman running away. 

“Fuck. You two couldn’t have worse timing.” He gritted, his left hand clenching. Where did they go? They couldn’t have gotten far fast. Her eyes were of something else, a color he had never seen before on a person. It was as if his soul was reaching out to calm the frightened woman, his own demon berating him for scaring her, not protecting her. Looking around, he could smell all the same scents before, so he wasn’t sure which way they had went, but he vowed to look the next time he got a chance.

Across the field, holding Shippo is her arms, Kagome watched the group with shortened breaths, she hadn’t run that fast in a long time. The man himself didn’t frightened her exactly, she had just thought they were alone. After seeing his eyes and hearing his soft rumble, she wanted to stay and chat with him, a feeling of safety washing through her, like her soul knew she would be fine. It wasn’t until the couple behind him came crashing through the trees, that she realized she might be in danger/ She had grabbed her basket, Shippo clinging her stomach and she ran with all her might. She didn’t know how to use the knife she had hidden in her boot for self defense and Shippo was just a small child, despite being a fox demon. 

Before she could keep berating herself even farther, Shippo whispered to her, “Gome’ let’s go. We can get back to Jineji’s house from here without crossing their paths.” Nodding in agreement, Kagome took a deep breath, reached into her basket and slipped on her shoes and turned towards where Shippo was pointing, the golden eyed man on her mind. They trekked through the foliage to Jineji’s, speaking softly to each other, both wondering who those people were and what did they want. “He reeked of dog.” Shippo exclaimed, his nose scrunching up. “The only inuyokai I know of are royals, but I don’t know if that was one of them. I haven’t met them before, just heard of them. Should we tell someone?”

“I don’t know of anyone who would believe us or would know what to do.” She responded sadly, “Besides, I think they might fear for our safety more than anything and not less us visit each other for quite some time.”

“Most likely. I wonder if they were going to harm us. We don’t have anything they want.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she looked down at Shippo in agreement, “I don’t know Shippo. Either way, we would’ve been in trouble, I don’t know how to use my knife like a weapon and you’re still a small child.”

Puffing out his chest, Shippo responded quickly, “I would’ve protected you! I’ve working on my fox fire!”

Giggling along, the two remained on their walk, watching their surroundings around them. As they came upon the herbal fields, they noticed Jineji in the farthest, digging through the soil. Greeting him with a smile, Kagome put the whole experience in the back fo her mind, until she could get home to Kaede and think about everything that happened. They spent hours enjoying the others company, staying for dinner in the hanyou’s cottage. As the stars began the light up the sky, Jineji walked Kagome and Shippo home, telling them to come visit in soon. Later on that evening, as the women began to get ready for bed, drinking lavender tea, Kagome began to ask Kaede about the royal families.

“Mother, have you ever met the King and his family?”

Nodding her head in response, Kaede set down her clay cup, “Yes dear, from quite some time ago. I’ve heard stories from travelers about how kind and welcoming they are now. People have been traveling far and wide from the eastern kingdom to find a new home.”

“What were they running from?”

“Well, I have told you plenty of times to never cross the eastern border, their leader Naraku is not a kind ruler to his people and many live in fear for their lives on a daily basis. I will spare you the details of the rumors I have heard, but you must promise me you never go looking.”

Nodding, Kagome went to change the subject. “What about our King and Queen? Are they fair people?”

“Aye. I have heard of their love and kindness for my entire life, since I was a young girl with my mother in the village near the castle. The King is a Inuyokai and his queen is a human, they bore a son a few years before you were born.”

“He’s a hanyou? Like Jineji?”

“Aye child. From what I remember he was a rambunctious child, until I came out here when you were born.”

“Can we go see them one day? I would like to see the castle grounds and the village surrounding it. Maybe be could go see your family?”

“Maybe some day child, I’m not as young as I used to be.” Kaede mused, laughter filling the air. “It is time for rest. Did you get plenty of flowers today? I noticed your basket wasn’t as full as usual.”

“Not as many as I wanted to, they aren’t in full bloom yet.” Kagome responded quickly, hoping Kaede wouldn’t pry more on the subject. She didn’t want to try and dodge the events of earlier and didn’t like lying.

“Okay, sweet dreams my child.” Kaede softly kissed her cheek before she strode into the sleeping room to her right. Sighing softly, Kagome began to think about said earlier events. The man didn’t seem harmful, but what if he had come from the eastern kingdom? His clothing wasn’t ratted or torn, almost a full royal outfit. His shoes were a shiny black leather that looked expensive. Picking up her cup, Kagome began to head towards her sleeping room, across the home from her mother’s. As she laid in her small bed to get comfortable for sleep, she shut her eyes and dreamt of glowing amber eyes.

Quietness swept through the night as the moon rose high in the sky, the only sounds a fussy child trying to sleep in the fox hut nearby. Rocking her child softly, Shippo’s mother stepped out the front doorway, so she wouldn’t wake her other children. As her newborn began to quiet down again, she caught the whiff of smoke and turned towards the eastern border. Emerald eyes widening, she gasped softly and let out a yip, not too loudly, but enough for her husband and mate. He woke with a start and hurried toward her in the doorway with a questioning look. Raising her hand to point, he turned and stiffened in fear. Along the tree line, red and orange flames covered the treetops, smoke rising high in the sky. Hearing shouts and screams nearby, he turned toward his wife and nodded. Grabbing her outstretched hand, he whisked her into the hut and started to wake his three sleeping children. 

‘Shippo, wake up. We must go.” He began, only to raise his voice and he shook the fox demon awake. Grumbling in response, Shippo slowly opened his eyes to see his father’s frightened face. “What’s going on Papa?”

“Hurry and help pack a bag of thing for you and your sisters, there’s people coming with fire.” Jumping up quickly, Shippo grabbed his green knapsack and went to fill it with a small coat and some fruit, knowing there wasn’t much else that would fit. As he stepped to grab his youngest sisters arms to carry her, he heard men shouting and metal clanking against one another. His sister whimpered, turning her face to his chest, his papa grabbed his bags and ushered them to the door. Feeling a wave of nausea wash over him, Shippo watched as a man with a long braid and even longer sword push through the doorway, his face shadowed by the flames behind him. The man stood tall, with a large purple mark on his forehead, his halberd resting on his left shoulder.

“Who are you!?” His papa asked, gathering everyone, but him and his sister behind him. He was too far away with her squirming in his arms to be protected. 

“None of your business. Naraku has sent us here to take you to him, if you refuse, we will kill you.” Shippo’s mother gasped softly, holding her new born baby closer to her breast and Shippo held his sibling tighter in his arms. She kept trying to run from his arms.

“We will never go to him.” His papa spat, taking a step back, guarding his family as best as he could. The smell of fear filled his air, making Shippo’s eye water just a bit and as he was taking a step back into the corner to hide from this frightening man, his sister pushed out of his hands and ran across the hut. Before she could get to her papa’s arms, the man with long braid picked up the screaming child and tossed her into the arms of a large man behind him. “No! Give her back! She’s just a child!” Shippo’s papa cried. Tasing his sword, the braided haired man walked closer to the family, not knowing Shippo had tucked himself behind a wardrobe. 

“You will be coming with me, whether it’s in chains or death.” The man grinned wickedly, using his sword to shove them towards the door. Shippo held his breath as he watched the man push his family away, catching his father’s attention. His father’s with hardened eyes, nodded and mouthed “I love you.” Staying hidden behind, he could hear his father and mother shouting, his sisters crying and more steps as they moved father away, toward the eastern kingdom. Sitting there quietly for some time, tears pouring down his flushed cheeks, he smelt the faint whiff of smoke, and something else he couldn’t decipher, and looked out. His house was beginning to burn! Scrambling, he crawled quickly to doorway, only to stop where he was. There was his whole family laying on the ground, blood surrounding their bodies. Sobbing, Shippo ran his papa, pleading him to come back. As the flames grew behind him, he realized he could no longer feel his father’s youki or his fox fire. Wailing, he hugged his papa’s neck as the blazing hut behind him fell to the ground in the night.

He wasn’t sure how long had passed before the fire had begun to spread across the grass towards his family, but Shippo knew he couldn’t carry them all to safety, so he grabbed the ribbon in his mother’s hair and the small knapsack his father had put together, and began to run towards the only place would be safe. Tying his hair back into a ponytail with the green ribbon, Shippo looked one last time at his family’s bodies before ember flames engulfed the field. Grabbing the knapsack and the one across his back, Shippo trekked through the night to Kagome and Kaede’s cottage.

Frowning in her sleep, Kagome tossed and turned fitfully, dreaming vividly of crimson eyes, evil feelings and screams of torture. Gasping awake, Kagome bolted upright to the sounds of sniffling and footsteps coming towards the house. Quickly getting to her feet, Kagome grabbed her slippers and ran to the doorway, just in time for Shippo to burst through and grab her gown tightly.

“What is going on?” Kaede asked, causing Kagome to turn, holding onto Shippo just as tightly. Shippo began to sob, Kagome stroking his back softly, whispering that it was okay and he was safe. Kaede quickly brought the fire to life and filled the kettle with water for tea. After a few minutes, she poured three cups, filling Shippo’s with extra lavender to help calm him down. Sipping his warm drink and hiccuping, Shippo recounted the events. When he was done, Kaede rose to her feet quickly and turned towards the back of the cottage, grabbing a few bottles of herbs along the way. Ignoring her for the moment, Kagome held Shippo is her arms and cried softly for him. He was alone in this world. His whole family gone in one night. He will stay with me and I’ll never let him be alone ever again. 

Before Kagome could come up with a plan to ask her mother if he could stay with them, Kaede came back with a bag filled with her cloak, bottles, fruit and a letter, sealed tightly and a determined look on her face. Puzzled, Kagome looked at her with fear brewing in her eyes, not quite understanding what was going on. 

“Child. I need you to change into your clothing and traveling boots, not your slippers, and come back in here and sit with me.”

“Kaede-“

“Child, now. There’s no time.” Kaede urgently responded. Kagome rose to her feet, spinning and taking her and Shippo to her room to change. 

“What’s going on ‘Gome’?” Shippo asked drowsily, feeling the full effects of his tea.

“I don’t know, but sleep for a little while. You need to rest.” She whispered, laying him down on her bed. Changing quickly into her pale yellow dress, Kagome returned to the living area with her brown boots in her hand. Smiling Softly, Kaede patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Kagome to sit.

“I need to tell you how I came upon you.”

“You’ve told me this story before. My mother left me in your care before she disappeared.” She responded as she finished putting on her boots.

“There is more to it. You see your pendant?” Nodding, Kagome fingered the precious heirloom, wondering what this had anything to do with it. “Remove it, Kagome.”

Taking a deep breath, Kagome removed the light blue necklace, lifting it up above her head. As she did, she felt this wave of power fill her entire body, like she was glowing. Opening her eyes. Kagome held her breath as she realized her hands were actually glowing! They lit up like the soft moonlight, sparkling like glitter when the light hit them just right. Raising her eyes quickly, she saw Kaede smile softly.

“Kagome, go stand and look in the mirror in the wardrobe. After I will tell you everything.”

Gathering herself, she stood, her legs wobbling slightly as she carried herself towards the worn down wardrobe with the large mirror hanging inside. Not sure what to expect when she looked, Kagome’s hand flew to he mouth in awe. There reflected a woman, whose entire body sparkled like her hands before, with hair as dark as her own, adorned with a flower crown. Her crown twisted with all her favorite flowers rested atop her perfectly curled hair and her pale yellow dress compared to the soft silkiness of her almost midnight hair. She always knew she had blue eyes, that she had never known anyone else with the same color, but her eyes now almost seem to bore into her soul, as if there was a deep, power residing behind them. A soul that could see into the depths of another person. As amazing as all those things seemed to her, her eyes were more focused on what was behind her, actually what was attached her. 

Thin, almost see through wings sprouted from between her shoulder blades, completely silver, with lines of gold outlining the edges. Reaching softly over her shoulder, she grazed one, only for it to flutter and sparkled dust fell from it, towards the wooden floor. Eyes wide, she turned toward Kaede who just watched her and waited for her to come sit back down. Putting her pendant back over her head, she felt as if she were underwater. It reminded her of her swimming memories with Shippo last summer, floating in the river. She looked quickly in the mirror, only to sadly see the same reflection she’s seen her entire life. Striding quickly, she sat down beside Kaede, eager and confused to hear what she had to say.

“Child. You have heard of the stories about how Naraku came to power. How he slain the King and Queen and their child in the Eastern Kingdom, only to take over and and create pain and suffering throughout the lands. Child, you are their daughter.” Kaede didn’t know this right away twenty years ago, but after word had spread of the event and the visit from the wounded lady, she had taken off the pendant whenever Kagome slept one night, only to see little wings protrude from her back.

Shaking, Kagome felt light headed. “Are you sure? Why now? Why didn’t you tell me before? Does this have anything to do with what happened to Shippo? Does he know? Does anyone else know? Why did you pack that bag? Kaede-“

Shushing her child with a look she knew too well, Kaede softly spoke, to not wake the sleeping child in the next room. She wasn’t sure if Shippo knew anything of the story or if he had any idea about who Kagome was. “I knew your mother. She came to me when you were about four months of age. She was deeply wounded, almost to the brink of death. She looked a lot like you, long dark hair, but eyes that were brown and filled with sadness. She handed you to me, told me your name, that you were special and that I needed to keep you safe. Before I could help her or figure out anything more, she fell to the ground and disappeared into dust. After that, I heard of the fallen kingdom and knew who you were. I would tell you someday, knowing you were going to have to travel to the northern castle and ask for King Toga’s help to succeed in getting your home back. I believe you are the one who will bring peace back to all four kingdoms.”

“How? I’m only a kid still. I’m not yet twenty years of age. I don’t even know how to fight!” Kagome cried anxiously.

Holding her as she began to cry, Kaede cuddled the crying child, whispering words of encouragement. “You will learn as you go. You will meet many people and creatures. Other mythical creatures will know exactly who you are and you must not trust anyone. When you get to the palace, you must show the king who you truly are and he will keep you safe. Naraku, I believe wants your power. It is foretold to be the strongest in time, one that could bring any kingdom to its knees.”

“How though? Mother Kaede, I can barely withstand slicing an animal’s body to provide for us. What power do you speak of?”

“Raise your right hand like this. Close your eyes. Breath in and out. I want you to look into your heart and feel the tug on your soul, one that reaches down within you. That is your power.” Before Kagome could shut her eyes to try, a loud shout came from outside the cottage. Quietly rising to her feet, Shippo stumbled from the bedroom, fear in his eyes and ran to Kagome’s outstretched arms. Footsteps quickly came to the door and a loud knock had all of them standing in silence.

“It is the King’s guard, we wish to speak with you.”

“Come in.” Kaede commanded, no waver in her voice. A large man came through the door and Shippo climbed to Kagome’s back, hiding from sight. He knew this scent and began to tremble.

“Are you Lady Kaede? Priestess here in this land?”

“Aye. However, I have not practiced in a long time, I only deal with herbs and potions.”

The man with the long braid and even longer sword looked around the living space, watching the old woman and the young with hard eyes, growing with suspicion. “Who is this?” he pointed with his sword at Kagome.

“This is my adopted daughter.”

“Adopted? So she does not have spiritual powers as well?”

Shaking her head, Kaede took a step forward, slightly shielding Kagome and Shippo behind her. “What do you need with me?”

“Naraku.”

Swallowing a gasp, Kagome began to tremble as well, looking at the back of Kaede’s head, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Kaede spoke angrily, “What does he want with me? I am but an old woman, with only the aid of my child. I have no use for my powers nor harm anyone with them.”

“He wants you. He instructed us to bring you to him alive.”

Nodding, Kaede inquired, “What about my child?”

Smirking, the man looked at Kagome as lust formed into his eyes, “I’ll take good care of her.”

Turning around to face her, Kaede hugged Kagome tightly, holding Shippo as well, and whispered, “Run. Take the bag and Shippo and run. When I leave, this man intends to break you. You must not let him know who you are. Remember everything I said tonight. I love you my dear daughter and I will see you soon.” When Kagome went to give her love back, a sharp tug pulled Kaede from her arms, the large man with a yellow head wrap dragged Kaede out the door.

The man with a purple mark across his forehead began to untie his belt from his waist and a sinister grin stretched across his face. “My name is Bankotsu, and your mother will be just fine with my men. You are young and beautiful. I’m sure you will be fitting to be my woman. Do not worry, I won’t be too rough for your first time.” As he encroached closer to Kagome, slowly unbuttoning his pants, Shippo jumped on Kagome’s shoulder and shouted “Fox Fire!”

Blue flames spread across Bankotsu’s pants, near his private areas, causing him to scream in pain and hatred burn deep in his eyes. As he dropped to his knees and tried to put out the fire, Kagome sprung in to action. She grabbed the bag Kaede put together and ran out the front door. Turning to look both ways, she saw flames toward the easter border and decided the opposite was the best. Not glancing to see if the man was behind her, she ran as fast she could towards the forest, only stopping to turn around at the edge to look at her mother. 

Kaede, hands bound with rope, was being guided into a wagon by the man from who grabbed her earlier. Anther man, one who looked like a monster, taller than cottage, was helping Bankotsu to the wagon, while holding a flaming torch. Tears falling to her dress, Kagome grabbed the bag and tossed it onto her back, and whispered her love for her mother in to the air. Shippo grabbed tightly on her shoulder and Kagome ran towards the next village over.

Somewhere near by, Inuyasha rose from his sleeping position in the tree. He could smell them, the ones who smelt of death and graveyard soil, like they had been buried for a long time. He knew Naraku’s henchmen were nearby, inside the northern borders and knew he should get back to the castle quickly to warn his father. Looking to the eastern sky, Inuyasha grabbed his gear and urged Miroku and Sango to get on their horses He saw the flames stretch across the forest, burning everything in its path to the ground, and the sun rising above the treetops. The smell of sunshine and wildflowers coming and going across his senses, as he took off through the forest.

[emospritelet]

Desperation - chapter 7

38: “Don’t worry, he’s going to be fine!”

[AO3]

x 

Belle prepared the dinner, dividing the shepherd’s pie and vegetables between two plates and carrying one upstairs with cutlery for Gold. She had already taken him water, and was pleased to see he had drunk half of the jug. He was curled on his side, the blankets pulled close around him, and she felt bad for making him sit up when he clearly felt so wretched. He tried to push himself upright on arms that shook, and she bit her lip in distress.

“I’m sorry,” she said gently. “But you really should eat something. If only to help you fight this fever.”

“Yes.”

His voice was thin and tired, and she put the tray of food on his dresser, grabbing two pillows from the other side of the bed and using them to help prop him up. Gold sank back into them with a sigh, eyes closed, and she tucked the blankets around him.

“How’s Bae?” he asked, as she put the tray on his knees.

“He ate the pie,” she said. “He needs to stay in bed, though. His fever is still high.”

Gold shook his head.

“I should go and see him.”

“You should rest,” she said softly. “Don’t worry, he’s going to be fine!”

“Right.” He poked at the food with his fork, lifting it up and letting minced lamb and gravy drip onto the mashed potato topping. “I usually read him a story from that book of his.”

“I said I’d read to him,” she said. “Does he have a drink before bed?”

“Warm milk, usually,” he said. “I put some cinnamon and a spoonful of honey in it. He’ll need to brush his teeth afterwards.”

Belle smiled at his concern for his son.

“I’ll make sure he does,” she said. “I get the feeling that seeing a dentist might be a little tricky in the weeks to come.”

Gold smiled faintly, and took a mouthful of food. She heard the scrape of his teeth against the steel tines of the fork, and he pulled a face.

“Can’t taste a bloody thing.”

“Well, I had a taste when I plated up,” she said briskly. “It’s delicious. Compliments to the chef.”

He grinned at that.

“You should be eating your own dinner, not worrying about me,” he said. “Go on, Belle. I promise to eat as much as I can.”

“Okay. I’ll be up later to collect the tray.”

She looked in on Bae before going back downstairs, and he was curled on his side with his eyes closed, much as his father had been. It made her frown; she had hoped that the food might perk him up a little. She made the warm milk, eating her own dinner while it heated through on the stove. The warm scent of cinnamon filled the air, and she wished she had made some for herself. Perhaps tomorrow.

Bae was flushed and sleepy when she went upstairs, but he sat up to drink his milk while Belle read from The Enchanted Forest. It was a strange tale of a blind witch who lured children to her gingerbread house to eat them, a play on the Hansel and Gretel tale. When she had finished the chapter, the witch defeated and the children searching for their father in the midst of a dark forest, she looked up at Bae. He was staring into his empty cup, his eyes half-closed.

“Time for sleep, I think,” she said gently, and he looked across.

“Can I say goodnight to Papa?”

“I’m sure he’d love that,” she said, taking his cup. “Why don’t you go brush your teeth and see how he’s doing?”

She held back a little while, hovering in the bedroom while Bae brushed his teeth. He was a little unsteady on his feet, and seemed subdued, so she wanted to take his temperature again. She could hear a murmur of voices as he went into Gold’s room, and so she slipped out of the bedroom to peer through the door, smiling a little at the scene before her. Bae was curled against his father’s chest, Gold’s thin arms around him. 

“I’m not feeling good,” said Bae. “I’m sorry I made you sick, Papa.”

“Not your fault,” said Gold, his voice muffled by Bae’s hair. “Besides, I’ll be better soon. You know I hardly ever get sick, right?”

“I know you pretend not to be sick, but that’s not the same thing.”

Gold chuckled, and coughed hollowly, making Bae sit up, a worried look on his face.

“Not much gets past you, does it, son?” said Gold, with a soft look in his eyes. “Did you brush your teeth?”

“Yeah.” Bae wrinkled his nose. “You should brush yours. You smell of onions.”

“Thanks for that,” said Gold, in a wry tone. He glanced up, seeming to notice Belle for the first time. “Did you thank Belle for making you supper?”

“He did,” said Belle, smiling. “He’s a very polite young man.”

“Good lad.” Gold kissed his son’s cheek. “You sleep well, now. I’ll be better tomorrow, you’ll see.”

“Okay. ‘Night, Papa. ‘Night, Belle.”

“Goodnight.”

Belle watched him go, and Gold flopped back against the pillows with a low groan, the energy seeming to flow out of him.

“He still has a fever,” he said quietly.

“Yeah, I figured. I gave him another pill. He probably shouldn’t have any more until tomorrow.”

“Yes.” He rubbed his hands over his face.

“What about you?” asked Belle, glancing at the dinner tray, with its almost half-finished food. “You ate a little. That’s good.”

“Better to give myself a little strength, I thought,” he said. “I’ll get some sleep. Might help me kick this thing.”

Belle privately thought it would take more than a decent night’s sleep to rid him of the virus, but she merely nodded.

“In that case I’ll say goodnight,” she said. “Do you have any blankets I could use to make up a bed on the couch?”

“Uh - cupboard on the landing,” he said, gesturing weakly. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t let you bed down on the couch.”

“Well, I can’t exactly get in there with you,” she remarked, making him grin. “I’ll be fine. I’m small, I can curl up and be quite comfortable, I’m sure.”

His grin widened, but he began to cough, sitting forward as he did so to cover his face with the blankets. Belle instinctively took a step back from him, clutching the tray to her chest, and when the coughing stopped he sat still for a moment, face pushed into the blankets, only his eyes visible, watching her with something like helplessness. He sat up slowly, letting the blankets drop into his lap.

“You should go,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to give you this, Belle.”

“Is there anything I can get you?” she asked worriedly. “Pills, or—”

He shook his head.

“I don’t want to take too many and find that there are no more to be had in this town,” he said. “Bae’s not out of the woods yet.”

Belle bit her lip anxiously. Stubborn. God, I hope there are going to be paracetamol in those grocery packages. I’ll call the Mayor’s office tomorrow and ask. He’ll need them before this thing’s over.

“Okay,” she said aloud. “But if you need anything, just call, okay?”

He nodded tiredly.

“Better clean my teeth,” he muttered. “Your point about the dentist was well made. As was Bae’s about my onion breath, I imagine.”

He heaved a breath, coughing, and pulled back the blankets, swinging his legs out of bed and pausing for a moment before pushing to his feet. His legs wobbled, as though they were about to pitch him onto his face, and he grasped the cane leaning against the nightstand, limbs shaking as he got his balance. Belle had taken an instinctive pace forward, but stepped back, reminding herself that they should be having as little contact as possible. Gold nodded to her with a brief smile, and made his way slowly to the bathroom, bracing himself with one hand against the wall.

She hesitated, tray in her hands, but as the sound of running water started up she went downstairs to wash the dishes.

The house was quiet, only the tick of the clock in the kitchen making any sound. Belle dried her hands and wiped down the kitchen counters of any stray splashes before creeping upstairs to retrieve some blankets from the cupboard. She managed to make up a cosy bed on the couch with the pillows and a crocheted throw over the top, and after a moment’s hesitation went to change into her PJs in the bathroom. It wasn’t late, by any means, but there was a good selection of books in the lounge, and she could curl up in bed and read until she was tired. She paused on the landing, listening outside first Bae’s bedroom and then Gold’s. There was no sound of coughing from either of them, and she hoped that meant that they would get some rest. She was praying to whoever would listen that they would both recover quickly. Tiptoeing downstairs, she slipped under the blankets and picked up the book she had chosen. Getting to sleep on a couch in a strange house might prove to be tricky, but she would get used to it.

[fluffyseapancakes]

OMG could you maybe possibly do a part 2 to your most recent fic, w peter!reader where the avengers do find out from peter ofc and her dad and steve team up on her !!!?? if not it’s okay but i looooved that fic

Finally got part 2 done! I hope you like it

First part here 

____________________________

The mission was a huge success, with the help from you and Peter Parker, the Avengers were able to overtake the Hydra soldiers and they burned the entire weaponry factory to the ground. Fury had dispatched a clean up crew so your family boarded Tony’s private jet and flew back home.

Your father, Bucky Barnes, was clearly impressed by your combat skills and professionalism on the field that he was talking to Tony about putting you in more missions. Steve, being the overprotective uncle-figure to you, didn’t like the idea so the three men spent most of the flight huddled in the corner quietly arguing about your future as a potential Avenger. You were too tired and sore to interject, so you just trusted your father to fight for you to be promoted.

“Ow,” you winced as you plopped down on the large couch back at the Stark Towers. Most of the Avengers went to raid the fridge but you and Peter were clearly not used to being banged up. Your best friend had a couple bruises on his arms but you knew most of the damage was on his torso. The medic on the plane forced him to take off the Spider-Man suit and you had gasped when you saw the dark purple marks covering his ribs.

“It’s really not that bad,” he had assured you when you looked at him with shock and concern. Your dad did a physical checkup on you and thankfully all you had were minor bruises and scrapes with a sore back from you landing on some debris the wrong way.

“We should celebrate,” Tony came out of the kitchen with sparkling grape juice in one hand and champagne in the other, “Y/N went on her very first mission and Peter got to use his brand new suit.”

“Here here,” Clint and Steve raised their empty glasses up in agreement and Nat patted you gently on the shoulder.

“Nice job out there,” she smiled at you, you beamed back at her and wondered how she still looked perfect after being caught in a war for the last couple days.

“I have another reason we should celebrate,” Peter piped up, the room went quiet and you raised your eyebrow at him in confusion. Then when he glanced at you and gave you a wink, all the memories of what happened on the plane flooded your mind and your face turned bright red.

“Parker don’t you dare,” you tried to sound threatening but the stammer in your voice gave it away.

“Woah Y/N your face is red,” Tony chuckled, “what would cause that?”

The gears in your father’s head turned and before you could say anything, he bolted up and furiously glared at Peter who looked terrified.

“You are too young to be dating Y/N!” He shouted, “And I will never let you date an Avenger.”

“Woah dad!” You stood up from the couch and grabbed his arm before he decided to punch your best friend in the face, “I’m not dating anyone, I was just embarrassed by what Peter was going to say.”

“Well what is it?” Steve said amusingly, “Before Bucky turns into papa bear mode.”

Peter cleared his throat and kept his eye on Bucky in case he decided to attack. He grinned and waited until everyone had their full attention on him.

“Y/N’s ticklish.”

Your face heated up from his words and a silence fell upon the room for a few moments. To your horror everyone all had shit eating grins on their faces and your dad playfully cracked his knuckles.

“Thought you grew out of it Y/N,” he grinned, his fingers on his prosthetic arm wiggled teasingly, “first you almost gave me a heart attack, and now you apparently lied to me?”

“The first part was your fault for jumping to conclusions,” you stammered, you started backing out of the room but you walked right into Steve’s chest, “and I didn’t lie, I…fibbed?”

Steve clucked his tongue disapprovingly and firmly grabbed your upper arms, “Looks like Y/N needs to be punished for fibbing to her father.” You frantically looked for a way out but the Avengers had you boxed in on all sides and your father was slowly walking over to you. His hands were formed into claws and was in a direct path of attacking your ribs.

“P-Peter’s ticklish too!” You tried to push your friend under the bus, praying that they would turn their attention to him.

“We know,” you father grinned, “and he’s next, but I have to teach you a lesson on manners.”

“Wait what?” Peter’s face paled and he tried to run out, but Tony quickly caught him and he and Clint pinned the teenager to the ground.

Suddenly your father’s fingers connected to your sides and a loud scream echoed throughout the living room, uncontrollable laughter bubbled up from your chest and you tried to fight back as he attacked your upper body with no mercy. Steve held onto you tightly and Nat grabbed your legs, spidering her long nails behind your knees teasingly. You had no way to escape or fight back, so you gave in to the laughter and the torturous fingers that poked and prodded at your body. Your dad’s metal arm was surprisingly good for tickling and every time it hit a sensitive spot, your laughter turned more frantic. Peter’s laugh mixed in with yours as Clint and Tony was going to town on his sensitive skin. His laughter was high pitched and light, while yours was louder and was filled with snorts and hiccups. You could hear Peter pleading for mercy but it fell on deaf ears, you were unable to even form coherent words in your mind and you felt tears forming in the corners of your eyes. Steve started to wiggle his fingers in your underarms and your dad was counting each individual rib. Nat had lifted your foot off the ground and was scribbling her nails against the sole of your foot. You were going insane and all you could do was laugh and scream.

“Are you trying to teach her a lesson or murder her?” Bruce chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

“I know how to effectively dispose a body in several ways,” Thor piped up, he shoved a handful of chips in his mouth and watched the scene unfold with great interest, “although I will miss Y/N quite dearly if she perished.”

“We’re not gonna kill her,” Steve reassured him with a laugh, he released your arms and you immediately started swinging at your father.

“Easy there tiger,” your dad grabbed your wrists, chuckling as you tried to catch your breath. Clint and Tony had also let Peter go and he was on the ground in a fit of giggles.

“You,” you pointed your finger at the teenager, “I am so getting you back for that.”

“Before you seek your vengeance, you should take a shower first,” your dad playfully wrinkled his nose, “you and Peter both smell like puberty.”

“Puberty doesn’t have a smell!” Peter said defensively, he shakily stood up and took a whiff of his underarms, everyone laughed as he clearly tried to hide his disgusted face.

“Fine,” you huffed, you started to walk out the living room and as you entered the hallway you shouted loudly, “but don’t forget about my promise Parker!”

Loud laughter echoed down the halls and you pressed the elevator button to go to the residential floor. As the elevator doors closed behind you, you heard Peter’s voice faintly travel through the hallway.

“Was she being serious?”

[finiarels]

Morning Blues

Pair: Takayama Kazuya X Shiraishi Mai

Details: Part 1 of 2

Summary: A story of KazuMai household morning in a pretty special day

Bright sunlight roused Shiraishi Mai as it filtered through the blinds. Groggily, the woman stirred, blinking a couple of times to shoo away the massive headache, grunted when her attempt turns out to be fruitless. “Shit,” the 25 years old muttered as she stumbled her way through the toilet which thankfully is still inside the room. Kneeling next to the toilet bowl as her body retched to push out whatever it is that was in her stomach. Soon enough someone pushes her hair back from her face, another hand rubbing the spot where her back and neck meet. “Take it easy,” the voice said, shadowing her as she moved to the basin and wipe her mouth with a warm water. Shiraishi felt grossed out when she realised just how much she has vomited but chosen not to overthink that as her eyes met the guy who is standing behind her. “Sorry. I really hope I didn’t cause you any trouble last night.” She apologised as she tried to remember what she had done while under the influence of alcohol. The last time she was fully conscious she was still on the private plane back home, she could remember asking the cabin attendant to pop her a bottle of fine pinot noir, which has proven to be a bad friend when she has a lot in her mind. “It’s fine, it’s not like I haven’t been in your position. But just to make it clear, when I said that you could handle your liquor well, I wasn’t challenging you to gulp down two bottles of $500 wine in one sitting.” The man chuckled as he hands her a warm towel to dry off her face. Shiraishi mouthed inaudible thanks before burying her face in the soft fabric which smells faintly like a fresh detergent. Her brain started to remember the turn of events of the night before, starting from how stressed she was from having to skip the last half of New York Fashion Week that leads her to blabber how she probably wouldn’t get any offer for future events anymore. In addition to that, her personal assistant who wasn’t thrilled with her decision to fled from the most important fashion event in the world wasn’t helping her case at all. “That fucking CA should have stopped me.” “Hey, hey, wouldn’t want little Momo to start cursing around, are we?” The man reminds her as he gives her a gentle hug from behind. “By the way, thank you for taking care of her while I was away.” Mai relaxed to his embrace. “I hope she didn’t give you any trouble.” “Not at all, she is a nice kid, just like you.” His answer is followed by a peck on her cheek, which has caused him to scrunch up his nose and took a step back. “Okay, I think you need to take a shower ASAP, you smell like a bad mix of alcohol and vomit.” Mai laughed, provoking a little smile from the man. She spun on her heels and gave him a deep kiss. “You’re cute when you’re grossed out.” “Are you sure you’re not still drunk?” He joked as he gently pushed her towards the shower. “I’m going to cook us some decent breakfast and help Momoko get ready for school. Do pancake and scrambled eggs sounds good for you?” “You’re the man.” She gave him another kiss on the cheek before letting him go and stepped into the shower. The man’s name is Takayama Kazuya, albeit just turning 24 years old earlier this year he has achieved far from most people around his age. While the other people on his age are still struggling in a company junior position, Kazuya already invests in numerous business around Japan and even few overseas.  He definitely has talent when it comes to deciding which company will actually do well and which won’t, thus’ he earnt his place among the top 20 richest people in the world, placing him among other people with similarly great minds. Meanwhile, his other half is also successful in the different field. Shiraishi Mai is a world-famous supermodel. Unlike Kazuya who was born in an average family, Mai is a daughter of a rich politician in the country, so she has basically never been in any situation where money is much of a concern. This is probably one of the reasons she is sometimes more reckless and a bit uncontrollable than him. However, just like her man the young woman takes her job seriously. After a nice warm shower, Mai dressed in a nice long sleeved black top with a red skirt that reaches her knees. The shower does help a bit on making the hangover more bearable, but still, it was hard to resist the temptation of jumping back to the bed and sleep. “Mama! I didn’t know you will be back so soon!” A voice greeted her excitedly as she stepped into the kitchen. Shiraishi Mai smiled and approached the young girl, giving her a kiss on the top of her head and a warm hug. “Look who’s sitting on the grown-up chair,” the young mother teased, noticing how the 6 years old is sitting on the kitchen counter’s stool instead of the chair in the dining table. “Kazuya helped me up. He said it’s okay now because I am tall enough to reach the first footstep.” The girl explained merrily, giving the man a toothy grin after she finished her sentence. “Just be careful, okay? And no climbing up there unless there is me or Kaz helping you out.” She warned, not letting the girl break their eye contacts before she gave a nod. For months Mai has been forbidding the young girl to sit there as she is afraid she will fall over considering the stool design and height. But seeing the girl looking proud and happy refrain her from being mad. Besides, they have been trying to win the girl approval of Kazuya. Especially now that she and he are engaged. The thing is, Mai and the girl’s father were not together from the beginning. It was actually a drunken mistake that happened when Mai has just graduated high school, but thankfully the guy was responsible enough to help her raise Momoko, taking the girl share of custody while still keeping a good friendly relationship with Mai. When Momoko was young she tried to make her parents together. However, it’s impossible to do so as her papa prefers the company of men. It took them a hard few months to explain to the young girl how not every mama and papa is together, several rough months to explain that some people fall in love with the same gender, and another few weeks to make her sure that no matter what happens both parents still love her very much. Now that both Mai and the girl’s father already has a respective partner that keeps them happy. Sometimes it makes Mai a bit paranoid that it will be too much to take for such a young girl. “Are you feeling much better now?” The man asked as she grabbed a glass of apple juice near him, taking a seat next to her daughter in case the young girl clumsiness kicked in. Mai nodded as she started to eat the scrambled egg on her plate. A bit surprised when she finds it more pleasing than usual. Not that Kazuya cooking is bad, but the man usually serves average food, which is far below Mai’s level of dishes. “I don’t know if this is just my empty stomach talking but this egg is something else.” She complimented. Kazuya smiled, looking proud of himself. “I told you that sooner or later your skill will rub off on me.” “Two days ago, he spent two hours to watch YouTube video and learnt to cook this,” Momoko revealed. Shiraishi laughed, “that sounds fun. Care to tell mama what else has happened while I was away?” She had expected her daughter to throw another fun story, however, the girl just looked at her food with a gloomy face as she eats the last piece of pancake left. Frowning, Mai throws a look at her fiancé asking for his explanation, however, the guy was also looking at the girl with a confused face. “Hey, sweetie, you know you can always tell me if there is something.” Momoko gives her a look, “promise me you won’t be angry.” “Well, I don’t even know what you did, so of course I can’t be angry,” Mai try to twist her sentence, urging the girl to tell her what is happening. The kid moved sloppily on her chair, almost falling down from jumping out of the stool. Then she grabbed something from her bag that sat on the floor. Handing Mai a paper which from the way it’s folded can be known that it is from her school. Shiraishi Mai eyebrows furrowed as she read the letter. Her expression getting harsher as she finally reaches the end. “I can explain. The letter makes it sounds really bad but it’s not actually that bad. And he kind of deserved it.” Momoko defended herself before her mother could say anything. “What part of using a stick to hit someone’s waist until it bruised is not that bad. I had enough! I thought we have agreed that kendo is a sport and that is not something that you learn to beat people up. This is the third time this year alone. You’re grounded, young lady! No iPad for a month and no more practising Kendo too!” Mai jumps off from her stool and roughly grabbed the tablet inside the young girl’s bag. “Hey, isn’t it too early to ground her? Can you tell us what happened, Momo-chan?” Kazuya tried to calm the situation down. Momoko’s lips starting to quiver, her eyes starting to water. “He was mocking papa. He called him a fag and he said papa will go to hell because he is a fag.” After that Momoko pretty much run back upstairs, a slam of door can be heard not long after. Mai squeezes her forehead, trying to relieve a headache that has started to worsen because of her daughter problem. Now that she knows the reason, Shiraishi Mai felt a bit shitty. However, she didn’t feel like taking back her words as she doesn’t want her daughter think that it is okay to resort to violence in any kind of situation. “I’ll talk to her, just finished your breakfast first.” Kazuya put his plate and Momoko’s in the sink, giving Mai a gentle squeeze on her shoulder before leaving the room. A minute hasn’t even passed since Mai started to finish what’s left of her breakfast when the house bell rang. “I’ll get it!” She shouted as she jumped off from the stool and did a mini-run to the front door. She opened the door without even checking from the camera view first as she already knows who will be there. “Good morning,” the man softly said, tilting his head a little bit to see past Mai. “Where is Momoko? Is she ready yet?” Mai sighed, stepping aside as a signal for him to come in. "She got herself into a problem in school and decided to get her revenge with kendo style hitting the guy,” Mai explained. “The school sent a letter asking her parents to come.” “What kind of problem?” The man raised his eyebrows. “Some kid was mocking your sexual orientation and Momoko lashed out at him. I kind of regret letting Kaz teach her kendo, it seems she’s not that emotionally matured yet for that.” “So, you’re going to stop her from learning Kendo?” “Not stopping her completely of course. Just postponing it until she’s old enough.” Nishino Nanao sighed, his eyes looking at the stairs that led to the second level where his daughter room is. “Let me take care of this matter. I’ll go to her school and meet the teacher. Also, I don’t think you should stop her from learning Kendo. It’s good for her self-esteem. She is less shy ever since-.” The man was interrupted by the sound of footsteps from upstairs as Kazuya and Momoko came into their field of view, the girl's eyes were still red from crying and she said nothing as she latched on her father, not even bothering to look at her mother. “Maiyan, it’s totally up to you but please consider that.” The man softly said before, crouching down to see his daughter at the same eye level. “I heard from your mother about what happened. You shouldn’t have done that, sweetheart. The next time it happens just ignore them, okay? Now you don’t need to worry, I will come to your school and talk to your teacher.” Momoko nodded, tugging her father hand a bit before asking. “Can we go now? I don’t want to get yelled at from coming late to school.” “Before that, I believe your mother wants to talk to you,” Nanao said as he opened the door to step outside, Kazuya tailing behind him, excitedly telling him a funny story from his office. Kazuya and Nanao were childhood friends, this is also how Mai met Kazuya in the first place. When Momoko was born, Nanao basically chose Kazuya to be the girl’s godfather without batting an eye. Somewhere along the road, Kazuya started to gain his spot in Maiyan’s heart. Mai crouch down to meet her daughter gaze, which she failed to do as the girl was looking to the floor, refusing to see her mother. “Honey, I am proud that you are strong and able defend yourself but that wasn’t how you supposed to handle the situation. How about this, if you can promise me you won’t do something like this ever again I will let you continue practice Kendo. What do you say?” “What if they are the one who hit me first?” The young girl replied with another question. “Then you should defend your ground, not hitting them back.” Mai stroked the girl’s head a bit. “Because that what makes you stronger than them, both mentally and physically. And I believe you are strong enough to do that.” “Okay.” “Good.” Mai smiled as she gave her daughter a kiss on her cheek. “Don’t trouble your papa so much, okay? You are an older sister now so you should try to set an example.” Momoko rolled her eyes, “Mama, Yuki is not even 2, she can barely run.” “More the reason you should be more careful around her.” Mai winked. “Tell Waka I said ‘Hi’. I’ll see you in two days.” The young girl nodded, letting her mother hug and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. She dashed towards her father once Mai finally lets her go. Both Mai and Kazuya waved the father and daughter goodbye, not leaving their front porch before the car has finally out of their sight. Mai exhaled loudly, feeling like going back to the comfort of bed as soon as possible. “What a rough morning, huh?” Kazuya joked as he closes the front door, earning a simple hum in agreement from the woman who totally has lost her will to keep up with his humour. This didn’t escape the man observation, as he tails behind her, he circles his arms around the woman's waist. “She is going to be fine. You don’t need to worry.” “I hope so.” Kazuya raised his eyebrows, “I think you need to go back to bed and sleep some more.” “Sadly, I can’t.” Mai bit her lower lips. “I have a photoshoot in 3 hours, well I can always get some sleep in the car or while they are doing my makeup.” “But you just got back. And this is valentine’s day,” Kazuya frowns. “Don’t be over-dramatic, it’s not like you’re taking a day off work. Our dinner is still about 12 hours away, the photoshoot will be done by then.” Mai started walked past the bed and straight to their huge walk-in closet, carefully looking each of the shoes on the floor. “This one or this one?” Kazuya pointed at the white Gucci, a limited-edition sneaker that should have cost fortune yet Mai got it for free when she signed the deal with the luxury brand. “I don’t think you should wear heels. I mean you’re going to the photoshoot, right? You will have to change anyway so there’s no point. Keep the heels for tonight.” “Great point.” Mai smiled, placing the heels back to the closet as she moved back to one of the chairs in the middle of the room to wear the sneaker. “You actually has pretty good fashion sense, remind me to ask you to be my personal stylist when this new girl finally quit.” “That girl has just started to work with you for like a month, isn’t it too soon for her to quit?” Kazuya chuckled as he grabbed a set of business suit from one of the section in the closet that is dedicated to it. “23 days actually.” Mai corrected in a low grumble. “And among 17 styles that she had to arrange for me, most of it was basically an off-shoulder clothing. Like seriously, I know it is good but isn’t that too much. The only thing that kept me from firing her is that I have made a promise to Sayurin that I will let 2 months pass before firing anyone ever again. Oh wait, I won’t be breaking any promise if the person is found dead, am I?” “Technically no, you won’t be breaking any promise. But well, I am somehow deeply concerned. As someone who develops this city from nothing, it will be bad for my company if a single, 22 years old, fresh graduate is found dead in valentine’s day.” Mai finally laughed, observing the man as he sits next to her to wear his pitch-black shoes. After he is done she gently tug his blazer, making him turn a bit to face her as she started to help him with his grey stripped white and blue tie, admiring the soft silky material as she neatly adjusted it around his neck. She didn’t retract her right once she is finished, instead, she let it linger on his chest, eyes gazing up to his eye. “So, besides the heart-shaped pancake, strawberry smoothies, and the homemade chocolate in the fridge what else have you prepared for today?” “Well, there is the dinner.” He replied in a whisper, giving her a kiss on the side of her face after that. “And where is this dinner will be?” “That would be something you should find out by yourself when the time comes.” “Feeling secretive, aren’t we?” Mai was about to do something when the door-bell rang for the second time in that morning. The man laughed, letting his fiancé out of his hold. However, instead of going to open the door, the woman scooted closer and kiss him, ignoring the person who is standing in front of their door. “Not that I hate what we are doing right now but I am pretty sure one of us needs to open that door.” He said as he pulled away. “Nah, let it be. That’s Sayurin, she will drive me to the photo shoot today as I am still feeling the aftermath of the wine last night.” Mai explained. “But yeah, that kind of means I should hurry.” “Ah- no adult stuff in this Valentine's morning?” Kazuya’s kiss goes lower to her neck once he heard that, his voice turned a bit more husky, tempting her to forget about her world and do what he had just implied. “I will make it up to you tonight. I promise.” Mai claimed his lips in a gentle kiss as she slowly stepped back, earning an excited look on the man's face. Kazuya walks with her to the front door, where her assistant is waiting with both hands folded, looking pissed because the woman is taking too much time. “Sorry for the wait, we kind of had something to talk about.” Kazuya reasoned, giving the shorter haired woman a little smile of apology. “We are running late, come on, Maiyan.” The person said. “Oh, and I always accept restaurant voucher as an apology.” Kazuya laughed, “seriously, this is valentine’s day and you are asking more than what my own fiancé did.” “That’s why they call it valentine’s day,” the assistant winked at him. “I swear if you flirt with him one more time I will strangle you,” Mai grumbled, pushing the other woman away as she comes closer to Kazuya and gave him a quick kiss. “Don’t let Sayurin or any other woman get through you. I’ll be back before dinner, I love you.”   Kazuya laughed, “don’t worry, I am sure they know how scary you are to even dare to touch me. And I must be really foolish if I want someone else when I got the hottest woman wearing the ring that I have given her.” Kazuya motioned something to her and ran inside for a couple a second before coming back with something in his hands. Shiraishi's eyes widened as Kazuya hands her a small bag that she can identify as a lunch bento bag, “are we doing the high school styled romance now? Well, I can’t guarantee that I will even eat it as they will totally give me catered food” “That’s a valentine’s special bento, I guarantee, it will taste better than food that is made without love.” Kazuya smiled, giving his fiancé a kiss on her forehead, “Have a great day. I love you.”

[mydarlingl0ve]

I know I said I was going to wait to update anything, but I don’t want to publish a Christmas fic in January lol so here’s chapter 3! I hope y'all enjoy ^-^ ~~~ A small hooded figure was standing next to an unconscious Kakashi, staring at his bare face with a flushed expression. The figure raised a gloved hand to touch the tempting face, but a gentle booming voice made the figure jump. “Yumi, has our guest awakened yet?” Yumi quickly pulled her hand back and turned to her master with a smile. “Not yet. He’s very pretty, Master. Have you ever seen The Copy Nin’s face before?” Yumi’s master shook his head slightly, annoyance crossing his features. “Did I do well, Master? I didn’t add too much poison to my kunai, just like you requested.” Yumi bounced happily as she skipped over to her master. “You did, my dear. You always exceed my expectations.” He smiled and put his hand on her head. “We don’t have much time before his rescuers show up. Wake him. I will return.” Yumi took a step back and knelt in front of her master. “Yes, sir.” Without another word, her master turned on his heel and left the room. His footsteps echoing off the empty walls. Yumi stood once more and walked back over to Kakashi’s side. She reached into her cloak and pulled out two sets of cuffs and a collar that flowed a with a sickly black substance. Working quickly, Yumi secured the cuffs around Kakashi’s wrists and ankles. With a soft click, the cuffs attached themselves to the metal table he was currently lying on, the edges of the table limned the same black substance. “Now for the collar, Mr. Copy Nin.” She spoke softly as she carefully lifted his head so she could lock it into place. Kakashi groaned softly as his head was gently placed back on the table with a click. Yumi smiled to herself as she walked over to the wall and pushed a small red button. The table creaked as it came to an upright position. Kakashi’s weight shifted as he hung from the cuffs. Yumi turned and walked to him again. She ran her small fingers up his torn flack jacket, a smile playing at her lips. “My master has plans for you, Copy Nin.” She giggled softly as she spoke before grabbing his flack jacket and pulling it hard, the contents of his pockets falling to the ground. Yumi’s eyes widened slightly when she saw how many kunai and shuriken he had in his possession. Each weapon clattered to the ground loudly, filling the silence of the room. Yumi threw the rags of the flack jacket on the ground and cocked her head to the side slightly. A piece of paper was peaking out of his left pocket. Curious, she crouched down and grabbed the paper. A blushing young women with bubblegum pink hair in green lingerie was smiling bashfully at the camera. Yumi’s face grew red at the image. She quickly turned the picture over and read the small message aloud. “‘Stay safe and come home in one piece. I love you, Kakashi. Love, Sakura.’ How sweet. Master could use this” She mused as she tucked the photo into her cloak and turned away from Kakashi. Yumi’s heels clicked on the floor as she walked to the exit. Without looking back, she turned the light off and walked out of the room, leaving Kakashi with nothing but an illuminated wall in front of him holding different tools used for physical torture. ________________________________ In the corridor, Yumi quickly followed after her master. He was a short ways away when she smiled and ran to catch up with him. Having heard her steps, her master paused and looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. “What did you find, little one?” He asked as he turned to her. Yumi giggled as she came to a stop in front of him. She reached into her cloak and pulled out the photo of Sakura, handing it to him carefully like it was glass. “Hmm? What’s this?” He mused before turning the photo over, a cynical smile forming on his face. “Oh ho, it seems our guest has a weak spot after all.” Yumi laughed and clapped her hands together. “What do you want me to do, Master?” “Bring me the girl.” He ordered, placing the photo into the pocket of his cloak. Yumi bowed immediately with a smile and dissipated into a cloud of black. “You’ll pay for what you did, Hatake. No matter the cost.” He spoke in a dark tone before turning around and continuing down the hall, eyes narrowed as he thought back to that wretched day… ________________________________ It was a stormy night in the middle of summer. A young boy and his father had just taken shelter in an abandoned shed. “Papa, are we going to be okay?” The boy asked as his father took off his coat and hung it on a nail sticking out of the wall. “Of course, Hiro. You don’t need to worry.” His father said with a smile. Hiro watched as his father sighed and walked back to the door of the shed and turned to face him. “I’ll return, Hiro. Stay here.” Hiro met his father’s eyes and nodded silently. His father nodded back and exited the shed, leaving Hiro alone in the darkness. Hours had passed and Hiro had not seen his father return. Fear began to build as he heard a sudden noise that faintly reminded him of a flock of birds cooing at the same time. A bright white light shone through the small window on the door, causing Hiro to stand and walk over to it. His eyes widened and filled with tears as he saw his father fall to his knees, the odd light emanating from his back. As soon as the sound came, it fades into the night. Hiro held back his scream as his father’s body fell forward into the mud, unmoving. Hiro forced his legs to move as he slammed the door open, only to be greeted by a kunai pointed at his throat. “Who are you?” The white haired man in front of him asked. He was much older then Hiro, but younger than his father. Hiro looked up through his tears and saw a white and red mask that resembled a fox. The man readjusted his grip on the kunai and asked again, “Who are you?” Hiro felt his legs shake as he stared at this mysterious man in front of him. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. His eyes widened again when the man pulled his arm back, ready to strike, when another voice rang out from the distance. “Oi, Kakashi!” The voice yelled as the man in front of him slowly lowered his hand. A frustrated sigh left his masked mouth as he turned away from Hiro and quickly sprinted into the darkness. Hiro fell to his knees after the man was gone and choked back a sob. He looked up and saw that another man was currently lifting his father over his shoulder. “Papa!” Hiro shouted, causing the other man to turn around. His steely gaze locking with Hiro’s briefly before vanishing into thin air, taking his father with him. “No!” Hiro cried out as he reached out a hand and grabbed the air with his small fingers. “No,” he whispered as he reached out with his small fingers and grasped the air. Clenching his fist, he stood slowly and swayed slightly with each step as he walked over to where his father use to lie. He knelt down and put his hand in the grass, feeling the leftover warmth his father’s body left. Anger suddenly flooded the boys veins as he groped the grass tightly and roughly pulled it out. “Kakashi, huh?” He mumbled before standing and looking up into the night sky, raindrops running down his face. Sighing deeply, he looked down and noticed a kunai laying in the grass. Hiro slowly walked over to it and picked it up, the cold metal making him shiver. He gripped it tightly and flicked his wrist, sending it flying into the side of the shed. “You’re mine.” He growled as he entered the shed again, slamming the door behind him.

[nightglider124]

So, @fireflyxrebel​ and I were hit in the gleeful feels by this art here: https://jasontoddscoffin.tumblr.com/post/164428663931/starfire-and-nightwing-make-me-go-weak-in-the   by @jasontoddscoffin  ^.^

And we got inspired. We decided to try our hand at writing a collaborative oneshot together!

Full of dickkory feels and a splash of bbrae; as if anything less would be acceptable. Psh. Thank you, Ava for doing a collab oneshot with me! It was so fun to try and I hope we’ll do another one day! ^.^

Please enjoy our mega lengthy oneshot XD

Ride

It had been a... peculiar couple of weeks in the Grayson household.

Dick had seemed remiss; seemingly searching for something that he, let alone with her help, could not put his finger on. He had been out of sorts recently and initially, Kory had thought nothing of it. There were always things chasing her husband's mind and she’d learnt a long time ago that it was usually best to leave him to it until he figured things out on his own.

She wasn’t biting her nails with concern but there was enough worry there to make her consider his behaviour as of late. He was still loving and funny and kind; all the things she adored about him but something was… different.

Maybe it had something to do with him turning 30 soon. Kory had read about the stigma surrounding the milestone ages amongst humans. Personally, she didn’t understand what the problem would be with simply turning another year older.

She sighed, unable to make sense of it. Perhaps she was just imagining it or-

“Mama!”

Kory let the little voice trickle into her awareness and smiled, glancing down at her little bundle of pride and joy who was waving her dolly around in the air.

Bowing her head, Kory gave Mar’i a kiss to the forehead, “Yes, Mar’i. Your dolly is very beautiful, isn’t she?”

Mar’i blinked her big green eyes before giggling and nodding, tightening the ragdoll to her chest. She tilted her head and half released her toy to lift it into the air, grasping for her mother.

“Up! Up!”

Kory didn’t hesitate; with a surge of maternal emotion, she scooped up the toddler into her arms, and smiled sweetly at the little girl.

She heard the rumbling of a car pulling up to their driveway from the open window, and figured that Dick was finally home from his trip to the grocery store. Kory tickled the tip of her nose with her daughter’s, and said, “Want to go say hi to daddy?”

Mar’i nodded in excitement, wiggling fervently in her mother’s grasp. “Papa! Papa!” she cried, grinning from ear to ear.

Kory beamed back down at her daughter, the bubbling emotions of joy and excitement infecting her as well. For now, she’d put her concerns for Dick in the back of her mind - nothing quite excited the former boy wonder as interacting with their toddler. Maybe, with Mar’i’s help, Kory could find a way to alleviate some of her husband’s concerns. “You can help me cheer up your grumpy father, today,” she teased, but Mar’i only giggled in response.

That was when Kory heard it - a strange, new sound. Her brow creased at the low grumble of an engine that most certainly did not resemble the sound of their mini-van.

She wondered if their neighbours had recently purchased something new, but the purr of the engine didn’t seem like something to the tastes of the kind, elderly couple who lived next door.

“That’s strange…,” Kory mused aloud while Mar’i picked up a tendril of her flame-red hair to play with.

She started to head down to the garage, curious about all the sudden hubbub occurring just outside their home. With Mar’i still in her arms cooing happily, Kory opened the door to find her husband standing next to both Garfield Logan and Victor Stone in their garage, admiring something currently obscured by their positions.

Upon hearing the door slam closed behind her, all three men seemed to jump out of their skins. She bounced Mar’i in her arms while trying to catch a glimpse at what it was they had all been ogling previously.

“Heya, Star!” Garfield squeaked, his voice cracking uncharacteristically. “Fancy seeing you here!”

Victor folded his arms over his chest. “You realize she lives here, right?”

Beast Boy chuckled nervously, waving his hand in dismissal. “Totally!”

Kory didn’t seem to pay them as much mind; instead, her green gaze was focused on the guilt-ridden expression her husband currently wore. He was avoiding her.

“Did you forget to buy the milk, Richard?” she pried, raising an eyebrow in accusation, while both Victor and Garfield exchanged nervous glances.

He didn’t answer her immediately so she found herself narrowing her eyes at him, moving closer and stepping between Vic and Gar who were all too willing to let her pass.

She absently heard Garfield whisper, “Dick’s a dead man.”

Kory couldn’t quite understand the issue or why her husband looked so very nervous until she stood before his most recent purchase.

She blinked, confused, opening her mouth once, twice then allowing her lips to thin. In the garage stood a brand spanking new motorbike; a midnight blue shade with all the added parts to make it what the boys would deem, ‘a dream’. It sparkled beneath the fluorescent garage light, showing off the bodywork and the wheels that were oh-so clean as a whistle.

Kory paused, then raised an eyebrow at Dick, “This is most certainly not milk, Richard.” There was that tone; the one that made him wince and give her the puppy dog face.

He was sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck, “Uh… no… it-it’s definitely not milk.”

She exhaled, trying to think rationally about her husband’s decision to apparently buy a motorbike. Kory thought it over for a long moment, unable to come up with understanding.

“Tell me… what is it, I am looking at?” Her voice was clipped and Dick briefly wondered how much she was holding back from going nuts at him.

Dick cautioned a glance at Vic and Gar who were watching the couple with expectation; expectation that Kory was soon going to absolutely lose it. The two were on the very edge of their seats.

“Well… recently, I’ve been kinda… sorta… looking at bikes and then today… I just-”

“Bought a bike?” Kory finished,

He smiled, trying to give her some of that boyish charm that normally worked so well for him, “Uh… yes?”

Kory merely stared at him, almost awaiting further explanation which… did not exactly come straight away. He visibly gulped, fumbling for one of the saddlebags on the bike. He yanked out a carton of milk and showed it to her,

“See!? I didn’t… technically forget the milk!” He half laughed, trying to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation.

She sighed, pinched the bridge of her nose and turned to Vic and Gar who stood up straight the minute her eyes fell on them.

“Friends… could you please give us the moment alone?” Kory asked, sweetly.

The boys nodded frantically at her; they’d learnt a long time ago not to get on the wrong side of Kory. Her wrath was unlike any other; except maybe Raven. Gar shuddered, thinking about what Raven would do to him if he ever went ahead and bought a moped without asking or telling her. Maybe portal to hell or dismemberment?

“Did you want us to take Mar’i, Star?” Vic asked, already reaching out for their baby daughter,

Kory nuzzled Mar’i’s chubby face at the same time Dick ruffled her hair, causing her to coo and giggle, “Yes please.”

She transferred her baby over to Vic and faintly smiled as they headed out the door, with Vic animatedly chatting away to Mar’i. Gar smirked over his shoulder and waved to Dick,

“See you in a while guys!” He paused to laugh, “Good luck, Dick!”

Dick groaned and slapped a hand against his face at that, just waiting for his wife to get it over with and kill him. Kory slowly turned back to face him, not so much with anger painted across her face; moreso concern.

“Dick, are you the okay? You have been acting strangely and now you… have made a rather large purchase without consulting me… it is… behaviour that is unlike you.” She paused, chewing on her bottom lip, “Do we need to talk? This is… the midlife crisis humans are so inevitably prone to, yes?”

His eyes widened a fraction, “Mid-life… no! Kory, I’m turning 30, not 50, jheez.”

She relaxed slightly, “Then… what’s with the bike?”

Dick held out his hands in a gesture that signalled he was about to plead his case so Kory inhaled a deep breath and waited, feeling the need to give him the benefit of the doubt. It wasn’t often he did things like this so the least she could do was hear him out.

“Okay… you know I’ve always had a thing for motorbikes anyway and recently… I found myself missing my old one. I don’t know… we had some money spare and I just thought… it’d be a nice investment? I mean… I could double it up as my bike for work and then my bike as Nightwing, ya know?”

“Mm…” Kory hummed, prompting him to continue,

“And… she handles like an absolute dream, Kory. The speed and the design…” Dick practically swooned and Kory lifted an eyebrow,

“Are you leaving me for a motorbike, Dick? Is that what you are trying to tell me?”

Dick gave her a knowing look and smiled, “Funny.”

Kory offered him a brief smirk but exhaled, shaking her head, “Then… you are alright? This isn’t cause for great concern?”

He shrugged, “I don’t think so.”

She nodded and smiled, “Ah, good.” Her expression dropped and she smacked his chest,

“Ow!” He complained,

Kory had her hands on her hips, looking mighty pissed off now that she’d been reassured it wasn’t some big life problem that needed to be dealt with properly.

“I cannot believe you bought a bike without telling me! How much was it?”

“Psh… does price really matter-”

“So help me, I will starbolt you. Price, now.”

Dick winced, “$50,000?”

Kory nearly fainted right there on the spot, “What!?” She yelped, expecting him to say a lot less than that,

“Babe, it’s totally okay-”

“It is not! Dick! What were you thinking!? We can’t afford to spend so much on something so unnecessary!”

“But-”

“Dick, you have to take it back. I’m sorry but…” She was shaking her head, trying not to let emotions cloud her mind,

His shoulders slumped and he looked extremely downtrodden. She fought with herself; she hated to make him upset or disappoint him but surely this was one of the times she had to put her foot down, right?

“Okay.”

Kory blinked, “What?”

“I’ll get rid of it. I know it was a bit of a reckless payment… I just…” He paused and shook his head, giving her a smile, “Nevermind.”

His wife, on the other hand, didn’t let go of things so very easily. She gently reached out and touched his arm, knowing there was more to this money splurge than he was letting on,

“Dick? Talk to me.” Her voice was softer now, curious rather than accusing. She was still annoyed but wanted the real reason.

“I guess… I just missed having a bike. There’s so much freedom and it’s such a rush on a motorbike. It’s something so simple and yet it makes you feel so alive.”

Kory quirked a tiny smile, “Life as a vigilante doesn’t already provide enough of that for you?”

He laughed, “Fair point… I just, wasn’t thinking, I guess. Impulse buy, maybe…”

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, thinking and mulling it over in her head, “Listen, my love… I know you were upset that your last bike broke but-”

“It… didn’t break, Kor.”

Her brows furrowed, “But, you said-”

Dick sighed, “I know what I said… I… sold my bike when I found out you were pregnant with Mar’i.”

Kory’s emerald eyes widened, shock was an understatement. She’d had no idea he’d sold it, convinced it’d been worn down to the point of no return instead, “Why would you do that?”

The smile he gave her; it was tender and warm, as if his reasoning was the most obvious thing in the world, “For our family. I thought… if I sold the bike, we could get the mini-van which… is more practical for us now that we have Mar’i. I just…”

He trailed off, letting his admission hang in the air. Kory blinked, watching him with compassionate eyes. Without a second thought, she crossed the space and cupped his face, giving him a searing kiss to remind him just how much he meant to her and how much she loved him, no matter how stupid he could be.

Little kisses as she eased back, fingers stroking his cheek, “You are so silly, Richard.”

Dick lifted an eyebrow, “I am?”

“I love you… I wish you’d told me about your bike. I would never have let you do it if I’d known.”

He shrugged and smiled, “I know you wouldn’t have. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Kory, you had enough worries with being pregnant. I didn’t wanna add to it.”

She pouted, but this time, there was something a lot like guilt marring her otherwise graceful features. “Still, your sacrifice...Dick, that’s...I’m sorry, I should never have given you such a hard time.” Her gaze averted to the ground, and she hugged her bare arms, stifling any warm, unshed tears she refused to give in to.

Suddenly, his arms were around her; strong and reassuring. She fell into his embrace as easily as the tree branches gave way to the wind.

“It’s okay, Kory. You had no way of knowing, and given the chance, I’d do it over again. For you. For our daughter.”

She pulled away, if only to look into his infinite, soft blue gaze. She searched his expression for any hint of dishonesty - that he was merely telling her only what she wanted to hear. She found only sincerity and a deep affection.

Tenderly tucking some of her hair behind her ear, he added, “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the two of you.”

She smiled warmly at him. “Keep your bike, Dick Grayson. But next time, make sure it’s the two percent milk you bring home and not the skim.”

He immediately pulled a face, repulsed. “Skim?!”

Kory chuckled. “Not to worry; I’ll be sure to drink it so it does not go to waste. Now, you go and enjoy your new...toy, as Raven would put it.”

Just as she turned to leave, he pulled her hand back, taking her off guard. She gave him a puzzled look, but Dick was smirking mischievously at her. Kory knew that face anywhere; both playful and daringly sexy, it was one he often reserved for their more...private times together.

Put bluntly, he was up to no good, but the kind of no good that Kory often enjoyed.

“You could come with me. Take her for a spin with one of my favourite girls,” he suggested coyly.

Starfire threw her head back and laughed. “Please, Richard. Your exhilaration of driving cannot possibly compare to that of being able to fly.”  

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.” Dick would not be so easily dissuaded; he still held her hand in his.

When she stared at him, incredulous, he waggled his brows at her, eliciting a bubble of laughter from her honeyed lips.

Kory rolled her eyes, sighing deeply, but her good cheer remained. “I cannot believe you’re going to lure me into doing this.”

“Come on, it’ll be fun! I promise!”

Dick tugged her along towards the aforementioned bike, and Kory looked down at it, apprehensive. He pulled out a matching helmet and handed it over to her. “Safety first,” he winked.

Kory turned her nose up at the unflattering headgear. “Is it supposed to smell...this bad?”

“It smells brand new, now get on and make sure to hold on tight!” Dick was already on the bike, gripping the handles, helmet and all. He’d even found the time to purchase a pair of super suave sunglasses.

Despite his most charming display when he revved up the engine for her sake, Kory couldn’t help but look back longingly at the door. “Will they be alright with Mar’i?”

“She’ll be fine, Kory. Besides, Gar could use the practice from what Rae’s told me. I’d also trust Vic with my own life. If Mar’i is safe with anyone that isn’t us, it’s with our family,” he calmly reassured her.

Patting the spot behind him whilst wearing an obscenely cocky grin, he then urged, “Get on, babe. We’re going for a ride.”

-

“Dude, they are totally leaving us alone with the kid,” Garfield noted meekly, the colour draining from his face as he peeked out the blinds of the living room window.

Victor was busy playing with Mar’i, moving things around in her dollhouse all the while she’d move them back, like they were playing some sort of game. It seemed to make her smile and laugh, so Cyborg kept it up.

“So? At least she didn’t fry his butt on the spot like we expected her to. Besides, I like hangin’ out with Mar’i. Ain’t a sweeter little girl on the face of this planet.”

As if on cue, Mar’i clapped her hands excitedly in response, her eyes - so much like her mother’s - glowing green with emotion.

It was Victor’s turn to move something. He opted for the crib. He picked it up and placed it in the kitchen, causing the toddler to nearly roll backwards with laughter. Her merriment was contagious.

“Yeah, but, Dick asked us over to check out his new ride! I didn’t sign up to babysit!” exclaimed Beast Boy.

Cyborg merely shook his head. “Man, don’t you like kids?”

“Of course I like kids! Kids are great! I just...would have liked a heads up, you know?” He ran a hand through the thick crop of his green hair, leaving the window to join Victor and Mar’i by the dollhouse her grandfather Bruce had bought her. The thing was practically half his height, with as many intricate details something like a dollhouse could have.

“Sometimes, life doesn’t give you a heads up, Gar. Besides, think how much it’ll impress Raven hearing about your babysitting prowess with Mar’i,” Victor coaxed.

“I suppose you have a point,” he admitted with a heavy sigh, resting his chin in the palm of his hands. “Still can’t believe we let him dupe us.”

“Guy’s turning thirty in less than a week. Let him have this.” Victor then turned to fix Garfield with a knowing smile. “Besides, you could use some experience with the little ones. Rae’s told me all about your little diaper explosion mishap with Mar’i here.”

The shapeshifter’s eyes went wide, and he sat up straight as a board. “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

When Victor replied only with a condescending laugh, Beast Boy stammered, “Neither Mar’i, nor I, would like to recall that particular event, thank you! So how’s about you just never bring it up again, okay?”

Mar’i mimicked Beast Boy’s stern expression and matching pointed finger, blubbering something that was in mockery of him.

“See? Even she agrees!” Garfield cried.

“I’m just sayin’, maybe this ought to be a learning experience for you, Gar. What if you have two of them? Or three?”

“I need you to stop talking right now.” Garfield blanched, and Victor snickered.

Cyborg then leaned in towards Mar’i’s face, and whispered, “And that’s how you get Beast Boy to shut up. For future reference.”

She giggled when he booped her nose.

-

Starfire’s face hurt from smiling so much. Or maybe, it was the wind against her face.

Either way, she couldn’t even begin to explain the feeling she was overcome with once Dick had sped up the mountain roads. This far out of town, there was hardly another vehicle in sight, so he’d taken the opportunity to hit the gas, and really soar.

The whole time, Kory was laughing.

It was true that she could fly, and nothing quite compared to the ability to take off into the open sky.

However, Dick had been right; this was a different kind of exhilaration.

Every bump, every bit of anticipation as she had no control over what came next, every twist and turn or bend of the road. It was like an intoxicating high she never wanted to come down from.

At first, she hadn’t wished to let go of her husband, clinging on to his torso as tightly as possible, her fingers like claws through his shirt. Eventually, she opened an eye, and then another. The wind had still been whipping at both her face and hair, but it wasn’t unfamiliar to her.

She was used to shooting up into the sky, to float among the stars.

Kory was impervious to Earth’s weather, and so, she’d worked up the nerve to sit up straight and enjoy the ride.

Slowly, her hands came away, and slowly, she’d started to see the appeal that Dick had mentioned.

Now, she stood behind him, practically floating over her seat, her arms in the air as the wind rushed by her, tangling the deep auburn curls of her hair, like a fanning flame of red.

The sun beat down against her skin, warm and loving. The smell of all the nature surrounding them pure and clean. She could have asked him to drive on forever, just the two of them.

Was this what it meant to drive off into the sunset with the one you love? The thing they always seemed to do in those horribly cheesy romantic movies both her and Richard loved to watch?

Suddenly, it wasn’t such a far-fetched idea. Starfire had never felt more alive than when she’d fly, but this moment, it was a close second.  

“Having fun?” Dick called out behind him, his voice muffled by the sound of both the bike and the powerful winds.

Kory brought her hands down to clutch at his broad shoulders. “This is fantastic! I am having the time of my life!”

She could almost feel the smile in his words. “Good! So, how about a road trip?”

“A what?!”

“I said, a road trip! We should go on a road trip, just you and me. I already asked Raven if she’d be okay with babysitting! There’s so much I want to show you, Kory! So much you need to see!”

Maybe it was the impulsivity of the moment. Maybe it was the adrenaline pumping through her veins, or the way her heart beat maddeningly in her chest just as Dick swerved another bend in the endless road, climbing higher up the mountain. For some reason, she found herself agreeing, no hesitation.

“Okay! Yeah, let’s do it!” she shouted, the cool, crisp air filling her lungs anew, and the powerful gusts of wind causing her eyes to water. “I’d follow you to the ends of the galaxy, Richard.”

She gave his shoulders a tender squeeze, admiring the way the dimming sunset cast pink, orange, and purple hues in the reflection of his helmet.

“I’ll follow you, no matter where…”

-

“Did they mention where they were going?”

Raven shook her head briskly. “All Dick said was that he was going to show Kory as much as he could while the weather's still nice.”

Garfield flopped backwards onto the couch. “It’s only September. They could be gone for like, weeks.”

“Gar, I don’t think you understand how much Kory is going to miss Mar’i. There’s no way they’ll stay away for more than a week at most.”

It was dead in the night, and the pair had just put the toddler to bed, with Garfield having shifted into a puppy as Raven read her a bedtime story from one of her many books. Mar’i had passed out in her bed, her small, stubby fingers still in Beast Boy’s fur.

They’d both carefully left the room and turned out the light, so only the soft pink hue of her nightlight remained. Raven had put the book on the nightstand and Garfield had slowly slipped out from beneath her hand.

Once they’d closed her door behind them, they’d retired to the living room, where Beast Boy was currently sprawled out on the couch, and Raven had tucked her feet beneath her legs to read a more adult novel. Her hand had moved protectively over the small swell of her belly.

“She’s a great kid, y’know. Do you think...ours will be, too?” Garfield queried, staring up at the ceiling, adrift in his own thoughts.

“Be great? How am I supposed to know?” Raven raised an eyebrow from behind her book.

Beast Boy flipped over to lay on his stomach, his gaze flitting to his very pregnant girlfriend. “You know what I mean, Rae.”

Raven rubbed over the bulge that was her belly, but rolled her eyes and scoffed at the green shapeshifter. “I think, it isn’t the genetics that’ll define our daughter, but rather, how she is raised, and by whom. Besides, there’s no doubt she’ll be best friends with Mar’i, and I think that’ll be some good influence, in the least.”

The empath then went back to reading her book, still occasionally moving her hand affectionately over her rounded stomach.

Beast Boy broke into an excited grin, his eyes lighting up as he admired the woman he loved with a look that could only have been described as complete and utter bliss.

“Wait - did you just say that we’re having a girl?”

[thenorthernrecords]

[ While Stef began to make the walk towards the marsh. . . ]

Benjamin had decided to go back to his grandmother’s and mother’s old home that was hidden in a deep part of the woods with his wolf, Hlin. He had meant to go back to camp but he got tired, and fell asleep on the porch as his wolf roamed around the home, keeping watch as Ben began to dream. . .

It was a dream like the first one he had.  It was a glimpse of the past - things that Benjamin later realized were true after he woke up and remembered the tales that had been said to him. This dream, however, was more vivid than before:

He saw his mother again, and with her was a blonde girl of about twelve years old. Benjamin recognized her to be his older sister Katy. There was a horse and wagon in front of the house, while his mother and sister were going in the house, and coming out with items and loading them onto the wagon. He stepped closer and saw that his mother looked worn out, and tired, her eyes red and puffy and she was blinking back tears. Young Katy looked angry, but she’d glance at her mother with worry and sadness in her eyes.

“Mama, I don’t want to leave Wexford,” Katy said after loading a bag full of clothing unto the wagon, “This is our home! I love it here. I love my friends here. I have to say good bye to Jacob at least!”

Fay shook her head, “There’s no time, Kat. We have to leave now - King’s orders.” She replied with a shake in her voice, as if she was about to burst into tears at any second.

Benjamin then grew sad, realizing this was after his grandfather Maxim had ordered Fay, as King, to leave Wexford and the home after their big fight - a fight that would severe their father/daughter relationship.  Katy looked down sadly after the reply, and began to walk back towards the house when Ben heard a gallop of a horse. Katy turned too, and Benjamin saw a horseman approach on a dark stallion. While his mother kept packing, the horseman rode closer: it was his father, Levon. He looked worn out, his beard unkempt, and his face was drained. It was if the man hadn’t slept for days. Ben saw Katy brighten up considerably and she ran right to him.

“PAPA! PAPA, YOU’RE BACK!” She squealed in joy, and his father dismounted, his arms extended towards Katy, catching her in an embrace as she leaped unto him.

“I am, I’m finally back home,” Levon replied in a tired voice, smiling faintly as little Katy buried her face unto his shoulder, only to pull back to give him a face.

“You’ve been drinking. Was it that wench again?” Katy asked with a stern frown.

Levon shook his head, “I don’t wish to speak about the past, sweetheart. I’m here now, and I’m not drunk.” He then let her go, standing up and frowning as he then saw the wagon being loaded.

“You should have came earlier, papa. . . We’re leaving Wexford,” Katy said sadly, and walked back into the house to continue packing her things.

Ben then watched as his father followed her inside the home, and suddenly Ben was in the home as well. The home was very empty, with only an old couch remaining; that couch still remained in the house in the present day.  Katy went up the stairs, and Fay had turned around, looking right at Levon. Levon stared back. There was a long moment of silence  between them before Levon cleared his throat.

“You didn’t tell me you were moving,” Levon said with irritation in his voice, “I don’t know how I’m going to deal with you moving with my daughter around and not telling me a thing. What if I came here later - I would have found the place empty.”

“You left, Levon. I had no idea where you were. This wasn’t planned at all,” Fay replied quietly, “My father. . .he-he. . . has ordered me to leave and not to come back..” Her voice broke at the end.

Ben watched his mother finally collapse by the couch, her knees on the floor, as she covered her face, sobs shaking her entire body and his father, looking shocked, went right up to where she was and knelt down in front of her.

“What?! Fay, what the fuck happened? Fay?” Levon asked as Fay began to cry harder, her sobs growing louder. Ben felt warm tears sting his eyes as he watched his confused father embraced his devastated mother, and Fay leaned unto him, her forehead on his shoulder.

Levon kissed her forehead, and pulled back while putting his hands on the side of her face. “Fay, breathe,” He instructed, and once Fay seemed to calm down more, he gently wiped some of her tears from under her eyes with his thumbs as he then told her: “Tell me what happened.”

The two sat on the floor, and Fay told Levon everything Ben had seen in his first dream and the things he had been told before: How Maxim was so angry at her for being a dragon keeper and slayer, and how despite saving the city, he finally blew up and the two fought - How Maxim, in front of the entire city, bellowed at Fay and commanded her to leave Wexford and never return, not caring that the girl he had adopted as his granddaughter, Katy, was standing right next to Fay while he screamed and shouted at her cruelly. Levon sighed and shook his head slowly.

“I’m sorry, Fay. Your father is an ass.” Levon then scoffed, “I don’t fucking care if he’s king, he’s an ass for doing this to his oldest daughter.”

Fay, looking more worn out than before, simply nodded. Levon sighed again, this time, looking guilty, “I shouldn’t speak, I’ve treated you horribly as well.”

Fay looked up at him, but remained quiet. Levon continued: “It was a mistake to try and go back to Allison. I realize that now. It’s over for good this time -- I don’t want to go back to that.  I’ve been wandering around for weeks and I realize not only did I hurt you and Katy, but I left the first place I’ve ever felt like I was... home. I’m really sorry, Fay, I’m sorry for even thinking of leaving. I’m sorry for everything.”

Levon took her smaller hands into his bigger ones, and looked her straight in the eye, “I’ll understand if you say no, especially after how I’ve acted but I want to leave with you. Home isn’t this house - it’s wherever you and Katy are. You had to face to much alone for so long. Let me be there for you. I want to be a family. I want our daughter to grow up in a happy home, and I want you to be part of it with me. If you don’t believe me right away, I’ll work hard to prove it to you. Okay? Come,  I’ll help you pack the rest of your things and then we’re both getting some sleep before we go.”

Fay began to shake her head, weakly beginning to protest. “But, Father said I have to leave today. What his men come and--”

“Nothing is going to happen..I won’t leave again.. and no matter the armies they bring, they cannot defeat both of us.” Levon said gently but firmly, squeezing her hands, “Can you at least trust me on that?”

Fay looked hesitant at first and Ben understood why. His father had told him all about Allison Williams, the love triangle between them and Felence Delacruz - and how he had been falling in love with Fay for a while, but he was so used to Allison’s push and pull and was frightened to be with someone who would love him freely, that he’d leave Fay and go back to what he was used to, even if it almost drove him to drink himself to death. It caused bad fights between his parents, especially since he spent less time with Katy to be with Allison. His father explained he wanted to be honest about his past with Ben, so he wouldn’t make the same mistakes as he made. Ben always found to stories remarkable, especially since he grew up seeing his father look at his mother with complete love and adoration every single day, hardly ever fighting.

His mother’s light blue eyes searched his father’s face, searching for any signs of deceit. But Levon looked confident and honest, but at the same time, loving and patient. Fay sighed and finally nodded, and there was instantly a look of relief on her face. . . 

Ben suddenly found himself outside. It seemed like morning. The wagon had was fully packed, and his father’s dark horse was tied to the wagon, to pull it along with his mother’s white one. Katy, and his parents were standing in front of the now empty house, the house that Ben himself was sleeping on. Katy was frowning sadly.

“I’m gonna miss this place,” Katy remarked sadly, while Fay nodded.

“It was my very first home, where I got my family, and a new life,” Fay said quietly. 

“Maybe one day, we’ll come back. Anything’s possible.” Levon replied to the two blondes, his gaze moving up to the sky.

Levon looked better than before; he looked more rested, hopeful and more at peace. Fay, still looking sad, slowly reached out for his hand, and as soon as she took it, Levon gave her hand a squeeze. Katy noticed and grinned big.

“Okay! So, where are we going?” She asked, more upbeat, as the three moved to climb on the wagon. Katy got in the back, and the other two moved to the front, with Levon taking the reins.

“There’s a city east from here that I passed by when I was traveling. It’s called Lismore. It’s quiet, and nice, and there’s a big forest right by it. Perhaps we can build a home near by there.”

Levon gave her a look, a look that Ben would see all the time - a look of complete adoration.

“That sounds like a good plan, Dear. Lead the way,” He gave her the reins, and Fay smiled, and the wagon went forward.

Benjamin then saw something else at the corner of his eye. It was a man he’d seen before - the same man from his first dream, the same one who had screamed and yelled at his mother. His back was turned, so once again, he couldn’t see his face. Ben, remembering how distraught and heartbroken Fay looked during and after the fight with this man, grew angry and shouted at him. He knew who he was.

“Why are you here?”

The man tilted his head towards him, but Ben couldn’t see his face still. He spoke, whispering, yet Ben heard clearly.

“I wanted to show you what you needed to see. This is what you missed, but is a part of who you are. This is where it all started. This is where your story started. This is where you belong”

He began to walk away, and as the sky grew dark, as if night had suddenly come upon them, with smoke and glowing embers appearing on the ground, Ben cried out:

“Grandfather!”

King Maxim Sargenis finally turned around, and Benjamin finally saw his face. He was extremely handsome, looking remarkably similar as his uncle Eamonn, but he had long dirty blonde hair, and the same striking blue eyes as his Uncle Eamonn, his Aunt Slania and Jacob had. He looked melancholy and morose, pale and tired. He wore blue armor, stained with dried blood. He looked defeated. Benjamin suddenly felt guilty about his own anger. Before he could say anymore, Maxim pointed to the side, beyond the forest.

“The truth lies there. Be careful, grandson. You are in danger.”

Benjamin looked to where he was pointing, and he heard the slosh sounds of water. He smelled a foul odor - the odor of death. The air began to feel heavy, and Benjamin began to feel anxious. Maxim said once more.

“Be careful, grandson.. . “

--

Ben was woken up by Hlin, who had licked his face to wake him up. She seemed agitated, and weary, moving around in a circle. Something was wrong.

“What’s wrong, girl?” He asked, “Want me to follow you?”

Hlin nodded and began to dash forward. Benjamin got up, got his sword and ran after her. 

It was the same direction the Maxim Sargenis in his dream had pointed towards. 

To be continued. . . 

[joiesomer]

Who: Somer, Jeff ( @xjefferxx )

Where: Somer’s dorm

When: Dec 14

Notes/Triggers: cute

Somer curled over into himself, trying to stop the feeling of tearing himself apart as he coughed raggedly. Even though nothing happened, it still felt like tiny needles dragging through him. Gasping for breath, he flopped back against the pillows, hand pressing against his chest.

Jeff was in the bathroom, getting Somer water as he heard him coughing. He hated it, his boyfriend so sick. Coming back with the water, Jeff st on the edge of the bed and handed him some pain pills. "Take these please. "

"'s too many," Somer croaked. He tried to breathe in carefully, hoping not to trigger another coughing fit. He hurt /so/ much, and his brain felt muzzy. Like someone was stomping spikes into his head.

Jeff shook his head. "Baby you need to take them" He moved closer to him. "Baby you're burning up.. "

He took the glass, pressing the coolth to his face and jerking at the shock of it. Slowly he fed one pill into his mouth, swallowing it down, then another. He could feel the crackle of nasty stuff in his lungs every time he breathed, but it hurt so much to cough it out. "Wish I could throw up," Somer whispered.

Jeff moved to sit against the pillow and put Somer between his legs. With him there, he held him, kissing his head softly. "I know baby, it will pass." Jeff wrapping them back into the blanket as he held him. "You want me to put on some mythbusters?"

Breathing carefully, Somer nodded, then sniffled. A quiet whimper crept between his lips. Having Jeff's warmth there made the contrast of the chill in his bones so much more, and he shivered.

Jeff kissed his cheek softly, wrapping him up even more. He wanted to make sure he was good and warm and hope he could break the fever. Starting to rock him, jeff turned off the lamp and let his favorite show be the only light they had as he rocked him still.

Having just the computer light made Somer's head ache even more. He closed his eyes, shifting sideways just a bit and trying to relax. It felt like everything ached. How long til the painkillers kicked in? he tried to ask, but the words made no sound. He thought he sniffled again, and the sounds of Mythbusters entangled his brain. Somer drifted, trying not to cough.

Jeff rocked him until he felt his breathing even out. Smiling, he let the show play as he pulled out headphones and started to watch something for his classes. He was glad to see him sleeping.

The redhead didn't have any idea how long he'd been sleeping when a tearing coughing fit woke him. He jerked upright, arms wrapped around himself, gasping for breath between each needle-rip. When it finally slowed a bit his mouth was full of nasty stuff and he groped for a tissue to spit it into. Then he moaned miserably.

Jeff felt him move as he had drifted off as well. He held him still, sighing some. Grabbing the water, Jeff offered it to him. "Hmm I think we need to get you in the bath for a bit while I make you tea and soup. Help you feel a bit better. You want to try?"

"No tea," Somer croaked. "Sprite. Or orange juice." He held the cup in both hands, gasping for breath between each gulp. Everything /hurt/, and he could barely breathe. A chill rattled his whole body. He managed to stumble out of the bed, fighting off another chill, and into the bathroom.

Jeff nodded, following him to the bathroom. He turned on the heat lamp and held Somer as the water was turned on. He knew the fever was leaving him cold but that didn't mean Jeff didn't want to help him feel a bit better if he could. Once the water had filled the tub, Jeff helped him undress. "I'll get out some warm pajamas while you soak."

Somer nodded, trying to suppress the shivers. The water was steaming, and when he got in his skin turned red, but he barely felt the warmth. After a few minutes, though, he stretched out, and the pain seemed to ease. Finally his fingers and toes stopped feeling cold, and it felt like he could breathe easier. Then he sniffled, felt something hit his tongue, and started to cough again.

Jeff was happy to see him relax but soon he was coughing. He hated it but he knew it was part of. Bringing a bucket to him, it was there if he needed to puke or just to cough up into. He rubbed at his back, patting it as well to help get it up.

The bucket actually helped. He felt less like he was going to continually choke on all the nasty stuff his body was producing; he could just get it out immediately. "D-don't," Somer said, breathing hard, "don't touch, please. Makes it worse." He leaned back in the bath, trying to just float. "Tissues? Please?"

Jeff pulled back, handing him a box of tissues. "Okay, I'll be here if you need me." Pressing a soft kiss to his hair. Jeff walked out, getting out his most warm and comfortable clothes, including a sweatshirt. He had the juice ready and soup as well for when he was ready to get out. Along with though, some meds to help with the pain.

Somer wasn't sure how long he'd been in the hot water. Too long, and not long enough. He could breathe better, and didn't ache, but it would all just come right back as soon as he got out. And he was so /tired/. "Jeff?" he called, or tried to; it came out a miserable whisper.

Jeff barely heard him, or maybe it was just his heart that heard him. Jeff came in with a fluffy rope and smiled. "Ready to get out?" He helped him stand then wrapped him in the warm rope as he helped him dry off. Jeff held his hand, walking back into the room and then helped him dress, having him wear, sweats, socks, long sleeve and a sweatshirt. "You wanna eat or cuddle more? We can cuddle but you have to least drink something."

The redhead crawled back into the bed, curling up and feeling the pain start again faintly. "Thirsty," he croaked. Punkinpi tried to walk up him and irritably he pushed her off. "No miss." A spike of pain caught him in the head, and he moaned.

Jeff handed him his juice, taking the kitten off him and setting her on the pillow by him. "I know you want to help papa but he's hurting." Kissing the kitten's nose as he held Somer close. "There are some meds for you to take as well, please just take them."

Punkinpi informed the room at large of how offended she was, as Somer arranged himself in a half-sitting position. Holding the juice in both hands he drank deeply, then choked down the meds. "Make it stop." He tried to breathe deeply and it caught in his throat, triggering another coughing spell.

"I wish I could, you know I do." Jeff kissing his temple softly and petting the kitten so she would calm as well. Once the purrs started, Jeff knew he was good there and focused back on Somer.

No position seemed comfortable. Somer shifted and moved around, trying to be warm. He couldn't decide if he needed to pee, or was just nauseous, or hungry. He whined, then felt guilty because here was his wonderful boyfriend trying to take care of him and all he could do was be awful about it.

Jeff let him shift and could see he was upset from it all. He didn't know what else to do, so he just held him once he seemed comfortable enough.

Finally, Jeff petting his hair seemed to be distracting enough to let him get away from thinking about the worst of his misery. He sighed slowly, then burped and cringed. "Jeff?" he whispered. "Food? Rice?"

Jeff smiled, kissing his hair once more. "Yeah, its chicken soup with rice." Grabbing the bowl that was still sort of hot. Handing it to Somer, he shifted a bit so it was easier for him to eat as Jeff held him still.

Somer rested the bowl on his chest, then gave a soft moan of relief as the heat seeped into his chest. "Feels so good," he whispered, breathing in the residual steam.

Jeff smiled, holding him a bit tighter and rubbing his arm softly. "I'm glad to hear it, even just a moment of you feeling better is nice." Kissing his temple. "Love you."

He managed to eat about half the bowl before it got cold enough to be yucky, and relaxed back with a sigh. "So tired," Somer whispered. He shivered a little, and curled up harder.

Jeff took the bowl and set it aside. He moved down on the bed, letting some lay down more but also sit up for his cough. "Well I'll be here if you want to sleep"

The redhead slipped back into drowsing, alternating between overheating and chills in his doze. His mind wandered in fever dreams, and he came back to the surface of sleep in tears. "Don't go," he croaked. "'m s'ry. 'm s'ry!" Then he coughed again, sitting up and crumpling over.

[anotherlifefic]

Chapter 18: A Declaration of War

I took a deep breath as we entered our home. It felt so strange that I had spent more time in the castle than I had here. Once the door was closed behind us, Link took me into his arms and kissed me. „I'm so sorry for leaving you alone for so long“, he whispered softly. „It's okay“, I replied, resting my head on his shoulder and deeply inhaling his scent. It felt good to be in his arms again. We remained like that for a while, before Link began to carefully guide me up the stairs to our bedroom. „It's high time that I get to sleep in a real bed again. Or get some sleep at all. I hardly got any while I was on my mission.“ „You should take better care of yourself“, I replied dryly as we sank onto the bed together. „Should I fetch you a healing potion? Or maybe something to eat?“ „Food sounds lovely right now“, he said. „I've been on the run from Ganondorf's goons for the past three days. I think they lost my trail somewhere near the spot where we rested on our way to Kokiri Forest, but I wanted to be absolutely sure of that, so I just kept going, only taking very short breaks when I absolutely had to, until I had reached Hyrule City. I fear that the trip really did a number on poor Epona. Remind me to take some apples and carrots along when we go to the stables tomorrow. I need to buy my way back into Epona's good graces, and I'm sure Glory has already been missing you.“ The image of my beloved mare popped into my head, and I felt my heart ache. I had been so occupied with worrying about Link that I had barely spared a thought for her during the past months. „Of course.“ I looked at Navi, who was hovering over the bedpost next to Link. „Should I bring you something to eat, too?“ „Oh, yes, thank you. I would like some honey, if you have any.“ „I'm sure that there is some honey down in the pantry.“ I got up and walked out of the room to get the food.

When I came back with some dried meat for Link and a small cup of honey for Navi a few minutes later, Link was laying on our bed, motionlessly except for the steady up and down of his chest. At first, I thought that he had fallen asleep, but when I approached the bed, he opened his eyes and smiled at me. „Ah... A sight for sore eyes.“ „Me or the food?“, I asked jokingly and placed the items I held on his nightstand. He grabbed the meat and tore into it, eating so fast that I was afraid he might choke. While he was eating, I gently rubbed his back, mindful not to put any pressure on places where I knew he was injured. His muscles felt stiff underneath my fingers as I worked the knots out of his back. He gradually began to relax, and once he was done eating, he just let himself drop backwards until his head rested on my chest. It was probably a small comfort to him, but I wanted to ease his burden as much as I could. Navi had flown over to the nightstand, enveloping the cup with the honey in her bright aura. When she hovered away from the cup a few minutes later, it was empty.

In the middle of the night, I was again woken by Link tossing and turning, mumbling to himself. I was already used to Link having a lot of nightmares. And after all he had been through, who could blame him? I wrapped my arms around him after waking him up. „Another nightmare?“ „Yes“, he replied breathlessly. „They have been getting worse ever since Ganondorf's seal broke. Another reason why I avoided sleep as much as I could during my mission.“ I kissed him. „Anything I can do to help?“ „I don't think so.“ He sank back into his pillow, still breathing heavily. „Except... please be careful if you go out without me. Even if you're just going to the market. If you feel like something is off about someone, just go home as soon as possible and lock all of the doors and windows until I come home.“ „Okay“, I said softly. Satisfied, he closed his eyes, and a few minutes later, he was asleep again.

Link and I got up bright and early, wanting to visit our horses at the stable before he would head to the castle to train. „And you're absolutely sure that just drinking a potion is enough?“, I asked sceptically as I watched him drink the red liquid during breakfast. „Of course. These things are what kept my alive during my travels“, he replied inbetween gulps of the potion. „Don't be such a worrywart, Rebecca. I'll be fine.“ Yes, I saw how fine you were when you came home yesterday, I thought. But I didn't say anything. Now was really not the time to argue with him, so I just sighed. „Alright then.“ Once he was finished, he got up, grabbing a pouch with apples and carrots. „Come, it's time to visit Epona and Glory.“

The familiar scent of horse greeted us as we entered the stable. It smelled good... like home. Countless muzzles poked out from their boxes, curious to see who had come to visit. We walked past them until we got to our horses. Glory barely acknowledged my presence, and Epona seemed to be pretty cross with Link as well. I grabbed and apple from the pouch Link had brought, and held it up to Glory. „Hey there, sweetheart. I'm so sorry that I couldn't come to visit you for so long. Things really have been crazy.“ The apple was graciously accepted, and Glory bumped her head into my shoulder. „Yes, I know. I am a terrible owner, and I should be very ashamed of myself.“ I giggled as I stroked her mane. „I hope you weren't too bored while I was gone.“ „We took them out to the pasture right outside of the city at least once a day“, a nearby stablehand informed me. I smiled at the boy and grabbed my purse, taking out a red rupee and handing it to him. „Thank you so much.“ His eyes lit up. „No, I need to thank you. You are the most generous customers we have.“ As the boy walked off, I turned to Link. „So I take it that giving gratuities to stablehands isn't common practice here?“ „It is, but a lot of people are terribly stingy“, he said as he fed another carrot to Epona, who also seemed to be in a much better mood now. I was about to blame it on a lack of money, but then I remembered that those who were well off enough to own a horse and rent a place in the stable could probably spare a few rupees for the stablehands. I planted a soft kiss on Glory's muzzle before Link and I left, promising to come visit her again as soon as possible. As we walked towards the exit, a horse I hadn't seen in the stable before caught my attention. It was dark brown, with a black mane and tail. It was still saddled, and the saddle was fashioned in a way I had never quite seen before. It seemed to consist mostly of furs and a coarse kind of fabric. I pointed it out to Link, and he shrugged. „Well, if the horse likes the saddle and the rider finds it comfortable, why not.“

Link and I parted ways on the marketplace, where he headed towards the castle with Navi and I went home to clean up the pantry. The food I had brought Link that morning had been the last bit of food that hadn't spoiled during our two-month absence, so I would have to dispose of that and scrub the shelves in the pantry before I could buy any fresh food. Our house, like a lot of the houses, had a small backyard, where we could dig a hole for the rotten food. But I was not quite sure if I would be able to do that while pregnant. Either way, Link would be hungry when he returned home, so I had no choice but to get digging.

The air was crisp and cold, and I pulled my shawl tighter around me as I drove the shovel into the ground. I did not get very far, as a twinge of pain in my back reminded me of my condition. I muttered curses under my breath while taking a break, hoping that the pain would go away quickly so I could continue. It did, but as soon as I put any kind of strain on my back, it returned, this time spreading into my abdomen. Panicked, I dropped the shovel and put my hands on my stomach, fearing for my child's health. Tears were burning in my eyes. I felt so useless and weak, and the thought of the probably impending war scared me, and now I couldn't even distract myself with work. And what would Link say if he came home and none of the chores were done? „I'm such a useless wife“, I mumbled to myself, rubbing my eyes as I drowned in self-pity. Then, I faintly heard someone knock on my front door. I went inside and opened up, finding my father on the other side. „Hello, Rebecca, I heard that you were at home again and I just wanted to check-“ He stopped mid-sentence and quickly wrapped his arms around me. „Hush, dear. What's wrong?“ I had to take several deep breaths before I could tell him what was going on. He was ecstatic at the news that I was expecting, and then he hugged me tighter. „Oh sweetheart. It's okay. I'll help you.“ I breathed a sigh of relief as I led him to our backyard. „Don't worry, I got this. Why don't you go inside and make tea for us?“, he said kindly. I gave him a peck on the cheek and went inside.

While I was placing the kettle on the stove and lit the fire underneath, I took some time to reminisce about my relationship with my father. It wasn't nearly as strained as my relationship with my mother, and my prior resentment towards him mostly came from feeling neglected, since he had spent the majority of each day at work for the entirety of my childhood, and feeling like he never protected me from my mother's harshness. Maybe he's trying to make up for that now, I thought. Just then, my father came back inside. „I think the hole is deep enough now“, he informed me. „Thank you so much, papa“, I said affectionately and handed him a cup of tea. We sat down at the table, drinking our tea. „So how did your husband react to the news?“, he asked, still a little giddy. I avoided his gaze. „He was happy, of course, even though the timing is not exactly stellar.“ „What do you mean?“ I licked my lips, trying to find the right words. „He is really busy right now, so he won't really be able to be there for me the way he normally would.“ I did not know how else to say it. Outright telling my father that my husband was preparing for war was completely out of the question. My father sighed in grim understanding. „I see. Will you pass on a message to your husband for me, dear?“ „Uhm... that depends on the message.“ „Tell him 'Finding a good balance between homelife and work is difficult. Do not make the same mistake I did.'.“ „He would not know what that means, papa.“ „Then explain it to him.“ My father drained his cup and then rose from his seat. „Is there anything else I can help you with?“ I shook my head. „Not right now. Thank you, papa.“

After I carried all of the rotten food outside and closed the pit, I prepared a bucket with soapy water and a rag and went into the pantry. Scrubbing the shelves as exhausing enough, but not quite as backbreaking as digging the cesspit was. And when I was done, I still had a good three hours to go shopping, so I changed into a clean dress, took my basket and went out.

As I was browsing the stands, a group of soldiers came riding down the road from the castle. One of them, who, judging by his elaborate armor and the fancy plume on his helmet must have been of quite a high rank, unrolled a scroll and cleared his throat. „Citizens of Hyrule City! By order of Princess Zelda, future queen of Hyrule through the grace of the Goddesses, starting tomorrow, every citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 must report at the military wing of the castle. Exempt from this are pregnant women, mothers with children under the age of 14, the sick and the disabled. In light of the approaching war, we urge every citizen to make preparations for the likely case that the city will be besieged. Gather as much non-perishable food as you can. Arm yourselves. And may the Goddesses protect all of us.“ With that, he rolled up the scroll and turned around to leave. I was clutching my basket to my chest, fearing that the crowd around me would panic. But they didn't. I heard fearful whispers, and some people were whimpering. But now panic. After a few minutes of standing in one spot like I was frozen solid, I finally dared to move again. My hands were shaking, and I almost dropped my basket a few times as I got the last few things I needed. Then I returned home, still shaken from what I heard.

Link was already there when I arrived. He sat at the table, his arms crossed on the tabletop and his head resting on his arms. He didn't even look up when I entered. I sat down at the table with him, placing the basket with the food on another chair. „Do you remember the horse with the odd saddle you pointed out to me this morning?“, he suddenly asked. „I do.“ „It belonged to a messenger sent by Ganondorf. Appearantly there are actually Hylians who side with him.“ Link laughed bitterly. „Ganondorf wanted to set an ultimatum. Either we surrender our fragments of the Triforce to him or he would attack us with all of the forces he has gathered. We let the messenger live, but told him to get lost and never show his treacherous mug in Hyrule again. If Ganondorf doesn't just kill him once he outlived his usefulness, of course.“ He took my hand. „I will have to go to war as well.“ „Yes, I figured“, I replied shakily. „When?“ „Zelda estimates that gathering our forces and preparing them to set out would take at least a month and a half.“ Navi floated up to me. „Don't worry. Fairies like me can fly very fast. I can pass messages between the two of you.“ „Won't Link need your help on the battlefield?“, I asked. „Link fought most of the monsters Ganondorf has gathered a thousand times already. He knows their weaknesses.“ „I'm more worried about you than I am about me, to be honest“, Link told me. „I have no idea how long this war will last. So I will not be there to help you when you need it.“ His eyes wandered to my stomach. „It's alright“, I told him. „I can ask my father to help me. He's already two years above the age-limit for the draft.“ Link sighed, relieved that I wouldn't be all alone. „That's good.“ I got up. „Well, I guess it's time to make supper, then.“ And while I was cutting vegetables, I tried to push the thoughts about the war as far away from me as possible.