#I had trouble eating before but now that I have to keep a toddler fed it’s uh real bad

[gnomebee]

I’m hungry but the list of what I’d be willing to eat is basically negligible

[briamichellewrites]

63

Flashback. Bria was a very healthy and happy toddler. That’s why it gave her parents concern when she suddenly became sick. She had bruises on her body and she no longer had the energy to play. They brought her to the hospital when she had trouble eating. Their medical training taught them how to identify diseases. Jasper could diagnose conditions like cancer, HIV, and AIDS. When he looked at his daughter, he didn’t know what to think. The doctor assessed her before deciding to order tests.

She sucked on her pacifier with her baby doll in her arm. The nurse took a blood sample, which made her cry from the pain. He apologised after giving her a bandage. Jasper and Christina comforted her until she stopped crying. She rubbed her eyes with her little hands.

The results came back positive for Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia. It was their worst fear. They were referred to a paediatric oncologist. The doctor apologised for the bad news. She let them ask questions and she answered them the best she could. It was not something that parents wanted to hear. There were so many questions that could not be answered.

They had just moved into their new house and finances were difficult. Now, they had medical bills and an uncertain future for their daughter. When they got home, Jasper would make the first available appointment. Until then, all they could do was wait. They thanked the doctor before gathering up their exhausted little girl. She had fallen asleep under her blanket. Christina lifted her before placing the blanket against her back. She whined a little before going back to sleep.

During her cancer treatment, she had days where she just wanted to sleep because she didn’t feel well. On good days, she could play with her toys. Jasper and Christina took it day by day. Gradually, her body became stronger as her immune system fought back against the disease. She became a curious and energetic child who loved exploring, talking to animals, playing, and being silly.

Now, she was going through the same cancer treatment again. She learned that while the surgery was successful, it did not remove all of the cells. Therefore, she started her first round of chemotherapy. She had a much better understanding of everything that was going on. Since she was an adult, she could ask questions about her treatment. She still needed a book bag of things to do to keep her busy. Instead of having her parents there, Dave and Mike joined her.

“I’m having Déjà vu”, she joked.

“Didn’t you have cancer before”, Dave asked.

“Yeah, I had leukaemia between the ages of two and four years old. I had a flashback to being on a hospital bed like this with my bag of toys. It had bars that kept me from falling off. I think there’s a picture of me curled up under a blanket somewhere at home.”

“Yeah, I remember that. You beat it then. I have to have faith you’ll do it again”, Mike said.

He had to believe she would beat breast cancer. Not just for himself, but for everyone who loved her. She was too young to die from cancer. He also thought about how it would affect Dave. As strong as he was, he couldn’t think about losing his mother and her. She extended her hand to him. He took it and held on to it tightly. The day before, Chester cut her beautiful long brown hair.

He then used his electric razor to shave her hair into a pixie cut. She rinsed it off under the faucet, as he shaved his head. He then shaved Dave and Mike’s hair. She cried happy tears when she saw them. Oh my god! They laughed and hugged her.

Her shaved head looked great on her. Downstairs, they made dinner for her while she sat in the living room. Chester fed the animals so she didn’t have to. He and Mike then brought the dogs outside. Dave sat next to her on the couch. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He rested his head against her chest. They told each other I love you.

Joe and his family had gone home after spending the afternoon swimming. She sat on the edge with her feet in the water. Watching them gave them a distraction. Ford asked if the dogs could go swimming. They had to say no because they didn’t know if they could swim. He accepted that answer because it made sense to him. When he jumped back into the water, he swam back over to his brother and sister. They didn’t stay long because they didn’t want to keep Bria from getting rest.

She didn’t mind them coming over because her pool was being used. However, she appreciated them being considerate. The children thanked her for letting them swim before leaving. They were very welcome. Dave hugged his brother.

“If you need anything, please call me”, Joe told him.

“I will. Thank you. You do the same.”

He promised to let him know. That was three days ago. He and Mike took turns tending to Bria. Helping her gave him a sense of purpose. He still made time to mourn his mother. Mike made sure of it. They talked about her death as much as he needed to. He cried off and on. Sometimes, he thought he felt her arms around him. He could hear her voice calling him David.

He used the studio to practice his guitar. It helped him connect with her. He played her favourite songs. His mind replayed him sitting with his guitar as a teenager. She was sitting in front of him teaching him different chords. He practised it for hours. She encouraged him to pursue music as a career, though she wanted him to have a backup plan. He remembered telling her about getting signed to Warner Records. When Meteora came out, she congratulated him.

During everything, she was there cheering him on. He missed her so much. Fuck cancer! It didn’t have the right to take her! She was too young! That’s why he was so angry. He thought about her helping Bria. She would be there encouraging her and helping her through her treatment.

After spending time in bed, she got bored and wanted to walk around. Nurses helped her out of bed before connecting her IV to a mobile stand. There. They thanked them. How happy was she to be out of bed? Very. Her ADHD was not meant to be immobile. They laughed. How did she manage to spend over twelve hours in the air? She took a very long nap. They laughed again.

“Daddy.”

Bria held out her hand for her father to hold. Together, they walked down the hallway of the paediatric oncology ward. She had her baby doll in her arm and “special” socks on her feet. He asked her where they were going, but she just smiled and continued walking. Christina followed behind them. After taking a nap, she was ready to move around. She looked around in curiosity.

The hospital was decorated with children in mind. It was filled with fun colours and designs. She traced her fingers over the painting of a sunflower and smiled. It was a pretty flower. They said hello to the different nurses and doctors walking around. Who was she with? She pointed out her daddy and mommy. After a brief conversation, they continued on their journey. When they got to a window, she sat down and looked outside. They pointed out different things to her.

When they got to a window, they went over and looked out. The sun was shining bright. They could see patients and medical staff outside enjoying the fresh air. Mike asked if she wanted to go outside. No, thank you. She was just having another flashback. Dave asked if she was okay. She assured him saying she was. They continued walking around.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon

[hxwks-gf]

*✧･ﾟ:* baby explosion murder

pairing: bakugo x reader

summary: bakugo gets hit with a de-aging quirk and it’s up to you to take care of him until it wears off 

a/n: this is part of my fic-swap with @a-monsters-love​!! xoxo i luv u bby sm you can read her fic here! (it was amazing)

“Hey, Midoriya!” you cheerfully spoke into your phone. “What’s up?” 

“Y/N? Oh, thank God--okay, something’s happened while on patrol, Kacchan got hit with this Quirk and he’s--” 

“Wait, what?” you said, immediately on high alert. You got to your feet and made towards your bag and shoes. “Where? What hospital?” 

“Well--they didn’t exactly send him to the hospital because he’s not hurt, he’s just…” 

Your hand stilled over your bag. “He’s just what?” 

“We’re on our way up to you right now. Don’t freak out, okay?” 

“Uh,” you said, glancing at the front door. “Alright.” 

A few minutes later someone knocked. Unsure of what you were about to see, you peeked through the peephole and saw only Midoriya standing there, looking worried. You unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Where is he--” 

“Y/N-chan!” 

A small child launched itself into your apartment and latched around your waist much like children do when they’re excited, throwing you completely off guard. The child buried his face into your torso, giggling maniacally. 

“ Midoriya, what’s going on? Whose kid is this?” Your mouth fell open in shock. “Did you steal someone’s child?” 

“No!” he protested, running his hands through his unruly hair. “Y/N--that’s Kacchan.” 

There was a second of silence before you burst into laughter. After it had subsided to amused chuckles, you looked down at the child still wrapped like a vice around your waist. “That’s very funny. Now c’mon, tell me where Katsuki really is.” 

Midoriya simply raised an eyebrow and pointed at the child. “He was hit with a de-aging Quirk.” 

This time, there was no laughter. You pried the child off of your torso and held him at arm’s length, your eyes going wide when you recognized him from old childhood photos the Mitsuki had shown you. It was definitely him. 

Katsuki made grabby motions with his hands, and you instinctively picked him up and set him on your hip. He bared his teeth and giggled again. “Die!” 

“Jesus,” you sighed, gently swatting away his hands that were tugging on your hair. “Do we know how long it will last?” 

Midoriya shrugged. “I don’t know. We took him to a Quirk specialist and they said it could vary from a few hours to a few days.” 

You shifted Katsuki on your hip and studied his little face. “Do you think he’s aware of what’s happened?” 

“It’s hard to tell. All he’s really said so far is ‘Die!’ and ‘Y/N-chan!’” 

You snorted. “Sounds like Katsuki to me.” 

Midoriya rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Do you need any help? I can stay until it wears off, I know how much work children are.” 

“No, no,” you said, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ll be alright. You’ve got to finish your patrol, right? I’ll call you later and tell you if anything’s happened.” 

“Alright.” He leaned in and studied Katsuki’s face. “So strange. He looks just like when we were kids together.” 

Katsuki growled at him and made biting motions. 

“Hey!” you chided. “Don’t be rude, Katsuki. He’s trying to help you.” 

Katsuki grumbled and hid his face in your neck in shame. You rolled your eyes and gave Midoriya an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Seems like he hasn’t changed much.” 

“It’s alright,” he chuckled, taking a step back. “I’ll leave you to it. Call me if anything happens!” 

You closed the door and locked it. Katsuki whined and struggled in your arms until you took him into the kitchen and set him in one of the chairs. He playfully slapped his hands on the table and bounced in his seat, looking at you with those familiar, crimson eyes. 

You took the seat next to him, unsure of what to do next. “Are you hungry?” you asked him. 

“Guhhh!” was all his reply. 

“Food?” 

Katsuki stuck his fingers in his mouth and giggled. 

You sighed and got up from the table to make him something to eat. Maybe if you made his favorite food, it would make him change back faster...or...something.... 

As you moved around the kitchen preparing some spicy curry for him, you forgot he was a child and that children love getting into trouble, especially one like Katsuki. A few minutes had gone by and you no longer heard his toddler-babble at the table. You glanced over your shoulder and nearly dropped the bowl of rice in your hands. 

“Katsuki, no!” you cried, running over to where he had his pudgy little fingers inches from the hot stove. You whisked him away and returned him to his seat at the table. “Don’t touch that, you’ll hurt yourself.” 

He sniffed, burying his face in his arms. You gently pulled his hands away so you could look at him in the eye. 

“Stay here,” you told him, tapping the table. “Don’t move.” 

He pouted, but remained seated. 

Satisfied, you turned your back and finished making his meal. You ladled the spicy curry over the rice and returned to the table, where he was getting antsier and antsier by the second. He whined and grabbed for the bowl. 

“Nuh-uh,” you chastised, holding it away as you sat beside him. “It’s hot. We have to let it cool down.” 

“Hungry!” he complained, kicking his little feet in his chair. 

“Katsuki,” you warned. He huffed and crossed his arms, glaring at you with those eyes. His mop of blonde hair seemed even more wild than it usually was. Maybe that’s how it looked when he was a child. You reached out and pushed a strand out of his eyes. He scrunched his nose and ducked from your hand. 

When you were satisfied that the food was cool enough to eat, you pushed the bowl towards him. Katsuki stared at it, and then at you, and then back to the bowl. It was as if he had never seen something like it before in his life. 

“Here,” you said, picking up the spoon and scooping it into the bowl. You held your hand underneath it to keep it from dripping everywhere and pushed it towards Katsuki’s mouth. “Say ‘ahhhh’.” 

“Ahhhhh,” he repeated, opening his mouth and taking the bite. His little eyes lit up with happiness, immediately chewing and swallowing and opening for another one. You chuckled and fed him more, until he had finished the entire bowl. 

“Good job!” you said, folding your hands and smiling at him. “Did you get enough?” 

Katsuki responded with a yawn, his tiny hands rubbing his eyes. He looked like he was about to fall asleep in his chair. 

“C’mon,” you said, picking him up. His head fell against your shoulder as you carried him to the bedroom, where you gently placed him underneath the blankets. Katsuki was already fast asleep when you patted his head, shaking your head in disbelief. “Demon child.” 

You decided you would take a nap too, out on the couch. Somehow watching a child for a few mere hours was exhausting. As you stretched your legs out and yawned, you decided you would call Midoriya when you woke up again. 

“Hey, dumbass.” 

You blinked your eyes groggily, not sure what time it was or where you were. The apartment was dark and there was drool on your pillow. 

“Katsuki?” you groaned, sitting up on the couch. “Are you...are you back to normal?” 

“Yeah,” he growled, and you felt the couch dip as he sat down next to you. “Stupid Quirk. I hated every minute of it.” 

“Wait, so you were aware of what was going on?” you asked, scooting closer to him. “The whole time?” 

“The whole time,” he said. He gave you a sideways glance, a sly grin on his face. “I can’t believe you cooked and fed me curry.” 

“I did what I thought you wanted!” you protested, crossing your arms. “I have no idea how to take care of kids.” 

Katsuki chuckled. “You seemed to know what you were doing.” 

“You were so cute,” you said wistfully, “so tiny.” 

“Watch it,” he warned. “I’m not cute. Or tiny.” 

You wrinkled your nose. “You’re a little cute. Wait--if you knew what was going on, why did you go to touch the hot stove, dumbass?” 

“Because, dumbass,” he said, glaring at you, “I wanted to see what you would do. Turns out you’ve got some pretty fast reflexes. I think our kids will be just fine.” 

Your cheeks turned pink. “Our kids?” 

Katsuki gave you a pointed look. “Yes, our kids. Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about it.” 

“I’ve thought about it,” you admitted with a hidden smile. You felt giddy as you snuggled into his side, resting your head on his chest. “Our kids.” 

“Our kids.” 

[rookie-ramsey]

A Day at the Zoo (Ethan/MC)

Description: Ethan and Olivia spend a day at the zoo with their twin toddlers.

Rating: Teen. Some mildly suggestive dialogue at the end but nothing NS*FW.

Preview: “Daddy!” Zoey pointed at the biggest giraffe.

This is @aestheticartsx’s fic for my recent fic giveaway. Love you and your sweet positivity! ❤️

Nobody said raising toddlers was easy.

When you doubled the mischief by having twins, life was never boring.

“No clothes!”

Ethan shook his head as he tried to hold his son still. “You have to hold still so I can dress you.”

“Nope!”

“You can absolutely not go to the zoo naked,” Ethan insisted as he managed to get his squirming son into an outfit.

Defeated, Jonah sighed and tried to go limp, which somehow made it even more difficult to get him into a shirt and pair of shorts. Then Ethan picked him up before he could find an opportunity to rip his clothes off, his favorite act of mischief.

Olivia joined him in the living room with Zoey on her hip. “It took way more effort than it should have, but I got her dressed. Do all toddlers hate being clothed, or is that just these two?”

“That’s a good question.”

“Zoo!” Zoey squirmed in her mother’s arms and impatiently pointed at the door.

“Just a minute.” Olivia opened the diaper bag and checked to make sure they had everything. Once she was convinced they had anything they could possibly need for a visit to the zoo, they left the house.

They carried the twins to the car and buckled them into their car seats. Once they were securely strapped in, Ethan got into the driver’s seat and started the car.

As soon as he backed out of the driveway, Zoey grabbed the Velcro on her shoes. She yanked them off and giggled when they tumbled under Olivia’s seat.

Jonah followed suit, and by the time Ethan had reached the end of the street, both kids had removed their socks and were happily wiggling their bare toes.

Olivia sighed. “Are shoes even necessary? They just outgrow them every week.”

“It seems that way. I think they’re just going through a phase where they prefer to be unclothed and barefoot 24/7.”

“I mean… it’s a little relatable.”  

When they arrived at the zoo, Ethan removed the stroller from the trunk. He unfolded it and helped Olivia fasten Zoey and Jonah into it. Olivia tucked the diaper bag into the compartment beneath their seats.

Ethan pushed the stroller to the main entrance, where they paid for their tickets. As soon as they entered the gate, the twins started pointing in every direction.

They followed the path, stopping at the first exhibit. Ethan parked the stroller and picked up the twins so they could see inside.

“Grilla!” Zoey identified.

Ethan nodded. “That’s right. Gorillas are really smart.”

“Want one!” Jonah exclaimed when two more gorillas emerged from behind one of the structures in the exhibit.

“That’s probably not the best idea.” Ethan settled them back in their stroller and let them watch for another minute before they made their way to the next exhibit.

Olivia peered into the lion enclosure, amused when all of the lions were asleep on their rocks. “Mood.”

Ethan chuckled. “It’s after eleven o’clock.”

“Exactly.”

“Sleepy kitties!” Jonah waved goodbye to the oblivious lions before they moved the giraffe enclosure. Ethan and Olivia each picked up one of the toddlers to let them see inside.

“Daddy!” Zoey pointed at the biggest giraffe.

Ethan rolled his eyes. “That looks nothing like me.”

“Daddy!”

Olivia smirked. “They know who your ancestors are, Ethan. Don’t try to fool them.”

“I still don’t understand where they came up with that idea.”

“They’re toddlers. Very perceptive toddlers with big imaginations.”

“If you insist.” Ethan settled Zoey back in the stroller. Olivia put Jonah next to her and looped her arm through Ethan’s as they resumed visiting the various enclosures.

Halfway through the park, they reached the polar bear exhibit. Olivia picked both twins up and carried them to the observation deck. “See the polar bears? They’re Mommy’s favorite. That’s why your room has polar bears in it.”

“Big bear!” Jonah held his arms out wide.

“That’s right. They’re the biggest bears in the world. Sometimes their paws are bigger than your whole head!”

Their eyes widened as they pressed their faces to the glass. Zoey pointed at the large bear floating on his back in the water. “Swimming!”

“Mm hmm. Just keep putting your faces all over the really germy glass. It’s worth it to look at polar bears.”

Ethan couldn’t contain a laugh. He settled a hand on Olivia’s hip. “You’re being painfully cute.”

She grinned. “I can’t help myself. Polar bears. If it weren’t for the chance it would eat our kids, I’d smuggle one out of here. I’d buy a snowblower for the backyard and let it swim in the pool.”

“I highly doubt we could keep it fed. The last time I was in PetSmart, they didn’t have polar bear food in stock.”

“How hilarious.” Olivia watched the bears for a few more moments before they left the exhibit.

Jonah’s stomach rumbled and he patted it. “Want food.”

“I could go for some lunch, too. Looking at a bunch of mostly sleeping animals has a weird way of giving me an appetite for overpriced food.”

“In that case, I guess the cafeteria is our next stop.” Ethan checked the zoo map and followed the directions to the restaurant, where Olivia found a table while Ethan ordered their food.

Once Jonah and Zoey were buckled into high chairs, Olivia cut their chicken into manageable bites and gave each of them a serving. “Eat up.”

Ever the enthusiastic eater, Jonah grabbed a handful of chicken and ate it. “Mm!”

“Yummy, huh?” Olivia sat next to Ethan and kissed his cheek before she started eating.

After lunch, they took the twins to the bathroom just in time to avoid a potty training catastrophe. Olivia took control of the stroller as they browsed the remaining exhibits.

The last enclosure was the panda exhibit. Jonah pointed inside and grinned with excitement.

“Pandas!”

Olivia ruffled his hair. “Yep. I think they’re my second favorite. They’re really cute and fluffy. And their cubs are always getting into trouble in every panda video I’ve ever seen, so that’s pretty amazing.”

They left the pandas and located the zoo’s gift shop. As they browsed the shop, they stopped at the stuffed animals.

“You can pick one out, but you have to stay in the stroller,” Ethan explained. ”I don’t trust either of you far enough to release you in a gift shop.”

“Is it bad that I’m not morally opposed to baby leashes?”

“Hmm. They seem more reasonable every day.”

Jonah pointed at a stuffed panda holding a cub. “That one!”

“Is that the one you want?” Olivia handed it to him. He hugged it tight and buried his face in it.

Zoey studied the selections until she saw a similar one with polar bears. She reached for it, wiggling her fingers when she couldn’t reach the shelf. Ethan took it and handed it to her.

They were on their way to the checkout when Olivia saw a mug with a polar bear on it. She grabbed it and added it to their purchases. “I would have regrets if I didn’t get this.”

“We wouldn’t want that, would we?” Ethan handed the cashier his card to pay for their items. The twins hugged their stuffed animals as they left the zoo. Olivia settled them in their car seats, and Ethan folded the stroller and placed it in the trunk.

Zoey and Jonah had removed their socks and shoes before the car was halfway across the parking lot. They entertained themselves with their new stuffed animals and made growling noises.

Halfway through the forty-five minute drive home, both kids fell asleep in their car seats.

The toddlers were still asleep when they reached their house, so Ethan and Olivia carried them inside and into the nursery. They tucked them into their beds with their new stuffed animals, then turned the light off.

“I guess a day of sitting in a stroller looking at sleepy animals exhausted them.”

“It would appear so,” Ethan agreed. They sat on the couch and he draped his arm around her when she leaned against his side.

A suggestive smile tugged at her lips. She touched her hand to his chest. “They’re asleep. And if I’m correct, they will be for… I’d say another twenty minutes.”

Ethan smirked. “What are you proposing?”

“Nothing too risque. It has been a long day for someone of your age.”

He feigned a scowl and tugged her into his lap. “I have plenty of stamina for ‘someone of my age’,” he whispered before pressing his lips to hers.

She stifled a laugh and deepened the kiss. After a long moment, she pulled back and touched her forehead to his. “Then prove it to me later. Right now I’m in dire need of cuddling.”

“Dire need, huh?”

“Yep.” Grinning, she rested her head on his shoulder. Ethan’s arms tightened around her waist, gently pinning her against himself. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Tagging separately.

[regrettablewritings]

Maybe the gift rule, the bringing lunch, and the taking care on sick days for Poe?

Captain Dreamsicle it is!

Takes care of on sick days: Both of you, though Poe gets a bit more in by comparison . . . Poe is a man of many traits: He is sweet, hard-working, a little gung-ho but altogether just plain passionate. He’s also a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to his own health. The moment you so much as hint that you might be coming down with something, this man is on your case. You can’t even sniffle around him before he’s right in front of you, those big, brown eyes of his filled with almost puppyish worry. “Are you okay?” he asks, voice gentle yet heavy with concern. He places a hand to your forehead, searching for any excessive heat. “You don’t think you picked anything up, do you? I know your bunk mate just came back from a recon mission --” And so begins the Resistance pilot’s transformation into a mother hen, however annoying as it may be. He can’t force you to stay in bed, especially if the infirmary insists that it’s just a slight head cold (at most), but he’s definitely going to keep an eye on you whenever he can: He has subordinates working close by you report back to him, sending him messages on his tablets as to whether or not you seem particularly light-headed or drowsy. He requests the droids’ assistance in making sure you stay in bed just so long enough that you get a confirmed eight hours. He makes sure your plate has only ever so slightly the bittest more of rations when it’s time for you to eat. (If you make any comment on this, he eagerly ushers you along, commenting on oh look at that lucky you! You don’t see the nod of thanks he gives to the person on ration duty, but you know they’re in cahoots.) And once he gets promoted to general, you can just forget about it! . . . But the moment Poe sniffles, it’s like he’s done a 180 on the matter: To him, Poe Dameron can’t get sick. And if he does, well, he can work it off. So many people depend on him now more than ever, and he can’t let them down by taking some down time just to fight off a common cold. Besides . . . doctors are a little scary. It may take some convincing (and fussing), but eventually, he does give in -- to a degree. Really, if you can convince him to lie in bed with you while he reads over plans and maps, it’s a win. Because you’ll inevitably massage his curls until he drifts off into a much needed sleep. He pretends to be frustrated that you let him sleep in the next day, but the truth is he greatly appreciates it in the long run.

Brings the other lunch at work: You swear that ever since he got promoted to general, Poe’s self-care has taken a hit: He’s up at all hours, he’s running around like crazy, and he keeps skipping out on meals, insisting that he’ll eat later! At first, you were very understanding of it: He did, after all, just jump ahead into way more responsibilities than he’d previously had as just a captain. Sure, he’d been trained for it, but that didn’t make the reality of what it was that much easier. You did your part where you could: Delivering messages, sitting in with him on meetings to take notes on anything that might be of use to him later, making sure BB-8 kept out of trouble . . . But really! Did the man seriously think he could get away with his third straight day of skipping lunch!? You had never been a particularly intimidating person but as you stormed across the base, expression stern as you carried a small tin case in your hands, everyone knew to stay out of your way. You sure wish you’d kept that same amount of confidence when you stormed into his designated workspace. Thankfully, he wasn’t in the middle of talking with somebody, but he was definitely in the middle of something. But you tried not to care about that: Instead, you found yourself focusing on how your beloved looked. He didn’t look sickly, and you’d certainly seen him in a worse state. But there were clear, tiny traces of him lacking proper or consistent nutrition. And rest. Nevertheless, he wore that boyishly cute grin when he looked up from his tablets and saw you. “Oh, hey!” he said, as though there weren’t threats of shadows developing beneath his eyes. He leaned back in his seat ever so slightly. “What brings you to this neck of my woods?” You bit your lip. Remain stern, you told yourself. Be gentle and loving, but make it clear you’re not going to mess around. “Castion told me he didn’t see you in the mess hall earlier. Or for lunch for that matter. So I’m here to deliver your rations,” you lifted up the tin container just a bit higher for him to take note. He nodded. “Thank you, hon. You can put it right there--” he nodded at a corner of his tech-cluttered desk-- “and I’ll get to it in a bit.” He then returned his attention back to the holo-map in front of him. You fought to release an exasperated sigh. “No,” you decided upon instead. You watched as the general blinked before looking back up at you. “Huh?” “I said no,” you informed, a bit more assertive than before. “You always say you’ll ‘get to it’ but according to BB, you ever really do. You take maybe, like, three or four bites and then you’re done. And that’s if you can be bothered to eat it even four hours after receiving it!” You could see Poe gently scowl. How rude: Ratted out by his own droid. He tried again, “Honey, I promise to you: I’ll eat it within the hour. All of it. Heart crossed and hope to --” He paused. “Get Force-blasted by Rey. Again. This time, on purpose.” You hummed. That was a fair proposition to make. But neh, you weren’t buying it. “Oh, I know you will,” you responded, walking towards the desk. And then around it, until you stood next to Poe. You didn’t set the container down. “Because I’m going to stay and make sure you do.” You threw in a cloyingly sweet smile. Poe returned with a smile of his own, albeit one much less composed and far more wobbly. Oh, boy. “Uh . . . Don’t you have something else to get a handle on, sweetie?” “Nope!” said, popping your ‘p’. A beat of silence. Poe eyed the tin. “But . . . I’ve got a lot of stuff to focus on, babe . . . I can’t exactly take the time out to just --” “For the Maker’s sake, Poe! I know you have a lot to do, but that’s no reason to keep skipping out on food. That’s frankly even more of a reason to eat when you can -- you’re not going to be of any help if you’re just a pile of bones, you know!” This time, it was Poe’s turn to do the lip-biting. You had a point . . . You continued, “Look, I know the rations aren’t that great, but you gotta eat something. In fact . . .” You popped the lid off. “How about a feed you?” “I’m not a baby, (Y/N) --” “No, but you’re being reluctant like a toddler. And in any case, if I feed you then at least you can keep your hands busy doing whatever it is you insist you need to do instead of actually putting nourishment in your body. Capiche?” Did he have any real say? No, not really. By this point, after all the ones he’d grown up around and encountered in the Resistance, Poe had learned when to fold in the face of a woman on a mission. Besides, underneath the resigned demeanor, he rather appreciated the gesture. You didn’t have to do this; you were just as important as he was to the Resistance as far as he was concerned. Yet, you were spending your time, making sure he was operating better than he thought he already was. And doing that? It made the disgustingly bland protein glob you spoon-fed him ever so slightly more palatable. Well, almost.

Breaks the expensive gift rule during Christmas: (Since Christmas apparently doesn’t exactly exist in the Star Wars universe as we know it, I’m keeping a more modern setting in mind.) Every year, you would make Poe look you in the eye and promise that he wouldn’t go overboard with the gift-giving. You two weren’t exactly hurting for money, it just didn’t seem to make much sense to go and splurge on something that the two of you both couldn’t benefit from equally (a pool, a tv, a roomba, and so on). At least, to you it didn’t. Which was why every year, you reminded your significant other of this and hoped he would keep a lid on it. And every year, Poe would find some sort of loophole to squeeze himself through, or just plain break the rule, offering only the most sheepish of smiles when the reveal inevitably arrived. Though, if you were “lucky”, you’d be regaled the story of how he found whatever that year’s big splurge was and how he knew from the moment he saw it that it “had to be yours”. Which was how you wound up with a limited edition makeup set. And a gorgeous cocktail dress. And a diamond-and-pearl earrings and necklace set. And tickets to the touring version of that musical you’d always dreamed of seeing. And so much more. And every year, you’d be somewhat upset about it, but only a little bit: You’d learned long ago that none of this was done out of malice or to humiliate you by making whatever you gave him appear lackluster or bought on the cheap. This was simply how Poe was: He was a go big or go home type of fella and it only made sense that this type of mindset would carry over into how he showed you his love for you. To Poe, you deserved to be showered in gifts, and he made it his goal every year to shower you with the best of the best. There just wasn’t a price that could be put on surprising you or making you smile (well, on the inside, because on the outside you were weakly chiding about how he once again broke the rule). And you couldn’t fault him for being your loving, passionate Poe. Besides it wasn’t as though every year, he didn’t also gift you with a painfully ugly Christmas sweater to match his. 

Thank you for asking!! Hope I did okay . . .

[howdoyousleep3]

#32 Smut Prompt Request

(Okaaaaay idk wtf happened with that formatting but I couldn’t stand it, haha. I had to fix it. Hope it isn’t a bother and that Anon can still see that I responded to their Ask!)

Hiiiiii this wasn’t specified for this 32 or the other list 32 so I choose this one. The other 32 is so good too so let me know if you meant that one! I couldn’t get a cute drunk little Bucky out of my head so here ya go. Love you sweet little nuggets. Steve can tell before he even gets in the car to go get Bucky that Bucky has had quite the night out with his friends. Bucky is a lightweight, tipsy halfway through a margarita, so Steve had expected this but it’s still hilarious nonetheless. “Steeeeviiiie, I wanna come home. Will you…will you come gimme?” he had damn near shouted when Steve picked up his phone. “Baby, I can hear you. Why you yellin’?” Bucky whispers his next words, a brat even when he is intoxicated. “Oh, just…it has been sovery loud all night, m’sorry.” It’s nice seeing Bucky let loose and have fun with his friends. There’s always that underlying fear that lies within Steve that he takes Bucky away from his youth, that he pulls him away from his friends and his college experience. Bucky has tried to tell Steve he had the “college experience” his first two years and didn’t care to be pulled away from it if that’s what Steve thought he had been doing but that only helps so much. Seeing Bucky in this carefree state makes Steve that fairy-tale and ridiculous warm and fuzzy. He’s a vision no matter the state he is in but this one is somethin’ else. Bucky is a natural beauty, those big blue eyes and dark hair and pouty lips and lightly muscled frame. He can infuriatingly look good in anything he puts on his body and tonight is no different. Dark jeans and a light-colored button up, a leather jacket. Steve wants to eat him up. He especially wants to eat him up when he manages to illegally park his car just for a second and hears Bucky squeal from the sidewalk, “Guys! S’Steve, Steve is here!” Natasha keeps him reeled in long enough for Steve to cross the street, but one can only hold onto a squirming Bucky Barnes for so long. When he throws himself into Steve’s arms he smells a little like cigarettes and sweat, lingering tequila and lime on his breath when his lips slide messily across Steve’s in an overly cheery greeting. “Mmm, missed you, Steve. Missed you,” he says, voice dropping into that publicly inappropriate tone that makes Steve want to squeeze him all over. He needs to get his boy home. He turns to Natasha, shares that, “This kid, eh?” look and grin, tries to wrangle in a toddler-like Bucky at the same time. “Hope he wasn’t too much trouble,” he chides, throws and arm around Bucky’s shoulder and pulls him in tight to keep him from falling into the road. Natasha and a few other friends chuckle, Bucky huffing. “Nah, he was good. Only inadvertently almost got into one fight. Very well-behaved,” Natasha explains and Steve tightens his arm around Bucky’s neck in response, tugs him in close, makes Bucky bring his arms up to wind around Steve’s waist. “Sthat right? Only one, baby?” “Nat! You weren’t…you promised me y’wouldn’t…Nat!” Natasha gives Bucky a wink and a shrug, smiles at Steve. He likes Natasha and honestly he might be a little afraid of her. She never gave him the shovel talk and that’s because she didn’t need to. “I’m glad you could keep him in check. You ready, Buck?” He asks, kisses Bucky on the cheek loudly. He’s handsy now, arms wrapped around Steve’s waist tucking him in close, and he rubs his face into Steve’s chest a little, nips at his neck on his tippy toes. “Take me home, Daddy.” It isn’t anything Steve can’t handle but he knows Bucky will be mortified in the morning, knows his other friends might not know even though Natasha knows their dynamic. Steve chuckles, can’t help it, nods to Natasha, waves to the others. “Alright, Buck let’s go. We’ll see you later!” “Guys, did you…did you know Steve’s’my Daddy?” He’s shouting it, pretending to whisper, giggles when he says the words out loud. Others are noticing, people who don’t even know Bucky, they’re joining in on Bucky’s giggles. Steve moves them along, drags him a little with the arm still tight around his neck. “Steve is…Steve’s my Daddy and he’sthe…s’the best Daddy—” “Buck, baby wait ‘till you hear about this in the morning.” “—In the world. Love ‘im so much. Love you, Steve. D’you love me?” “A’course I do, sugar. Love you a whole lot.” Bucky talks as they walk, make their way across the street to Steve’s car. He gets Bucky in the passenger seat as gently as possible, having to put a hand on top of his head, having to lean down and put Bucky’s seatbelt on for him. When he gets back into the drivers seat, buckles himself in, and takes off down the road, Bucky is still talking. “—didn’t actually get into a fight, don’beileve Nat she’s…she would’a protected me if he would’a swung, I…I was good.” Steve smiles, wants to laugh some more. Bucky hasn’t been this drunk in a while. “How much you have to drink tonight, honey?” Bucky’s eyebrows crinkle together in thought as he hums a little. “Umm’we did sm’shots. Tequila. I had…I had um some vodka sodas. M’not certain?” Steve just chuckles again, squeezes Bucky’s thigh a little, chooses not to respond. A few seconds of silence pass and Steve can feel it before Bucky opens his mouth. “I’m seriously not that drunk.” Bucky states it as fact. “A’course, Buck, of course. Whatever you say.” Bucky squints his eyes suspiciously, adorably. “M’serious, Steve—m’not.” Steve grins. “Yeah, sugar I know. You’re so serious.” He grabs for Bucky’s hand, brings it up to his lips, runs them across Bucky’s knuckles. A few more beats of silence pass before Bucky makes a small noise before asking, “Can I have some, some pizza rolls when we get home?” A child. “Yeah, sweetheart. You can have whatever you want.” Bucky grins, wiggles in his seat. “Will you f-feed ‘em t’me?” He’d do anything for this kid. “Of course, Buck.” Hand feeding pizza inspired by true events. Fiance once fed me chicken strips in bed while I was drunk after his brother’s wedding. I lub him. Hope you enjoyed!!

[a-libra-writes]

Imagine Being the Sister of the Baratheon Brothers

heyyyy, this is …  not my usual thing, i’ve only done it one other time, but it kinda got away from me! I started brainstorming the backstory for the requested Davos x Baratheon!Reader fic and idk what happened? w/e here we go

You were the third child of the Baratheon household, born several years after your two older brothers. Lady Cassana was so pleased to have a girl. You distinctly remember how she’d brush your hair and teach you songs. She’d embroider little turtles in your clothes - the sigil of her House Estermont - because she knew you adored them. Your lord father was just as doting. He liked carrying you on his shoulders while he walked around Storm’s End, talking to his men with a straight face as if there wasn’t a toddler pulling at his ears. 

Your father would seriously lecture Robert about not teasing you, telling Stannis to set a good example, and insisting to both of them that you were to be protected. You were their only sister, he’d say, and your virtue and safety was important. These lectures just embarrassed you and bored Robert; Stannis seemed to be the only one paying attention.

It was a great surprise when your mother had Renly. You were delighted to not be the youngest anymore, and you were fascinated by him. You liked to carry him around and insisted on helping look after him. Storm’s End had become so boring since Robert went off to foster with Lord Arryn, and while your mother liked your enthusiasm, she also put Stannis in charge of dragging you out of the nursery when you kept pestering the baby.

You were often restless and left to your own whims. Robert thought you were too much of a child to play with, and a girl besides; Stannis wasn’t one for your silly games and Renly was a baby. Your parents indulged you and allowed you to play and run far more than other young ladies, and you had become an adept rider at a young age. Your childhood was carefree, for a time.

Robert was visiting the week it happened. You didn’t recognize him, and he could carry you on his shoulders like your father did. He talked all about the Stark boy he was friends with, and you asked if they could really turn into wolves. As the sun was setting, you carried Renly as you followed Robert and Stannis to a high point on Storm’s End. All of you wanted to watch your parents return from Essos. They’d been gone so long.

You’d  never seen a ship crash, although your father had told stories of it. You didn’t expect the noise of the wood breaking against the rocks to carry in the wind and reach you, nor did you expect the horrible silence that came afterward. Robert screamed and cursed and ran off the wall, as if he could make it to the bay. Stannis was so still he could have been a statue. You just sunk to your little knees, holding the babbling Renly in your arms. He was crying, but he didn’t understand. Robert’s yelling had scared him. 

The nightmares were constant for the first few months. Ships breaking against giant waves, bodies sinking to the bottom, screams drowned by water. You’d run crying to Stannis’ room in the middle of the night, and he’d walk you back to your’s and tuck you in. During the day you’d want to look after Renly yourself, because he was young and confused and kept asking for your parents. You didn’t know what to say. You often left Storm’s End to ride in the forests around the castle, sometimes for hours, and Maester Cressen was exasperated with how you’d skip your lessons. 

It took a long time, but you soon became the Lady of Storm’s End, having to take on a number of duties, just as Stannis had to do. While the two of you usually worked well as a team, you often butted heads on Renly’s education and talk of your marriage. You were confident in making your own matches, and besides, Stannis hadn’t even considered his own. In hindsight, it was all silly bickering compared to the war that followed. You knew Robert. He’d stop at nothing until he felt his vengeance was satisfied, and you were petrified at the idea of him and Stannis dying in battle, leaving you and Renly alone to defend Storm’s End.

You don’t like remembering the siege, and it’s awkward when ladies bring it up in pitying voices. You remember how terrible it was at first, how hungry you were, but then the days and weeks began to blur. You were cold all the time, your head hurt, but most of all, the blanket you stayed under felt like an impossible weight. Every action took too much energy, energy you didn’t have. The last words you remember speaking, before speaking became too difficult, was telling Stannis to feed Renly first. He’d gotten so thin and pale, and had become too weak to cry anymore. 

Then one day, someone put food in front of you, and you scarfed it down without questioning what it was. In your delirium, you tried to get up and bring it to Renly, but Stannis caught you before you toppled down and hit your head. You stayed in bed for a week while servants fed you - onions, you later learned. It was mostly onions you were eating.

Even today, it was difficult to eat them without bringing up a slew of troubling memories. A smuggler brought them in, you heard, and later you heard Stannis had knighted the man after taking his fingers for his crime. It wouldn’t be until long after the siege when you’d meet this Ser Davos, and he was taken aback by the tight hug you gave him. 

Your dear temperamental brother was crowned, and he had the rest of his siblings move into the Red Keep. You’d only visited it once or twice as a girl, and it still amazed you. Renly took to the court life right away, and Stannis couldn’t stand it, both outcomes you expected. While you didn’t like the foolish self-serving politics that carried on, you ended up finding your own place. Between attending balls with Renly, debating this policy or that with Stannis and trying to curb Robert’s temper and vices, you were quite busy. 

Nevermind the poor suitors that tried to impress you. Yes, you were the sister of a king, but courting you meant contending with all three of your brothers. Renly was full of thinly-veiled mockery and japes at the lord’s fashion or family, Stannis could make the largest man feel an inch tall with his judging gaze and high standards, and Robert would just tell the men to fuck off. If he was in a more sporting mood, he’d ask for a proper duel, which you always had to talk him down from. 

Some days your brothers and the Red Keep’s politics truly tried on you, but you could escape to the Kingswood to ride your favorite mare. You could attend whatever galas, feasts and tourneys you wanted. It had been years since you’d felt this free of worry, and you couldn’t help but think back to your easy childhood days. Things were completely different now, of course, and your brothers quarreled worse than old women, but you had endured much, and you were just happy to have all your brothers safe and close by.

[eskalations]

It wasn't until nearly a month after the birth of their second daughter that Roy and Riza began questioning if they had bitten off more than they could chew.

A series of oneshots documenting the life and times of the Amestrian First Family.

A/N: I REALLY struggled with writing this chapter. I don't know WHAT it was but I was seriously dragging my feet with this one. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it. I try to keep Roy and Riza as in character as possible, but with two children added into their dynamic, I feel like things just inevitably end up changing.

Please let me know what you thought of this chapter! Comments and kudos truly make my day!

~

It wasn't until nearly a month after the birth of their second daughter that Roy and Riza began questioning if they had bitten off more than they could chew.

Winter was still in full swing in Central. With the solstice only a few days away, children littered the streets with wide eyes and mittens, skipping to the park as if unaffected by the dreadful chill. Their parents followed closely behind them, sharing grins at the youth's enthusiasm in the face of the bitter cold. It was a delightful sight.

Despite this, Roy Mustang couldn't help but scowl at the scene as it played out from beyond the windows of his home.

Usually the solstice was a time of great cheer in their house. Once Elizabeth had made an appearance in their lives, Roy and Riza found themselves enjoying the festivities that surrounded the holiday season. With a child now in their home, they had taken to decorating the house and purchasing small gifts to celebrate the day of cheer – something they had never done before in the entirety of their relationship. With another daughter now brought into the world, they figured these celebrations were only going to become livelier.

That was until the flu struck their house.

After the birth of her sister, Elizabeth had returned to daycare for a short time. With Roy gone back to work and Riza working from home, the parents simply could not juggle both a near toddler and newborn baby during the day. They thought this would be a good idea, since this would keep Elizabeth on schedule, and she would get to enjoy the winter season with her friends. However, they were wrong – very wrong.

Upon being picked up on her last day of daycare before the break for the solstice holiday, Elizabeth came down with a slight sniffle. Neither Roy or Riza thought much of it, noting the cold temperatures outside and theorizing that possibly the chilly weather had just caused her nose to run.

Then the fever started.

By the time Roy was able to take Elizabeth to the doctor, it was painfully obvious that the young girl had come down with the flu – and a rather nasty case of it, too. The doctor had warned them to be sure to keep the two sisters apart, but the damage had already been done.

Once Mae started sniffling, they knew they were in trouble.

Lucky for them, Mae's case was not as severe as Elizabeth's. However, having two young children ill at the same time, was putting their parenting skills to the ultimate test.

With Roy still having to work during the day, Riza was mostly on her own with the two girls. The dark bags under her eyes and pallor of her skin was proof enough that she was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. That's why, upon his arrival home in the afternoon, Roy immediately jumped into action.

"Elizabeth's fever is up again." Riza bounced Mae up and down in her arms, trying to get the infant to stop crying. The young girl's cheeks were flushed with fever. "Mae's is also higher than it has been for the past few days."

Roy gave his wife a sympathetic look, watching as she shushed the baby in her arms. "You look like you haven't gotten much rest today."

Riza huffed, the sound imitating a weak laugh. "Well, I certainly didn't get any work done. Neither of the girls took naps so I've been back and forth all day."

Roy could tell his wife was beginning to feel out of her element. The hair she usually styled carefully every morning, poured out of a clip settled behind her head in a frizzy, blonde mess. She hadn't even bothered to change out of loungewear before starting her day. She was still wearing the long sleeve cotton shirt and pajama pants that she had been wearing when they had gone to bed the night before.

Noting the look of exhaustion on her features, the man stepped forward to give her a kiss on the forehead, careful not to disturb the screaming infant. Riza melted into his embrace, resting her tired body against his sturdy frame. Roy nuzzled his nose into her hair and inhaled before stepping back, his warm palms firm on her upper arms.

"I'm going to fix up some broth for Elizabeth and something light for you and I." Roy's hand came up to brush a few errant strands of blonde hair away from her face. "Let me take Mae while I cook and you can stay with Elizabeth."

Since their daughter hadn't greeted him upon his entrance into the home, the man assumed she was still bed bound as she had been when he had left earlier that morning.

Roy expected Riza to fight against the arrangement. Ever since Mae had been born, mother and daughter had been inseparable. It was quite different from when Elizabeth had first come home, but Roy figured it was because Mae was more colicky than Elizabeth had ever been.

Grateful for any help she could get, Riza passed the warm bundle of blankets to her husband. "I just fed and burped her but she didn't keep much down. Let me know when she starts fussing, so I can try to get her to nurse again."

Roy nodded, giving his wife a mock salute. "Yes sir!"

The woman rolled her eyes at the Fuhrer's actions. "Thank you, Roy."

Her husband simply smiled in response.

Dinner was much more difficult than it usually was. Between a squirming Mae, howling in her mother's arms and a fussy Elizabeth, who still refused to eat her meals, the two parents were about ready to call it quits. Luckily, Elizabeth was able to take a few spoonful's of broth in the end, but still gagged while swallowing them.

With the girls' temperatures, up so high, Riza suggested giving them both a cold bath. While the medicine the doctor had given them to battle the illness was supposed to fight the other symptoms, the one thing it wasn't helping with was the fever. Thus, why the physician had suggested the cold bath option when the girls' temperatures got too high.

Roy decided that said physician had never been tasked with getting two very sick girls into a very cold bath. You would have thought a war had broken out in their bathroom from the shrieks the two children were letting out. Roy sincerely worried that the two bodyguards who were on duty that night were going to report them if they kept screaming so loudly.

"No! No!" Elizabeth kept repeating as Roy attempted to lower her feet into the water, her small toes barely grazing the top of its surface. Her fingernails dug into the fabric of his button down as she fought to hold on to him. "Too cold, Daddy! Too cold!"

Roy sighed, holding her to his chest once more. "Lizzie, I know it's cold – but you're fever's too high. After this, you'll be able to sleep better."

"No…" The young girl whined, her sweet voice raspy by the stuffiness of her nose and the swollen glands of her throat. "It's too cold."

"It has to be cold, Lizzie. It's going to make you feel better."

While Roy argued with their five-year-old, Riza fought her own battle with their newborn daughter.

With a basin in the bath to better situate the baby, Riza had lowered the young girl into the cold water only to be met with flailing limbs and frustrated squeaks. Kneeling on the floor beside the porcelain tub, Riza carefully maneuvered herself over the side to hold on to the squirming infant.

Mae's squeaks soon turned into full on sobs as her mother took a wash rag and dripped the cold water over her heaving stomach. Riza tried to comfort the child, but it only seemed to make things worse. "It's okay, Mae. I know it doesn't feel good."

At the sound of her sister's cries, Elizabeth's cries seemed to get louder as well.

"Lizzie," Roy was still arguing with Elizabeth next to his wife, trying his best to pry her legs from around his waist. "The quicker you get in, the quicker you can get out."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!" Roy was finally able to loosen her grip from around his waist. "Lizzie, no more arguing. You have to take a bath."

With that, the father set her feet into the tub with her hands still hanging on tightly to his shoulders. For a sick child, she had quite a grip on her.

"No, Daddy!" She continued to howl as her father worked to pry her fingers from his shirt. Within a few moments, he was able to free himself from her death-hold. "I don't wanna!"

Gripping the girl's wrists gently, Roy forced the her to sit down in the cold water. At such treatment, Elizabeth began to mimic her sister's actions and started to flail her arms, sending water flying out of the confines of the tub. Riza, as quick thinking as she was, placed her hand out as a barrier to keep the water from hitting Mae.

"Elizabeth!" Roy's voice echoed off the bathroom tile. He rarely used such an authoritative tone on his daughter, but his frustration was reaching an all-time high. Elizabeth, at the sound of her name coming from her father's lips, froze in the middle of her tantrum. "Do not splash while your sister is in the bath! You don't want to hurt her, do you?"

The five-year-old stared up at the man for a few moments before turning to look at her little sister, almost as though she had forgotten she was even there.

Roy breathed a sigh of relief, settling himself on his knees beside the tub.

Then, Elizabeth released a loud sob.

"I'm so sorry Mae Mae!" The girl wailed, her hands coming up to cover her eyes, the cold temperature of the water forgotten. "I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Riza hurried to placate her daughter. "You didn't hurt the baby, Elizabeth. Daddy just didn't want you splashing her and getting her upset." She didn't bother to mention that Mae had rarely had a moment that day where she wasn't crying, so the splashing of the water really wasn't going to make much difference.

Elizabeth, as sensitive as she was, continued to wail.

"I don't want to make her sad!"

Roy sighed. "Lizzie, stop crying. No one is sad."

"Mae Mae is!" She pointed at her sister, who was still sat crying in the basin as her mother poured water over her fine blonde hair.

"She's not sad, she just doesn't like the cold." Roy, following Riza's lead, grabbed a small cup on the side of the bath and ran the water over Elizabeth's long dark hair.

As if remembering where she was, Elizabeth looked down at the water surrounding her.

Then the cries started again.

"Daddy, it's too cold!"

Roy groaned. It was going to be a long night.

~

Once the girls' were out of the bath, their parents were eager to check their temperatures once more. With Elizabeth now bundled in a fluffy towel, Roy held out the thermometer for her to place under her tongue. Still shivering even after drying off, Elizabeth complied.

While he was waiting on Elizabeth's temperature, Riza busied herself with Mae. After resting in the water for awhile, the infant had finally calmed long enough for her mother to wash her. Now, cozy within the confines of her own towel, the newborn cooed as her mother placed a thermometer under her arm.

Roy sat Elizabeth down in the nursery rocking chair so that he could check the red liquid within the glass. Upon reading the number, he released a frustrated groan.

"Riza," He picked up Elizabeth once more, the young girl going willingly into his arms, now tired from both her bath and her lingering fever. "Her temperature is still up."

"Give her one last dose of medicine for the night." The mother advised, reading the thermometer under the infant's arm. Obviously, her results were better than her sister's, since Riza breathed a sigh of relief at the number. "Elizabeth can have one more dose than Mae."

Roy nodded, following his wife's instructions.

"I don't want any more," Elizabeth moaned into her father's shoulder, clinging tightly to him. Her little fingers pulled at the dark hair on the back of his neck, causing him to wince in slight pain as he unscrewed the cap of the medicine. "It tastes gross."

The Fuhrer sighed, quite unused to having to argue with his child. Elizabeth was usually so well-behaved, albeit emotional, but anytime she was sick, her willful nature seemed to creep forward. Roy knew it was from not feeling well and being exhausted – however, it was no less tiring for him to have to deal with it.

"Lizzie, this is what's going to help you get better faster." Roy held her close to his chest, resting his back against the kitchen counter. "Even Mae has taken her medicine today."

"I did, too!" Elizabeth insisted, resting her warm forehead against the fabric of his chest. Roy placed one hand on the back of her head, comforting her as well as he could.

"I know, but you have to take one more dose since you're bigger than Mae." The young girl moaned once more in despair, her misery causing her father's heart to break a bit more. Placing a kiss on her forehead, Roy gently nudged the side of her face to get her to look at him. "Please, one more and then we can go put our pajamas on and go to bed."

"Can I sleep with you and mommy?"

"Yes," Roy replied without hesitation. "But you need to take your medicine first."

At the promise of getting to cuddle with her mother and father, Elizabeth was much more compliant. Without much more than a grimace and gag, the young child accepted the spoonful of medicine and hurriedly drank a cup of milk to rid herself of the taste.

As Roy helped her change into her pajamas, it occurred to him that perhaps the reason she was acting out so severely while sick was because of the amount of attention her new sibling was getting.

While Elizabeth loved on her sister constantly and begged for cuddles upon her return from school in the afternoons, both Roy and Riza had noticed that the girl had become a bit more difficult when it came to meal time and bedtime. It was almost as if she felt like when she came home from school, it was her time to get the attention rather than Mae's.

Riza had tried to explain to the girl that babies needed more attention when they were as little as Mae, but to Elizabeth, this reasoning held very little logic. All she knew was that, where she had once gotten all the attention, she now only received a part of it.

Roy knew that letting her sleep with them for the night was probably only going to add fuel to the fire, but he didn't really care at the moment. He would rather have a peaceful night with both his daughters by his side, then have them crying loudly from the nursery down the hall.

The tug of a little hand broke Roy from his thoughts. Elizabeth gazed up at him in expectantly.

"Daddy?" She asked sweetly, her little hand tugging at his still damp shirt. That was the last time he was helping out with bath time in his nice clothes. "Can I wear my pink pajamas?"

Roy looked down at the long sleeve shirt in his hands. It was blue - just like the matching bottoms that he had already helped her put on.

"But you already have the blue ones on – " Roy thought better of arguing with the young child as her lip began to wobble. Resigned to his fate, he set the blue shirt down. "Of course, you can wear the pink ones."

Although he was exhausted from a long day of Xing trade talks, Elizabeth's sweet smile at his words had a grin growing on his face as well.

Oh, how he loved his girls.

Once Elizabeth was changed into her pink pajamas, Roy carried her into the master suite where Riza was already in bed. With her back resting against the headboard, the woman cradled her youngest child close as she suckled at her breast. Even from his spot at the door, he could hear the stuffy breaths escaping from the small infant's nose.

"Mommy!" Elizabeth wiggled out of her father's arms. Once her feet were on the ground, the young girl ran to her mother's side of the bed. Coming up behind her, Roy lifted her on to the mattress, far from the suckling baby.

"Hi Elizabeth." The woman looked up from Mae to glance over at her husband as he walked into the closet to get ready for bed, frustration evident in her eyes. "Are you going to be joining us tonight?"

"Yes!" Elizabeth nodded excitedly, scooting closer to her mother. The girl's dark eyes danced as she looked down at her little sister. "Daddy said I could since I took my medicine!"

At the look of love on the girl's still flushed face, Riza couldn't bring herself to argue. "Alright, but you have to promise to go to sleep. Daddy has work tomorrow, so we have to make sure to be quiet so he can rest."

Elizabeth nodded, settling her head against her mother's shoulder so she could continue to watch the baby. Riza turned her head towards her, lips grazing the young girl's forehead. The mother was happy to note that, at the moment, the girl felt a bit cooler to the touch.

Roy exited the closet, wearing a robe paired with a loose-fitting shirt and pajama pants. Crossing over to his side of the bed, he removed his robe before laying it across one of the reading chairs. Finally, ready to turn down for the night, the man comically fell on to the mattress, prompting a giggle from Elizabeth and a small smile from Riza.

When Riza looked backed towards Mae, the infant had released her breast and was close to snoozing against the warmth of her mother's skin. The woman pulled down her night shirt, before laying the baby over her shoulder, patting her back to see if she could coax forth one more burp.

"Daddy?" Elizabeth drew Roy's attention away from his wife, her wide eyes shiny from the still lingering fever. "I'm cold."

The girl had been suffering from chills for the past few days and there was only one thing that she knew would warm her up.

Roy opened his arms, inviting Elizabeth to crawl on to his chest and snuggle into his warmth. The girl eagerly obliged, sighing contently against the fabric of his shirt as he pulled the covers over the both of them.

On the other side of the bed, Riza had just finished burping Mae and was carefully placing her into the bassinet that they had temporarily moved into the room. With Mae having both colic and the flu, the two parents found it easier to keep her by their side in the dark hours of night rather than in the nursery down the hall.

With Mae tucked in snuggly, Riza turned back to the rest of her family that lay in the bed. Seeing their expectant looks, she released a short laugh before switching off the light beside her. Roy soon followed suit with the light that lay on his side.

For a few moments, with the moon as their only witness, the family relaxed and enjoyed the peace that had finally descended over their household. With Mae already snoozing and her temperature down, the only thing they had to worry about disturbing their sleep was Elizabeth.

However, when Roy looked down at her pale face, snuggled deep into his chest, he began to think that even she may be able to make it through the night. Already, in the warmth of her father's arms, her shivers had stopped and hopefully within a few hours the sweats would begin.

"Roy?"

The man in question glanced up from his daughter's features to instead look at his wife. He was surprised to find a sad look on her face.

"What's wrong?"

Riza chuckled dryly at his question. "What's not wrong?"

The woman turned on her side, propping herself up on to an elbow. Reaching out, her slender fingers began to play with a dark strand of Elizabeth's hair. Roy watched as an array of emotions played across her features – guilt, sadness, fear, uncertainty – they were all there, just as if he were watching a film.

"Do you think we can do this?" Riza asked quietly, eyes still focused in on Elizabeth.

Roy's brow rose. "What do you mean?"

"Parenting."

Roy smirked at the word. "You're about five years too late on that question."

Had Elizabeth not been resting on his chest, Riza would have swatted at him. The cheeky look on his face was enough to have her rolling her eyes. The man just never changed.

"No." Riza glanced back at where Mae slept, cocooned in her own little bed. "I mean parenting the two of them."

Roy gave her a sideways glance. "At this point – we really don't have a choice."

Again, Riza gave him an exasperated look. The woman looked so different from the former sniper he had once knew that it was hard not to chuckle at the sight. However, his amusement soon ended when Elizabeth made a low noise of discontent, before turning her face in the opposite direction.

Roy patted the young girl's back until he felt like she had settled again. Turning his attention back to Riza, he noticed the shiny look of sadness still lingered in her eyes.

"Riza," Roy made sure to keep his voice quiet, aware of the two sleeping girls that were currently sharing the room. "Kids get sick. This isn't the first time Elizabeth has been sick and it probably won't be the last. We just have to get through it as best as we can."

"I just feel guilty." The woman ran a gentle hand over her daughter's back, warm fingertips searching for those of her husband. Together, their hands lay clasped over the girl's back. "Ever since Mae's been born; I feel like Elizabeth is feeling left out."

"She knows babies need more attention." Roy reasoned, his thumb massaging the skin of the back of his wife's hand. "It's an adjustment."

Riza was silent for a moment and Roy could tell that she was debating whether to share what else was on her mind. Knowing his wife, she had been burying something within herself for so long, that finally – under the stress of taking care of two sick children – she was about ready to burst.

"I just never thought I was going to be a mother." Riza admitted, her gaze never leaving their joined hands.

Roy waited in silence, encouraging her to continue.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing it right at all." She looked up at her husband, her light amber eyes shining with no longer repressed emotions. "I don't think I was made to be a mother and that's why I never know what to do."

Roy couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wanted her to speak her thoughts, but he never wanted her to think that he agreed with them.

"You're an amazing mother, Riza." The man argued, trying hard to keep his voice down. "I've never thought any differently. Just because you're stressed from having two sick kids, doesn't make you a bad parent. Everyone goes through this."

"I had to call Gracia for advice today." Riza admitted, as though she hadn't heard anything of what he said. "I didn't know how to get Mae to stop throwing up every time I fed her and finally I just had to ask someone else."

Roy stared at her incredulously.

"Riza," He spoke slowly, squeezing her hand tightly in his, demanding that she meet his gaze as he spoke. "It's okay to ask for help. You don't have to know those things automatically. You didn't act like this when Elizabeth was sick the first few times – what's bringing this on now?"

"I don't know," The woman muttered sadly, sinking further into her pillows. At such an uncharacteristic sight, Roy could feel his heart break. "I just – I don't know. I was fine asking for help the first time, but now I get so upset with myself over it. Maybe it's the hormones."

This concerned Roy greatly. "Have you spoken to the doctor about this?"

"No…"

"Riza!" Roy wanted to yell, but held himself back in case it woke their two slumbering children. "This isn't something you keep to yourself."

"It's just not like me, Roy." The woman buried her face in her pillow, the movement causing her messy, blonde bangs to frizz further. "I just don't feel like myself and I'm scared it's going to affect the way I parent."

Roy reached an arm out to his wife, gesturing for her to snuggle into his side. After a moment's hesitation, she finally scooted forward, careful to not disturb their sleeping daughter who still lay on her father's chest. With one hand still holding tightly to her's, Roy pulled her close and wrapped a strong arm around her.

"I spoke with Dr. Knox when we first found out you were pregnant with Mae." Roy admitted quietly, tangling his free hand into his wife's hair. Her usually brushed locks were tangled in several different places, deepening the concern he had felt building for her over the past few days. This just wasn't like her. "His wife had their son late in life and he warned me that you might suffer from strange moods after the birth. He told me to watch you and to always ask if you were doing okay. I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner."

"Roy," Riza released a long sigh, nestling her face into the area between his shoulder and his neck. "You're busy. You have the trade arrangements with Xing to worry about and a couple hundred more things that you need to stay focused on. I don't want you worrying about me. I'm fine."

"You're obviously not."

"But I am." Riza insisted, tilting her head up so she could meet his worried gaze. "I'm sorry to have brought any of this up. I guess talking to Gracia today and then dealing with the nightmare that was bath time – it just has me stressed."

Roy didn't look convinced. "It didn't sound like those were just spur of the moment thoughts. Please, talk to me."

The woman shook her head, pulling away from her husband. "Roy, you have work tomorrow and need your rest. I'll call the doctor in the morning and tell her how I'm feeling."

Sensing that his wife was beginning to close off from him, Roy drew her back to his side. "I didn't mean to upset you; I just want to help you. I don't want you thinking you're a bad mother when you're most certainly not."

Riza fought against his hold for a moment, before finally giving in and letting him settle her against his chest.

"The Madam never expected that she would become a mother." Roy's comment had Riza looking up, surprise written across her features. The man continued with a small smile. "But she was the best mother I could have ever asked for."

Riza had to admit, he had a point. "Yes, she was."

"So, why do you have to be the perfect mother in order to be the best mother to our daughters?"

Riza hated to admit when Roy began to make sense, but still she couldn't fight off the lingering doubt that still lay within her chest.

"I guess…" Riza trailed off, not quite sure how to answer her husband's question. "I guess, I don't have to be."

Roy smiled. "No you don't. No one's perfect – except me."

The comment had his wife rolling her eyes. "Yeah, that's what you think."

The man chuckled at her dry response, drawing her in closer so that he could nuzzle his nose in her hair. Mae would be due for a feed in a few hours, so he was going to enjoy this time he had snuggled up to his wife before the baby's cries had the woman leaving the comfort of his embrace.

"I may still call the doctor though."

Roy smiled, his lips brushing the skin of her forehead in the form of a soft kiss. He knew Riza hated sharing her emotions with anyone, so for her to share these feelings with a doctor would be a huge step in the right direction.

"I think that's a good idea."

The room went silent for a few minutes and Roy could have sworn his wife had fallen asleep – that was until he heard her quiet voice whisper in his ear.

"Roy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

The man could feel a sleepy smile bloom across his features.

"You're welcome."

[haro-whumps]

Box Boy Plurality: Reliable

CW: villain monologue, referenced dub/noncon, slavery, gag use, dehumanization, degradation, brainwashing, creepy + intimate whumper 

Tag List: @thatsthewhump @whump-it @ashintheairlikesnow @fairybean101 @finder-of-rings @comfortforthepain @shameless-whumper @that-one-thespian @burtlederp @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @raigash @im-not-rare-im-rarr @spiffythespook @whumps-the-word @frnkieroismydaddy @whumpity--whump--whump @michelleswhumpyreblogs @jo-castle @newandfiguringitout @lumpofwhump @infested-with-bloodv2

Masterlist

02’s knees hurt very, very badly, but his back hurt worse. The dining room floor was unforgiving against the bruising on his knees, and having to hold still, muscles in his back taut despite how much they ached, served as a reminder to 02 of what his new owner had done. Had just finished doing, even though they were now acting like nothing had even happened. They sat at the table, the other pet, Soren, cozied up to their side, claiming most of their attention, the two of them eating something that smelled so good it made 02’s stomach burn and twist and cramp. He was, reluctantly, grateful, to Soren.

He’d saved him. He was continuing to save him, by draping himself so artfully over their shared owner, by feeding them careful bites and shifting attractively, every so often, just often enough to keep himself interesting. 

02’s back was grateful, even if his brain had a hard time getting there. He was--still pissed. The pain didn’t help with the anger, any. The guilt didn’t temper the anger, either, knowing that he’d needed rescued, that he’d forced Soren into a position where he had to service their master like some television whore. 

Fuck. Fuck! He hated this. Hated the pain. Hated how the floor kept going in and out of focus, his earlier exhaustion laughable compared to this. Hated knowing that the moment Soren stopped being captivating and pretty and sweet, their owner would turn back on 02 and the pain would start again. What would they do to him? Starvation seemed on the menu (ha), they were in a good position to just lift up their foot and stomp down on 02’s aching back, or maybe they’d just kick him in the side while they got up. They had some sort of fucking god complex, it could be that they wanted him to know just how far below them he was.

Exalted (and what the fuck? The arrogance!) murmured something into Soren’s ear, and Soren got up. 02 twitched, knowing that whatever was about to happen, it would start (resume) now, and he wouldn’t be able to stop it. And Soren cocksucking wouldn’t work twice. He felt his breath picking up.

“There, 02, see?” Exalted purred oh so fucking smugly from where they sat. “You kept your ugly little mouth shut, and you waited until Soren was done just like you’d been told, and now you get rewarded for your troubles. See how much nicer things are when you obey?” Their tone was saccharine, syrup-sweet, and 02’s teeth grit. Yeah right.

Except Soren set a plate down in front of 02, and he immediately began drooling, sealing his lips shut and swallowing hard. A trick? 02 glanced at his new owner (it made him woozy), waiting for the punchline.

Exalted grinned. “You behave so well for someone with such a bad attitude. Good boy, 02, you may eat now.”

02 lifted his shaking hand and Exalted tutted at him, making him flinch. “Did I say you could use your hands?”

Right. Right. Well, okay, not the worst thing he’d ever been forced to do; and this food was much more enticing. He bent down further (ouch) and bit into it like a dog with its foodbowl. He hated it. But it tasted so good, and he was hungry, and he needed the energy, and 02 didn’t know when his next meal would be. Mike hadn’t fed him much, but there was a routine, and he could carry on knowing Mike would simply beat him when he felt like it, nothing else. But Exalted, 02 gathered, was significantly more methodical. Much more like the Processors at the training facility. And with the Processors, the pain had never stopped. 

His chin and nose and cheeks were messy, no precision when he ate like this. He could hear Exalted murmuring to Soren, and his returning, hesitant, “Yes Exalted”s and “I understand, Exalted”s. Was 02 just an example for Soren? A “Don’t act up or I’ll treat you like shit, too” before he started getting too out of line?

02 licked the plate clean, then ran his tongue along his mouth, chin, nose, everywhere he could stretch his tongue to reach. He lifted himself back up slowly, knees hurting, wondering what he should say, and if he even gave a fuck about what he should say. Probably something humiliating and grovelling like ‘thank you’ or some shit. Gee willickers Exalted, thanks for feeding me! Thanks for showing off the fact that you control every aspect of my life and not being a total and complete demon about it!

The hand in his hair made him flinch, his back searing with the spasm, moisture in the back of his throat getting sucked down the wrong way and choking him before he coughed. The pain came now, right?

“Easy, boy,” Exalted murmured, toying with 02’s hair as he tried to get his lungs working again. “So jumpy.”

“I wonder fucking why!” 02 shouted, and was immediately struck backside the head for his words. Dizzily, he swayed down close to the floor, back protesting the movement, knees stinging at the shifting pressure.

“Such a filthy mouth. But then again, you’re a filthy person.” Exalted stood up, Soren with them, and 02 bit down angry, frightened tears, his fatigue and the pain leaving him vulnerable to the traitorous habits of his own body. “We’ll need to fix all of that, and fortunately one of those will be remedied quicker than the other. Back down to the basement, come pet.”

02 tried to stand. He genuinely did. He made three attempts before Exalted simply ordered, “Crawl.”

It was humiliating. It was painful. 02 couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be a mercy or not, and he hated that. He scooted down the stairs butt first like a goddamn toddler, embarrassed and exhausted, and bit back relieved tears when he finally got to the basement bathroom and saw thin wafts of steam coming from the shower Exalted had turned on. Not burning, not freezing.

“Soap and shampoo thoroughly,” Exalted ordered, Soren pressed up to their side with their arm around his waist, looking like a doll, an angel, some sort of forest deity all dressed in draping cream and white and gold. Worried. Pitying. “More than once, if you need to.”

02 bit down hard enough his teeth ground together. ‘Yes Exalted’ was the right answer, but he really wanted to tell them to fuck off again.

But he was so tired.

Ultimately, they didn’t wait for a response, simply strode past him with Soren trailing after them, sending 02 a final, nervous glance before shutting the door behind him. 

The warm water felt so good. So stupidly, mercifully good. The Processors hadn’t let him have this; a gift for pets that kept their mouths shut. Mike hadn’t cared, but if 02 took too long he’d be punished for wasting hot water.

Exalted was wealthy, with a water heater the size of a tank in their utility room, and had specifically told 02 to wash twice.

He almost fell asleep, lying in the tub, warm water seeping into his skin and aching joints, dirt and blood sifting down, over, past him and into the drain. He let the spray lull him until he finally felt strong enough to stand, albeit on shaking legs, and he set to actually cleaning himself.

He guessed the fact that he’d been given hair-growth shampoo and conditioner made sense, given Soren and Exalted’s hair. Still weird though. He wondered, as he worked it to a lather, if he’d be able to read things much, now. Mike had let him. Made him, really, doing that stupid fucking job for him. Would Exalted care?

He’d keep his mouth shut about it until Exalted brought it up. And if Exalted didn’t bring it up, it was their own damn fault if they didn’t want him to. He’d read as much as he fucking wanted.

He didn’t know how much later it was when he finally felt, really and truly, all the way clean. He also didn’t give a rat’s ass. He was warm and clean and it felt nice, and everything out that door was going to be painful. He took his time drying off, and when he limped out the door he stumbled backwards, then down onto his ass. Exalted was right there, walking towards him with terrifying timing.

“Come on then, mutt,” Exalted said, staring down their nose, and there was Soren, right on their heels. “Put these on,” they said, tossing a pair of dark orange sweatpants at him. “Into your box.”

--

Soren watched Ren lock 02’s box anxiously. He’d never seen this side of Ren before. He honestly hadn’t believed they could be like this. When they turned back to him he stared up at their eyes anxiously, one hand on his collar and the other on his wrist.

“Easy, pet,” Ren shushed, caressing his cheek. He leaned into it, needing their comfort so badly. Everything with 02 was scary and new and unfamiliar but he knew this, knew the gentle touch of their palm and the way they soothed him down from his worries. “Just the bed for you. I won’t put you in a box, you’re not bad for me, easy Soren, you’re fine.”

Soren bit his lip.

“Oh, pet, what is it? What do you want to say?”

“Just, um. At my facility,” Soren started softly, eyes down, “they kennel trained us. It--It wouldn’t be a punishment for me, Exalted. I, like my box. It’s comforting.”

Ren was quiet a moment, and Soren risked a glance up. They seemed surprised. Then they smiled, and kissed Soren, and he kissed back because he needed this touch.

“What a good boy you are,” Ren praised, warming Soren. “Such a good boy for telling me. I had no idea you liked your box.”

“I, I like the bed too, Exalted,” Soren said eagerly. “I just, it wouldn’t be a punishment for me, I guess it would kind of be like a rare treat?” Soren hoped he was making sense.

“I understand.” Soren relaxed. “You’re so good for saying so. Would you like to sleep in it tonight? Maybe keep 02 company?”

Soren bit his lip and nodded. That sounded wonderful. A chance to talk, and the familiar safety of his box while everything else was being chaotic and confusing and scary. He let Ren lead him over and helped them move 02’s box to the ground, wincing a little when he heard 02 squeak, and then climbed into his own box, feeling his body settle the moment he laid down.

“Goodnight, my precious bird,” Ren said, muffled through the wood, and Soren smiled into the pitch blackness.

“Sleep well, Honored One.”

It wasn’t long after Ren left that 02 spoke. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Oh, I wasn’t lying. I really was kennel trained,” Soren assured, subtly shifting and feeling the close walls of his box, taking comfort in how little he could move. It was like being in a blanket burrito, only sorta better and very dark. “But we don’t have to talk; I know you’re tired.”

“I meant--everything. The cocksucking and for during dinner. Thank you, I guess, you didn’t have to, and I, fuck, appreciate it?”

Soren frowned, trying to think of what happened during dinner. Mostly he’d just desperately tried to ignore 02 and act like everything was normal, which had worked until they finished eating, and then he had to go get a plate for 02 and Ren had ignored him in favor of staring at 02, which they’d never done before! He touched his collar, reminding himself that this jealousy was absurd and dumb. Not to mention, Ren was being very harsh on 02, so Soren didn’t even have anything to be jealous of! More than anything, he should be worried about 02 (and he was, oh he was.)

“You’re welcome,” he said softly.

“Must be hard,” 02 said, “having a fucking freakshow like that for an owner.”

Soren felt rage flare up, replacing his confusion and anxiety. “Don’t call them that!” he snapped. “Ren is wonderful and treats me very well; you’re just a loudmouth!” That was--mean. That was rude, and Soren shouldn’t have said that. “You’ll see,” he tacked on, quieter, guilty, “they’re very kind. They’ll be kind to you, too, once you stop trying to fight them.”

“Shit, you actually believe that.”

Soren sighed and rolled onto his side, away from 02. “Of course I do. This is the first time I’ve ever seen them hurt anyone.” Soren hugged his arms and let the smothering blackness comfort him. “You’ll see. They’re reliable; soon enough you’ll believe them too.”

“I doubt it,” 02 said, quieter as well, now. “But thanks.”

Soren fell asleep with surprising ease. Given everything.

--

Ren listened to their pets talk, and spent a mild moment attempting to determine if Soren fell asleep first or not. Unable to see either of them, it was a coin toss, and no need to imagine up reasons to punish their new plaything when there would be plenty of real, solid reasons to do so, soon.

They pulled Soren from his box in the morning and kissed him, slow and sweet and much longer than they normally would. “Go shower and change, pet. You smell like old newspaper.”

Soren giggled with a “yes Exalted” before he rushed off, only glancing back once with a worried lip and look as Ren flipped the hatch on 02’s box. They helped him onto his feet, admiring the bruises they’d left, and turned his head this way and that, titillated by the glower he gave them.

“Since Soren is busy and I need to get dressed for the day, why don’t you go make breakfast for us, mm mutt?”

They watched his internal struggle, the little gears of his maggot brain churning slowly, but only briefly this time. Turned out he wasn’t interested in getting a repeat of last night this early in the morning. Ren went back up to their room, getting dressed and doing their hair and makeup just so before popping by Soren’s room and helping him with his jewelry. They entered the kitchen together, and 02 looked at Ren apprehensively.

They ate, they phoned their work to let them know that they’d be taking the day off, they let Soren feed 02, and then they took both their pets into the living room and pulled out one of the two nifty little tools they’d stowed in their skirt pocket, but kept it hidden in their palm just yet.

“Now, 02,” Ren started, seated on the couch with Soren leaning preciously against their side, 02 kneeling at their feet, “I’m going to teach you a lesson; it is up to you whether you would like help being good during this lesson.” Ren stretched the gag between their hands, like they were presenting him with a fine necklace and balancing it on their fingers for maximum appeal. 

He was familiar with this tool. He very, very evidently hated it. His glare was nothing shy of delectable, and oh, they’d drool if it wasn’t unseemly. They let the moment drag out, staring with a faintly pleasant expression at the storming boy, Soren a warmth at their side. 02 said nothing, did nothing, but if he was playing the waiting game, his knees would ache long before Ren got bored.

Slowly, with clear evidence that it caused an immense blow to his stubborn pride, loathing radiating from him like a fire on a cold night, 02 lifted up on his knees, leaned forward, opened his mouth, and bit down on the center of the gag.

“Good boy,” Ren praised immediately, caressing his face as they fastened the straps and delighting in how he couldn’t stop himself from shivering at the kind touch, even as they gagged him. “See? You’re learning already.”

They pushed his shoulder gently and he sank back down onto his knees, and they wrapped an arm around Soren, tucking him into their side sweetly. “Now, 02. You are stubborn and you are vile, but those are only temporary afflictions, and you will be cured of them. I give you a week, maybe a week and a half before I have cleaned you of these deformities,” 02 made an offended noise, but given that he couldn’t talk, Ren kept going, “Maybe two if you’re really stubborn, and I have every intention of detailing to you, right now, exactly how that will happen.

“You see, 02, there are four factors to making a good slave: fear, obedience, stress, and loyalty.

“Fear is generated by pain, yes, but far more than that, fear is generated by inconsistency. A person can go through immense pain, but if that pain is consistent, reliably given, and tracked onto preconceived patterns, that person will adjust. Their mind will adapt, and the fear will simmer to a low boil, regardless of the intensity of pain. But place someone in a situation where nothing is patterned, nothing is sensible, and there is no consistency? They will be afraid no matter the pain or lack thereof. This is why Soren has been so frightened, since your arrival.” They smiled at Soren, nudging his chin up with their forefinger and softening at his nervous returning smile.

“You being here has thrown a wrench in our routine, and I’m behaving differently than he’s seen before. But worry not,” Ren said, their voice going low and soft as they spoke to Soren specifically, petting his hair out of his face, “You’ll adjust soon, my sweet.”

They turned their attention back to 02, who seemed befuddled, angry, frightened, but still attentive. Good. “Fear is what you currently have the most of. You are terrified of me, and it warps itself into anger, which is why you lash out the way you do.” Another noise of protest, but still, Ren didn’t care. “You are in a new environment, I am nothing like anyone or anything you have experienced before, you don’t know what to expect. Soon, you will. You will always have the memories of the pain that I can and will give you, so your fear will never truly disappear, but fear is best kept at a moderate level, middling of the four.

“Obedience is generated by fear and respect. This is why you behave physically, even though you mouth off. You do not respect me yet, because you are used to an owner who does not command respect. You only fear me, fear the Processors that you know you can be sent back to anytime your owner’s dissatisfaction creeps too high.” Both pets tensed at that, and Ren felt a giddy little shiver at it. “Obedience should be kept the highest of the four traits, but through a combination of moderate fear and high respect. It is obedience that lowers pain, causing a decrease in fear and stress, so there’s a positive cycle there.

“You are very obedient, which is good. It’ll keep you conscious long enough to learn how to keep your mouth shut. But over the next week or so, you will incrementally begin to take after Soren, who obeys me because he adores me, first and foremost, with the pain of the Processors a long-distant memory that barely factors anymore.

“Stress is generated by inconsistency, yes, but primarily it is generated by pain. Your body’s threshold can be expanded, but only by so much. People who are stressed make more mistakes, suffer from a higher number of physical afflictions that are more intense than in others, and their bodies do not process food or rest properly, and can directly increase acting out. Stress should be kept lowest of the four, as its presence has no particular benefits but many drawbacks.

“Stress and fear also directly impact each other, which one might assume since they are caused by the same factors. A rise in fear will be inevitably followed by stress, and an increase of stress will naturally be accompanied by heightened fear. However, stress is significantly easier to keep low, since pain only needs to happen with disobedience, but there will always be some inconsistencies in life, due to the fact that a lack of variety is terribly understimulating.

“Loyalty is generated through trust. Trust is generated by consistency and kindness, so we are once again presented with positive cycles. Loyalty should be kept moderately-high, not as important as obedience, but far more important than fear. You are still too new to understand that I am reliable, that I am trustworthy, but it is when I get this fact through your thick little skull that everything will fall into place for you.”

“In the coming days, I will hurt you, but it will be to fix you. I will hurt you when you disobey, every time you disobey, and only when you disobey. You will adjust, adapt, quicker than you believe yourself capable, than your fear currently allows you to believe. You will settle, and with the kindness that comes due to your newfound obedience you will feel your stress lessen and your opinion of me rise, leading to respect, trust, loyalty, and continued obedience.”

Ren gripped 02 by the chin with their free hand, making sure he was paying extra attention to this part. “And every time a change happens inside you, every step forward you make, every ounce of progress, you will remember this lesson, and you will know that I am right.”

They leaned back with satisfaction. “I only want a plaything, 02.” They smiled at him. “This doesn’t have to hurt.” 

But it would.

Next

[razieltwelve]

The Babysitter (RWBY AU Snippet)

“I’m amazed that you’re okay with this.” Death shifted slightly as the toddler in her arms tried to poke her in the eye. It wouldn’t have done any damage to her, but the toddler would definitely have injured her finger thanks to her divine durability. “Most people wouldn’t be comfortable having Death babysit their children.”

“Most people aren’t an alternate universe version of Death,” Ruby replied. “Besides, it was either you or Crescent Rose.”

“Ah.” Death nodded sagely. “I can see why you asked me to do it then.”

“Look,” Ruby said. “I love my dragon. Don’t get me wrong. Crescent Rose is fantastic. I would totally die for her, and she would totally die for me. In fact, that’s how you and I met, isn’t it? But let’s be honest. She’s not exactly mature. If I left her to watch Luna, I’d come back to find the house on fire with Crescent Rose and Luna cackling about how quickly it’s burning.”

Outside, the red dragon snickered. She wasn’t offended. If anything, she thought Ruby was understating how bad a babysitter she would make. It was better to leave the babysitting to Gambol Shroud or Ember Celica. The shadow dragon was incredibly lazy, but she had a knack for keeping kids amused and out of trouble while the solar dragon was just fantastic with kids.

“True.” Death smiled as Luna began to rummage through her pockets for a cookie. The girl looked so much like Weiss except for the silver eyes she’d inherited from Ruby. “But you’re not the least bit worried about her being around me?”

“Is she going to die if I leave her with you?” Ruby asked bluntly. “Because you’d know, right?”

“I would.” Death grinned. “And you can rest assured that she is completely safe with me. Her time will not be for many years yet... but that’s assuming she acts sensibly. If she starts throwing herself off cliffs and in front of rampaging dragons, well, I’ll be showing up for her sooner rather than later.”

“I’ll tell her that once she’s old enough to understand.” Ruby tilted her head to one side. “Out of interest, don’t you normally have a dog with you?”

“You mean Zwei?” Luna giggled in delight as she mysteriously found a cookie in one of Death’s pockets. Ah, the wonders of nigh-limitless divine might. “He’s currently enjoying Zwei Day on one of the worlds he helped save.”

“Zwei Day?” Ruby raised one eyebrow. “Do I want to know?”

“He may have slaughtered an invading army of demons by barking at them, so every year they like to throw a celebration in his honour. It’s the hundredth one this year, so he decided to actually show up. He’ll let them spoil him rotten for a few days before he heads home. In the meantime, Drei will be helping me.”

At the mention of his name, an adorable three-headed corgi appeared.

“Okay...” Ruby leaned forward as Drei nudged her leg and then began to chew on her shoe. “I kind of expected something more menacing.”

“Oh, Drei can get way scarier. In fact, other than me, he’s probably the most powerful thing in this world at the moment. However, he’s still very young, so he usually doesn’t transform unless he has to since he kind of, well, breaks everything.” Death moved forward to poke Drei with her foot. “Come on, Drei, no chewing on Ruby’s shoe.”

The three-headed corgi huffed and then trotted over to the couch before jumping onto it and moving around a bit before finally settling. 

“That’s his spot now,” Death explained. “Whenever he shows up, you can expect him to sit there.”

“Is he going to show up a lot?” Ruby asked. Weiss was still getting ready for their night out. If she knew the other woman, it was probably Myrtenaster’s fault. Weiss was already very picky about how she dressed, and consulting with the frost dragon typically made it worse since they were both perfectionists. It was one of the reason Ruby loved Crescent Rose. Her dragon’s approach to fashion was simple: anything that stopped Ruby from dying from exposure was okay since human skin sucked compared to dragon scales.

“He’ll be in and out,” Death replied. “There are a lot of little anomalies in this world, so it might be good to have a Divine Beast poking around in case there’s anything untoward going on. If there’s anything he can’t handle, he’ll tell Zwei. And, really, if there’s anything that Zwei can’t handle here, you’re in real trouble... but don’t worry because I can handle it.”

“And if you can’t handle it?”

“Ruby, I’m Death. If there’s a problem I can’t handle, then all of Creation is probably screwed.”

“Good point.” Ruby turned as she heard Weiss emerge from their room. “You look awesome, Weiss!”

The other woman did indeed look awesome. Like most dragon riders, she usually favoured practical clothing - flying in a skirt was a rookie mistake - but there was still a vast difference between combat clothing and the sort of clothing designed for aesthetic purposes. Weiss’s form-hugging trousers, finely-fitted blouse, and shimmering, dragon-scale mantle were all designed to catch and hold the eye. The mantle in particular was striking. It had been woven from scales Myrtenaster had shed, which meant it was the same colour as polar ice, a white so intense it made the blue of Weiss’s eyes look like cerulean flame. Ruby had grown up hearing legends about the snow maidens that haunted the high peaks were only dragons dared to go. They were supposed to ensorcel climbers and travellers with their beauty.

Weiss was her snow maiden, and Ruby was most definitely ensorcelled.

“Are you two done chatting?” Weiss said. “We’re going to be late.”

“I recall Ruby being ready almost half an hour ago,” Death replied with a grin, ignoring the crumbs that Luna was leaving on her cloak as she munched on her cookie. 

“I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation,” Weiss replied archly.

“I’m sure that was it,” Ruby said. She took Weiss’s hand. “Shall we, milady?”

Weiss rolled her eyes. “Oh, good grief.” She sketched a curtsy. “Very well, Your Highness.”

“Technically, you’re the princess,” Ruby pointed out. “Whereas I am but a mere commoner.”

Weiss snorted inelegantly. “Ruby, you’re a dragon rider. You’re nobility by default. And let’s not forget the whole war hero, living legend, and Slayer of Fell Beasts thing that you’ve got going on.”

“To be fair, Crescent Rose did most of the slaying. I was mostly along for the rider for that one.”

“Ruby you jumped off your dragon and stabbed a demonic beast the size of a whale in the eye while Crescent Rose was grappling with it in mid-air. It’s a miracle you didn’t fall to your death, and you more than did your part.”

“Yeah... I guess I am pretty awesome.” Ruby nodded at Death. “We should be back before midnight. If not...”

“Then I will assume you two have found a nice, quiet spot to enjoy each other.” Death chuckled. “Fear not, your child is safe with me.”

X    X     X

Death bit back a grin at the horrified face Luna made as she ate her vegetables. The toddler was acting like she was being fed poison as she cringed and slowly but surely finished her meal. 

“You know,” Death said. “I asked the other gods if we could change Creation so cookies were healthy, but I got outvoted.”

Luna made a disgusted sound but continued to eat her vegetables.

“But since you’ve done such a good job of eating your vegetables, I’ll have a surprise ready for you when you’re done with the rest of them.”

X    X     X

Luna’s eyes widened as she took in the giant cookies floating around in the sky.

“Behold,” Death said. “The cookie dimension... which only two worlds over from the mango puree dimension.” She pulled Luna closer to whisper into her ear. “Just don’t tell your mommy about this place. Otherwise, she’ll never stop bugging me until I take her here.” She pointed. “We can start with that one. It’s chocolate chip.”

X    X     X

Author’s Notes

Are you worried about the safety of your children? Why not have an alternate universe version of yourself with essentially limitless power watch them for you? Sure, you’ll have to put up with the occasional Divine Beast sleeping on your couch, but you couldn’t ask for a safer, more reliable babysitter than Death herself. The Ruby’s in this story are DragonRider!Ruby and Death!Ruby.

If you’re interested in my thoughts on writing and other topics, you can find those here.

I also write original fiction, which you can find on Amazon here. I’ve recently released two stories, Attempted Adventuring and Surviving Quarantine, as well as three audiobooks, Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Army of Golems, Two Necromancers, a Dragon, and a Vampire, and The Hungry Dragon Cookie Company.  If you like humour, action, and adventure, be sure to check them out!

[trollhuntersshardborn]

Forged in Darkness summary

Forged In Darkness was going to be two backstories that I felt couldn’t be squeezed into Act 2. And because these backstories are important and FiD is short, we’ll start with that before jumping into Act 2.

The first backstory is Alora’s, because in original planning of this story, Alora was going to be the main character. 

So, a girl was born to two peasant folk in the year 1000 AD. The mother died of childbirth, and the father had no money to feed him and the baby. So he sold the baby to the nearest castle for coins to feed himself, convinced that a life of servitude would leave her housed, fed, protected and cherished. Well, he was right about the first two. The girl, who grew up with no name, was made the scullery maid of the castle kitchen, where she did dishes and the cleaning and made sure there was always hot water available. The kitchen cook would routinely check if the water was hot enough by dousing her with it, overtime leaving her with severe scars on her back. The girl was resentful and bitter, but powerless to even speak her frustrations else she become further abused or worse kicked out of the castle.

Her fortunes took a turn for the better and worse eighteen years later, when gumm-gumms took down the castle, killing and/or eating everyone inside. The girl was found and eaten by Gunmar himself. Then she woke up in his own castle keep twenty four hours later. Turns out she’s a Shard, resurrected by her now immortal soul. Yay? Well, now that Gunmar has himself a Shard to craft a massive army, he’d be able to take over the surface lands much faster now. But before that, he requests from her a son. It takes the girl time to get used to the idea that this is her life now, but she accepts this under the condition that she be treated better than when she was in the human castle (exact wording: “Don’t give me kindness and be cruel. Don’t give me cruelty and be kind. Be consistent with your treatment. Do not deceive me.” “Is that all? You don’t ask for much.”). Two months and two days of intense magical labor later, the Maiden has given Gunmar his son, Bular. The child is very small and weak, practically a runt, and while Gunmar is overjoyed to finally have kin, he’s apprehensive of the child surviving at all. Turns out that Maiden’s Life Magic is not particularly strong and it’s doubtful that she can churn out an army quickly. This would make her pretty useless, but since the other option is to toss her out and potentially give the enemy a Shard of their own, the gumm gumms opt to keep her. If only to raise the child.

Maiden loved Bular dearly, but having never cared for children and being a human raising a troll, she couldn’t give him a good upbringing. And terrified that he could be killed easily, once he started getting the hunger for battle, she tried to toughen him up and train him herself. Which meant she needed to be trained to fight as well. But a soft, fleshy human doesn’t last long in a sparring match with a troll. She was killed often, and soon brought back to life. She also eventually discovers the power to summon the swords she was training herself to use whenever she gets extremely pissed off or overprotective of Bular. These two discoveries cement that Maiden was immortal, and couldn’t die no matter what, which gave her the now trademark smart mouth, fiery temper and ignorance of high risks and deadly situations. The Maiden is now stricken with Deadpool Syndrome and quickly gets on the nerves of everyone in the Keep, including Gunmar. But again, they can’t toss out the firecracker or else she could become the enemy’s Shard. Also, Bular is rather attached to his completely erratic and insane mother, and she’s become rather good at fighting.

Determined to now become her own person and stand by Gunmar and Bular’s side as someone to be respected and feared, she goes to Gunmar and demands a rite of passage. All trolls go through a rite of passage to be considered adults, and once complete have the opportunity to choose a new name for themselves (this practice is now out dated and trolls in the modern day don’t really do this anymore). Gunmar is reluctant, but when she challenges him with a rite that “even Gunmar would not be able to do,” he tells her to go slay a Nyarlagroth Queen and bring back its skull. It takes her a goddamn MONTH, but she does it. Now, while she’s gone, a couple of changelings are putting a strategy in motion to keep themselves alive a little longer as well as put Maiden to better use when she comes back. They convince Gunmar that the Maiden will get stronger and stronger willed and possibly revolt against him, and if she does, Bular will most likely follow her. This isn’t good for anyone, so they convince Gunmar that the best and fastest way to tame her is to tie her down with the one thing that ropes in humans: love. “Give her what she wants most,” Corvis tells Gunmar, “a family.” Gunmar reluctantly agrees to play along, if only to keep civility and to reign in his own son. So when the Maiden comes back, and chooses the name Alora Darren (a combination of two troll queens from the past), Gunmar greets her with what will be a pet phrase to come:

“Alora. My wife. My queen. My one true love.”

This... works. Its awkward for the two of them at first, but now believing she’s won Gunmar’s adoration, she feels officially a gumm gumm and part of the pack. And it is so for three hundred years. Alora soon makes her name as a fieresome, deadly general among both trolls and humans. The trolls call her “Gunmar’s concubine” or “Gunmar’s human whore” while the humans call her “the wife of the devil himself.” But despite the new status, she’s still at the bottom of the family totem poll. And still as arrogant and wild as ever. Gunmar often sighs and groans at her antics, but there’s little else he can really do. She’s as reigned in as can be, but overtime, she does grow on him as his mischievous other half, though he rarely supports her schenaniganary. 

This backstory actually ends just before the end of Act 1. Having lost the survivors of Royal Troll market, everyone is moving to head out to China to track down this Heartstone growing there. Alora is rather salty after her battle with Nakrik but won’t say why. This is when her own right hand, Skeeziel, who had been by her side as basically her only friend and supporter, admits that he’s been madly in love with her this whole time and goes to embrace her. She quickly pushes him away, not sure what’s caused this confession and not feeling the same way. However, Gunmar has seen this, and he calls Skeeziel to him, and promptly beheads the wizard troll. Alora is... devastated by these turns of events and it leads to a massive fight with Gunmar. This is basically going back on the agreement of giving kindness and being cruel. It then comes out that Gunmar didn’t even love Alora back then and was just doing this to reign in her wild side. Both are hurt and heartbroken, Alora so much so that she just... sits down and refuses to move. Gunmar won’t stay for any temper tantrum she may have and calls his armies to march east immediately.

Bular goes to his mom’s side, not having seen this fight at all, to urge her to come with them. It takes all of her energy to bring him close and touch foreheads, eyes heavy with tears, trying hard not to cry in front of her son. Bular catches on that something is wrong, and wants to stay with her, but she urges him to go with his father, scared of what would happen if Bular was no longer on Gunmar’s side. Bular reluctantly goes, angry with his mother staying behind and follows Gunmar east.

And so falls the Gumm gumm queen, into mortal despair. We’ll come back to this scene in Act 2.

The second story in Forged In Darkness is called Paika, and it follows the villain to be introduced in Act 2.

The story takes place in Bulgaria (because GODDAMN IT RICHARD ASHLEY HAMILTON WHY DAMN IT WHY FUCKING GOD DAMN IT ALL!),circa 1121 AD, in a tiny village called Anka, which sits on a mountain. This village is a combination village where humans and trolls lived together side by side in peace. And Gunmar’s conquering and rampages are driving trolls to seek solace in places he would have trouble reaching or not bother with, including this very out of the way village. Making their way here is a group of refugees hoping to find safety for themselves and several orphans they picked up along the way. One of these orphans catches the eyes of the human elder of the village, Kohsena Radulova. She spies a troll toddler born with no eyes and is a species of troll she’s never seen before. Taking pity on this little one, she takes him in personally and through magic, gives him his own eyes to see the world through. He says his name is Paika and she raises and loves on him as a son of her own.

Now, Kohsena isn’t your average hedge wizard, she’s also a Shard (whoa!)! She was born in the year 1000 AD, and had no idea of her powers until she passed away in her old age at seventy. Having come back to life, she discovered she can retain any and all knowledge she learns and uses it to memorize books of magic the trolls have on hand, easily harnesses the power of magic and brought stability to the harsh mountain they live on. She went on to continue being a granny to her kids, grandkids and great grandkids as they grew, and is the undisputed wise woman of Anka. When she adopts Paika, she quickly notices his talent for magic and takes him as her apprentice to pass on her teachings.

Paika is incredibly gifted in magic, using it in ways never seen before. But he’s a rather small troll, so he’s often bullied by both the troll and human kids growing up. But he’s also rather fast and limber, so he’s able to outrun, out jump, out climb, and stay hidden from any trying to pick on him. Noting how he navigates around the village and nearby forest with ease, one of Kohsena’s grandsons teaches Paika how to hunt and he’s rather good at that too. He seems as in tune to the mountain as Kohsena and has good potential to be a village elder. It’s not long after Paika reaches adulthood that he accepts his rite of passage. It comes in two stages: to make a tool he will use for the rest of his life, and to bring back a rare flower that grows inside the mountain. Paika makes a hardy hunting knife and uses his own talents to bring the flower back. Now an adult troll by rite, he can chose a new name. He decides to name himself after this troublesome flower, the Ingoret, which is a poisonous flower but when used correctly can be a life saving medicine. The name Ingoret is a troll word for “the very fine line between life and death.” But Paika has never been able to pronounce this word, so his official adult name is Angor Rot.

Skip to 1297 AD, Gunmar and his troops are making their way up the mountain. There is almost nowhere else for the people living on Anka to flee. Some are preparing to fight, and Kohsena promises to protect her home to the best of her ability. But Angor believes they aren’t enough and wants to go search for help. When asked who could possibly help, he says the witch in the black sea. In the least, she can grant him greater magic than he can wield on his own. Kohsena viciously shuts this idea down, since the witch is extremely dangerous and fickle. But Angor doesn’t see any other way to fight off Gunmar and keep his home. He sneaks away to the rocks in the sea to strike a deal with Morgana. We all know how that went.

Angor, sans one soul, instead of going off to fight Trollhunters rushes home to mom, hoping maybe she could fix this. He comes back to a village in ruins and the mountain barren of life. Gunmar, Alora, and the gumm gumm armies have laid waste to it all. Kohsena clings to life by the village center tree, unwilling to move in her grief, and seeing Angor return after selling his soul for magic makes the grief worse. She tells him that some of the villagers had escaped and she did what she could to protect the village but almost everything is gone. Angor insists that she come with him to find the others, but she refuses. She’s heartbroken that he left, but she says outloud “I’m glad you did. If you stayed, you would have been killed.” And this cuts him deep. He leaves her behind to pack what little of their things survived, and when he comes back, he sees that she’s died. Figuring that she’ll wake up on the way, he starts to take her body down the mountain. After several days, she doesn’t wake. An immortal Shard has permanently died. Angor, devastated, takes her back to the village and buries her. And now, with no emotional tethers, becomes a hunter to all Merlin had created. This also includes Shards, creatures of Merlin’s creation.

((Side note: Nadia was born the exact moment Kohsena died. Coincidence? To be addressed in Act 2))

In 1300 AD, Angor locates another Shard. This one is a rather young woman who’s ability is seeing the future, and her title is the Blind Seer (I think I had a name for her, but it’s lost to time). She had evacuated the troll village she lived in, prepared for Angor to come here. He came seeking knowledge of how a Shard can permanently die, and she was willing to give it to him. Why? “Because I have seen this moment. You come. I tell you the secret. You kill me, and go on to kill the other Shards. This is both our destinies, and there is nothing to be done to stop it.” With this, she tells him:

A Shard is only immortal when she wants to be. When she decides she no longer wants to live, the soul becomes mortal for as long as this wish is present. And the Seer, knowing this is her final moment alive, accepts this and relinquishes her will to live. And so Angor kills her to test this theory, and it is so. She never revives. And now, with this knowledge, he gains a title other than Hunter of Hunters. He’s also the Shardkiller.

Aaaaaand, that’s Forged in Darkness. I had thought of giving Grim a backstory here too since so little is written about him, but I honestly don’t have a good backstory to tell about him.

[clexaisheretostay]

Lost In The World But Found By You

Lena meets Kara as a lost, distressed child when she is at a park near L-Corp while sitting on a bench and goes to comfort her and spends most of her day with her until she is found by the DEO and taken in by Alex.  She then meets Kara properly again a few weeks later in her adult form and can’t help but wonder why it is that she seems so familiar when she is being interviewed by the reporter about her newest invention.  And then Lena realizes where she’s seen those golden curls before.

Chapter 1

One moment Kara had been flying at the criminals using alien weapons they clearly didn’t know how to use and she had managed to round up four of them already, knocking their weapons away, when one she hadn’t seen shot her while she was flying back from dropping the other men off at the nearest police station and, thankfully her clothes shrank with her, as she fell from the sky and right in the middle of a park area and found herself lost in the body of a four year old toddler with no concept of English anymore. Kara was looking around, toddling slightly and confused about what had happened to her.  Her thumb was in her mouth as she looked around and became overwhelmed with city noise and how vibrant all of the colors seemed all of a sudden.  Everything was so much bigger than she remembered and then it seemed like she couldn’t understand anything anyone was saying.  She was lost and all alone.  Kara turned this way and that and started walking around to find something that looked familiar to her but nothing looked familiar at all.  And she felt so small and overwhelmed that she started crying and toddling until she ran into someone and fell down, still crying and confused about where she was now.

Before she knew what was going on a gentle, soothing voice, and a tentative touch on her arm made Kara calm down her crying to soft whimpers as she looked up and saw the prettiest woman she had ever seen with piercing green eyes, pale skin, dark hair, and a worried furrow to her elegant eyebrows.  She immediately reached for her and wrapped her arms around the woman’s neck as she spoke to her in a language she couldn’t understand.  Kara buried her face into the woman’s neck, snuggled into her warmth, and felt soothed by her kindness and gentle murmuring in her hair as she said something that sounded reassuring and made Kara feel safe.

Somehow, Kara knew she needed to find Alex.  Her sister.  “Ie!  I want my ie!  Alex!” The woman said something again, in a soothing, calm tone, and Kara felt placated that she was understood even though she didn’t know what the woman was saying to her.  Kara had a sense that she was going to help her find her sister. And she smelled nice and felt warmth from the comforting, soothing patterns she rubbed up and down on her back as she held her in her slender arms.  Lena was just glad she was wearing a suit today rather than one of her blouse and skirt combos for once, having worn the suit to intimidate the men on her board committee and show them that she would always be the one with power and the final say even if they didn’t care for a woman being in charge of them. Despite all of her scheduled meetings, Lena was going to take some time to help situate this child.  In fact, Lena might take her along to every meeting if necessary because Lena was not going to just leave her to other strangers she might not be comfortable with.  No, Lena was going to have Jess buy necessary items to fed and entertain this lost little angel.  Yes, Lena was already feeling a little attached despite having only met this distressed child only a few minutes ago, but she was going to do her best for her. She was going to give her what she didn’t have at her age when the Luthor family first adopted her.

Lena was going to do everything in her power to help this child find her family.  As soon as she had calmed down enough, Lena was gesturing at herself and telling her that her name was Lena and the child repeated after her, “your name is ‘Ena?  ‘Ena!” she smiled at Lena with endearingly puffy cheeks, chubby with youth and baby fat clinging to her adorably.  Lena was enchanted with her as she smiled and called out her name when she seemed to ask if that was her name and upon receiving confirmation proceeded to repeatedly call Lena by name with a giddy smile.

“Yes, little one, and what is your name?” Lena asked, gently poking at her cute, button nose, entirely smitten with the young toddler, smiling toothily at her and cocking her head to the side in confusion. When Lena pointed at herself and said her name and then pointed at the little girl, and made some kind of motion, she seemed to get the point.

“I’m Kara!” she said exuberantly, pointing at herself to reiterate her point.

“Kara?” Lena repeated with a smile tugging at her lips at the entirely loveable toddler in her arms.

She nodded enthusiastically, “my name is Kara!  You’re ‘Ena and I’m Kara!”  Kara tapped a tiny hand on Lena’s shoulder as she repeated what she’d just learned and Lena found herself so charmed by this tiny human and felt herself falling in love with this adorable, intelligent toddler.

“Yes, yes you are, Kara, and I am Lena little one,” Lena said softly, tenderly addressing the bundle of joy in her arms before finally giving Jess a call while she juggled to continue holding Kara while she was calling.  After a few rings she was able to have Jess get things all ready for her while she walked with the toddler toddling along on short legs over to the L-Corp building. Lena noticed that she was remarkably fast for her age and, in spite of her little legs, Lena felt as if she was having trouble keeping up with a child less than half her height somehow.  Some children were fast, indeed, but usually toddlers were still toddling around awkwardly, barely able to walk as it were, but Lena could hardly keep up with little Kara’s speed.  Curious, curious indeed and she was in for even more of a shock when Kara seemed to declare her hunger once they’d gotten back to Lena’s office and Jess had managed to buy toys and other things to entertain the toddler as well as some books for the little girl.

“I’m hungry ‘Ena!  Hungry!” Kara said, patting her little belly and making the cutest face and pouting her lips up at Lena.  It was honestly the most adorable thing Lena had ever seen and she found herself a victim because she was far too endearing and Lena was absolutely smitten.  How could she say no to this little angel simply asking to be fed?

Tapping on her intercom, Lena heard Jess respond almost immediately, “yes, Miss Luthor?  What can I do for you?” she asked.

“Would you be able to get something for little Kara to eat please?  The little darling is quite hungry.  Let me ask her what she would like to eat.”  And Lena, seeing as there was an obvious language barrier, decided that using pictures would be the fastest way to figure out what Kara would like.

Despite being so little, she was quite smart. Kara would shake her head while telling Lena no in her language and Lena caught on to what no and yes were simply from that alone.  It seemed little Kara was quite hungry indeed, having said yes to quite a few options Lena had shown her from Big Belly Burger.  Kara had pointed at a few kid sized meals and seemed excited over some burgers, smiling and babbling in her language as she seemed to emphasize that she was quite hungry and wanted all of the food and had picked out a monstrosity for a drink, some kind of milkshake that looked like it might either cause diabetes or instant cavities even.  Triple Fudge Truffle with Caramel and real chunks of Reese’s cups mixed in as well as whipped cream on top and a cherry to induce artery clogging for those faint of heart.  Lena almost told her no but she was a child and this might have been the only time she’d get such an overly sweet drink this week and Lena couldn’t even finish telling her no when she looked up at her with bright eyes, looking at her with such adoration and happiness.

And, so, Jess ordered the three kid’s meals as well as a greasy burger for Lena and French Fries enough for just about two larges with how much Kara had asked for.  Lena watched in awe as little hands managed to squish the mini burger into a tiny mouth in one big bite and somehow it was the cutest thing that those little cheeks were stuffed like a chipmunk as she chewed before swallowing, letting out a satisfied hum that made Lena’s heart clench at the most adorable thing Lena had ever laid eyes upon and she almost didn’t want Jess to contact anyone. As if she wasn’t being the most endearing thing possible already, Kara patted her little belly and seemingly thanked her in her language with a big, toothy smile before stuffing her mouth full of as many French Fries as her little mouth could possibly fit and Lena’s heart felt so warm and full from the feeling, from seeing this enchanting child doing something as mundane as eating food.  She ate like she’d never eaten before in her life.

Lena might have been a little in love with Kara and ready to adopt her if the police weren’t able to find out where Kara belonged.

After Kara finished all of her burgers, fries, and milkshake, despite how absolutely tiny she was, she patted her belly once more, having cleaned up all of her mess, copying Lena as she’d cleaned up her wrapper and put them into the bag that had carried her food, she cleaned up her hands as instructed by Lena and crawled onto Lena’s lap on the couch for a nap. She laid her little head against Lena’s chest her tiny, little hands fisted on Lena’s suit jacket as she held onto her and fell asleep within moments and Lena wanted to keep her forever. Lena had never seen herself having kids of her own.  Maybe in the distant future she might possibly … but spending just a few hours with this little sweet angel made Lena feel … almost motherly.

Lena had Jess reschedule all of her immediate meetings until Kara woke up from her nap, not having the heart to leave the little girl alone on the couch just for something as insignificant as a meeting with potential investors.  Kara was more important.  Much, much more important.  Lena felt herself drifting off as well, the warmth of little Kara’s body, the way she snuggled deeper into Lena’s embrace after she wrapped her arms around her made Lena feel safe and warm.  And waking up to the bluest eyes looking up at her in awe made Lena’s heart swell and she smiled before pressing her forehead against little Kara’s forehead, not wanting to get her red lipstick on her plump, soft cheeks.

“You’re pretty.  The prettiest person ‘Ena!”  Despite all of the toys Lena had gotten for her, Kara didn’t seem much interested in them at the moment.  She seemed content to play with Lena’s hair and pat her cheeks gently with her tiny, tiny hands.

Lena had a meeting in half an hour and she tried to get Kara interested in the toys and had Sam play come in to watch Kara for a bit while she got ready for her meeting by going over some notes in an email for it and hugged the little girl before leaving her office.  To her surprise, before she could quite manage to get the door completely open, little Kara was wrapped around her legs, seeming to realize Lena’s intentions to leave.  “I need to go to a meeting, sweetie.  Just for a little while okay?”

Kara shook her head, “no go, no go!  I want you to stay with me, please?  Stay with Kara please!”  Little Kara had tears in her blue eyes.  She had a firm grip on Lena’s pants but let go when Lena bent down to address her carefully, gently.

“How about I take you with me, Kara?  Would that make you feel better?”  Kara didn’t seem to understand so Lena just took that as a yes and looked over to Sam, “it seems she wants to stay with me during my meeting, Sam.  Can you check in to see if anyone has come from the police station yet with any information on a missing child?  Jess should have contacted them a while ago.”

Sam smiled at her gently, “of course, Lena.” Looking at Kara, Sam nodded in her direction, “someone seems to be quite attached to you.  Honestly, being that she was lost, her feeling attached to you seeing as you found her and helped her right away doesn’t surprise me.  I have to say, her little Supergirl costume is adorable and incredibly well made Lena, but wouldn’t she be more comfortable in other clothing?”

Lena gave her a wry smile.  “I did have Jess buy her other clothes but she looked at them with distaste, like, she didn’t like how it felt.  Honestly, she seemed uncomfortable with the material so I just let her keep her costume on.  You’ll have to tell me what Ruby is going to be dressed as for Halloween since it is just a few weeks away now.”

Sam laughed at that.  “You’ll never guess who she is going to be dressed as,” Sam said with a wink.  Lena rolled her eyes at her.

“Hm, Supergirl?” Lena asked, already knowing the answer as she picked little Kara up, who immediately wrapped her little arms around Lena’s neck and snuggled into her, letting out a happy sigh upon realizing that she would get to stay with Lena.

“Do you even have to ask?”  Sam gave Kara a sympathetic look.  “I’ll go check in with Jess.  Go to your meeting.”  Then a wicked smirk appeared on Sam’s lips, “let’s see them try to say something belittling or nasty to you with a toddler attached to your hip in this meeting.  Some of your potential investors are sexist pricks.”  Lena glared at her.  “What?  I said pricks and not the other word, not that she can understand English anyways.”

Lena didn’t even dignify Sam with a response before leaving.

X

It was funny really, how intimidated the men were by the presence of a tiny toddler sitting comfortable on Lena’s lap as they talked business with her, arguing about investing.  Kara was more than content to simply sit on Lena’s lap and play with her fingers or suit jacket, endlessly fascinated by the feeling of Lena’s skin or the fabric of the suit jacket.  And if she wasn’t doing that, she was busy playing with Lena’s face, babbling in her language but Lena had the sense that she was saying flattering things with the smile she directed Lena’s way as she played with her face in childish wonder.

The men she was talking to didn’t seem to know how to react to Kara’s presence.  One man seemed to be particularly charmed and had tried to subtly ask why she was there during the meeting.

“I found her lost in the park and I am waiting for the police to get back to me with more information about what to do to help her find her parents or guardians.  Until then, she seems rather attached to me and she is a sweet little angel so I won’t have her being uncomfortable around people she isn’t comfortable with.”

The man nodded humbly.  “She is quite endearing.”  He cleared his throat, “do you mind if I …?”

Lena stood up with Kara in her arms and Kara, seeming to think they were finally leaving this boring activity, wrapped her arms around Lena happily, babbling about how she was excited to go somewhere much more entertaining.  “Darling, he’s going to hold you for a moment if you’re okay with it.”  Even though there was a language barrier, Lena was going to try to inform Kara about what was happening because that was only fair.

He took Kara from Lena and she started to fuss, thinking he was going to take her away from Lena.  “No, ‘Ena!  Don’t let him take me from you please!  I want ‘Ena, not him, please!”  Lena was starting to wonder if she knew what the word please was because Kara seemed to say it at the end of her requests when distressed and Lena took a hold of Kara’s hand, reaching out for her, and rubbed her back with the other to soothe her from her distress.

“I’m sorry, she just … she looks so much like my daughter before we … lost her last year and I … I shouldn’t have asked.”  He gently passed Kara back to Lena and Lena felt sympathy for the man obviously still grieving over such a horrific loss.

“Don’t worry about it.  Kara just likes me because I found her and took her in several hours ago and I don’t know how long she will be under my care, but I will make sure she is well taken care of until we find her family or someone who can take care of her properly.”

He smiled.  “You seem to be doing a great job with her.”  Lena gave him a small, genuine smile as thanks before they moved along in the meeting, Kara being a perfect little angel the entire time as she snuggled into Lena’s warmth and fell asleep half an hour into the long meeting. Little hands grasping onto her suit jacket before they slipped away as Lena picked her up and rested her little head against her shoulder instead as the meeting carried on in hushed voices, the men respecting that she was a sleeping child and softening their voices. Within another hour their negotiations were finished and it was better than Lena had even anticipated and she pressed a barely there kiss to little Kara’s cheek as she walked back to her office after the meeting.

Lena didn’t want to part from little Kara. This sweet angel could stay with her forever.

X

As the day wore on, the police finally brought in some detectives, a Maggie Sawyer and her partner, Lexa Woods.  They asked how this all happened and little Kara was still asleep so they couldn’t ask her anything directly as she was snuggled deeply into Lena’s arms letting out adorable little breaths that just made Lena smile involuntarily.

Her little face scrunched up when someone spoke a little too loudly, a little crinkle appearing in between her brows. If Lena wasn’t already in love, she would have fallen in love with that face as Lena sat with Kara on her lap instead because her arms had gotten tired.

“You seem to be quite attached to her,” Detective Woods stated calmly.

Lena looked up from the adorable child who had stolen her heart.  “Yes, unfortunately I am quite attached.  She is just so sweet and it hurts my heart to know that she isn’t mine to keep.  Kara has a family somewhere probably worried sick and missing her and I would never take that away from her, but I just wish that I might be able to visit her after this if possible.  Someone out there must be searching for her now, but I just fell in love with this darling little angel.”

Not long after they finished questioning her, Kara woke up a little grumpy because she needed to use the bathroom but didn’t know how to say it until she did the potty dance, Lena hadn’t understood. Kara did not like using the bathroom here at all.  It was so different from the one she grew up using and the paper she had to use to wipe her butt just didn’t make any sense to her because she was used to other means. But since Lena had done everything to help her, she didn’t really care much.  It was just weird.

X

Lena had things ordered by Jess for her apartment’s guest room to be set up for little Kara and Kara refused to sleep in her own room and toddled around after Lena had tucked her in and jumped up on Lena’s queen sized mattress somehow while Lena was changing into her sleek, silky pajamas.  Lena chuckled upon seeing the little girl sitting on her bed and patting the spot next to her while probably telling her to sleep next to her based on how she said her name.  “Here ‘Ena!  Sleep here next to Kara please!”  And just how could Lena say no to that enthusiastic expression of joy and cuteness incarnate?

Kara giggled with joy when Lena ran over and jumped onto the bed, landing next to her and jostling little Kara enough to have her bounce up slightly.  She crawled over Lena’s stomach and pressed her little face into Lena’s neck and held onto the collar area of Lena’s shirt.

“You are so precious.  I hope we have a few more days together at the very least just so I can savor these moments with you before they become a memory of our time together, Kara.”  Kara looked up at Lena, tilting her head to the side and smiling when Lena pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, now that her lips were makeup free she was more willing to press kisses to Kara face and adorable cheeks.  And then Kara pressed a sloppy little kiss to Lena’s cheek too. Lena was so in love with this little girl she never wanted to let her go.  But she would have to when Kara’s family finally found her and Lena’s heart would break on that day because Kara was so special.

X

So, I have always loved Kid Kara fanfics and decided to write my own.  I want this to be fluffy, despite how much angst I normally write, because these last few episodes have been more than angsty enough for me to crave some fluff.

姫宮光る

[allaroundcringey]

Dependency ~ Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 4 ~ Park Benches and Deductions

Pairing : Sherlock x Female Reader

Summary : After a few years John Watson was left no choice but to call his old school mate Amelia Harold. The matter of the call you ask? Sherlock's drug problem. What started out as a simple phone call to help out his friend turned out to be so much more: it gave Amelia Harold a chance to find out who deemed her father guilty of murder. Full of friendship, truth, heartbreak, suspense, and love this story showcases what matters most in life: your friends and family.

Warnings : mention of drug abuse, addiction, and emotional abuse in later chapters

TW : Panic attacks

A/N : as you might have noticed in the first few chapters I tend to tie the story in a bunch. I'm going to start leaning away from doing that because truly there is a theme and moral and ect to my story that I want to convey- not just the television show of Sherlock. I plan on mentioning the plot a few times for key plot points but other than that it'll be a lot of original work!

Also, some of this chapter hits close to home so if anyone else deals with those issues I wish you the best and just know everything will be okay <3

***I do not own any of these characters, plot ideas, and lines taken directly from the show (though there are only a few of those) anything pertaining to Amelia is my original work.***

Of the many mornings Amelia found herself stumbling into 221B she had not been met with such disarray. The scene that unfolded in front of her was Sherlock frantically running around, leaving behind his monstrously loud footsteps. He seemed to be searching through everything possible in the flat with no true plan of where and how to look. Papers flew everywhere along with several components to Sherlock's experiments.

John was sitting on the couch, head in his hand clearly looking fed up with the mans actions. A small part of Amelia wanted to slowly back out before anyone noticed her, but before she could seize the chance Sherlock spotted her from the corner of his eye. Moving like a trained dog he looked her body up and down and even grabbed the small bag Amelia was carrying. He dumped the contents across the floor and shuffled through them swiftly.

"You absolute arse! What the fuck was that for?!" Amelia exclaimed, waving her arms every which way.

"Drugs." Sherlock bluntly stated with absolutely no emotion.

"Sherlock you complete lunatic take a minute to breath and sit down!" John yelled which shut Sherlock up for a minute and made Amelia quiet down as well.

"Has he been like this all morning?"

"No-" Sherlock started.

"Oh yes he has. Since precisely 4 am last night. Woke me up from the sound of his gun. All because he was bored! Bored. I am at the expense of him because he can't find anything to entertain himself." John sounded exasperated and Amelia couldn't blame him. Living with Sherlock seemed like living with a toddler.

Before Sherlock could run past Amelia for the god only knows number of time she stopped him dead in his tracks by placing her hands firmly on his shoulders. Sherlock's expression was displayed as if he was a shocked child who got in trouble.

"Do you need the drugs or do you just need a distraction from whatever is going on in your brain?"

"Drugs." Sherlock grumbled, but instead of continuing his search in an act of defeat he flopped down into his chair.

"How are you John? Do you need anything?" Amelia asked, walking towards the couch and sat next to him.

"A cup of tea would be lovely-" Before John could finish his request Amelia shot up from the couch and steadily made her way over to where Sherlock was sulking.

"I know what we're going to do. I'm taking you to the park. Right now." Thankfully Sherlock was already dressed so they could go right out the door. Abandoning her bag and the spilled contents, she marched right over them while dragging Sherlock behind her.

"I'm already a third wheel." John muttered as the door slammed in front of his face.

~

"Mother of 3. Want's to separate from her husband. Does NOT want the kids." Sherlock pointed at the woman across the park who was walking past with a phone held to her ear, obviously in a heated conversation.

Amelia and Sherlock found themselves sat next to each other on a park bench. Between them sat a serving of chips that they were taking turns indulging in. Amelia's idea to distract Sherlock was to simply give him a task he had to complete. He had to deduce the public who found themselves at the same park. Amelia was glad they couldn't hear his deductions- most of them were quite rude and blunt.

"How do you know she's a mother of 3 and doesn't want her kids?"

"For one her body looks like she has had at least one child. Considering she is discussing divorce over the phone means that her and her husband have had time to grow apart, meaning time to have more kids. The average amount of kids a family has in this part of England is 3. And the fact that her kids are not with her at a park means she has some kind of resentment towards them."

"Makes sense." Amelia sighed.

"It's more than makes sense! It is fact. I am never wrong." Sherlock heatedly replied.

"Yes you are." Amelia wore a smug smile, knowing she was about to prove him wrong.

"No I'm not."

"The other day. You treated me differently because you thought I was fragile."

"I did nothing out of the ordinary-"

"I am not fragile. I have my moments like everyone else. But never mistake me for fragile." She took a moment before continuing on. "And I'd like to think you are the same way. You have your moments. Like this morning. But you are also not fragile."

"That man is currently having an affair with his wife's brother." Sherlock muttered turning away from Amelia.

She noticed anytime Sherlock was given the chance to open up and be real he always shut it down. She understood why he did, she acted the same way when anything about her dad was brought up. Amelia wasn't ignorant enough to think it was fine to live like that though. Sherlock was the exact opposite.

"You try." Sherlock spoke up suddenly.

"What?"

"You take a turn deducing people."

"No way in hell I'm capable of doing that." Amelia laughed in doubt at what Sherlock suggested.

"It's quite simple actually. For example," Sherlock took a moment to look around at the people who made up the park, "if someones finger nails are short and dirty they work in construction.'

"Well there's a bunch of construction workers over there. They definitely work in construction." Sherlock rolled his eyes at Amelia's sarcastic response.

"Which of the workers are on their break though? Look away from the construction scene itself." Amelia took his words to heart and started intently studying people's hands.

"Aha!" A few minutes later she spoke seemingly have found something. "That man over there eating a hot dog. Look at his nails."

"You are correct." Sherlock wore a small yet proud smile at Amelia's first deduction.

"Did this work?" Amelia turned to sit sideways on the bench to fully face Sherlock.

"Did what work?"

"Going to the park. Did it create enough of a distraction to keep you entertained?"

"Possibly."

"You're welcome."

"I would have figured it out on my own."

"Keep telling yourself that Holmes. We should probably head back to the flat. Johnny boy might be getting lonely."

"Do me and everyone else on Earth a favor and don't call John that again." Sherlock rolled his eyes.

"Alrighty Sherly." Amelia could hear an audible gag erupt from Sherlock's mouth at her words. Taking her time at the park as a victory she started to lead the two of them back to 221B Baker Street.

~

Amelia had ended up leaving to go back to her own flat shortly after dropping Sherlock- the more tamed version- back home. Dropping her keys on the counter top, she made her way slowly towards her bedroom.

Since she left their flat she felt something building up inside. Her head felt light and hurt. Overall she felt off. It made her uncomfortable that she couldn't shake it.

When she arrived she took a deep breath and let it go. Over and over. Sitting herself on the soft ground that made up her room, she continued keeping a steady breath. Feeling the ground beneath her hands beneath her being to remind herself she was still here. Breathing in and out and feeling the carpet between her finger tips.

After being alone for so long she forgot how much it could consume her. The silence, the loneliness, the boredom, the urges. When alone every problem she accumulated piled on top of her. It was hard to breath now.

Amelia knew she had to take herself away from herself before she did anything she regretted. Going to lay down, back on the floor, she placed her hands on her stomach. Control. Control her thoughts. Breath in. Breath out. Start counting backwards in a pattern of 3 from 100. 97. 94. 91. Do it until everything

Stops.

Her panic attacks didn't last long but when they hit they hit hard. They would cause her not to be able to breath, and most times her heart would begin racing. On the outside her composure would look fine, at the most only a bit agitated. On the inside a storm was created in her mind. The wicked witch of the west would swoop in and take away her self control until she decided it was time to give it back.

Mustering enough energy to bring herself up, Amelia stood and gently lay herself on her bed. She said her affirmation statements that her therapist taught her from all those years ago. She was okay. She was alright. Everything was going to be good.

Falling into a soft slumber, Amelia allowed her body to go limp, and give herself a break.

~

"How are you liking Sherlock?" John asked Amelia as they were leaving a victim's place they had to investigate, courtesy of Sherlock's wishes.

"I don't feel anything definitive but I think he has potential." Amelia shrugged, answering John truthfully.

"Potential for what?" John had a look in his eyes that Amelia immediately picked up on. John couldn't hide the smile creeping onto his face.

"I do not plan to do anything of the sorts. I meant as a friend. Although he has few of those which is why I said nothing was definitive." Amelia explained, retaliating the suggesting looks Sherlock gave.

"Stop overthinking Amelia. You two click like two pieces in a puzzle. Dare I say more than we did." John faked gasped at the end causing Amelia to laugh.

"Straight lies you're feeding me John. Quite rude to lie to your old mate!"

"Oh stop it. You'll prove me right soon enough. Trust my love instincts." John wriggled his eyebrows in a concerning manner.

"That was the most repulsing thing I've witness in my life. And I've seen some shit. Please never do that again." Amelia shook her head in disappointment.

"Don't MAKE me do it again!" John laughed.

Amelia knew that her and Sherlock would only be friends. If at all. Right now she was mainly making sure he didn't take any drugs. Even though all of that was true she couldn't help but think of what could happen though. What if something happened that was beyond friends? Not wanting to entertain the thought she pushed it away and tried to enjoy the rest of the day with John.

[obscuritas-est-lux]

Mira Self Para Currently in a coma:

Mira woke up just like she had any other day to the sun shining in the windows. She could hear the birds singing in the trees outside. Their songs made her smile. She got up and stretched. “My goodness. I got up so late today.” She murmured to herself  as she draped her feet out of the bed. Her mother must have left early this morning. 

Mira got dressed and looked around her room. It wasn’t a giant room but it was her own. She smiled as she saw all of the paintings and drawings she had done since she was a small toddler. Mira walked over to the window and opened it letting the fresh air inside. She looked around at the land she was supposed to stay away from. She always wished she could go outside. Of course what her mother, Lilith didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. 

“Did Mother Lilith leave early today?” Mira asked to her best friend Wes, the worlds nicest fox. He was laying casually under a tree. Next to him was his little sister  Gianna. Mira was never going to tell Wes that Gianna was adopted seeing as she was indeed a hedgehog. Wes nodded his head at her and Mira smiled. “Yes!” If Mother Lilith wasn’t around she was able to do whatever she wanted. Mira grabbed snacks for her two friends and climbed out the window. She climbed down the stone tower and onto the soft grass. 

“Hi guys!” She smiled and plopped down right next to Wes and Gianna. Wes walked over and curled up right next to her side and Gianna climbed into her lap. Mira sang songs and fed them snacks. “What are we going to do today?” She asked her best friends. They looked at her. She smiled at them and listened to their ideas. “Hmm we could go on a small adventure.” She nodded and gently placed Gianna off her lap. “Let’s go!” Mira and her friends skipped through the forest pretending to be all types of adventures. Mother Lilith brought Mira all kinds of books to keep her busy. 

There was only one rule. Don’t leave the tower. Mira broke that rule all the time. She did a really good job hiding it though. Finally it was time to go back to the tower before Mother Lilith arrived home. She said goodnight to Gianna and Wes and then climbed back into the top window of the tower. She straightened up their cozy tower home before starting dinner for her mother. 

“Mira!” Mother Lilith called from the ground. Mira tossed the basket over the ledge and pulled her mother up into the tower. “Hi Mother. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to you this morning.” Mira frowned as her mother stepped of the basket. Mira nearly out of breath leaned against the wall. “Oh Flower. I just couldn’t bare to wake you.” She cooed coming over and brushing her fingers over the backs of Mira’s hands. “What did you make for dinner?” She asked walking towards their kitchen.

“Your favorite soup. Remember you brought me the ingredients yesterday.” Mira called after her taking a deep breath. “Oh of course.” Mother Lilith nodded and sat at the table. They enjoyed their dinner in silence. Once everything was put away Mother Lilith called Mira over to her chair. “Flower. I would like for you to sing to me.” She smiled and placed Mira’s hands on her face. She couldn’t reject her mother. So she began to sing the song she was taught as a small child. Her mother use to sing it before she could. 

She continued to sing as the light went from her fingers and into her mother’s skin. Mira watched as her mother smiled. All of the worry lines and faded marks went away. Mira smiled feeling so proud she could help someone stay healthy. Mother Lilith told her all about how she had to save her from her father and aunt. All they wanted to do was abuse her power. She was kept in the tower to protect herself from them. 

After using her power Mira always grew tired so she said goodnight to Mother Lilith and went up to sleep. She was surprised to find an asleep Gianna on her pillow. “How did you get here sunshine?” She whispered and tucked the little hedgehog in with her. She told Gianna the story of how she had met them, obviously because Gianna wanted a bed time story. “It was about a year ago. I was sneaking around in the ya know where and I saw a poor fox all hurt. I ran over to him and secretly used my power to heal him. Shortly after you came out from your hiding spot and we became great friends.” Mira gave a soft kiss to her forehead and fell asleep. 

The next day was the best day it was Mira’s birthday. She got up and quickly went downstairs. Her mother was already sitting at the table waiting for her. “Good morning Mother” She smiled and grabbed the breakfast bread putting it next to her. “Isn’t today lovely?” She asked trying to drop a hint.

“Oh yes dear it is.” Mother Lilith half heatedly said eating her scone. “You know today is my birthday.” Mira said shyly. 

“Oh I distinctly remember that happening last year.” Mother Lilith chastised her daughter standing up from the table. “Oh but mother remember birthday’s are kind of an annual thing?”  Mother Lilith rolled her eyes. “Oh alright. What would you like for your birthday?” She sighed and looked at Mira. 

“Well you know that island that’s in the distance? The one that always releases those lanterns?” She asked pointing out the window. Mother Lilith tilted her head. “What about the island?” She knew where this was going and Mother Lilith was not happy not one bit. “I want to go there.” Mira sighed. “Please?” 

“You want to go outside?! To that island? Don’t you remember all the trouble I had to go through to get you off the island?!” Mother Lilith was enraged. How dare this child ask such things of her. “No. You will not. Ugh I’m tired. Come sing me a song.” Mother Lilith called Mira over. “But Mother....” Mira begged. 

“NO” Mother Lilith yelled at her daughter pushing her down. “I never want to speak of this again. I have to take a trip. I’ll be back in four days.” Mother Lilith grumbled. She wouldn’t tell Mira this but another child she had kept from their father was locked in a tower far from here. She had to go check to make sure that daughter was still alive. Lilith grabbed Mira’s hands and placed a soft kiss on them before heading out of the tower. 

Mira sighed. All she had wanted was to go to that beautiful island. She could see if from her window. Every year on her birthday they lit up the sky with beautiful lanterns and fireworks. It was like a party but just for her. “You know what. I can do this myself.” Mira said stomping her foot. She ran upstairs and packed a bag. 4 days had to be enough to visit the island and come back. Right? 

Mira climbed out of the tower and down to the grass. Wes and Gianna were right by her feet. How did Gianna get back down? Oh well. Mira told them her whole plan. Which since her only plan was to somehow make it to the island it didn’t take very long to explain. “Alright. Let’s go!” Mira said. She was just heading into the forest when she saw two men walking towards her tower. She instantly hid behind the trees to watch. 

“I don’t know if Lilith is here. Are you sure she’s hiding someone here?” The older looking of the two men said. Lilith? Did they mean mother? 

“That’s what Apollo said. He said Artemis sent out Hunters and they tracked Lilith to 3 other towers. This was just the closest to the island so they said to check it first.” The younger one said looking up at the tower. 

“How do we even get up? There’s no doors.” The older one rubbed his hands over his hair. 

Were they bandits...were these the bad people her mother always warned her about. What was she going to do? Mira pulled out of her bag the slingshot she had secretly made. She didn’t have any rocks so she grabbed a berry from the bush. “These pass as rocks right Gianna? Wes?” She asked her friends. They simply shrugged at her. Mira crouched down and got closer to the two men. They were now at the base of her tower looking up. 

“Freeze or I’ll shoot you!” She called from her hiding spot in the woods. The two men jumped and spun around at the sound. “We don’t want to hurt you!” They called out holding their hands up. Mira got closer to them. “What do you want with my tower?” She asked them peaking her head out.

“Your tower...wait...” The younger one tilted his head. 

“We don’t want to hurt you. Your father sent us to save you!” The older one called out with a big smile on his face. 

“My Mother says my father wants me dead.” Mira questioned them. “Or he wants to steal my powers.” She wasn’t sure who to believe. She had to believe Mother Lilith. That was the only parent she had ever known. 

“Look I promise we won’t hurt you. We....we’re Lilith’s sons.” The younger one said almost sadly. Mother Lilith had other children? 

“Her what?!” Mira jumped out of her hiding spot. “Sons?” The two men nodded at her. “How?!” The two looked at each other and then back at Mira.

“Well...um that part...” The older one started.

“We’re older than you.” The younger one interrupted. Mira saw the look of appreciation on the older boys face and was confused. 

“I’m Finn.” Said the older boy smiling at her. “I’m Noel.” The younger one added. “We really don’t want to hurt you. We want to take you to the island. It’s your birthday right?” Noel smiled at her pointing in the direction of the island. 

“You’ll take me to the island?” She smiled wide all thoughts of the men being murders disappeared. Finn and Noel nodded. “That’s why were here!” They said almost at the same time. Mira leaned down and started talking to Wesley and Gianna. “What do I do?” She asked sighing. Mira nodded her head as Wesley told her that siblings were important but she needed to be safe. “Will you go with me?” She asked Wesley and Gianna. They noodled telling her that they had already planned to travel with her. 

Mira popped back up. “Okay I’ll go with you.” She nodded. The men looked at her like she had lost her mind. She had just been talking to a fox and a hedgehog. What was happening. They headed over to her. Together the 5 of them traveled through the forest. They talked all about their favorite things and how much Mira loved the forest. It had been 2 days and Mira was almost worried that they wouldn’t make it back in time for mother’s return. She had to put it out of her head. 

Finally they made it to the edge of the land. Sadly there was a 2 person max on the boat that took people across to the island. They decided to send Finn along with Gianna and Wes across first. Mira would not allow her best friends stay and wait for her on this side. She wanted to go by herself with them but Finn and Noel didn’t want her running away. So they made a deal. Mira waved to her friends as they crossed the water. Now it was just Mira and Noel.

What they didn’t know was that Mother Lilith made very good time at her other tower. She arrived home to surprise Mira and found it empty. She immediately started a search. It wasn’t long before Mother Lilith caught up with Mira and her two sons. She sighed. Of course those boys would try and hurt their wonderful mother. They just didn’t understand. She couldn’t let them take Mira to that island. Once she was there the God’s powers would protect her and Mother Lilith wouldn’t be able to use her healing powers anymore. 

Mother Lilith went searching. Finally she found the perfect helper. A Minotaur. She offered them whatever their heart desired if they brought her child back unharmed. Of course Mother Lilith couldn’t remember the name of the child she had wanted since she only called that child Flower for her whole life. She said it would be the child with dark brown hair. The Minotaur was off. 

Noel and Mira were sitting waiting for the boat to come back. A crowd started to form, apparently there was some type of event at the island that day. Everyone from the surrounding villages were going to get on the boats to head over. It was then that Mira and Noel heard the screams. A Minotaur came racing through the crowd plowing through everyone. Mira and Noel both without thinking starting helping people. Noel used up all of his energy to hit the animal with a lightening strike. Unfortunately he wound up gravely wounded. Mira had been healing as many people as she could when she stumbled on her brother laying on the ground. 

“No!” She yelled. She had just met him. He seemed really nice! Mira decided she couldn’t let him die. Mira did everything she could to save him. She was so angry at the groups of people that she yelled at them. She heard the voice of the boat captain tell everyone to back off. The boat captain told Mira he was going to help her get Noel into the boat they were going to take him to the hospital. Whatever that was. Mira couldn’t pay attention to him. Her vision was fading. The last thing she saw was Mother Lilith standing on the edge of the forest glaring at her. “You will never survive there.” How could she have possibly heard that. She felt Noel’s heart beat under her fingers. She stopped. She was done. Her eyes closed.

[buddyxcollyhollis]

@writervega once upon a time ago you commented on a Drabble about just how Buddy and Helene got to the aftermath of losing Colleen. This finally came to me. The ending storm came from my father’s passing, I’d like to think God sent the rain to bring him home. There’s also a side tidbit about our dear Col, she was born during a rain storm. Could be why she loves the sound so much. 

All Ends Have a Beginning { When I’m gone verse } 

“Ruth…you seen my gloves?”

Humming softly to herself behind the morning paper she thought for a moment. Stretching her legs for a moment Buddy caught a glimpse of long lean dancer’s legs and he smiled. Sitting there in the morning light, hair mussed and slightly curled and back lit by early summer sunshine his wife was a vision to his eyes. 

“They should be out in the tool shed where you left’em, Bud.”

He felt her cool green eyes all but pin him to the spot. Her mind a steel trap as she took in his attire. Chaps and protective over vest and old beat up hat. He had gotten a call from his older brother  last night about helping him to break a bronco and maybe putting his name back in the hat. One last ride as it were before closing that chapter on the book of his life. His life could be exponentially shorted  judging by the looks his beloved bride was shooting his way. She was off like a shot towards the mounted phone on the wall before Buddy could even blink. 

“Clyde Nemual Hollis I’m just about fixing to come on down there and castrate you myself. Did you get Boaz to out his name into the hat?”

Boaz. She very rarely used his given name unless they were intimate or he found himself in a whole heaping helping of trouble and seeing as there wasn’t a bed or a hay pile in sight he guessed he’d better brace himself for her wrath because it was coming. He watched as her face softened for a moment. Clyde must have told her that it was just a bronc he needed help with. It was the truth and his Ruth respected his brother and the truth. Why would Clyde lie to her? He’d never had reason to before this and she’d known damn near twenty-two years at this point. 

“He hasn’t had anything to do with broncs since I quite racin’ barrels. You promise me you’ll keep him safe. But as long as it’s just bronc busting that you need help with. He so much as even looks at that bull I’ll be on you like white on rice you hear me?”

She hung up the phone and turned to him the sleeve of her cotton night dress had slipped off one of her slender gently tanned shoulders and she studied him just as intently. 

“How badly do you want this?”

Pulling her close he smiled and didn’t hesitate to answer. 

“As bad as I want you right now. This’ll be the last time, Ruth. I swear.”

Plucking the hat from his head she kissed him gently. 

“Alright, I’ll get you a new set of gloves from Danver’s Supply. I’ve got to go into town for a few things anyway today. You’ll watch Abel today?”

It wasn’t unusual for her to venture into town on her own every now and then. It was the least he could do to keep their toddler entertained for a short amount of time. 

“ ‘Course. Cae said he’d be by with those picnic tables you wanted for the fourth. I think between the two of us along with my Clyde Abel’s going to be kept highly entertained until you get back.”

Satisfied she hugged him and took off upstairs to get ready for the day and check on a still slumbering Abel. 

The rest of the day was spent weeding the garden and repainting the chicken coop. Abel had just been fed and Colleen had just gotten off the phone with her mother when Buddy found himself with enough time to catch a second wind. 

“Looks like I’ve got to go into Wallace for a few things. Daddy’s got something going on with one of the hunting dogs and Mama can’t leave Granny at the moment. I’ve got to stop by Doc Hatcher’s the pharmacy for Granny’s medicines and then I’ll be over to Danver’s and down to the Publix. You’re sure that you’re okay to make dinner tonight? You look beat.”

It was true, all that time spent hunched over in the garden and then getting a call from their neighbor down the road to help with a calf birthing had taken it out of him but he persisted. He watched her watching the sky for any sign of rain. She had been watching weather forecasts and a drought was nearly called. Leave it his wife to worry about just about everyone and everything, even her own garden. 

“I’ll be fine ‘sides it’s only a little after one. I’ll be ready to go by the time Cae and Clyde show up and I’m just reheating what you made. I’ll make sure Abe’s cleaned up afterward. Drive safe and I’ll see you ‘bout…”

“Shouldn’t be any later than five or five thirty. Unless Mama needs help getting Granny cleaned up. I’ll call you either way.” 

In a flurry of movement she did the usual little swing dance with Abel around the kitchen before depositing a kiss on the toddler’s chubby little cheek and putting him down to scamper off in search of the family dog. The song on the radio changed and before Colleen turned he grabbed her and gave her a twirl around the kitchen floor like he used to do when they went out on Friday nights. Clint had never sounded so good to their ears. 

I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you

Every thunder cloud that came was one more I might not get through

But on the darkest day there's always light, and now I see it too

But I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you

“Even the damn radio’s mockin’ me and my poor water deprived garden. Hopefully we’ll get something.”

“Your garden’ll be fine.”

“It’s not just the garden I’m worried about. I miss the sound of it at night. There’s nothing like the sound of a summer storm to help you sleep.”

He never would understand why his wife liked the rain or summer storms so much. Maybe one day he’d figure her out. 

She kissed Buddy as gently and sweetly as she always did before snagging his hat again and she was gone with a smile. 

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He watched as she climbed behind the wheel of her truck. She honked her usual shave and a hair cut honk and away she went.  He didn’t know that that would be the last time he’d see her. 

Two o’clock rolled around and true to his word Buddy had gotten his second wind. Clyde came by as did Caleb and between the three of them they got the picnic tables set up for the gathering of the clans as Colleen had taken to calling their annual fourth of the July barbecue.  Clyde had forgone bringing the bronc anywhere near the Hollis farm and when asked about his he just shook his head. 

“Colleen mentioned snippin’ me so Waco can wait another day. Stop on by next week, Buddy. We’ll figure somethin’ out.”

Abel had taken to situating himself atop his uncle Caleb’s shoulders while winding down for an impromptu nap. Three o’clock came and went as did four and then five.  Dinner had been warmed up and the men had eaten and just gotten Abel to eat at least three big bites until the boy had become virtually inconsolable. Buddy figured it was just a case of being overtired and got the boy into the bath and ready for bed by six forty five. By seven Helene stopped over to see Colleen and was perplexed as to why she wasn’t home yet. A phone call from Col’s mother however worried each of them as Abel was passed around from person to person each trying his or her best to get him to settle.

“What do you mean she didn’t stop by? She’s not home yet here. She said she’d be back home around 5:30 at the latest. Maybe she ran into traffic or the truck was giving her some trouble?”

An hour later a vehicle pulled up into the side driveway and footfalls could be heard on the front porch. Jim Walker, a long time friend of both Buddy and Colleen and his deputy Red Gilley were the ones to break the news before the hospital even had a chance to call. 

“There’s been a bad accident and…Buddy it’s best that you come with us.”

Clyde had offered to stay with Abel while Caleb and Helene made the drive with him to St. Gabriel’s Hospital a county over. They met her parents there and joined at her bedside.  A whirl of activity and Buddy couldn’t understand a single word spoken to him. She had been an organ donor so there were papers to sign. Her body shutting down slowly, she wouldn’t make it through the night. Her Mama and her best friend combed out her long dark hair as Caleb and her father contacted the local minister. Buddy, never left her side and instead he sang to her. Softly, quietly and without shame. 

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, help me stand

I am tired,

I am weak,

I am worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Just as he finished the first verse a thunder clap could be heard before great drops of rain pattered against the double paned glass of the hospital room. 

“You got your wish, baby. Go with the rain. I love you, Ruth.”

[artlessictoan]

this one’s actually a request I got on the ao3 version of this drabble collection, butch!sak/tomboy!hina coffe shop au! and is this the first coffee shop au I’ve ever done?? I think it might be!

(requests open)

(ao3 mirror)

---

It had been a long morning and Hinata desperately needed caffeine.

She’d had to wake up hellishly early – which might’ve been fine if she hadn’t been up until three in the morning desperately trying to finish her thesis in time for her first class – then spent almost an hour being jerked around by the aggressively indifferent receptionist of her school’s laboratory, before learning that the time she had booked for her vital preliminary experiments, had in fact been given to another student and the next available slot wasn’t until the end of the week. Handily throwing a wrench in her entire year’s calendar that she would be trying to work around for months to come.

And, on top of all that, the heavens had opened up the second she stepped outside, releasing several days’ worth of water all at once, leaving her to trudge home through a downpour, or hang out in the waiting room of the lab until it passed.

With the smirking receptionist, who she was too polite to tell to fuck himself, but who she dearly hoped would suffer several minor inconveniences for the rest of the day.

She chose the cold, wet walk instead.

Perhaps it had been a mistake, she could probably have found an empty classroom to quietly study in for an hour or so if she’d tried, but with her mind only lightly tethered to reality in her current state, it was more likely she would’ve just had a cry-nap instead.

It wouldn’t be the first time, but if a lecturer found her like that again, someone was bound to try and contact her father to inform him of her struggles, and he would wield that knowledge like a sledgehammer against her dreams of a career of her own; one without constant parental oversight and criticism.

She was absolutely not going to let that happen. Right now, however, what mattered most was getting out of the rain.

Squinting against the water running off the hood of her coat, she searched for somewhere – anywhere – that she could duck into and while away the time until her next lecture in a few hours. When she spotted a small café tucked away between a derelict bookstore and a corner shop that proudly called itself ‘Cheap-mart’ she didn’t care how dingy it looked, she just threw open the doors and shook herself off like a dog the second she was inside.

The barista leaning against the counter with his head in his hand glanced up at her; she offered him an awkward smile as she tried to brush down her damp hair. He returned with his own smile, one somehow even more awkward than her own, but straightened up and waved her over.

“Welcome, what can I get for you today?”

She didn’t bother to peruse the blackboards painted up behind him. “Black coffee, thank you.” Definitely not a drink that fit her usual tastes – she was more of a tea person – but she was about five seconds from collapsing on the cold, hard floor and wanted as little diluting the terrible, life-giving substance as possible.

If she’d had a syringe with her, she would have injected it directly into her bloodstream.

“Can I interest you in something to eat?” he asked, voice robotic and smile unnaturally fixed in place. “A sandwich, perhaps even one of our homemade cakes?”

The word ‘cake’ immediately caught her fraying attention and she stared into the glass display to scrutinise the options available with the same keen eye she would use for chemical analysis. It was actually quite impressive how… unappetizing they all looked; sponges were wonky, frosting looked like it had been applied with a slingshot, one was painted in the garish colours of a toddler given free reign of the crayon box and they had apparently all been cut with a chainsaw, she had no other explanation for the crumbling edges and uneven slices.

“I’ll have the coffee and walnut.” She glanced back outside, noting that the storm didn’t look like it would be passing any time soon and she had already skipped breakfast. “Actually, make that two slices.”

Dark eyes blinked at her in pure shock, before the man wordlessly fulfilled her order, only breaking his silence to tell her the cost and exchange cash.

She barely noticed, taking her plate and her cup and her sopping bag, she stumbled to the nearest table and sank down into the wooden chair like it was a plush, feather pillow. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the barista slipping through a door that presumably led to a kitchen; she might’ve found that a bit unprofessional, if it weren’t for the fact that she was literally the only customer in right now.

As she gulped down half of her coffee – grimacing at the taste, but pushing through it regardless – she wondered if the place was always this quiet. Sure, it was a little out of the way and if she hadn’t been looking for somewhere to escape the weather, she probably wouldn’t have noticed it was even there, but it had a stylish interior, wall painted with abstract ink patterns and rustic furniture.

And, when she shoved a generous forkful of cake into her mouth, she had to wonder even more about how a café with such incredible goods had flown so completely under the radar.

She literally closed her eyes and moaned.

Her fatigue was completely forgotten as she eagerly shovelled another mouthful between her lips, then another, and another. She was onto the second slice in about thirty seconds.

“Holy shit, I didn’t actually believe it…”

Hinata glanced up, absolutely no clue who would be disturbing her mid-meal and, even if her mouth hadn’t been full of soft, melting deliciousness, she probably wouldn’t have been able to say anything.

The short, stocky woman, with arms practically bursting out of the sleeves of her chef’s jacket – which presumably had been white at one point, but was now littered with so many stains in basically every conceivable colour that it was basically tie-dye – pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down heavily, crossing her arms on the table and leaning forwards with a slight frown. “Someone actually bought a cake.”

She was still chewing and had to wash down her bite with a generous gulp of coffee, just to respond.

“Huh?”

Very eloquent. Her father would be proud.

“No one buys the cake, we get about fifteen customers a day, I would remember someone buying the cake before-” she jerked a thumb in the direction of the barista leaning boredly against the counter “-Sai was so shocked he immediately came into the kitchen to tell me about it.”

That a customer actually choosing to eat the food on offer was such an anomaly that the chef had to come out of the kitchen, just to see if it was true, was a damning report on the state of their business. “Really?” she asked, looking down at the slice on her plate. “I can’t imagine why, it’s delicious.”

Dark brows narrowed over her green, green eyes. “Are you making fun of me? Did my mother send you here? Are you an EHO?” The woman was standing up now, leaning ever further into her personal space, flour-covered hands steady on either side of the table. With her face only a few inches away, Hinata could pick out individual pores on her nose and several old, faded scars. “I assure you; all my paperwork is up to date,” she said slowly, in such a low, threatening tone that left Hinata less assured than ever before.

She waved her hands in front of her face and backed away as far as the chair would let her. “I don’t’ know what that means and I came here on my own, I just… really like the cake?”

The speed at which the chef’s entire demeanour switched left Hinata feeling a little dizzy. Suddenly her bright eyes were sparkling and she had a wide, toothy grin stretching across her face as she asked, “For real? Even though it looks like absolute dogshit?”

“Well, as long as it tastes good, I don’t think the appearance really matters that much.” A statement easily reinforced by the fact that she was wearing an old, faded hoodie and some leggings she’d technically bought just for the gym, but were so comfortable that they’d wormed their way into her everyday wardrobe anyway.

Also, she was still soaked through and probably looked like a bedraggled cat, but she was trying to ignore that right now.

“Finally, someone who appreciates my genius!” Slapping a hand against the table hard enough to make it rock on its uneven legs, she turned around to shout at her co-worker, “You hear that Sai?”

“As glad as I am to have a satisfied customer, I would point you to the forty-seven other slices of cake that have been consistently rejected by everyone else who’s come in today.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but Hinata got the feeling that he really was trying his best. “You can’t decorate cakes for shit and no one wants to eat them.”

The scoff and dramatic rolling of eyes suggested that this was a regular argument for these two. “Ignore him, he just thinks that he’s a better artist than me-”

“I am an objectively better artist than you.”

“Anyway-” she displayed a middle finger at him over her shoulder, all while keeping her gaze fixed on Hinata “-I’m really glad you like the cake, I know my presentation’s a bit… rough, but I know what tastes good, just wish more people would give it a chance.”

Hinata had to give a wobbly smile at the woman’s childish pout; ohhh she was in trouble. “You do have a talent for flavour, I must admit,” she said, “I think this is the best coffee cake I’ve ever had.”

“Right? I’ve been playing around with some ideas for new recipes- actually wait here a sec, I’ll go cut you off some samples.” She was charging through the door leading to the kitchen before Hinata could object, but, looking at the rain still hammering down against the windows and taking another bite of beautifully soft cake… she could think of worse ways to spend an afternoon than being fed a selection of baked goods by an incredibly handsome woman with biceps that could probably crush steel.

Maybe she could even come up with an excuse to touch them. Just to satisfy her scientific curiosity.

---

By the time the rain had settled down to a slow drizzle, she had completely forgotten everything that led her to the café in the first place, so distracted was she by chatting to the charmingly exuberant chef – who was called Sakura, she quickly learned.

They had shared several slices of experimental cakes and, while none of them looked very pretty, Hinata had been blow away by the taste each and every time.

If her alarm hadn’t started buzzing insistently, she would’ve happily spent the whole day getting lost in sugar and soft pink hair and distractingly shifting muscles and a boisterous, snorting laugh that had absolutely no right being as cute as she found it. Alas, she still had classes that she could not afford to skip and she really shouldn’t keep Sakura from her work for any longer. Even if she didn’t seem to have much to do.

As she gathered her things and pulled on her coat, she glanced down at the woman with a soft smile. “Thank you for all the wonderful food, and conversation.” She rummaged through her bag and drew out her wallet, dropping a few notes in the tip jar as she passed. One benefit to coming from a wealthy family, she afford to be very generous.

Sai grinned at her, slapping a hand over Sakura’s mouth before she could object to the payment – and judging from the look in her bright eyes, that was almost certainly what she was planning.

Rolling her eyes as she pushed his hand away, she leaned over the counter to grin widely at Hinata. “Please, come again!”

“Yes, and bring friends with you next time, as you can see, we’re pretty desperate for business.”

“Idiot, don’t tell that to the customers!” Sakura yelled, slapping a hand to her forehead hard enough to leave a red mark there.

He gave her a Look. “It’s advertising.”

“No, it’s desperation, you better not have been telling that to everyone who comes in here.”

“Are we not desperate?” He asked, voice completely even and reasonable. “Do I have to show you our account books again? Maybe you should focus on trying to find a cake decorating course, before you start criticising me.”

Hinata laughed softly to herself, but not quietly enough that she didn’t catch the attention of both workers. She smiled at the pair, marvelling at their bizarre friendship that she wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more of. “I’ll tell everyone I know that the food here is delicious and they need to come try it-” she glanced at Sakura, who was almost glowing at the compliment, and had to duck her head to hide her blush “-and I live pretty close by, I’m sure I’ll be coming in here a lot more too.”

Before she could rush out of the doors, a voice called out to her, “Hey, what’s your favourite kind of cake? I wanna make it for the next time you come here.”

She stopped and had to take several calming breaths before turning around. “Anything with cinnamon,” she said, not wanting to give herself too much hope, but unable to deny the rush of excitement fizzing through her veins at the thought of spending more time – much more time – with the wonderful, strange, charming baker.

Sakura nodded, eyes already sparking with ideas. “Alright, I’ll make you something amazing, you better come back to taste it soon!”

“I will,” she said, stepping out into the damp afternoon, feeling lighter than air and ready to take on the whole world.

---